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0 Understand Islam Series - 400 Parts - Jaseemk-1

Class notes about Islam

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

14 views787 pages

0 Understand Islam Series - 400 Parts - Jaseemk-1

Class notes about Islam

Uploaded by

aHMED TANTAWY

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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’Understand Islam’ Series Topics List:

51. What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?

52. Who All Will Enter Paradise?
53. What is the Concept of Hell in Islam?
54. Are All Non-Muslims (Even with Good Morals) Going to Hell?
55. What Will be the Fate of Disbelievers Who Never Heard the Message of Islam?
56. What are the Concepts of Last Day & the Day of Judgment?
57. Who are the Prophets? Why Did God Send Prophets?
58. What are the Criteria for a True Prophet?
59. Why were Prophets Chosen from Human Beings, Not from Angels?
60. What Were the Teachings of the Prophets?
61. Who is Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him)?
62. Characteristics of Muhammad’s ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood
63. What are the Evidences for Muhammed's ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood?
64. What is Wrong in Considering that Muhammad( ‫ )ﷺ‬Had Aimed for Worldly
Power?
65. Why is Muhammed(‫ )ﷺ‬Called the Last Prophet?
66. Why Prophet Muhammad Didn’t Die for Our Sins?
67. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Hindu Scriptures?
68. Is Prophet Muhammad the Kalki Avtar Prophesized in Hindu Scriptures?
69. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible Old Testaments?
70. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible New Testaments?
71. Who are the Angels?
72. Why Did God Create Angels? Does He Need Help of Angels?
73. What are the Scriptures?
74. What are the Fundamental Sources of Islamic Faith?
75. What is the Holy Qur'an?
76. What is the Theme of Holy Qur'an?
77. Who Wrote the Holy Qur'an? Can It Not Be Claimed that the Qur'an was the
Composition of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Himself?
78. Why the Qur'an Was Not Revealed to Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬in a Compiled Form
(Altogether)?
79. When and Under What Circumstance was the Qur'an Compiled as a Complete
Book Bound Between Two Cover Pages?
80. What are the Evidence for the Qur'an to Be a Divine Scripture?
81. Is there Any Contradiction in Holy Qur'an? What is the Reality of the
'Contradictions' that Critics Allege?
82. Is Qur'an Scientific & Rational?
83. Scientific Facts in the Quran
84. Can it Be Said that the Qur'an is a Practicable Book in All Respects?
85. What Does the Qur'an Say About the Scriptures that Preceded It?
86. Does Islam Agree the Hindu & Christian Scriptures Existing Today?
87. Did the Glorious Qur'an Preserve as It was Revealed from God?
88. Are there Different Versions of Holy Quran?
89. Is it Not True that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has Copied the Qur'an from the
Bible?
90. What is Hadith? What is the Importance of Hadith in Islam?
91. What are the Obligatory Acts of Worship in Islam?
92. Why do Muslims Perform Daily Prayer (Namaz)?
93. Message of Ramadan - Why do Muslims Fast?
94. Concept, Importance & Benefits of Zakat in Islam
95. Why Do Muslims Perform Hajj?
96. What is Shariah Law?
97. What is the Relation Between God and Human?
98. What Should Be a Muslim's Attitude Towards Worldly Life?
99. Islamic Perspective of Monasticism (Sannyasa)?
100. Morals and Faith Are Inseparable

101. What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?

102. What is the Concept of Sin in Islam?
103. What Should Be the Characters of a Muslim?
104. Importance of Knowledge & Education in Islam?
105. What are the Islamic Directions in the Financial Front & Earning Money?
106. What are the Islamic Directions on Spending Money?
107. What Does Qur'an Say About Master-Laborer Relationship?
108. Environmental Teachings of Islam
109. What are the Islamic Teachings Regarding Food?
110. What are the Islamic Teachings Regarding Health and Wellness?
111. What is Islamic View on Entertainments?
112. What are the Characteristics of Islamic Society?
113. What are the Human Rights in Islam/Quran?
114. The Concept of Equality in Islam?
115. The Concept of Justice in Islam
116. Social Service in Islam
117. Humanity and the Divine Religion
118. The Importance of Good Family Ties in Islam
119. What is the Status of Parents in Islam?
120. How Should Be a Muslim's Relationship with Non-Muslim Parents?
121. The Rights of Children on Parents in Islam.
122. What is Islamic View About Neighborhood? / Rights of Neighbors in Islam?
123. What is the Quran's Approach Towards Slavery?
124. What Were the Practical Steps Qur'an Adopted for the Eradication of Slavery?
125. Why Didn't Qur'an Completely Prohibit Slavery?
126. What is the Concept of Gender Equality in Islam?
127. Does Not Islam Give Freedom to Women? Is Islam a Male Dominated Religion?
128. What are the Rights Islam Gives to Women?
129. What Will Women Get in Paradise, While Men Get Beautiful Maidens (Hoor)?
130. Does Islam Prevent Women from Entering Masjid (Mosque)?
131. Isn't it an Explicit Discrimination that Islam Gives Men Twice the Portion of
Women in their Share of Inheritance?
132. What is the Islamic Code of Dress?
133. Is Hijab (Veil) a Symbol of Oppression or Freedom?
134. What is the Islamic View on Marriage?
135. What are the Procedures in Islamic Wedding?
136. Why is Polygamy Allowed (for Men) in Islam?
137. Why Islam Prohibits Woman from Having More than One Husband?
138. What was the Wisdom Behind Prophet's Multiple Marriages? / Why Did Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Have Many Wives?
139. What Does Islam Say About Divorce?
140. What is the Quranic Procedure of Talaq?
141. Why is Extra-Marital Sexual Relationship Prohibited in Islam?
142. Teachings of Moderation and Balance in Islam
143. Peace of Mind Only through Remembrance of God
144. Is Islam a Religion of Logic?
145. Islam - The Easy and Natural Way
146. No Priesthood in Islam
147. The Prophet's Last Sermon
148. What is the Islamic View Towards Casteism & Racism?
149. Why are There Many Sects/Groups in Islam?
150. Islam is the Religion of Tolerance and Ease
151. What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?
152. What Does Islam Teach About Humanity?
153. What Should Be the Approach of Muslims Towards Non-Muslims?
154. Who is Kafir? Does this Term Denounce Non-Muslims?
155. Does Qur'an Prohibit Having Intimate Relations with Non-Muslims?
156. Does Qur'an Prohibit Marital Relations with Non-Muslims?
157. Does Qur'an Encourage Muslims to Demolish the Objects of Worship of Other
Religionists?
158. What is 'Jihad'? Can Terrorism be Compared to Physical Jihad?
159. Is Jihad the Battle Against Non-Muslims? Does Qur'an Propagate Animosity
Towards Other Religions by Encouraging Jihad?
160. Does Qur'an Recommend the Forcible Conversion of Non-Muslims?
161. What Does the Qur'an Say About Peace & Non-Violence?
162. Does Quran Promote Violence, Bloodshed and Brutality by Saying Muslims
Should Kill the Kuffar Wherever They Find Them?
163. What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?
164. Why is Islam Portrayed as Violent and Horrible? Who is Behind this
Propaganda?
165. Are All Terrorists Muslims?
166. What Were the Motives of the Wars of the Prophet?
167. Does the Struggle for Rights have to Choose the Path of War Itself?
168. What Does the Qur'an Say About War?
169. When is it Permissible to Fight in Islam?
170. When Does Jihad Become Obligatory for a Muslim?
171. What are Islamic Laws and Rules of War?
172. Why Suicide Bombing Violates Islam?
173. What are the Ethics & Humanity Islam Teaches in the War Towards Enemies?
174. Is Religion Separate from Politics According to Islam?
175. What is the Concept of Islamic State/Country?
176. How was the Politics & Rule of Prophet?
177. What are the Rights of Citizens in an Islamic State?
178. How Did the Prophet Muhammed Treat Minorities in Islamic Country?
179. Are Non-Muslims Treated as Second Class Citizens in Islamic Country? Is
levying 'Jizya' a Discrimination Towards Them?
180. Does Islam Prescribe Death Penalty for Apostates?
181. What is Islamic View on Nationalism?
182. What is Islamic View on Democracy?
183. What is Islamic view on Secularism?
184. What is Islamic View on Marxism & Socialism?
185. Was Islam Spread by the Sword?
186. How Did Islam Spread in the World?
187. Why is Islam Often Misunderstood?
188. Is there a Growing Tendency to Abandon Religion/Islam in the New Generation?
189. Why Do So Many People Embrace Islam in Today's Times?
190. Are All Religions True? Does Islam Agree All Religions?
191. How Can We Realize Which Religion is True?
192. Why Muslims Call Others to Islam?
193. If Islam is the Best Religion, Why are All Muslims Not Go od?
194. Some Questions to Atheists/Rationalists
195. What are the Similarities Between Hinduism and Islam?
196. What are the Differences Between Hinduism and Islam?
197. What are the Similarities Between Christianity and Islam?
198. What are the Differences Between Christianity and Islam?
199. Is it Compulsory to Accept Islam for Salvation?
200. Conversion to Islam and Misconceptions

201. What is the Purpose of Life?

202. 'My name is Islam': A short video introducing Islam in brief
203. Why are All Prayers and Supplications Not Answered or Fulfilled by Allah?
204. Human Rights in the Qur'an
205. Some Questions to Those who Seek Evidence for God’s Existence
206. Trust & Reliance in God
207. What is the Concept of Worship in Islam?
208. Polytheism and Idol Worship are Prohibited in Vedas
209. Why Bad Things Happen to Good People?
210. Why Didn’t God Send Any Female Prophet/Messenger?
211. Qur’an Says that Allah has Made the Earth for You as a Carpet. This Gives an
Indication that the Earth is Flat. Doesn’t this Contradict Established Modern
Science?
212. Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬: Truthful and Honest
213. Isn't the Animal Sacrifice Cruel to Them?
214. Are Non-Muslims Allowed Inside Masjids/Mosques?
215. Will it Not Affect the Status of the Quran’s Divinity if Some of the Earlier
Injunctions Got Changed Later?
216. Is Allah Forgiving or Revengeful?
217. If Trinity is Not Biblical Teaching, How Did it Become the Doctrine of
Christianity?
218. Terrorism Doesn't Have a Religion
219. By Comparing Woman to Cultivating Field, Doesn’t Qur’an See them as
Instruments for Reproduction?
220. Does God Misguide People? - Part1: Whom Does Allah Guide?
221. Does God Misguide People? - Part2: Whom Does Allah Misguide?
222. Is Stoning of the Devil During Hajj a Superstition?
223. What Famous People Have Said About Islam - Part1
224. What Famous People Have Said About Islam - Part2
225. Debate Between Two Babies in a Mother’s Womb
226. What Islam Recommends Dealing with Epidemic Diseases?
227. What Islam Says About Transgenders?
228. How Islam Views Homosexuality?
229. What the Reports Say About the Conversion to Islam?
230. Every Religion Claims That It is the Truth. What are the Criteria of the Truth?
231. If According to Islam, Messengers or Prophets were Sent to Every Nation of the
World, then Which Prophet was Sent to India? Can We Consider Ram and Krishna to
be Messengers of God?
232. Islam and Ethics
233. Prophet Muhammad: The Social Reformer
234. If Allah has Sealed the Hearts of the Disbelievers (Kuffar), then Why are they to
be Blamed for Not Accepting the Truth?
235. Is Islamic Inheritance Law Unjust? Why Does the Man Inherit More Wealth than
His Female Siblings?
236. Abu Hanifa’s Debate with an Atheist
237. Muslims Believe that Certain Earlier Verses of the Qur’an were Abrogated by
Verses Revealed Later. Does this Imply that God Made a Mistake and Later on
Corrected it?
238. Life and Beyond According to the Quran
239. Why do Muslims Slaughter the Animal in a Ruthless Manner by Torturing it and
Slowly and Painfully Killing it?
240. If Allah has Sent His Books and Revelations in Every Period, then which
Revelation was Sent to India?
241. Where Did the Universe Come From?
242. Words of Wisdom from the Qur'an
243. Has Not the Qur’an Actually Legalized Adultery by Allowing the Master to have
Sexual Relationships with His Female Slaves?
244. Do the Muslims Believe in Jesus (PBUH) and His Second Coming?
245. What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part1
246. What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part2
247. Islam and Darwinism
248. Hijab - The Islamic Concept of Veil
249. The Sweetness of Islamic Faith
250. Meaning of Life According to Islam

251. An Invitation to the Truth

252. Isn’t the Social Setup Envisioned by the Qur’an is a Male Dominated One?
253. Why to Choose Islam?
254. Why a Non-Muslim Should Know the Qur'an?
255. Marital Relationship in Islam
256. By Composing the Qur’an, did Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Intent the Worldly Benefits
through Establishing Himself as the Messenger of God?
257. How Can Islam be Called the Religion of Peace When it was Spread by the
Sword?!
258. When Was the Quran Written?
259. Human Rights: Role of Islam in Liberating the Slaves
260. If God is Just, Who Created Handicapped and Mentally Retarded? Isn’t it
Injustice?
261. The Greatness of Islamic Justice
262. How Did Prophet Muhammed Treat the Children?
263. Examples of Modesty, Justice and Mercy in the Rule of Caliph Umar
264. Islamic View on Sexuality
265. Pride and Arrogance are Not the Qualities of Believers
266. What is it that Makes the Qur’an a Supernatural Sign?
267. Why are We Here? - The Purpose of Life
268. Does Only Allah Know the Gender of the Child in the Mother's Womb?
269. The Black Stone in Makkah and the Idol Worship!
270. Is the Quran a Book of Science?
271. Was the Kaaba Forcibly Captured by Muslims? Who Demolished the Idols in the
Kaaba?
272. Rights of Neighbors in Islam?
273. A Christian Lady's House and a Masjid
274. What is the Islamic View on Organ Donation?
275. The Purpose of Our Creation
276. Islam is the Solution for Racism & Casteism
277. Does Quran Envisage Patriarchal System Which Speaks to Woman of Her
Obligations and to Man of His Rights?
278. Is ‘Allah’ the Moon God (Hubal) of Arab Polytheists Before Islam?
279. Did Prophet Order to Expel Jews and Christians from the Arabia?
280. Is it True that the Original Version of Quran was Burnt by Caliph Usman & the
Present Quran was Compiled by Him?
281. The Testimony of the Enemies to the Honesty of the Prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬
282. A Clearer Understanding of the Realities of Islam
283. Is Not the Concept of the Equality of Sexes in Modern Democracy More Suited
than the Quranic Vision?
284. Islam and Honesty
285. Muslim Woman’s Right to Work and Earn
286. Why to Follow Prophet Muhammed in Everything?
287. Are there Degrees and Levels in Paradise and Hell?
288. Are Muslims Ordered to Fight Jews?
289. Islam is Spread by its Moral Message and Not by the Sword
290. How Can We Identify the True Religion?
291. Was Not Prophet Muhammad Assured of his Own Salvation?
292. Can Terrorism be Compared to Physical Jihad?
293. Does the Quran Allow Men to Beat their Wives?
294. What is Halal Food? Why is It So Controversial?
295. The Legacy of Islam
296. Did the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬Instruct to Force Non-Muslims to the Side of the Road?
297. Why Doesn’t Allah Stop Human Suffering?
298. Islam Offers Dignity and Rights to All Humanity
299. The Importance of Divine Message
300. Benefits of Becoming a Muslim

301. How Do We Know God Exists? - Part1

302. How Do We Know God Exists? - Part2
303. Materialism vs Spirituality: Transient Joy vs Eternal Pleasure
304. Did Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬Kill 900 Jews of Banu Qurayza?
305. Islamic View on Revenge & Forgiveness
306. What Does the Quran Say about Christianity?
307. Is it Injustice to Women that Islam Instructs the Widow to Separate Herself
from Society and Maintain a Mourning Period?
308. Does Qur’an Allow for the Superiority and Command of Man over Woman?
Does this Mean Qur’an is a Work of Male Chauvinism?
309. Why Did Allah Create the Heavens and the Earth in Six Days, When He is Able
to Have Created It in Less Time?
310. Does Quran 2:91 Confirm the Bible Since it Uses the Word “Which is with
Them”?
311. Why are Two Women Witnesses Equivalent to One Man Witness? Is this
Injustice to the Woman?
312. If God is One, Why Does Allah Use the Plural Pronoun "We" to Refer to Himself?
313. Who Are the Jews and Christians Who will Enter Paradise?
314. Can It Not be Claimed That Quran Was the Composition of Muhammad (PBUH)
Himself?
315. Bible Verses That Indicate Jesus is Not God the Creator
316. Mercy of Almighty God
317. Even the People without Faith Need the People with Faith
318. Were Holy Qur'an Pages Eaten by a Goat? Are Some Verses Missing from the
Quran?
319. Who Are the Real Terrorists and the Abolitionists? Are Palestinians also
Terrorists?
320. If Islam is a Religion of Peace, Why is There So much Conflicts in Countries
Where Muslims Live?
321. Whatever God Does, It is For Our Best
322. Do Muslims Worship God Because of Fear or Because of Love?
323. The Universalism of Islam
324. Is God Singular or Plural? Why Allah Uses Pronoun 'We' in Quran to Refer to
Himself?
325. 100 Advices from Glorious Quran:
326. How Was the Glorious Qur’an Revealed?
327. Why Alcohol is Prohibited in Islam?
328. Tips for Achieving Happiness
329. Does Quran Say to Kill Non-Muslims Wherever See Them?
330. Rational Evidence of Muhammad’s( ‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood?
331. God Has Not Left Humankind Without Guidance
332. Muslims Love Jesus: 6 Things You Should Know about Jesus in Islam
333. This World is the Place of Trials and Tribulations
334. The Conquest of Makkah: The Day of Mercy
335. Why Islam Prohibits Pork?
336. Prophet Muhammad: The Most Influential Person in History
337. The Beauty of Allah's Creations
338. Why Islam Allows to Eat Non-Veg Food, Since Eating of Animals could Make a
Person Violent?
339. The Only True Religion
340. What Does the Qur'an Verse Mean which Says Prophet Muhammad was
Allowed to have More Wives to Avoid ‘Difficulty’?
341. What Does Islam Teach About Patience?
342. Does Islam Degrade Women by Keeping them Behind the Veil? - Part1
343. Does Islam Degrade Women by Keeping them Behind the Veil? - Part2
344. Why do Muslims Refer to Science and Scientific Facts when Explaining Islam?
345. Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬was Sent to All Mankind
346. In the History of the World, Who has Killed Maximum Innocent Human Beings?
347. Why Don’t Muslims in India Follow the Islamic Criminal Law?
348. The Ability to See the Signs of God - Part1
349. The Ability to See the Signs of God - Part2
350. What Does Islam Say About the End of the World?

351. Is Hinduism the Oldest and Therefore the Best Religion?

352. Did Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Have Sex with All His Wives in One Night?
353. Ruler Thumamah Turning to the Right Path
354. Why do We Quote Allah as He/Him/His? Is Allah Male in Gender?
355. Does Islam Say that Sun Sets in Murky Water?
356. The Soul - A Proof for Existence of Our Lord
357. Hindu Caste System and Islam - Part1
358. Hindu Caste System and Islam - Part2
359. Why was the Holy Qur’an Revealed in Arabic?
360. The Effects of Hatred on the Body and Mind
361. The Belief in Almighty God
362. The Basic Teachings of the Holy Qur’an
363. By Permitting Divorce, Isn’t Quran Creating Helpless Women and Children?
364. Is Marxian View Which Sees Both Man and Woman as Two Equal Members of
the Working Class Better than Qur’anic Vision?
365. Cosmic Diversity and the Oneness of the Creator
366. The Human Brain: Wonders of Allah's Creations
367. Doesn't the Qur'an Advocate a Muslim State/Country?
368. Why Are Non-Muslims Not Allowed in Makkah & Madinah?
369. Islam is the Solution for Depression
370. The Beauty of Islamic Belief
371. Is it Very Difficult to Follow/Practice Islam?
372. By Composing Qur’an, Did Muhammad( ‫ )ﷺ‬Intent to Achieve the Worldly
Benefits by Establishing Himself as the Messenger of God?
373. Aren't Children with Disabilities Contrary to the Qur'an Verse 'Man was Created
Flawlessly'?
374. Islamic Concept of Education
375. Did Prophet Muhammed Say Women are Bad Omens?
376. Duties of a Muslim Towards Non-Muslims
377. Islam’s Perception of Worldly Life?
378. Can it be Denied if Someone Argue that the Qur'an is Written by Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬to Guide the Society to Morality?
379. A Perfect Role Model for Humanity -Part1
380. A Perfect Role Model for Humanity -Part2
381. Is it Possible to Eliminate Extra-Marital Relationships through the Punishments
Prescribed in Quran?
382. Islamic Teachings on Kind Treatment of Wives
383. Why Indian Muslims Want Only Muslim Personal Law; But Not Islamic Criminal
Law?
384. Living With the Quran’s Values is Easy
385. How the Code of Right Conduct Prescribed by Qur’an Becomes the Proof for its
Divinity?
386. Why are More Women Turning to Islam?
387. Islamophobia and its Impacts
388. Atheism Destroys Science and Human Progress
389. Are the Islamic Rulings like ‘Murder for Murder’ Outdated (Barbaric)?
390. Pondering on the Signs of God
391. The Importance of Justice in Islam
392. Can a ‘Good Muslim’ Be a ‘Bad Person’?
393. Prophet Muhammed’s (‫ )ﷺ‬Kindness to Animals
394. The Truth Behind Prophet’s Marriage to Aisha
395. The Importance of Balance in Life
396. Taqiyya: Are Muslims Allowed to Lie for Islam?
397. The Message of Islam: The Creator and His Creations
398. How does Islam View the Belief that Jesus is the Son of God?
399. Did the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬Contemplate Suicide After his First Encounter with Jibreel?
400. Faith in Oneness of God for Redemption in the Hereafter

401. Islam Guides Mankind to See Signs of Allah

402. Allah's Will and His Foreknowledge
403. Terrorists Don’t Know Islam
404. If Alcohol is Prohibited, Why Wine will be Given in Paradise?
405. Did Adam’s Children Commit Incest?
406. Considering the Provision that If there is Only a Single Son, He is Entitled
Inherit the Wealth of Father, Is it Not a Breach of Justice that If there is Only a Single
Daughter, She will be Given Only Half of the Total Wealth?
407. Atheism: Hopeless, Meaningless & Purposeless
408. Belief in ‘Absolute Unity of God’
409. Is Mut'ah (Temporary) Marriage Allowed in Islam?
410. Refuting Claims Regarding the Prophet’s Marriage to Zaynab
411. The Impact of Zakat on Social Order
412. Existence of God: Atheists too Have the Burden of Proof
413. Do You Know this Man?
414. Suwaid’s Revenge to Prophet Muhammed( ‫!)ﷺ‬
415. Zakath: World’s Biggest Donation
416. If Islam is a Faith of Reason, Why to Believe in Unseen?
417. How Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Handled Criticism?
418. Islam - The Complete Code of Life
419. What Does the Islam Say About Re-incarnation (Re-birth)?
420. Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬: You Must Know This Man
421. Man is the Representative of God on Earth
422. 6 Leadership Lessons from Prophet Muhammed( ‫)ﷺ‬
423. If God Loves Us, Why So Many Rules in Islam?
424. The Serial Killer Also to The Paradise?!
425. Does Allah Help the Disbelievers in Worldly Life?
426. Were the Wars to Convert People to Islam?
427. One God or Many Gods?
428. Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬: The Liberator of Women
429. Islam and Unity
430. The Truth Concerning Prophet's Marriage to Safiyyah
431. Why Did God Create Humans?
432. Was Prophet Muhammad a Pedophile to Marry 9 Year Old Aysha?
433. What Should Be a Believer’s View About Death?
434. ’Uniform Civil Code’ is an Unrealizable Dream
435. Is ‘Nikah Halala’ Allowed in Islam?
436. Why are Islamic Punishments So Strict?
437. Was Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬an Ordinary Man or a Prophet?
438. Earning Lawfully
439. Islam and Gender Equality
440. Does Quran Prohibit on Questioning Religion & God?
441. Treat Them Kindly Prisoners of War!
442. ‘Cow Protection’ - A Matter of Hindu Belief System or Communal Politics?
443. Importance of Family in the Social Institution
444. LGBTQ: What is the Islamic View?
445. Why Islam Sets Boundaries for Personal Freedom ?
446. Islam Instructs to Pray Even for the Enemies
447. The Christian People Welcoming the Muslim Army!
448. History of Israel's Invasion of Palestine
449. Boundless Compassion of the Prophet
450. The Most Misunderstood Religion!
451. Islam: The Religion of Proofs
452. Does Allah Hate the Disbelievers?
453. Can God Have a Son/Child?
454. How Grave Punishments Possible to Those Whose Bodies are Not Buried?
455. Isn't It the Desire for Power of the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬that We See in Wars?
456. Dowry Has No Place in Islam
457. The Special Characteristics of Islam
458. Does Qur’an Contradict Regarding the Creation of Heavens & Earth?
459. Blind Faith vs Reason in Islam
460. The Social System and Morality of Islam
461. The Three Dark Stages of the Baby in the Womb: A Scientific Miracle of the
Quran!
462. Capture of Jerusalem & The Treaty of Umar
463. What is the Concept of Salvation in Islam?
464. Concept of Salvation in Other Religions
465. The Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬: A Bearer of Glad Tidings & A Warner!
466. Nine Qur'an Verses for the Justice of a Jew!
467. Can’t There be Multiple Deities (Gods) that Can Co-exist Harmoniously?
468. Islam: The First and Last Religion
469. Aren't Islamic Laws Patriarchal (Anti-Women)?
470. Serving Humanity - A Form of Worship of God!
471. The Exemplary Life of Prophet Muhammad ( ‫)ﷺ‬
472. If the Prophet Was Illiterate, How Could He Check and Verify the Revelation
Scribes?
473. Islam: Balancing Materialism and Fatalism
474. Testimony of the Enemy in the Court of Heraclius!
475. Characteristics of Worship in Islam vs Other Religions
476. Anti-Racism: Prophet Muhammad’s Examples
477. Those Who Don’t Fulfill the Objectives of Fasting!

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is Islam?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅The Arabic word 'Islam' stands for 'Submission' or 'Peace'. In a religious context, it
implies the peace that reaches out to one when one completely submits oneself to
the will of Almighty God. This is achieved only when the individual acts in
accordance with the direction of his Creator in all spheres of life.

To understand the essence of Islam is to understand the very essence of humanity.

More than a religion, Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life leading to a
balanced way of living. Islam brings civilization and happiness to man. Islamic
principles and teachings can provide realistic, fair, and objective solutions to the
prevention of individual, familial, social and international problems which are
threatening the existence of human communities throughout the world.

A spiritual belief that does not deal with social behavior, economic relations and
international organizations is as erroneous as the social doctrine that does not
consider spiritual belief, morality, and behavior. Such social doctrines are abortive
attempts, incapable of total human guidance or of achieving any coherence or
accord among human beings.

Both the individual and the society are in dire need of a belief that accommodates
and directs all their vital activities towards construction and growth. When the
individual and society adopt such a belief and apply it to life, humanity can
accomplish seemingly miraculous achievements which can only occur when man
unites himself with the Eternal Power that channels his personality -potential in the
right direction.

History has shown that Islam is unique in its ability to provide guidance for the
entire range of human activity. It does not separate spiritual and secular life as
unrelated entities.

Islam integrates all domains of human life, just like the different systems in the
human body integrate to provide a complete human being. If one system does not
work properly, it has got to affect the whole body. Likewise, Islam proposes systems
of laws that integrate all parts of human society to bring happiness and peace to all
its members. There is no other way or system that urges the active worship of Allah
in its general and most comprehensive sense other than Islam.

Islam provides a complete and comprehensive way of life. Islam creates harmony in
the mind, the soul, and the body in a marvelous way. The need for Islam emerges
from the humanity’s search for a constitution that provides guidance and
satisfaction in all spheres of life. It is a code of life that is not limited to partial
needs, but rather a way of life that penetrates all barriers to interact with people’s
needs in this life and beyond. It is a way of life where there is no discrimination
between what is sacred and what is secular.

Islam is unique among the religions and civilizations the world has known. In
contrast to the other religions of the world, Islam defines religion itself as the very
business of life, the very matter of space-time, the very process of history, and the
gift of Allah. Therefore, all these works together to constitute them.

Islam is a divine guidance wherein humans of all nations, colors and tongues feel
linked to a Supreme Power and Justice. Its teachings are kept intact and authentic.
It is the only way to happiness, dignity, and universal peace. Islam is so unique in its
method for solving the problems of humanity. I can say with confidence that the
twenty first century will be the century of Islam.

The everlasting miracle of Islam, ‘The Quran’ is a standing challenge to the intellect
of all peoples at all times.

"Then do they not reflect upon the Quran? If it had been from [any] other than
Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction" [Quran 4:82]

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Who is a Muslim?*
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✅The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God. The first principle of
Islam is known as the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith) and is as follows: "There is no
one worthy of worship except Allah (God) and Muhammad is the Final Apostle
(Messenger) of God”

In a broader sense, anyone who willingly submits to the will of God is a Muslim.
Thus, all the prophets preceding Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬are considered Muslims.

One cannot judge Islam by looking at those individuals who have a Muslim name,
but in their actions, they are not living or behaving as Muslims. Muslims are
ordinary people like other humans; among them are the good and the bad. They are
not infallible creatures and, therefore, can have mistakes.

When we mention the characteristics of a Muslim, we do not assume that all

Muslims have those characteristics, but only those who follow - to the best of their
abilities - the teachings of Islam.
The Muslim personality is balanced. He pays due attention to his body’s needs and
his outward appearance, without letting it distract him from nurturing his inner
characteristics. The Muslim is also concerned with that which will form sound
intellectual development and ways of thinking, so that he understands the nature
and essence of things.

He does not forget that man is not only composed of body and mind, but he also
possesses a soul and a spirit, and feels a longing for higher things that makes him
rise above this materialistic life and ascend the heights of goodness, virtue and
light. Therefore, he pays as much attention to his spiritual development as he does
to his physical and intellectual development, in a precisely balanced fashion, which
does not concentrate on one aspect to the disadvantage of others.

With his parents, he is an example of sincere filial piety, good treatment, infinite
compassion, politeness and deep gratitude.

With his relatives, he maintains the ties of kinship and knows his duties toward
them. He understands the high status given to relatives in Islam, which makes him
remain in touch with them regardless of the circumstances.

With his neighbors, the true Muslim is an example of good treatment and
consideration of others’ feelings and sensitivities.

His relationship with his brothers and friends is the best and purest of relationships,
for it is based on love for the sake of God. This pure, sincere, brotherly love derives
its purity from the guidance of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬that became
a unique system in the history of human relations.

In his social relationships with all people, he is well mannered, civil, and noble,
characterized by the attitudes which Islam encourages. Good behavior, which is
taught in the Quran and Sunnah, has been made a religious duty in Islam, for which
man will be brought to account.

This is the clear, beautiful picture of the Muslim whose personality has been formed
by Islam and whose heart, mind and soul are filled with its divine light.

The development of a society is not measured solely in terms of its scientific

achievements and material inventions. There is another, more important standard
by which a society is measured. That is the prevalence of human values such as
love, empathy, altruism, sacrifice, uprightness and purity of thought, behavior, and
dealings with others.

If individuals are the basis of a society, then rightly guided societies pay attention to
human development and enhance the positive, constructive aspects while seeking
to eliminate evil, destructive motives, so that the individual will become a model
citizen. It is from groups of such model citizens that clean, civil, strong, healthy,
righteous societies are formed.

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Is Islam a New Religion? Who is the Founder of Islam?*
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✅The Almighty God who created the universe, endowed man with a special gift of
intelligence and thought, to enable him to discriminate between good and bad. Man
has also been given, the freedom to choose his own path by either accepting or
rejecting the instructions of the Almighty Creator. The divine revelations were
conveyed by God to mankind through numerous prophets who preached the ideals
to all communities during different periods of human history.

The thousands of prophets whom God selected for human guidance have
promulgated the basic doctrine with remarkable similarity. The belief in and the
profound reverence for all messengers and revealed scriptures from God forms an
integral part of Islamic faith.

Islam is not a religion founded by Prophet Mohammed (‫)ﷺ‬. The Qur'an has most
emphatically corroborated the fact that the Islamic conception of life was revealed
to man by a long chain of prophets chosen by the Almighty Creator.

Islam is not a new religion because "submission to the will of God", i.e. in Arabic
"Islam", has always been the only acceptable religion in the sight of God. For this
reason, Islam is the true "natural religion", and it is the same eternal message
revealed through the ages to all of God's prophets and messengers. Muslims believe
that all of God's prophets, which include Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, and
Muhammad, brought the same message of Pure Monotheism. For this reason, the
Prophet Muhammad was not the founder of a new religion, as many people
mistakenly think, but he was the Final Prophet of Islam.

By revealing His final message to Muhammad, which is an eternal and universal

message for all of mankind, God finally fulfilled the covenant that He made with
Abraham, who was one of the earliest and greatest prophets. Suffice it to say that
the way of Islam is the same as the way of the prophet Abraham, because both the
Bible and the Qur'an portray Abraham as a towering example of someone who
submitted himself completely to God and worshipped Him without intermediaries.

Once this is realized, it should be clear that Islam has the most continuous and
universal message of any religion, because all prophets and messengers were
"Muslims", i.e. those who submitted to God's will, and they preached "Islam", i.e.
submission to the will of Almighty God.

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What is the Difference of Islam from Material Ideologies?*
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✅According to Islamic philosophy, God is the Creator of the universe. The ultimate
reality, and the absolute and unconditional existence belongs to God alone. The
universe and everything including man are God's creations. So, their existence is
relative.

God has no beginning or end. But everything else has a beginning and an end. God
is an essential being in essence. He is the cause of the universe. The chain of all
causes eventually reaches him. Islam thus rejects the claim that the root cause is
‘matter’ or ‘duality’. The continuum of causes is not infinite; i.e, the root cause does
not require another cause.
The root cause - God - is the beginning. If the network of cause-and-effect
relationships does not have a beginning, each cause will matter and the network
will stretch back indefinitely. That is why there is a need for something that is not
subject to a cause-and-effect relationship.

The relationship between God and man in Islamic philosophy is between the Creator
and the creation. God does not reveal or appear in man. Islam sees man in human
nature only. Human nature is fundamentally sacred. By birth it is neither filthy nor
sinful.

Here Islam denies the Christian philosophy that every human being is born a sinner.
Islam does not accept the concept of original sin in Christian philosophy. The
philosophy of Islam is that every human being is responsible for his own actions.
Islamic philosophy does not portray the individual as a toy in the hands of fate.

God has implanted two expressions in man. One is virtuous and the other is sinful.
He who adores the virtuous aspect will rise spiritually and will be pleased by the
God. He who chooses the sinful will defile the soul and fall victim to the wrath of
God. The choice between the two is our responsibility. But the will, the intellect, and
the wisdom of people are not all identical; it’s relative.

Man needs divine revelation to properly exercise his free will. Man cannot fully know
the divine reality by his own logic alone. This is because man is not always vigilant
about his wisdom. The Qur'an says that Adam ate the forbidden fruit because of
forgetfulness.

The role of the prophet is to awaken people from oblivion. Prophets receive
revelation from God. Revelation or prophecy is the source of wisdom that is not
obtained through the five senses, reason, or experimental observations. Imam
Ghassali introduces prophecy as ‘a special condition that helps one to see the
irrational mysteries revealed by divine light’.

The philosophy of Islam fundamentally denies all material philosophical tendencies,

such as atheism, skepticism, materialism, and Nihilism. Materialists see only matter
as reality. They see mind and soul only as qualities of matter. Atheism stems from
the argument that there is no reality beyond material and tangible objects.

It is quite natural that these arguments should not be accepted by Islam, which
believes in the existence and oneness of God. Islam also does not accept the
skepticism that it is impossible to say whether God exists or not. The
Epicurean/Charvaka argument that life is to be enjoyed, and the pragmatic
argument that all that is useful is right, do not agree with Islamic philosophy.

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What is the Purpose of Our Existence?*
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✅Islam is not just a "religion" in the traditional sense, because it is not just confined
to acts of worship, morality, and other aspects of personal piety. The teachings of
Islam, even though they do cover religious rituals and morality, also encompass all
other aspects of life.

The Prophet Muhammad's mission encompassed not only spiritual and religious
teachings, but also included guidance for such things as social reform, economics,
politics, warfare, and family life. Thus, due to the diversity and success of
Muhammad's mission, Muslims have clear guidance from God and His Final Prophet
on all aspects of life.

Is There a Purpose for Our Existence?

To begin with, look around you. Unless you live in a cave, you are surrounded by
things we humans have made with our own hands. Now, why did we make those
things? Is there purpose to those things? The answer is obviously ‘yes’. Let us look
at the organs of our body. Do we find an organ without a purpose? Let us look at the
natural things around us like the trees, mountains etc. Do they exist without a
purpose?

When everything we create has a purpose, when our organs have a purpose, when
natural things like trees, mountains etc. have a purpose, is it logical to assume that
the whole human race exists without a purpose? Well, why do we exist? To amass
fame and fortune? To have fun? To be the richest person in the world? No, there
must be more to life than that, so let us think about this.

Who Decides our Purpose of Existence?

Who decides the purpose of our existence? You might say, “I decide my purpose of
existence”. Let us take an example of a pen. What is the true purpose of a pen? The
true purpose of a pen is to write. Who decided the true purpose of the pen - the
user or the manufacturer? The answer is: the person who first manufactured it.
Although, a user may use the pen to scratch his back, we would never conclude that
the pen was manufactured for scratching backs. It is the inventor or the
manufacturer who decides the true purpose.

Similarly, we as human beings may come out with our own reasons for our
existence in this world, but this in no way will become the true purpose of our
existence. We can get to know the true purpose of our existence only from our
Creator.

What is the Purpose of Life?

In the Qur'an, Almighty God has revealed to mankind that the purpose of our
creation is to worship and remember God in all aspects of our life, and to follow His
guidance in everything that we do. Thus, Islam does not accept a secular view of
government and society, but only one based on the Law of God. Nor does Islam
leave it to human beings to decide what is right and wrong, good and bad, moral
and immoral based on their whims, desires or man-made idea.

We were created to worship, obey, and serve our Creator alone (and not the
creations). The purpose of our existence is “to live our life on God’s terms”, a life
that is led by fulfilling all the divine commandments of God and to attain God’s
pleasure and victory in the afterlife.

Why Does God Expect Us to Obey Him?

Parents expect their children to obey them because parents have the right to be
obeyed. Similarly, a teacher expects his/her students to obey them. In the same
way, God, who is our Creator, expects us to obey Him because He being the Creator
deserves to be obeyed. Vehicles work best with the oil, spare parts, tyre pressure
etc. recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. We do not try to change it to our
liking because we trust that the vehicle maker knows what is best for the vehicle.
Similarly, our creator knows exactly what is good for us and has prescribed a way of
life which is submission and obedience to Him.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱6:52mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Does God Exist? Is There Any Evidence for God's Existence?*
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✅From the moment man opens his eyes to this world a great order surrounds him.
He needs oxygen to survive. It is interesting that the atmosphere of the planet on
which he lives provides more than just the adequate amount of oxygen he needs.
This way, he breathes without difficulty. For the existence of life on this planet, the
existence of a source of heat is essential. In response to this need, the sun is
located just at the right distance to emit just the exact amount of heat and energy
man needs.

Man needs nourishment to survive. Every corner of the world abounds in

astonishingly diversified provisions. Likewise, man needs water. Surprisingly, three-
fourth of the planet is covered with water. Man needs shelter, and in this world,
there is land on which it is suitable to build and all sorts of materials to make
shelters.

These are only a few among billions of details making life possible on earth. In brief,
man lives on a planet perfectly designed for his survival. This is certainly a planet
"created for human beings".

A person's interpretation of the world rests on "acquired methods of thought". That

is, he thinks in the way he has been taught, or, less kindly, the way in which he is
indoctrinated. Under this misguidance, he often dismisses all the aforementioned as
"trivial realities".

However, if he does not side-step the matter, and start questioning the conditions
making our existence possible, he will surely step out of the boundaries of habitual
thinking and start to think:

How does each one of the billions of cells in the human body know and perform its
individual tasks? How does this extraordinary ecological balance exist on earth?

A person seeking answers to these questions surely proceeds on the right path. He
does not remain insensitive to things happening around him and does not plead
ignorance about the extraordinary nature of the world. A person who asks
questions, who reflects on and gives answers to these questions will realize that on
every inch of the planet, a plan, and an order reign:

How did the flawless order in the whole universe come into being? Who provided
the delicate balances in the world? How did living beings, incredibly diversified in
nature, emerge?

Keeping oneself occupied with relentless research to answer these questions results
in a clear awareness that everything in the universe, its order, each living being,
and structure is a component of a plan, a product of design.

Every detail, the excellent structure of an insect's wing, the system enabling a tree
to carry tons of water to its topmost branches, the order of planets, and the ratio of
gases in the atmosphere, are all unique examples of perfection.

In every detail of the infinitely varied world, man finds his Creator. God, the owner
of everything in the whole universe, introduces Himself to man through the flawless
design of His creation. Everything surrounding us, the birds in flight, our beating
hearts, the birth of a child or the existence of the sun in the sky, manifest the power
of God and His creation. And what man must do is to understand this fact.

These purposes owe their existence to the fact that everything has been created.
An intelligent person notices that plan, design, and wisdom exist in every detail of
the infinitely varied world. This draws him to recognition of the Creator.

The existence of God is OBVIOUS. Ignoring it would only be the beginning of the
greatest damage we could ever do to ourselves. That is simply because God is in no
need of anything. He is the One Who shows His greatness in all things and in all
ways. God is the owner of everything, from the heavens to the earth.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱6:17mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Finding Wisdom in God’s Creations*
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✅In order to know Allah Who created all living creatures and the universe and to
comprehend His power, a person should consider everything our Lord has created
and try to appreciate the manifestations of His boundless knowledge and will. Only
in this way can he understand that everything he sees was created and must
definitely be the product of a power and intelligence. By acknowledging the
intelligence and creative power of Allah in this way, he will come closer to Allah and
realize that he needs to have faith in Him.

However, for a person to be able to see and understand all these things, he requires
an insight which sees with wisdom. Seeing everything around him with wisdom is
the best means of referring to Allah and remembering Him at every moment, as
Allah tells us in the verse, “an instruction and a reminder for every penitent human
being.” (Surah Qaf: 8).

A person can look at the proofs of the creation on the face of the earth as much as
he wants to. He can investigate these for days, weeks or years and by doing so he
can discover that they have astonishing characteristics but so long as he does not
evaluate them with the eye of faith, he will be unable to understand their true
meaning or what it is they are trying to tell him.

One reason for people’s inability to see this meaning is that they cannot properly
evaluate all these things with the eye of the heart, if they do not possess mental
and spiritual ease. For a person to be able to be cautious, notice every detail and
evaluate these things correctly, peace of mind is necessary.

For reasons referred to above, the minds of people living in the community of the
ignorant are perpetually filled with worldly concerns. They believe the way to
become happy is to think continually about their own daily affairs, calculate what
profits they can obtain and snatch the maximum benefits from the life of this world.
As a result, they direct all their attention to these things and are unable to see the
proofs of the creation around them.

Even if they see them, they react to them as something ordinary because of their
superficial viewpoint. Even if the miraculous detail of creation is pointed out to
them, the explanation will be meaningless to them because what really interests
them is the profits they can obtain.
They are incapable of seeing the divine wisdom in the signs of Allah’s creation
because as well as the imbalance in their mental state they are not at ease and
tranquil in spiritual terms. Allah describes the inability of disbelievers to see the
proofs of the creation which are evident even in a small insect: “Allah is not
ashamed to make an example of a fly or of an even smaller thing. As for those who
believe, they know it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve,
they say, ‘What does Allah mean by this example?’ He misguides many by it and
guides many by it. But He only misguides the deviators” (Qur’an 2:26)

Deniers of the faith do not consider the truths of the faith which are before their
eyes every day because their intellects are obscured by depression, anxiety and
stress. Allah tells us that even though He confronts them with proofs which point to
Him, these have no effect on them: “How many Signs there are in the Heavens and
earth! Yet they pass them by, turning away from them.” (Quran 12:105)

For a believer, looking at the boundless Heavens is a way of appreciating the power
and artistry of Allah. Or when he sees a beautiful view, he considers that this beauty
has been shown him by Allah and is grateful to Him for it. For the faithful, regarding
everything around them as an opportunity to praise Allah ensures that they gain His
approval and experience happiness more fully.

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Who is God? How to Realize the Right God?*
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✅The word God has different meanings with different understandings depending on
the language, faith, philosophy, and the culture we represent. For some, anyone
who helps them in need is their God, and for some, their parents are their gods, for
some; popular and successful human beings become their God, for others money is
their God, and for some the natural elements are gods, and for some anything and
everything is God.
It is indeed very easy to understand the correct meaning of God. For example, if you
are asked, who is a mother? Your obvious answer will be: One who gives birth to a
child. We may address Mother Teresa as 'mother'. However, it does not give Mother
Theresa the same status as our real mother. We do not have the choice to choose
someone to be our mother; our mother is the one who gave birth to us.

Similarly, God is the One who created us and this whole universe. We may call
anyone, or anything as God, but nothing can be our “true God” except the One who
created us and the entire universe. We do not have the choice to choose someone
we like, to be our God. The one who created us alone can be God. None of God’s
creation, regardless of how great the creation is, can ever be God!

Can there be More than One God?

Let us say 3 people go for a job interview. There is just one vacancy for the job.
Each of the three persons worships their own God with sincerity and asks his God
for the job. If we assume that there is more than one God, then each God would
want to grant the job to the person who worshipped it. We have just one vacancy
with three people expecting the job and three gods trying to give the job to their
worshipper. Will anyone ever get a job?

A trivial thing like this will trigger a fight amongst gods. There are billions of things
happening in this world and they all require the approval of God. The whole
universe will be full of chaos if we have more than one God.

Can there be Anyone Equal to God?

If there is anyone equal to God, then that person can also claim to be God and this
would make more than one God, which is impossible and irrational as we have seen
above.

What are the Characteristics of God?

Some of the characteristics of God are:
1. God is only one
2. God is not in need of anything or God is free of wants
3. God does not have parents, wife, or children
4. There is none equal to God in all His attributes like power, knowledge, wisdom,
forgiveness, etc.
5. God does not get tired
6. God does not forget
7. God does not make mistake
8. God loves all humans and does not differentiate on the basis of caste, color, race
or descent (Vamsha/Khandan).
We learn the attributes of God from the Qur'an: “God! There is no God but Him, the
Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in
the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by
His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they
cannot grasp any of His knowledge save what He wills. His Footstool encompasses
the heavens and the earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most-
High, the Magnificent” (Quran 2:255)

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱1:21mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 0️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Who Created God?*
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✅People with no inner spiritual life sometimes ask: If God created everything, who
created God? The Prophet said that some people would ask this very question: "A
day will certainly come when some people will sit with their legs crossed and ask: 'If
God created everything, who created God?'" (Bukhari, I'tisam, 3)

At best, the question is based on perceived "cause and effect" relationships.

Everything can be thought of as an effect and attributed to a prior cause that, in
turn, is attributed to a prior cause, and so on. However, we must remember that
cause is only a hypothesis, for it has no objective existence. All that objectively
exists is a particular sequence of circumstances that is often (but not always)
repeated. If such a hypothesis is applied to existence, we cannot find a creator of
the first cause, because each creator must have had a prior creator. The end result
is a never-ending chain of creators.

The Creator must be Self-Subsistent and One, without like or equal. If any created
being "causes" anything, that capacity was created within that being, for only the
Creator is Self-Existent and Self-Subsistent. Only the Creator truly creates and
determines possible causes and effects for His creation. Therefore, we speak of God
as the Sustainer, who holds and gives life to all of His Creation. All causes begin in
Him, and all effects end in Him. In truth, created things are "0"s that will never add
up to anything, unless God bestows real value or existence by placing a positive "1"
before the "0".

According to Cosmology the universe had a beginning some 14 billion years ago
with a cosmic event commonly known as the ‘Big Bang’. Along with the beginning of
universe, time - the factor we use to measure beginning and end, also came into
existence. All things created in this world are dependent on time; they all have a
birth (beginning) and death (end).

The Creator who created the universe was present even before time came into
existence and is hence Independent of it. Hence the Creator can neither have a
beginning nor an end and has always existed. Think about the post you are reading
right now. If this post had always existed, it wouldn’t need a Creator or an author.

Now, imagine a soldier who has found his target, but needs the permission of a
higher official to fire. The official tells the soldier that he is dependent on another
higher official and needs to get his permission to open the fire. The higher-higher
official then tells that he needs the permission of another higher-higher-higher
official, as he is dependent on him.

If this chain of ‘dependency’ goes on forever, will the soldier ever get to shoot the
target? The obvious answer is ‘no’. The only way the soldier can shoot is if and only
if there is someone along the chain who is independent of all others and can take a
decision on his own without consulting anyone or needing others’ help.

When we apply this principle to the universe, we can safely conclude that the very
existence of the universe points to the Existence of an Entity which is not
dependent on anyone else and takes Independent Decisions. This Independent
Entity is referred to as the ‘Creator’ or ‘God’.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Does Faith in God Contradict with Science?*
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✅Science is defined as “the observation, identification, description, experimental
investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena”. Science is a method that
mankind can use to gain a greater understanding of the natural universe. It is a
search for knowledge through observation. Advances in science demonstrate the
reach of human logic and imagination. However, a Muslim’s belief in science should
never be like our belief in God. A Muslim can have faith in God and respect for
science, as long as we remember which is perfect and which is not.

Our belief in God is a belief of faith. Our faith in God should be absolute, since when
we put our faith in God, we depend on a perfect, omnipotent, omniscient Creator.
Our belief in science should be intellectual and nothing more. We can count on
science to do many great things, but we can also count on science to make
mistakes. If we put faith in science, we depend on imperfect, sinful, limited, mortal
men. Science throughout history has been wrong about many things, such as the
shape of the earth, powered flight, vaccines, blood transfusions, and even
reproduction. God is never wrong.

Truth is nothing to fear, so there is no reason for a Muslim to fear good science.
Learning more about the way God constructed our universe helps all of mankind
appreciate the wonder of creation. Expanding our knowledge helps us to combat
disease, ignorance, and misunderstanding.

However, there is danger when scientists hold their faith in human logic above faith
in our Creator. These persons are no different from anyone devoted to a religion;
they have chosen faith in man and will find facts to defend that faith.

Still, the most rational scientists, even those who refuse to believe in God, admit to
a lack of completeness in our understanding of the universe. They will admit that
neither God nor the Holy Quran can be proved or disproved by science, just as
many of their favorite theories ultimately cannot be proved or disproved. Science is
meant to be a truly neutral discipline, seeking only the truth, not furtherance of an
agenda.

Much of science supports the existence and work of God. Allah says in Holy Qur’an
2:164: "Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, In the disparity of
night and day, In the ship which runs upon the sea for the profit of mankind, In the
water which God sent down from the sky thereby reviving the earth after its death,
In the beasts of all kinds He scatters therein, In the change of the winds and the
subjected clouds between the sky and earth, Here are Signs for people who are
wise"

As modern science discovers more about the universe, we find more evidence of
creation. The amazing complexity and replication of DNA, the intricate and
interlocking laws of physics, and the absolute harmony of conditions and chemistry
here on earth all serve to support the message of the Holy Quran. A Muslim should
embrace science that seeks the truth but reject the “priests of science” who put
human knowledge above God.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is the Concept of God in Islam?*
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✅Unique among the religions of the world, the concept of God in Islam is completely
based upon Divine Revelation. Not only is the concept of God in Islam characterized
by purity and clarity, but it is also not marred by myths, superstitions, or man-made
philosophical ideas.

In the pure and straightforward teachings of Islam, Almighty God has clearly
revealed His unique nature and qualities to man in the way which He wants them to
be understood.

While other religions have either mixed man-made doctrines with divine revelation,
or ignored the divine revelation almost completely, Islam's concept of God is based
totally on what God has said about Himself. Islam's concept of God can be called
pure and straightforward because there is a clear distinction made between the
Creator and the created. As such, there is no ambiguity in divinity - it is made clear
that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God.
A Muslim believes in ONE GOD, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful
and Compassionate, Creator and Provider. God has neither father nor mother,
neither sons nor was He fathered. No one equal to Him. He is God of all mankind,
not of a special tribe or race.

In Islam, calling someone other than Almighty God "Lord" or "Savior" is completely
prohibited because such terms compromise God's uniqueness and because all of
our trust should be put in Almighty God - who is the Most Merciful and the Controller
of all affairs. The only Creator - Almighty God - is Unique, Eternal and Transcendent
above His Creation. Everything else besides Almighty God - meaning anything that
you can see or even imagine - is part of God's creation, and thus not worthy of
worship.

Almighty God, as He has described Himself in the Qur'an, is Absolutely One and "the
Most Merciful of those who show mercy". Even though God is transcendent above
His creation, due to His infinite Mercy He is constantly involved with the affairs of
His creatures. Even though God is infinite, unique, and incomprehensible, in the
Holy Qur'an He has revealed Himself in a way suitable to the finite and limited
human mind. By reaching out to man and sending revelations through all of His
prophets, God has allowed Himself to be known through His unique and most-
beautiful attributes.

Because the concept of God in Islam was sent by God specifically for mankind, it
appeals to the innate nature of the human being. Due to this fact, Islam does not
ask man to accept irrational, ludicrous or man-made doctrines about God.

The Islamic concept of God strikes a unique balance between various religions
because it avoids reducing God to just being some remote and impersonal "First
Cause" or "Higher Power", while on the other hand it also teaches that a direct and
personal relationship with God can be maintained without believing God to be like
His creation or incarnate in it.

God is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous, and the Benevolent, the Rich and
the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Patient and the Appreciative,
the Unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace. God's attributes are
mentioned in the Quran.

God creates in humanity the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be
good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane. If we try to
count His favors upon us, we cannot, because they are countless. In return for all
the great favors and mercy, God does not need anything from us, because He is
Needless and Independent. God asks us to know Him, to love Him and to enforce
His law for our benefit and our own good.
*🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱2:54mins)*

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣*
*❓What Does Oneness of God (Tawhid) Mean in Islam?*
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✅Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all considered monotheistic faiths, but for
Islam, the principle of monotheism exists to an extreme degree. For Muslims, even
the Christian principle of the Holy Trinity is seen as a detraction from the essential
"oneness" of God.

Of all of the articles of faith in Islam, the most fundamental is a strict monotheism.
The Arabic term Tawhid is used to describe this belief in the absolute Oneness of
God. Tawhid comes from an Arabic word meaning "unification" or "oneness" - it is a
complex term with many depths of meaning in Islam.

Muslims believe, above all else, that Almighty God (Allah) is the sole divine deity,
who does not share his divinity with other partners. There are three traditional
categories of Tawhid as given below. These categories overlap but help believers to
understand and purify their faith and worship.

*Oneness of Lordship:*
Muslims believe that Allah caused all things to exist. Allah is the only one who
created and maintains all things. Allah is not in need of help or assistance over
creation. While Muslims greatly respect their prophets, including Mohammad and
Jesus (PBUH), they firmly separate them from Allah.

On this point, the Quran says: “Say: ‘Who is it that provides you with sustenance
out of heaven and earth, or who is it that has full power over [your] hearing and
sight? And who is it that brings forth the living out of that which is dead, and brings
forth the dead out of that which is alive? And who is it that governs all that exists?’
And they will [surely] answer: ‘[It is] God.’” (Quran 10:31)

*Oneness of Worship:*
Because Allah is the sole creator and maintainer of the universe, it is to Allah alone
that Muslims direct their worship. Throughout history, people have engaged in
prayer, invocation, fasting, supplication, and even animal or human sacrifice for the
sake of nature, people, and false deities. Islam teaches that the only being worthy
of worship is Allah. Allah alone is worthy of prayers, praise, obedience, and hope.

Any time a Muslim invokes a special "lucky" charm, calls for "help" from ancestors
or makes a vow "in the name of" specific people, they are inadvertently steering
away from ‘Oneness of Worship’. Several times a day, Muslims recite in prayer: "You
alone do we worship; and unto You alone do we turn for help" (Quran 1:5).

The Quran says: [Abraham] Said: "Do you then worship, instead of God, something
that cannot benefit you in any way, nor harm you? Fie upon you and upon all that
you worship instead of God! Will you not, then, use your reason?" (Quran 21:66-67)

The Quran specifically warns those who claim that they worship Allah when they are
really seeking help from intermediaries or intercessors. Islam teaches that there is
no need for intercession because Allah is close to his worshippers. (Quran 2:186).
Also, the Quran warns those who claim that they worship falsegods for bringing
them nearer to God! (Quran 39:3)

Oneness of Allah's Attributes and Names:

The Quran is filled with descriptions of Allah's nature, often through attributes and
special names. The Merciful, the All-Seeing, the Magnificent, etc. are all names
which describe Allah's nature. Allah is seen as distinct from his creation. As human
beings, Muslims believe that one may strive to understand and emulate certain
values, but Allah alone has these attributes perfectly, in full, and in their entirety.
(Quran 7:180)

Understanding Tawhid is key to understanding Islam and the fundamentals of a

Muslim's faith. Setting up spiritual "partners" alongside Allah is the one unforgivable
sin in Islam. (Quran 4:48).

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What are the Problems with Polytheism?*
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✅Polytheistic believers sacrifice their lives to various forces. The truth is that there is
only one God worthy of worship and to sacrifice our life for.

Those who accept multiple gods become slaves to myths. And this will ultimately
lead him to iniquity and failure in life.

He who believes in false gods will be exploited by various evil spirits. He will subject
to the deceptions of priests, sorcerers, astrologers, etc. In his eyes, they are all
God's own people and helpers. All of them will be exploiting him. The true oneness
of God (Tawhid) in Islam actually liberates people from the control and exploitation
of all kinds of evil spirits and superstitions.

The purpose of human life is to know the Almighty Creator and to worship Him
(Qur'an 51:56). He who believes that there is more than one God or that there is no
God, deviates from the goal of monotheism which is the actual goal of his creation.
With that, life goes wrong, and thus he loses God's favor and salvation.

If monotheism and worship are the goal and purpose of life of man, then its denial is
deviation from the purpose of life and is thus immorality. The righteousness and
wickedness have their own inevitable consequences. The fruit of righteousness is
eternal heaven, and the fruit of wickedness is eternal hell. The full effect of all our
deeds will be given in the afterlife. The truth is that the life and end-effect of one
who has erred in the faith in God Himself will be miserable and doomed in both the
worlds.

Anyone who thinks logically have no doubt that monotheism is the only truth in
harmony with human nature. Even if we think with our free intellect and
discernment, we will realize the truth that the universe should have a Creator, that
Creator should be unique and single, the human is a slave to that power, and that
the Creator alone should be worshiped. The reason for this realization is that this
oneness of God is inherent in human nature. Those who deviate from the
monotheistic religion are actually suppressing this inherent nature.
Innocent inquiry and free thought are illuminating this consciousness in every
human being. But this natural consciousness cannot be aroused by thoughts or
inquiries relating to traditions, heritage, superstitions, satanic temptations, or
actions.

Monotheism in Islam is a force that drives man to the highest level of perfection he
can reach. It frees his soul from evil odors and cultivates and nurtures in him the
noble qualities of virtues and morality.

Rocks, rivers, trees, stars, and other creatures cannot enslave him. He knows that
they are all creations of the same God as he is. He is in direct contact with God. He
does not need priests, intermediaries or intercessors to communicate with God.
Almighty Allah says: "Indeed, We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein." (Qur'an
50:16)

A monotheist will be fearless. The belief that he stands in the shadow of the
Almighty, brings peace, strength, and contentment to his mind. The fact that no
other force can save or punish him against the will of that force also makes the
monotheist fearless.

Monotheism is the vision of human unity, equality, and oneness. Islam declares that
the universe and everything in it are the creations and slaves of one God. They are
all inter-related.

In addition, the salvation and the success in the Hereafter can only be achieved
through a life based on monotheism. This is the kind of life that all the prophets
taught in the history.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Oneness of God in Hindu Scriptures*
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✅Similar to the fundamental faith in Islam, there are many verses in Hindu
scriptures as well which teaches the Oneness of God. In the Vedas, the Upanishads
and even in the Bhagavad Gita, it is prohibited to worship idols and teaches that
God is formless and has no picture!

Hinduism is commonly perceived as a polytheistic religion. Indeed, most Hindus

would attest to this, by professing belief in multiple Gods. While some Hindus
believe in the existence of three gods, some believe in thousands of gods, and
some others in thirty-three crore. However, learned Hindus, who are well versed in
their scriptures, insist that a Hindu should believe in and worship only one God.

The major difference between the Hindu and the Muslim perception of God is the
common Hindus belief in the philosophy of Pantheism. Pantheism considers
everything, living and non-living, to be Divine and Sacred and thus as God. Islam,
on the contrary, exhorts man to consider himself and his surroundings as examples
of Divine Creation rather than as divinity itself. Muslims therefore believe that
everything is God’s. In other words, the Muslims believe that everything belongs to
God.

Concept of God According to Hindu Scriptures:

We can gain a better understanding of the concept of God in Hinduism by analyzing
Hindu scriptures.

1. Bhagavad Gita:

The most popular amongst all the Hindu scriptures is the Bhagavad Gita. Consider
the following verse from the Gita: "Those whose intelligence has been stolen by
material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and
regulations of worship according to their own natures." [Bhagavad Gita 7:20]

The Gita states that people who are materialistic worship demigods i.e. ‘gods’
besides the True God.

*2. Upanishads:*
The Upanishads are considered sacred scriptures by the Hindus. The following
verses from the Upanishads refer to the Concept of God: "He is One only without a
second." [Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1]

"Of Him there are neither parents nor lord." [Svetasvatara Upanishad 6:9]. "There is
no likeness of Him." [Svetasvatara Upanishad 4:19]
The following verses from the Upanishad allude to the inability of man to imagine
God in a form: "His form is not to be seen; no one sees Him with the eye."
[Svetasvatara Upanishad 4:20]

3. The Vedas:

Vedas are considered the most sacred of all the Hindu scriptures. There are four
principal Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda and Atharvaveda.

*3.a. Yajurveda:*
The following verses from the Yajurveda echo a similar concept of God: "There is no
image of Him." [Yajurveda 32:3]. "He is bodyless and pure." [Yajurveda 40:8]

"They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elements" (Air, Water, Fire,
etc). "They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti." [Yajurveda 40:9]
Sambhuti means created things, for example table, chair, idol, etc.

*3.b. Atharvaveda:*
The Atharvaveda praises God in Book 20, hymn 58 and verse 3: "God is verily great"
[Atharvaveda 20:58:3]

*3.c. Rigveda:*
The oldest of all the vedas is Rigveda. It is also the one considered most sacred by
the Hindus. The Rigveda states in Book 1, hymn 164 and verse 46: "Sages (learned
Priests) call one God by many names." [Rigveda 1:164:46]

The following verse from the Rigveda Book 8, hymn 1, verse 1 refer to the Unity and
Glory of the Supreme Being: "O friends, do not worship anybody but Him, the Divine
One. Praise Him alone." [Rigveda 8:1:1]

Brahma Sutra of Hinduism:

The Brahma Sutra of Hinduism is: "There is only one God, not the second; not at all,
not at all, not in the least bit."

Thus, only a dispassionate study of the Hindu scriptures can help one understand
the concept of God in Hinduism.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Oneness of God in Bible Old Testaments*
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✅Similar to the fundamental faith in Islam, there are many verses in Bible as well
which teaches the Oneness of God. In the old & new testaments, it is prohibited to
worship idols and teaches that God is One who unique!

Below are some of the biblical testimony that matches with the fundamental faiths
of Islam.

1. God is One:

The following verse from the book of Deuteronomy contains an exhortation from
Moses (PBUH): "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" [The Bible,
Deuteronomy 6:4]

David (Dawood) said: "How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you,
and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears" (II Samuel 7:22)

Moses said: "There is no one like the Lord our God" (Exodus 8:10)

The following verses are from the Book of Isaiah which also teach about the unity of
God: "I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior." [The Bible, Isaiah
43:11]. "I am Lord, and there is none else, there is no God besides me." [The Bible,
Isaiah 45:5]. "I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like
me." [The Bible, Isaiah 46:9]

2. Old Testament Condemns Idol Worship:

Old Testament condemns idol worship in the following verses: "Thou shalt have no
other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or 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: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve
them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God." [The Bible, Exodus 20:3-5]

A similar message is repeated in the book of Deuteronomy: "Thou shalt have none
other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness
of anything that is in heaven above, or that in the earth beneath, or that is in the
water beneath the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve
them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God." [The Bible, Deuteronomy 5:7-9]

All these verses exactly teach the real concept of God, which is same as what Islam
teaches.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Oneness of God in Bible New Testaments*
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✅Similar to the fundamental faith in Islam, there are many verses in Bible new
testaments as well which teaches the Oneness of God. Below are some of the
biblical testimony that matches with the fundamental faiths of Islam.

1. Jesus Christ (PBUH) Never Claimed Divinity:

One may ask, if both Muslims and Christians love and respect Jesus (PBUH), where
exactly is the parting of ways? The major difference between Islam and Christianity
is the Christians’ insistence on the supposed divinity of Christ (PBUH). A study of the
Christian scriptures reveals that Jesus (PBUH) never claimed divinity.

In fact, there is not a single unequivocal statement in the entire Bible where Jesus
(PBUH) himself says, "I am God" or where he says, "worship me". In fact, the Bible
contains statements attributed to Jesus (PBUH) in which he preached quite the
contrary. The following statements in the Bible are attributed to Jesus Christ (PBUH):

"My Father is greater than I." [John 14:28]

"My Father is greater than all." [John 10:29]

"…I cast out devils by the Spirit of God…" [Mathew 12:28]

"…I with the finger of God cast out devils…" [Luke 11:20]

"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge and my judgement is just;
because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." [John
5:30]

2. God Sent Jesus (PBUH):

The Bible mentions the prophetic nature of Jesus (PBUH) mission in the following
verses:

"… and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me." [John
14:24]

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou has sent." [John 17:3]

3. Jesus Refuted even the Remotest Suggestion of his Divinity:

Consider the following incident mentioned in the Bible: "And behold, one came and
said unto him, ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal
life?’ And he said unto him, ‘Why do you call me good? There is none good but one,
that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’" [Mathew
19:16-17]

Jesus (PBUH) did not say that to have the eternal life of paradise, man should
believe in him as Almighty God or worship him as God or believe that Jesus (PBUH)
would die for his sins. On the contrary he said that the path to salvation was
through keeping the commandments. It is indeed striking to note the difference
between the words of Jesus Christ (PBUH) and the Christian dogma of salvation
through the sacrifice of Jesus (PBUH).

4. Jesus (PBUH) of Nazareth – a Man Approved of God:

The following statement from the Bible supports the Islamic belief that Jesus (PBUH)
was a prophet of God.

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God
among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst
of you, as ye yourselves also know." [Acts 2:22]

5. The First Commandment is that God is One:

The Bible does not support the Christian belief in trinity at all. One of the scribes
once asked Jesus (PBUH) as to which was the first commandment of all, to which
Jesus merely repeated what Moses (PBUH) had said earlier:
"Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord." [Mark 12:29]

It is striking that the basic teachings of the Church such as Trinity and vicarious
atonement find no mention in the Bible. In fact, various verses of the Bible point to
Jesus’ (PBUH) actual mission, which was to fulfill the law revealed to Prophet Moses
(PBUH). Indeed Jesus (PBUH) rejected any suggestions that attributed divinity to him
and explained his miracles as the power of the One True God.

Jesus (PBUH) thus reiterated the message of monotheism that was given by all
earlier prophets of Almighty God.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣*
*❓If the Creator is One, How Come There are So Many Gods?*
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✅The Scriptures and the human intellect acknowledge that God is the infinite and
endless superpower who creates and maintains all things. Then how come there are
so many gods?

There is no god except one, the Almighty Creator! The rest all are man-made. That
is why among human beings there are new gods besides the old ones and such
‘gods’ are not there among other creations. There are many reasons why humans
made different gods.

One reason is the misunderstanding of divinity and divine attributes. Divinity is

inseparable. It belongs to the Almighty Creator alone. But some of the divine
qualities are separable. They are divided and given to the creations. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) taught that one of the main attributes of God is mercy, which is
divided into hundred parts and one part of it is given to the entire creations.
The concept of ‘gods’ arise when divinity is attributed to those who possess some of
good (divine) qualities such as mercy, kindness, and love. That is how the Prophet
Jesus (PBUH) was raised as the Son of God. There have been gods in the past, great
prophets and great good men, when people claimed divinity after their time.

Gods have evolved even when the different attributes of God are embodied. The
concept of gods of creation-sustainer-destruction is an example. The Holy Qur'an
mentions that humans even attributed divinity to some Angels as well.

Gandhiji said: ‘I oppose the explanation that Hindus believe in many gods. Although
they speak of many gods, they actually speak of only one God; They consider
Ishwar (Almighty) to be the only God of the gods… All issues came since we gave
the meaning ‘God’ for the word ‘Deva’ (MK Gandhi, All Religions are true, Page 25)

The word 'Deva' is derived from the word 'Div' which means to shine. According to
the teachings of the Qur'an, Angels are created by light. Therefore, the scholars
have said that the ‘Devas’ mentioned in the Hindu scriptures might be the Angels
mentioned in the Holy Qur'an.

Almighty Allah asks a question in the Qur'an, "Have you seen those who make their
desires their gods?" (45:23). When the lustful man sees his desires as the greatest,
the desire itself becomes God. There can even be concepts of gods in the name of
desires. The concept of Cupid (Kamadeva) is the embodiment of lust and the
concept of Goddess of wealth is the embodiment of desire. Thus, it can be seen that
the concepts of God have come into being in the name of many desires. There are
many other reasons for the evolvement of gods among human beings.

*Footnote:*
The fact that there are temples named after Rama Swami Naicker, a staunch atheist
who said there is no God, Khushboo, a film actress, and Veerappan, a brutal thief,
points to other aspects for the evolvement of gods.

Islam elevates freedom to such a level that it has made free thought the proper way
of recognizing God’s existence. God says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion:
Truth stands out clear from Error…” (Qur’an 2:256)

*Freedom of Belief:*
The individual has a right to choose the religion that he or she is convinced is true
without being compelled by anyone. Compulsion negates free will, so a person who
is compelled is not truly convinced. If we consider God’s words (There is no
compulsion in religion), we find that Islam has completely rejected the use of force
in matters of belief. Rather, Islam asserts that thoughts and beliefs must develop
from complete freedom.

When a person accepts a religion, creed, or idea under compulsion or threat, then
such an acceptance is false, worthless, and rejected. It is not in that person’s heart
because there is no true conviction behind it. For this reason, God says: “If your
Lord had willed, then everyone on Earth would have believed. Would you compel
the people in order to make them believers?” (Qur’an 10:99). “So, remind them (O
Muhammad), you are only one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them”
(Qur’an 88:21-22).

These verses, and others like them, reject the use of compulsion in matters of belief
and assert the individual’s right to choose what to believe and what religion to
embrace.

It follows from freedom of belief that there must be dialogue and discussion about
religious matters. There must be an exchange of ideas and the opportunity to clarify
matters that are ambiguous or poorly understood.

The angel Gabriel came to the Prophet and asked him about Islam, faith, piety, and
the signs of the Hour. This is a clear proof for Islam’s insistence upon free discussion
in religious matters, both between the Muslims themselves as well as between
Muslims and the adherents of other faiths.
The condition for such discussions is the sincere desire to arrive at the truth and to
accept the truth when it becomes clear. The purpose of discussion must not be to
present false and confusing arguments or to spread doubts. Such discussions are
forbidden, because they do not help people to arrive at the truth with certainty and
conviction.

It also follows from freedom of belief that there must be freedom of religious
practice. A person must be allowed to carry out his or her religious duties without
being rebuked, belittled, or threatened. The position that Islam has given to Non-
Muslims living in the Islamic State is one of the glorious facts of Islamic history and
a sign of Islam’s greatness and magnanimity. When the Prophet arrived in Madinah,
he gave the Jewish people a treaty of peace.

It afforded them the right to believe and worship according to their own religion and
in their own places of worship. The Rightly Guided Caliphs who succeeded him
followed the same practice.

Michaud, a European write in his book, ‘The History of the Crusades’: “Islam, that
commands jihad, is magnanimous to the followers of other faiths. It exempted the
patriarchs, monks, and their servants from taxation and prohibited the killing of
monks specifically, because of their devoting their lives to worship. Umar bin Al-
Khattab did not harm the Christians in any way when he opened up Jerusalem. The
Crusaders, on the other hand, slaughtered the Muslims and burnt down their homes
when they entered that city”

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Does God Need Our Worship? Why did He Create Us to Worship Him?*
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✅The best way to answer these questions is to first understand who God is in the
context of worship. God by definition is the One who is entitled to our worship; it is a
necessary fact of His own existence. The Qur’an repeatedly highlights this fact
about God, “Indeed, I am God. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and
establish prayer for My remembrance.” (Quran 20:14) Since God, by definition, is
the only Being that whose right is our worship, then all of our acts of worship should
be directed to Him alone.

In Islam, God is considered a maximally perfect Being. He possesses all the perfect
names and attributes to the highest degree possible. For example, in Islamic
theology God is described as ‘Ar-Rahmaan’ (means ‘Most Gracious’), and this means
that His kindness is the most perfect one and His kindness is the greatest
compassion possible. It is because of these names and attributes that God must be
worshipped. We always praise people for their kindness, knowledge, and wisdom.
However, God’s kindness, knowledge and wisdom are to the highest degree
possible with no deficiency or flaw. Therefore, He is worthy of the most extensive
form of praise and praising God is a form of worship.

God is also the only One entitled to our supplications and prayers. He knows best
what is good for us, and He also wants what is good for us. Such a Being with these
attributes must be prayed to, and to be asked assistance of. God is worthy of our
worship because there is something about God that makes Him so.

Does God Need Our Worship?

This common question arises due to a misunderstanding of God, the Creator. The
Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions clearly explain that God is transcendent and
free of any need; in other words, He is absolutely independent: “Indeed, God is free
from need of the worlds.” (Quran 29:6)

Therefore, God does not need us to worship Him at all. He gains nothing from our
worship, and our lack of it takes nothing away from God. We worship God because -
through God’s wisdom and mercy - He created us that way. God made worship good
and beneficial for us, from both a worldly and spiritual perspective.

Why did He Create Us to Worship Him?

The best way of answering this question is to understand that our knowledge is
fragmentary and finite, so we will never be able to fathom the totality of God’s
wisdom. If we comprehended all of God’s wisdom, it would mean we would become
Gods or that God would be like us. Both are impossibilities. Hence, the very fact that
there may be no answer to this question indicates the transcendence of God’s
knowledge. In summary, He created us to worship Him due to His eternal wisdom,
we just cannot comprehend why.

A practical way of looking at this question is explained in the following illustration.

Imagine you were on the edge of a cliff and someone pushed you into the ocean
below. This water is infested with sharks. However, the one who pushed you gave
you a waterproof map and an oxygen tank to be able to navigate via safe areas in
order to reach a beautiful tropical island where you will stay forever in bliss. If you
were intelligent, you would use the map and reach the safety of the island.
However, being stuck on the question ‘Why did you throw me in here’ will probably
mean you are eaten by the sharks. For the believers, the Qur’an and Prophetic
traditions are the map and the oxygen tank. They tell us how to navigate the path
of life safely. We have to know, love and obey God, and dedicate all acts of worship
to Him alone. Fundamentally we have the choice of harming our own self by
ignoring this message or embracing the love and mercy of God by accepting it.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What are the Principles of Beliefs in Islam?*
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✅The following are the six articles of faith in Islam:

Allah, the One and Only God:

A Muslim believes in One God, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful
and Compassionate, Creator and Provider. God has neither father nor mother,
neither sons nor was He fathered. No one equal to Him. He is God of all mankind,
not of a special tribe or race. If we try to count His favors upon us, we cannot,
because they are countless. In return for all the great favors and mercy, God does
not need anything from us, because He is Needless and Independent. God asks us
to know Him, to love Him and to enforce His law for our benefit and our own good.

Messengers and Prophets of God:

A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any
discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine
revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Quran mentions the
names of 25 messengers and prophets and states that there are others. These
include Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Their
message might look different, but the core message is similar. The message of all
the prophets were same. They all asked the people of their time to obey and
worship the Creator alone.

Revelations and the Quran:

Allah, the Creator, has not left man without guidance for the conduct of his life.
Revelations were given to guide the people to the right path of Allah and sent down
to selected people, the prophets, and messengers, to convey it to their fellow men.
A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete
and in their original versions. The Quran is the sacred book and is the last book of
guidance from Allah, sent down to Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬through the angel Jibreel
(Gabriel). Every word of it is the word of Allah.

*The Angels:*
There are purely spiritual and splendid beings created by Allah. They require no
food or drink or sleep. They have neither physical desires nor material needs.
Angels spend their time in the service of Allah. Each is charged with a certain duty.
Angels cannot be seen by the naked eyes. Knowledge and the truth are not entirely
confined to sensory knowledge or sensory perception alone. Angels have been
created from 'Noor' which means light. We do not know the exact number of angels
from the holy Quran or authentic hadiths.

The Day of Judgment:

A Muslim believes in the Day of the Judgment. This world -as we know- will come to
an end, and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. On that day, all
men and women from Adam to the last person will be resurrected from the state of
death for judgment. Everything we do, say, make, intends and thinks are accounted
for and kept in accurate records. They are brought up on the Day of Judgment.
People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to
Allah's Heaven. People with bad records will be fairly punished and cast into Hell.

Devine Decree & Predestination:

A Muslim believes that nothing happens without the knowledge and permission of
Allah. While we may not understand why certain things happens, it is part of the
divine plan for our lives. Qadaa and Qadar mean the Timeless Knowledge of Allah
and His power to plan and execute His plans. Allah is not indifferent to this world
nor is He neutral to it. Allah is Wise, Just, and Loving, and whatever He does must
have a good motive, although we may fail sometimes to understand it fully. Man
should think, plan, and make sound choices, but if things do not happen the way he
wants, he should not lose faith and surrender himself to mental strains.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Why Do We Need a Religion?*
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✅The Arabic word ‘Deen’ which is translated as ‘Religion’ is used for several
meanings like Belief in Almighty God, Obedience, Judgment, etc. All these meanings
are related to the belief in Creator & Life after death.

The idea behind the word ‘Deen’ is that man must have a pattern of life based upon
some spiritual ideals or ideas which we call ‘belief’.

It appears that the word ‘Deen’ is more comprehensive than the English word
‘Religion’ which puts emphasis on only ‘Human recognition of super-human
controlling power and especially of a personal god or gods entitled to obedience and
worship’.

Need of Religion for Mankind:

We know that man is a social animal. Every man depends on millions of people for
his life and its necessities. Also, we know that every society needs some laws to
prevent injustice and preserve the rights of every member of the society. But who is
the right authority to make the Law? One man (be he a monarch or a dictator)? No!
Because he, instinctively, will look first on his own interest. A group of people (be it
an aristocracy or democracy)? No! Because every one of them is capable of wrong
judgment; and a lot of wrong decisions do not add up to a right decision.

Also, it is apparent that no group of people disengage itself from self-interest. For
example, in colonial days the assemblies and councils of colonies were enacting
laws to suit the interest of the White rulers. Now, the same institutions (but with
different members) are making laws keeping in view the interest of the local
population. Self-interest was, and still is, the key word of legislation in the whole
world.
Moreover, no man or group of men is in a position to make a comprehensive law
based on perfect equity and justice.

So, it is necessary that the laws should be made by someone who is superior to
man, who has nothing to lose or gain by that law and with whom every man has
equal relation; and that one is "Allah". Hence, we need the religion.

Moreover, all the man-made laws and customs have a very serious defect: they
cannot stop crime. This defect makes their existence somewhat superfluous. A thief
enters an unoccupied house, in a remote village at dead of night. He knows
perfectly well that there is no representative of the government & hence he feels
safe from being detected. Is there any law of government which can stop him from
committing the crime? The answer is, "no". No government can stop the said person
from stealing, but Religion can.

Religion, true Religion as explained above, teaches that there is a God, who knows
everything and sees everything; who is just and virtuous Himself, and wants us to
be just and virtuous; that we are responsible for our deeds in His eyes, and we must
give account of our deeds to Him after our death. If a person believes in it, then
(and only then) he can restrain himself from committing sins and crimes and
inflicting injustice upon other people.

Laws of government can control the external affairs of a man and even that only at
a time and place where its hands can reach. But the belief in God and religion
controls not only the external acts but hidden desires and inner thoughts as well.

This control is not confined to any particular place or any limited time, because God
is omnipresent and omniscient.

In summary, if someone rejects religion, he naturally will be overcome by the desire

to enjoy this life as much as possible without any regard to anything else. His only
consideration will be to avoid being caught red-handed or detected by the
government law. And whenever he will feel safe, he will not stop at any crime to
fulfill his desire, how much heinous that desire may appear to others.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱5:20mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Is Religion Really Needed for Humans to Become Moral & Good?*
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✅Morality can be based only on religion, but morality and religion are not one.
Morality as a principle does not exists without religion even though morality as a
practice, as a particular case of behavior, is not dependent directly on religiousness.

Atheism, after all, ends up as a negation of morality, and every true moral
transformation starts with a religious renewal. Morality is a religion transformed into
rules of behavior - that is, into man's attitude toward other man in accordance with
the fact of God's existence. To have to fulfill our duties regardless of the difficulties
and risks we face (this being moral behavior as distinguished from behavior
motivated by interest), such a demand can be justified only if this world and this life
are not the only world and the only life. This is the common starting point of
morality and religion.

The history of religion is full of seemingly meaningless prohibitions. However, from

the point of view of ethics, there are no meaningless prohibitions. Of course, a
prohibition can have a rational meaning too, but utility is never its primary aim.

Morality is not "life in harmony with nature" as the Stoics defined it. It is rather life
against nature, provided that the word "nature" is understood in its true sense. Like
man, morality is also irrational, non-natural, supernatural. Natural man and natural
morality do not exist. Man within the limits of nature is not man; he is, at best, an
animal endowed with reason. Morality within the limits of nature is not morality but
rather a form of selfishness, a form of wise and enlightened selfishness.

Therefore, it is possible to imagine a truly religious but immoral man and vice versa.
Religion is one kind of knowledge, and morality is a life lived in accordance with that
knowledge. There remains, however, a certain discrepancy between knowledge and
practice. Religion is the answer to the question of how to think and believe, while
morals are the answer to the question of how to desire and aim or how to live and
behave. The tidings of the other world also imply a demand to live in accordance
with this wide and infinite vision, although the demand itself is not identical with the
vision.
"Believe and do good deeds" - this sentence, which is repeated in the Qur'an more
than fifty times, points out the necessity of uniting something that people tend to
separate. It expresses the difference between religion ("believe") and morality ("do
good") as well as the imperative that they should go together. The Qur'an uncovers
a reverse relation and shows how religion can find a strong incentive in morality. It
is not: "Believe and you will be a good man," but the reverse: "Be a good man and
you will believe."

Humans by themselves cannot determine what is good and bad for each other for
all the time.

Man-made laws are often defined by a person's personal motives, emotions, limited
intellect, beliefs, and prejudices. Thus, they are designed with these built-in flaws.
This is why human law has so many loopholes and deficiencies. It is always
requiring change, modification and re-modification, time after time!

So, when Allah (The Most-High) revealed the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet
(SAW), all the details about good and bad, or right and wrong, were not left for the
limited nature of mankind to define for themselves. Allah says: “And We have sent
down to you the Book (Qur'an) as an Explanation of Everything and a Guidance, a
Mercy and glad tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah as Muslims)"
(Quran 16:89)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What are the Unique Features of Islam?*
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✅During the initial days, most of the religions were based on pure divine revelation
and Oneness of God and taught the people to worship only the Creator.
Unfortunately, they all are corrupted today in this fundamental concept itself;
‘Islam’ is the only exception to it.
*Uniqueness of the Name:*
The word "Islam" means "complete submission to the will of Almighty God". Other
religions are named after their founders, such as Christianity and Buddhism; after a
tribe or ethnic group, such as Judaism; or after a specific geographical region, such
as Hinduism. Islam, however, is unique because its name represents its outlook on
life and reflects its universal nature.

Universality & Continuity of Message:

The command to worship none other than Almighty God and to submit to His will
has been revealed by God to all of His prophets throughout mankind's long history.
And Prophet Muhammad is the final prophet of Islam; not the first. Submission to
the will of God, and worshipping Him alone without intermediaries, has always been
the only religion acceptable to Almighty God.

Straightforward Concept of God:

Direct Relationship with God:

In other religions, even the ones which claim belief in "One God", people often
approach God through an intermediary, such as a saint, an angel, the Virgin Mary,
or Jesus. In Islam, there are no priests or clergy. Each worshipper, man or woman,
has a direct relationship with their Merciful Creator, Almighty God.

Unique Concept of Worship:

According to the teachings of Islam, everything that a human being does with the
pure intention of pleasing God is an act of worship. Even more importantly, all rites
of formal worship in Islam are based on Divine revelation, while the modes of
worship in other religions are a mixture of Divine revelation, man-made traditions,
opinions of clergymen and religious councils.

*Authentic Sources:*
The preservation of the scripture of Islam (Holy Qur'an) is unique among world
religions. No other religion has a scripture which is both as old and as well-
preserved as the one possessed by Muslims today.

*Eternal Message:*
The Pure Monotheism of Islam, as well as its universal brotherhood, strong morals,
and positive outlook on life, is still very relevant and meaningful to modern man.
Since the teachings of Islam are both spiritually true and eternally practical, Islam
has not had to sacrifice its integrity in order to be both applicable to "modern life"
and to have enough spiritual impact to change people's lives.

Complete Way of Life:

Islam not just a "religion" in the traditional sense, because it is not just confined to
acts of worship, morality, and other aspects of personal piety. The Prophet
Muhammad's mission encompassed not only spiritual and religious teachings, but
also included guidance for such things as social reform, economics, politics,
warfare, and family life.

Moderated & Balanced:

Even though Islam is an all-encompassing way of life, it preaches moderation and
rejects extremism. Islam neither preach complete rejection of all worldly pleasures;
nor teach that earthly life is just for pleasure and enjoyment. By maintaining a
unique balance between the physical and spiritual, and between the individual and
society, Islam maintains a balance in all directions.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Islam is Not Just Rituals; It is System of Moral Values*
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✅Of course, daily prayers and fasting are important institutions in Islam. But should
they be treated as mere rituals? Or is there a wider meaning to them?
Unfortunately, most of the believers around us and even some organizations restrict
Islam to a mere belief in “five pillars” namely, faith in Allah and Prophet
Muhammad, the five times prayers, the Ramazan fasting, the Hajj and the Zakat
(compulsory charity).

The question is: could this have been the Islam that was propagated by the beloved
Prophet? An in-depth study of the Quranic thought would reveal that Islam is not the
name of a personal god-based ritualistic religion. It is actually a system of moral and
legal codes which proposes to regulate society on the universal principles of justice,
fairness and equity through the institutions of prayers, fasting, Hajj and Zakat. If
understood in their originality, it would be realized that there is nothing ritualistic
about these concepts.

For instance, during daily prayer, the message of the Quran is read out five times a
day to people standing shoulder to shoulder in the masjids irrespective of their
social or financial status. This negates the doctrine of untouchability and inculcates
a sense of communal equality. The thirty-day Ramazan fasting, focuses attention on
hunger, and zakat underscores the importance of equitable distribution of wealth,
and through it the eradication of poverty.

Hajj is more of an annual international conference to discuss global issues for the
benefit of mankind as implied by the Quran (22:27-28). than a mere pilgrimage to
perform certain rites. It is also the world’s biggest display of unity in diversity where
men and women of different nationalities congregate for a common cause.

But unfortunately, the Muslims have been wrongly made to believe that these
“rituals” are an end in themselves. This has resulted in their spirit being completely
lost. Thus we see today Muslims mechanically praying five times a day, regularly
fasting in Ramazan, frequently visiting Makkah for Hajj and even paying nominal
zakat, all without making any difference to the quality of their lives, or in any way
reducing the poverty and illiteracy around them.

The Quran highlights this malady in a subtle verse saying, “It is not righteousness
that you turn your faces towards East or West,… but to spend from your wealth…
for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, the wayfarer, for those who ask and for the
ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in salaat and zakat, to fulfill the contracts which
you have made, and to be firm and patient in pain and adversity throughout all
periods of panic…” (2:177)

The Prophet further emphasized this saying: “One who strives for the widows and
the poor is like the one who strives in the way of God. I shall regard him as one who
stands up for prayer without rest and as one who fasts without break” (Bukhari)

The emphasis on ritualism among Muslims today is a result of the misinterpretation

of the Quranic term ‘Deen’ which has been wrongly equated with ‘Religion’. The
truth is that while religion exemplifies a set of dogmas revolving around a personal
god who needs to be appeased through superstitious rituals, Deen is about abiding
by certain rules and regulations for the common good of society.
‘Deen’ is analogous with the constitution of a country which once adopted is bound
to be respected by every citizen. A “Muslim” is a peaceful person who submits
willingly or unwillingly to a body of humanitarian precepts promoted by the Quran.

This is the true meaning of Islam which needs to be widely propagated through
‘social reform committees’ and not resolutions that propose to take the Muslims
back to the medieval age.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Who is Allah? Why Muslims Prefer to Call God as ‘Allah’?*
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✅The Arabic word 'Allah' is the shortened form of 'al-ilah', 'The God, the one and
only God, the first, the last, the eternal, the hidden, the manifest, the ultimate
reality'. Even non-Muslim Arabs use the term 'Allah' when they speak of God. The
basic creed of Islam is this simple formula: 'There is no God but Allah' ('La ilaha
illallah')

The Arabic term 'Allah' denoting God is unique in many ways. It has no plural like
'gods'; it has no gender like 'godess'; nor does this word generate a visual image of
any kind. "Allah", He is God, the One true God, He is the one who deserves all
worship and there is nothing comparable to him. Nevertheless, ninety-nine different
attributes of Allah are named in the Holy Qur'an.

Is Allah a Muslim God?

As many thinks, Allah is not a Muslim God. Allah is the Arabic name for God
Almighty who created everything, including you and me. Even the Arab speaking
Jews and Christians use the word “Allah” to refer to God.

Water (English), Paani (Hindi), Neeru (Kannada) and Moya (Arabic) all denote the
same entity. A glass of water is not going to differ just because of the language that
is used to denote it. God (English), Ishwar (Hindi), Devaru (Kannada) and Allah
(Arabic) all denote the same Creator who created this universe including you and
me.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱3:58mins)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Does Allah, Lord Rama, Jesus Christ, etc are Different Names of Same God?*
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✅Water is called by different names in different languages: in English as water, in
Hindi as paani, in Malayalam as vellam. Similarly, if God is called either Allah, Ram,
or Jesus, is it not one and the same?

In Arabic, the word "Allah" is used to refer to the God, the Creator. Islam strictly
specifies that only the Creator must be regarded and called as God and be
worshiped.

Rama, Jesus Christ, and Muhammad were the creations of God and human beings
on earth. They all were having many constraints and limitations like the ordinary
human beings. It is ridiculous to compare the Almighty Lord, the Creator with any
such people lived on the earth.

So, it is not acceptable to use their names to refer to the God or to be considered
them as God. Thus, the names of Ram, Christ, Muhammed, etc. cannot be
considered instead of 'Allah'.
*Some More Points:*
1. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Say: ‘Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by
whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful
Names’” (Qur’an 17:110)

You can call God/Allah by any name, but it should be a beautiful name, should not
conjure up a mental picture, and should have qualities that only Allah possesses.

2. You can call water by various names in different languages, like water in English,
paani in Hindi, tanni in Tamil, mai in Arabic, apah in Sanskrit, pandi in Marathi, neer
in Kannad, neeru in Telugu, vellam in Malayalam, etc.

But can anybody call urine in any language to denote water? No! Thus, you can call
water by different names having the same meaning, but you cannot call other
things as water or paani.

People may think that the example is not realistic, and we agree with them because
even an ignorant person knows the difference between water and urine. He will
have to be a fool to call urine ‘water’. Similarly, when any person who knows the
correct concept of God, sees people worshipping false gods, he naturally wonders
how a person cannot differentiate between a true God and false gods.

3. The touchstone of theology in Islam, that is study of God, is Surah Ikhlas Chapter
112 of the Holy Qur’an which says: “Say, ‘He is Allah, The One and Only; Allah, The
Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto
Him’” (Qur’an 112:1-4)

Any candidate who claims to be God and fits in this four-line definition, can be
entitled to be called God and worshipped as God. But you cannot find anything in
this world, living or non-living, who has these basic attributes of God except our
Creator, the Almighty.

Though all the Muslims love and revere the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and are supposed to follow
each and every of his commandments, yet you will not find a single Muslim in the
whole world, who in his senses will ever say that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is God.

The Islamic Creed is, “La illaha illallah Muhammadu Rasoolullah”, which means that
there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is the messenger of Allah. This is
repeated five times a day during the call for prayer, so that the Muslims are
reminded daily that although they respect and obey him, he is only a Messenger
and servant of God, and not God Himself.

*Footnote:*
By the way, the names like Hiranya Garbha, Paramatma, Prajapati, etc. used in
Hindu scriptures and similarly the names like Yahweh, Elohem used in the Bible can
be considered instead of the name ‘Allah’, since they all refer to the only Almighty
God, the Creator & they all indicate the same essence.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱10:27mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Why is Associating Partners with God an Unforgivable Sin in Islam?*
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✅God Almighty stands in no need of man’s gratitude and prayers as God is free of
all wants and needs. It is we humans who are in need of God and His mercy. It
might look like a paradox because if God does not need people's belief, why does
He care if people worship Him or not?

1. God does not approve disbelief not because "disbelief" deprives God of
something. As we have explained earlier, God created us to worship and serve Him
alone. Associating partners with God or to put anyone/anything equal to God or to
reject the truth of His existence would make us go against the very purpose of our
existence and it would also be the highest form of disrespect to our Creator.

2. Disbelief in God jeopardizes the whole life system and causes evil and corruption
to manifest in the world. When a person disbelieves in God or associates partners
with God, they choose to reject God’s sovereign authority and divine guidance.
People end up following their desires and become unaware that they are being
watched by God, leading to carelessness about their accountability to Him. This
becomes the root cause for all the evils in the world.
3. Associating partners with God is the highest degree of injustice and ingratitude. If
we look around us and at ourselves we will find the blessings of God bestowed on us
- our loving family, our children, our ability to walk and see and to witness
everything that has such great beauty in His creation.

Would it not be utmost ungrateful for us to ascribe all this to anyone else other than
the one who gave us everything? How then, can we be so ungrateful to Him and
associate partners with Him? Is this not ingratitude and injustice to the Mercy which
God has shown upon us? How can we become pious men and women when we pay
no regard to God's laws and Commandments and when we make images not
befitting His Majestic Personality?

*How Does One Make Equals with God in Worship, Obedience, Submission?*
A person makes equals with God by doing the following acts:

1. Praying, adoring, bowing, and worshiping the natural things like air, water, fire
and things which are man-made viz. stone carvings, statues, images, graves of
saints or pious men, etc.

2. Ascribing divinity to humans by calling them God's son or wife or His descendants
or claiming that they possess qualities similar to that of God.

3. Worshiping angels (devtas) viz. Agni, Vayu, planets (grahas), who are in fact just
God's creations just like many of His other creations, who sincerely obey Him and
have no free-will of their own.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱19:53mins)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Evidence for Oneness of the Creator*
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*✅The Claim that There is More than One God is Logically Invalid*
When we assume that there are two equal gods in the universe, it is definite that
there will be discussions between them and conflicts between their wishes. In the
end of such a conflict, for instance, when one god wanted something to happen and
the other wanted it not to happen, one of the following three possibilities would
happen; and all of them are rationally invalid and impossible.

1. Both of the gods’ wishes would take place.

2. Neither of the gods’ wishes would take place.
3. One of the gods’ wish would take place and the other’s wish would not.

If the wishes of both of them took place, a state in which something would happen
and would not happen at the same time would take place, that is, two opposites
like existence and non-existence would come together, which is logically impossible.

If neither of the gods’ wishes would take place, it would mean something would be
deprived of existence and non-existence, that is, the opposites would disappear,
which is also rationally and logically impossible. In addition, the gods would suffer
weakness when their wishes were not realized. Weak beings cannot be divine
beings; they cannot create anything.

In the third possibility, the wish of one of the gods would take place and the other
would be prevented; then the god whose wish did not take place would become
weak. A weak being cannot be a god.

Thus, all of the possibilities turned out to be invalid; and the theory that there are
two or more gods is proved to be invalid spontaneously. Then, the divine being that
created the world is one. And that being is Allah, the Exalted, who has absolute
perfection, power, and greatness as a necessity of the existence of His pre-eternal
and post-eternal personality.

Evidence that “His Sovereignty Does not Accept any Partners”:

The most important and indispensable law of the truth of sovereignty is
independence and freedom. That is, rejection of others’ intervention and
partnership in sovereignty. It is obvious that even weak men who have a slight
shadow or part of sovereignty reject the outer interventions in order to protect their
independence and they act aggressively when others interfere in their business.

Since the shadow of the feeling of sovereignty in weak and needy men rejects
intervention so much and does not accept partnership in their sovereignty and try
to protect their independence by all means, it will be understood that God Almighty,
‘who has absolute sovereignty in the form of being the Lord of the worlds, absolute
dominance in the form of divinity and absolute independence in the form of
oneness’ is free from having a partner, counterpart and rival.

Therefore, independence and uniqueness are indispensable principles of the

absolute sovereignty of Allah.

*Evidence of Order:*
The perfect order and unerring system seen in the beings on the earth from atoms
to stars in individuals and in all of them is the greatest proof and the brightest
evidence of oneness. If anybody other than the Maker intervened in the divine
activities and creation in the universe, that highly delicate order and balance would
be spoiled and the marks of disorder would be seen everywhere.

Evidence of “Ease at Oneness and Difficulty in Plenitude”:

If the creation of things is attributed to only one Maker and Creator, it will be easy
like the creation of one thing. If it is attributed to the nature, a fly will be as difficult
as the skies, a flower as difficult as a spring and a fruit as difficult as an orchard.
Since an eternal ease is seen in the creation of things in the universe, it is
understood that the Creator is one and single...

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why Does Islam Prohibit Idol Worship?*
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✅Single line answer: because Idols do not represent the True Creator of this
Universe.
Generally speaking, Idols are treated as something which connects humans to their
Creator, something which itself is not God but acts like an intercessor to God. (At
least this is what Idol worshippers are made to believe).

Problem is that nobody knows exactly which shape and kind of an Idol can really act
like one (intercessor).

Those who have seen their parents praying to an Idol of a man keeps on praying in
front of that man figure all their lives. Some pray in front of a woman figure, some
in front of animal figure depending upon their personal liking and their family
traditions and beliefs.

This is how humans have lived. There have always been some people who started
worshipping self-made objects as God.

However, Our Creator has never left mankind alone in darkness. Allah says in Holy
Quran that He has sent His Messengers to every nation so that the people can be
guided to right path; the path which leads to Him.

Whenever messengers of God come to this world, they use to face some people
praying to different objects, natural (fire, tree, moon, sun, etc.) as well as
handmade (Idols of elders, animals etc.) And all those Messengers of God used to
preach those people about their true Creator who is shapeless, Omnipresent and All
knowing.

Some people obeyed the messengers and left Idol/Object worship. Some were too
stubborn to let go of their traditions. This is how Idol worship is still found in this
world.

Even some people in Pre-Islamic Mecca used to do Idol worship. Then came the final
Messenger of Allah to this world and spread his message. Eventually people of
Mecca started praying to their Creator without any Idols or Images.

*Coming back to the question; why Islam prohibits Idol worship?* The answer is-
Because it doesn't make sense. Let us explain the logical fallacy in praying to an
Idol:

Let us say I want to worship God via the Idol of a Horse. My brother could argue why
cannot he make an Idol of a Cat as he does not like horses. So why not a Cat? Why
not a flower? Or a Bronze IPhone X shaped Idol?

In this way a person can pray to any Idol of any shape and color of his choice. There
will be infinite number of Idols acting as intercessors to God.
But the question remains! Is the hand forged Idol of animal or human powerful
enough to act as an intercessor to God? Who decides that which shape of Idol can
achieve divinity and really become worthy of connecting us to God?

How can something which a man has forged from his own hands communicate to
our Creator on his behalf? It simply cannot; logic denies that.

A bronze IPhone X shaped Idol cannot even connect a call to my neighbor; then how
can it establish a connection between me and my Creator. Same is the case with
other kinds of Idols and images.

This is the reason why Islam prohibits praying to God via any Idol, image, object etc.
as intercessor.

Besides, our Creator does not need intercessors to listen to us. Allah our Creator
says in Holy Quran that He knows what a person's requirements are and that He is
closer to a man than the man's Jugular vein. (Quran 50:16)

Allah also says that He always listens to our request when we pray to Him. So, the
Believers must pray to Him only. Not to any Intercessors, Images, Idols, not to any
Prophet of Allah. Not even to Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬.

*No one is worthy of worship except Allah/Ishwar/God, the Sole Creator of this
Universe*
So, when the Almighty Himself is ready to answer all our requests directly, then
there is no need left to forge an Idol of our choice and pretend to pray to that object
as an immediate intercessor to God.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱9:16mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣*
*❓If Islam Opposes Idol Worship, Why do Muslims Pray to Kaaba?*
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✅Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is
important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not
worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.

It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah: “We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to
the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then thy
face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that
direction.” [Qur’an 2:144]

The Kaaba was built by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael in response to
God's command over 4,000 years ago. Abraham consecrated the House for the
worship of the one true God and invited all of humanity to visit it for that purpose.
Even today Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to make a
pilgrimage to it once in a lifetime. The Kaaba has remained at the center of a
continuous tradition of worship and devotion up to the present day, symbolic of
permanence, constancy, and renewal.

Islam Believes in Fostering Unity:

For instance, if Muslims want to offer Prayer (Salaah), it is possible that some may
wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in
their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to
face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the
west of the Kaaba, they face the east. Similarly, if they live towards the east of the
Kaaba, they face the west.

Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map:

The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map
with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the center.
Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing
upwards and south downwards. Yet, the Kaaba is at the center of the world map.

Tawaf (Circumambulation) Around Kaaba for Indicating One God:

When the Muslims go to Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the
Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every
circle has one center, so also there is only one Allah worthy of worship. The Kaaba
symbolizes the unity of all true religion, the brotherhood of all the prophets, and the
essential consistency of their message.
*Hadith of Umar:*
Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to
the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), Umar. According to
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar said, “I know
that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (
‫ )ﷺ‬touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.

People Stood on Kaaba and Gave the Adhaan:

At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’
or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the
Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Should We Seek God Examining Whether Our Prayers are Answered?*
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✅We might personally know people from different faiths who are convinced that
they have had their prayers answered by the god whom they worship. Why are they
being delivered from their difficulties without Allah’s help; if Allah is only the God,
the Almighty? Do other "gods" answer prayers too?

We all have prayers and petitions before the Lord. We are asking Him to move in
our life, family, work, and spiritual situations. We pray for direction and wisdom and
then anticipate an answer.

Some atheists use to argue like “all gods are fake since nobody was there to help
me when I was in a critical need”. On the other hand, some misguided believers
have testimonies like “I didn’t leave any God/Goddess unprayed, but my prayers
were answered only by this particular God”; “We were childless for years but
blessed with a baby only when we performed some rituals in this particular
Temple/Church/Masjid”.
Dear friends, should we seek God examining whether our prayers are answered? In
other way, if our prayers are answered, does it mean we prayed to the real God?

Only the Almighty God can answer our prayers. But still, if we call upon someone
and meet with what we hope in prayer, we cannot say for sure that we prayed to
the true God. Unfortunately, even though people call upon somebody or something
besides true God and if their need is fulfilled, then they misbelieve that the one
whom they asked are also gods.

If man prays to a tree (which can neither help nor harm him) and his prayers are
answered, it was not the tree which answered his prayers, but Allah who allowed
the circumstances prayed for to take place. One might say, "that is obvious,"
however, to tree-worshippers it might not be. Similarly, prayers to Jesus, Buddha, or
Krishna, to Saint Christopher, or Saint Jude or even to Muhammad, are not
answered by them but are answered by Almighty Allah.

At the same time, though we pray to the true God, all our needs might not be
fulfilled right away. God responds to prayers in various ways. Sometimes, He will
directly provide whatever we ask, but sometimes He will not give it intending our
goodness. Sometimes God will meet the needs of people without asking. And again,
sometimes He will test us with more and more difficulties and challenges in life
even though we keep on asking for the help.

Whatever happens in this way is part of God's trial! It is not correct to think
someone is God if our needs are fulfilled when we pray to him. It is completely
irrational to seek God in this way. Otherwise, if someone’s prayers are fulfilled by
praying to them, why are the prayers of all those who call upon them unable to
succeed?

Moreover, Allah will test people (believers and disbelievers) with or without giving
earthly pleasures.

Allah says in Holy Qur’an: “Do they think that We enlarge them in wealth and
children, We hasten unto them with good things (in this worldly life so that they will
have no share of good things in the Hereafter)? Nay, but they perceive not” (Qur’an
23:55)

So, here God himself acknowledges the fact that He may bless even those who
worship other gods, by giving them wealth and other worldly pleasures; but these
are nothing but parts of His tests upon those disbelievers. So, even if someone’s
prayers are answered when he prays to someone other than God, it can be a test
for him from our Creator.
Therefore, we should not discover God by examining whether our prayers are
answered or not. Instead, Islam says, as mentioned in the preceding parts, using
our intelligence and reason, we can realize the God Almighty through His creations
& countless signs in and around us.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Why Should We Pray to the God? Why Don’t God Fulfill All the Needs of the
Believers?*
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✅Islam teaches that the Beneficent Allah is the One who hears the worshipers of His
servants and gives them the ultimate good. Muslims submit their needs before God.
They know that God will give what is good for himself and the community. Even if
the prayers were not answered from here, they will continue to pray because they
know that they will be rewarded for their prayers hereafter.

First and foremost, we know that Allah tells us that He responds to the invocations
of the supplicants who call on Him: “And when My slaves ask you concerning Me,
then, I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls
on Me. So, let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright”
(Qur’an 2:186)

Part of what Allah commands of the believers is patience and understanding that
Allah is the best of planners. Also, before we ask Allah, we must ask ourselves if we
are obedient to Allah or if we are angering Him in some way. If you anger someone
and then ask something of them, what are the chances they will grant us our
request? Allah is even more deserving and befitting in this manner, as He is our
Creator and the Creator of all that exists.

While a Muslim opens his heart and submit all his needs to his Lord who loves him
greatly, all the sorrows and the difficulties of that Muslim slips away from his mind
and it will strengthen his relationship with the Lord as well. The prayers are
essential in all areas of life for a believer. There are prayers while he is having food,
going to toilet, cleaning, sleeping, awakening and whatever else in his daily life.

Allah commanded us to submit, pray and ask only to Him. Because everything is in
His hands. Even a single leaf does not fall without His permission and wish. He
controls each movement of every living being in the world at his disposal. Since
prayer is a worship, it is not permissible to be given to anything else except
Almighty God. Moreover, a man comes closest to his Creator during his
supplications.

Only Allah, the Creator, has the power and authority to fulfill any need of a man and
save him from adversity and evil. Therefore, we should pray only to Allah to fulfill
any of our needs and even to save us and forbid evil. Allah says in Holy Quran:
"Pray to me, "I will answer you" (Quran 40:60)

One should pray with faith in God and with the hope of getting the prayer answered.
Also, those who pray, should pray with the pure heart abstaining from evil deeds
and the unlawful savings.

*The Messenger of Allah ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Said that the Prayers will be Answered in 3 Different
Ways:*
1. Your prayer will be fulfilled, and you will be granted with whatever you ask.

2. Allah will not grant you what you are asking because it is not good for you, and so
Allah in fact may really actually be granting you something better (i.e. preventing
some harm or misfortune that would have resulted from what you were asking)
without you realizing.

For example, if you pray for more wealth, but Allah knows that you will become
arrogant if you are provided with that. So, the caring and all-knowing God will not
fulfill your prayer, instead will bless you with something higher and much better.

3. Allah may be holding off on granting you what you desire as perhaps it will be
granted to you in the Hereafter or at a later time, when you may need it much
more.

In all three ways, it benefits the believers. Therefore, be patient and continue our
prayers. Do not say Allah is not granting our prayers. And remember, our prayers
are also a worship to the Creator.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Why Does God Test Us with Hardship?*
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✅There are a number of reasons why God allows hardship and adversity to befall the
human. Even the genuine believers experience hardship and adversity at some
stage in their lives in accordance to God’s wisdom and God’s plan. The reasons can
be summarized as below:

1. Test of Faith

It is God’s decision to put the human through hardship and adversity so as to test
their faith and their resolve and trust in God.

“Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to
the test?” (Quran 29:2)

“We have tested those before them, for God must distinguish those who are
truthful, and He must expose the liars” (Quran 29:3)

“We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and
crops. Give good news to the steadfast” (Quran 2:155)

To pass the test, the believer must maintain his trust that God only can relieve his
hardship. The believer will maintain his prayer and call onto God: “Who is the One
who rescues those who become desperate and call upon Him, relieves adversity,
and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is it another god with God? Rarely do you
take heed” (Quran 27:62)

2. Cleansing our Soul

Hardship and adversity are decreed by God as a cleansing of our souls from sins we
have already committed. As a result, some of the bad things that happen to us are
a direct result of sins we have committed: “Anything bad that happens to you is a
consequence of your own deeds, and He overlooks many (of your sins)” (Quran
42:30)
The concept of cleansing the human from sins in this life is a Quranic truth. It can be
achieved through the experiencing of hardship and adversity (as 42:30), and it can
also be through the charity. (Quran 9:103)

*3. Gratefulness*
Suffering through hardship and adversity is a reminder for people who tend to take
things for granted and forget all of God’s blessings. Despite all the blessings given
to the human by God, the human being is unappreciative. A little reminder in the
shape of hardship or adversity may hopefully do the job of teaching the human not
to take God’s blessings for granted:

“If you count God’s blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human
being is transgressing, unappreciative” (Quran 14:34)

“When we bless the human being, he turns away, and drifts farther and farther
away, and when he suffers any affliction, he implores loudly” (Quran 41:51)

4. Remembering God

Adversity and hardship are also a very effective reminder for those who are too
much absorbed in the worldly life, and thus they may not be as devoted to God as
they should be. Due to their being too preoccupied with this worldly life they do not
seek God nor call on God as they should:

“When adversity afflicts the people, they turn to their Lord, totally devoting
themselves to Him. But then, as soon as He showers them with mercy, some of
them revert to idol worship” (Quran 30:33)

5. God’s Power and Authority

Many people are either oblivious of or need to be reminded of God’s absolute
authority. Hardship and adversity are one way to remind them that no one can save
them but God, and also remind them of God’s absolute authority. They also need to
be reminded that they need God in every minute of their lives. Sadly, when God
relieves the adversity, many of them return to idol worship once again:

“O people, you are the ones who need God, while God is in no need for anyone, the
Most Praiseworthy” (Quran 35:15)

“If the human is touched by adversity, he implores us, but as soon as we bestow a
blessing upon him, he says, “I attained this because of my cleverness!” Indeed, this
is only a test, but most of them do not know” (Quran 39:49)

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱5:39mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣*
*❓How to Face the Tests of God?*
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✅When Almighty Allah in His Infinite Wisdom, tests us with a situation that we think
is difficult or takes away something that in our mind was good for us, we need to
remember that perhaps it may not be so. Perhaps if we had continued in our way, it
might have been harmful for us and whatever Allah decreed for us is actually better
for us, for He is All-Wise and All-Knowing. Allah says: “…and it may be that you
dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you.
Allah knows but you do not know.” (Quran 2:216)

Remember that we are dealing with the One who is ‘the Most Merciful’ of all that
show mercy. All the mercy that we have in this world from the first man on earth
(Adam) to the Day of Judgment is only one hundredth of the Mercy of the Most
Merciful. And He is Most Wise. He knows and we don't know. So have faith in Him
and trust in Him and although, sometimes we may not understand the reason
behind certain things, know that as long as you obey Him, whatever He will do for
you is, in fact for your betterment.

So, if Allah didn't give you that big house, or that nice car you wanted or that big
raise you were hoping for, know in your mind and believe in your heart that it is
actually better for you. Who knows… maybe that big house, that car or that money
would have become a source of test (fitnah) for you… Perhaps you would have
become arrogant and conceited because of it, and Allah saved you from it. Because,
you know that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Any one in whose heart is even a mustard
seed's worth of pride will not enter Paradise.” (Muslim)
And if you have been sick and suffering, sure it is not easy. But again, know in your
mind and believe in your heart that it is indeed better for you. For, if you bear
patiently, it will be a means of expiation for your sins and a source of great reward.
The Prophet said: “There is nothing that befalls a believer, not even a thorn that
pricks him, but Allah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad
deed from him.” (Muslim)

And: “On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given
their reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces
with scissors when they were in the world (when they see the immense rewards for
the afflictions they suffered).” (Tirmidhi)

And if life has been difficult, worries surround you and calamities befall you, hear
the good news from the Prophet: “Trials will continue to befall the believing man
and woman, with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they
meet Allah with no sin on them.” (Tirmidhi)

Remember that the One Who is testing you is the Most Wise, the Most Merciful and
the Most Loving… and that He did not send this calamity in order to destroy you…
or cause you pain or finish you off. Rather, He is checking on you, testing your
patience, acceptance and faith; it is so that He may hear your prayers and
supplication, so that He may see you standing before Him… seeking His
protection… filled with humility and complaining to Him, alone. The difficulties you
face is a reminder for you to return to God and ask for forgiveness from Him. Who
knows… if He didn't give you the difficulty, maybe you would have strayed from Him
far, far away…

Our minds, our logic and our senses cannot even begin to fathom the Wisdom and
the Knowledge behind Allah's decisions and verdicts. It is He who is the Wise… it is
He who is the Just and it is He who is the Knower of the unseen. If we trust in Allah,
He will suffice and it is He who will grant us goodness in any situation and under any
circumstances. “And when someone puts all his trust in Allah, He will be enough for
him.” (Quran 65:3)

The Qur’an tells us that good, evil and whatever happens in this world happens by
Allah’s Will. Only Allah knows fully His Will. We finite beings cannot grasp fully His
infinite Will and Wisdom. He runs His universe the way He deems fit. The Qur’an
tells us that Allah is Wise and everything that Allah does is right, just, good, and fair.
We must submit and surrender to His Will. The Qur’an has not given us all the
details about Allah’s Will, but it has enlightened us with the guidance that is useful
and sufficient for us. There are several points that we should keep in our mind to
understand this issue:

First, Allah did not make this world a permanent world. This is a temporary world,
and everything here has a time limit. When its times comes it will die, come to an
end and finish. Neither the good things of this world are forever, nor the bad things
eternal. We are here for a short time and we are being tested. Those who will pass
this test will find an eternal world that is perfect and permanent. Those who will fail
this test shall see the evil consequences of their sins and corruption.

Allah has placed a physical law and a moral law in this universe. Allah allows
suffering to occur when one or more of these laws are broken. The physical law is
based on cause and effect. For example, sickness comes if one does not take care
of his health or is exposed to infections.

The way we exceed the measures set by Allah and violate His laws of cause and
effect is incredible. It is really the mercy of Allah that we are saved. The Qur’an
says: “If Allah were to punish people according to what they deserve, He would not
leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite
for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His
servants” (Fatir:45)

But sometimes, Allah punishes people because of their violations of His laws
whether they are physical or moral. The Qur’an tells us that many nations and
communities were destroyed because of their sinful lifestyles. (Al-Hajj: 42-45)
Suffering can also be a test and trial for some people. Allah allows some people to
suffer in order to test their patience and steadfastness. Even Allah’s Prophets and
Messengers were made to suffer. Prophet Ayyub is mentioned in the Qur’an as a
Prophet who was very patient. Good people sometimes suffer but their sufferings
heal others and bring goodness to their communities. People learn lessons from
their good examples. Martyrs die for their faith; soldiers give their lives for their
nations and this brings liberation and freedom for their people.

Allah sometimes allows some people to suffer to test others, how they react to
them. When you see a person who is sick, poor, and needy, then you are tested by
Allah. Allah is there with that suffering person to test your charity and your faith.
(Muslim-4661)

In summary, the sufferings occur to teach us that we must adhere to Allah’s natural
and moral laws. It is sometimes to punish those who violate Allah’s natural or moral
laws. It is to test our faith in Allah and to test our commitment to human values and
charity. Whenever we encounter suffering, we should ask ourselves, “Could it be a
punishment?”, “Could it be a test and trial for us?” Let us work hard to pass this
test.

Believers face the sufferings with prayers, repentance, and good deeds. The non-
believers face the sufferings with doubts and confusions & blame Allah or make
arguments against Him.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱5:53mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What Does Faith in Destiny Mean in Islam?*
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✅The Law of God, the Creator, and the Ruler of the worlds, is a powerful, all
pervasive law which governs all that comprises the universe. The Almighty God,
Allah is the Creator of all things, and nothing happens in the universe except by His
will. No creation can lodge this Law and man's position is no different.

Even man's environment and physical constitution are regulated on the basis of this
divine law. The good and the bad that befall him happen on the basis of divine
Destiny. How they befall on each one is in accordance with the predetermined
decision made by the Omniscient Creator, who is aware of the ultimate good and
evil of mankind. Hence, Islam directs man to believe in Destiny, whether good or
bad, which Allah has measured and ordained for all creatures according to His
previous knowledge and as deemed suitable by His wisdom.

Fate and Destiny According to the Qur’an and Sunnah:

It is important to understand that Allah has knowledge over all things. Almighty
Allah knows what will happen to us before we do. Allah knows the outcome of all of
our decisions. Allah has stated in His Book, the Glorious Qur’an, that everything that
will happen throughout all creation was already written.

Almighty Allah says: “No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves, but it is
inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) before We bring it into
existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah” (Al-Hadid 57:22)

The Prophet Mohammad (‫ )ﷺ‬stated: “Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty
thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth” (Muslim)

From these statements, we understand that Almighty Allah has written all things in
a Book of Decrees known in Arabic as Al-Lawh Al Mahfuz, and that this was done
50000 years before He created the heavens and earth.

This does not mean that we are forced to walk upon a certain path, or that we have
no freewill. This only means that Allah is already well aware of all actions that we
will take, and the outcome of these actions.

At the same time, whatever we choose to do is governed by the Will of Allah. If Allah
does not will for something to take place, then it will not happen no matter how
hard we try. And if He wills for something to happen, it will take place no matter
what we do to stop it.

Muslims must believe in destiny, or more accurately, Divine Destiny (Qadar). But we
should not believe in Fate, in the meaning that “an event (or a course of events) will
inevitably happen in the future.” Nothing is inevitable as Allah has control over all
things. Allah controls the Divine Destiny. People who accept fate or that certain
thing is inevitable, are fatalists, and tend to leave things to it.
But a Muslim who believes in Qadar (Divine Destiny) will try to live according to the
laws of Islam, pray to Allah for guidance when making decisions, and put their best
effort forward in everything they do. Then, they leave the outcome of these actions
to Allah and accept whatever He has decreed.

*In Summary, Muslim’s Belief in Qadar (Divine Destiny) is Made up of Four Things:*
1. Understanding that Allah’s Knowledge encompasses all of creation and He knows
everything that His creation will do, even before they do.

2. Believing that Allah has written all that has happened in the Book of Decrees (Al-
Lawh Al-Mahfuz).

3. Accepting that whatever Allah decrees will take place, and whatever He does not
will, does not take place.

4. Knowing that Allah creates all things, including the actions of His creation.
Accepting Allah’s Qadar (Divine Destiny) will lead us to a more satisfying and
productive life.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱5:53mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣*
*❓If Everything is Predestined, then How the Disbelievers are Responsible for Their
Disbelieves and Bad Deeds?*
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✅The Almighty Allah is the Creator of all things, and nothing happens in the universe
except by His will. He knows what is to come and He decreed all of that and wrote it
in a Book 50000 years before He created the heavens and the earth, as is stated in
a Sahih report from our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He is
Just and does not wrong anyone in the slightest, because He is independent of His
creation and has no need of them. He is Kind and Gracious to them constantly, so
how could He wrong them?

Man has free will and choice by means of which he does some things and refrains
from others, and he believes or disbelieves, and he obeys or disobeys, for which he
will be brought to account and rewarded or punished, although Allah knows what he
will do, what he will choose and what his ultimate destiny will be. But Allah does not
compel him to do evil, or to choose kufr, rather He clearly shows him the path and
He has sent Messengers and revealed Books and shown him the right way. Whoever
goes astray does so to his own loss…

Allah says: “And say: ‘The truth is from your Lord.’ Then whosoever wills, let him
believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve” [Quran 18:29]

“Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful” [Quran 76:3]

Allah tells us that man believes and does righteous deeds by his own choice and
free will, then he enters Paradise, or he disbelieves and does evil deeds by his own
choice and free will, then he enters Hell.

Every person knows in his own heart and by looking at those around him, that our
deeds – good and evil, obedient and sinful – are done by our own choice, and we do
not feel that there is any force compelling us to do them. You can curse, swear, lie,
and backbite, just as you can praise Allah, glorify Him, pray for forgiveness, speak
the truth, and give sincere advice.

A man can strike with his hand, steal, speak falsehood and betray, or he can help
the needy, do good and do favors with his hands. Everyone does some of these
deeds and he does not feel that he is compelled or forced, rather he does them by
his own free will and then he will be called to account for them; if they were good,
then the consequences will be good, and if they were bad then the consequences
will be bad.

What Allah has decreed is something that man cannot know, and he cannot base his
deeds on it or use it as an excuse. It is also not valid for him to object to his Lord by
questioning why He has caused someone to be among the doomed or the blessed.

Allah has not wronged the one who is doomed, rather He gave him time and ability
and freedom of choice, and He sent to him Messengers and revealed Books to them,
and He reminded him and warned him with all kinds of reminders, such as
calamities and tests, so that he would repent to Him and turn to Him. If he chose
the path of misguidance, and followed the way of criminals, he only harmed himself,
and he is the one who has caused his own doom, as Allah says:

“Indeed, he succeeds who purifies his own self. And indeed, he fails who corrupts
his own self” [Quran 91:9-10]

“Allah wronged them not, but they wronged themselves” [Quran 3:117]

To sum up: the belief that Allah is the Creator Who has decreed all things and has
distinguished those who are blessed from those who are doomed, does not mean
that Allah forces His slaves to obey or disobey. Rather He has given them the ability
to choose and free will, which is what they act upon, and for which they will be
brought to account. Your Lord does not wrong His slaves.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱4:58mins)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Doesn’t Islam Permit Critical Thinking?*
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✅Many believe that Islam has banned critical thinking and introduced a kind of
stagnation in the field. People state, "Most Muslim schools focus on rote
memorization of religious texts and discourage independent thinking".

There are two different things: critical thinking and rational or independent thinking.
There are categories where the mind should play its role and where it should not
poke its nose. The clear and apparent meanings of the Glorious Qur'an and the
Hadith have no place for criticism. Here, rational thinking to find out the depth is not
only permissible but also encouraged in Islam. The principle beliefs, obligatory
practices are from this category where the human mind is allowed to explore the
reasons and the facts of the matters, but it is not allowed to criticize since the mind
has its own limitation as other human faculties have.

For instance, what the hearing faculty can do the smelling faculty cannot, and what
the eyes can see the others cannot. As we see a plane flying in the sky, looks very
little, if we use only our eyes and not mind, it will be that the plane is small like a
bird. But here, we use our mind and say 'no' since the plane is at a certain height
that is why we see it small otherwise it is huge. As in this example, there comes one
point where the boundary of eye's action ends, and the boundary of mind's action
begins. Likewise, there is one point where certainly the human mind fails. This is a
common idea every sane believes in.

But ahead of this, Muslims believe in 'wahy', which can be translated as 'revelation'
which is by Allah almighty to his messengers and prophets through different ways.
The action of revelation begins from where the action of human mind comes to an
end. The revelation tells us specially about the things which generally a mere
human mind cannot find out. The existence of Allah, His attributes, the hell, the
paradise, Day of Judgment etc are known only by revelation.

Since, these matters are out of the reach of human mind, so the human beings are
asked just to believe in. The issue of revelation is based on a principle that every
action of human being is poised with error; it is only Allah and His Messengers who
are free from human mistakes. The human body is temporal and mundane, so the
parts of the body are also mortal. They cannot have the feeling of things which
belongs to another permanent and eternal world.

Besides, Islam allows critical thinking in other matters. The four major schools of
thought in Islam (Hanafi, Shaf'ee, Maliki, Hanbli) are the clear proof of the claim.
The scholars, having deep knowledge of the Glorious Qur'an, Hadith and Islamic
sciences, discussed the matters, which were not explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an
and Hadith, and they many times contradicted each other and had different
opinions about same issue.

All these things prove that Islam has never discouraged independent thinking and
criticizing, it has allowed human mind to function in areas where it can work. Not
only this that Islam has allowed independent thinking, but it is the Glorious Qur'an
which has set the tradition of thinking in the creation of Allah and asked its
followers to reflect on the natural phenomena. Qur'an also praises people who think
(Quran 3:190-191)

Before Islam, nearly every religion, which existed then, adopted creatures as God.
This concept stopped them to think in the reality of the creatures of the heaven and
earth. When Islam came it concentrated the human belief only in Allah and
regarded the entire universe as the servant of the human beings. Thus, Islam
opened the door of independent thinking in Muslims and it led them to a grand era
of science.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Signs for Those Who Ponder Over!*
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✅How can one observe the inexhaustible creativity of nature, its purposefulness, its
preservation of the morally useful and destruction of the socially injurious, and yet
fail to draw the conclusion that behind nature there is a Creator and Master? A
Creator whose ceaseless creative activity, the processes of nature – is but an
outward manifestation!

The stars scattered through infinite space, the vast panorama of nature with its
charm and beauty, the regular waxing and waning of the moon, the astonishing
harmony of the seasons and the days and nights, the incessant supply of water, the
delicate flowers and crystals beneath our feet – all point towards one fact: there is a
God, the Creator, the Governor.

We witness a superbly flawless plan in the universe; can it be without one who
planned it? We see overwhelming beauty and harmony in its workings; can they be
without a Creator? We observe beautiful intricate designs in nature; can it be
without one who designed it? We feel a lofty purpose in physical and human
existence; can it be without a Will working behind it?

Truly, God said: “O mankind: worship your Lord, Who created you and those before
you so that you may become righteous. Who has made the earth a resting place for
you and the sky a canopy and sent down rain from the heavens, and brought forth
therewith fruits for your sustenance? Then do not set up rivals unto Allah while you
know [the truth].” (Quran 2:21-22)
Allah has the total might, the absolute will and complete perfect knowledge. He has
provided human beings with all the necessary proofs in the universe and within
themselves so that it becomes manifest to them that He is the true God, and
therefore they should worship Him and discharge their duty towards Him in the best
possible manner.

His signs are scattered everywhere, within ourselves and in the entire universe. He
encourages us in many verses of the Qur’an to utilize our power of reasoning so
that we can understand His Greatness and Wisdom. Sometimes He draws our
attention to the Principle of Causality, which He established in the universe: “Were
they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators?” (Quran 52:35)

Even people without any formal education at all recognize the principle that
anything in the world has a Maker.

Allah’s signs are everywhere. The Qur’an is replete with beautiful descriptive verses
that call us to reflect on these magnificent, countless signs with the object of
reaching the obvious fact of His existence. The Qur’an says: “Among His signs is
this that He created you from dust; and then, behold, you are men scattered [far
and wide]! And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among
yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and
mercy between your [hearts]. Verily in that are signs for those who reflect…

And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
variations in your languages and your colors. Verily in that are signs for those who
know. And among His signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day. and the
quest that you make [for livelihood] out of His Bounty. Verily in that are signs for
those who harken…

And among His signs, He shows you the lightening, by way both of fear and of hope,
and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is
dead: Verily in that are signs for those who are wise, and among His signs is this
that heaven and earth stand by His Command…

Then when He calls you by a single call from the earth, behold, you [straightaway]
come forth. To Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and the earth. All are
devoutly obedient to Him.” (Quran 30:20-26)

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*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Does God Give Free Will and Freedom to Control Our Destiny?*
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✅Man has free will and choice by means of which he does some things and refrains
from others, and he believes or disbelieves, and he obeys or disobeys, for which he
will be brought to account and rewarded or punished, although Allah knows what he
will do, what he will choose and what his ultimate destiny will be.

But Allah does not compel him to do evil, or to choose kufr, rather He clearly shows
him the path and He has sent Messengers and revealed Books and shown him the
right way. Whoever goes astray does so to his own loss...

Allah says: “And say: ‘The truth is from your Lord.’ Then whosoever wills, let him
believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve” [Quran 18:29]

“Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful” [Quran 76:3]

“So, whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom shall see it. And
whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall see it” [Quran 99:7-8]

Allah says: “Indeed he succeeds who purifies his own self. And indeed, he fails who
corrupts his own self” [Quran 91:9-10]

“Allah wronged them not, but they wronged themselves” [Quran 3:117]
To sum up: the belief that Allah is the Creator Who has decreed all things and has
distinguished those who are blessed from those who are doomed, does not mean
that Allah forces His slaves to obey or disobey. Rather He has given them the ability
to choose and free will, which is what they act upon, and for which they will be
brought to account. Your Lord does not wrong His slaves.

Can We Control Our Destiny? Or are We a Slave to Fate?

Say for instance you decide to go into business for yourself. You do all the
necessary research. You consult others in the field. You draw up a sound business
plan and line up multiple investors. You do everything possible to ensure that your
business is successful.

Does any of this guarantee that your business will be successful? Not, at all. The
economy may falter. You may have miscalculated certain expenses. A natural
disaster might wipe out everything you own. There are innumerable occurrences
that could adversely affect your business.

Belief in Qadar, divine destiny, prevents us from becoming too boastful or too
despondent. When tragedy strikes us, we must understand that it is the Will of
Allah, for it to happen. That way, we learn to accept it with patience and humility
rather than despair and frustration.

If something good happens to us, belief in Qadar will prevent us from becoming too
boastful or arrogant. Even the successful people have no control over their success.
They may have made certain choices, but it is Allah that made those choices work
out well for them. If they had control over their success, they should be able to
control every aspect of their life and never face any sort of adversity. But the reality
is that even the most successful individuals face some hardships at some point in
their life.

Man may choose a certain path. But it is Allah’s Will that controls what destiny that
path will lead them.

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*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣1️⃣*
*❓How Can Life be a Test if Allah is All-Knowing?*
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✅This is merely a misunderstanding of the word "test." We perform scientific tests,
for example, in an effort to find out more about them in a logical and systematic
way whose point is accuracy. We test things to determine if they are genuine, for
example, as in testing something that looks like a diamond to see if it is in fact
diamond or merely glass or stone. But this testing from a standpoint of not-knowing
in order to find out, is not the sole reason for or type of testing.

Why Should Omniscient God Test People?

Almighty God has created human beings with the ability to make decisions and
choices. This implied that people were going to make good and bad choices and
decisions.

It would not be fair, if people who made good choices and those who made bad
choices ended up with the same results or same kind of eternal life. Those who
make good choices should be rewarded and those making bad choices should be
punished.

Allah’s knowledge being absolute and infinite, He knew which of the people would
be making good choices and which people the bad choices. He could have put them
permanently in the Gardens or imprisoned in Hell on the basis of His knowledge; but
that would not look fair to people, without letting them prove themselves and see
that justice has been fully done.

Although God knows what’s in our hearts and what each of us might do, he tests us
and wants us to witness our own test results in order to admit that we have been
fairly rewarded according to our achievements as recorded in the test results.

Before the wealthy father distributes his wealth, he may want to record which son is
obedient, the records are not for the father who knows, but as a testimony for
people who might question the justice of their father.

Although the wise teacher knows the hard-working student and the lazy student, he
prepares regular exams as testimonies so that the students would not say that the
teacher had favored some students over the others. Exams also urge students to
get prepared in order to succeed.
Students should not wonder about the intention of the teacher; they are supposed
to focus on what the teacher asked them to do.

If God wants to set up the testing environment to test people, then we are not
supposed to advise God on how to set up the terms and conditions of the testing.
The students are not supposed to advise the teacher on how to prepare the exams.
God has created us, and he knows how to test us.

So, He sent us in this world to prove to ourselves where we belong. From puberty to
the last breath we are in the examination room continuously writing our tests. All
decisions and choices we are making every moment of our lives are what we will be
marked upon. Keep in mind that we are not marked for the given conditions that we
find ourselves in, but only on the choices and decisions that we make in the given
circumstances.

In summary, our test is for us to provide our own evidence as to where we belong,
not for the All-knowing Creator, Allah.

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*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Why So Many Laws in Islam? Why Does Islam Seem to be Strict?*
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✅No prophet taught that religion is to be confined within the walls of places of
worship. On the contrary, Muslims are expected to follow the instructions of
Almighty Allah in the course of all their activities in life. The word 'Muslim' means
'one who has submitted himself to the will of Allah', and for the same reason a true
Muslim cannot compromise on anything that stands in the way of guiding his life
according to divine strictures.
The view that consciousness of God is to be confined only to the place of worship is
alien to Islam. Muslims always have religion foremost in their minds whereas many
others consider religion as irrelevant in the present age.

The word Freedom is quite a nasty word actually. It is used to incite people and
being used to manipulate people. What is freedom? Different people will have
different limits for it. Some may feel that unless you bother others and does things
privately its freedom. But then laws which prevent you from using drugs etc. maybe
against the freedom. For some, speaking anything they feel like is freedom
irrespective of what it means to others.

Now coming to the question why Islam is strict. First of all, Islam covers wide variety
of subjects and there are clear Do's and Don’ts. You will not find many religions in
which every aspect of life is covered with do's and don’ts. From general conduct to
very intimate life of humans everything has clear black and white concept.

Since not many grey areas are there, people find it little difficult to twist them to
suit their needs. And when these things are told, they feel as if it is against their
freedom. Most things have some logical/scientific reasoning, and some are on faith.
If you observe very closely, you can easily make out that there are things prohibited
which is for the greater good of human.

Besides to be on right path, you have to do continuous struggle. It is not like you
take off for few days. So yes, practicing Islam in TRUE sense is little demanding. And
only those who truly believes strive for it.

However, in general if you see, Islam forbids extremes. Islam is the only religion
which gives equal importance to both worldly life and afterlife. Nowhere in Islam
you would find that a man/woman should abandon his/her kids/home etc. and just
devote him/her to religion.

Islam asks you to make balance. Worldly life should not be ignored and whatever
necessities and basic human life is, it is to be lived in its spirit. Things like avoiding
sexual, pleasurable desires altogether is not prescribed, instead they should be in a
controlled way.

So, if studied properly, Islam justifies its rules.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Why Doesn’t God Punish All Evil-Doers & Disbelievers in this World?*
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✅It is natural to feel strongly that people who do evil and injustice should be held
accountable immediately. Every person who has suffered injustice, irrespective of
financial or social status, almost certainly wants the perpetrator of injustice to be
punished. Every normal person would like the robber or the rapist, for example, to
be taught a lesson.

Although we see numerous cases where Allah’s justice is served immediately in this
life, we also know that many escape punishments and seem to go on enjoying their
lives. In such cases, one may question why God (Allah) (SWT) allows this to happen.
The answer to this question lies in understanding the purpose and reality of this
worldly life.

Per Islamic belief, the final justice will be meted out by Allah (SWT) the Most Wise,
on the Day of Judgment. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “And be afraid of the Day
when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every person shall be paid what he
earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly” (Quran 2:281)

After a person dies, he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment along with the
rest of the mankind. It is possible that a person receives part of his punishment in
this world. However, as promised by Allah, accounts will be finalized justly only in
the Hereafter. So, God the Almighty (Allah) may not punish a robber or a rapist in
this world but He will surely hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment. Allah
(SWT) says in the Quran:

“Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid
your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to
Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of
deception (a deceiving thing)” (Quran 3:185)

Besides, we also know that mankind is sinful by nature. No one is completely clean.
If Allah had to punish everyone in this life, this world would be an empty place. He
says in the Quran:
“If Allah were to punish people according to what they deserve, He would not leave
on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a
stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His servants”
(Fatir 35:45)

“And if Allah were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave on it
(the earth) a single moving (living) creature, but He postpones them for an
appointed term and when their term comes, neither can they delay nor can they
advance it an hour (or a moment)” (Quran 16:61)

So, Allah out of His Divine wisdom may choose to punish certain evil acts in this
world and in some cases, He may give the perpetrators respite until the Day of
Judgement when all accounts will be fully settled.

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*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Why did Allah Create Satan (Devil)?*
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✅What is the reason behind the creation of Satan as a misguiding and deviating
creature? And why did Allah create him?

The concise answer is that the Satan’s role in deviating and misguiding man is
confined to tempting him. Progress and development can only take place when
there are opposite and conflicting forces, and therefore the creation of such a being
in the perfect world system is not considered in vain, but rather a manifestation of
Allah’s mercy and pure goodness.

First: Allah did not create Satan as Satan. Proof for such a claim would be that he
accompanied the angels and the worshippers for many years, but later on Satan
took the path of disobedience by his own free-will and was distanced from Allah’s
mercy.
Second: The existence of Satan is not harmful for believers and those who are
determined to take the path of truth, instead it can help them to progress, develop
and reach perfection; because progress, improvement and development can only
take place when there are opposite forces.

The only role Satan plays in this world is the role of tempting people; meaning that
he only calls people to take the wrong path. Allah has not granted him control over
other beings or the authority to exert influence on souls without them choosing to
obey him. The Almighty says in the Quran: “Indeed he does not have any authority
over those who have faith and put their trust in their Lord” (Nahl:99)

It is for this reason that when a group of people go to Satan on the Day of Judgment
because of misleading them, Satan argues that: “I had no authority over you,
except that I called you and you responded to me.” (Ibrahim:22)

The teachings of the Quran show that Satan’s role in misleading man is confined to
tempting him and he never forces one to go astray; because man is called by two
calls, the call of Allah and the call of Satan and it is man that freely decides which
one he will follow. However, Satan does have authority and control over people that,
through their free-will, follow his call, carry out his demands and think of him as
their example, and he will destroy their souls: “His authority is only over those who
befriend him and those who make him a partner [of Allah]” (Nahl:100)

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*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic View About Death?*
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✅What is the end to men's lives? There are two parts to men's lives: the part here
on earth, and the part in the Hereafter. The dividing line between the two is known
as death, followed by the Day of Judgement or Resurrection. As far as death is
concerned, everyone must go through it, but on Judgement Day people will be
sorted out from each other into different categories.

According to the Quran 45:26, “It is God who gives you life, then causes you to die,
and then He gathers you all to the Day of Resurrection of which there is no doubt,
though most people do not comprehend”. This passage establishes that, Muslim
views of death begin with the premise that the eternal human soul is God-given and
that after physical death there is an eventual resurrection (qiyamat) and day of
judgment (yaum al din).

Death does not terminate man's life. On the other hand, Islam teaches that it is the
door that opens to an eternal life after death. The appropriate reward for one's
earthly deeds, good or bad, is disbursed only in the Hereafter. The Islamic belief is
that mankind will be resurrected, on the Day of Judgment, after every creation is
destroyed. After being reborn, man will face a trial which will be in absolute control
of the Almighty.

A person's eternal fate, either paradise or hell, is determined at the final judgment,
when humanity will be sorted, and God will determine their ultimate destiny. At that
time, those whose good deeds are heavy on the scales will have a pleasant life, but
the one whose good deeds are light will have the Bottomless Pit for his home
(Quran 101:6-9)

For those who believe and do righteous deeds, death is not something to be feared.
Although death seems to bring decomposition, extinguish life, and destroy pleasure,
in fact it represents a Divine discharge from the heavy duties of worldly life. It is no
more than a change of residence, a transferal of the body, an invitation to and the
beginning of everlasting life. As the world is continually enlivened through acts of
creation and predetermination, so is it continually stripped of life through other
cycles of creation, determination, and wisdom.

Death releases us from the hardships of worldly life, which is a turbulent,

suffocating, narrow dungeon of space that gradually becomes harder through old
age and affliction, and admits us to the infinitely wide circle of the Eternal, Beloved
One’s mercy. There, we may enjoy the everlasting company of our beloved ones
and the consolation of a happy, eternal life.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What Does Islam Say About Life After Death?*
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✅Everyone is scared of dying and rightly so. The uncertainty of what lies beyond is
frightening. It may be that of all religions, Islam, provides the most graphic details
of what comes after death and lies beyond. Islam views death to be a natural
threshold to the next stage of existence.

Death does not terminate man's life. On the other hand, Islam teaches that it is the
door that opens to an eternal life after death. Islamic doctrine holds that human
existence continues after the death of the human body in the form of spiritual and
physical resurrection. There is a direct relation between conduct on earth and the
life beyond. The afterlife will be one of rewards and punishments which is
commensurate with earthily conduct.

A Day will come when God will resurrect and gather the first and the last of His
creation and judge everyone justly. People will enter their final abode, Hell or
Paradise. Faith in life after death urges us to do right and to stay away from sin. In
this life we sometimes see the pious suffer and the impious enjoy. All shall be
judged one day, and justice will be served.

Faith in life after death is one of the six fundamental beliefs in Islam. Rejecting it
renders all other beliefs meaningless. Think of a man who does not believe in the
Day of Judgment. Would he consider belief in God and a life driven by his belief in
God to be of any consequence? To him, neither obedience to God is of use, nor is
disobedience of any harm. How, then, can he live a God-conscious life?

What incentive would he have to suffer the trials of life with patience and avoid
overindulgence in worldly pleasures? And if a man does not follow the way of God,
then what use is his belief in God, if he has any? The acceptance or rejection of life
after death is perhaps the greatest factor in determining the course of an
individual’s life.
Resurrection will be preceded by the end of the world. God will command a
magnificent angel to blow the Horn. At its first blowing, all the inhabitants of the
heavens and the earth will fall unconscious, except those spared by God.

The Horn will blow again upon which people will be resurrected into their original
physical bodies from their graves, thereby entering the third and final phase of life.

God will gather all humans, believers and the impious, Jinns, demons, even wild
animals. It will be a universal gathering. The balances will be set, and the deeds of
men will be weighed. Disclosure of the Records of the deeds performed in this life
will follow.

Then God will judge His creation. They will be reminded and informed of their good
deeds and sins. The faithful will acknowledge their failings and be forgiven. The
disbelievers will have no good deeds to declare because an unbeliever is rewarded
for them in this life. The punishment of an unbeliever may be reduced in lieu of his
good deeds, except the punishment of the great sin of disbelief.

Paradise and Hell will be the final dwelling places for the faithful and the damned
after the Last Judgment. They are real and eternal. The bliss of the people of
Paradise shall never end and the punishment of unbelievers condemned to Hell
shall never cease.

Paradise is the eternal garden of physical pleasures and spiritual delights. Suffering
will be absent and bodily desires will be satisfied. All wishes will be met. Hell is an
infernal place of punishment for unbelievers.

Paradise is for those who worshipped God alone, believed and followed their
prophet, and lived moral lives according to the teachings of scriptures.

Hell will be the final dwelling place of those who denied God, worshipped other
beings besides God, rejected the call of the prophets, and lead sinful, unrepentant
lives.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣7️⃣*
*❓The Necessity of the Resurrection and Judgment in the Afterlife?*
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✅As justice is the main concern of Islam, it is necessary that people should get
justice in this world and the world hereafter. It sounds natural and logical that
everyone should reap what he has sown. One should receive the fruit of his deeds.
If one has sown flowers, he should pluck flowers. If one has sown thorns, he should
pick thorns. Virtues breed virtues and vices breed vices. The Day of Judgment in the
Quran has been also named as the Day of Reckoning, the Day of Resurrection, the
Dooms day, or the Day of Accountability. The account of the deeds of everyone is
being maintained.

Divine wisdom and justice necessitate the resurrection of the dead and judgment in
an afterlife: “We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is
between them save in truth. Surely the Hour' is coming” (15:85)

The resurrection is thus: …a binding promise from God that shall be fulfilled though
most people may not know it, so that He may resolve their differences for them.

As the literal meaning of Arabic word used for the Day of Judgment “Qayamah” is to
raise up, hence the question arises as to why they should be raised up after demise.
The significance/importance of life after death can be summarized in 3 points:

1. It is the demand of natural and divine justice that everyone should get the result
of his life examination. As in academies one is given result of his tests, similarly
everyone must get the result whether he passes or fails. About the examination of
Life the Quran says: “Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith,
verily to him we will give a new life, a life that is good and pure, and we will bestow
on such their reward according to the best of their actions” (16:97)

2. Had there been no concept of the Day of Judgment there would have been no
human morality. Might is right would have become the law of the day. Atheists are
of two types. The ideological atheist and the practical atheist. The practical atheist
is the one who claims to have a religious faith but in practical life he acts otherwise.
The man who believes in God and fears God can never be a sinner or a
transgressor. Hence to maintain the supremacy of Right over Might we must believe
in the concept of the Day of Judgment. The concepts of Hell and Heaven are very
essential to keep balance in human conduct.
The tyrants, the oppressors, the murderers, and the aggressors must be punished. If
they escape in this world because of their power, pelf and influence they must be
punished on Doomsday. Abraham must be rewarded, and Nimrod must be
chastised. Moses must be rewarded, and Pharaoh be punished. It is divine justice
and God promises that. In the Quran about the virtuous and righteous people God
says, “But those who believe, and work righteousness be admitted to gardens
beneath which rivers flow. To dwell therein for aye with the permission of their lord”
(14:23)

3. All the prophets have promised this day. They were sooth-sayers. They were
divinely appointed. They were not liars. They were the messengers and warners
sent from God. We must believe in their words and vows. We have no reason to
reject or refute them. They valiantly, patiently, and boldly bore the inflictions and
excesses. They were tortured. They were persecuted. They were executed. But they
never bowed before tyrants and vicious forces. Their steadfastness and
perseverance testify the truth of their mission. When such truthful people believed
in the Doomsday, we have no reason to disbelieve in which they believed.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What is the Possibility of the Resurrection After Death?*
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✅In addition to the necessity and desirability of the resurrection and afterlife, the
Qur'an turns repeatedly to its possibility.

The resurrection in particular seems incredible to unbelievers. Indeed, much of what

one hears today is reminiscent of what unbelievers said at the time of the revelation
of the Qur'an. They felt the resurrection to be biologically impossible, asking again
and again: “How, after we die and become dust and bones could we be raised
again?” (56:47)
The rational argument the Qur'an uses to convince disbelievers of the truth of the
resurrection is the comparison between the greater act of creation and the lesser
act of resurrection: Perhaps when the unbelievers say it is not possible to turn dust
into a new creation, what they really think is that it is not possible for human power
like their own; but, after all, they have not created themselves or the heavens and
the earth (Quran 52:35-36)

A greater power than their own has created them once and can do so again. The
power that can accomplish something once can do it again. From the fact that
human beings now exist, it is clear that divine power was capable of making them:
“Why should it be assumed that such power will be incapable of doing for a second
time what it achieved the first?” (50:15). “Indeed, a second creation is easier than a
first one” (30:27).

After death when we will be turned into dust, then how can we resurrect? The Quran
says, “Does not man realize that we created him from a seed of fluid? Yet he does
not believe and forgets even his own creation. He says as to who could revive the
decayed bones back to life from nonentity” (Yaseen 36:77-80)

After giving the argument of first birth, the Quran gives the second argument. It
says: “one of the clear divine signs is that you see the earth dead and motionless,
but as soon as Allah pours rain on it, it comes to life and becomes fertile and green.
Allah who revives the dead earth to life will also revive the dead man to life. Allah is
able to do all things” (41:39).

Allah gives third argument on the basis of Justice. Quran says: “We have not
created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in vain, though this
is the belief of the infidels. Woe to the disbelievers; they will suffer the torment of
the Hellfire. Do we consider the righteously striving believers equal to the evil doers
in the earth? Are the pious ones equal to those who openly commit sins?” (38:27-
28).

In discussing the resurrection, moreover, the Qur'an cites phenomena very familiar
to human beings to show the power that takes creation through different stages,
particularly in the life of people and plants.

“People, if you doubt the resurrection, remember that We first created you from
dust, then from a living germ, then from a tiny clinging thing, and then from a half-
formed lump of flesh, so that We might manifest to you Our power…” (Quran 22:5)

“You sometimes see the earth dry and barren: but no sooner do We send down rain
upon it than it begins to stir and swell, -putting forth every kind of radiant bloom.
That is because God is Truth: He resurrects the dead and has power over all things”
(22:6)
Not only does the Qur'an present proof of the resurrection, but it turns the
argument against those who deny it, pointing out that they themselves have no
proof for their own position: “They say: 'There is nothing but out present life; we live
and die, nothing but time destroys us.' Of this they have no knowledge; they merely
conjecture” (45:24)

“At the resurrection they will know that what they said was wrong and will regret it”
(16:39), (6:31)

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱10:00mins)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣9️⃣*
*❓What is the Proof for Life after Death?*
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✅Many people wonder as to how a person with a scientific and logical temperament,
can lend any credence to the belief of life after death. People assume that anyone
believing in the hereafter is doing so on the basis of blind belief. Our belief in the
hereafter is based on a logical argument.

Life is a reality. It's not just for humans, it's for other living things too. There are
many differences between human life and the lives of other creations. When a
strong buffalo stabs a weak buffalo, no one punishes the strong buffalo arguing that
he is a 'killer'. No one will say it is an injustice either. But if a man unjustly kills
another man, it is unjust if the murderer is not being punished.

It is tolerable for a ‘killer’ bull to be died without being punished. But it is

unbearable for a murderer to be died without being punished. The cause of this
intolerance is the sense of justice in human. Because of this sense of justice, man
can perform deeds on this earth with a sense of righteousness. This is one of the
main features that distinguishes human beings from birds and animals. Therefore,
human deeds have not only a material level but also a moral level. This level of
morality is related to the human soul.

By death, the soul and body are separated. The body returns to the soil. The soul
goes to the supernatural world where it begins to experience the fruits of its deeds
(karma). But what is the evidence for that? Anybody came back after death? The
Holy Qur'an quotes the disbelievers as saying: "And they say, "There is not but our
worldly life; we die and live, and nothing destroys us except time." And they have of
that no knowledge; they are only assuming.” (Qur'an 45:24)

The Qur'an underlines here that it is just man's assumption that there is no life
other than this worldly life, and what man can only say about it is: 'I do not know'.

Through the pursuit of man's sense of justice, God asks in the Qur'an: "Or do those
who commit evils think We will make them like those who have believed and done
righteous deeds - [make them] equal in their life and their death? Evil is that which
they judge.” (Qur'an 45:21)

In fact, the Almighty God, who created man, has the power to decide whether or not
to have another life for humans to be rewarded for their deeds in their earthly life.
And the God has already announced his decision through the prophets. The
prophets were the embodiment of truth and justice. At the same time, they also
know many things through the revelations from the Almighty God which normal
people may not know except through them. All the prophets announced that life
after death is a reality.

Prophets are the great and sincere people who never lied in their lives and
sacrificed their lives for truth, virtue and justice. They are the ones who led man
from evil to good, from wickedness to goodness, from darkness to light. Do those
who tell the truth in all worldly matters, lie in divine matters?

*Footnote:*
For example, suppose that an occasional liar says to a traveling person: 'friend, it's
dangerous to go this way; it's better to go through a different way.’ With suspicion,
the traveler will walk forward. Imagine another honest friend along the way says:
‘brother! this is a dangerous path; it is better to go back.’ The traveler will surely go
back without any hesitation. Why? The testimony of an honest person about
something is the proof that it is true; provided that there should be a way for honest
person to get the authentic information.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Reformation of Life Through the Belief in the Hereafter*
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✅Belief in the Hereafter plays an important role in maintaining good and virtuous
values in society and controlling evil and immoral tendencies. Only faith in an
unearthly force and in another world accountable for all deeds can guide human
deeds in the right direction. That is why human life is connected with the afterlife,
except for the religious canons, which are the sources of spiritual thought and
morality.

The Holy Qur'an has inextricably linked the consciousness of the Hereafter with faith
in God, making it possible to make material life real and pious by simultaneously
creating fear and hope for an eternal future. For example, Almighty Allah says:
“Indeed, those who believe and do good will have the Gardens of Paradise as an
accommodation” (Quran 18:107). “But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs, it
is they who will suffer a humiliating punishment.” (Quran 22:57)

Belief in the Hereafter is the first condition of living a peaceful and happy life in
worldly life. Those who do not believe in the Hereafter are those who do not
recognize any moral values and disturb individuals’ and society’s peace and safety.
In societies in which people do not have faith or have weak faith, all kinds of evil
works such as lying, theft, fornication, murder, and immorality can be performed
freely, and eventually these societies collapse.

Humankind desires immortality and wants to live with their beloved ones, beauties,
and delights of the world eternally. We see that soul seeks eternality and can satisfy
its thoughts and imagination only with it. It provides joy of life for a person who lost
a beloved one to think and believe that he is going to live with him eternally one
day.

One can find strength to endure the pains of all negative incidents he comes across
in worldly life such as unfairness, cruelties and injustice, incurable illnesses, and
disorders only in believing in the Hereafter. It is the biggest consolation for a person
to think that everyone is going to be punished for what they have done, when he is
wronged. It is a great haven for those who are disabled from birth to think that
enduring it with the help of belief in the Hereafter is going to be rewarded.

Yes, one who believes in the Hereafter knows that he is going to be called to
account for whatever he has done, big or trivial, and he is going to be either
punished or rewarded in the end. And thus, he leads his life in accordance with this.

We cannot appoint a guard for everyone, but we can place guards of consciousness
full of belief in the Hereafter in people’s hearts. Then instead of anarchy, despotism
and cruelty, obedience, respect, and justice will rule in the society. Individuals,
families, constitutions, communities and even the whole world will live in peace.

In summary, the belief in the life after death is the greatest motivation for humans
to do good in this world. When we know that we cannot escape the natural
consequences of our actions, and we must necessarily face our God on the
Judgment Day and answer for all our actions, we are bound to strive our utmost to
lead a life of goodness.

Moreover, there is no concept of human values or good and bad without the
concept of hereafter. It is clear that without convincing a person about the
hereafter, i.e. life after death, the concept of human values and the good or evil
nature of acts is impossible to prove to any person who is doing injustice especially
when he is influential and powerful.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?*
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✅Muslims believe in death and eternal life which comes after death. For leading a
good life what actions and qualities are desirable, what impact will be in our
hereafter life due to our actions and deeds in this life, we should know about the
concept of heaven and hell. We believe on Judgment Day after that Allah Almighty
will decide on the basis of individual deeds where to send in Heaven or Hell.

Jannah (paradise) is described in the Quran as an eternal afterlife of peace and

bliss, where the faithful and righteous are rewarded. The Quran says the righteous
will be restful in the presence of God, in "gardens beneath which rivers flow".

That day humans will be either granted admission to enter Paradise, where they will
enjoy spiritual and physical pleasure, or sentenced to suffer spiritual and physical
torment in Hell forever.

“[To the righteous it will be said], O soul at peace! Return to your Lord, pleased,
pleasing! Then enter among My servants! And enter My paradise” (89:27-30)

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - the Gardens of
Paradise will be there to welcome them” (Quran 18:107)

Whoever does good deeds in this life will enter in heaven and the wrongdoers will
enter in hell. We should try to do good deeds in this life so we will enter into Heaven
in the hereafter.

The real nature of Heaven and Hell are known to Allah only, but they are described
by Allah in man's familiar terms in the Quran.

Heaven in the Holy Quran

*Allah’s Pleasure:* The greatest reward in heaven is the pleasure and mercy of Allah
Almighty. This great reward is for those who believe in Allah and work hard for His
pleasure. Allah says: “Say: Shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than
those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord… and the good
pleasure of Allah. For in Allah’s sight are (all) His servants” (Quran 3:15)

Feelings: In heaven, there is no sense of possible injury; there is no fatigue and

the members are never asked to leave. In Jannah, there is no pain, sorrow, or death
-- there is only joy, happiness, and pleasure. There is no quarreling or evil in Jannah.

Gardens: The most important or convincing definition of paradise is a beautiful

garden with greenery and flowing water. Allah says: “But give glad tidings to those
who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is gardens, beneath which
rivers flow” (Quran 2:25). The Quran describes Jannah as "... a beautiful place of
final return -- a garden of eternity whose doors will always be open to them" (Qur'an
38:49-50)
*Food and Drink:* The description of Heaven in Quran includes unlimited food and
drink, without any feelings of intoxication. In Holy Quran Allah Almighty described in
these words: “Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent forth (good deeds)
in days past!” (Quran 69:24)

*Eternal Home:* Heaven is the everlasting place to live life according to Islam where
believers will stay forever in peace and happiness. Holy Quran describes the eternal
home in these words: “But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are
companions of the garden. Therein shall they abide forever” (Quran 2:82)

The nature of Heaven and Hell has been analogously described in the Quran many
times. However, there are verses that say: “No one knows what has been kept
hidden for them of comfort as a reward for what they used to do” (32:17)

Accordingly, What Heaven and Hell are really like is far beyond our comprehension
and so cannot be explained for us unless they are allegorical.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(6:27⏱mins)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Who All Will Enter Paradise?*
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✅Jannah (paradise) is described in the Quran as an eternal afterlife of peace and
bliss, where the faithful and righteous are rewarded.

Being Muslim is not a guarantee of heaven, and being non-Muslim is not a

guarantee of hell. Humans are not allowed to judge whether any person is going to
heaven or not.
The Qur’an states that people who do good deeds will be rewarded for them: “For
those who do good deeds, there shall be the best reward and yet more blessings”
(Quran 10:27). So, it leaves it open to God as to who will be judged worthy of
entering paradise.

Islam also tells us the qualities of the people who will enter paradise. Quran
specifies two conditions to enter the heaven: believe in Almighty God & live
according to His guidance: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous
deeds - the Gardens of Paradise will be there to welcome them” (Quran 18:107)

Through many of such verses, Allah says the Heaven will be rewarded to the good
doers among Muslims. But who are they?! Islam defines Muslims as anyone who
submits to the will of God.

In our belief, there were thousands of prophets sent by God throughout history. At
least one was sent to every single nation, and they all taught the worship of one
God who has no partners. The followers of any of these prophets are counted as
Muslims. So, the original followers of Moses (the Jews), of Jesus (the Christians), of
Noah or any other prophet are all counted as Muslim.

The caveat here is that we believe the teachings of other prophets have been
corrupted over time. Sometimes the religions added partners to God, or even added
other gods. They all eventually deviated so far from their original teachings that
their current followers are no longer considered Muslim.

The prophets are men who have taught the right to be an heir of Paradise. The
Qur'an teaches that the families of such prophets had the inhabitants of the hell.
The examples are the son of Noah and his wife. The wife of Lut and the father of
Ibrahim are the inhabitants of hell. But the hard disbeliever Pharaoh's wife is an heir
of heaven. Abu-Lahab is an heir of hell even though he was the paternal uncle of
Prophet Muhammad.

Also, the Qur'an says that those in the bottom of the hell are 'munafiqs'
(hypocrites). They are among the Muslims. This means that the Muslim community
has the inhabitants of the Fire just as there are heirs of Paradise in other
communities.

In short, the traditional community does not represent the guidance; instead, those
who follow the divine vision are in the straight path. People born in any community
have the right for that. Those who follow the Guidance are those who are the
dwellers of Paradise.
Those who lead their life of this world according to the will and favor of Almighty
God, for them is the Paradise, which means heaven is not reserved for any
community.

So, what we can say is that Islam is the straightest path to Heaven, and those who
try to follow the true message of God are the most likely to achieve salvation.
However, we cannot guarantee that we or any other living person is going to
heaven or hell - all we can do is pray for God to guide us, then follow that guidance
and hope for His mercy.

God is the only Being capable of knowing every thought, feeling and action of any
person. Only God knows our sincerity, our intentions, and every past experience or
inner emotion that influenced our beliefs and decisions. God will judge non-Muslims
based on the opportunities and knowledge they were given. God does not oppress
anyone, and He is the most Just.

Anyhow, if somebody know in their heart that Islam is true, but they do not want to
submit to God for any reason, they will be in hell for sure according to Quran.

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*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What is the Concept of Hell in Islam?*
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✅Jahannam (Hell) is described in the Quran as an afterlife of punishment and
unhappiness. Wrongdoers and disbelievers will be punished with eternal fire and
pain.

The Quran describes Jahannam using vivid imagery as a warning to those who
disbelieve in God. It is described severely as a blazing fire, fueled by "men and
stones," with boiling water to drink, and poisonous food to eat that settles in the
stomach like molten lead. People will beg to have more time, to return to earth and
live again, so that they may correct themselves and believe in the truth of the
afterlife. Allah says in the Quran that it will be too late for such people.

Holy Quran also mentions who will enter hell. “… and whoever disobeys Allah and
His apostle, indeed there will be for him the fire of hell, to remain in it forever”
(72:23)

For sure disbelievers in Lord and especially if they die in that state of, hypocrites,
idolaters, the arrogant, those who treat religion as a pastime, have broken the
treaty, made fun of Allah’s Messengers or on the reality of Day of Judgment. Also,
murderers, ones misappropriating inheritance especially of orphans, slandering
chaste women or claiming divinity for themselves on their own will reside in hell.

"For those who reject their Lord is the Penalty of Hell: and evil is (this) destination”
(Qur'an 67:6)

The real nature of Heaven and Hell are known to Allah only, but they are described
by Allah in man's familiar terms in the Quran.

Hell in the Holy Quran

Almighty God says in Holy Quran about the hell in these words: “God’s kindled fire,
which reaches up to the hearts: it is closed in over them in long columns” (Quran
104:5-9)

*Levels in Hell:* It appears from the Noble Quran that Hell will have 7 levels: “And
verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all. It has seven gates: to each of those
gates is a specific class of sinners assigned” (Quran 15:43-44)

There are certainly levels of punishment in Hell. The hypocrites will be in the most
painful one: “The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper wilt
thou find for them” (Quran 4:145)

*Food and Drink:* The food of the people of hell is described as only increasing in
torment. It does not provide nourishment, nor does it relieve hunger: “No food will
there be for them except from a bitter, thorny plant which neither nourishes nor
avails against hunger” (Quran 88:6-7)

There is a special tree in hell called zaqum that people will it from. This tree is
rooted at the bottom of hell and its branches are described as being similar to the
heads of devils (Quran 44:43-46)

*Eternal Nature:* Hell is an eternal abode for most who enter it. Several verses in
the Quran describe hell as eternal: “They will long to leave the Fire, but never will
they leave there from; and theirs will be a lasting torment” (Quran 5:37). “…And
they will never leave of the Fire” (Quran 2:167)

“And whosoever disobeys God and His Messenger, then surely, for him is the fire of
Hell, he shall dwell therein forever” (Quran 72:23)

At most of the places where Hell is mentioned, the beauty and peace of Heaven are
also mentioned to show the contrast between them.

Accordingly, What Heaven and Hell are really like is far beyond our comprehension
and so cannot be explained for us unless they are allegorical.

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*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Are All Non-Muslims (Even with Good Morals) Going to Hell?*
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✅Is it true that all the disbelievers, even if their morals are good and they do not
harm anyone, will enter Hell?

In Islam, the decision of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell is left entirely to
God as He alone knows people’s hearts and is aware of their deeds. What Islam
claims is that it is the perfect religion for mankind and a religion for all time and all
people: “This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor
upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion” (Quran 5:3)
It therefore certainly claims to offer the best guidance – which if followed will lead to
paradise – but simply being a Muslim is not enough to enter paradise. It is the
righteous who are rewarded by God.

The Qur’an states that people who do good deeds will be rewarded for them: “For
those who do good deeds, there shall be the best reward and yet more blessings”
(Quran 10:27)

So, it leaves it open to God as to who will be judged worthy of entering paradise.
But Islam also tells us the qualities of the people who will enter Hellfire.

Allah says: “Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Qur’an and
Prophet Muhammad) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)
and commit shirk (associate others with Allah) will abide in the fire of Hell. They are
the worst of creatures” (al-Bayyinah 98:6)

The Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one of this nation,
Jew or Christian, hears of me then dies without having believed in that with which I
was sent, but he will be one of the people of the Fire” (Muslim 153)

The point is not whether their morals are good, rather the point is whether they
submit to Allah and obey his commands. Do you not see the Magians [Zoroastrians]
or the Buddhists, for example, who worship fire or idols instead of Allah, and they do
not worship Allah or submit to Him alone, and the Christians who say that God has a
son, and other polytheists (those who associate others with Allah). They are being
ill-mannered towards Allah and insulting and reviling Him.

So how can their morals be good when they are so ill-mannered towards Allah, even
though Allah has given them hearing and sight, and has made everything easy for
them, and has sent His Messengers to them and revealed His Books to them, and
bestowed His blessings upon them, so it is His right that they should thank Him and
not be ungrateful to Him or disbelieve in Him. If they do not do that then they
deserve His punishment and wrath. Allah says: “and your Lord treats no one with
injustice” (al-Kahf 18:49)

In summary, if a person rejects Islam after knowing Islam and fully understanding
its truth, he will be asked about it by God. Otherwise he will be judged according to
his own religion or his understanding of right and wrong.

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*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What Will Be the Fate of Disbelievers Who Never Heard the Message of Islam?*
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✅It is part of the justice of Allah that He does not punish any people until He has first
sent a warning to them and unless there is evidence against them. Allah does not
treat anybody unfairly. Allah says: “And We never punish until We have sent a
Messenger (to give warning)” (Quran 17:15)

This is like the verse: “Every time a group is cast therein [into Hell], its keeper will
ask, ‘Did no warner come to you?’ They will say, ‘Yes indeed; a warner did come to
us, but we belied him and said: Allah never sent down anything (of revelation), you
are only in great error’” (Quran 67:8).

One of the famous scholars, Ghazali, said there are various kinds of non-Muslims
who are not doomed to hell for eternity. Those include the non-Muslim who has
never heard the true message of Islam; the non-Muslim who only heard bad things
about Islam; the non-Muslim who liked the message of Islam but was turned away
from it by the behavior of Muslims, and others.

Today, there are a lot of opportunities in the world to know and understand about
Islam. Everyone knows that the Qur'an is the one who claims to be divine and tells
us that Islam is the means of salvation for the Hereafter. Still, if someone does not
think or learn about this book and this ideal (Islam), it is their fault; it is because of
their arrogance.

It is now possible for people from any corner of the world to understand Islam, the
Holy Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad without much effort, financial cost, and
others’ help.

It is doubtful that there still exists any place in the world where the message of
Islam never reached, since Islam has its believers all over the world. Anyhow, it is
not a matter for us to investigate what will be the fate of those who never heard
about Islam. That is a matter of them with God. And we are not the ones to judge
therein.
Instead, each one of us (at least the one who is reading this article) will be
prosecuted asking whether we believed in this divine message that has been
revealed to us or we denied it with ridicule. That is how our judgment will be in the
Hereafter and that will be the criteria for our Heaven and Hell.

Everyone who hears the message of Islam in a sound and correct form (and rejects
it), will have evidence against him. Whoever dies without having heard the
message, or having heard it in a distorted form, then his case is in the hands of
Allah. Allah knows best about His creation, and He will never treat anyone unfairly.
And Allah is All-Seer of His slaves.

This is the most correct view among the various opinions concerning the people
who lived during the fatrah (interval between two Prophets) and others whom the
call did not reach.

It is also worth mentioning that the previous nations who were honored with
Prophets and Messengers before the advent of the Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬and
they believed in those Messengers and Prophets and followed their teachings and
commands are believers and will enter Paradise by the Grace of Allah, the Almighty.

*Footnote:*
A person who has never heard of Islam or the Prophet Muhammed (‫)ﷺ‬, and who
has never heard the message in its correct and true form, will not be punished by
Allah if he dies in a state of kufr (disbelief). If it were asked what his fate will be, the
answer will be that Allah will test him on the Day of Resurrection; if he obeys, he will
enter Paradise and if he disobeys, he will enter Hell. The evidence for this is the
hadeeth of al-Aswad ibn Saree. According to another report, he said: “Whoever
enters it, it will be cool and safe for him, and whoever does not enter it, will be
dragged to it. (The hadeeth was reported by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What are the Concepts of Last Day & the Day of Judgment?*
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✅A Muslim believes in the Last Day & the Day of the Judgment. The fifth
fundamental of belief is the belief in the Last Day. The reason it is called the “Last
Day” is because there is no night to come after it, or because it comes after the
world. The “Day” mentioned in this hadith is not like the day or night we know. It
denotes some time. It was not made known when Doomsday will occur. No one
could estimate its time. Nevertheless, our master the Prophet pointed out many of
its harbingers and precedents:

Hadrat Mahdi will come; Jesus will descend from the sky; Dajjal will appear; people
called Ya’juj and Ma’juj will put the whole world into turmoil; the sun will rise in the
west; violent earthquakes will occur; religious knowledge will be forgotten; vice and
evil will increase; irreligious, immoral, dishonest people will become leaders; Allah’s
orders will be forbidden; haram will be committed everywhere; seas and mountains
will split into pieces; the sun and the moon will darken; seas will mix with each
other, boil, and dry up.

This world, as discussed, will come to an end, and the dead will rise to stand for
their final and fair trial. On that day, all men and women from Adam to the last
person will be resurrected from the state of death for judgment. Everything we do,
say, make, intends and thinks are accounted for and kept in accurate records. They
are brought up on the Day of Judgment.

One who believes in life after death is not expected to behave against the Will of
Allah. He will always bear in mind that Allah is watching all his actions and the
angels are recording them.

The Quran announces: “The death from which you flee will truly overtake you; then
will you be sent back to the knower of the things secret and open; and He will tell
you (the truth) of the things you did” (62:8).

Everybody’s record is being maintained during his life period. It is very accurate
record. The day of judgement is the day of justice. Nobody will be wronged. His
limbs will be his witness. He will see his record and his video film will be shown to
him. Everyone will be rewarded or punished according to his deeds. The Quran says,
“On the Day of Judgment we shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see
spread open. Read thine record sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an
account against thee” (Al-Isra 17:13-14)

Resurrection Day will actually be a huge period of time (not a regular 24-hour day)
in which every single human will be resurrected and judged by God on his or her
beliefs and deeds. No human being - not even any Prophet - knows when this Day
will come, for this is knowledge known only to God. The Final Book does describe it
in several passages as a giant disaster on many scales (physical and ecological
among others), and the Last Messenger was told of some of its foreshadowing signs,
which he communicated to us.

On the day of judgement, all the good and bad acts of man during his sojourn on
earth will be unfurled before his eyes in order to be ultimately judged by God. The
virtuous will be rewarded with virtue and the wrong doers punished appropriately.
People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to
Allah's Heaven. People with bad records will be fairly punished and cast into Hell.
The real nature of Heaven and Hell are known to Allah only, but they are described
by Allah in man's familiar terms in the Quran.

Islam inculcates the concept of accountability both in public and private life of a
person by emphasizing the paramount importance of life Hereafter for mankind.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(4:59⏱mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Who are the Prophets? Why Did God Send Prophets?*
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✅Allah communicated His word of guidance in His own way through some human
beings known as Prophets or Messengers, who were continually sent to mankind,
until the last Messenger. This word of Allah is called the Revelation or ‘Wahy’ in
Arabic and was conveyed to the fellow human beings by the Prophets or
Messengers who received it. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was the last messenger, who received
the Final Revelation from Allah.
Prophets are men, chosen by God at various stages and under varying
circumstances of history, to lead men from darkness to light. The Qur'an repeatedly
states the fact that prophets with the same message were sent to each and every
community.

The process of revelation continued unabated, sometimes in succession, at other

times in broken sequences until the period in history, when the termination of
Divine revelation and messengership, with the Qur'an and Prophet Mohammed (‫)ﷺ‬
became a significant milestone in the history of mankind.

It is true that the lives and mission of many a prophet has been made obscure and
distorted by legends that grew around them or by people with vested interests, who
used the names of these prophets to exploit men and mislead them from the right
faith.

No prophet of God has claimed himself to be divine. They were all mortals who lived
and passed away from this earth after completing their mission of conveying the
basic message to mankind, which was a call for the recognition and affirmation of
God's existence, uniqueness and Lordship over all creation. It is an integral part of
Islamic faith to believe in all the prophets of God.

Why Did God Send Prophets?

Allah - Glory be to Him, who created the universe and everything in it, did not
abandon or forget his creations after the act of creation. Instead, He continues to
sustain and direct it, in the way that He has created us and all that is around us.

The animals have instinct, no intellect. The herons learn wading themselves. Who
teaches the birds how to fly? Ducklings swim naturally. The horse grazes grass but
does not eat meat. The lion eats meat but does not graze grass. What is all this?
Actually, the instinct itself works as a guide. Man has also been given instincts. He
needs bread. He needs sex. But he is above animals. He has been endowed with a
special boon and that is intellect.

Man is free to exercise his mind. Whether he selects right path or wrong path it is
his own choice. But God sent prophets to all nations to guide them so that they are
not strayed from the right path.

When a man invents a machine, he also issues instructions manual how to operate
it. A doctor gives instructions to his patient how to use the recipe. These are done
for the benefit of people. Without instructions we can be misled. Similarly, God
created humankind and issued instructions in the form of divine scriptures guiding
them about vice and virtue.
He has provided many forms of guidance to human beings from the first day of their
existence on earth for the following reasons:

1. Allah promised to Adam and his descendants: “Get down all of you from this
place (Paradise) and whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever
follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve” (Quran
2:38).

2. “For every community or nation, Allah sent a Messenger to convey the revelation
in order to guide them in the right path” (Quran 10:47)

3. “Messengers are sent, …in order that mankind should have no plea against
Allah...” (Quran 4:165)

4. “The Messengers were sent to mankind to convey the revelation of glad tidings to
whosoever believes and does righteous deeds, and the warnings about the torment
to those who reject” (Quran 6:48-49)

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*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What are the Criteria for a True Prophet?*
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✅A natural question to ask someone who believes in any prophet is: ‘What are the
criteria for your belief in him?’

Reasonable Criteria would be:

i. Evidence for his claim.
ii. Consistency in his teachings (about God, afterlife, and similar issues of belief)
iii. Similarity to the teachings of earlier prophets.
iv. Integrity: he must be a man of high morals.
Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬claimed unequivocally, ‘I am God’s Messenger.’ If anybody
evaluates his claim on the above criteria, he will find it meets the criteria
completely.

In Islamic doctrine, all prophets constitute a spiritual fraternity of brothers with a

single ‘father,’ but different ‘mothers’. The ‘father’ is prophethood and unity of God,
the ‘mothers’ are the different Laws they brought.

Emphasizing the spiritual fraternity of all prophets, Prophet Muhammad said: "I am
the closest of all people to the son of Mary (Jesus). The prophets are paternal
brothers, their mothers are different, but their religion is one" (Bukhari, Muslim)

All prophets are ‘rays’ from the same ‘Lamp’: the central message of all prophets
throughout ages was to dedicate worship to God only. That’s why Islam views
denying a single prophet as equivalent to denying them all. Quran described this in
4:150-152.

Denying the prophethood of Muhammad is tantamount to denying all prophets. The

prophethood of Muhammad is known just like the prophethood of Moses and Jesus
is known: the numerous reports of their miracles that have reached us. The Book
brought by Muhammad (the Quran) is fully preserved, and His Law is complete and
applicable to today’s world.

Make a table of all the prophets you believe in. Start from the first one to the last
one you believe in. And answer the following questions:

- What is the evidence I believe he was a true prophet?

- What was the mission of the prophet in his own words?
- Did he bring a Law? Is his Law applicable today?
- What scripture did he bring? How is its content and meaning?
- Is the scripture preserved in the original language it was revealed in? Is it
considered a literary authority, free of internal inconsistencies?
- What do you know of his morals and integrity?

Compare all the prophets you have listed and then answer the same questions
about Muhammad. Then ask yourself, ‘Can I honestly take Muhammad out of my list
because he does not meet the criteria as other prophets?’ It will not take too much
effort to discover that the evidence for Muhammad’s prophethood is stronger and
more convincing.

A skeptic need consider what is so unusual about Muhammad’s claim to be a

prophet? When did God declare an end to prophecy before him? Who decided that
there would not be any more divine communication with human beings?
With no evidence to block divine revelation, it is natural to accept a continuity of
revelation: "Indeed, We have sent you with the truth, as a bearer of glad tidings and
a warner: for there never was any community but a warner has [lived and] passed
away in its midst" (Quran 35:24)

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*🌹Understand Islam 5️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why were Prophets Chosen from Human Beings, Not from Angels?*
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✅Since the prophets are sacred, why weren't they sent from amongst the angels,
but were sent from amongst the impotent human beings? And also, if they were
sent from amongst the angels, would not much more people be eager to believe
them?

Let’s see what Almighty Allah Himself says in Holy Quran: "If there were on the
earth, angels walking about in peace and security, We should certainly have sent
down for them from the heaven an angel as a Messenger?" (Al-Isra:95)

It means, since the prophets were sent in order to set examples for the human
beings in any and every aspect, they should be definitely from amongst the human
beings. In other words, prophets should be from amongst the ones feeling cold and
hungry, experiencing difficulties, becoming a father/mother, supporting the house
financially and even making ends meet; so that people can take them as their
models in any and every aspect and stages of life.

If prophets had been sent from among angels, the above result would never have
been obtained. It is a clear reality that the angels would not guide man through the
right path for they could not be an excellent role model for human beings. It is
because that the angels are free of instincts and desires and are naturally different
from man. Indeed, the opponents of prophets organized such protests because they
did not want to follow them. Angels are not familiar with man’s psychological and
spiritual issues or at least they do not have such issues. They cannot fully realize
man and they cannot figure out that how people think and imagine. They cannot
feel man’s grief and sadness. Just a person could be a good model for other people.

We see in our life that how people have been inspired by some great figures. It is
because that we understand that if such great figures accomplished very hard
endeavors, we also would do the same for they are human like us. Therefore, the
Qur’an states: “Had We made him an angel, We would have sent him as a man,
thus obscuring for them that which they themselves obscure.” (Quran 6:9)

If the prophets hadn’t been sent from amongst the human beings, then the human
beings would have the right to say: “They cannot have sympathy for us as we are
created from clay and they are from light; thus, they carry out the commands of
Allah better than us and they neither go hungry nor have difficulty in obeying. This
is why this kind of angelic prophets cannot be models for us.” And they would have
never accepted them as guides for themselves.

Moreover, some commentators say that this is because the descent of an angel
would be such a clear and incontrovertible sign of the truth of the message that,
were they to disbelieve after this, they would surely be destroyed without the
opportunity to repent: “And they would say, “Why has not an angel been sent down
unto him?” Had We sent down an angel, then the matter would be decreed, and
they would be granted no respite.” (Quran 6:8).

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What Were the Teachings of the Prophets?*
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✅Prophets were human, chosen by God at various stages and under varying
circumstances of history, to lead men from darkness to light. The Qur'an repeatedly
states the fact that prophets with the same message were sent to each and every
community.

Besides giving moral lessons the prophets present themselves as role models. They
are not like preachers or philosophers who discuss and argue but do not practice.
The Prophets first practice and then preach. They come to establish justice,
moderation, and balance. Quran says: “we sent afore time our messengers with
clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of right and wrong)
that men may stand forth in Justice” (57:25)

Besides the rejection of despots and tyrants the main purpose of the advent of the
Prophets was to renounce and denounce idolatry. Idols represent demigods, the
idols of wealth; the idols of power; the idols of beauty; the idols of arrogance; the
idols of dictatorship and the idols of prides and prejudices. When the prophets gave
the message of One God it meant oneness of humankind. Hence Monotheism is the
core and crux of the divine message. Quran says, “And verily we have raised in
every nation a messenger, proclaiming serve God and shun false gods” (16:36)

About the importance of this message one must borne this fact in mind that a true
follower of the prophets is the one who rejects despotism, extremism, terrorism,
injustice, and tyranny.

Here it seems imperative to mention that God chose the prophets from different
classes and sections of society. Noah was carpenter and Moses was a shepherd.
David and Solomon were the kings. But they all claimed oneness of God and
maintenance of Justice.

When Prophet Muhammad appeared, the Arabian Peninsula was steeped in

ignominy and ignorance. It was an abyss of darkness like Ad and Thamud. But he
turned those beasts in to excellent humans. To date we need good humans who can
love humankind without creed, class, country, and color prejudices. These prophets
were the redeemers and saviors of humanity. If we are their followers, we must
follow the charter of humanity and divinity.

Differences Among Prophets:

A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any
discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine
revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Quran mentions the
names of 25 messengers and prophets and states that there are others. These
include Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Their
message might look different, but the core message is similar. The miracles of the
prophets are somehow dependent on the era they were chosen.

Moses had miracles to challenge the magicians because magic was very popular in
his era. At the time when Jesus was chosen, medicine and healing was popular, so
his miracles was mainly related to giving life to the dead or making a statue come
alive. Corrupt poetry was very popular when Muhammad was chosen. We believe
that Muhammad’s miracle is the holy Quran and is the direct book of God.

The book itself challenges people in many ways, and tells them they can not bring a
verse, or a chapter like Quran. God tells the humankind that he protects Quran from
being corrupted and has saved it until now without any corruption.

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*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Who is Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him)?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Allah communicated His word of guidance in His own way through some human
beings known as Prophets or Messengers, who were continually sent to mankind,
until the last Messenger. This word of Allah is called the Revelation or ‘Wahy’ in
Arabic and was conveyed to the fellow human beings by the Prophets or
Messengers who received it. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was the last messenger, who received
the Final Revelation from Allah.

Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬is the last of the prophets of Islam. It is through him that the
religion of absolute submission to God, was perfected. Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬is not just
the successor of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but of all the prophets who were
sent across the world, whose names are either known or unknown. His mission was
not to establish new religion, but on the other hand, to perfect the Religion taught
by the earlier prophets: "We have not sent thee but as a (Messenger) to all
mankind, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men
know not" (Qur'an 34:28).

Advent of Prophet Muhammad:

The advent of Prophet Muhammad did not bring a new religion or a new way of life
as some people claim. On the contrary, the prophet Muhammad confirmed the life
and message of all the previous prophets and messengers, both through his
personal conducts, and through the divine revelation that he received from the
almighty. The sacred scripture that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬brought is called Al-Qur’an.

Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬did not author the Qur’an. Nobody came and helped him to
write it and nobody collaborated with him to help. But the Angel Gabriel recited to
him and Almighty God made his heart a receptacle of that. Just like a satellite dish,
is a receptive of waves and gives you the TV image.

The sacred scripture that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬received is called the Qur’an. And each of
the prophets and messengers, they also received a scripture. And in the Qur’an,
these prophets, their scripture, their stories, the principles of their mission, is
mentioned with profound details.

Did Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬meet them and eat with them and talk with them and
collaborate with them to write their biographies? No; of course, he did not. In the
Qur’an, Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is referred to as the messenger of Almighty God and the
seal of the previous prophets which is the limit of his role as a human being.

When Islam was completed as a revelation as a book, as an example through the

prophet Muhammad, it then became Islam. It became a complete way of life. So, it
is the word that was new but not the practice, not the prophets, not the order from
God.

Another distinction to keep in mind is that, unlike his predecessors, though he was
born in Arabia, Muhammad did not come to the Arab or to this own people
exclusively. Therefore, Islam is not a religion of the Arabs, it is not only for the
Arabs.

Consequences of his birth was the choice of the Almighty. Additionally, the Qur’an
was revealed in the Arabic language to protect it, to make it pure and clear and
precise. Yet the Qur’an dispelled any information that the message of Muhammad(
‫ )ﷺ‬was limited or meant for the Arab exclusively.

Allah says: “you have not been sent O Muhammad, except to the whole of humanity
as a warner, as the one bringing glad tidings. And most of the human beings, they
simply don’t know” (Qur’an 34:28). As such, Muhammad is the finality of the great
prophets and messengers before him.

It is a common misunderstanding that Muhammad was 'divine', and Muslims

worship him, like Christians worship Jesus. The truth is that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is no
more than a messenger of God. Muslims do not believe that Jesus was divine,
either. We regard both as chosen prophets of God.

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*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Characteristics of Muhammad’s (‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood*
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✅Prophethood is the system ordained by God for the guidance of human beings.
This is what God promised when He sent the first human Adam to earth. And therein
lies the interest of divine justice. The fact that God, who created humans and
arranged all the physical conditions for him to live, also gave him the laws
necessary to live on this earth is also an expression of divine mercy.

From Prophet Adam to Prophet Muhammad, more than 100,000 prophets have
come to earth. Of these, 25 prophets are mentioned in the Qur'an. While the history
of some has been told in detail, only the name of some has been mentioned. The
mission of all the prophets was the same: “Submit to divine laws, abandon ungodly
forces” was the brief of the message. Laws were given that were suitable for each
time and land. But the ideology of all of them was one, ie, 'Islam'. Islam means
submission to God.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet of Islam. The characteristics of

prophethood of Prophet Muhammad compared to other prophets are explained
here.
*1. Agreement with Other Prophets:*
Allah has taken an agreement from the Prophets from Adam to Jesus that if they
appoint Prophet Muhammad as a prophet, they should believe in him and help him.
That's how the contract was bought from their communities. The Qur'an says: "And
recall when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets: 'This is the Book and the
Wisdom which I have given you. But should a Prophet come to you confirming that
which is already with you, you shall believe in him and shall help him…” (3:81-82)

2. Universality of the Message:

The messages of other prophets were for a particular time, land and community.
But the message of Prophet Muhammad is for the whole world. While saying, “We
appointed Noah to his community”, and “We sent their brother Hud to the
community of Aad”, the Qur'an says about Prophet Muhammad: “(O Prophet), We
have not sent you forth but as a herald of good news and a warner for all mankind.”
(Quran 34:28 )

3. The Last of the Prophets:

One of the greatest characteristics of Prophet Muhammad is that he is the last
prophet. The divine messages ended with Prophet Muhammed. There will be no
more prophets. The Qur'an says: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men,
but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets. Allah has full
knowledge of everything." (33:40)

4. The Blessing to the Entire Creations:

The Prophet Muhammed was appointed as a blessing to the entire creations. While
the Qur'an says, “We have sent you only as a blessing to the worlds”, the Prophet
also introduces himself as, “I have not been sent as a curser but as a blessing.”

5. Who is Given the Eternal Scripture:

Another characteristic of Prophet Muhammad is that he was given a scripture that is
unaltered and will last till end of the world. Other prophets were given supernatural
signs, but those were temporary. But the greatest supernatural revelation given to
Prophet Muhammad is the Holy Qur'an. It will remain unchanged until the Day of
Judgment. The Almighty Creator Himself promised the same: “Indeed, it is We who
sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian” (Quran 15:9). The Qur’an
is one which has remained unchanged in its original language, without the revision
of a single letter for more than 1400 years (since the time of the Prophet
Muhammad(‫ ))ﷺ‬and it is certain that the text will continue to exist. No other book
in the world can claim this.

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*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What are the Evidences for Muhammed’s (‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood?*
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✅1. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like
that till his death. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of Religion
or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his first forty years.
Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Quran.

This Quran mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling
us about these events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These
accounts came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses and in
the Gospel sent down to Jesus.

2. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬also foretold of many things that would occur to him and his
community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms
of Chosroes [Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the
religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as
Muhammad foretold, as if he was reading the future from an open book.

3. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬also brought an Arabic Quran that is the peak of eloquence and
clarity. Qur’an challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially
belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Qur’an. The eloquent Arabs of his
day were unable to contest this Qur’an.

4. The life history of this Noble Prophet was a perfect example of being upright,
merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character,
and ascetic in all worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the
Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful
of Allah.

5. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has
preserved the life of Muhammad, who is the most influential human in history.
6. Nor has there any man on earth who is still followed in all his doings by those
who believe in him. Indeed, in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad
adhere to the teachings he spread among them. All those who believe in
Muhammad fully perform - even to the minute detail - every act of worship like
prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage as this Noble Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬taught and as
he himself performed.

7. Prophet has been followed by individuals from all races, colors and people. Many
of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or
without any religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were
known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight.

8. Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon
justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws
that Muhammad brought for all spheres of human activity - like buying and selling,
marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are
necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.

For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner, humanity
cannot bring forth a law like Allah's law that He sent down.

9. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom, morals, good manners,

nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet brought. In a full and
complete manner, Muhammad spread a teaching regarding character and manners
toward one' parents, relatives, friends, family, humanity, animals, plants and
inanimate objects.

All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger did not bring any of this
religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that
he received from the One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and
created this universe in its miraculous architecture and perfection.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
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*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What is Wrong in Considering that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Had Aimed for Worldly Power?*
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✅What is it that is meant by the love of power and clout? It is the desire to invest
oneself with the authority and power of a country and to, thereby, lead a life of
comfort and luxury. It is true that the Prophet had attained power after having had
borne the trials, tribulations and tortures for thirteen years before reaching Medina
by adopting exile from his own land.

However, his authority was never a path to a life of comfort and luxury. For, who, if
any, can ever call a lover of authority, a man who, even when in the position of a
ruler, slept his nights on mat of palm leaves, washed his own clothes, stitched his
footwear and milked the goats?

Those who actually seek after power are those who desire to stand aloof from, and
be respected by, people in the sake of their important office. As for the Prophet, he
was one who had served the people while living as one amongst them. On one
occasion, all who were present stood up as the Prophet entered the place. The
Prophet, thereof, ordered against this practice. He said, “Do not stand up in respect
like some amongst the Persians who stand up in respect of others from amongst
them.”

He advised thus, “Do not praise me as the Christians praised Jesus, the son of
Maryam.” All this indicates clearly that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was never one to go after
pomp and praise associated with the power.

Furthermore, he was promised authority and power in the early, difficult days at
Mecca itself if, and only if, he stopped the propagation of his message. The leaders
of the society approached him one day with the intention of enticing him with a
proposal. They said, “If it is wealth that thee covet, we will give thee all the wealth
that you desire. If it is authority that ye want, we will make obeisance to thee as our
king. If it is women of beauty that ye desire, we will arrange for your marriage with
the women of your own choosing.”

An offer before which any person would have succumbed! A most tempting offer
indeed! Just one word was all that was required. He would then be the wealthiest
man in the region. All people of the land would then pay their homage to him as
their king. Beautiful women would then dance before him.

But this was what the Prophet said, “I am in need of neither authority nor wealth.
The Lord Creator has appointed me but as a warner to mankind. It is His message
which I deliver unto you. Those who accept it can achieve for themselves peace and
contentment in this world and eternal salvation in the next. As for those who accept
not the divine message, it is He Himself Who will judge their case.”

This incident took place in the early years of the mission at Mecca. If the Prophet’s
goal was to grab authority by writing the Qur’an and thereby making it accepted
that he was, indeed, the messenger of God, why was it that he refrained from the
offer of authority that was placed at his feet without his having to undergo any
suffering whatsoever? It is amply evident from this that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬never
hankered after power or authority. Briefly put, it was never the desire for power
which worked behind the composition of the Qur’an.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Why is Muhammed(‫ )ﷺ‬Called the Last Prophet?*
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✅The advent of a prophet is not an everyday occurrence. Nor is the presence in
person of the Prophet essential for every land, people, and period. The life and
teachings of the Prophet are the beacon to guide people to the right path.

The real death of a Prophet consists not in his physical demise but in the ending of
the influence of his teachings. None of the earlier books from any other prophet
exists today in its original text. The earlier Prophets have died because their
followers have adulterated their teachings, distorted their instructions, and
besmirched their life-examples by attaching fictitious events to them.

The real death of a Prophet consists in the death of his teachings. By this criterion
no-one can deny that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬and his teachings are alive. His teachings
stand uncorrupted and are incorruptible. The Qur’an - the book he gave to mankind
- exists in its original text, without a word, syllable or even letter having been
changed.
The entire account of his life - his sayings, instructions and actions are preserved
with complete accuracy. It is as though it all happened yesterday rather than 14
centuries ago. The biography of no other human being is as detailed as that of
Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. In everything affecting our lives we can seek the guidance
of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬and the example of his life. That is why there is no need of any
other Prophet after Muhammad, the last Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬.

Three Conditions, which Necessitate the Advent of a New Prophet:

1. The teachings of the earlier Prophets have been distorted or corrupted or they
have died, and their revival is needed.
2. The teachings of the Prophet who has passed away were incomplete and it is
necessary to amend them, improve on them or add something to them.
3. The earlier Prophet was raised for a particular nation or territory and a Prophet
for another nation, people of country are required.

None of these conditions exist today. The teachings of the last Prophet Muhammad(
‫ )ﷺ‬are alive, have been fully preserved and made immortal. The guidance he has
shown unto mankind is complete and flawless and is enshrined in the Glorious
Qur’an.

Secondly, God has completed His revealed guidance through the Prophet
Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬and Islam is a complete religion for mankind. Allah has said that:
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My bounty upon
you” (Al-Ma’idah 5:3)

A thorough study of Islam as a complete way of life proves the truth of these
Qur’anic words. Islam gives guidance for life in this world and in the hereafter and
nothing essential for human guidance has been left out. There is no ground for new
prophethood on the plea of imperfection.

Lastly, the Message of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was not meant for any particular people,
place or period. He was raised for the whole of mankind. Qur’an has commanded
Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬to declare: “O mankind, I am Allah’s Messenger to all of you”. He
has been described as “a blessing for all (the people of) the world”. And his
approach has been universal and human. That is why after him there remains no
need for new prophethood.

We can know Islam through his teachings which are so complete and so
comprehensive that they can guide men through all ages to come. The world does
not need a new prophet; it needs only such people as have full faith in Muhammad(
‫)ﷺ‬, to become the standard-bearers of his message, propagate it throughout the
world, and endeavor to establish the culture which Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬gave to man.
The world needs such men of character as can translate his teachings into practice
and establish a society which is governed by Divine Law, whose supremacy
Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬came to establish.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Why Prophet Muhammad Didn’t Die for Our Sins?*
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✅Why did not Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) die for the sins of Muslims? Is not he the
mercy to all?

Indeed, Prophet Muhammad is a mercy for all peoples; yet he did not die for
anybody’s sin. The simple reason is that Islam does not recognize the concept of
the ‘original sin’. The following points explains that further:

No ‘Original Sin’ in Islam

First, Islam, unlike Christianity, does not teach a concept of ‘original sin’. Adam’s sin
was his and his alone; and, according to the Quran 2:30-39, God forgave both Adam
and Eve when they turned to God in repentance. Accordingly, they were once again
restored to divine mercy. Hence there is no concept of Adam passing on to his
progeny an original sin, and therefore no need for stipulating a redeemer for such
sins.

*Natural Innocence*
Second, as there is no original sin, everyone is born into a state of natural
innocence (‘fitrah’). We acquire sin later by our own conscious and willful actions.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Every child is born into a state of fitrah (or natural state
of innocence).”

*God is All-Merciful*
Third, Islam teaches that God is All-Compassionate and All-Merciful; He is not bound
by the rule of a blood sacrifice in order to forgive His servants. To assume that God
can forgive only by accepting a blood sacrifice and therefore to state that Jesus or
Muhammad (PBUH) died for our sins is not acceptable in Islam. Allah says: “O My
servants who have wronged against their souls! Do not despair of Allah’s mercy! For
Allah forgives all sins; for He is indeed Forgiving, Compassionate. Turn to your Lord
repentant and submit to Him before the torment overtakes you when you shall not
be helped.” (Az-Zumar:53-54)

*Individual Responsibility*
Fourth, Islam teaches that every individual is responsible for his/her own salvation.
Not Abraham, or Moses, or Jesus, or Muhammad can save us; they are only capable
of saving themselves through God’s grace. In the words of the Quran: “Whoever
commits a sin commits it only against himself. Allah is Knowing, Wise.” (An-
Nisa’:111); “Allah does not charge a soul with more than it can bear. It shall be
requited for whatever good and whatever it has done.” (Al-Baqarah:286); “Each soul
earns only on its own account, nor does any laden (soul) bear another’s load.” (Al-
An’am:164) “He who is rightly guided, it is for himself; and he who goes astray, it is
to his own detriment. No soul can bear another’s burden.” (Al-Isra’:15)

*No Intermediaries*
Fifth, everyone, male or female, can directly approach God without any
intermediary of a prophet, saint or priest. God is closer to us than our own jugular
veins. Almighty Allah says in the Quran: “We created man, and We know the
promptings of his soul, and We are nearer to him than his own jugular
vein.” (Qaf:16) “When My servants ask you about Me, tell them I am near, ready to
answer the prayer of the suppliant when he/she prays to Me; therefore let them
respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be rightly guided.” (Al-
Baqarah:186)

So, the entire concept of someone dying for our sins is inimical to the Islamic
worldview or understanding of the natures of man and God. Islam beckons us all to
respond to God’s message and receive His grace and salvation through faith, good
works and leading a responsible moral and ethical life.

*Bhavishya Purana:*
“A malecha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking a foreign language)
spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be Mohammad”
(Prati Sarag Parv III Khand 3 Adhay 3 Shloka 5 to 8).

Further, it’s also mentioned that an Indian king will offer him his sincere devotion
and showing him all reverence will say, "I make obeisance to thee. O ye! The pride
of mankind, the dweller in Arabia, Ye have collected a great force to kill the Devil
and you yourself have been protected from the malecha opponents"

The Prophecy clearly states:

i. The name of the Prophet as Mohammad
ii. He will belong to Arabia (Marusthal)
iii. He is referred as the pride of mankind (Parbatis nath). Qur’an confirms this in
68:4 & 33:21
iv. He will kill the devil, i.e. abolish idol worship and all sorts of vices
v. The Prophet will be given protection against his enemy

Pratisarag Parv III Khand 3 Adhay 3 Shloka 10 to 27 also prophesises prophet

Muhammed.

*Atharvaveda:*
The main points mentioned in the Kuntap Suktas (Atharvaveda book 20 Hymn 127
verses 1-13) are:

Mantra 1: “He is Narashansah or the praised one (Muhammad). He is Kaurama:

the prince of peace or the emigrant, who is safe, even amongst a host of 60,090
enemies”

The Sanskrit word Narashansah means ‘the praised one’, which is the literal
translation of the Arabic word Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬.

*Mantra 2:* “He is a camel-riding Rishi, whose chariot touches the heaven”
The Prophet would ride a camel. This clearly indicates that it cannot be an Indian
Rishi, since it is forbidden for a Brahman to ride a camel according to the Sacred
Books of the East, volume 25, Laws of Manu pg. 472.

*Mantra 3:* “He is Mamah Rishi who is given a hundred gold coins, ten chaplets
(necklaces), three hundred good steeds and ten thousand cows”

No rishi in India or another Prophet had this name Mamah.

Mantra 4: “Vachyesv rebh. ‘Oh! ye who glorifies’”

This mantra calls the Prophet as Rebh which means one who praises, which when
translated into Arabic is Ahmed, which is another name for the Holy Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬

The enemies’ defeat in the conquest of Makkah is mentioned in Atharvaveda book

20 Hymn 21 verse no 9: "You have O Indra, overthrown 20 kings and 60,099 men
with an outstripping Chariot wheel who came to fight the praised one or far famed
(Muhammad) orphan"

i. The population of Makkah at the time of Prophet’s advent was nearly 60,000.
ii. There were several clans in Makkah each having its own chief. There were about
20 chiefs to rule Makkah.
iii. An Abandhu meaning a helpless man who was far-famed and ‘praised one’.
Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬overcame his enemies with the help of God.

*Samveda:*
"Ahmed acquired from his Lord the knowledge of eternal law. I received light from
him just as from the sun" (Samveda Book II Hymn 6 verse 8).

The Prophecy confirms:

i. The name of the Prophet as Ahmed.
ii. Prophet was given eternal law, i.e. the Shariah (Quran is the law)
iii. The Rishi was enlightened by the law of Prophet Muhammad.

"We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad
tidings and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not" (Quran
34:28).

*Rigveda:*
A similar prophecy is also found in Rigveda Book I, Hymn 53 verse 9: The Sanskrit
word used is Sushrama, which means praiseworthy or well praised which in Arabic
means Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬.
The name ‘Ahmed’ was mentioned in many other places of Hindu scriptures as well:
Samveda (2:152)
Yajurveda (31:18).
Rigveda (8:6: 10)
Atharvaveda (8:5: 16)
Atharvaveda (20:126: 14)

🎥Please Watch this video👇(⏱25:12mins)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Is Prophet Muhammad the Kalki Avtar Prophesized in Hindu Scriptures?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Islam is the religion that is supported by all types of logical and intuitive proofs.
There is no need of any prophesies of Hindu scriptures. However, we present this
research to some fair-minded Hindu brothers who want to know the truth through
their own Holy books.

The book “Kalki Avtar Awr Muhammad Sahab” has been compiled by Prof. Pandit
Vaid Parkash, a Brahman Hindu, well known Sanskrit scholar and research worker.
The book had been reviewed and verified by another eight great and prestigious
Hindu Pandits. We regard it as an additional testimony for the truth of Islam.

In this book, Prof. Pandit Vaid Parkash, proves that the Kalki Avtar (Messenger) that
the Veda has foretold and who is waited on by Hindus is the Prophet Muhammad (
‫ & )ﷺ‬therefore all Hindus should embrace Islam!

As an argument to prove the authenticity of his research, Pandit Vaid Parkash

quotes from the Veda, a sacred book among Hindus:
1. Veda mentions that ‘Kalki Avtar’ will be the Last Messenger and Prophet of
Bhagwan (Allah) to guide the whole world. After quoting this reference, Pandit
Parkash says that this comes true only in the case of the Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬.

2. According to a prophecy of Hinduism, ‘Kalki Avtar’ will be born in an island and

that is the Arab territory which is known as ‘Jazeeratul-Arab’.

3. In the sacred book of Hindus, the father’s name of ‘Kalki Avtar’ is mentioned as
‘Vishnu Bhagat’ and his mother’s name as ‘Somanib’. In sanskrit, ‘Vishnu’ stands for
Allah (Glory be to Him) and the literal meaning of ‘Bhagat’ is slave.

‘Vishnu Bhagat’ therefore, in the Arabic language will mean Allah’s slave (Abdullah).
‘Somanib’ in Sanskrit means peace and tranquility which in Arabic is denoted by the
word ‘Aminah’. Whereas, the Last Messenger Muhammad‘s (‫ )ﷺ‬father and mother’s
names were ‘Abdullah’ and ‘Aminah’ respectively.

4. In the prestigious books of Hindus, it is mentioned that ‘Kalki Avtar’ will live on
olive and dates and he will be true to his words and honest. In this regard, Pandit
Parkash writes, “This is true and established only in the case of Muhammad(‫”)ﷺ‬

5. Veda mentions that ‘Kalki Avtar’ will be born in a respected and noble dynasty of
his land. And this is also true as Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was born in a respected tribe of
Quraish who enjoyed great respect and high place in Makkah.

6. ‘Kalki Autar’ will be taught in the cave by Bhagwan through His own angel. And it
is very true in this matter. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was the only person in Makkah who has
been taught by Allah’s Angel Gabriel in the cave of Hira.

7. It was mentioned in Hindu scriptures that Bhagwan will provide ‘Kalki Avtar’ with
a fastest horse, with the help of that he will ride around the world and the seven
skies/heavens. The riding on ‘Buraq’ in ‘Miaraj’ by Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬coincides
with this description very perfectly.

8. It is also mentioned in Hindu scriptures that ‘Kalki Avtar’ will be strengthened and
heavily helped by Bhagwan. And we know this fact that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was
supported by Allah (Glory be to him) through His angels in the battle of Badr.

9. Hindu scriptures also mention that ‘Kalki Avtar’ will be an expert in horse riding,
arrow shooting, and swordsmanship. What Pandit Vaid Parkash comments in this
regard is very important and worth attention. He writes that the age of horses,
swords, and spears is long ago has gone and now is the age of modern weapons like
tanks, missiles, and guns.
Therefore, it will be unwise to wait for ‘Kalki Avtar’ bearing sword and arrows or
spears. In reality, the mention in our books of ‘Kalki Avtar’ is clearly indicative of
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬who was given the heavenly book known as the Qur’an.

🎥Please Watch this video👇(⏱25:12mins)

*Footnote:*
As mentioned before, Muslims believe that except Holy Quran, none of the
scriptures available today are fully authentic & divine since they all undergone
human interventions. Still quoted many verses from those scriptures (Hindu
scriptures & Bible old/new testaments) in the previous articles to prove that we can
relate many of the prophecies in those scriptures to the Prophet Muhammad and
not anyone else; and therefore, even the followers of those scriptures should follow
this Prophet.
Click here to Return to the Topics List

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*🌹Understand Islam 6️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible Old Testaments?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*✅1. Muhammad: The Prophet Like Moses:*
According to the Bible, God said to Moses: “I will raise up for them a prophet like
you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell
them everything I command him” (Deuteronomy 18:18).

The prophet described in the above verse must have the following three
characteristics:
i. He will be like Moses.
ii. He will come from the brothers of the Israelites, i.e. the Ishmaelites.
iii. God will put His words in the mouth of that prophet, and he will declare what God
commanded him.

Let us see which prophet God was speaking of.

i. The Prophet like Moses

Some people feel that this prophecy refers to the prophet Jesus. But, although Jesus
was truly a prophet of God, he is not the prophet spoken of here. He was born
miraculously, and, finally, God raised him up miraculously. On the other hand,
Muhammad is more like Moses; both were born in a natural way and both died
natural deaths.

ii. From Among the Ishmaelites

Abraham had two sons, Ishmael, and Isaac (Genesis, chapter 21). Ishmael became
the grandfather of the Arab nation, and Isaac became the grandfather of the Jewish
nation. The prophet spoken of was to come not from among the Jews themselves,
but from among their brothers, the Ishmaelites. Muhammad, a descendant of
Ishmael, is indeed that prophet.

iii. God will Put His Words in His Mouth

“Neither the content of the revelation, nor its form, were of Mohammed’s devising.
Both were given by the angel, and Mohammed’s task was only to repeat what he
heard.” (World Religions from Ancient History to the Present, by Geoffrey Parrinder,
p. 472)

God sent the angel Gabriel to teach Muhammad the exact words that he should
repeat to the people. The words are therefore not his own; they did not come from
his own thoughts but were put into his mouth by the angel. These are written down
in the Qur’an, word for word exactly as they came from God.

Now that we know that prophet we must listen to him, for, according to the Bible,
God says: “I will punish anyone who refuses to obey him” (Deut. 18:19)

2. The Awaited Prophet was to Come from Arabia:

Deuteronomy 33:1-2 combines references to Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. It
speaks of God (i.e. God's revelation) coming from Sinai, rising from Seir (probably
the village of Sa'ir near Jerusalem) and shining forth from Paran. According to
Genesis 21:21, the wilderness of Paran was the place where Ishmael settled (i.e.
Arabia, specifically Mecca).

Indeed, the King James version of the Bible mentions the pilgrims passing through
the valley of Ba'ca (another name of Mecca) in Psalms 84:4-6.
Isaiah 42:1-13 speaks of the beloved of God. His elect and messenger who will bring
down a law to be awaited in the isles and who "shall not fail nor be discouraged till
he has set judgement on earth." Verse 11 connects that awaited one with the
descendants of Ke'dar. Who is Ke'dar? According to Genesis 25:13, Ke'dar was the
second son of Ishmael, the ancestor of prophet Muhammad.

3. Muhammad's Migration from Mecca to Medina:

Indeed, the incident of the migration of the prophet and his persecuted followers is
vividly described in Isaiah 21:13-17. That section foretold as well about the battle of
Badr in which the few ill-armed faithful miraculously defeated the "mighty" men of
Ke'dar, who sought to destroy Islam and intimidate their own folks who turned to
Islam.

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*Footnote:*
As mentioned before, Muslims believe that except Holy Quran, none of the
scriptures available today are fully authentic & divine since they all undergone
human interventions. Still quoted many verses from those scriptures (Hindu
scriptures & Bible old/new testaments) in the previous articles to prove that we can
relate many of the prophecies in those scriptures to the Prophet Muhammad and
not anyone else; and therefore, even the followers of those scriptures should follow
this Prophet.
Click here to Return to the Topics List

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*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible New Testaments?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*✅1. That Prophet- Paraclete- Muhammad*
Up to the time of Jesus (PBUH), the Israelites were still waiting for that prophet like
unto Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18. When John the Baptist came, they
asked him if he was Christ and he said "no". They asked him if he was Elias and he
said "no". Then, in apparent reference to Deuteronomy 18:18, they asked him "Art
thou that Prophet" and he answered, "no". (John 1:19-21)
In the Gospel of John (Chapters 14, 15, 16), Jesus spoke of the "Paraclete" or
comforter who will come after him, who will be sent by Father as another Paraclete,
who will teach new things which the contemporaries of Jesus could not bear. While
the Paraclete is described as the spirit of truth, (whose meaning resemble
Muhammad's famous title ‘Al-Amin’, the trustworthy), he is identified in one verse
as the Holy Ghost (John 14:26). Such a designation is however inconsistent with the
profile of that Paraclete.

Indeed, history tells us that many early Christians understood the Paraclete to be a
man and not a spirit. This might explain the followings who responded to some who
claimed, without meeting the criteria stipulated by Jesus, to be the awaited
"Paraclete".

It was Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬who was the Paraclete, Comforter, helper,

admonisher sent by God after Jesus. He testified of Jesus, taught new things which
could not be borne at Jesus' time, he spoke what he heard (revelation), he dwells
with the believers (through his well-preserved teachings). Such teachings will
remain forever because he was the last messenger of God, the only Universal
Messenger to unite the whole of humanity under God and on the path of
PRESERVED truth.

He told of many things to come which "came to pass" in the minutest detail
meeting, the criterion given by Moses to distinguish between the true prophet and
the false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:22). He did reprove the world of sin, of
righteousness and of judgment (John 16:8-11)

2. The Qur'an Foretold in the Bible?

For twenty-three years, God's words (the Qur'an) were truly put into Muhammad's
mouth. He was not the "author" of the Qur'an. The Qur'an was dictated to him by
Angel Gabriel who asked Muhammad to simply repeat the words of the Qur'an as he
heard them. These words were then committed to memory and to writing by those
who hear them during Muhammad's lifetime and under his supervision.

3. Shift of Religious Leadership Prophesied?

Following the rejection of the last Israelite prophet, Jesus, it was about time that
God's promise to make Ishmael a great nation be fulfilled (Genesis 21:13,18).

In Matthew 21:19-21, Jesus spoke of the fruitless fig tree (A Biblical symbol of
prophetic heritage) to be cleared after being given a last chance of three years (the
duration of Jesus' ministry) to give fruit. In a later verse in the same chapter, Jesus
said: "Therefore, say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken away from you,
and given to a nation bringing forth the fruit thereof" (Matthew 21:43).
*Footnote:*
Was it a coincidence that the prophet "like unto Moses" from the "brethren" of the
Israelites (i.e. from the Ishmaelites) was also described as one in whose mouth God
will put his words and that he will speak in the name of God, (Deuteronomy 18:18-
20). Was it also a coincidence the "Paraclete" that Jesus foretold to come after Him
was described as one who "shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak (John 16:13)

Says God as quoted by Moses: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not
hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him”
(Deuteronomy 18:19)

🎥Please Watch this video👇(⏱6:32mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Who are the Angels?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Almighty God (Allah) has created many different types of creatures and one of
those creatures are called Angels. Faith in the unseen world created by Allah is a
required element of faith in Islam. Among the required articles of faith are a belief in
Allah, His prophets, His revealed books, the angels, the afterlife, and destiny/divine
decree. Among the creatures of the unseen world are angels, which are mentioned
in the Quran as faithful servants of Allah. Every truly devout Muslim, therefore,
acknowledges the belief in angels.

The Nature of Angels in Islam

In Islam, it is believed that angels were created out of light, before the creation of
humans from clay/earth. Angels are naturally obedient creatures, worshipping Allah
and carrying out His commands. Angels are genderless and do not require sleep,
food, or drink; they have no free choice (Free Will), so it is just not in their nature to
disobey. The Quran says: “They do not disobey Allah's commands that they receive;
they do precisely what they are commanded” (Quran 66:6).

As unseen creatures made from light, angels have no specific bodily shape but
rather can take on a variety of forms. The Quran does mention that angels have
wings (Quran 35:1), but Muslims don't speculate on what exactly they look like.
Muslims find it blasphemous, for example, to make images of angels as cherubs
sitting in clouds.

It is believed that angels can take the form of human beings when required to
communicate with the human world. For example, the Angel Jibreel appeared in
human form to Mary (the mother of Jesus), and the Prophet Muhamad when
questioning him about his faith and message.

The Role of Angels

In Arabic, angels are called mala'ika, which means "to assist and help."
The Quran says that angels have been created to worship Allah and carry out His
commands: “Everything in the heavens and every creature on the earth prostrates
to Allah, as do the angels. They are not puffed up with pride. They fear their Lord
above them and do everything they are ordered to do.” (Quran 16:49-50).

Angels are involved in carrying out duties in both the unseen and physical worlds.

*Fallen Angels*
In Islam, there is no concept of "fallen" angels, as it is in the nature of angels to be
faithful servants of Allah. They have no free choice, and hence no ability to disobey
God. However, often confused with "fallen" angels, there are another type of
creations, who are called Jinn. The most famous of the Jinn is Iblis, who is also
known as Shaytan (Satan). Muslims believe that Satan is a disobedient Jinn, not a
"fallen" angel.

Jinn are having Free-Will like humans. Unlike the angels, which dwell in celestial
regions, Jinn are said to coexist next to humans, even though they normally remain
unseen.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Why Did God Create Angels? Does He Need Help of Angels?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅It is definitely true that our Creator Allah Almighty does not need anything or
anyone. As a matter of fact, among His Names is ‘Al-Ghany’: The One who is Self-
sufficient, and ‘As-Samad’: The One who is free of all needs, who is needed by all
His creations. He is sought by all, while He is above all.

Allah does not need the angels, but He has the Power to create incredibly mighty
creations; His creations are a manifestation and reflection of His Power, Brilliance,
and incomparable Greatness. Angels devoutly obey Allah Almighty and never
disobey Him, and each angel is assigned a special task.

Why are There Angels?

If we are going to follow the rationale in this question, we might also ask: Why did
Allah create the sun, isn’t He the Source of Light and He can directly give us light?
Can’t He do it by Himself? Or why did Allah create mothers, can’t He directly bring
us to life, nurture us and show us love without the presence of mothers?

In reality, Allah does not need any of His creations; they are only a manifestation of
His Brilliant, Awe-Inspiring ability to plan and create.

If you consider a famous artist and ask why is this artist producing these
outstanding paintings, can’t he express himself or explain what he wants without
creating these amazing paintings? The answer is, he can, but his creations reflect
his great and unique abilities.

To Allah belongs the Highest Most Supreme Example, He does not need the angels,
but He has the Power to create incredibly mighty creations; His creations are a
manifestation and reflection of His Power, Brilliance, and incomparable Greatness.

*Divine Wisdom:*
The fact that we do not see the complete wisdom in something doesn’t mean there
isn’t one. This only reflects our limitation, and this is part of knowing our own
selves, and knowing our Creator.
We are limited while He is the All-Wise, if we know every single detail of His wisdom,
then it does not make sense because this will make us equal to Him. Allah says: “He
knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they
encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills.” (Quran 2:255)

Allah teaches us. It is one thing that He tells us He is the Creator, and another to
teach us about His majestic creations. It is one thing to tell us He is The King, and
another to show us the might of His Kingdom and His slaves…

When we learn about/ reflect on the creation of Allah, we get to know Him better.
This is part of our learning journey. When you know about the creation, you admire
the Creator.

Few of the Angels’ Roles:

The roles of angels include delivering the revelation of Allah, blowing the trumpet
for The Day of Resurrection, taking away the souls of slaves, recording people’s
deeds, witnessing the circles of remembering Allah, protecting slaves when they’re
awake and asleep, questioning slaves in the graves as well as guarding the Hellfire
and Paradise.

Angels devoutly obey Allah Almighty and never disobey Him. Almighty said in the
Qur’an about the angels: “Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it
exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for
those who have believed, [saying], “Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in
mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way
and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.”” (Qur’an 40:7)

When we learn about the angels’ sincere, non-stop worship of Allah, it reminds us
that Allah also does not need us or our worship. This helps us reflect on
understanding and actualizing our own purpose of life.

A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete
and in their original versions. Allah, the Creator, has not left man without guidance
for the conduct of his life. Revelations were given to guide the people to the right
path of Allah and sent down to selected people, the prophets, and messengers, to
convey it to their fellow men.

The message of all the prophets and messengers is the same. They all asked the
people of their time to obey and worship Allah and none other. Abraham, Moses,
David, Jesus, and Muhammad who were revealed their own book of Allah, were sent
at different times to bring back straying human beings from deviation to the right
course.

The names of the four scriptures mentioned in Quran are 'the Torah', 'the Zabur',
'the Injeel' and 'the Qur'an'.

'The Torah' was revealed to Prophet Moses (PBUH) and it is the greatest among the
Israelites books. ‘The Zabur’ was revealed to Prophet David (PBUH). 'The Injeel'
which Allah revealed to Prophet Jesus (PBUH), is a confirmation of 'the Torah' and a
complement to it. The Qur'an, which was revealed to the last of the prophets, is but
a restatement of the faith delivered to the prophets before him.

The more the Qur'an is studied with an unprejudiced mind, the more this truth
emerges, that the Qur'an is a confirmation of all the earlier scriptures and messages
sent by God through His messengers who lived and preached among various sects
of humanity.

Moreover, the Qur’anic view contends that one of the purposes of revealed
scriptures is to unite mankind. Look at what the Holy Qur’an says: “Mankind was
one single nation. And Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and
with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein
they differed” (2:213)

Therefore, the first and foremost duty of the Scripture is to lead people unto the
truth and to eliminate, thereby, all dissension and anarchy.
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*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What are the Fundamental Sources of Islamic Faith?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅The sacred fundamental sources of Islamic faith are the Glorious Qur’an, which is
the exact word of God preserved for eternity in the Arabic language and the
Sunnah, which refers to the authentic sayings and actions of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, which
were recorded and memorized by his companions and their followers.

The Islamic way of life is based on the teachings and laws found in the Qur'an and
the example (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Qur'an is the word of Allah and was revealed in potions to Muhammad, via the
Angel Gabriel, over a 23-year period. Each portion was recorded in writing by his
official scribes and memorized by thousands of his followers. After his death, the
written collection was given to Abu Bark, the first caliph, who oversaw its collection
into one volume. The third caliph, Uthman, prepared several copies and sent them
to different Muslim territories. Ever since that time, the same version has been used
by Muslims. The wording, order, and language have never been altered in the
slightest manner. No other book claiming to be a divine revelation can make this
claim, and no one has ever been able to refute the claim of the Qur'an to complete
authenticity

The Sunnah consists of the teachings, sayings, and actions of Prophet Muhammad.
This information was meticulously reported and collected by his Companions. It is
essentially an elaboration of the Qur'anic verses that shows how they are to be
implemented in one's daily life.

The Sunnah is the practical example of the guidance found in the Glorious Qur’an.
Muslims believe in everything that is found in the Glorious Qur’an without
exception. The Sunnah has been subject to meticulous scrutiny by a thorough
science of verification. What has been deemed as authentic through multiple
transmissions is accepted just as the Glorious Qur’an.

It does not take a rocket scientist or someone with a degree in Quantum Physics to
understand the Qur’an, the Sunnah, or the message that God wants us to
understand. All the Messengers of God implored their people to use their brains and
open their eyes to ‘see’ God in His Creation. “Seeing is believing,” or so the saying
goes! All humans need to do is to look around them! What is more beautiful than
watching a star shoot across the sky? Is there anything more awe-inspiring than a
spider weaving an intricate web that is 100 times larger than its own body?

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What is the Holy Qur'an?*
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✅The Quran is the sacred book from the Almighty God. It is the last book of
guidance from Allah, sent down to Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬through the angel Jibraeel
(Gabriel). Every word of it is the word of Allah. It certainly is the divine scripture that
is to be accepted by all, up to the very last man.

The term ‘Qur’an’ has the meanings of ‘the recitation’, or ‘that which is to be
recited’ and of ‘that which is recited’. Indeed, the Qur’an itself has employed the
connotation ‘the scripture that is recited’ in connection with this term (13:31).

It was revealed over a period of 23 years in the Arabic language. It contains 114
Surahs (chapters) and over 6000 verses.

The Quran deals with man and his ultimate goal in life. Its teachings cover all areas
of this life and the life after death. It contains principles, doctrines, and directions
for every sphere of human life. The theme of the Quran broadly consists of three
fundamental ideas: Oneness of Allah, Prophethood and life after death. The success
of human beings on this earth and in the life hereafter depends on obedience to the
Quran teaching.

“Indeed, there has come to you light and a clear book from Allah; With it Allah
guides him who follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and brings them out of
utter darkness into light by His will and guides them to the right path” (5:15-16)

Unlike the earlier scriptures, the Qur’an is never a compilation of legal

pronouncements or code of laws (Taurat), or hymns (Zaboor) or a collection of
Gospel or good news (Injeel). It is highly probable that the Qur’an has been named
as the last scripture because each one of its words is to be repeatedly read by
thousands upon thousands of its believers and is to be so etched into their hearts so
as to mould their very lives according to its guidelines. As for the actual reason, it is
the Lord Who sent it Who knows the answer thereof.

The Quran is unrivalled in its recording and preservation. The astonishing fact about
this book of Allah is that it has remained unchanged even to a dot over the past
fourteen hundred years. No scholar has questioned the fact that the Quran today is
the same as it was revealed. Muslims till today memorize the Quran word by word
as a whole or in part. Today, the Quran is the only authentic and complete book of
Almighty God. Allah is protecting it from being lost, corrupted, or concealed.

As far as its believers are concerned, the Qur’an is but the benchmark to distinguish
truth from falsehood. They understand that all that has been commanded therein
constitute the good and all that has been prohibited therein constitute evil. In fact,
the Qur’an introduces itself as ‘Furqan’ (2:53, 2:185, 3:4, 25:1) which means ‘the
criterion to distinguish between truth and falsehood’.

The Qur’an also describes itself as Kitab (book), Dhikr (guidance), Burhaan
(evidence), Shifa (cure), Kayyim (that which is pure), Muhaymin (that which
preserves the previous scriptures) and the like. Through these attributes the reader
of the Qur’an is exposed to the clear picture of the morality enshrined within.

The Qur’anic view is that the religious scripture consists of the revelations made to
the messenger by the Lord Creator Himself. Divine revelations have been referred
to as Wahy and as far as a revealed scripture is concerned, it contains Wahy alone.
However, it is not necessary that all Wahy made to all messengers should find
mention in a scripture. In fact, it is only that portion of the Wahy which has been
received with the special command for its inception in the scriptural text, that
ultimately finds expression in it.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What is the Theme of Holy Qur’an?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅The Qur'an contains the moral instructions, essential for man to succeed during
this life on earth and during the life after death. We may say that the central theme
of the Qur'an borders on the relationship between the Creator and the created. The
Qur'an is full of narrations that speak of beliefs and practices needed to guide one's
life through the path of virtue.

The theme of the Qur’an is the salvation of man. As the only terrestrial being
capable of independent action, man is to follow certain laws for his very survival
and progress. All things in the universe follow the divine laws of their own accord.
Indeed, they do not possess the option of straying from this set course. In fact, the
systemic functioning of the human body itself compulsorily follows the divine laws.

However, man has been granted freedom of action in certain limited domains. Even
in these spheres he can attain salvation if, and only if, he obeys the divine
commandments. It is to mankind that the Qur’an speaks. It is to his salvation that
the Qur’an beckons. It convinces him of the existence of the Lord Creator by turning
his attention to the varied and incredible phenomena of nature. It speaks to him of
the brevity of life in this world and of the utter meaninglessness of wasting an entire
lifetime in pursuit of the comforts herein.

Qur’an talks about the supreme oneness of almighty God which includes his names,
attributes, the relationships between the almighty and his creatures and how man
should maintain that relationships. It also talks about the continuity of the prophets
and their lives, their messages, and their overall mission. It insists upon following
the final and universal example Muhammad, the seal of the prophets and
messengers.

It reminds the human beings of the shortness of this life and calling them towards
the eternity of the life hereafter. After you leave this place, you are going
somewhere. After you die, you are also going somewhere whether you accept it or
know about it. You are going there, and you are responsible because you are told
even if you have rejected it.

The purpose of illustrating incidents of the past that have provided lessons for
mankind, is to warn mankind against deviating from the path of God. Along with the
precepts that aid to the refinement of the self, it contains the rules and regulations
to be observed in life.

Besides, the Qur'an also explains various universal phenomena, in a manner that
convinces anyone of the existence of God. The Qur'an can also be said to be the
crystallisation of one and the same religious consciousness preached by all
prophets, and the collection of the essence and clarification of all the scriptures of
the past.

It makes clear to him the path which must be followed in order to be of that blessed
group which becomes worthy of the entry into Paradise as of the safety from the
confines of Hell. It invites his attention to the history of those who traded the
punishment of Hell in exchange for the comforts of this world. It tells him of those
who were granted the entry into Paradise for having led a life of purity.

Briefly put, the Qur’an prepares man for attaining salvation both in this world and
the next through obedience to the divine commandments.

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100 Advices from Glorious Quran:

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1. Do not mix the truth with falsehood (2:42)

2. Order righteousness to people only after practicing it yourself (2:44)
3. Do not commit abuse on the earth (2:60)
4. Do not prevent people from mosques (2:114)(2:114)
5. Do not follow anyone blindly (2:170)
6. Do not break the promise (2:177)
7. Do not engage in bribery (2:188).
8. Fight only with those who fight you (2:190)
9. Keep the etiquettes of war (2:191)
10. Protect orphans (2:220)
11. Do not approach your wife during menstrual period (2:222)
12. Breast feed your children for two complete years (2:233)
13. Choose rulers by their merit (2:247)
14. No compulsion in religion (2:256)
15. Do not invalidate charity with reminders (2:264)
16. Help those in need by finding them (2:273)
17. Don’t consume interest (2:275)
18. Grant more time to repay if the debtor is in hard time (2:280)
19. Write down the debt (2:282)
20. Keep the trust (2:283)
21. Do not spy and backbite (2:283)
22. Believe in all prophets (2:285)
23. Do not burden a person beyond his scope (2:286)
24. Do not become divided (3:103)
25. Restrain Anger (3:134)
26. Do not be rude in speech (3:159)
27. Think deeply about the wonders and creation of this universe (3:191)
28. Men and Women have equal rewards for their deeds (3:195)
29. Wealth of the dead should be distributed among his family members (4:7)
30. Women also have the right for inheritance (4:7)
31. Do not devour the property of orphans (4:10)
32. Do not marry those in your blood relation (4:23)
33. Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly (4:29)
34. Family should be led by men (4:34)
35. Be good to others (4:36)
36. Do not be miserly (4:37)
37. Do not keep envy (4:54)
38. Judge with justice between people (4:58).
39. Do not kill each other (4:92)
40. Do not be an advocate for deceitful (4:105)
41. Standout firmly for justice (4:135)
42. Cooperate in righteousness (5:2)
43. Do not cooperate in sin and aggression (5:2)
44. Dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine are prohibited (5:3)
45. Be just (5:8).
46. Punish for crimes in an exemplary way (5:38).
47. Strive against sinful and unlawful (5:63)
48. Avoid intoxicants and alcohol (5:90)
49. Do not gamble (5:90)
50. Do not insult others’ deities (6:108).
51. ’Having majority’ is not a criterion of truth (6:116)
52. Don’t reduce weight or measure to cheat people (6:152)
53. Do not be arrogant (7:13)
54. Eat and Drink, But Be Not Excessive (7:31)
55. Wear good cloths during prayer times (7:31)
56. Forgive others for their mistakes (7:199)
57. Do not turn back in battle (8:15)
58. Protect and help those who seek protection (9:6)
59. Keep Purity (9:108).
60. Never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy (12:87)
61. Allah will forgive to those who have done wrong out of ignorance (16:119)
62. Invitation to God should be with wisdom and good instruction (16:125)
63. No one will bear others’ sins (17:15)
64. Be dutiful to parents (17:23)
65. Do not say a word of disrespect to parents (17:23)
66. Do not spent money extravagantly (17:29)
67. Do not kill your children for fear of poverty (17:31)
68. Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse (17:32)
69. Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge (17:36)
70. Speak to people mildly (20:44)
71. Keep aloof from what is vain (23:3)
72. Do not enter others’ house without seeking permission (24:27)
73. Allah will provide security for those who believe only in Allah (24:55)
74. Do not enter parents’ private room without asking permission (24:58).
75. Walk on earth in humility (25:63)
76. Do not neglect your portion of this world (28:77)
77. Invoke not any other god along with Allah (28:88).
78. Do not engage in homosexuality (29:29)
79. Enjoin right, forbid wrong (31:17)
80. Do not walk in insolence through the earth (31:18).
81. Lower your voice (31:19)
82. Women should not display their finery (33:33)
83. Allah forgives all sins (39:53)
84. Do not be despair of the mercy of Allah (39:53)
85. Repel evil by good (41:34)
86. Decide on affairs by consultation (42:38).
87. Try for settlement between people (49:9)
88. Do not ridicule others (49:11)
89. Avoid suspicion (49:12)
90. Do not spy or backbite (49:12)
91. Most noble of you is the most righteous (49:13)
92. Honor guests (51:26)
93. Spent wealth in charity (57:7)
94. No Monasticism in religion (57:27)
95. Those who have knowledge will be given a higher degree by Allah (58:11)
96. Treat non-Muslims in a kind and fair manner (60:8).
97. Save yourself from covetousness (64:16)
98. Seek forgiveness of Allah. He is Forgiving and Merciful (73:20)
99. Do not repel one who asks (93:10)
100. Encourage feeding poor (107:3)
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*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Who Wrote the Holy Qur'an? Can It Not Be Claimed that the Qur’an was the
Composition of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Himself?*
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✅Quran, in Arabic, could only have been written by one of 3 possible sources:
1. The Arabs
2. Mohammad (‫)ﷺ‬
3. God (Allah)

Let us examine the three choices one by one.

1. Arabs Wrote it?

What Quran teaches goes directly against the pagan Arab culture, religion, and
gods, that existed before the Quran was revealed. Quran condemns idol
worshipping, but the Arabs, loved their idol gods, and worshipped them regularly.
Quran raised the status of women; the Arabs treated women next to animals. The
Arabs would never write something that goes against their most important belief of
idol worshipping. Quran goes against most of the social habits (such as backbiting,
slandering, etc) which the Arabs were heavily indulged into.

How can Arabs then write something that would negate their entire society's norms
and ideologies? Quran has no author, and no group or individual in Arabia ever
claimed to have written it, nor any group or an individual recited, taught, and
explained Quran except the Prophet Mohammad (‫ )ﷺ‬and his followers.

2. Mohammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Wrote it?

Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬had lived in the light of history. It was through him that the
world first heard of the Qur’an. As such, all that may be asserted by those who do
not accept the divine status of the Qur’an is that it is the composition of
Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. There are, however, certain facts that must be understood as the
premises for this discussion.
1. He was illiterate! How can an illiterate person come up with such a rich, poetic,
intellectual, and inspiring text that it rocked the entire Arabia?

2. Mohammad (‫ )ﷺ‬never went to school! No one taught him. He had no teacher of

any kind in any subjects. How can he have the knowledge of all the science,
astronomy, oceanography, etc that is contained in the Quran? (For example, the
mention of ocean currents, stars, earth, moon, sun and their fixed paths in Surah
Rahman; and many other scientific statements that are found in Quran).

3. When Qur'an was revealed, the Arabic language was at its peak in richness,
poetic value, literature, etc. Qur'an came and challenged the best literature in
Arabic, the best poetry in Arabic of the time to produce a single chapter like that of
the Qur'an. See Qur'an 2:23. An illiterate man is simply not capable of writing such
a book.

4. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬had been, up to the age of forty, the most favored man among
the Arabs. He had no reason to come up with something like Quran and cause the
entire society of Arabia to become his enemy. Why would he do something like
that?

5. Even among his bitterest opponents there was unanimity about the truthfulness
of Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. So, it is difficult to believe that he should venture to declare a
falsehood in the name of the Lord Creator.

6. There are references in the Qur’an which have criticized certain of the actions of
Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬himself.

It should be in the light of these facts that the pros and cons of the argument that
the Qur’an is the work of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬should be examined.

3. Allah (God) Wrote it?

The above case studies prove that Quran is not a book from Prophet Muhammed,
neither from any other Arabs, nor from any other humans in the world. So, it can be
concluded that the Qur'an is God’s word.

Quran itself claim that it’s a book from Allah: “It is He Who has sent amongst the
Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to
sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, although they had
been, before, in manifest error” (Qur'an 62:2)

“No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full
of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise” (Qur'an 41:42)

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*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Why the Qur’an Was Not Revealed to Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬in a Compiled Form
(Altogether)?*
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✅If the Qur’an is a book that has been revealed by God Almighty for the guidance of
mankind, could it not have been revealed in the form of a complete book?

The Holy Qur’an was not revealed completely all at once. Rather, it was revealed bit
by bit. The verses contained in it were revealed against the backdrop of varying
circumstances over a long period stretching between 23 years.

There was no fixed time period during which the Prophet received the divine
revelation. There had been instances when the Prophet had received revelation
more than once in a single day. Sometimes it was only a few words that were
revealed, full words that were, in their turn, to be placed in a particular position
within a particular chapter. On some occasions, whole chapters where revealed to
the Prophet at a stretch. Indeed, the Qur’an has been a compilation of verses that
were revealed according to the circumstances and occasions that demanded them.

Even the disbelievers from the time of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬use to ask the above
question. Look at what the Qur’an says: “Those who reject Faith say: ‘Why is not the
Qur’an revealed to him all at once? Thus (is it revealed), that We may strengthen
thy heart thereby, and We have rehearsed it to thee in slow, well-arranged stages,
gradually” (25:32)

It becomes clear to us from these verses as to why the Qur’an was not revealed in a
completed book form. The Qur’an remains a religious scripture that is to provide
guidance for all mankind which is to come right up to the Last Day.

It is never a mere collection of legal decrees like the Torah. It is a book that
particularly demonstrated the method by which a society may be cleansed of its
decadence solely through transformation in thought and belief, in morality and
values. Indeed, confronting us, today, is the picture of a society that had
transformed itself according to the stages in which the Qur’an came to be revealed.

*The Benefits that have Accrued from the Qur’an being Revealed in Stages:*
1. For the illiterate Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬, the revelation which came in stages afforded a
facility for the study, and memorization, of the Qur’an. It, thus, set the stage for the
complete freedom from forgetfulness and mistakes.

2. Through the process of gradual revelation, it becomes possible for the followers
of the Prophet to memorize and study deeply the issues contained in the Qur’an and
to regulate their lives according to its mandate.

3. It is difficult to eradicate, in one stroke, the vices and immorality which had
prevailed in society since a very long time. It is only in stages that they can be
stopped.

4. In the event that the revelation was made all at once, it would have become
imperative to implement all the laws and decrees that were prescribed in it in a
single day. Through revelation in stages, it becomes possible to gradually raise a
community that has been cleansed of all immorality.

5. The reception of divine commands in a fashion in which the doubts that arose in
the minds of the people as also their immediate problems were addressed and
solved, proved a favorable factor in the effective transformation of those who were
addressed.

6. A large portion of the Glorious Qur’an is devoted to answers given to questions

posed by the people, and other portions deal with the details of particular events.
Therefore, the revelation of those verses was appropriate at the time when those
questions were asked or when those events came to pass.

7. The Prophet(‫ )ﷺ‬was subject to torture on a daily basis. That Jibril came, again
and again, with the words of the Qur’an, made his stand against these tortures
bearable and gave strength to his heart

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*🌹Understand Islam 7️⃣9️⃣*
*❓When and Under What Circumstance was the Qur’an Compiled as a Complete
Book Bound Between Two Cover Pages?*
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✅Was the Qur’an compiled as a complete book during the time of Muhammed (‫?)ﷺ‬

This question may be answered with a ‘yes’ and a ‘no’. For the answer to this
question depends on the meaning that is implied when it is said that a book has
been compiled.

If by the compilation of a book one has in mind the idea of his followers being told
clearly as to which the chapters are from the beginning to the end and which the
verses in each of them are and of making a good number of his followers to
memorize it, then it may be said that the Qur’an had been compiled during the time
of Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬itself. But if by compilation is meant the stitching together of all
the chapters and binding them between two cover pages and then publishing it, it
may then be said that the Qur’an was not compiled during the time of Muhammad(
‫)ﷺ‬.

The fact is that it was impossible to compile the Qur’an in the lifetime of the
Prophet. We know of the style in which the Qur’an was revealed. Gabriel comes,
recites the verses of the Qur’an, instructs as to which chapter and which position it
is to fit. This was the usual procedure. Since the verses, which were revealed
according to various circumstances, were not compiled as chapters in the
chronological order of their revelation, the Qur’an could be said to have been fully
compiled as a book only after the last verse had been revealed.

The last of the verses of the Qur’an was revealed just nine days before death of the
Prophet. It need not be emphasized that the compilation of the Qur’an within these
nine days would have been a very difficult task.

Compiling as a Complete Book Bound Between Two Cover Pages

It was during the reign of the first caliph, Abu Bakr, that the Qur’an was first
compiled as a complete book bound between its covers. Although the Qur’an was
transcribed on leather sheets and other such materials during the lifetime of
Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬himself, they were never the main source for the study of the
Qur’an on which the society depended. It was, in fact, the services of those who had
learnt the whole Qur’an by heart on which the people counted.
After the death of the Prophet, Abu Bakr (r) became the leader of the Islamic state.
When Musaylama, the false prophet, arraigned his powerful tribe (Banu Haneef)
against Abu Bakr (r), fighting broke out. The Muslims emerged victorious in the war.
The greatest loss suffered by the Muslims, however, was the martyrdom of seventy
of those who had memorized the whole of the Qur’an.

It was this incident which led Umar (r) to contemplate over the protection of the
Qur’an. He discussed the measures that were to be taken for the purpose with the
Caliph Abu Bakr (r). The Caliph was, thereby, convinced of the necessity of the
compilation of the Qur’an as a complete book. He, thus, entrusted the task of
compiling the Qur’an into a single book to Zaid bin Thabit, the official scribe of the
Prophet and the most important of those who wrote down the Qur’an.

Zaid bin Thabit himself had memorized the whole Qur’an. However, in the
compilation of the Qur’an, he also examined the Qur’anic scrolls which were in the
possession of several persons. Whenever those with the scrolls came to him, he
compared their version with his own as also with his memory - in such strict fashion
did he continue with his task.

Thus, Zaid bin Thabit compiled the whole Qur’an into a single book bound together
by its covers. Such a compilation, bound as it was between two covers, is known as
‘Mushaf’. In short, therefore, it was Zaid bin Thabit, during the reign of Abu Bakr (r),
compiled the first Mushaf which included, between its covers, the entire Qur’an.

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What are the Evidence for the Qur’an to Be a Divine Scripture?*
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✅The Qur’an itself makes a claim that it is a divine revelation - that is, it was sent
down from the Almighty God to Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬through inspiration. And Allah says
that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is not speaking from himself, his own ideas or his own
ambitions or his own emotions and feelings. Instead, this is a revelation (Qur’an)
which has been revealed to him.

Therefore, if we need to convince you or anyone else of the authenticity of the

Qur’an, we must prove that:
1. It was impossible for Muhammad to manufacture such a book
2. It was equally impossible for any human agency to have created it

The Qur'an is a unique book, the like of which is no man is capable of composing.
Despite being compiled by an illiterate, who had displayed no literary flair until the
age of forty, the unique literary style of the Qur'an, is one that remains absolutely
inimitable. Amongst the existing scriptures, the Qur'an remains apart, for it can
claim to be the only divine text that maintains the very form in which it was first
presented. The moral codes laid down in the Qur'an are applicable for all times and
matchless is the righteousness that they manifest.

It is indeed a wonder, that over a spell of 23 years, under varied circumstances, the
Qur'an verses dealt with subjects that are vast and intense, without any
discrepancy whatsoever. Incomparable and great is the transformation that the
Qur'an engendered. In such a short span, the Qur'an transformed a degraded and
depraved society to a point that attained the highest levels of moral excellence,
making them the models for the future generation of men. It has been proved
beyond doubt that, word for word the prophecies in the Qur'an stem from a
supreme source.

It is a greater wonder that the Qur'an, which was revealed fourteen centuries ago,
at a time when the world was in absolute darkness in the fields of science and
technology, does not contain a single statement that is contradictory to modern
scientific knowledge.

For example, the Qur’an makes the statement: And we created the human beings
from a hanging clot that was clinging to the wall of the womb. How did the prophet
Muhammad know that the embryo started out as a clot hanging and clinging to the
wall of the uterus of the mother? Did he have a microscope? Did he have some kind
of X-ray vision? How did he receive this knowledge when this was discovered 50
years ago?

Evidences for Qur’an to be a Divine Scripture can be Summarized as:

1. It, itself, declares that it is a divine Scripture.
2. It shall remain unchanged up to the Last Day.
3. The path of right conduct that it prescribes is faultless.
4. It is practicable.
5. The history that it teaches is faultless and honest.
6. Its literature is incomparable.
7. The prophecies made in it can be seen to have come true.
8. The references in it to the varied phenomena of nature, as representing the signs
of God, are free of controversies.
9. There is no reference, whatsoever, of an unscientific nature in it.
10. It is free of all contradictions.
11. None has been able to take up the challenge it poses when it calls forth all, and
any, to produce an equivalent of at least one of its chapters.
12. The person who was appointed with it in the world was himself of a truthful and
selfless nature.

*Footnote:*
Allah Almighty says: "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from
time to time to Our servant, then produce a Chapter like there unto; And call your
witness or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if you are truthful. But if you
cannot - and of a surety you cannot - then fear the fire whose fuel is men and
stones, which is prepared for those who reject faith” (Qur'an 2:23-24)

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Is there Any Contradiction in Holy Qur'an? What is the Reality of the
'Contradictions' that Critics Allege?*
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✅The Holy Qur'an is the Word of God. There is no contradiction in it. If there was any
man-made sentence in the Qur'an, it would have been very contradictory to the
other parts of the Qur'an. But God Himself has protected His final scripture from
human intervention; and so, it will be preserved until the Last Day. This is the
promise of Almighty Allah: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed,
We will be its guardian.” (Qur'an 15:9)
The verses of the Qur'an were revealed under different circumstances over a period
of twenty-three years. As soon as they were revealed, the scribes of the Prophet
used to write it down (record them). However, the illiterate Prophet did not instruct
the scribes that each verse to be recorded by examining the verses revealed earlier
or by comparing the new verse with them (to check whether the new verses comply
with the previously revealed verses).

If the Quran is a book which contains statements of a human-being in different

circumstances, there would be a lot of contradictions between those references.
Hence, it is clear from the fact that this Qur'an is from the All-knowing (Omniscient)
Creator.

“Do they not consider the Qur'an? If it were from any other than God, they would
have found therein many contradictions.“ (Qur’an 4:82)

The Reality of the 'Contradictions' that Critics Allege:

The ancient scriptures were distorted when there was human intervention; their
contradictions were the inevitability of the said disability. Even when different
people talk about the same thing, it is natural for them to have contradictions. Such
contradictions are found in the Bible and other scriptures. Those who claim to be
the owners of such scriptures, which are full of contradictions, have come up with
the argument that there are contradictions in the Holy Qur'an in order to hide the
contradictions in their scriptures and divert attention of people from them.

When it is said that there is no contradiction in the Qur'an, it does not mean that
there are no diversities in it. Diversity and contradiction are not one in the same;
they are completely different. Critics have argued that there are contradictions in
the Qur'an by misrepresenting the diversities as contradictions.

For example, genealogical contradictions are an important contradiction in the

Bible's New Testament. There are many contradictions between the genealogies of
Jesus recorded by Matthew (1:6-16) and Luke (3:23-31). The contradiction is
because Matthew sought to place Jesus in the line of Solomon the son of David and
Luke tried to place in the line of Nathan the son of David. According to the
genealogy of Matthew, there are 28 people from David to Jesus, but according to
the genealogy given by Luke, there are 43 people.

The contradictions start from the question of who is the father of Joseph, who is
known as the father of Jesus. Matthew says that it is James (Jacob) and Luke says
that it is Heli. This is a clear contradiction because one must have only one father.
But what if Matthew and Luke mentioned the name of Joseph's brother? Suppose
Matthew says that Joseph's brother is James, and Luke says that Joseph's brother is
Heli. It would not be fair to allege a contradiction between these references.
It is natural for a person to have two brothers. It is possible that Matthew was
referring to Joseph's brother James and Luke referring to another brother Heli. This
is an example of the diversity that can occur in two references. It is important to
understand the fact that such diversities are not contradictory.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Is Qur'an Scientific & Rational?*
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✅Let us see a passage from Holy Quran: “Your God is one God. There is no God but
He. He is the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful. Indeed, in the creation of the
heavens and the earth; in the alternation of night and day; in the ships that sail the
ocean with cargoes beneficial; in the water, Allah sends down from the clouds and
with which He revives the dead earth and with which He dispersed over it all kinds
of animals; in the movement of winds and in the clouds that are driven between the
earth and the sky surely are signs for men of understanding” (Quran 2:163-164)

It is generally believed in our religious circles that the teachings and directives of
Islam only appeal to our emotions and sentiments; they do not address our intellect
and as such they have to be accepted and obeyed without being inquisitive about
the logic and philosophy behind them.

This view seems to contradict the Qur’an. The Qur’an explicitly states that the
Islamic beliefs and directives have sound reasons behind their inception and that
they conform to the highest possible standard of rationality. Consequently,
whenever the Qur’an urges man to accept certain dogmas, it cites arguments to
substantiate its claims. It warns those who evade and ignore its calls to use their
faculty of reasoning instead of being a slave to emotions like hate and prejudice.

In fact, a little deliberation shows that it wants us to obey certain religious

commandments just because the Almighty has blessed us with the faculty of
reasoning. Thus, a perfectly healthy person who is insane has been relieved from all
religious responsibilities by Islam. In spite of being fit and healthy in all other
respects, he has not been asked to say his prayer or fast, nor is he liable for
punishment for any crime which he commits.

An important point which must be understood in this regard is that we are required
to accept certain realities without observing them because their existence can
logically be deduced. For example, we are not able to see God; the Day of
Judgement too is yet concealed from our eyes, nor have we witnessed Gabriel
revealing the Divine Message to the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. Yet, we believe in all these
because present in the Qur’an, in our own intuition and in every phenomenon of
nature are signs which testify that these realities are rationally proven facts.

It is highly irrational on the part of man to demand a visual display of realities which
though, unseen can be understood rationally. It is his misfortune that on the one
hand when he delves deep in the domains of science he accepts certain realities
which cannot be observed but the existence of which can be proven by other
means, and on the other hand he adopts a completely different attitude when he
comes across certain metaphysical realities of life.

In other words, some realities upon which the Qur’an asks us to believe are
certainly beyond the perception of senses but not beyond the perception of reason.
Just as footsteps on sand testify beyond doubt that someone has gone past, likewise
writ large on every created matter of this universe is that someone else also has
just gone past and left an indelible expression of his own existence.

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Scientific Facts in the Quran?*
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✅A mobile phone is clearly something that was put together in an organized way, so
it would be rational to believe that it must have an organizer. In the same way,
when we see the order in the universe around us, isn’t it rational to say that the
universe has an organizer?

“We shall show them our signs in the universe and within themselves, until it
becomes clear to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your lord is the
witness of all things?” (Quran 41:53)

The below are some of the scientific facts found in the Quran. It is important to note
that the Quran is not a book of science, but that it is consistent with science.

*Embryology:*
“We created man from an extract of clay. Then We made him as a drop in a place of
settlement, firmly fixed. Then We made the drop into an alaqah (leech, suspended
thing, and blood clot), then We made the alaqah into a mudghah (chewed
substance)…” (Quran 23:12-14)

One of the world’s most prominent scientists in the fields of anatomy and
embryology, Professor Emeritus Keith L. Moore said: “It is clear to me that these
statements must have come to Muhammad from God, because almost all of this
knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later”.

*Sky’s Protection:*
The sky protects the earth from the lethal rays of the sun. If the sky did not exist,
then the sun’s radiation would have killed off all life on earth. It also acts like a
blanket wrapped around the earth, to protect it from the freezing cold of space.

“We made the sky a protective ceiling. And yet they are turning away from Our
signs!” (Quran 21:32)

Seas and Oceans:

Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas meet,
there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea
has its own temperature, salinity, and density [Principles of Oceanography, Davis,
pp. 92-93]

“He has set free the two seas meeting together. There is a barrier between them.
They do not transgress” (Quran 55:19-20)
*Sun’s Orbit:*
The belief that the Sun is stationary was widespread amongst astronomers until the
20th century. It is now a well-established scientific fact that the Sun is not
stationary but is moving in an orbit.

“It is He who created night and day, the sun and the moon, each floating in its
orbit” [Quran 21:33]

Moon is Reflected Light:

It was believed by earlier civilizations that the moon emanates its own light. Science
now tells us that the light of the moon is reflected light.

“Blessed is He Who made Constellations in the skies, and placed therein a Lamp
and a Moon giving (reflected) light” (Quran 25:61)

*Mountains:*
A book titled ‘Earth’ by Geophysicist Frank Press explains that mountains are like
stakes and are buried deep under the surface of the earth. Mount Everest, the
height of which is 9 km above ground, has a root deeper than 125 km.

“Did we not make the earth a resting place? and the mountains as stakes?” [Quran
78:6-7]

*Universe Expanding:*
The fact that the universe is expanding was discovered in the last century.

“And it is We who have built the universe with [Our creative] power and keep
expanding it” [Quran 51:47]

Skin Pain Receptors:

For a long time, it was thought that the sense of feeling and pain was dependent on
the brain. However, it has been discovered that there are pain receptors present in
the skin. Without these pain receptors, a person would not be able to feel pain.

“We shall send those who reject our revelations to the (hell) fire. When their skins
have been burned away, We shall replace them with new ones so that they may
continue to feel the pain: God is almighty, all-wise” (Quran 4:56)

🎥Please Watch this Video for More Details👇(⏱14:34mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Can it Be Said that the Qur’an is a Practicable Book in All Respects?*
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✅Yes. The Qur’an is, indeed, a book that is practicable in all respects. In fact, there
is but one, and only one, book that exists today which fulfills the goal of divine
scripture, namely, to unite all mankind by guiding it along the path of truth and
morality. That is the Qur’an.

The moral laws which it propounds are completely practicable. The fact remains,
therefore, that it is the Qur’an alone which provides for the formulation of a social
code that is based on ethics and morality.

What is the Evidence in Favor of the Qur’an being a Practicable Book?

The greatest proof for the Qur’an being a practicable book is the very revolution
that has been wrought by it. If we examine the condition of Arabia before and after
the revelation of the Qur’an, we will be convinced of the practicable nature of the
Qur’an.

It was a society which was steeped in the darkness of blind superstitions; which was
enslaved to the addiction to wine and intoxicants; which showed not the least
hesitation in the spilling of blood over senseless conflicts to assert tribal superiority;
which was nowhere in the matter of knowledge and learning; which lacked
cohesiveness as a political and military bloc. This was the state of Arabia before the
revelation of the Qur’an.

When we look upon the Arabia after the revelation of the Qur’an, however, it is the
picture of the standard bearers of a civilization that challenged, in its greatness, all
the other civilizations of the day, which we witness. Indeed, they had attained such
prominence as to stand higher that the Greeks who were the masters of the day in
the fields of science and arts. Alexandria was soon replaced by Baghdad as the
greatest center of learning and culture.
Furthermore, they now caused to tremble even the empires of Rome and Persia
both of which had enjoyed the legacy of political leadership that were centuries old.
The Arabs, who engaged in unjustifiable tribal warfare and the wanton spilling of
blood, had now emerged as the flag bearers of unity and cohesiveness.

Not having known what morality and immorality were, they now became the chief
propagators of a moral code. The Holy Qur’an had truly succeeded in remolding
Arabian society into one which would prove to be a model for the whole world; and
that too within the span of only 23 years.

In fact, there has not been another book that equals it in so transforming a whole
race. In reality, none of the critics of the Qur’an has been able to prove the non-
practicability of any of the laws enshrined in it, in a truthful manner.

*How can it be Claimed that the Penal Laws of the Qur’an are Practicable?*
Indeed, the ultimate goal of all penal laws is the making of social life as peaceful as
possible by a constant striving, not so much, for merely punishing those guilty of
crime as for the elimination of crime itself. The Quran’s specialty lies in its
prescription of exactly such a set of penal laws which serves to attain this objective.

Any penal law can be said to be practicable if it exhibits the following qualities:
1. It becomes a retribution for the crime committed.
2. It prevents crime.
3. It serves to create a sense of dread in criminals.
4. It serves to assuage the feelings of the victims who have undergone privations.
5. It seeks to refine and transform the criminal.
6. It provides for the compensation of those who suffered losses due to the crime.
7. It seeks to make the criminal repent his deed.
8. It seeks to protect the society from crime and disorder.

All of these qualitative functions may be seen to be fulfilled by any of the penal laws
in Islam. It can thus be said without a shadow of doubt, that they are, indeed,
practicable.

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What Does the Qur’an Say About the Scriptures that Preceded It?*
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✅The Qur’an recognizes all the scriptures that had been revealed before its own
time. However, the Qur’an does not, in an explicit fashion, state the total number of
all such revealed scriptures. There is only the mention of the names of four other
scriptures in the Qur’an. These include the Taurat which was revealed to the
Prophet Moses (a), the Zaboor which was revealed to the Prophet Dawood (a) the
Injeel which was revealed to the Prophet Jesus (a) and the Qur’an itself which was
revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬. The Qur’an further highlights the fact that
besides these four scriptures, other edicts, too, were revealed by the Lord Creator.

“Say: We believe in Allah and what is revealed to us and what was revealed to
Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and what was entrusted to Moses
and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord” (Quran 3:136). “And this is in the Books
of the earliest (Revelations), The Books of Abraham and Moses” (Quran 87:18-19).

All humans are accountable for their chosen faith and actions and will be called to
account on the Day of Judgment accordingly. God’s infinite knowledge and will
prevail over everything in this universe.

He is the creator of time and that which exists within it. Thus, He is not part of time
or governed by it. God sent prophets to mankind to guide us to all that is good for
us in this life and in the Hereafter and warn us of a punishment for spreading
corruption and injustice.

Muslims believe that God sent Prophets (peace be upon them) to all people,
beginning with Adam and including Prophets like Noah, Salih, Abraham, Ishmael,
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Hud, Moses, David, Dhul-kifl, Jesus, Muhammad, and thousands
of others (peace be upon them).

We say ‘thousands of others’ because God revealed in the Qur’an that He sent a
guide to all peoples and generations throughout history with only 25 being
mentioned in the Qur’an.

The Qur’an attests the truth of all the previous scriptures: “It is He Who sent down
to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He
sent down the Torah (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)” (Quran 3:3)

It is the compulsory duty of the Muslim to believe in all the scriptures that were
revealed by Allah. Indeed, the Qur’an views the disbelief in the divine nature of any
of the previous scriptures as a gross perversion. “O ye who believe! Believe in Allah
and His Messenger, and the scripture which He hath sent to His Messenger and the
Scripture which He sent to those before (him). Any who denied Allah, His angels, His
Books, His Messengers, and the Day of Judgment, hath gone far, far astray” (Quran
4:136)

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Does Islam Agree the Hindu & Christian Scriptures Existing Today?*
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✅Messengers have been sent to all communities among mankind. The Qur’an makes
it so explicitly clear as to leave behind not a shadow of a doubt, that “there has not
gone by a single nation wherein a warner was not sent” (Quran 35:24)

Further, some among those messengers must have been the recipients of scriptures
also. It is not for the Muslim to take any of these messengers or their scriptures
lightly or with indifference. For the Qur’an has sternly warned against showing
partiality with respect to the messengers (4:150)

However, Islam does not recognize that the Christian and Hindu scriptures existing
today are completely divine. Even many of the believers of these scriptures do not
have such a faith.

*Christian Scriptures:*
Torah is the scripture that was given to Moses (a). Similarly, Zaboor and Injeel are
the scriptures that were given to David (a) and Jesus (a). The Qur'an introduces
these as the scriptures that God has revealed to the prophets.
"Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light"(Qur'an 5:44).
"And, We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that
which preceded it of the Torah" (Qur'an 5:46).

But this is not the case with existing Bible books today. They were written decades
after the lifetime of the prophets. Moreover, even the Jews and Christians agree that
those books were written neither by the prophets nor even under their supervision.

The traditional Jewish faith is that Moses wrote the Torah; not that God revealed it.
Since Moses' death and posthumous events are described in the Torah
(Deuteronomy 34:5-10), we can understand that it is not even written by Moses.

The Gospel in the New Testament was written at least five decades after Jesus. The
Gospels give different and contrary images about the life and message of Jesus.
Therefore, it is clear that these are not the scriptures that were revealed to Jesus.

*Hindu Scriptures:*
As an ancient land in which had thrived a civilization and culture, India, too, must
have had been the destination of the messengers.

But can it be said that any of the existing books on the Shruthi (the Vedic
compilations, Brahmanas, Aaranyas, Upanishads) has been revealed to the
messengers by the Lord Creator? It is believed that these have been referred to as
Shruthi because they had been heard of from God Himself.

The concept of Shruthi makes it clear that it was also the belief of the Hindus that
mankind does, indeed, receive messengers from God. Even though all the above-
mentioned books are all Shruthis in themselves, the question as to which amongst
them forms the more authoritative text is one over which there is much difference
of opinion.

While Dayanand Saraswathi, the founder of the Aarya Samaaj, accorded the
authoritative status to four Vedas, others like Swami Vivekananda gave prime
importance to the Upanishad. There were also scholars of Hinduism who opined that
even the most authentic of the Books of Shruthi can be prone to error.

The stand of Dr. Radhakrishnan that “the Vedas are neither infallible nor all-
encompassing” (Indian Religions, Page 22) and of Swami Vivekananda that “…all
portions of the Vedas are acceptable to me. However, some portions of the Vedas
are, at first sight, self-contradictory” (Vivekananda Sahitya Sarwaswam vol. 4, Issue
55) proves that the Vedas are not completely divine.

Generally speaking, the Shruthi comprises of books which present the actual and
existing beliefs and practices that once prevailed in India. However, vague signs if
messages received by the Prophets who were sent to India can be seen in them. But
the claim that these are completely divine is, however, without foundation.

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Did the Glorious Qur’an Preserve as It was Revealed from God?*
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✅The Qur'an is the final sacred scripture presented through the Last Prophet of
Islam. It contains nothing but the words of God. It is the scripture that can guide all
mankind till the last day. For the same reason, the very God who presented it,
promised mankind that the Qur'an will be protected and preserved to the last
without any alteration or interpolation. The Qur'an is the only religious text that is
free from any human tampering. It is at the same time a text that can guide men of
all times through the right path and is also irrefutable evidence for the prophethood
of Muhammed (‫)ﷺ‬.

The Holy Qur'an contains God's message to mankind, as revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬through the angel Gabriel (Jibril) more than 1400 years ago. The
revelations continued over a period of about 23 years.

Initially, the revelations were not compiled into a single manuscript. As Muhammad(
‫ )ﷺ‬received the revelations, the verses were both memorized by early Muslims and
recorded by scribes. After the final revelation, the Angel Gabriel guided Muhammad
in ordering the verses and chapters, and the Qur’an was then memorized in that
order.

Allah has guaranteed to preserve the Quran, and He says: “Verily, We, it is We Who
have sent down the Quran and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)” (Qur’an
15:9)
Every letter of it was transmitted by thousands from thousands down throughout
history, and not one letter of it was altered. If any person tried to alter anything in
it, or add something or take something away, then he would be exposed straight
away, because Allah is the One Who has guaranteed to preserve the Quran; unlike
the case with other divinely revealed Books which Allah revealed to the people of a
particular Prophet only, and not to all of mankind. So, He did not guarantee to
preserve them, rather He delegated their preservation to the followers of the
Prophets. But they did not preserve them; rather they introduced alterations and
changes which distorted most of the meanings.

The Quran, on the other hand, was revealed by Allah to all of mankind until the end
of time, because the Message of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is the final message, so the Quran
is preserved in men’s hearts and in written form, as is proven by the events of
history.

Whenever a verse of the Glorious Qur’an was revealed, the Prophet Muhammad
memorized it and conveyed the message to his companions who would also
memorize it by heart and several of them were entrusted with the job of writing it.

It is the firm and undisputed belief of all Muslims that the Glorious Qur’an we read
today is the Word of Allah, in letter and meaning. Unlike every other religious
scripture in the world, the Qur’an is one which has remained unchanged, in its
original language, without the revision of a single word since the time of the Prophet
Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. This is the realization of the promise made by Allah in the Glorious
Qur’an in 15:9.

And throughout the centuries, the method of preservation has been twofold:
memorization and writing. A recent estimate of the number of Muslims worldwide
who have committed the Glorious Qur’an to memory is 10 million! (ICNA pamphlet,
circa, 2002)

In brief, whenever a verse of the Glorious Qur’an was revealed, the Prophet
Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬would be divinely caused to memorize it. He would then convey the
message to his companions, many of whom would also memorize it by heart
instantly and several of whom were entrusted with the job of committing it to
writing. Thus, from the earliest time there was a continuous tradition among the
Muslims of committing the Glorious Qur’an to memory and propagating it through
authenticated written manuscripts.

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Are there Different Versions of Holy Quran?*
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✅Are there any difference between the Qur'ans recited in different parts of the
world? Did this difference come about because early arabic language which was
taught by the Prophet Muhammad did not have vowels?

The difference between the verses of the Qur'an has not been researched by
atheists or anti-Islamists. There are many books in the Muslim world that describe
the different styles and recitations of Holy Quran. Scholars do not teach it to
everyone because the common man does not need to know the different styles. The
enemies of Islam discuss the difference in recitations in order to cast doubt on the
integrity of the Qur'an by taking advantage of the ignorance of the common people.

Revelation of the Qur’an in Seven Styles:

The Qur’an was revealed in one style at the beginning, but the Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) kept asking Jibreel until he taught him seven styles, all of which were
complete. The evidence for that is the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbas who narrated that the
Prophet (PBUH) said: “Jibreel taught me one style and I reviewed it until he taught
me more, and I kept asking him for more and he gave me more until finally there
were seven styles.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3047; Muslim, 819)

The best of the scholarly opinions concerning what is meant by style (Harf) is that
there are seven ways of reciting the Qur’an, where the wording may differ but the
meaning is the same; if there is a different meaning then it is by way of variations
on a theme, not opposing and contradiction.

Some of the scholars said that what was meant by style (Harf) was the dialects of
the Arabs, but this is far-fetched, because of the hadeeth of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab
who said: “I heard Hisham ibn Hakeem reciting Chapter al-Furqaan in a manner
different from that in which I used to recite it and the way in which the Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) taught me to recite it. I was about to argue with him whilst he was
praying, but I waited until he finished his prayer, and then I tied his garment around
his neck and seized him by it and brought him to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and
said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I heard this man reciting Chapter al-Furqaan in a way
different to the way you taught it to me.’ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to
him, ‘Recite it,’ and he recited it as I had heard him recite it. The Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) said, ‘It was revealed like this.’ Then he said to me, ‘Recite it,’ so I recited it
and he said, ‘It was revealed like this.’ This Qur'an has been revealed in seven
different ways, so recite it in the way that is easiest for you.’” (Narrated by al-
Bukhaari, 2287; Muslim, 818).

It is known that Hisham was Asadi Qurashi (i.e., from the clan of Bani Asad in
Quraysh) and Umar was Adawi Qurashi (i.e., from the clan of Bani Adiyy in
Quraysh). Both of them were from Quraysh and Quraysh had only one dialect. If the
difference in harf (styles) had been a difference in dialects, why would two men of
Quraysh have been different?

The scholars mentioned nearly forty different opinions concerning this matter!
Perhaps the most correct is that which we have mentioned above.

It seems that the seven styles were revealed with different wordings, as indicated
by the hadeeth of Umar, because Umar’s objection was to the style, not the
meaning. The differences between these styles are not the matter of contradiction
and opposition, rather they are synonymous.

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*🌹Understand Islam 8️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Is it Not True that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has Copied the Qur’an from the
Bible?*
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✅Many critics allege that Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬himself was not the author of the
Qur’an but he learnt it and/or plagiarized (copied or adapted) it from other human
sources or from previous scriptures or revelations. Let us analyze some of the
allegations:
*1. Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Learnt the Qur’an from a Roman Blacksmith Who was a
Christian:*
Some Pagans accused the Prophet of learning the Qur’an from a Roman Blacksmith,
who was a Christian staying at the outskirts of Makkah. The Prophet very often used
to go and watch him do his work. A revelation of the Qur’an was sufficient to dismiss
this charge – the Qur’an says: “We know indeed that they say, ‘It is a man that
teaches him,’ The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this
is Arabic, pure and clear.” [Qur’an 16:103]

How could a person whose mother tongue was foreign and could hardly speak little
but of poor broken Arabic be the source of the Qur’an, which is pure, eloquent, fine
Arabic?

2. Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Learnt from Waraqa – The Relative of Khadijah (RA):

Muhammad’s (‫ )ﷺ‬contacts with the Jewish and Christian Scholars were very limited.
The most prominent Christian known to him was an old blind man called Waraqa
ibn-Naufal who was a relative of the Prophet’s first wife Khadijah (RA). Although of
Arab descent, he was a convert to Christianity and was very well versed with the
New Testament.

The Prophet only met him twice, first when Waraqa was worshipping at the Kaaba
(before the Prophetic Mission) and he kissed the Prophet’s forehead affectionately;
the second occasion was when the Prophet went to meet Waraqa after receiving the
first revelation. Waraqa died three years later and the revelation continued for
about 23 years. It is ridiculous to assume that Waraqa was the source of the
contents of the Qur’an.

3. Prophet’s Religious Discussions with Jews and Christians:

It is true that the Prophet did have religious discussions with the Jews and
Christians, but they took place in Madinah more than 13 years after the revelation
of the Qur’an had started. The allegation that these Jews and Christians were the
source is perverse, since in these discussions Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was
performing the roles of a teacher and of a preacher while inviting them to embrace
Islam and pointing out that they had deviated from their true teachings of
Monotheism. Several of these Jews and Christians later embraced Islam.

*Logical Grounds to Prove that Prophet Didn’t Learn the Qur’an from Jews or
Christians:*
The day-to-day life of the Prophet was an open book for all to see. The extremely
prominent Quraish nobles who followed the Prophet and accepted Islam were wise
and intelligent men who would have easily noticed anything suspicious about the
way in which the Prophet brought the revelations to them.
The enemies of the Prophet kept a close watch on him in order to find proof for their
claim that he was a liar – they could not point out even a single instance when the
Prophet may have had a secret rendezvous with Jews and Christians.

It is inconceivable that any human author of the Qur’an would have accepted a
situation in which he received no credit whatsoever for originating the Qur’an.

The theory that Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬authored the Qur’an or copied from other sources
can be disproved by the single historical fact that he was illiterate.

Thus, historically, and logically it cannot be established that there was a human
source for the Qur’an.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What is Hadith? What is the Importance of Hadith in Islam?*
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✅The two fundamental sources of Islam are the Qur’an (the word of God) and the
Hadith/Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). By Sunnah, we mean the actions, sayings,
and silent permissions (or disapprovals) of the Prophet.

Here, we are concerned with Sunnah in the sense of the recorded sayings (Hadiths)
of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this sense, Hadith is considered to be second to
the Qur’an. It is impossible to understand the Qur’an without reference to the
Hadith; and it is impossible to explain a hadith without relating it to the Qur’an.

The Qur’an is the message, while the Hadith is the verbal translation of the
message into pragmatic terms, as exemplified by the Prophet. While the Qur’an is
the metaphysical basis of the Sunnah, the Sunnah is the practical demonstration of
the precepts laid down in the Qur’an.
The duty of the Messenger was not just to communicate the message, rather, he
was entrusted with the most important task of explaining and illustrating that
message. That is the reason why Allah Himself has commanded the following: “Say:
Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (the Prophet) is only
responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allah’s Message) and you for
that placed on you” (Quran 24:54)

This verse clearly tells us the overriding importance of Hadith to Muslims. They
should be eager to learn and follow the teachings of the Prophet as expressed in
Hadith. If we are negligent in this respect, it is we who have to answer before Allah.

Speaking of the importance of Hadith, we need to take into consideration two broad
aspects of the subject. We know that Allah Almighty revealed the Qur’an to His
chosen Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). So, it is through the Prophet we come to hear
the word of Allah; and it is the Prophet himself who can properly explain and
demonstrate the precepts in the Qur’an.

Without the required explanations and illustrations given by the Prophet, the Qur’an
may be misunderstood and misinterpreted by people. So, the Prophet took care to
explain and demonstrate to his companions how the Qur’anic verses must be read
and understood. That is to say, the importance of Hadith is linked to the importance
of the Qur’an.

For example, the details of how to perform salah (ritual prayer), for instance, were
given by the Prophet through his words and action, and not by the Qur’an. This
means that we would not know how to pray, fast, pay zakat, or perform Hajj without
the examples given by the Prophet as recorded in the Hadith. Indeed, all necessary
details are given in the Hadith, not in the Qur’an.

The revelation of each of the verses of the Qur’an took place at some critical
junctures in the life of the Prophet. Of course, there are verses of universal
application and significance, irrespective of the context in which those verses were
revealed. But there are other verses that can be understood or interpreted only in
the light of the actual context in the life of the Prophet, which called for that
revelation. There are many examples, which also clearly proves us why we need to
refer to the life and example of the Prophet to understand the context, as well as
the meaning of verses.

In the Qur’an, Allah Almighty commands us not only to obey the Messenger, but
also to abide by his decisions. (Quran 4:65)
And surely, we find such decisions only in the Hadith. The Qur’an also orders the
faithful to emulate the role model of the Messenger and reckons it to be the only
way to gain the pleasure of Allah.

It is therefore obligatory that we look up to the Prophet’s morals and exemplary

character and carry them out in our lives. We can never do so without studying
Hadith.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What are the Obligatory Acts of Worship in Islam?*
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✅In Islam, the term "worship" covers any action that one does in accordance with
the will of Allah. It can be mental, physical, spoken, or otherwise. All such actions
will be rewarded. There are five acts of worship that are so fundamental that the
Prophet grouped them together as the five pillars of Islam. Every Muslim is
expected to fulfil these obligations. They are:

1. The Declaration of Monotheism:

Recognizing and acknowledging the monotheistic nature of Allah stands at the core
of Islam. This consists of a public affirmation that "there is no god but Allah (God),
and Muhammad is His Messenger." It is after taking this pledge that one becomes a
Muslim.

The person who chants this pledge vows that he will offer worship to the One and
Only creator and no one else, and that he will lead his life, following the practice
and example of Prophet Muhammed ( ‫)ﷺ‬.

2. Daily Prayers (Salat):

A Muslim must perform the five daily prayers. These must be performed at specific
times, corresponding roughly with dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and nightfall. The
Salaat is to be performed after doing ritual ablutions which symbolizes purification
of body and soul. The prayers can be made in any clean place, but it is preferable to
pray them with others in a mosque, for this communal undertaking acts as a
reminder that all Muslims are equal.

When many people are praying together, it becomes clear that color, economic
status, social position, and all other artificial distinctions have no importance to
Allah, for all Muslims are commanded to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, and
prostrate themselves before Him. Prayers also elevated the individual to a higher
level of morality, purifies his heart, and helps him to resist his desire to engage in
forbidden activities.

3. Fasting the Month of Ramadan:

“Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to
mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong).
So, every one of you who is present during that month should spent it in fasting"
(Qur'an 2:185)

Every year during the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and
sexual activity from dawn to sunset. Ramadhan, the month in which the Qur'an was
first revealed, is the stipulated month for fasting. The believer who observes fasting
for a month will be able to elevate his self above all temptations of a physical
nature.

4. Charity (Zakat):

"Of their wealth take alms, that so thou mightiest purify and sanctify them; and
invoke Allah for them. Verily! Your invocations are a source of security for them,
and Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower" (Qur'an 9:103). The literal meaning of Zakat is
'to purify'.

Every Muslim whose net annual savings are above a certain specified minimum,
must pay an annual amount of 2.5% to the poor and needy. This action purifies
one's accrued wealth, fosters the quality of sacrifice, and rids him of selfishness and
greed. It also helps to reduce resentment and envy between a society's poor and
rich classes.

5. Hajj Pilgrimage to Makkah:

Hajj is an act of worship that is to be performed at least once in a lifetime, provided
that one is physically and financially able to do so. People of different nationalities,
languages, and colors gather in millions at Makkah during the month of Hajj.

The concept of one humanity upheld by Islam is explicit during Hajj pilgrimage when
the pilgrims have the same thought, carry the same prayer on their lips, and are
uniformly dressed. A single humanity, where there is no discrimination between
master or laborer, black or white, elite or lowly, native or foreigner, is symbolized by
the multitude of humanity that assemble for this holy pilgrimage.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Why do Muslims Perform Daily Prayers (Namaz)?*
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✅One of the most distinctive aspects of Muslim life is the emphasis on daily ritual
prayer. Ritual prayer, called salat, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; every Muslim
after reaching adolescence is required to perform five daily prayers. Almighty Allah
says in Holy Quran: “You shall glorify and praise your Lord and be with the
prostrators, and worship your Lord until you attain certainty.” (Qur’an, 15:98).

The prayers punctuate the whole day: the first prayer takes place before sunrise,
followed by a prayer at midday; the third is at mid-afternoon, another after sunset,
and the final prayer when the sky grows dark. The salat provides a regular
interruption of the day’s activities in order to focus the mind and heart on the first
priority of life, service to God.

Muslims prepare for prayer by performing ritual ablutions, called wudu. It is a

complete ritual washing that prepares the worshipper physically for the prayer.
Facing the qiblah, the direction of Makkah, worshippers stand to begin the prayer.
While the salat begins with extolling the transcendence of God, it ends with sending
royal praises to God, as if worshippers have entered into His presence.

The worshipper formally exits from salat by proclaiming peace on both the right and
left sides while in the sitting position. The entire cycle of prayer-its pronouncements
and postures-is a concrete expression of the Muslim’s submission, inner and outer,
to the service, adoration, and path of God. Salat is performed according to the
practice of Prophet Muhammad, who, according to tradition, was taught by the
angel Gabriel.

Prayer is a social ritual. It is to be organized in the Masjid in congregation. For those

who are unable to attend in Masjid, can pray at home, at workplace, or on the way
wherever they are.

What does Ritual Prayer Mean in Islam?

Daily prayers remind us to be faithful to Almighty Allah and provide opportunities
for us to seek His forgiveness and guidance. By performing this ritual prayer five
times a day, Muslims remember their Lord, express their love and respect for Him
and invoke and strive to express their gratitude towards Him. The notion is that this
activity brings the individual face to face with God and since it is both done in
congregation and individually it also emphasizes group solidarity as well as being in
the presence of God.

Prayer also contributes to the connection we feel with our brothers and sisters
across the world, as together, we share in the sacraments that strengthen our faith.
Whereas the salah is a highly structured form of prayer consisting of facing a
distinctive direction, performing specific physical movements and recitations at
certain times of the day, there are other prayers such as invocations, supplications,
etc. that are much more casual and informal.

The Holy Qur'an has especially emphasized that prayer should be performed with
reverence and caution in order to have the intended results: “Have you seen the
one who denies the final Judgment? That is the one who repulses the orphan and
does not encourage the feeding of the poor. So, woe to those hypocrites who pray
yet are unmindful of their prayers; those who only show off, and refuse to give even
the simplest aid.” These verses point out that the true prayer should be based on
contemplation of the Hereafter, equality, brotherhood and benevolence, and that
the prayer which does not lead to these are mere deception.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Message of Ramadan - Why Do Muslims Fast?*
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✅Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar in which the revelation of the
Holy Qur'an began to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ramadan is observed by fasting
from dawn to sunset every day of the lunar month of Ramadan. Muslims abstain
from food, drink, and physical intimacy from dawn until dusk. Simply put, fasting
during Ramadan is one of the five pillars, meaning it is one of the five most basic
acts a Muslim has to do. It is part of Muslim’s fundamental belief system.

Not everyone fasts during this month, as with anything, there are exceptions.
Children, the sick, travelers, nursing mothers, people who are mentally challenged,
the elderly, etc. are all exempt from fasting. Those who are temporarily unable to
fast must make up the missed days after Ramadan or feed the poor.

Although we cannot eat or drink, fasting is so much more than that. Muslims are
called upon to use this month to check their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We
are to make peace with those who have wronged us, reinforce ties with family and
friends, and change our bad practices. We are to clean up our lives, our thoughts,
and our feelings during this month.

This means not only fasting from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts,
and words. Smoking, profanity, lying and other vices also invalidate the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the
person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. We believe that fasting brings us
closer to our spiritual side.

Why Do Muslims Fast?

Why fast the month of Ramadan? The simple answer is that God instructed us to
fast in the Qur'an: "Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was
prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) piety and fear of God" (2:183).
The purpose is to worship God by obedience, and the result, hopefully, is to draw
closer to God.

Fasting is meant to bring worshippers closer to God through steady remembrance,

reflection, and sacrifice. Daily fasting, combined with five daily prayers and
extended evening prayers, challenges worshippers to focus on their actions, deeds,
and thoughts, rather than on material desires and instant gratification.

Fasting is a requirement in Islam - a reset for the mind, body and soul. Muslims are
expected to show self-control and deeper spirituality during Ramadan.
It is also a month of gratitude. By abstaining from food and water during the day,
the faithful are reminded of those less fortunate and gain empathy for those.
Empathy turns to action as the Muslim gives to charities throughout the month (and
beyond) and culminates in the required act of giving the ‘purifying charity’ on
breaking the fast for Eid celebration.

It was in the month of Ramadan that the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the prophet
Muhammad. This is a big part of why Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims.
Ramadan is not about eating and drinking, it is a spiritual quest. It is a time for us to
focus our energy on what is really important. It is a time to better ourselves through
our beliefs.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Concept, Importance & Benefits of Zakat in Islam*
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✅Zakat, the giving of alms (charity) to the needy and poor, is one of the most
important pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for every financially stable adult Muslim to
pay zakat. The importance of zakat in Islam is huge and signified through various
discussion in Quran.

Zakat is an act of worship, as said in the Quran: “And be steadfast in prayer and
regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye
shall find it with Allah” (Qur’an 2:110)

What Does Zakat Mean in Islam?

According to Islam, Zakat is paid to purify the wealth one holds. The adult Muslims
who have a specific amount of wealth (savings; after certain living costs and
expenses) have to give a small amount i.e. 2.5% of their wealth (percentage can
change depends on the wealth category) to the needy and poor. The wealth owned
by an individual is referred to as ‘Nisaab’, a threshold at which zakat becomes
payable.

Zakat, according to Islam, is not a voluntary act but an obligation. It is the duty of
every Muslim to serve the needy and deprived community in any possible way.
Muslims pay zakat every year to purify the wealth and to seek blessing from Allah.
And the benefits of zakat given are surely a reward from Allah.

“(Alms are) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah– they cannot go about
in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining
(from begging); you can recognize them by their mark; they do not beg from men
importunately; and whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah knows it.” (Quran
2:273)

Importance & Benefits of Zakat in Islam

Islam believes that being a providing source to the needy and charitable are
important features of a Muslim character. And since zakat is not declared as a
voluntary charity, rather an obligation, therefore by giving zakat a Muslim
acknowledges that everything owned by us is Allah’s belonging and should be used
in remembering Allah. It is also an act of providing that free us from greed and
excessive desires.

Besides the fact that zakat is an obligation and an act of worship, the benefits of
zakat include an immense blessing of Allah. Some points are listed below to further
highlight the importance of zakat in Islam:

A Help for the Community at Larger Scale – The most significant benefit of Zakat
that signifies its importance as well is that it helps in creating a society. If the
wealth earned and saved by an individual was kept and spent on their self, then the
less privileged would remain poor. Zakat teaches Muslims to share and support
each other.

Circulation of Money – Zakat helps money circulate in the entire economy. With the
help of zakat, money gets out from the affording and wealthy and reaches the
underprivileged.

Act of Sacrifice – In the current time, wealth and luxuries have become an important
aspect of everyone’s living. To remove this greed, zakat makes it a compulsion for
the wealthy ones to share and sacrifice his possessions in the path of Allah.

Who are Eligible for Zakat?

Zakat is permissible only to specific beneficiaries and projects. Qur’an 9:60
mentions eight groups of people to whom zakat can be paid:
1. The poor
2. The needy
3. Zakat collector
4. Poor and needy who recently converted to Islam
5. Slaves- Zakat can be used to purchase their freedom
6. A stranded traveler in need of financial assistance
7. Debtors
8. Those who are away from home in the path of Allah

*Zakat vs Sadaqa*
Islam categorizes charity in two major types: Zakat (obligatory charity) and Sadaqa
(voluntary charity). The importance of zakat in Islam is more highlighted as it is a
form of worship, while Sadaqa can be given to anyone and is of various types.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Why Do Muslims Perform Hajj?*
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✅Hajj is, in fact, one of the five central pillars of Islam. It is an obligation upon every
able-bodied and financially capable Muslim, both male and female, to be completed
at least once in a lifetime.

The entire journey takes place over a period of several days in the last month of
Islamic lunar calendar and includes a series of symbolic rites and rituals. Many of
which were in fact initiated by the great Prophet Abraham and then laid out directly
by the Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬himself.

Historical Significance of the Hajj:

Prophet Abraham is perhaps best known for being willing to personally kill his
beloved son when God commanded him to do so. At the last-minute, God stepped in
and told Abraham to sacrifice an animal instead, rewarding Abraham’s unwavering
faith.

In the Judeo-Christian narrative, the son Abraham almost sacrifices is Isaac. In

Islam, however, it’s Abraham’s other son, Ismail (Ishmael), who is almost sacrificed.
Muslims consider both Abraham and Ismail to be prophets of God, and Mohammed’s
ancestry is said to be traced back to Ismail.

There is another event involving Ismail and his mother, Hagar, that looms large in
the hajj: God commanded Abraham, as a test of faith, to take Hagar and the infant
Ismail out to a barren desert area located between the two hills of Safa and Marwah
in Makkah, and leave them there alone with only basic provisions. Eventually the
water ran out, and the increasingly frantic Hagar ran back and forth from hill to hill
seven times searching for water for her parched child. Then a miracle occurred: A
well, later called the Zamzam well, sprang from the ground, saving both of them.

Abraham and Ismail later went on to build the Kaaba, the black cuboid structure in
Makkah that Muslims face when they pray, together, as a place of worship of the
one God. Anyhow, Muslims don’t worship the Kaaba. It is a focusing mechanism, a
central point on the globe toward which all Muslims, in a symbol of unity, direct
their thoughts and prayers to God.

Soon after they built the Kaaba, God commanded Abraham to proclaim a pilgrimage
to the site - in other words, the hajj - to all mankind so that they can come together
in one place to show their devotion to God.

Spiritual Significance of the Hajj:

The overall journey is said to be a purifying process by which a Muslim becomes
closer to God through patience, perseverance, submission, and servitude.

The pilgrimage at times can also be physically enduring and God specifically urges
Muslims in the Quran to exercise patience during the days of Hajj through avoiding
any argumentation and sinful behavior.

Nevertheless, it is also an extremely humbling experience for pilgrims and one of

the biggest life lessons on human equality. In its pure form, Hajj makes no
distinctions between the rich and the poor; all people regardless of their social
status are required to complete the same rituals under the same guidelines under
the same hot sun. This includes all men being limited to two unstitched pieces of
cloth and all pilgrims being prohibited from perfume, intimacy, and many other
luxuries of life.

Hajj is also a long-awaited opportunity for many Muslims to obtain forgiveness for
their lifelong sins and to return back to their homes with a cleansed heart. On the
Day of Arafat, the most important day of the pilgrimage, pilgrims will, in fact, stand
from noon to sunset begging for God’s mercy, forgiveness, and pleasure.

The Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬, in fact, told: “The one who performs Hajj properly, by
abstaining from sexual intimacy, avoiding sin and leaving off argumentation; then
he shall return from Hajj pure and free from sin, just as the day his mother gave
birth to him” (Bukhari)

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What is Shariah Law?*
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✅Recently the word Shariah has become very familiar. Across the globe people are
fond of using it even when they are not familiar with what it actually means.
Sections of the media and hate groups give the impression that Shariah is a set of
draconian laws intent on amputating hands and lopping off heads. This explanation
is far from the truth. ‘Shariah’ is a term that is used to describe Islam as a complete
way of life. Thus, Shariah is a set of laws that provide a clear and straight path to
fulfillment in this life and success in the Hereafter.

The Shariah is made up of commandments, rules and regulations that are designed
by God to protect and benefit all of humankind. It is true that the Shariah does
encompass a penal code and system of law but that is only one aspect of it. It also
provides the framework for a functioning society with specific moral, ethical, social,
and political codes of conduct. The Shariah allows each individual to form an
ongoing relationship with God. Its laws provide the guidance humankind requires so
that good will triumph over evil.

The Shariah covers two main areas, worship, and worldly matters. In both, the
scholars of Islam generally agree that mercy is its overriding principle. God says in
the Quran that Prophet Muhammad was not sent except as a mercy to humankind
(Quran 21:107). Prophet Muhammad reiterated this concept when he told his
followers that "God shows mercy to those who have mercy on others. Show mercy
to those on earth, and the One above the heaven will show mercy to you." [At-
Tirmidhi]

The Shariah is derived from the primary sources of Islam, the Quran, and the
authentic Sunnah (teachings of Prophet Muhammad). The Quran gives us the main
principles while the Sunnah provides the details of their application. For example,
when the Quran tells us to establish the prayer, we must turn to the Sunnah in order
to understand the details of how to pray. The Shariah also includes scholarly
consensus, legal analogy, and interpretive reasoning. This allows the Shariah to
remain relevant in changing social and cultural circumstances.

Family law is one of the worldly matters in the Shariah and it includes marriage,
matters pertaining to children and inheritance. Common law covers buying and
selling, contracts and other financial matters. The penal code or criminal law
includes robbery, murder, adultery, rape and slander.

It is almost universally accepted that there are five objectives or goals with which
the Shariah preserves basic human rights. These rights are faith, life, family,
intellect, and wealth.

The Shariah is a straight way and a set of God-given guidelines that when followed
correctly will assure that every believer attains the ultimate success, a blissful life in
the Hereafter. God said of the Shariah, "Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on a
straight way concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the
inclinations of those who do not know." (Quran 45:18).

Thus, we find that the Shariah is all about justice, mercy, wisdom, and
righteousness. Any opinion or Islamic ruling that replaces justice with injustice,
mercy with its opposite, good with mischief, or wisdom with nonsense, is an opinion
that is not Shariah, even if it is claimed to be so. [Ibn Al-Qayyim]

In the last few years, it seems that anybody who is literate can claim to be qualified
to make Islamic rulings. Because of this, it is important to remember that the
Shariah is defined by the moral purposes and the ethical principles set in the Quran
and the authentic Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Any interpretations that defy
those doctrines are wrong and not from Islam.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣7️⃣*
*❓What is the Relation Between God and Human?*
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✅1- God created man and established him as His vicegerent on earth and made the
universe with its heavens and earth and all that lies between them subservient to
him and instructed him to populate and subdue the earth. This indicates that God
intended that man should be the master in this universe, but at the same time he
should not forget that God created him. In this sense only, he is a slave to God, his
Creator whom he is expected to serve as one who worship Him and not as a servile
or abject slave.

Although the relationship between God and man is that of servitude and submission
to God’s will, it is not to be of subjugation or humiliation. On the contrary, it is of
trust and respect. Allah the Almighty sheds light on the special and intimate
relationship between Him and man amongst the other creations in the verses of
Holy Quran 2:30-34.

God Almighty gave man the freedom of choice between obeying Him or disobeying
Him, between believing in Him or rejecting His Faith and this is stated in the
following Qur'anic verse: “let those who wish to believe in it do so, and let those
who wish to reject it do so” (Quran 18:29). Freedom of choice is the opposite of
slavery. Man has always been granted the right and freedom of choosing his way in
life and is consequently responsible for his actions: “Whoever does good, it is to
their own benefit. And whoever does evil, it is to their own loss. Then to your Lord
you will all be returned.” (Quran 45:15).

2- God has honored man and preferred him to many of His creatures as is stated in:
“We have honored the children of Adam” (Quran 17:70). This honor with which God
has blessed man is the exact opposite of servility, and when God created man and
breathed into him a spark of His spirit, he ordered the angels to prostate
themselves before him: “When I have fashioned him and breathed My spirit into
him, bow down before him” (Quran 15:29).

In this process of divine spiritual animation lies the close relation between man and
his Creator, and every human being retains within his soul the essence of this divine
process which always assures him that he is in the Divine presence of God,
wherever may be: "And He is with you where so ever you may be" (Quran 57:4).

3- The Qur'an also assures us that God Almighty is nearer to man than his own
jugular vein (Quran 50:4). He is always near to man and answers the prayers of
every person who invokes Him (Quran 2:186). His Mercy encompasses all things
(Quran 7:156) and that He is the lord of Mercy. Although God Almighty has been
described in the Qur'an as being the All-Compelling once and as being the Supreme
Controlling Power twice and as being Irresistible six times, He has been described as
being the Most Gracious and Beneficent fifty-seven times and as being the Merciful
one hundred and fourteen times.

In addition to being described as the Most Merciful of the merciful four times, God
Almighty has also been described as the Most Kind and the attribute of His Mercy
has been mentioned innumerable times.

The aforementioned verses all prove the strong and close relation between man
and his Creator for it is a relation of proximity, mercy and response to man's
prayers and invocations. God Almighty is more merciful and compassionate to His
creatures than a mother is to her child and this mercy is felt by every believer in the
depths of his heart.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What Should Be a Muslim’s Attitude Towards Worldly Life?*
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✅In this day and age, nearly everyone is in the race to gain maximum and surpass
others in materialistic possessions. The present society has evolved so drastically
around money-oriented expansions that its values and norms of morality have also
tarnished. People have almost ceased to differentiate between the right and wrong
and think of living this life to the fullest in every respect.
Allah says about this nature of human in the Holy Quran: “And to whom I granted
extensive wealth. And children present [with him]. And spread [everything] before
him, easing [his life]. Then he desires that I should add more” (Quran 74:12-15)

These verses show that man has always been greedy by nature and has wished for
more than it should own. No wonder why the world is constantly moving in the
direction of increased acquisitiveness.

Holy Quran depicts about the reality of this worldly life: “And this worldly life is not
but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the
[eternal] life, if only they knew” (Quran 29:64)

Living like a Stranger on Earth:

A foreign person knows that he does not have to stay permanently in the distant
place he is visiting. He lives like a guest and misses his own country or region.
Same way, all humans are sent by the Creator of the Universe in this world as
immigrants who have to travel back to their actual destination, i.e. hereafter. A true
Muslim believes in this fact and knows about the momentary nature of worldly life.

Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) once narrated: The Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬took hold of my shoulders
and said, “Be in this life as a stranger or a passerby. When evening comes, do not
expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till)
evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness and from your life for
your death” (Al-Bukhari)

This Hadees gives basic guideline for every Muslim about how he should live on the
earth. Once a Muslim has that mentality, it helps in abstaining from all kinds of
possessions and immorality.

Having a Moderate Life:

Islam greatly emphasizes on the importance of adopting moderation in every
matter of life. The Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬also indicates that a Muslim
should restrain from indulging in avaricious affairs so that it does not become selfish
and forget about its actual purpose of existence in this world, i.e. to please the
Almighty Allah.

But, Islam does not say that one should live simple life to the extent that it goes
back to Stone Age, rather it only stresses on having a modest life so that the greed
and lust of getting more and more may not make one to forget about his real life,
i.e. hereafter.
“But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and
[yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to
you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters”
(Quran 28:77)

It means that a true believer should pray to the Gracious God for giving what is
enough in this world, and not beyond that. Just like a man cannot eat or drink
beyond its limit, same applies for one’s life. A Muslim should be reasonable and just
in every matter of life, like in one’s dressing, behavior, relationships with family
members and relatives, and in overall society etc. When one has understood the
basic theme behind adopting self-control in life, it would eventually lead to the
rightful fulfillment of both of its religious and secular duties and responsibilities.

In short, a true Muslim should consider the worldly life as short-term, and act in
within the Islamic philosophy of existence, which will bring about the ultimate
success in the hereafter.

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*🌹Understand Islam 9️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Islamic Perspective of Monasticism (Sannyasa)?*
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✅The stand of Islam is, on the one hand, prohibits fornication and adultery, and
blocks all ways leading to them. On the other hand, Islam calls people toward
marriage, prohibiting renunciation and castration. (Renunciation means remaining
celibate and renouncing worldly activity for the sake of devoting oneself to the
worship of God. Castration denotes suppressing sexual desire by removing the
testicles)

As long as he possesses the means to marry, the Muslim is not permitted to refrain
from marriage on the grounds that he has dedicated himself to the service or the
worship of Allah and to a life of monasticism and renunciation of the world.
The Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬noted a tendency toward monasticism among some of his
Companions. Declaring this to be a deviation from the straight path of Islam and a
rejection of his sunnah (recommended practice), he thereby rid Islam’s conceptual
framework of such a Christian notion.

Abu Qulabah narrated: “Some of the Companions of the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬decided to

relinquish the world, forsake their wives, and become like monks. The Prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬
told them with asperity, People before you perished because of their asceticism;
they made excessive demands on themselves until Allah brought hardships on
them: you can still see a few of them remaining in monasteries and temples. Then
worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, perform the Hajj and the
‘Umrah, be righteous, and all affairs will be set right for you.” (Reported by ‘Abdur
Razzaq, Ibn Jarir, and Ibn al-Mundhir).

Abu Qulabah said the following verse was revealed concerning them: “O you who
believe! Do not make haram the good of things which Allah has made halal for you,
and do not transgress; indeed, Allah does not like transgressors” (Quran 5: 87)

It is reported by Al-Bukhari and others that three people came to the Prophet’s
wives and asked how the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬conducted his worship. When they were told
about it, they seemed to consider it but little, saying, “What a difference there is
between us and the Messenger of Allah ( ‫)ﷺ‬, whose past and future sins have been
forgiven him by Allah!”

One of them said, “As for me, I will always pray during the night.” The other said, “I
will have nothing to do with women and will never marry.”

When the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬heard about this, he explained to them their error and
deviation from the straight path, saying, I am the one who fears Allah the most
among you, yet I fast and I break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. He
who turns away from my sunnah has nothing to do with me.

Addressing the young men of all times, the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Young men, those of
you who can support a wife should marry, for it keeps you from looking at women
and preserves your chastity” (Bukhari)

From this statement some scholars have inferred that marriage is obligatory for the
Muslim who is able to support a wife and that the avoidance of it is not permissible,
while other scholars add the further condition for its obligatoriness that he should
be afraid of falling into sin.

And the Messenger of Allah ( ‫ )ﷺ‬said, “There are three who have a right to the help
of Allah: the one who marries out of the desire to live a chaste life, the slave whose
master has agreed to his buying his freedom when he wishes to pay the sum, and
the one who fights in the cause of Allah.” (Reported by Ahmad, al-Nisai, al-Tirmidhi,
Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim)

And it is for this reason that Islam has vehemently denounced it and the well-known
tradition, which states: “There is no (room for) monasticism in Islam”, is witnessed
in numerous Islamic sources.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Morals and Faith Are Inseparable*
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✅Faith is such a power that keeps a person away from low qualities and mean acts
and encourages him to achieve high attributes and lofty morals. That is why
whenever God, the Almighty, urges us towards virtue or warns us against evil, He
declares that as an essential requirement of the faith. For example, Allah
commands to adopt righteousness and truth, and says: “O you who have believed,
fear Allah and be with those who are true.” (Quran 9:119)

Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has nicely explained that only when faith
is firm and strong, strong and lasting morals would be developed, but if the moral
character is low in faith, it will be weak accordingly. Who is immodest and ill-
mannered or who adopts bad habits, loses his faith. He also said, “Modesty and
faith are twins. One who gives up one has to lose the other too.” (Al-Hakim)

The Prophet(‫ )ﷺ‬linked the good deeds to faith itself, and said: “Anybody who
believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour, and anybody who
believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and
anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep
silent.” (Al-Bukhari)
Through the firm and perfect faith, noble qualities are nurtured, developed and
safeguarded until the good manners bear their fruits. That is why Islam regards
good manner as an inseparable part of faith. Who lags behind in acting according to
the moral values of Islamic framework he undermines his faith. Such people were
warned against by the Prophet(‫)ﷺ‬, and the community has been asked to be
careful of them.

Who performs various forms of worship without understanding their significance can
only be a man who had not understood the spirit of the worship or has been unable
to rise to the real standard of faith. The Prophet(‫ )ﷺ‬has explained the relationship
between morality and faith, if the faith is strong it will lead to the good behaviour
and good rewards in the world and salvation in the Hereafter. However, the
misbehaviour denotes the weakness and flaw in the faith itself.

The Poor in the Hereafter?

The Prophet (PBUH) once said: “In my people, the poor is that who would appear on
the Day of Judgment before Allah; he had offered prayer; paid charity; observed
fast; but he abused somebody, or accused someone falsely; or took someone else’s
property without right; or he had murdered someone; or have hit somebody. All his
virtues would be given to his victims. If his virtues are finished before his evil deeds
are finished, then the errors and sins of the victims would be given to him and he
would be thrown into the Hell.” (Muslim)

Such person is really poor. A religious man who offers certain prayers or performs
certain forms of worship, but even after that performs certain evil deeds, behaves
rudely with the people or treats poor and helpless people cruelly, how such person
would be called righteous?

*Identification of Hypocrite*
When wickedness is nourished in the nature of a person, and the loss caused by it
becomes manifest and the danger increases, then he comes out of his religion, and
his claim of righteousness becomes false. What is the value of religiousness without
good morality? How is it possible that a man may love Allah and becomes a victim
of corruption?

This is relationship between faith and morality. Prophet(‫ )ﷺ‬said: “There are four
habits, in whosoever they are found, he will be a complete hypocrite. If anyone of
these habits is found in a person, he will have an element of hypocrisy till he gives it
up; when something is given to him in trust he commits dishonesty, when he talks
he tells lies, when he makes a contract he deceives, and when be quarrels he starts
abusing.” (Al-Bukhari)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?*
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✅The animals have instinct, no intellect. The herons learn wading themselves. Who
teaches the birds how to fly? Ducklings swim naturally. The horse grazes grass but
does not eat meat. The lion eats meat but does not graze grass. What is all this?
Actually, the instinct itself works as a guide. Man has also been given instincts. He
needs bread. He needs sex. But he is above animals. He has been endowed with a
special boon and that is intellect.

Man is free to exercise his mind. Whether he selects right path or wrong path it is
his own choice. But Man is incapable of accurately distinguishing and understanding
virtue and vice (good and bad). So, God sent prophets to all nations to guide them
so that they are not strayed from the right path.

Prophets were sent by the Almighty to enlighten man on the nature of virtue and
vice. Prophet Muhammed ( ‫ )ﷺ‬is the last prophet and therefore for any man after
Muhammed ( ‫)ﷺ‬, the yardstick to measure virtue and vice is simply the life of
Muhammed ( ‫ )ﷺ‬and the Qur'an, the sacred scripture presented through him. It is
sufficient to look up the Qur'an and the ideal life of Muhammed ( ‫ )ﷺ‬to comprehend
the good and bad related to any subject.

The Prophet Muhammad said, "Piety/virtue is good manner, and sin is that which
creates doubt and you do not like people to know it"

Allah Almighty says in Quran: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male
and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.
Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.
Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted” (49:13)
"Those who (in charity) spend their goods by night and by day, in secret and in
public have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they
grieve" (Quran 2:274)

Prophet Muhammad said: “the best deeds before God are to pardon a person who
has wronged you, to show affection for relatives who have broken ties with you, and
to act generously towards a person who has deprived you”.

So, when Allah (The Most High) revealed the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet
(SAW), all the details about good and bad, or right and wrong, were not left for the
limited nature of mankind to define for themselves. Allah says: “And We have sent
down to you the Book (Qur'an) as an Explanation of Everything and a Guidance, a
Mercy and glad tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah as Muslims)"
(Quran 16:89)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣2️⃣*
*❓What is the Concept of Sin in Islam?*
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✅Islam teaches that all the prophets of God – including Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) taught basically the same
religion: namely, to worship the One True God and lead a life of obedience to His
commandments.
This is what Islam stands for. And for this reason, Muslims consider all the true
prophets of God as prophets of Islam; and all of them preached to their people the
same message.

The story of our first parents Adam and Eve narrated in the Bible is also recounted
in the Quran, which was the noble Book revealed as the Last Testament of God; that
is, as the perfected form of the Guidance of God, which had been progressively
revealed through the earlier scriptures such as the Torah and the Gospel.

Both Christians and Muslims are united in the belief that Adam – the father of
mankind – was misled by Satan to disobey God and to eat the forbidden fruit, and
consequently God expelled him and his progeny from Paradise.

Muslims believe that Adam soon after the act of disobedience became aware of the
seriousness of his sin and repented. He sought the forgiveness of God, and God
forgave him (Quran 2:35-37).

Distinct from the narration in the Quran, the Christians hold the belief that God did
not forgive Adam’s sin and for that reason all the children of Adam till the End of
Times would bear the blemish of that sin.

This is what they call “Original Sin”, and this sin will not be forgiven according to
them, except for those children of Adam who believe that God sent His “only-
begotten son” to vicariously suffer and die on the cross as expiation for that sin.

Muslims do not accept that there is anything called original sin. They strongly reject
the idea of God begetting a son for this purpose: God is one and one only; He does
not beget, nor is He begotten; and there is no one like God.

Sin, from the point of view of Islam, is a conscious and willful act that violates a
commandment of God or the right of a fellow being. We cannot consider a person to
be a sinner if he or she acts under duress or out of ignorance, because human
accountability is an important aspect of justice as envisaged in Islam.

And no one can be truly held accountable for an action he has no power to avoid.
Because, God does not lay more burden on a human than he or she can bear.

Islam teaches that sin is an avoidable act that harms the perpetrator’s own soul.
This means that there is no innate or inherited nature that prompts a person to
disobey God. That is to say, it is a person’s free choice whether to sin or not; and
one’s disposition to sin is only as much as, if not less than, their inclination to do
good.
One important teaching of Islam as taught by the Prophet is this narration: “Deeds
are but by intentions and every person shall have what he intended.” (Al-Bukhari
and Muslim). This means that a person’s motive should be taken into consideration
when we judge his or her actions. And we know that motive is something that is in
the mind of the people and even if they speak about why they have acted in a
particular way, we have no means of verifying their claim.

Therefore, only God Almighty can be the Judge of our beliefs and actions; and hence
He is described in the Quran as “the Owner of the Day of Judgment.”

Moreover, Islam teaches that associating anything or anybody with Almighty God is
the biggest sin; and all other sins may be forgiven if we offer sincere repentance
and does a lot of good deeds with faith in God. The good deeds wipe out the bad
ones. The door of repentance is always open, and the Almighty Allah will accept the
repentance until we die.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What Should Be the Characters of a Muslim?*
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✅The Qur'an and the Hadees (sayings of Prophet) enjoins each Muslim to have the
following characteristics in each of his actions. They are-honesty, justice, honoring
of contracts, patience, perseverance, tolerance, mercy, humility, affection, decency,
love, respect etc.

The Qur'an and the Hadees make it clear that, Muslims ought not to harbor feelings
deceit, jealousy, greed, hatred, treachery, extravagance, miserliness, pride,
hypocrisy, vainglory, mockery, falsehood, gossip, scandal-mongering and short
temper.
Below we give, in the words of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad,
the chief qualities a Muslim should display:

*1. Truthfulness:*
"O you who believe! keep your duty to Allah and speak straight, true words" (Quran
33:70)
"O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful people"
(9:119)
Also see: 4:135

*2. Sincerity:*
"It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you say things which you do not do"
(61:3)
"Serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience" (39:2)
Also see: 107:4-6

*3. Unselfishness:*
"They (the true believers) give food, out of love for Allah, to the poor, the orphan
and the slave, saying: We feed you only for Allah's pleasure - we desire from you
neither reward nor thanks" (76:8-9)
Also see: 3:91 & 74:6

*4. Humility:*
"The servants of the Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility"
(25:63)
"Do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land
exultingly" (31:18).
Also see: 53:32

*5. Patience:*
"Allah loves those who are patient" (3:145)
"Give good news to the patient, who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: We are
Allah's and to Him do we return" (2:155-156)

*6. Forgiveness:*
"Pardon (people) and overlook (their faults). Don't you love that Allah should forgive
you" (24:22)
"(The dutiful are) …those who restrain their anger and pardon people. Allah loves
those who do good to others" (3:134)
Also see: 42:37, 12:92 & 42:40,43
*7. Purity and Cleanliness:*
"He indeed is successful who purifies himself (in mind and body), and remembers
the name of his Lord, then prays" (87:14-15)
Also see: 74:4-5

*8. Honesty:*
"Do not swallow up your property among yourselves by false means, nor offer it as
a bribe to the officials so that you may swallow up other people's property
unlawfully while you know" (2:188).
Also see: 17:34-35

9. Goodness and Kindness to Others:

"Allah commands you to uphold justice and to do good to others and to give to the
relatives" (16:90)
"Do good to others, surely Allah loves those who do good to others" (2:195)

*10. Justice:*
"Be maintainers of justice and bearers of true witness for Allah, even if it (the truth)
goes against your own selves or parents or relatives or someone who is rich or
poor" (4:135)

11. Consideration and Respect for Others:

"O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion (against others), for surely suspicion in
some cases is sin; and do not spy (into other people's affairs), nor let some of you
backbite others" (49:12)
"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it, or return it (in
the same terms at least)" (4:86)
Also see: 24:27-28

*12. Moderation:*
"Eat and drink, but do not be immoderate" (7:31)
"Do not chain your hand to your neck (so that you are mean in spending), nor
stretch it out to the utmost limit (so that you waste everything)" (17:29)

*13. Cheerfulness:*
"Be of good cheer" (Holy Prophet in Bukhari)
"It is an act of charity to meet your fellow with a cheerful face" (Holy Prophet in
Mishkat)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Importance of Knowledge & Education in Islam*
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✅The importance of education is a non-disputable matter. Education is the
knowledge of putting one's potentials to maximum use. One can safely say that a
human being is not in the proper sense till he/she is educated.

This importance of education is basically for two reasons. The first is that the
training of a human mind is not complete without education. Education makes man
a right thinker. It tells man how to think and how to make decision.

The second reason for the importance of education is that only through the
attainment of education, man is enabled to receive information from the external
world; to acquaint himself with history and receive all necessary information
regarding the present. Without education, man is as though in a closed room and
with education he finds himself in a room with all its windows open towards the
outside world.

This is why Islam attaches great importance to knowledge and education. When the
Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was 'Iqra' that is, read.
[Quran 96:1-5]

Education is thus the starting point of every human activity. Allah created man and
provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge, namely hearing, sight and
wisdom.

Allah says: "And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while
you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give
thanks (to Allah)" [Quran 16:78]

A knowledgeable person is accorded great respect in many prophetic narrations.

Because of the importance of knowledge, Allah commanded His Messenger (PBUH)
to seek more of it. Allah says: "and say: ‘My Lord! Increase me in knowledge’"
[Quran 20:114]

The Prophet (PBUH) made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and
he explained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge over the one who
merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every other heavenly body.
He said that the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets.

Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) said that seeking knowledge is a way leading to
Paradise. (Al-Bukhari)

Islam calls us to learn all kinds of beneficial knowledge. Branches of knowledge vary
in status, the highest of which is knowledge of Sharia (Islamic Law), then other
fields of knowledge, such as medicine, natural science, history, etc.

How great importance is attached to learning in Islam, can be understood from an

event in the life of the Prophet (PBUH). At the battle of Badr in which the Prophet
gained victory over his opponents, 70 people of the enemy rank were taken
prisoner. These prisoners of war were literate people. In order to benefit from their
education, the Prophet (PBUH) declared that if one prisoner teaches ten Muslims
how to read and write, this will serve as his ransom and he will be set free.

Also, we should know that there is no goodness in knowledge which is not confirmed
by actions or words which are not confirmed by deeds. Allah says: "O you who
believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that
you say that which you do not do" [Quran 61: 2-3]

Knowledge brings a great reward. The one who points the way to something good is
like the one who does it. When the knowledgeable person dies, his reward with
Allah does not cease when he dies, rather it continues to increase so long as people
benefit from his knowledge. (Muslim)

Knowledge is pursued and practiced with modesty and humility and leads to dignity,
freedom, and justice. The main purpose of acquiring knowledge is to bring us closer
to our Creator. It is not simply for the gratification of the mind or the senses. It is
not knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Knowledge accordingly must be linked
with values and goals.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What are the Islamic Directions in the Financial Front & Earning Money?*
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✅Islam is an entire way of life, and Allah's Guidance extends into all areas of our
lives. Islam has given detailed regulations for our economic life, which is balanced
and fair. Muslims are to recognize that wealth, earnings, and material goods are the
property of God, and we are merely His trustees. The principles of Islam aim at
establishing a just society wherein everyone will behave responsibly and honestly.

*The Fundamental Principles of the Islamic Economic System can be Summarized

as:*
According to Islam all the resources on earth have been created for mankind. It is
the right of every human being to make use of the natural resources. Everyone has
the right to work hard and earn wealth. However, the earnings should not be the
result of the exploitation of others.

Income can be earned through business, cultivation, hard work, trade, and the like.
But in every transaction, clear moral instructions have to be observed. What one
earns, while observing these moral laws, is his own and not of the society or of the
nation.

Muslims are not to deal in interest. "Those who devour usury will not stand… Allah
has permitted trade and forbidden usury… Allah will deprive usury of all blessing
but will give increase for deeds of charity…" (Qur'an 2:275-276)

This prohibition is for all interest-based transactions, whether giving or receiving,

whether dealing with Muslims or non-Muslims. It is reported that the Prophet
Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬cursed those who pay interest, those who receive it, those who
write a contract based on it, and those who witness such a contract.

It is forbidden to gain property or wealth by fraud, deceit, theft, or other falsehoods.

"…Give just measure and weight, and do not withhold from people the things that
are their due. And do not do mischief on the earth after it has been set in order.
That will be best for you if you have faith" (7:85)
Forbidden are earnings from gambling, lotteries, and the production, sale, and
distribution of alcohol. "O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to
stones, and divination by arrows are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Eschew
such abomination, that you may prosper" (5:90)

It is unlawful to hoard food and other basic necessities. Everyone should take what
they need and no more. "And let those who covetously withhold of the gifts which
Allah has given them of His Grace, think that it is good for them. No, it will be the
worse for them. Soon it will be tied to their necks like a twisted collar, on the Day of
Judgment. To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is
well-acquainted with all that you do" (3:180)

Whatever the individual makes or earns through lawful means is his private
possession, which neither the State nor anybody else can justifiably claim. In return
for this right of private possession, he has only to fulfill certain obligations to the
society and pay certain taxes to the State. When this is done, he has full rights to
protection by the State, and his freedom of enterprise is secure and guaranteed.

The main purpose of the Islamic legislation’s on economics and commerce is to

secure the rights of the individual and maintain the solidarity of society, to
introduce high morality to the world of business and enforce the Law of God in that
sphere of enterprise. It is logical and consistent that Islam should be concerned with
such aspects as these because it is not merely a spiritual formula but a complete
system of life in all its walks.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What are the Islamic Directions on Spending Money?*
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✅Proprietors are constantly reminded of the fact that they are in reality mere agents
appointed by God to administer their holdings. There is nothing in Islam to stop the
Muslim from attaining wealth and endeavoring for material improvements through
lawful means and decent channels. Yet the fact remains that man comes to this
world empty-handed and departs from it likewise. The actual and real owner of
things is God alone of Whom any proprietor is simply an appointed agent, a mere
trustee.

This is not only a fact of life but also has a significant bearing on human behavior. It
makes the proprietor always ready to spend in the way of God and to contribute to
worthy causes. It makes him responsive to the needs of his society and gives him
an important role to play, a sacred mission to fulfill. It saves him from the pit of
selfishness, greed, and injustice.

This is the true conception of property in Islam, and that is the actual status of
proprietors. The Qur’an considers possession of wealth a trying test, and not a
token of virtuous excellence or privileged nobility or a means of exploitation. God
says:

It is He Who has made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He has raised you in
ranks, some above others; that He may try you in the gifts He has given you. Verily,
your Lord is quick in punishment, yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful
(6:165).

A Muslim should be responsible in spending money. Extravagance and waste are

strongly discouraged. "[The Servants of Allah are] Those who, when they spend, are
not extravagant and not stingy, but hold a just balance between those extremes"
(25:67)

"O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer.
Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters" (7:31)

Spending in the Way of God:

In the words of the Qur’an, God enjoins upon the proprietor to fulfill his financial
obligations towards his fellow men, and to be moderate in his private spending. He
is always reminded of the fact that God is the Real Provider and Actual Possessor.

Here is the declaration of the Qur’an: “And give the relative his right, and [also] the
poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are
brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful” (17:26-27)

“And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and
[thereby] become blamed and insolvent. Indeed, your Lord extends provision for
whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed, He is ever, concerning His servants,
Acquainted and Seeing” (17:29-30)
*Charity & Zakat:*
"And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him
sincere devotion, being true in faith. To establish regular prayer, and to give zakat.
And that is the religion right and straight" (98:5)

Every Muslim who owns wealth, more than a certain amount to meet his or her
needs, must pay a fixed rate of Zakat to those in need. Zakat is a means of
narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, and to make sure that everyone's
needs are met.

Muslims are encouraged to give constantly in charity. "Your riches and your children
may be but a trial. Whereas Allah, with Him is the highest reward. So, fear Allah as
much as you can, listen and obey, and spend in charity for the benefit of your own
souls. And those saved from the selfishness of their own souls, they are the ones
that achieve prosperity" (64:15-16)

The Prophet Muhammad once said that "nobody's assets are reduced by charity"

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣7️⃣*
*❓What Does Qur'an Say About Master-Laborer Relationship?*
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✅It is only natural that the master and laborer come to picture when production,
trade and cultivation set in. The relationship between the master and laborer does
not warrant any confrontation. On the other hand, it ought, to be of co-operation, as
per the teachings of Islam.

The Prophet has said that the income earned through one's own labor is the best
income. Prophet Muhammed ( ‫ )ﷺ‬also said that the one who toils for his family is
like one whose struggle in the cause of God. He also encouraged the people who
strive saying that “Allah considers the laborer as His friend”.
The economic system of Islam is not drawn in the light of arithmetical calculations
and capacities of production alone. Rather, it is drawn and conceived in the light of
a comprehensive system of morals and principles. The person who is working for
another person or for a firm or an institution is ordained by God to do his work with
efficiency and honesty. The Prophet said that if any of you undertakes to do any
work, God loves to see him do it well and with efficiency. It is the responsibility of
the employee to endeavor sincerely for a satisfactory completion of the work
assigned to him.

Once the work is done, the worker is entitled to a fair wage for his services. Failure
by the employer to pay the just wage or attempts to cut it down and waver on it is a
punishable act, according to the Law of God. The employee should not be exploited,
and he should have complete security while doing the work assigned to him.

The laborer should be given the wages that they deserve. There should be a proper
agreement with regard to the wages, between the employer and the laborer, before
the work starts. The amount thus arrived at should be distributed without making
any deduction whatsoever and it should be paid even before the sweat of the
laborer dried up.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Environmental Teachings of Islam*
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✅Over the years, our environment has been facing a severe threat. The rivers are
polluted with undesirable chemicals and toxicants, underground water is being
depleted and getting polluted. Forests are being lost at an alarming rate resulting in
environmental degradation. A balance in oxygen and water in the environment is
being lost, which is so important to sustain and preserve the human civilization on
the planet earth.
For the past century and a half enormous advances have taken place in science and
technology to the benefit of mankind. But these developments have also posed
great problems and health hazards, threatening the existence of human life on
earth.

Purpose of Human Creation:

The question of the creation of human beings is relevant, to understand the role of
religion in the environment. The Holy Qur’an states: “Blessed be He, in whose hands
is all sovereignty. He has power over all things. He created death and life, that He
might put to test and find out, which of you acquitted himself best. He is Mighty,
Forgiving one” (Quran 67:1-2)

Life is thus, a brilliant demonstration of God’s wisdom and knowledge. He has

shown the humans the right path, to sustain the life on this planet. There is a
complete stability and unity in the laws of the universe. The entire cosmos is
remarkably homogenous and in balance. Besides, the Creator, there is no one, who
has power to interfere with or change this system and its laws, which are based on
justice. Man being a part of the whole system must also operate justly in the sphere
over which he is given control and power, otherwise, he is working against the
natural laws of the Universe, as well as his own nature. The result of which can be
alarming calamities and destruction, we may face in the environment.

Emphasis on Plantation and Agriculture:

Forestry and Agriculture form the backbone of human civilization. However, we find
in recent times, a large-scale deforestation has occurred all round the world. This
has resulted in ecological imbalances in the natural resources of the environment.
The Prophet (PBUH) has said: “When a Muslim, plants a plant or cultivates a crop,
no bird or human being eats from it without it being accounted as charity for him”.

Messenger of God (PBUH) once remarked that even if you knew that the world
would end tomorrow, you should plant a tree.

Management of Water Resources:

There are numerous passages in the Qur’an, which mention the effect of rainwater
on the growth of vegetation. In (Quran 16:10-11) we read, “God is one, who sends
water down from the sky. For you there is a drink and out of it (grow) shrubs in
which you let cattle graze freely. There with for you He makes sown fields, olive,
palm trees, and all kinds of fruits grow.” Thus, the proper and judicious use of the
water resources is of utmost importance to keep the viable environment for the
benefit of humanity.
*Depletion of Resources:*
Moderation is the most important characteristic of Islam. It is probably how Islam
views human nature and the meaning of life. Man is created by God-Almighty and is
commanded to be God’s viceroy on earth. Islam discourages luxurious and lavish
living. It is a general observation that luxurious lifestyles lead to weakness among
nations, and eventually to their downfall. The existence of luxury is also an
expression of social injustice, as few can afford luxurious items at the expense of
the deprived masses of people.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the perfect example of moderation. He advised his
followers to spend within their means, neither to be too lavish as to make
themselves destitute nor to hold back their wealth from those who had a claim on
their resources.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣*
*❓What are the Islamic Teachings Regarding Food?*
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✅Islam does not accept the stand which recommends the absolute abstinence from
food and drink, in order to attain salvation. While permitting the consumption of all
good food and drink, Islam strongly and particularly disapproved excesses in this
field. A true Muslim is one, who completely abstains from the forbidden food and
drink such as blood, alcohol, pork, and the meat that is slaughtered in the name of
someone other than Allah.

Islam gives specific advice to Muslims about all aspects of life and this includes food
and eating habits and manners. Food is not required for itself or for the sake of
enjoyment but to sustain life so that one may enjoy health and physical strength
required to undertake one’s duties and responsibilities in this life. In addition to
ensuring physical well-being, food is also essential for the spiritual and moral health
of the believers.
To get the right physical and spiritual strength, one should consume only lawful
(halal) and healthy or wholesome (tayyib) food (Qur’an 5:88). Halal means lawfully
acquired, as against stolen, food. In case of meat, it means that it was acquired
according to the permissible method of slaughtering an animal

God says in the Quran, “Eat of the good things which We have provided for you”
(Quran 2:172). “Eat of what is lawful and wholesome on the earth” (Quran 2:168).

Prohibited food is called “Haram,” or unlawful/prohibited, which is the one acquired

illegally or is prohibited like meat from animals not properly slaughtered, or pork or
meat of carnivorous, i.e., meat-eating animals and birds of prey. Such animals and
birds include pigs, dogs, lions, crocodiles, eagles, worms, flies etc. Consuming blood
and carrion are also forbidden. Alcohol is forbidden in all forms and quantities.

Eating unlawful food like pork, meat of meat-eating animals or stolen food will
retard one’s spiritual and moral health. Meat of a dead or prohibited animal is not
allowed unless the faithful had no other choice to ward off death due to hunger. All
seafood is permitted.

*Eating Manners:*
Thanking Allah at the beginning and end of partaking food is an important part of
eating manners in Islam. One should begin in the name of Allah, saying “In the
name of Allah”. One should thank Allah after finishing his food saying, “All thanks to
Allah who fed us and quenched our thirst, who made us Muslims (those who
surrender to His will)”.

There should be no over-eating or unseemly hurry in consuming food or drink. When

eating in a group, one should eat the food which is in front of him and his behaviour
should not annoy others. Wastage of food is frowned upon - Allah says, “Waste not
by excess, for God loveth not wasters” - Qur’an 6:141). The Prophet said that a
Muslim should not waste water even if he was standing on the banks of the river
Tigris.

Eating should not be hasty and should be measured. One should not fill his belly.
The Prophet enjoined us to fill only one third of our stomachs with food and one
third with liquids, leaving the remaining one third empty.

While offering food as charity, one has to take care that only good food is offered to
the poor (Qur’an 2:267). It is a common tradition among Muslims to willingly offer
food or water to any stranger who knocks the door at any time and says that he is
hungry or thirsty. If one’s neighbours are poor, one should not openly bring home
fruits and meat etc. which they cannot afford and if he still prefers to bring in such
food openly, he should share it with his neighbours.
In short, the Qur’an repeatedly tells us that food is a gift of God. We should
consume it with humility and moderation and always thank God for His bounties
(Qur’an 7:31).

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What are the Islamic Teachings Regarding Health and Wellness?*
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✅Islam, as a complete way of life, stresses the importance of maintaining good
health and offers the ways and the means to cope with ill health. In Islam, our body
and health are considered as important gifts of Almighty Allah. The
comprehensiveness of Islam allows every aspect of life, from sleeping and washing,
to praying and working, to be an act of worship.

Islam teaches us to be concerned, about the whole person. Following the guidance
and commandments of God allows us to face illness and injury with patience.
Complaining and bemoaning our situation will achieve nothing but more pain and
suffering. Our bodies and minds have been given to us as a trust, and we are
responsible for them. The guidance of God covers every aspect of life and there are
specific ways of dealing with health issues.

Islam’s holistic approach to health includes treating our bodies with respect and
nourishing them with, not only faith, but also with lawful, nutritious food. God says
in the Quran, “Eat of the good things which We have provided for you” (Quran
2:172). “Eat of what is lawful and wholesome on the earth” (Quran 2:168).

True believers need healthy bodies and minds in order to worship God in the correct
way. To maintain a sound mind, a pure heart and a healthy body, special attention
must be paid to health. The heart and the mind are nourished by remembrance of
God, and worship performed in a lawful way, and the body is nourished by partaking
of the good and lawful food God has provided.

Prophet’s statement that for every illness God gives a cure has inspired Muslims
through the centuries to pursue medical knowledge. Especially, during the Middle
Ages, Islamic medicine was more advanced than in the West.

Exercise and Being Active:

Being active and to exercise is not only acceptable in Islam but also recommended.
Part of the instructions given by the Prophet and the Imams about upbringing of
children is the issue of physical exercise. Swimming, for example, has been greatly
encouraged in our religious literature.

Prophet Muhammad said: “a strong believer is better than a weak believer” (Saheeh
Muslim). He was talking in terms of faith and character but also indicating that
physical strength i.e. optimum health and fitness were desirable, providing God
gave us the ways and means of attaining such strength. Islam’s holistic approach to
life and thus health offers us the ability to remain strong and healthy.

Sleeping, Resting, and Avoiding Stress:

Almighty Allah has appointed the night as the time for resting and the day as the
time for working. “He is the One who made for you the night so that you may rest in
it, and the day with light; most surely in these are signs for the people who hear”
(10:67). So naturally, sleeping is very important.

Avoiding stress: slow down; look at the present and enjoy it before you lose it. Give
time for your family. Having a good family life will help you in dealing with stress.
And, finally, be in touch with Allah, the Prophet, and Imams; read the Qur’an and
the Prayers. This will greatly help in dealing with stress. “Verily, in the
remembrance of Allah, the hearts are at ease.” (13:28).

Moderation in Food and Drink:

The basic Islamic guideline on food and drink is the rule of moderation. It is said that
once a doctor came to Medina, and for a long time, no one was visiting him as a
patient. He inquired as to whether the people of Medina ever become sick or not. He
was told that the people of Medina follow the Qur’anic injunction which says: “Eat
and drink, but do not be extravagant.” (7:31)

Prophet of Islam has said: “The belly is the house of diseases, while dieting is the
best of all medicines”

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic View on Entertainments?*
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✅Allah clearly tells us in the Qur’an: “And I did not create the Jinn and Mankind
except to worship Me” (Qur’an 51:56). Thus, our purpose in life is clear: to worship
Allah Almighty.

However, it is important that we understand what is meant here by devotion. In

Islam, devotion is a broad term which is not restricted to rituals. Even entertaining
ours within the boundaries of Islam can be an act of worship.

If there is a religion that addresses every minute need within man, it can be none
other than Islam! One of the most significant yet misunderstood Islamic concepts is
the role of entertainment towards reaching the desired spiritual harmony and
perfection.

It is very important that we entertain ourselves by following Islamic guidelines. We

should try to be flexible and innovative in choosing activities. An intelligent person
maintains a well-balanced life.

Islam not only permits entertainment, it in fact recommends it! Ali (r) says: “The
believer’s time has three periods: the period when he is in communion with Allah,
the period when he manages for his livelihood, and the period when he is free to
enjoy what is lawful and pleasant. And the last part is a tonic and refreshing for the
other parts.”

True Muslims spent their time wisely, doing only what pleases Allah. However, wise
Muslims know how to maintain balance in life. They know that if they do not take a
break to rest and enjoy Allah’s blessings, this can lead to negative results such as
losing their energy, being unable to continue in their worship or even developing a
mental illness.
Wise believers take breaks to enjoy some of the things which Allah has permitted,
with the intention of recharging their energy levels in order to worship Allah even
better. Following this sense, entertainment itself in a permitted manner becomes an
act of worship and is rewarded.

Limits for Entertainment in Islam:

The Islamic concept of entertainment is that which can be fulfilled the boundaries of
Allah; but it is not the sole goal or purpose of a Muslim. A Muslim’s entertainment
has some differences with others’. Firstly, for Muslims, entertainment is not a goal
for itself; it is a blessing from Allah to be enjoyed. Secondly, entertainment has
limits in Islam set by Allah, which must be firmly adhered to.

These factors distinguish between the practicing Muslims and others. Both entertain
themselves, yet a Muslim earns numerous rewards for obeying Allah, while others
incurs the wrath of Allah by forgetting Him and crossing the limits permissible
entertainment.

Islam, while allowing all entertainments that cheer one's mind and body, strictly
states that they should not transgress the limits. In selecting the appropriate source
of entertainment, we should always keep in mind that it is something that will help
our mind and body relax, not something that might be physically, spiritually, or
emotionally destructive for us.

Islam detests all those pleasures which keep man away from the consciousness of
God and those that cause moral degeneration. It is well-known that gambling and
wine are forbidden in Islam, but there are many other diversions or alternatives to
these.

Musics that will distract us from remembrance of God are forbidden, but who does
not love a sweet melodious voice? So, good songs, Islamic poetry like Nasheeds, etc
are allowed. Prophet Dawood had a melodious voice, and it is said that people in
Paradise will hear him.

You can watch movies or read books that do not have indecent words or images
and do not have a misleading message. It should be emphasized here that a drama,
movie, or story that is permissible for one person might be forbidden for the other,
depending on the mental maturity of the person.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣*
*❓What are the Characteristics of Islamic Society?*
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✅Islam does not encourage its followers becoming hermits and living a stoic life.
Rather, Islam is a religion of society and encourages the establishment and
sustaining of a society in which the members of the society interact and cooperate
with each other. Islam wants its followers to live within the society and while staying
there, make the existence useful for the members of the society.

The points below discuss the verses of Quran that describe the major attributes of
an Islamic society.

1. Belief in Almighty God:

Perhaps the most rudimentary element that can easily be found in an Islamic
society is the belief in Allah. Thus, adopting Islamic structure of society does not
mean anything if it is void of belief in Allah. As Allah says in Quran: “O you who
believe! Fear God as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam.”
(Quran 3:102)

2. Justice and Balance:

The first thing that will be present in an Islamic society is justice and balance.
Before the advent of Islam, the Arab society was living in darkness where there was
neither any justice nor any balance in the society and all that was there for them
was the rule of jungle where the fittest survived. Allah tells Muslims to establish
justice and balance in the society. “Thus have we made of you an Ummah justly
balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness
over yourselves…” (Quran 2:143)

*3. Brotherhood:*
There are countries and nations in the world, which are created on the bases of the
cultural or racial divide that exists between them. Regardless of whatever cultural
or racial background one has, once one is the member of an Islamic society, all are
equal and there is no differentiation between them. Allah says: “Verily, this
brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your lord and cherisher.
Therefore, fear me (and no other).” (Quran 23:52)
*4. No Compulsion in Religion:*
Although it is the duty of an Islamic society to create and provide such an
environment where Muslims are able to practice Islam easily and they get to live by
Islam in a way they want to, however, an Islamic society has no right to force other
people from other religion to live by Islam in an Islamic society. There is no
compulsion on people of other religion to leave the way they live and shape their
living to Islam. Allah says: “…there is no compulsion in the matter of religion.”
(Quran 2:256)

5. Commending Good & Forbidding Evil:

For a Muslim society, the commendation of good & forbidding evil is not an option,
rather it is one of the requisites for an Islamic society. When a society becomes
Islamic, it needs to commend goodness and encourage people to do good. An
Islamic society also needs to establish Islamic law as per which the members of the
society are stopped from falling the way of evil. Allah says: “You are the best
Ummah raised up for people: you enjoin good and forbid evil and you believe in
Allah.” (Quran 3:110)

*6. Moderation:*
Islam does not want its followers to be extremists of fanatics in any sense. Rather it
preaches them the message of moderation and wants its followers to conduct their
business by being moderate in their approach. Moreover, Islam detests going
beyond the boundaries even in the case of fighting with those who fight the Islamic
society. (Quran 2:190)

*Conclusion:*
In short, an Islamic society is an ideal society human can create in this world. The
need of the time is that the world should understand the true concept of an Islamic
society and create a community where people cooperate with each other and there
is justice and peace among its members.

*Right to Respect:*
The Qur’an deems all human beings to be worthy of respect [Quran 17:70] because
of all creation they alone chose to accept the ‘trust’ of freedom of the will [Quran
33:72]. Human beings can exercise freedom of the will because they possess the
rational faculty, which is what distinguishes them from all other creatures [Quran
2:30-34].

*Right to Justice:*
The Qur’an puts great emphasis on the right to seek justice and the duty to do
justice [Quran 5:8, 4:136]. In the context of justice, the Qur’an uses two concepts:
‘adl’ and ‘ihsan’. Both are enjoined and both are related to the idea of ‘balance’.

*Right to Freedom:*
Qur’an is deeply concerned about liberating human beings from every kind of
bondage. A number of Qur’anic passages state clearly that the responsibility of the
Prophet Muhammad is to communicate the message of God and not to compel
anyone to believe [Quran 6:107; 10:99; 16:82; 42:48]. The right to exercise free
choice in matters of belief is unambiguously endorsed by the Qur’an (18:29). In the
context of the human right to exercise religious freedom, it is important to mention
that the Qur’anic dictum, “Let there be no compulsion in religion” [Quran 2:256]

Right to Acquire Knowledge:

The Qur’an puts the highest emphasis on the importance of acquiring knowledge.
Qur’an exhorts believers to pray for advancement in knowledge [Quran 20:114].
The famous prayer of the Prophet Muhammad was “Allah grant me Knowledge of
the ultimate nature of things” and one of the best known of all traditions (Hadith) is
“Seek knowledge even though it be in China.”

*Right to Sustenance:*
Every living creature depends for its sustenance upon God. A cardinal concept in
the Qur’an - which underlies the socio-economic-political system of Islam - is that
the ownership of everything belongs, not to any person, but to God. Since God is
the universal creator, every creature has the right to partake of what belongs to
God [Quran 11:6; 6:165; 67:15].

*Right to Privacy:*
The Qur’an recognizes the need for privacy as a human right and lays down rules
for protecting an individual’s life in the home from undue intrusion from within or
without [Quran 24:27-28,58; 33:53; 49:12].

Right to ‘The Good Life’:

The Qur’an uphold the right of the human being to ‘the good life’. The good life,
made up of many elements, becomes possible when a human being is living in a
just environment. According to Qur’anic teaching, justice is a prerequisite for peace,
and peace is a prerequisite for human development. In a just society, all the earlier-
mentioned human rights may be exercised without difficulty. In such a society,
other basic rights such as the right to a secure place of residence, the right to the
protection of one’s personal possessions, the right to protection of one’s covenants,
the right to move freely, the right to social and judicial autonomy for minorities, the
right to the protection of one’s holy places and the right to return to one’s spiritual
center, also exist [Quran 2:229; 3:17,77; 5:1, 42-48; 9:17; 17:34; 67:15].

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣4️⃣*
*❓The Concept of Equality in Islam?*
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✅Islam is the complete code of life in which we can learn about all things which we
are facing in our daily lives. Islam is the religion of equality. We can take guidance
from Quran in which Allah Almighty mentioned the solutions of all problems.

Islam recognizes no man-made artificial distinctions based on color, tribe, race,

nationality, or otherwise. As all people come from the original couple-Adam and
Eve-they are all one family and therefore equal before God. What distinguishes
people from each other is their commitment to Islam: "The most honored in the
sight of Allah is (he who is) most righteous" (Quran 3:86)

Equality in Islam stems from basic principles such as:

1. All men are created by One and the Same Eternal Creator, the Supreme Lord of
all.
2. All mankind belongs to the human race and share equally in the common lineage
of Adam and Eve.
3. Allah is just and kind to all his creatures. He is not partial to any race, age, or
religion.
4. The whole universe is Allah’s supremacy, and all people are His creatures.
5. All people are born equal in the sense that none brings any dominion with him;
and they die equal in the sense that they take back nothing of their worldly
belongings.
6. Allah judges every person on the basis of his own merits and according to his own
deeds.
7. Allah has debated on man, a title of honor and dignity.

Such are some of the principles behind the value of equality in Islam. When this
concept is fully utilized, it will leave no place for prejudice or persecutions. And
when this Divine ordinance is fully implemented, there will be no room for
oppression or suppression. Concepts of chosen and gentile peoples, words such as
‘privileged’ and ‘condemned’ races, expressions such as “social castes” and
“citizens” will all become meaningless and obsolete.

All are Not Identical

In the eyes of Almighty Allah, all people are equal, but they are definitely not
identical in sense of abilities, potentials, ambitions, wealth and so on. The
limitations in these examples are natural.

Yet, none of these differences can by themselves, establish the status of superiority
of one man or race over another. The only distinction, which Allah recognizes is the
distinction in piety; the only criterion which Allah applies, is the criterion of
goodness and spiritual excellence.

Allah Says: “O mankind, verily We have created you from a single (pair) of a male
and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each
other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Almighty Allah is the most
righteous” (Quran 49:13).

Prophet Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬said: "O mankind, your Lord is One and your father is one.
You all descended from Adam, and Adam was created from earth. He is most
honored among you in the sight of God who is most upright. No Arab is superior to a
non-Arab, no colored person to a white person, or a white person to a colored
person except by Taqwa (piety)." [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi]

*Practical Implementation:*
Not only did Islam emphasize the equality principle theoretically but did it
practically in all possible areas. The equality during the daily prayer in the Masjid is
a best example for this. Whoever comes to the Mosque first, takes his place in the
front rows despite his financial status or position, and whoever comes late, his place
is late and if you look at any row among the prayer’s rows, you would find in that
row the rich and poor, the knowledgeable and the one with no knowledge, the Arab
and the non-Arab, no differences all the same in sight of Allah (SWT), their direction
during prayer, as well as their revealed book, as their Lord is one and also their
movements during the prayer following one Imam.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣5️⃣*
*❓The Concept of Justice in Islam*
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✅Justice in Islam is owed to God by recognizing the duty to worship Him, and to
others by treating them fairly and truthfully. In the end, ultimate justice will be met
out on the Judgment Day, when God exercises his exclusive right to judge humans
and to reward and punish them. Indeed, it is God who commands justice and forbids
injustice, delegating to humans, as his representatives on earth, responsibility for
‘commanding the right and prohibiting the wrong’.
*The Meaning of Justice:*
In the Islamic worldview, justice denotes placing things in their rightful place. It also
means giving others equal treatment. In Islam, justice is also a moral virtue and an
attribute of human personality, as it is in the Western tradition. Justice is close to
equality in the sense that it creates a state of equilibrium in the distribution of rights
and duties, but they are not identical. Sometimes, justice is achieved through
inequality, like in unequal distribution of wealth.

God spoke to His Messenger ( ‫ )ﷺ‬in this manner: “O My slaves, I have forbidden
injustice for Myself and forbade it also for you. So, avoid being unjust to one
another” (Muslim). Thus, justice represents moral rectitude and fairness, since it
means things should be where they belong.

The Importance of Justice:

The Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam, considers justice to be a supreme virtue.
God declares in the Quran: “God commands justice and fair dealing...” (Quran
16:90) And in another passage: “O you who believe, be upright for God, and (be)
bearers of witness with justice!...” (Quran 5:8).

The Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬declared: “There are seven categories of people whom God will
shelter under the shade of His throne on the Day when there will be no shade
except this. [One is] the just leader” (Sahih Muslim)

*Equality in Justice:*
The Quranic standards of justice transcend considerations of race, religion, color,
and creed, as Muslims are commanded to be just to their friends and foes alike, and
to be just at all levels, as the Quran puts it: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for
justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, and
your relatives, or whether it is against the rich or the poor…” (Quran 4:135)

According to another Quranic passage: “Let not the hatred of a people swerve you
away from justice. Be just, for this is closest to righteousness…” (Quran 5:8).

With regards to relations with non-Muslims, the Quran further states: “God does not
forbid you from doing good and being just to those who have neither fought you
over your faith nor evicted you from your homes…” (Quran 60:8).

Justice and the Self:

The Quranic concept of justice also extends justice to being a personal virtue, and
one of the standards of moral excellence that a believer is encouraged to attain as
part of his God-consciousness. God says: “…Be just, for it is closest to God-
consciousness…” (Quran 5:8).
The Quran tells the believers: “…When you speak, speak with justice, even if it is
against someone close to you…” (Quran 6:152)

Specific Examples of Justice Encouraged in the Quran:

The Quran also refers to particular instances and contexts of justice. One such
instance is the requirement of just treatment of orphans. God says: “And approach
not the property of the orphan except in the fairest way, until he [or she] attains the
age of full strength, and give measurement and weight with justice…” (Quran
6:152, also see 89:17, 93:9 & 107:2)

Fair dealings in measurements and weights is also mentioned in other passages

where justice in the buying, selling, and by extension, to business transactions in
general, is emphasized. Chapter 83 of Quran threatens fraudulent dealers with
divine wrath.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Social Service in Islam*
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✅What is the concept of social service in Islam? Should Muslims work for the Muslim
community only or for the whole of humankind?

In Islam, social service is of immense significance. Whatever services a person

renders for the welfare of humankind, and through these deeds, hopes for the
blessings of Allah will be regarded as righteous deeds. These deeds if done solely
for seeking the pleasure of Allah (and not for recognition or show) will surely be
rewarded by Allah.

Allah says in the Glorious Qur'an: “Whoever comes (at Judgement) with a good deed
will have better than it, and they, from the terror of that day, will be safe." (Quran
27:89) "Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good see it!" (Quran
99:7)

Allah repeatedly instructs as in the Glorious Qur'an to behave kindly, to give charity,
to serve the poor, the orphans, and the needy. While the Qur’an condemns hoarders
and misers, it also prohibits ill-treating and threatening the poor and the needy.

In all these verses of the Qur'an, Allah has not instructed the Muslims to work only
for the welfare of the Muslims. There are no such restraints. All these instructions
are general in their scope and hence include both, the Muslims as well as the non-
Muslims. The Prophet (PBUH) too has made it clear that striving of a Muslim for the
welfare of any of the human beings or living creatures is an act of charity.

Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA): Allah's Messenger said: "There is none amongst the
Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal
eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3,
Hadith No. 513)

In Islam, removing a harmful thing from way is also Sadaqa (charity). (Sahih
Bukhari, Vol. 4, Hadith No. 232)

Islam ordains us to treat all the living creatures well and with kindness.

Narrated Abu Huraira (RA): Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking, he felt
thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a
dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog)
is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So, he (went down the well),
filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and
watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The
people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?"
He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate." (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3,
Hadith No. 551)

Thus, social service in Islam carries great significance and it is to be done to all in
general, regardless of the religion.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Humanity and the Divine Religion*
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✅The Holy Quran expressly declares that the human race is one family. All of us are
the children of Adam and Eve, whether our skin is white or black. At various places
it says: “All human beings are a single nation” (2:213). “All human beings are not
but a single nation and yet they disagree” (10:19). “And verily this your nation
(human beings) is a single nation” (21:92, 23:52).

The differences in our physical features, colors, complexions, languages, dresses,

customs, and the ways of living arise due to different climates and geographical
territories. Those who settled in hot tropical zones grew to be black, and those who
settled in cold climates remained white in their complexion. The people living in hot
climates are hot-headed and the people living in cold climate have cold
temperament. The diet also affects the color and temperament. The lust for
property, power and pelf made one tribe the enemy of the other tribe and led to
bloodshed and battles.

Such savage and illiterate people fashioned idols with their hands and worshiped
natural phenomenon such as the sun, fire, bodies of water and snakes and other
elements and creatures which could harm them. They believed that they could
obtain protection from such material objects, creatures, and elements of nature the
river, the snakes and other objects which could harm them. Hence out of fancy and
fear they made their gods. But the prophets always guided them and instructed
them to worship one God.

The prophets, the guides whom God sent to all people, instructed these people to
worship the one God, who is omniscient, omnipotent and all merciful. These
individuals, who were ruled by fear and stuck in their beliefs, frequently tortured,
teased and persecuted these divine reformers known as the prophets. God never
left humankind without guidance through prophets.

Adam was the first man as well as the first prophet. He guided his wife and children.
The Quran tells us, “every people had a prophet” (10:47) “And certainly we raised
in every people a prophet” (16:36). And there are not people, but a Warner has
gone among them” (35:24). “And we did not send any apostle but with the
language of the people, so that he might explain to them” (14:4).
The advent of the Holy prophet of Islam is described in the Quran: “Those who
follow the Apostle, the unlettered, whom they find written down with them in the
Torah and in the Bible” (7:157).

The Bible also mentions about the advent of the prophet. It says: “For Moses truly
said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall
say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that
prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” (The New Testament Acts
3:22-24)

Moses is prophesying about a prophet who will give them law as he gave them
divine law. Prophet Mohammad endorsed the Law of Moses and presented to him in
the Quran. Hence Prophet Mohammad is the prophesized one by Moses in the
Torah.

The Quran and other divine scriptures testify this verity that humanity is the core
message of prophecy. Some non-believers maintain that religion is the apple of
discord. But is it not the mind’s inability to understand and the selfish and greedy
passions that cause the discord, not the Truth given by God through the prophets?
The prophets rendered great sacrifices. John was beheaded with a saw. Jesus Christ
was tortured. Muhammad (PBUH) was teased and attacked. Thy tyrants and tribal
chiefs troubled him, but the prophets tolerated all trials, for God and humanity.
Humanity is the message of all prophets.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣8️⃣*
*❓The Importance of Good Family Ties in Islam*
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✅Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬explains the importance of family ties in Islam: “Whoever
believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship” (Bukhari).
Another hadith explains the severity of breaking the family ties: “Allah’s mercy will
not descend on people among whom there is one who severs ties of kinship.”
(Baihaqi, Shuab Al-Iman)

Maintaining the bonds of kinship indeed enjoys extraordinary importance in Islam.

Conversely, breaking the ties is very high on the list of enormities. At two places in
the Qur’an, Allah has cursed the one severing family ties: “And those who break the
covenant of Allah, after its ratification, and split that which Allah has commanded to
be joined (i.e, they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives)
and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse, and for them is the unhappy
home (i.e, Hell)” (Quran 13:25. See also Quran 47:22-23).

A cursed person is one who is deprived of the mercy of Allah. It is an indication of

this deprivation that this sin is punished in this world as well as in the Hereafter.
“There is no sin more deserving of having punishment meted out by Allah to its
perpetrator in advance in this world along with what He stores up for him in the
next world than oppression and severing ties of family.” (Tirmidhi).

Another hadith highlights the high stakes involved here in a compelling way:
“’Rahim’ (family ties) is a word derived from one of the names of Allah ‘Ar-Rahman’
(The Compassionate One) And Allah says: ‘I shall keep connection with him who
maintains you and break connection with him who severs you.’” (Bukhari)

Maintaining the bonds of kinship has been defined as politeness, kind treatment,
and concern for all one’s relatives even if distantly related, corrupt, non-believer, or
unappreciative. While nearly every religion has emphasized good family relations,
Islam has taken it to unprecedented heights. It is a duty to be discharged without an
eye for reciprocity. A Muslim is required to be kind even to his non-Muslim relatives.
Similarly, he is required to be kind to even those relatives who are harsh to him.

The most telling example in this regard is that of Abu Bakr (r). Among the many
people who benefited from his generosity was a relative Mistah (r). The latter
unfortunately became involved in the scandal about Aisha (r) (wife of Prophet &
daughter of Abu Bakr), which was started by the leader of the hypocrites… Feeling
hurt and betrayed, Abu Bakr vowed never to help Mistah again. Yet the Qur’an
asked him to forget and forgive and continue helping his relative, which he did. Is
there another society that can even come close to this standard in maintaining
family ties?

Islam came to set all our relationships right. This includes our relations with
Almighty Creator Allah as well as with other human beings. Family ties are very
important parts of the latter.

Today, unfortunately, these teachings can mostly be found in Muslim societies in

their violation. The best we do today is reciprocate; more commonly we backbite,
cheat, and hurt our relatives and continue the spiral of hurt and humiliation as they
respond. And we just abandon those of our relatives who are economically
unfortunate.

There are three reasons for this sad situation. First is the widespread ignorance
about Islamic teachings in this regard. Second is the rampant materialism. While
materialism hurts all aspects of our life, it is especially damaging to family ties for
they require sacrifice of time, money and personal comfort. The third reason has to
do with recent history. It is a “gift” of the transformation of Muslim societies under
colonialism, western culture, television channels, and social media.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣*
*❓What is the Status of Parents in Islam?*
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✅Islam teaches that after the obligation to the Creator, one's great obligation is to
one's own parents. It is a great sin to be impertinent, negligent, and disobedient to
them. Only if parents ask the children to act against God, they shall disobey.

All religions and all societies have given parents an honorable status. From a purely
material viewpoint, we find ourselves indebted to our parents, particularly our
mother. She not only nourished us in her womb but went through pain and
suffering. She loved us even before we were born. She toiled when we were totally
helpless infants. She spent sleepless nights caring for us.

Our parents as a team provided for all our needs: physical, educational,
psychological, and in many instances, religious, moral, and spiritual. Our
indebtedness to our parents is so immense that it is not possible to repay it fully. In
lieu of this, it becomes obligatory for us to show the utmost kindness, respect, and
obedience to our parents.
The position of parents, and the mutual obligations and responsibilities, have been
addressed in Islam in great detail. The Qur'anic commandments, as well as the
sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) guide us in this matter. The parent-child
code of behavior in Islam is unique since rules were laid down by Divine command.

References to parents have been made at least 15 times in the Holy Qur'an. There
are numerous traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on this subject. "And We
have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In travail upon travail did his
mother bear him, and in two years was his weaning. Show gratitude to Me and to
thy parents; to Me is thy final goal." (Quran 31:14)

According to the above verse, gratitude to Allah (God) and to parents go hand in
hand. Gratitude to Allah is incomplete without showing gratitude to one's parents.
Since being grateful to Allah is a form of worship which earns heavenly rewards, it
can therefore be said that being grateful to one's parents also earns heavenly
rewards.

"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to
parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a
word of contempt, nor repel them but address them, in terms of honor and, out of
kindness, lower to them the wing of humility through mercy, and say: My Lord!
Bestow on them your Mercy as they cherished me in childhood." (Qur'an 17:23-24)

Thus, Allah has enjoined on us to show kindness, respect, and humility to our
parents. We are commanded to do this, even though they may have injured us. The
only exception to the above command is made in the following verse: "We have
enjoined on man kindness to his parents; but if they strive (to force) thee to join
with Me anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not." (29:8).

Some of the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and of the learned members
of his family, about our responsibilities toward our parents are quoted here:
- "Paradise lies under the feet of the mother."
- "Allah's pleasure is in the pleasure of the father"
- "He who wishes to enter Paradise through its best door must please his parents."
- "It is a pity that some people may not attain Paradise, on account of not serving
their old parents."
- "A person is bound to be good to his parents, even though they may have injured
him."

*Footnote:*
Parents' duties: Islam has assigned certain duties to parents that they must fulfill. If
they fail in those, they will be questioned about it. Besides providing the basic
necessities of life, Islam requires that the parents teach their children about the real
concept of God, Quranic commandments, values, the teachings of Prophets, and the
moral code of Islam.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣0️⃣*
*❓How Should Be a Muslim’s Relationship with Non-Muslim Parents?*
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✅Islam instructs Muslims to be extremely respectful towards their parents,
regardless of their religion. Goodness towards one’s parents is one of the most
essential commandments of Islam. Many verses of the Qur’an stress the importance
of being kind towards one’s parents.

The Glorious Qur’an says: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him
and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your
life say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms
of honor. And out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility and say: “My Lord!
Bestow on them your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.” (Qur’an
17:23-24)

A similar message is repeated in the following verse: “And We have enjoined on

man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him and
in years twain was his weaning: (Hear the command) “Show gratitude to Me and to
thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.” (Qur’an 31:14)

However, Allah continues in the next verse: “But if they strive to make you join in
worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge obey them not; Yet bear
them company in this life with justice (and consideration) and follow the way of
those who turn to Me (in love)…” (Qur’an 31:15)

The rights of Allah take precedence over everyone else’s. Therefore, it is prohibited
in the Qur’an for a Muslim to do any kind of polytheistic worship (worship
anything/anybody besides Allah) in order to please one’s parents or out of fear that
not doing so would lead to strain in family or social relationships.

Allah repeats in the Qur’an: “We have enjoined on man kindness to parents: but if
they (either of them) strive (to force) you to join with Me (in worship) anything of
which you have no knowledge, obey them not. You have (all) to return to Me and I
will tell you (the truth) of all that you did.” (Qur’an 29:8).

In the verses quoted above, the Muslims are commanded to show respect and
gratitude to their parents, irrespective of whether their parents are Muslims or non-
Muslims. They are also instructed to obey their parents unless they ask one to
violate the commandments of Allah and His Messenger.

For example, a Muslim should not obey his / her non-Muslim parents when the
parents want their Muslim children to worship anybody or anything besides Allah,
the Creator of all. Indeed, what can be a greater sin than associating partners with
Allah? Thus, it is prohibited in Islam to accompany one’s parents in the matters of
Shirk (polytheism).

In order to avoid family problems, the revert (neo-Muslim) should be dutiful and
kind towards them in other aspects of day-to-day life, which may not cause him/her
to compromise with his/her religious beliefs or practices, as the verse of the Qur’an
quoted earlier states, “Yet bear them company in this life with justice (and
consideration)”.

One should not be arrogant or insolent but rather be kind, considerate and
courteous towards them. This display of kindness towards one’s parents not only
fulfills our obligation towards our Lord and the Creator but also becomes the means
through which the parents may accept Islam and achieve salvation. Indeed, such
beneficent teachings are not to be found in any other religion.

*Footnote:*
Even if the parents remain non-Muslims, it is the responsibility of the Muslim
children to look after them. It is the unavoidable responsibility of the children to
protect their parents who have attained old age. Islam also teaches that it is sinful
to rebuke and abuse one's aged parents. Prophet said: “One who breaks family ties
will never enter Paradise.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣1️⃣*
*❓The Rights of Children on Parents in Islam*
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✅Children are one of the joys of life that we ask Allah to grant us: “Wealth and sons
are allurements of the life of this world.” (Quran 18:46)

Children are the delight of our hearts in their childhood, our companions and
comfort in our old age, and the only source of prayers in our graves; all in all, they
are the means by which we earn the fruits of this life and the reward of the
hereafter.

Parents have responsibilities towards their children, and they stand accountable for
these responsibilities so that they can truly enjoy and appreciate the blessings of
having children and get rewarded by the Giver.

Parents should teach their children all about God and show them how to worship,
with no compulsion or force. They should also guide them to the stairways to
Paradise and protect them from falling into Hellfire. It is the responsibility of parents
to provide their children with the environment and tools to learn all about Islam.

Before the Child’s Birth:

Islam is the most just way of life, in which the rights of each soul are granted. When
a man chooses his wife, it is top priority for him to choose one bearing the
characteristics of a good mother.

The pregnant or nursing mother should take care of her health and her nutrition so
that she can pass good health to her child. She has been given the license to break
the obligatory fast of Ramadan if the fasting may cause her or the baby any harm.

Showing Love Towards Children:

Upon their birth, children have all of their rights automatically in effect: feeding,
clothing and health care. Allah says: “Mothers should feed their children for two
whole years (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling term, the cost of
their food and clothing on equitable terms is upon the father of the child.” (Quran
2:233)
Also, the Prophet advised us to give each child a name with a good meaning.

Motherhood and fatherhood are instincts that Allah has blessed us with, and the
love for our children is built into our hearts even before they are born. Prophet
Muhammad instructed us to show our love to our children: “He is not one of us who
does not have mercy for children and respect for our seniors” (At-Tirmidhi)

It is reported that Al-Aqra ibn Habis saw Allah’s Messenger kissing his grandchild
and said to the Prophet, “I have ten children, but I have never kissed any one of
them.” The Prophet said, “He who does not show mercy (towards his children), no
mercy would be shown to him” (Al-Bukhari).

The Right to a Respectable Life:

Islamic Law has given children the right to a good life and ordered the father to
guarantee them the resources that can make them live well.

Prophet Muhammad said, “The best penny a man spends is that on his children, on
his camel for the sake of Allah, and on his friends for the sake of Allah.”

Even in cases of divorce, fathers are asked to be fully responsible for their children
regarding food, clothing, schooling, and health expenses according to the father’s
standard of life. (Quran 65:7)

The Qur’an also states that children have the right to inherit from the day of their
birth.

Equality and Justice Between Children:

Justice, in particular social justice, is a major theme in Islam, which was revealed in
a time when justice was lacking. Islam’s teachings and rulings restored social justice
in the tribal societies at the time.

Muslims who fear Allah in their heart and are keen to earn His satisfaction should
treat their children equally, not favoring one over the others, in spending,
treatment, and giving gifts to them.

Children are a blessing from Allah and to thank Allah for such a blessing, parents
should fulfill the duties Allah prescribed on them towards their children.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣2️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic View About Neighborhood?*
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✅Being a Muslim, we believe that all humankind is descended from Adam and Eve,
so we all are brothers and sisters. No one is superior to other except ‘Taqwa’ (piety)
or God fearing. We all depend on each other in this world to make a society.

The Ideal Muslim is a man of the highest moral character. In his relationship with his
God, himself, family, parents, relatives, friends, and the community at large, he has
a most excellent example in the prophet of Islam (PBUH). His idealism is further
strengthened by the characters of the first generations of Muslims who excelled in
all the various fields of human endeavor. He is reassured by the teachings of Islam
that he also can reach these noble heights by working to improve his character
daily.

It enjoins that neighbors should establish social relations in which one can depend
upon the other and regarding his life, honor, and property safe among his
neighbors. Islam teaches us the correct way to live our lives as it is a complete code
of life. The Divine book Holy Quran has different chapters each one of them
describes different aspects of life.

Islam has great respect for the mutual rights and duties of neighbors. The Holy
Prophet said: “Angel Jibril always used to advise me to be generous with neighbors,
till I thought that Allah was going to include the neighbors among the heirs of a
Muslim.”

Just as relationship in a family, Islam views that the relationship between neighbors
ought to be warm and cordial. The Prophet (PBUH) advised decent behavior to the
neighbors without causing any kind of disturbance to them.

Besides many other topics, the subject of rights of neighbors also mentioned in Holy
Quran. Allah Almighty says: “Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and
do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near,
neighbors who are strangers, the Companion by your side, the wayfarer [you meet],
and what your right hands possess: For Allah loveth not the arrogant, the
vainglorious” (Quran 4:36)

Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) told: “Know that you are good if your neighbors speak
well of you. Know that you are bad if your neighbors speak badly about you”

Muslim must be good to his neighbors, no matter their religion. Holy Prophet (PBUH)
taught us that a “Neighbor” is not just the one next door but includes all those up to
forty houses in all directions is definitely a whole neighborhood.

A Muslim should not eat if his neighbor is going hungry. It means that Muslims
should wish for their neighbors what they wish for themselves. Means share their
happiness and sorrow. Further, not to spy on them and respect their privacy. Do not
gossip about them, not harm them in any way.

Islam desires all neighbors to be loving and cooperative with one another. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the last day should do well
to his neighbor” (Muslim).

Some of the primary rights of neighbors are mentioned below:

- Must help your neighbor if he/she asks for it
- Give him/her relief if ask for your relief
- Share meal with your neighbor
- Being good to them in all respects
- Ensure the safety of your neighbors
- Do not harass your neighbor
- Must attend your neighbor’s funeral when he dies
- Lend your neighbor a loan if he needs it
- Must visit your neighbor if he is ill
- Behave politely in attitude and speech with your neighbors

In short, do your best to your neighbors, help them and be kind to them.

*Footnote:*
The rights of neighborhood are not meant for Muslim neighbors only. Of course, a
Muslim neighbor has one more claim upon us - that of Islamic brotherhood; but so
far as the rights of neighborship are concerned, all are equal.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What is the Quran’s Approach Towards Slavery?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Slavery is a tradition which is non-existent in our society today. It is necessary to
clearly understand the roots of slavery and the influence that it exerted on the
societies in which it was prevalent when we set about to study this phenomenon in
the present context. Indeed, it is not possible to come to but one conclusion in a
current study of past phenomena. It is only when we realize what slavery actually is,
and the influence which it exerted on the past societies, that we can truly
appreciate the greatness of the Quran’s approach towards it.

It has been as an introduction to the study of the Qur’an’s vision on slavery as well
as its approach towards it that the origins and history of the said tradition has been
dealt with in detail. Instead of an impractical and unscientific approach whereby a
centuries-old institution was sought to be abolished by a single declaration, Islam
developed and implemented a very practicable system of eliminating slavery.

In this context, if the sheer practicability of Islam’s line of action is to be fully

appreciated, we will have to understand the very psychology of the slave as well.
There exists a vast difference between the mindset of the slave and that of the free
man. In the formation of the mindset of the slave, a life of continual slavery exerts a
very great influence indeed.

He is able only to obey and execute orders. His mind will be incapacitated in taking
up responsibilities. His mind can, in no wise, be so burdened. He is only able to flee
from taking up responsibilities. However, he will always be ready to take upon his
head whatever it is that the master commands.

The psychology of the slave and the master is located at two opposite poles or
extremes. If one is that of arrogance, the other will be that of meekness. The
example of America is the best case in point to show that the emancipation of
slaves that is not based on an approach whereby these mindsets, which are located
at opposite poles, are first brought together on to the same plane, will never be
emancipation at all.
It was through the activism of Abraham Lincoln that, through a single proclamation,
the slaves in America achieved freedom one fine morning! But what was it that
actually happened there?

The slaves who ultimately received their freedom were, however, unable to bear the
‘burden’ of this freedom. They looked around, not quite knowing what it was that
they were to do. Since there was none to command them now, they were unable to
do anything at all. Indeed, they returned to their masters and actually asked them
to take them back as slaves. Here, it is seen that it is futile to physically set free
those who are psychologically unprepared for that freedom.

The Qur’an, which has been revealed by God who is fully aware of the physical and
mental states of human beings, has provided a completely practical code of action.
The system of slavery was one of the pillars of the economic set-up of Arabia. Its
roots had penetrated much deeper than to enable its eradication by a mere order of
prohibition.

Therefore, Allah, who is most aware of the nature of human society, contrary to
bringing a law that would completely abolish slavery, accepted a practical code of
action for its eradication.

Islam had, firstly, sought to bring the two groups of people, situated as they were at
two extreme states of the mental condition, on to a common platform. The Qur’an
had put forward a program of civilizing both slave and master. Besides this, it kept
open all the ways for achieving freedom as a gift and as a product of one’s own
labor.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What Were the Practical Steps Qur’an Adopted for the Eradication of Slavery?*
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✅It may be seen that the Qur’an had adopted five steps for the eradication of
slavery.

1. Created a Sense of Brotherhood

The Qur’an had, firstly, created a notion that both master and slave were brothers,
one to the other, by inculcating an awareness that all men are the creations of the
same God and were the children of the same parents. “O mankind! We created you
from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes,
that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other)..” (Qur’an 49:13)

2. Created an Awareness Concerning the Rights of the Slave

The slave was a mere marketable commodity in all ancient societies. Islam brought
about a transformation in the situation. It taught that the slave is the brother of the
master and that he has rights as well. The Prophet commanded: “They are your
brothers and relatives! Let each one provides for the brother under him with the
food that he himself eats and with the clothes that he himself wears. Place not upon
them any task that is overbearing for them. If you do assign them a difficult task,
you must help them in its execution.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

The Prophet had clearly stated, “If anyone kills a slave, we shall kill him. If anyone
castrates his slave, we shall castrate him” (Muslim, Abu Dawood). Furthermore, the
Qur’an prohibited the system of forcing female slaves into prostitution (Qur’an
24:33). The Prophet had taught against even uttering anything that might injure the
self-respect of the slave.

Islam teaches that the slave has the right to become even a leader and that in the
event that he does get appointed as a leader, it is obligatory to obey him. “Even if it
be a negro slave, with hair like dried grapes, who is appointed as your leader, you
must hear and obey him.”

3. Declared the Emancipation of Slaves to be an Act of Righteousness

Allay says about believers: “He releases them from their heavy burdens and from
the yokes that are upon them…” (Qur’an 7:157)

The Qur’anic verse which makes it clear that the emancipation of slaves is an act of
the highest virtue goes as follows: “And what will explain to thee the path that is
steep? (It is) freeing the bondman; or the giving of food in a day of privation, to the
orphan with claims of relationship, or to the indigent (down) in the dust.” (Qur’an
90:12-16)

*4. Emancipation of Slaves was Made the Act of Expiation for Many Sins*
In addition to encouraging the believers towards its commission by declaring the
emancipation of slaves to be a virtuous deed, Islam recommended it as an act of
expiation for many types of sin. The atonement for sins like unintentional murder
and breaking one’s vow of not approaching his wife was the freeing of one slave.

*5. Facility of Providing the Slave with his Freedom in Exchange of the Ransom
Value was Made Possible*
Let us suppose that it was still not possible for a slave to become free by any of the
means listed above. Even then freedom is not unattainable for him. Islam has
opened a way out for any slave who desires his freedom. This becomes possible
through an emancipation deed known by the technical name ‘Mukathaba’.

The master and the slave get together to decide upon a ransom value and a
timeframe for its payment on mutually agreeable terms. It is further possible for the
slave to go out and work to earn this ransom value himself. With the completion of
this payment he becomes a free man.

*Footnote:*
As far as the problem of slavery is concerned, there has been no other course of
action to which anyone could point and say that that was a better way than the
method adopted by Islam.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Why Didn’t Qur’an Completely Prohibit Slavery?*
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✅Islam, which had undertaken a practical course of action necessary for the
eradication of slavery, however, never went to the extent of issuing an order of total
prohibition against it which it had done in the cases of intoxicants and adultery.
Why was this so?

There is more than one reason for this. The line of action of the Qur’an which
refrained from completely prohibiting slavery has, in fact, made clear its
applicability for all time. From the stand adopted by it in this issue, we have been
given to understand the fact that the Qur’an is, indeed, a revelation from the Lord
God Himself who is best aware of the changing trends and evolutionary processes
of human society.

If the Qur’an’s act of not imposing total prohibition on slavery is studied in some
depth, it will be a conclusive testimony to the statement of fact that Islam is,
indeed, adaptable to the exigencies of time and that its recommendations are
practical in any age.

The beginnings of the system of slavery traces itself to the prisoners who were
captured in war. Before the proclamation made by modern states which imposed a
total prohibition on slavery, it was the usual and prevalent practice to enslave
prisoners captured in war. Prisoners-of-war were either to be killed or enslaved. This
was the practice. Indeed, these were the only practical solutions available. After all,
there was no provision to accommodate them as prisoners in those times.

The Prophet has himself set the precedent in handling prisoners of war in four ways:
1. Set them free without any ransom. Prisoners-of-war may be set at liberty if it is
clear that it will not be harmful for the Muslim society to do so.
2. They may be exchanged for the Muslims captured by the enemies.
3. They may be freed after securing a ransom.
4. They may be divided amongst the Muslims soldiers as slaves.

Those who were engaged in warfare with the Muslim society were people who
accepted slavery as an option and were warring to acquire slaves as well.
Furthermore, when warring with them, they either enslaved or killed the Muslims
captured by them. If slavery had been abolished, the Muslims would never have
been able to enslave those captured from their side.

This would then have enabled the enemies to perpetrate even greater cruelty
towards the Muslim prisoners. The Muslims would, moreover, be unable to use the
captured prisoners of the enemy to effectively engage in the negotiation for the
release of those who were captured from their own side.

The enemies were aware that if slavery were abolished in Islam, the Muslims would
become powerless to enslave or kill those captured from their side. Thus, the
enemies would never settle for a mutual understanding that would allow for an
exchange of their prisoners in return for the freedom of those captured from the
Muslims.

Therefore, under a context in which slavery was not prohibited worldwide, it would
have been suicidal if Islam had ventured to prohibit slavery. It was then for the
same reason that Allah, the Knower of all Space-Time, refrained from prohibiting
slavery.

In reality, because slavery existed in the world as an established institution, there

was bound to be greater harm than good if Islam had abolished it. Islam, while
allowing for slavery, did, however, teach that the slave and the master were
brothers one to the other and that the slave had rights of his own and that he was
to be treated humanely, and that he was never to be insulted and humiliated. Thus,
for a slave living under a Muslim, slavery would never be a burden. Furthermore, it
is possible for him to become a free man at any point of time. He can attain his
freedom when he is inclined towards it.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What is the Concept of Gender Equality in Islam?*
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✅To be treated equally, or justice, does not always mean that each is the same.
Many people who speak about equality presume that this should be reflected in
treating two groups exactly the same. However, this is manifestly not always the
proper thing to do. People’s needs, strengths, abilities, and disabilities need to be
accommodated and considered as opposed to subjecting all to a single standard
that may only be suitable for a few.

Thus, we need to make a distinction between the superficial procedural equality and
the substantive equality, which is justice. Human beings favor substantive equality
over procedural equality because we recognize that the former allows for justice.

Substantive Equality of Men and Women:

Islam recognizes that while men and women have some physical differences,
spiritually they enjoy absolute equality before God. The Quran and Sunnah are
unequivocal in stating that one’s gender will have absolutely no bearing on their
reward or punishment in the next life.

“If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female – and have faith, they will
enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.” (Quran 4:124)

“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We
give a new Life, a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their
reward according to the best of their actions.” (Quran 16:97)

Therefore, Islam openly declares that men and women have an equal status and
value before God, and piety alone differentiates one individual from another.

Equal yet Different:

In legal and practical aspects, the general rules are the same for men and women.
Both have the same acts of worships, the same Islamic etiquette, and manners, and
are subject to the same legal penalties. But there are also many cases where the
rulings are different.

Women are exempted from fasting and prayer during their period. Men are
prohibited from wearing gold and silk while women are allowed. Friday prayers are
obligatory for men but optional for women. Men must spend their money on the
family, but a woman’s money is entirely her own to spend as she chooses. There
are differences in clothing requirements as well, since the physical appearance of
men and women is dissimilar.

All of this is reflective of the natural differences between men and women. So, in
lesser jurisprudential matters, Islam treats men and women according to their
inherent differences as per substantive equality and in the interest of justice.

Aside from external and internal anatomical differences, scientists know there are
many other subtle differences in the way the brains of men and women process
language, information, and emotion, just to mention a few.

A socio-biology expert, Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University, said that females

tend to be higher than males in verbal skills, empathy and social skills, among other
things, while men tend to be higher in independence, dominance, spatial and
mathematical skills, rank-related aggression, and other characteristics.

It would be foolish to treat both genders the same and to ignore their differences.
Islam teaches that men and women have complementary, yet different, roles
because it is best suited to their nature. God says: “And the male is not like the
female.” (Qur’an 3:36)
“Does not the One who created, know? And He is the Most Kind, the All Aware.”
(Qur’an 67:14)

*Conclusion:*
Islam affirms the absolute spiritual equality of men and women and assigns both an
equal rank before God. In jurisprudential matters, Islam promotes the substantive
equality of men and women, recognizes their unique strengths and capabilities, and
rules accordingly protecting the rights of both.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Does Not Islam Give Freedom to Women? Is Islam a Male Dominated Religion?*
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✅The Qur’an teaches that it is the cooperation and mutuality between man and
woman which works as the foundational basis for the very existence and
furtherance of the institution of the family. Indeed, the Qur’an formulated laws on
the ground that to ensure the permanence of any moral code it is necessary that
the institution of the family is itself manifested in good order.

It is common knowledge that any firm, no matter howsoever good its credentials, is
bound to wither away in the absence of a controlling head of affairs. Then is there
not the necessity of a head for the family wherein the very foundation of all morality
in society is being formulated?

It is indeed, vital that there must be an overseer for properly carrying out all the
incumbent responsibilities that arise while maintaining a family right from bringing
up children and giving them all the guidance required for making them responsible
members of the society. Otherwise, total anarchy and chaos will be the result.

It is his ability to undertake action that is in conformance to thought which makes

It is for this reason that the Qur’an, while stating that ‘men have control over the
affairs of women’, has also emphasized that the reason for this is that “Allah has
granted more strength to one above the other and because they spend out of their
wealth on them.” (Qur’an 4:34). This is the reason why it is said that the Qur’an, by
placing the affairs of the family upon the man, has conferred a great responsibility
upon him.

By granting man the control over the affairs of woman and over family it does not
mean that he may become a virtual dictator over them. Indeed, leadership itself
becomes ennobling and enlivening only in the context of cooperation and mutual
consultation. A truly satisfying family life becomes possible only when the man, who
is entrusted with the leadership of the family, accepts the Qur’anic recommendation
of “treating the women with kindness” as well as the advice of the Prophet to the
effect that “he is the best amongst you who treat best the members of his
household.”

In short, therefore, the Qur’an, by entrusting the leadership of the family upon the
man, has actually sheltered the woman from the same. No one who is versed in the
nature of womanhood will take a stand against the Qur’an in this issue.

*The Qur’anic Vision with Regard to Man and Woman May be Summarized as:*
1. Both man and woman originated from the same soul. They are like the two sides
of a coin. Although both are independent, it is their mutuality which gives each its
fullness.

2. Neither can a woman be like a man nor a man be like a woman. Each has its very
own different, yet, potentially mutual, existence.

3. Both man and woman have then rights. However, those rights are to be attained
not through violence. It must be through mutual cooperation.

4. Both have their respective duties. It is only by virtue of fulfilling these duties that
both the individual and the society can survive.
5. It is against the very law of nature for a man to undertake the responsibilities of a
woman and for a woman to try to fulfill those of a man. Each has to perform its own
duty.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What are the Rights Islam Gives to Women?*
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✅Islam has given woman rights and privileges, which she has never enjoyed under
other religious or constitutional systems. This can be understood when the matter is
studied as a whole in a comparative manner, rather than partially.

While men and women have equal rights as a general principle, the specific rights
and responsibilities granted to them are not identical. Men and women have
complementary rights and responsibilities.

1. Equal Reward & Equal Accountability:

Men and women worship Allah in the same way, meaning they worship the same
God (Allah), perform the same acts of worship, follow the same scripture, and hold
the same beliefs. Almighty Allah judges all human beings fairly and equitably. Allah
emphasizes the just treatment and reward due to both men and women in many
verses of the Qur’an: “Allah has promised to the believers, men and women,
gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens
of everlasting bliss” (Quran 9:72). See Quran 3:195 also.

2. Right to Freedom of Expression:

She is entitled to freedom of expression as much as man is. Her sound opinions are
taken into consideration and cannot be disregarded just because she belongs to the
female sex. It is reported in the Qur'an and history that woman not only expressed
her opinion freely but also argued and participated in serious discussions with the
Prophet himself as well as with other Muslim leaders (Quran 58:1-4; 60:10-12).
*3. Right in Social Life & Politics:*
Historical records show that women participated in public life with the early
Muslims, especially in times of emergencies. Women used to accompany the Muslim
armies engaged in battles to nurse the wounded, prepare supplies, serve the
warriors, and so on. They were not shut behind iron bars or considered worthless
creatures and deprived of souls.

4. Right to Work & Earn:

Islam grants woman equal rights to contract, to enterprise, to earn and possess
independently. Her life, her property, her honor is as sacred as those of man. If she
commits any offence, her penalty is no less or more than of men in a similar case. If
she is wronged or harmed, she gets due compensations equal to what a man in her
position would get (2:178; 4:45; 92-93).

5. Right to Knowledge:

She is equal to man in the pursuit of education and knowledge. When Islam enjoins
the seeking of knowledge upon Muslims, it makes no distinction between man and
woman. Almost fourteen centuries ago, Muhammad declared that the pursuit of
knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim male and female.

6. Right to Choose Spouse:

Islam has honored women by giving them the right to choose a spouse and keep
their original family name once married. Additionally, many have the impression
that parents force their daughters into marriage. This is a cultural practice but has
no basis in Islam. In fact, it is prohibited.

7. Right for Inheritance:

Apart from recognition of woman as an independent human being acknowledged as
equally essential for the survival of humanity, Islam has given her a share of
inheritance. Before Islam, she was not only deprived of that share but was herself
considered as property to be inherited by man. This share is hers, and no one can
take it away or disinherit her.

*Footnote:*
Before Islam, women were considered shameful, girls were buried alive, prostitution
was rampant, divorce was only in the hands of the husband, inheritance was only
for the strong, and oppression was widespread. Islam came and abolished these
practices. Islam, however, regards women as precious and valuable, not to be
disrespected or disgraced. Why would many women around the world willingly enter
Islam if it is an oppressive religion?

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣2️⃣9️⃣*
*❓What Will Women Get in Paradise, While Men Get Beautiful Maidens (Hoor)?*
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✅The Qur'an mentions over and over the blessings of Heaven. It repeatedly
mentions beautiful, pure maidens as a bounty of Heaven. People often say Islam is
a male dominance religion. Why is there not mention of rewards for women?

Almighty Allah says in Holy Quran: “And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice"
(18:49). Quran also says: "Allah is never unjust in the least degree; if there is any
good (done), He doubleth it, and gives from His Own Self a great reward" (4:40)

Allah has meant the Law of Islam (Shari'ah) for both men and women. All address to
men in the Quran is address to women, and all rules affecting men affect women as
well unless evidence is established that one of them is meant and not the other as
in the rules relating to Jihad, menstruation, custodianship, rule etc.

The evidence that women are included in verses of the Quran in the male gender is
a Hadith by Aysha, narrated by Abu Dawud, Tirmizi 113. With respect to rewards in
the Hereafter and what women have in heaven, there are many verses and Hadiths
as follows:

Um-Salama said: "O Messenger of Allah. I did not hear a verse in the Quran
regarding the Hijrah (migration with the Prophet) of women." Then was revealed the
verse: "And their Lord has accepted of them, and answered them: never will I suffer
to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female: ye are members, one of
another; those who have left their homes, and were driven out therefrom, and
suffered harm in My cause, and fought and were slain, verily I will blot out from
them their inequities, and admit them into gardens with rivers flowing beneath…"
(Quran 3:195). This Hadith was narrated by Tirmizi (No. 3023)
Let us see one more verse: “If any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or
female, and have faith, they will enter heaven, and not the least injustice will be
done to them” (Quran 4:124).

Finally, here is a Hadith that will dispel any doubt we may have with respect to the
mentioning of women: Um-Umarah said that she went to the Prophet (PBUH) and
said to Him: "I feel that everything is for men. Women are not mentioned as having
anything. Then was revealed the verse: ‘For Muslim men and women, for believing
men and women …’” (Quran 33:35). The Hadith is narrated by Tirmizi (No. 3211)
and is in Sahih at-Tirmizi (No. 2565)

What Will Women Get, While Men Get Hoor?

Many translators of the Qur’an have translated the word ‘hoor’ as ‘beautiful
maidens’. However, some scholars say that the word ‘hoor’ has no specific gender.
Mohammad Asad has translated the word ‘hoor’ as spouse and Abdullah Yusuf Ali as
‘companion’.

Anyhow, many scholars say that in context, the word ‘Hoor’ used in the Qur’an
refers only to ladies since gents are addressed. Therefore, the more appropriate
answer would be the one from Prophet himself, when the question was posed that if
a man gets a Hoor in Paradise what will the women get? The Prophet Muhammed
replied that “the women will get that which the heart has not desired for, the ear
has not heard off and the eye hasn’t seen”, indicating that even the women will get
something exceptional in Paradise.

In summary, a woman will have only one husband in Paradise, and she will be
satisfied with him and will not need any more than that. The believing woman does
not object to the rulings of Allah or feel angry. Rather she accepts what Allah has
decreed for her. Her sound nature tells her that she cannot live with more than one
man at a time. So long as she has entered Paradise, she will have all that she
desires, so she should not dispute now about the delights and rewards that her Lord
has chosen for her, for your Lord does not treat anyone unjustly.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Does Islam Prevent Women from Entering Masjid (Mosque)?*
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✅The critics usually raise the allegations against Islam that Muslims are not ready to
give women religious freedom; Muslims have conservative mindset and women are
always under the control of male gender; they cannot enjoy their religious rights on
their own wishes and there is no value of Muslim women, their ideas, their feelings
and consequently their choices never matter in Muslim society; and hence, Muslim
women are not allowed to offer prayers in mosques, which is violative and a
discriminatory practice as well as it is a systemic humiliation, social exclusion, a
symbol of subjugation and a sign of derogation from the dignity of women and an
exploitation of their right to be equal human beings in the eyes of God.

This is totally myth and stereotype. There is no as such restriction in Islam. They are
equal in Islam and there is no concept of discrimination on the ground of gender.
The reality is that the credit of to make women an important part of society and to
give them equal right to men goes to Islam. This was a revolutionary step of Islam
to declare women an important figure of society and to grant them right of consent
in that age, where women were not being considered even equal to goods or
animals.

*What is Reality?*
Reality is that in Islam, women are allowed to enter in mosques to offer prayers and
there is no existence of discrimination on the ground of gender as well as no
violation of right to equality and of worship. Abdullah bin Umar reported: The
Messenger of God said, “Do not prevent the maid-servants of God from going to the
mosque”. Simultaneously, Prophet Mohammad also advised Muslim men not to stop
women to visit mosque as he said: “don’t prevent your women from going to
mosque when they ask for permission”. Prophet (PBUH) did not forbid women from
entering his mosque in Medina.

Additionally, Women are allowed to go to mosque to offer prayer even without her
relatives. As at the time of Prophet Mohammad women were offering prayers in
mosque. Ayesha (r), a wife of Prophet Mohammad said: “women were coming to
mosque to offer (even) morning prayer with Prophet, wearing full dressed clothes
and when they completed their prayers, returned to their houses.”

These all Hadiths shows that women are permitted to enter in the mosque and to
perform prayers over there to show their devotion to their God. There is no violation
of right to equality and right to worship. They have Islamic right to visit mosque to
perform prayers.
It was not disliked at the time of Prophet Mohammad till the early days of Khilafat of
Umer (r), women were performing prayer in mosques and attending Friday sermon.
The expression of disapproval or dislike was first shown in the later period of Umar
Khilafat and it was done because social evils and bad elements began to raise their
heads in the society. But it is also the testimony of history that Atiqah- wife of Umar
and other women too were performing prayer in later period of Umer and their
husbands did not prevent them to enter in mosques. As a result, even today,
women are allowed to offer prayers in mosques.

Another part of this provision is that to offer prayers in mosques is not compulsory
for women, they will get total reward as men get in mosque even if they offer
prayer in their houses as it was reported by Abdullah Bin Umar. He said Prophet
Mohammad said: “don’t stop your wives to visit Mosque to offer prayer but their
houses are better for them”. So, the women community is more benefited in
comparison to male gender. They can offer prayer in Masjid as well as in house and
will get total reward even in case when they offer prayer in their houses.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Isn’t it an Explicit Discrimination that Islam Gives Men Twice the Portion of
Women in their Share of Inheritance?*
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✅In truth, the only religious text that grants the right of inheritance to woman is the
Qur’an. Indeed, many of the nations, termed today as progressive, have conferred
upon women the right to inheritance only in the 20th century. But Islam had
declared in the 7th century itself that, “From what is left by parents and those
nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the
property be small or large…” (Quran 4:7)

According to the Old Testament of the Bible, only sons have the right to inheritance.
Therein can be seen verses, which suggest that the wealth of the deceased is to be
divided amongst the sons of the deceased (Deuteronomy 21:15-17). There is also
the recommendation, which requires that the daughters be given the right to
inheritance if there are no sons (Numbers 27:8).

In the New Testament of the Bible, there is no mention, whatsoever, of any

proportioning of the wealth of inheritance in it. The Christian church had, in all such
matters, been following the commandments of the Old Testament. It was in 1850
that the law, which allowed for women to have the right to inheritance, came into
effect.

The Hindu scriptures, which saw woman as the private property of man, and
formulate laws in accordance thereof, does not even make a mention of making her
a beneficiary in the wealth of inheritance. There is nothing in the Hindu scriptures,
which imply that the daughters are entitled to the wealth of their father. Indeed, the
Manusmrithi has laid down the law that it is the sons who are entitled to the wealth
of inheritance (9:104).

The Qur’an recognizes the right of the sons and daughters to the wealth of their
parents. Besides the right of the sons and daughters, the Qur’an clearly
recommends the exact share that the parents, spouses, and siblings of the
deceased person have to be apportioned from that person’s wealth in chapter 4:11-
12.

The son of the deceased is to have a share in the inheritance that is twice to that of
the daughter. However, is this meant to be an act of discrimination towards the
woman? Is this a law that tends to highlight partiality towards the man? It will be of
benefit if the following facts are understood before any conclusions are hastily
arrived upon:

1. The Qur’an recognizes the right of woman to earn wealth. Indeed, to earn as
much as she desires.

2. Under no circumstances will the protection and maintenance of woman; children

or the parents become the duty of the woman.

3. Woman has the right to take, at the time of her marriage, her dower from her
husband. This dower (Mahar) is then effectively treated as her own wealth.

4. The protection of the family is the duty of man. It is man who is duty bound to
bear the expenses of his wife, children, and parents.

5. Irrespective of how wealthy a wife might be, the husband has no right,
whatsoever, to take from any portion of her wealth without her explicit permission.
The question may now be considered as to whether the Qur’an has dealt justly or
discriminatingly with the woman. The wealth of woman is hers and hers alone. In
effect, all financial burdens have to be borne by man. Then is it man or woman who
has found favorable treatment in the Qur’an?

All other religious texts, which confer financial responsibilities upon the man, have,
in lieu of such duties, restricted the right to inheritance with the man. As for the
Qur’an, while it does stress upon the fact that all financial burdens will be
shouldered by man, it, nevertheless, provides for the inheritance of woman as well.
Indeed, by approportioning half the inheritance of man to woman it has greatly
honored her.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣2️⃣*
*❓What is the Islamic Code of Dress?*
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✅Islam gives guidance about all aspects of life, including matters of public decency.
Although Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that
Muslims must wear, there are some minimum requirements that must be met.

It should be noted, too, that codes for conduct when it comes to dressing are
greatly relaxed when individuals are home and with their families. The following
requirements are followed by Muslims when they appear in public, not in the
privacy of their own homes.

Garments are for beatifying and for covering one's body. The mode of dress should
never display excess show and arrogance. Islam teaches a decent way of dressing
to all women and men. The paramount purpose of clothing is to cover one's
nakedness.
Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) have neither specified nor limited the believers to a
particular Islamic dress, but rather gave some conditions which the dress one
adorns himself/herself which must be fulfilled. Allah Says: “O ye children of Adam!
We have bestowed clothing upon you to cover your shame as well as to be an
adornment to you; but the clothing of 'taqwa' (piety, righteousness, etc.) is the best.
Such are among the Signs of Allah that they may receive admonition!” (Quran 7:26)

Five Conditions of Apparel in Islam:

1. Clothes worn should not announce arrogance.
2. Men must cover from their belly buttons to their knees & women must cover
everything except their hands and faces.
3. The clothes worn must not be tight so as to display one’s figure and curves and
should not be transparent. It means it should not provoke sexual desire in a
stranger.
4. The clothes worn must not be an imitation of the pagans or disbelievers.
5. Men should not imitate women in their clothing; nor should women imitate men
in their clothing.

Why Should Hijab for Woman?

The Arabic word ‘hijab’ literally translates into English as "veil". Adherents of Islam
believe that it is a command by God to adult Muslim men and women, carrying the
ruling of obligatory, which is agreed upon by consensus.

No man or a woman should dress in a way which rouses sexual desire in a stranger.
Women ought to fully cover all the parts of their bodies except the face and hands.
The aim of prescribing such a dress code for woman is to protect her honor and to
ensure her safety.

Should Women’s Hijab be Black?

A woman may wear whatever she wants, so long as she does not wear a garment
that is an adornment in itself, i.e., decorated and adorned in such a way that it
attracts the gaze of men, because of the general meaning of the verse: “…and not
to show off their adornment…” [Quran 24:31]

The dress of the Muslim woman need not only be black. It is permissible for her to
wear any color of clothing so long as it covers her ‘awrah, does not resemble men’s
clothing, and is not so tight as to show the shape of her limbs or so thin as to show
what is beneath it, and does not provoke temptation. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-
Daa’imah 17/108).

Many women choose to wear black, not because it is obligatory, but because it is
farthest removed from being an adornment. There are reports which indicate that
the women of the Sahabah used to wear black. (Abu Dawood 4101)
*Footnote:*
Nobel Peace Prize winner ‘Tawakkul Karman’, when asked about her Hijab by
journalists and how it is not proportionate to her level of intellect and education,
replied: “Man in early times was almost naked, and as his intellect evolved he
started wearing clothes. What I am today and what I am wearing represents the
highest level of thought and civilization that man has achieved and is not
regressive. It is the removal of clothes again that is a regression back to the ancient
times.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Is Hijab (Veil) a Symbol of Oppression or Freedom?*
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✅One of the Islamic symbols that has been engaging so much attention of the
western world is the veil - the hijab (a scarf wrapped around a woman's head to
conceal every wisp of hair). Veiling has become, perhaps more than any other
single issue, the defining "women's question".

The hijab has now become the most powerful symbol of Muslim women's rejection
of western notions of feminism. These empowered and educated women are using
the hijab to articulate a new response to modernity.

The hijab also expresses a translational form of Islamic feminism that has been
marked by the entry of women into all public spheres of Islamic life including formal
religious learning.

The western discourse has consistently argued that the hijab is not a symbol of
freedom, but one of oppression. It believes that the women in Islam are second
class citizens and that this status is encoded in both sacred text and tradition,
enforced by culture and law.
If you browse the western media's news stories or polls and studies, they constantly
strip the activity of a Muslim woman down to her hijab or attire. Have we forgotten
that less than 100 years ago American women were denied the freedoms and
access that we now take for granted and promote as universal human rights?

But research suggests that contrary to western notions, Muslim women choose to
wear the hijab as a way of showing self-control, power and agency. Many well-
educated women working in prestigious posts wear it.

In fact, they wear it not as a symbol of control by a man, but rather to promote their
own feminist ideals. For many Muslim women, wearing a hijab offers a way for them
to take control of their bodies and challenge the ways in which women are
marginalized by men. They justify wearing the hijab, as a public statement of their
own spiritual quest.

Prophet Muhammad said, "Every religion has a chief characteristic, and the chief
characteristic of Islam is modesty." In Islam, modesty is a virtue for both men and
women. When the Quran tells believers to lower their lustful gazes and guard their
chastity, it begins by commanding this to men before women (Quran 24:30-31).

A woman's attire has never been about perception, it is solely a matter of

interpretation. What gets lost in the midst of such interpretive crossfire is the core
message that women should not be objectified.

Modesty is not uniquely an Islamic requirement. It is also expressed in other

monotheistic religions. For example, ultra-orthodox Jewish women wear wigs to
cover their hair. Nuns wear apostolniks as a sign of their religious consecration.
Episcopalian women are supposed to wear hats to church.

The Quranic view of the ideal society is that the social and moral values have to be
upheld by both Muslim men and women and there is justice for all. The Quran asks
the women that they behave with dignity and decorum befitting a secure, self-
respecting and self-aware human being rather than an insecure female who feels
that her survival depends on her ability to attract or cajole those men who are
interested not in her personality but only in her sexuality.

For women who observe hijab, it is not merely a piece of cloth, nor a symbol of
defiance. Rather, it is a path that aids in self-purification and nearness to their
creator. It is a means to inculcate modesty. A veil is seen as a genuine expression of
a woman's religiosity.

We cannot cast the choices of the hundreds of millions of women who have worn
the headscarf as somehow invalid, irrational, wrong, or backwards. Just as women
should be free and empowered to choose not to wear the hijab, they must also be
free and empowered to wear it, if that is what they want.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What is the Islamic View on Marriage?*
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✅Allah Almighty created men and women as company for one another, and so that
they can become parents and live in peace and calmness according to the
commandments of Allah Almighty. Allah says in Holy Quran: “And among His signs
is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in
tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts.
Undoubtedly in these are signs for those who reflect.” (Quran 30:21).

It is the stern command of Islam that the sexual instinct, natural to man should
attain consummation only through wedlock. Matrimony is a holy act. Celibacy has
been strongly prohibited. Marriage is viewed by Islam as a sacred contract. The dos
and don'ts that the two mates ought to adopt in matrimonial life have been
prescribed by Islam. Obeying these stipulations, man and woman can ensure a
successful and blissful married life and a peaceful life after death.

Importance of Marriage in Islam:

In Islam marriage being an obligatory act is so important that it is declared to be
one half of a Muslim’s faith. It is narrated by Anas that the Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) said, “When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him
fear Allah regarding the remaining half.”

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also married and encouraged others to get
married by saying: “A person who is able to support a wife and children and does
not marry then he is not from us.” Marriage has great importance in Islam, it
emphasizes on not to delay in marriage.
*Reasons due to which Islam so Much Emphasized on Marriage:*
- Marriage makes an incomplete human being a complete one
- It is necessary for making family (for children)
- Marriage is one of the most liked Sunnah in Islam as our beloved Prophet (PBUH)
married and also encouraged others
- It provides tranquility, peace, and security
- It is a bond of love not just only between two persons but between two families
- It is a source to experience love and happiness

Besides this, we have so many verses in Quran related to the importance of

Marriage in Islam and in the sight of Almighty Allah. In one place Allah says: “O
Humans revere your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single person created
of like nature its mate, and from this scattered (like seeds) countless men and
women. Reverence Allah through Whom you claim your mutual rights” (Quran 4:1)

In this verse by stressing on the equality of all humans men or women and making
it the basis of marriage, Allah in His infinite wisdom has laid the ground rules for
establishing peace, as well as the assigning of different roles to husband and wife
as the functional strategy rather than a question of competence as humans.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) stated that: “Men and women are twin halves of each
other” (Bukhari). This Hadith also emphasize the fact that men and women are
created from single source.

Since the family is the foundation of Islamic society, and marriage is the only way to
bring families into existence in Islam.

Marriage is an act pleasing Allah Almighty because it is in accordance with his

commandments that husband and wife love each other and help each other to
make efforts to continue the human race and raise their children to become true
servants of Allah.

*Conditions of Marriage:*
Thoughtful consideration of the Quranic instructions and the traditions of the
Prophet (PBUH) clearly show that marriage is compulsory for a man who has the
means to easily pay the Mahr (dowry) and to support a wife and children. Both sides
must be free of obstacles to marry and have legal capacity. The bride and the
groom must have reached the age of maturity both the bride and the groom must
be chaste.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What are the Procedures in Islamic Wedding?*
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✅Almighty Allah has created humanity, male and female, each in need of another,
and has established the institution of marriage as a means of uniting the souls in a
blessed bond of love leading to their pleasure and happiness in a way advantageous
to humankind.

And He reminds us of His great favors: "And among His signs is that He created for
you of yourselves spouses that you may live in joy with them, and He has set
between you love and mercy. Surely in that are signs for those who reflect." (30:22)

When the father or the guardian (wali) of the bride offers to give her in marriage to
the bridegroom and when he accepts the offer in the presence of witnesses, the
marriage is solemnized. The prescription of Islam is that the bridegroom ought to
give the bride 'mahr' (dower) on the occasion of the wedding and that the consent
of the bride should be sought beforehand.

*The Wali:*
A wali (guardian) of the bride is necessary to represent her in concluding the
contract. The wali is a male relative who would be her guardian if she were a minor,
for example her father. However, if he is not available, a brother, uncle, grandfather
etc. will suffice. If none of these exist then a Muslim ruler or judge, and if they do
not exist then a prominent leader of the Muslim community (see Fiqh us sunnah,
Syed Sabiq, Sar al-Kitab al Arabi, Beirut, 2nd ed, 1973, vol 2 page 120).

Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) told: "No marriage contract is valid without a wali."
(Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood)
*The Offer and Acceptance:*
Both offer, and acceptance must be explicit in mentioning the word marriage (or
any other word in any language implying a similar situation). Both statements
should be made at the same sitting, i.e. one party to the other.

The Bride's Agreement:

The bride must be agreeable to concluding the marriage by her wali. This
agreement should be specific to marrying a specific man and all other conditions, if
any, must be agreed upon also.

*The Witnesses:*
At least two Muslim male witnesses are required or one male and two females - all
of them having reached the age of puberty and being of good character.

The Sadaq (Mahr):

The Sadaq or Mahr (dower) is a required marriage gift given by the groom to the
bride. It represents his commitment to take care of all the family expenses including
her personal needs… "And give women their dower as a free gift" (Quran 4:4).
Sadaq may be money or in kind, but it should be specified in its kind and quantity.

*Treat (Walimah):*
To make the marriage publically it is recommended to have a walimah. The Prophet
(PBUH) saw a trace of yellow coloring on Abd al Rahman and asked, "What is this?"
He answered, I got married. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "May Allah make it a blessing
for you. Make a walimah even with only a sheep." (Bukhari, Muslim)

Short Speech (Khutbah):

This is not essential; the marriage will be legal without it; however, it is Prophet’s
tradition (Sunnah) to have a Khutbah/speech.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Why is Polygamy Allowed (for Men) in Islam?*
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✅The Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the
phrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have
only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the
Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a
restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one can marry as
many as one wish. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church
restricted the number of wives to one.

In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since
the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago
that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.

Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had three

wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives.

Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives.
King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several
wives.

The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of Woman in Islam’, published in 1975
mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that the percentage of polygamous
marriages between the years 1951 and 1961 was 5.06% among the Hindus and
only 4.31% among the Muslims.

Let us now analyze why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife.

1. Qur’an Permits Limited Polygyny:

As mentioned earlier, Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth that
says, ‘marry only one’. The context of this phrase is the following verse: “Marry
women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able
to deal justly (with them), then only one.” [Qur’an 4:3]

Before the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygyny and many
men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit of four
wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women, only on the
condition that he deals justly with them.

In the same chapter, verse 129 says: “Ye are never able to be fair and just as
between women...” [Qur’an 4:129] Therefore, polygyny is not a rule but an
exception.
*2. Average Life Span of Females is More than Males:*
By nature, males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. A female
child has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the germs and
diseases better than the male child. For this reason, during the pediatric age itself
there are more deaths among males as compared to the females.

During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die due
to accidents and diseases than women. The average life span of females is more
than that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the world than
widowers.

3. Islam Encourages Women’s Care & Protection:

Suppose a woman is physically unable to satisfy the sexual needs of her husband,
or has some sexual disabilities, Islam still encourages to continue their marriage
bond to keep the woman under care of that husband, even if he like to have a new
marriage. But if polygyny is not allowed, then they will be forced for the divorce.
However, if a woman is not sexually satisfied with her husband, Islam permits her to
get divorced since men can survive in the society without the care of a woman.

*Footnote:*
In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple
extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected life.
The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one wife, in
which women retain their honorable, dignified position in society and lead a
protected life.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Why Islam Prohibits Woman from Having More than One Husband?*
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✅A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim men
to have more than one spouse while denying the same ‘right’ to women.

Let us first state emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice
and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different
capabilities and different responsibilities. Men and women are different,
physiologically, and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different.
Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical.

Quran 4:22-24 gives the list of women with who you cannot marry, and it is further
mentions in 4:24 “Also (prohibited are) women already married”

The Reasons Why Polyandry is Prohibited in Islam:

1. If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such
marriages can easily be identified. The father as well as the mother can easily be
identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband, only the mother of
the children born of such marriages will be identified and not the father.

Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of both parents, mother,

and father. Psychologists tell us that children who do not know their parents,
especially their father undergo severe mental trauma and disturbances. Often, they
have an unhappy childhood. It is for this reason that the children of prostitutes do
not have a healthy childhood. If a child born of such wedlock is admitted in school,
and when the mother is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two
or more names!

2. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman.

3. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite

having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several husbands, will
not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman undergoes several
psychological and behavioral changes due to different phases of the menstrual
cycle.

4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual partners at
the same time and has a high chance of acquiring venereal or sexually transmitted
diseases which can also be transmitted back to her husband even if all of them
have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case in a man having more than one wife,
and none of them having extra-marital sex.

The above reasons are those that one can easily identify. There are probably many
more reasons why Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What was the Wisdom Behind Prophet’s Multiple Marriages? Why Did Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Have Many Wives?*
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✅The prophet’s first wife was Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), a wealthy
woman in Mecca. When the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬married her, he was 25 years old and she
was about 40 years old. She had been married three times previously. And it was
the first marriage of the Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬, if he would have married for
natural desires or lusts, he would have selected a beautiful young virgin of Mecca
rather than a widow fifteen years his senior.

When she died during the eighth year of his prophethood, he remained single for
about five years and brought up his children by himself. All of his later marriages
began when he was 53 years old when his Dawah activities were at their peak and
he was absolutely absorbed in his preaching tasks. After these clear evidences, how
can a fair-minded scholar claim that he was self-indulgent?

In addition, the early biography of the Prophet’s life shows that he was pure in all
aspects of life. It is not possible to imagine that he got married for natural desires. If
there was any carnal desire behind his marriages, it is not logical to prefer widows
or divorcees. The only virgin among his wives was Aishah, the daughter of the first
Caliph of Islam. He married more than one for noble humanistic purposes and
sublime goals. Every one of them played an eminent role in the propagation of his
teachings among the Muslim women.

Also, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬intended through these marriages to support them as they
have no one to vouch for them. That is why he selected the widows, the divorced,
and the aged.
Furthermore, he was only to obey Allah’s Orders, every moment of his life was
practical translation of Allah’s Commands and Instructions. Allah says about him:
Say, “I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord.” (Quran 7:203)

In the matter of marriage, he was merely guided by Allah in order to achieve the
humanistic and Dawah goals.

How can we raise such doubts while we are talking about a man who was able to
live as the kings even though he preferred a lifestyle of the poor? Then How you
claim that he was governed by carnal desires?

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was a man who chose the life of subsistence and contentment
willingly, although he was able to provide the demands of his pure wives, and he
had the facility to give them a luxurious life which was easy for him, then how can
you claim that he was governed by his carnal desires?

Prophet and His Opponent’s Testimony:

Why all these illusions after 1400 years, while he was known before his marriage
and after his marriage with chastity? Why these suspicions now while he was a
symbol of purity, honesty, truthfulness, and all kinds of good qualities?

And when they became his bitter enemy after the declaration of the prophethood,
they never accused him of polygamy, although they were very eager to find any
flaw in his character. This denotes that it never was a point of weakness in his
personality, rather they were confident that it is a sort of perfection and a kind of
philanthropy, as he cared for the widows, divorcee, helpless and needy through
these marriages. If it was any sort of flaw, they would have been the first to raise
such questions, but it never happened.

His boyhood, his youthfulness and his middle age were open page in front of the
people. He never surrendered to the pleasures, promiscuity, or inhibitions during
the prime of his youth, while his coevals were indulged in all types of indecencies.
During the days of ignorance, all impermissible acts were permissible, but in spite of
that, he was known by his purity, honesty, reverence and sobriety.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣3️⃣9️⃣*
*❓What Does Islam Say About Divorce?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅The three religions have remarkable differences in their attitudes towards divorce.
Christianity abhors divorce altogether. The New Testament unequivocally advocates
the indissolubility of marriage. It is attributed to Jesus to have said, “But I tell you
that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to
become adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits
adultery” (Matthew 5:32).

This uncompromising ideal is, without a doubt, unrealistic. It assumes a state of

moral perfection that human societies have never achieved. When a couple realizes
that their married life is beyond repair, a ban on divorce will not do them any good.
Forcing ill-mated couples to remain together against their wills is neither effective
nor reasonable. No wonder the whole Christian world has been obliged to sanction
divorce.

Judaism, on the other hand, allows divorce even without any cause. The Old
Testament gives the husband the right to divorce his wife even if he just dislikes
her: “If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds
something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to
her and sends her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes
the wife of another man, and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a
certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, then
her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has
been defiled” (Deut. 24:1-4).

Wives, on the other hand, cannot initiate divorce under Jewish law. A Jewish wife,
however, could claim the right to a divorce before a Jewish court provided that a
strong reason exists.

Islam occupies the middle ground between Christianity and Judaism with respect to
divorce.

Marriage in Islam is a sanctified bond that should not be broken except for
compelling reasons. Couples are instructed to pursue all possible remedies
whenever their marriages are in danger. Divorce is not to be resorted to except
when there is no other way out. In a nutshell, Islam recognizes divorce, yet it
discourages it by all means.
*Islam Discourages Divorce:*
The Prophet of Islam told the believers that: “among all the permitted acts, divorce
is the most hateful to God” (Abu Dawud).

Prophet Muhammad gave a similar instruction: “A believing man must not hate a
believing woman. If he dislikes one of her traits, he will be pleased with another”
(Muslim). See Quran 4:19 also.

Islam gives necessary instructions for the preservation of family relationship.

Conformation to these instructions paves the way for a strong family bond and
trouble-free matrimonial life. However, Islam is not blind to the discords that may
occur in family life. Islam recommends three practical and scientific methods to
prevent the severing of family relations due to discord caused by lack of discipline.

The first procedure recommends good advice, failing which one boycotts the bed. If
this also fails, mild physical punishment can be given, without bruising her body or
mind. When all the three methods fail, the relatives of the couple can arbitrate and
try for a compromise. If this attempt also fails to reunite the couple, Islam permits a
divorce in a decent manner.

Islam is very stern on the issue of divorce and it is allowed only in absolutely
unavoidable situations. Islam does recognize the right of both partners to end their
matrimonial relationship. Islam gives the husband the right for Talaq (divorce).
Moreover, Islam, unlike Judaism, grants the wife the right to dissolve the marriage
through what is known as ‘Khula’.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What is the Quranic Procedure of Talaq?*
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*✅Four Steps Before the First Talaq:*
As laid down in 4:34-35, when there is a marital discord, as a first step, the Quran
advice the husband to reason out with his wife through discussions.

If differences persist, then as a next step, the parties are asked to sexually distance
themselves from each other in the hope that this temporary physical separation
may encourage them to unite.

And if even this fails, the husband is instructed, as a third step to explain to his wife
the seriousness of the situation once again and try to bring about a reconciliation.

If the dispute remains unresolved still, as a fourth step, the Quran requires the
matter to be placed before two arbiters, one from the family of each spouse, for
resolution.

Three Stages of Talaqs:

It is only after the failure of the aforementioned four attempts at reconciliation, that
the Quran allows the first talaq to be pronounced followed by a waiting period called
the ‘Iddah’. Not more than two divorces can be pronounced within this period, the
duration of which is three monthly courses (2:228-229). For women who have
passed the age of menstruation, the period of iddah is three months and in the case
of pregnant women, it is till the termination of pregnancy (65:4).

And if the parties are unable to unite during the period of iddah as envisaged by
verse 2:228, the final irrevocable talaq can be pronounced, but only after the expiry
of the iddah (2:231). Once the final talaq has been invoked, the marital bond is
severed, and the parties cease to be of any relation to each other.

In other words, after the expiry of second iddah, as per verses 2:231 & 232, the
parties are given the options of remarriage and permanent separation - the
separation being the third and the final irrevocable talaq to be pronounced in the
presence of two witnesses (65:2).

Thus, it can be summarized from the above discussion that after four serious
attempts at reconciliation, a Muslim husband is permitted to divorce his wife once
or twice within the period of iddah to resume conjugal relations without having to
undergo the procedure of remarriage. After the expiry of iddah, he can either re-
contract the marriage on fresh and mutually agreeable terms or irrevocably divorce
her by pronouncing the third and the final talaq.

However, to emphasize the sanctity of the marriage tie and the enormity of
breaking it for frivolous reasons, the Quran warns that once the parties choose to
separate after the expiry of the iddah, they cannot entertain hopes of marrying
again unless the wife takes another husband, and he divorces her (2:230).
*Step by Step Summary of the Qur’anic Procedure of Talaq:*
1. Husband and wife to reason out through dialogue (izu hunna)
2. Temporary physical separation (wahjuru hunna)
3. More convincing to effect reconciliation (wazribu hunna)
4. Arbitration
5. First talaq followed by iddah
6. Options within iddah - 2nd talaq or resumption of conjugal relations without re-
marriage
7. Options after iddah - Re-marriage or final separation through third talaq.

In fact, there is no other philosophy or religion which introduces a better

psychological approach to unite the separated couples, except Islam.

*Footnote:*
Till the final talaq, the wife should stay in the same house where the husband stays.
And the husband is responsible for all her basic needs and protection and is not
permitted to harm her anyway. The concept of instant triple-talaq is alien to Islam
as it goes against the very spirit of the procedure of divorce laid down in the Quran.
Even the Prophet said that it is not permitted when a person gave three talaqs
together to his wife. (Mishkat-ul-Masabih).

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Why is Extra-Marital Sexual Relationship Prohibited in Islam?*
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✅Sex is a divine gift. Its foremost function amongst living creature is reproduction. It
is also true that in the case of man, besides reproduction, his mental health,
happiness of family life, peaceful social life: all are linked to sexuality. In availing of
a sexual behavior that is not in keeping with the divine guidelines, the mental
health of the individual, solidarity of the family and social structure will be adversely
affected.

Moreover, such extra-marital relations will lead to the affliction by sexually

transmitted diseases which will eventually end in the degeneration of society.
Indeed, those who have learned of this through experience have been the very
people who claim for themselves the status of being the spokespersons of modern
civilization.

Islam teaches that if two individuals are to have sexual relations with each other
they are to do so only through the contract of marriage. Apart from that all other
relations are bound to create problems and damage. It will also destroy the very
fabric of all values in society. It will cast the seeds of suspicion within one’s marital
life. Such suspicion will then create cracks within the rapport between hearts. It
disrupts family relations – it will even gravely affect the mental health of future
generations.

The statistics related to this subject in Kerala, which is currently moving ahead with
the acceptance of western values, will frighten any with a sense of moral
consciousness. For instance, at least three hundred people report at the Rajiv
Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in Trivandrum every month to verify through DNA
whether they themselves are indeed the fathers of the infants borne by their wives.
(Mathrubhumi Weekly, 31.01.99)

What does this reveal? The number of spouses who distrust each other is on the
increase. What is the reason for this? The answer is given by Mathrubhumi itself:
“30 percent of the men and 18 percent of the women who participated in the survey
confessed that they indulge in extra-marital affairs.” This is the state of Keralite
society which boasts of great and lasting moral traditions.

As for the state of western societies, it is even worse. The greatest social problem
there continues to be the girls who become pregnant at a very tender age. Another
important issue with which the government continues to grapple is the problem of
illegitimate children. However, the situation there is such that these issues are not
considered as problematic at all. Social scientists, however, warn that such
violations of behavioral norms lead to the collapse of the institution of the family
and consequently create social problems of a grave nature which will, in the long
run, end in the total chaos and destruction of the western world.

Islam has never envisioned such a society. Islam has striven for the creation of a
society wherein a peaceful family environment and marital relationship prevails. To
that end, Islam considers that all sexual relations outside of wedlock are to be
prohibited. For that reason, the Qur’an recommends strict penal laws which serve to
eliminate such sexual relations. Conceding the fact that the sexual impulse is,
indeed, one of the most powerful of instincts, it is necessary, nevertheless, to check
man, in the exercise of that impulse, with equally compelling measures. Indeed,
herein lies the great relevance of the punishments in the Qur’an.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Teachings of Moderation and Balance in Islam*
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✅Islam is a complete lifestyle. The teachings of Islam do not separate the spiritual
and worldly aspects of an individual’s life; it states laws which cover lives from all
angles. The beautiful religion of Islam never stresses on hardships or giving up on
social life; rather a balanced life is encouraged and taught. “…Allah intends for you
ease and does not intend for you hardship…” [Qur’an 2:185]

Moderation means to adopt a middle path between two extremes in all walks of life.
Islam stresses moderation and balance in all aspects of life; in beliefs, worship,
conduct, relationships, ideas, customs, transactions, daily activities, and human
desires. Principled moderation has been reiterated in the Quran whether explicitly
or implicitly as a good character in Islam. Allah said: “Thus, We have made you a
justly balanced community that you will be witnesses over the people and the
Messenger will be a witness over you” (Quran 2:143)

*Spiritual Life:*
We are blessed with a religion which teaches us spirituality in such a beautiful way
that helps us stay close to our Creator. Apart from the five prayers, a month’s
fasting, annual obligatory charity (Zakat), and one Hajj in a lifetime, you may offer
voluntary prayers and worships, too. These voluntary acts are dear to Allah and the
rewards are huge.

But balance is more important. One is not supposed to leave his home or ignore his
health or family in order to perform optional worships. It is, in fact, encouraged to
have a healthy social and family life. An example of this can be seen in the following
hadith:

Prophet (P.B.U.H) once asked one of His companion Abdullah ibn ‘Amr: “Have I
heard right that you fast every day and stand in prayer all night?”. Abdullah replied:
“Yes, O Messenger of God”. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Do not do that. Fast, as well
as eat and drink. Stand in prayer, as well as sleep. This is because your body has a
right upon you, your eyes have a right upon you, your wife has a right upon you,
and your guest has a right upon you.” [Bukhari]

*Social Life:*
It is common that we transgress in our worldly affairs. At times, we get so immersed
in our social lives that we neglect our relationship with Allah. We need to keep a
check on this. Islam encourages us to keep a balance and not lose ourselves in this
temporary world.

“But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the
hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good
as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes
not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants,
mischief-makers, corrupters)” [Quran 28:77]

Islam does not forbid us from enjoying our life; it only asks us to remember our
ultimate goal, that is, the success in akhirah. Believers can have wealth and
luxuries, but they must not show off. Also, we should not waste the blessings of
Allah or be spendthrifts.

“O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer:
Eat and drink but waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters. Say: ‘who
hath forbidden the beautiful gifts of Allah which He hath produced for His servants
and the things clean and pure (which He hath provided) for sustenance? Say: They
are in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day
of Judgment. Thus, do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand.”
[Qur’an 7:31-32]

Moderation is the key to success. A true Muslim lives in this world harmonizing the
spiritual and secular aspects of his life and keeping a balance between them well.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Peace of Mind Only through Remembrance of God*
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✅One of the most common diseases of the present century is worries and anxieties,
for which various reasons have been mentioned. The symptoms of this disease
include isolation, depression, inferiority complexes and purposelessness.

How can we get peace of mind? When face some difficulties in life, some people
smoke cigarettes for relief, some people drink alcohol, and some people inject
intoxicants. But none of these will give lasting relief to the mind. Moreover, they will
destroy our body and disrupt the rhythm of life as well.

There may be many different causes for one’s certainty and peace of mind.
However, at the top of all those factors, stands specifically one’s awareness and
knowledge. He who is aware that his slightest piece of work will be accounted for
him, will be hopeful on his job properly and has peace of mind thereby. “So,
whoever has done an atom’s weight of good shall behold it.” (Quran 99:7)

He who knows that he is created out of the Divine favor, wisdom, and blessings, will
be calm and hopes for and confident of Allah’s bounteousness. The Qur’an says: “(It
will be said) O’ you serene soul! come back to your Lord well-pleased (with Him)
and well-pleasing (Him),” (Quran 89:27-28).

Islam suggests the best thing to do to obtain peace of heart and mind, happiness
and tranquility through the remembrance of God, the Creator. Allah says: "Those
who believe (in the Oneness of Allah), and whose hearts find rest in the
remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
(Quran 13:28).

On the contrary, if one does not remember the God, then there will be no peace,
tranquility or happiness of the heart. Allah says: "But whosoever turns away from
My reminders, verily, for him is a life of hardship" (Quran 20:124)

‘Dhikr’ means the remembrance of God and is an act of worship. We are told to
remember Allah not merely during certain periods of the year (such as Ramadan),
nor only at certain times of the day (i.e. during prayer), but often and at any time.
And there are different ways of remembering God. We can remember Him with the
tongue by praising Him and seeking forgiveness; with the limbs by performing good
deeds; and with the heart by confessing and acknowledging the blessings of God on
you and be happy with what Allah predestined for you and ponder about the Creator
of the heavens and the earth.

Can there be anything more valuable in this world than the internal peace? People
are constantly seeking fulfilment through material gain, or through the approval of
others. The narcissism and consumerism of the current age is parasitic, feeding off
the soul until it feels empty. The way to restore tranquility to the soul is to fill the
void with remembrance of God.

Islam also advises to keep away from sins and acts of disobedience, as these have a
bad effect on the tranquility and peace of heart and mind.

We should also increase the supplications since the prayers are one of the greatest
weapons of the believers. In order to strengthen one's faith and get peace of heart,
one should also seek good company who will guide him to righteousness and attend
circles of knowledge.

A very important characteristic of believers is sensitivity of the heart that enables

them to derive pleasure from the Quran’s morality and to feel a great pleasure and
peace in obeying Allah.

Consequently, a sound heart in the Islamic context means a heart that is purified
from all forms of impurity that draws one away from Allah. Such people stay away
from worldly greed, selfishness, fears, and insecurity. As a result, they do not
become attached to any person or thing other than the God or feel a type of love for
them that is independent of Allah.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Is Islam a Religion of Logic?*
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✅The decrees and principles of the religion of Islam are suitable for the nature of
man and his/her reason. Except for a small proportion of principles that are
requiring obedience without needing to know its reason (“ta'abbudi”), all rules in
Islam are understandable in terms of reason and logic.

The fact that the orders and prohibitions of Islam are valid for the adult people who
are sane, but not for the people who are mad shows that Islam gives importance to
reason and thinking, and it also indicates that Islam is “a religion of logic”.

For example, the institution of alms in Islam is an establishment that helps the poor
by the rich and balances the social order and eliminates the injustices that foments
the hatred and abhorrence between classes and layers of the society. This function
of alms can easily be understood and is very reasonable.

The style of the Qur’an is full of rational and logical proofs that are required for the
approval of man’s reasoning. There are always rational evidence and logical
examples when it talks about the existence of Allah, that Muhammad (PBUH) is a
true prophet, that the Qur’an is a word of Allah, and about the existence of
resurrection after death.

Actually, if any order or punishment by Allah does not satisfy man’s reasoning, then
it cannot be said that a fair test exists here. If someone makes an elementary
school student responsible for the questions that belong to the sciences which are
valid at university or for doctoral degrees, then that person will be oppressed. That
is why, there is always an emphasis on human mind and thoughts in the Qur’an and
there are phrases like: “Will you not then understand? Will you not then meditate?”

Secondly, the phrase “Islam is a religion of logic” emphasizes the philosophy of a

person who bases his thoughts on his own reason and logic. For some people, the
things that he cannot understand are wrong. They are actually unable to
understand the concept of “reason” because reason cannot grasp everything on
itself without external factors.

Most of us do not know about physics, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, etc and
do not comprehend them but nobody says they are unreasonable even if many
people do not understand them. The mind cannot discover everything on its own. If
it were possible, there would be no need for prophets. Each issue has a field that
can be understood by specialists only. Similarly, the fact that some people cannot
understand the verses of the Quran does not mean that those truths are
unreasonable and illogical.
Another important point is that the existence of some issues that are
called ta’abbudi and that cannot be understood by reason is related to the testing
of man. The principles of belief are scientific and based on reason. A few principles
of Islam are present in order to test man’s belief and surrender not to satisfy the
mind. There need to be some issues that the mind cannot comprehend easily so
that it will be clear whether man believes in his mind only or believes in and
surrenders to Islam.

To sum up, a person who says, “Since the Quran is the word of Allah, everything in
it is correct – even if my mind cannot comprehend“ passes the test. A person who
hesitates saying, “Such and such issue in the Quran is unreasonable; my mind
cannot comprehend it” fails the test because he is either not sincere or is very
ignorant.

For instance, the fact that the morning prayer has two iterations (rak'ahs) but the
noon prayer has four iterations has nothing to do with the mind. However, issues
like the prohibition of pork and alcohol can be explained by science and reasoning.
And, the issues based on reason are more than ta’abbudi issues.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Islam - The Easy and Natural Way*
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✅One of the terms used by the Qur'an during the early Makkan period to describe
Islam was ‘Al-Yusraa’ means 'The Easy Way'. This is simply because Islam was, and
is the natural way of life. Indeed, whatever is natural for human beings should be
easy for them in every way, hence cause them to gravitate towards it easily, and
consequently bring harmony, peace, and tranquility to their lives. Since the Quran is
the book upon which the Islamic way of life is built, then the Quran has to be easy
to understand and follow.
This view that Islam is easy to understand and practice, is one which is derived from
the primary sources of Islam. In the Quran, Allah comforts us by continuously
reassuring us that He desires for us ease not hardship, despite the seemingly
formidable trials and tribulations that we may sometimes face. He says: “God
desires ease for you, and desires not hardship” (2:185) “Truly, with hardship comes
ease” (94:6) “God desires to lighten things for you, for the human being has been
created weak” (94:28).…

In addition to the Quran, the prophetic traditions also replete with references
exhorting us to adopt a balanced and simple approach to life. Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) told: “This way of life is easy but if anyone overdoes it, it gets the better of
him. So, keep to the right course, approximate to perfection, rejoice, and ask for
help…” (Bukhari). The Prophet (PBUH) has also praised those who adopt a moderate
approach to worship. Worship, he said, should be done with freshness of heart, not
an exhausting routine carried out in fatigue.

Islam is Not Complex:

Islam is not a way of life that is complex or difficult. Rather it is the human being
who practices Islam who often makes it difficult and then, complexity overtakes him
so that eventually he is unable to cope with even the simplest of tasks. That it is
possible for every person to understand and practice Islam is assured by the
following three principles:

Firstly, the basic beliefs contain no mystery and are therefore easy to comprehend.
Every tenet in Islam is subject to analysis and inquiry. Moreover, Islam does not
present stumbling blocks to the mind. Islam does not present concepts or ideas
which the intellect cannot grasp.

Secondly, the most important and stringent obligations ordained upon Muslims are
easy to undertake. That is, the duties and obligations laid down by Allah have been
graded. And it is the wisdom of Allah that the greater the importance He has
attached to any act, the easier it is for everyone to accomplish it.

Thirdly, there are provisions for derogation when it is genuinely not possible for
someone to fulfill an obligation. For instance, if a person is genuinely unable to
stand up and pray, then he is permitted to sit down or even lie down and pray.

The Path of Moderation:

Abiding by the will of Allah requires that we seek and maintain a delicate balance
between the various obligations that demand our attention; between our obligations
to Allah, our obligations towards others and our obligations towards ourselves.
Moreover, whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always
chose the easier, unless it was explicitly forbidden (Bukhari).

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣6️⃣*
*❓No Priesthood in Islam*
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✅There is no priesthood in Islam as it results in deviation and exploitation. The Holy
Quran is a Book of Guidance on all matters of life (Quran 3:7, Quran 5:3) and the
tragedy is that instead of reading the translation of Quran in own language, people
are misguided by community leaders/priests and thus what the priests say is more
or less accepted as Islam to divide and rule the people. Islam is actually a universal
religion and hence we should give more importance to understand it in our own
language.

Why Islam Doesn’t Allow the Priesthood?

1. The Quran does not in any way allow the establishment of priesthood in the lives
of human beings. Relationship between the Creator and human beings is personal
and non-delegable. We have a direct relationship with God without any intercessors.
The non-delegable nature of faith in God is clear from the verse: “And you have
certainly come to Us alone as We created you the first time… And We do not see
with you your 'intercessors' which you claimed that they were among you
associates [of God]” (Quran 6:94)
2. Priesthood necessarily implies a group of persons dictating and formulating what
the structure of beliefs should be and how it should be practiced. But there will be
no one to defend us before God for our deeds on earth as our deeds will be self-
explanatory. Due to this, there as never been, probably until recent times, any
semblance of priesthood in the “Islamic world”.

3. It is always probable that priests will invent a religion in the name of God.
However, the Quran clearly states that no man can dictate back to God what God’s
Way (religion) should be. “Say: "What! Will you instruct God about your religion? But
God knows all that is in the heavens and on earth: He has full knowledge of all
things” (Quran 49:16)

4. The Quran is abundantly clear that God is to be served and He alone is the source
of all knowledge. Hence, any “religious knowledge” about Islam must primarily be
obtained directly from the Quran. If we accept blindly the teaching of an Islamic
scholar or anyone as the teaching of God - we are placing our trust solely in him
rather than in God. “And most of them believe not in God without associating (other
as partners) with Him” (Quran 12:106)

5. Priests, by whatever name they may be called, are human beings. As human
beings, they are subjected to the usual human temptations of wealth, glory and
power. Allah has warned mankind that many priests prey on people’s need for faith,
ignorance, fear and hope simply to enrich and glorify themselves (Quran: 9:34)

6. God has stated in the Quran, that you have persons, by whatever name they are
called, who will sound like they are quoting from the book of God but in fact, they
distort and corrupt the true meanings to suit their personal opinions. This can only
be done by people with knowledge but have a desire to manipulate things for their
benefit (Quran 3:78).

*Footnote:*
Even though the institution of priesthood is not allowed in Islam, it is evident that
informal priesthood has evolved in the ‘Islamic world’ where you have sections of
so-called people of knowledge who take upon themselves as the final and sole
interpreter of God’s words. One of the techniques of social and political persuasion
used by priests to force their ideas onto the ordinary believers is by using the logic
of majority or consensus. However, the argument of majority does not guarantee
the truth nor is it relevant to the determination of a person’s true faith. “Were you
to follow the majority of those on earth, they will lead you away from the way of
God. They follow nothing but conjecture: they do nothing but lie” (Quran 6:116)

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣7️⃣*
*❓The Prophet’s Last Sermon*
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✅This sermon was delivered on the ninth day of Dhul Hijah, 10 A.H. (632 A.D.) in the
valley of Mount Arafat. The contents of the message were collected from different
narrations, and there are other parts to it that are not mentioned here.

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall
ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very
carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the
life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to
you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember
that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.
Allah has forbidden you to take interest, therefore, all interest obligations shall
henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict
nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all
interest due to Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (the prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be
waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the
first such right I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiyah bin Al-Harith
(relative of the prophet).

O Men, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make
permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah had made
permissible. With Allah the months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these
are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumadah and Shaaban.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever
be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain right with regard to your women, but they
also have rights over you. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right
to be fed and clothed in kindness… Do treat your women well and be kind to them
for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do
not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never
commit adultery.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast
during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you
can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor
a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over a
black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.
Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims
constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs
to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do
injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So,
beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born.
Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I
leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you
follow these you will never go astray…

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others, and those to others
again; and may the last ones understand my words better that those who listen to
me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your
people."

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💐For those who would like to know more about Islam:
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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What is the Islamic View Towards Casteism & Racism?*
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✅Islam provides a perfect harmony between the individual and society. Racism is
defined as 'poor treatment of people because of their race’ while casteism is a
‘blind group loyalty towards one’s own caste or sub-caste, which does not care for
the interests of other castes, and seeks to realize the social, economic, political and
other interests of its own group’. Where racism leads to suppression of people
because of their physical characteristics, casteism leads the members of one caste
to exploit the members of another caste for their vested interest in the name of
superiority or inferiority.

Interestingly, modern world has become concerned about such issues in the 20th
century, but Islam has given a sense about it 1400 years ago. Moreover, one of the
things that facilitated the spread of Islam in the world with such startling speed was
its focus on equality amongst humankind in a place where the caste and race
system was particularly oppressive.

Islam protects honor. In Islam, insulting others or making fun of them because of
caste, creed, race, etc. is not permitted. Merciful Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Truly, your
blood, your property and your honor are inviolable” (Al-Bukhari). The life, property
and honor in an Islamic state and Islamic concept are considered sacred
irrespective of your race and caste.

In Islam, there is no such merit for a certain race. Allah says: "O mankind! We
created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations
and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the
sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-
acquainted” (Quran 49:13)

Prophet Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Your God is one and your ancestor (Adam) is one. An
Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab. And a
red (white tinged with red) person is not superior to black and black is not better
than red, except in piety” (Bukhari, Musnad Ahmad). Islam gives a clear message,
that God created human beings as equals, who are to be distinguished from each
other only based on faith and piety and this categorical message eradicates the
concept of racism and casteism.

History has witnessed the era when Abubakr (r) and Bilal (r) used to sit side by side
in the same row and same place in Mosque of Medina. History has also been
evident, when all people, Arabian or non-Arabian, rich or poor, Master or Slave, used
to assemble at the same place, sit in the same row and used to perform Salah
(Prayer) behind the same leader (imam) and that will continue until the Day of
Judgment.

Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬denounced and opposed the concept of racism and casteism, not only
vocally, but practically too and furnished honor to a number of occupations (upon
which castes are based) that people treat inferior to practice.

When we look at the biography of Holy Prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬, we find him repairing his
sandal himself (Adab ul Mufrad). Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬also reared goats and milked his goat
(Musnad Ahmad), just to teach the people, not to consider these jobs inferior or bad.

It has been the job of the sublime person about whom Allah says, “We have sent
you not but as a mercy for the World” (Quran 21:107). In nutshell, Biography of
Prophet Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬provides ample evidence that he was first anti-racist &
anti-casteist.

*Footnote:*
You may see that the community gives special position and respect for people with
names like Sayd (Sayyid), Thangal, etc. They are claimed to be the successors of
the Prophet. Islam, however, denies such privileges since Islam does not give any
significance for anyone through his birth.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣4️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why are There Many Sects/Groups in Islam?*
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✅We have already seen that Islam does not agree caste system and thus does not
give any superiority or inferiority to anybody by birth. However, it is a fact that
Muslims today, are divided amongst themselves. Even, many people have
misunderstood that these groups represent ‘different castes’ in Islam.
*Muslims Should be United:*
The tragedy is that such divisions are not endorsed by Islam or Prophet Muhammed
( ‫)ﷺ‬. Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers.

The Glorious Qur’an says: “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah
(stretches out for you) and be not divided among yourselves” (Qur’an 3:103). Which
is the rope of Allah that is being referred to in this verse? It is the Glorious Qur’an.

Qur’an further says, “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger” (Qur’an 4:59). All the
Muslim should follow the Qur’an and authentic Hadith and be not divided among
themselves.

It is Prohibited to Make Sects and Divisions in Islam:

The Glorious Qur’an says: “As for those who divide Their religion and break up into
sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: Their affair is with Allah: He will in the
end tell them the truth of all that they did” (Qur’an 6:159)

In this verse Allah says that one should disassociate oneself from those who divide
their religion and break it up into sects.

Reason for the Division:

The main reason for this division is the differences in the views and understandings
about the Holy Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet. However, the Prophet
Muhammad did not create any particular group/sect within Islam. It means, one can
live as a perfect Muslim even without belonging to any such sects/groups.

Now, you may think: “why are all the people from a generation belong to one
group? Why are these sects even act as barriers for marital relations, etc?

The answer is very simple. Why a Congressman’s son is becoming a Congressman;

and why is a BJP’s son is a BJP? It means people usually follow their forefathers and
family traditions blindly.

But we see that, after realizing that the political party is our own choice, some
Congressman and BJP children leave their party join the other. Similarly, any Muslim
can change the sect/group he belongs to and can marry people from any sect.

*Solution:*
One may ask such Muslims, “Who was our beloved Prophet ( ‫ ?)ﷺ‬Which sect or
organisations he belongs to?” None! He was a Muslim, like all the other prophets
and messengers of Allah before him. If anyone poses a Muslim the question ‘who
are you’, he should say “I am a Muslim” (Quran 41:33)
Most of the believers do not choose their paths or ideals after learning about it. That
is why most of the blind beliefs and weird concepts of God are continuing even
today, and the hatred and communalism are rising among them.

In reality, there are only minor differences between the different Islamic
groups/organizations; none of which are sustained by birth or unable to change! If
all Muslims read the Qur’an with understanding and adhere to Sahih Hadith, most of
these differences would be solved and we could be one united Muslim nation.

*Footnote:*
Now, by default, the next question will be: ‘which sect is correct’. The Holy Qur'an
and the Hadith of the Prophet are still available to us freely. It is, therefore, possible
for anybody to check who is exactly following the Quran and Sunnah of Prophet and
they themselves also can follow that straight path.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Islam is the Religion of Tolerance and Ease*
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✅Islam is the religion of mercy and kindness, the religion of tolerance and ease.
Almighty God has not burdened the people with more than they can bear. Whatever
good they do, they will be rewarded for it, and whatever evil they do, they will have
to bear the burden of that sin, as God says: “Allah burdens not a person beyond his
scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for
that (evil) which he has earned” [Quran 2:286]

Almighty has spared the believers any difficulty or hardship in all that He has
enjoined upon them. God says: “He has chosen you (to convey His Message of
Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion of Islam), and has
not laid upon you in religion any hardship” [Quran 22:78]
Every sin that a person commits because he makes a mistake, or forgets, or is
forced to do it, is forgiven by God: “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into
error” [Quran 2:286]

The person will be brought to account for what he does deliberately, not for what he
does by mistake, as God says: “And there is no sin on you concerning that in which
you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend”
[Quran 33:5]

God is Kind and Merciful. He sent Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with ease and the
tolerant monotheism: “Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make
things difficult for you” [Quran 2:185]

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in
his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So, you should not be
extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you
will be rewarded.” (Bukhari, 39)

The devil (Satan) is man's greatest enemy. He makes him forget the remembrance
of his Lord and makes his sin attractive to him, as God says: “Satan has
overpowered them. So, he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah. They
are the party of Satan. Verily, it is the party of Satan that will be the losers!” [Quran
58:19]

What one’s own self says has been forgiven by God, The Prophet said: “Allah has
forgiven my nation for thoughts that cross their minds, so long as they do not speak
of them or act upon them.” (Muslim, 127)

Whoever commits a sin then Almighty God conceals it, it is not permissible for him
to speak of it, because the Prophet said: “All of my nation will be fine except those
who commit sin openly.” (Muslim, 2990).

If a person commits a sin then repents, God will accept his repentance: “Your Lord
has written (prescribed) Mercy for Himself, so that if any of you does evil in
ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds (by obeying God),
then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” [Quran 6:54]

Allah is Generous and Kind, He multiplies the reward for good deeds and forgives
bad deeds, as the Prophet said, narrating the words of his Lord: “Allah has decreed
the good deeds and bad deeds, then He explained that. Whoever intends to do a
good deed then does not do it, Allah will write it down as one complete good deed;
if he intends to do it then he does it, then Allah will write it down as between ten
and seven-hundred good deeds, or more. Whoever intends to do a bad deed, then
he does not do it, Allah will write it down as one complete good deed; if he intends
to do it then he does it, Allah will write it down as only one bad deed.” (Agreed
upon; narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Raqaa’iq, 81)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?*
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✅Islam teaches that it is not one's birth, but good deeds and faith that determine
one's nobility. The Islamic slogan "One God for one mankind" aims at eliminating all
the narrow views, like communalism, casteism, racism etc. Prophet Muhammed ( ‫)ﷺ‬
declared in plain words that “He who invites to communalism, fights and dies for
communalism, not belong to us”. The followers of Muhammed ( ‫ )ﷺ‬therefore can
never be communal.

Islam and Pluralism:

No doubt Islam stands for pluralistic order. Pluralism is the design of Allah. The
Quran states: “If it had been your Lord's will, they would all have believed, all who
are on the earth. Will you then compel mankind against their will to believe?”
[10:99]. In another verse, Quran states: “To each among you, have We prescribed a
law and a clear way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single
people, but His plan is to test you in what He has given you; so, strive as in a race in
good deeds” [5:48].

An examination of the texts of these two verses makes it clear that diversity is the
will of Allah. These verses also make it clear that compulsion in the matter of faith is
forbidden which is also corroborated by another verse of the Quran which states:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion” [2:256].

A critical look of the text of the verse 5:48 manifests that the purpose of these
differences is to test, what we do with the revelations and how we behave with the
precepts and teachings of Islam and who strive as in a race in good deeds. Diversity
of religions, nations and peoples are tests and the teachings of Islam require that
we manage the differences and live a peaceful harmonious life in this world. This is
pluralism.

Islam is basically a tolerant religion. The difference between people, nations, races,
and religions may lead to conflict and therefore our responsibility remains in
establishing peace and tranquility in the society. It is important that a balance is
established in the society based on mutual respect, love and compassion rejecting
all types of arrogance, whether it is material or intellectual and establishing such
balance between different nations and communities is possible only by sharing
knowledge about each other.

Establishing harmonious relations between people have been repeatedly

emphasized in Islam. Quran states: “Allah forbids you not with regard to those who
fight you not for your faith nor drive you out of your homes from dealing kindly and
justly with them for Allah loves those who are just” [60:8].

The pluralistic nature of Islam is evident from the fact that the duty of a Muslim is
only educating and passing the knowledge of Islam, near and far. Quran states:
“And admonish your nearest kinsmen” [26: 214]. The responsibility ends with
educating, transmitting, and communicating faith. To pass on the message is to call
and invite people to the way of Allah.

If we all really want to serve the objective of Allah Almighty, then we have to
change ourselves, we have to think in terms of brotherhood, mutual co-existence
and interdependence of whole global society which includes all human beings of all
nations, all territories, all religions, races and all languages. We have to accept that
we all are equal before Allah Almighty and most revered is the righteous. We must
keep in mind that Allah Almighty has created all of us from one pair Adam and Eve.
We have to purify our conscious and sub conscious thinking to make it in conformity
with the commandments of Allah Almighty so that we are ready to pursue for Divine
arrangement of the whole world. This whole world belongs to Allah Almighty. We all
need to bear this in mind.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣2️⃣*
*❓What Does Islam Teach About Humanity?*
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✅Why the communal tensions? Why racial discrimination? Why are people and
nations confronting? Why the lust for territorial aggrandizement and subjugation of
people’s? …when mankind is naturally born free from all these devilish acts with
Divine obligations and duties.

Actually, the present world is not the one of Allah’s plan and Liking. Allah Almighty
the super natural power and absolute authority of the whole universe planned the
habitation of human beings all over the world with different religions, cultures,
lingual, racial, complexional and territorial labels and identities after creating and
crafting them social animals and by virtue of this natural instinct made them
socially interdependent.

Under this natural compulsion, the human beings irrespective of differing labels and
identities constitute the uniqueness in the shape of global society on the values like
peace, justice, compassion, rationalism, humanism, tolerance, pluralism, and
brotherhood. This inherently designed human integration by natural arrangement
can neither be disintegrated nor destabilized.

Actually, man’s immortification in violation of natural arrangement is the result of

above referred anti-human and anti-nature tendencies reflecting satanic mindsets
and misdeeds. Instead of submitting to the commandments of Allah Almighty,
mankind generally accepted the servitude of carnal desires and opted to serve and
worship these. This provoked in him the pretext for the expression of hatred,
enmity, confrontation, and divisiveness and helped in disintegrating the concept of
global society and segmented humanity and demarcated territories.

Human being has been sent to this world with a specific objective. Holy Quran
states that Almighty Allah designated the top position to mankind above all
creations of the world and bestowed in him the wisdom and sensitivity and at the
same time assigned him the responsibility of managing world affairs so that he can
work for the betterment welfare and reformation of humanity. Promote good and
eradicate evil. This is the message of Islam, and same is taught by other religions
about the human objective.

But unfortunately, we deviated from this right path shown by our respective
religions and this deviation instigated us towards wrong and devilish. The result is
we ignored our religious teachings. The most unfortunate fact is that we are
behaving like brutes and shamelessly committing these devilish deeds without any
fear and equally disgusting is our misinterpretation of religious teachings to justify
these evil acts right by one way or the other.

Our conscience has died. We are worse than beasts killing humanity on one or the
other pretext. The humanity of all sorts is paying heavy costs for sustaining
immortification in the shape of satanic acts like killings, massacres, wars, communal
riots, racial discriminations, injustices, hate crimes, socio economic disparities.

We must keep in mind that Allah Almighty has created all of us from one pair Adam
and Eve. We have to purify our conscious and sub conscious thinking to make it in
conformity with the commandments of Allah Almighty so that we are ready to
pursue for Divine arrangement of the whole world. This whole world belongs to Allah
Almighty. We all need to bear this in mind.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What Should Be the Approach of Muslims Towards Non-Muslims?*
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✅The teachings of Islam state that the Muslim community should coexist in
complete harmony and tolerance with people of other religious communities. The
Qur'an prescribes that as long as the other communities do not oppress the
members of the Muslim community, they ought to coexist in love and tolerance.
This has been demonstrated by Muhammed ( ‫ )ﷺ‬through his life.
Even the subjects of a Caliphate have no right to hamper the freedom of faith nor
the freedom of worship of the non-Muslim citizens. The ruler is liable for the
complete protection of their lives and property. The Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬has taught that it
is an unpardonable sin to be unjust to non-Muslim citizens.

Friendship with the Non-Muslims:

Allah says in Quran: “God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for
(your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with
them: for God loveth those who are just. God only forbids you, with regard to those
who fight you for (your) faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others)
in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as
turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong” (Quran 60:8-9)

It is evident from these verses that it has, in fact, been commanded not to enter
into friendship only with those who hatch and execute plots for the destruction of
Islam and the Muslims. The Qur’an never refers to any negative result in entering
into friendly relations with the other ordinary non-Muslims which will not, in any
way, prove harmful to Islam.

Relationship with Non-Muslim Neighbours:

A neighbor’s rights are of prime importance in Islam regardless of which belief he
belongs to. Muslims are encouraged to abide by decent and courteous civic laws
and actively participate in community service. For starters, they can begin with
their own neighborhood and ensure their neighbors are never placed in a hurtful or
awkward position.

Abdullah Ibn Amr (r) slaughtered a sheep and he said, “Have you presented a gift
from it to my neighbor, the Jew…” (Abu Dawud)

Familial Relationship with Non-Muslims:

Asma Bint Abi Bakr (r) once asked Allah’s Apostle ( ‫)ﷺ‬, if it was permissible for her
polytheist mother to visit her and enter her house. He said to her, “Yes, be in touch
with your mother”. It is also narrated that Khalif Umar (r) presented his polytheist
brother with a silk dress as a gift, which the Prophet Muhammad( ‫ )ﷺ‬had given to
Umar. (Bukhari). Safiyya, one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad( ‫)ﷺ‬, endowed her
Jewish brother with part of her fortune to show him how much she cared and kept
good relations with him. (Baihaqi)

Conversely Allah also states, “O you who believe, do not take your fathers and your
brothers as friends if they prefer unbelief over faith…” (Quran 9:23). Any relative
who deliberately attempts to jeopardize a believer’s faith, is not considered to be a
friend. A Muslim’s foremost sincerity belongs to Allah and His Apostle.
*Charity and Aid:*
It is certainly permissible to help poor non-Muslims, unless one knows that they are
actively hostile to Islam. It is reported that Umar Ibnul Khattab (r) saw an elderly
Christian man begging. He inquired about his circumstances and when he was told
that the man was a Christian, he ordered that he should be given help from the
treasury of the Muslim state.

His reasons were that the man paid taxes imposed on non-Muslims when he was
able to earn. Therefore, he was entitled to help when he lost that source of his
income. Besides that, voluntary charity also can be given to destitute non-Muslims
to uplift their conditions.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Who is Kafir? Does this Term Denounce Non-Muslims?*
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✅Non-Muslims have been referred in the Qur’an as Kafir. It is given to Understand
that that is an Uncouth Expression. What does this term actually mean?

‘Kafir’ means one who rejects. ‘Kafir’ is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means
to conceal or to reject. The cultivator, too, who hides the seeds in the soil is called a
Kafir. In Islamic terminology, ‘Kafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the truth of
Islam and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a ‘non-Muslim’.

The Qur’an, however, uses Kafir to refer to a denier of the truth, one who shows
ingratitude, a disbeliever and the like not in any uncouth manner; rather the Qur’an
uses this term to explain the nature of those it intends to expose. The singular form
of the term – Kafir – as well as the forms Kafirun and Kuffar, which are the plural
derivatives, have been repeatedly used in the Qur’an. In all such instances, the
Qur’an has sought to explain the character of those it mentions within the context.
Look at a few of the verses of the Qur’an: “Those who deny God and His apostles,
and (those who) wish to separate God from His apostles, saying, ‘We believe in
some but reject others’; and (those who) wish to take a course midway. They are in
truth (equally) the Kafirun; and We have prepared for the Kafirs a humiliating
punishment” (Qur’an 4:150-151)

“They recognize the favors of God; then they deny them; and most of them are
Kafirun (i.e. deniers of the truth /ungrateful ones)” (Qur’an 16:83).

“It was We who revealed the Law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its
stand have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to God’s
will, by the Rabbis and doctors of Law: for to them was entrusted the protection of
God’s Book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear Me,
and sell not My signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of)
what God hath revealed, they are (no better than) the Kafirun.” (Qur’an 5:44-47)

“Say: O ye Kafirun! I worship not that which ye worship. Nor will ye worship that
which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been won’t to worship,
nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your way, and to me mine.”
(Qur’an 109:1-6)

From these verses, we understand that the Qur’an has used the term Kafir to refer
to those who, in not acknowledging divine guidance, reject truth and show
ingratitude to Allah, the Most Bounteous. Those who enjoy the blessings of the Lord
Creator and yet abstain from acknowledging Allah, the Provider of all bounty are,
indeed, Kafir. Those who deviate from the worship of Allah alone – the one thing
that the Lord Creator, who provided for man all the means of his sustenance on
earth, demanded of us – and pray unto the creations that are never to be
worshipped, are Kafir.

Those who do not acknowledge the messengers whom the Lord Creator had sent to
illumine the path of guidance are Kafir. The one who does not regulate his life
according to the religious scripture revealed, by the Lord Creator, as a criterion to
judge between truth and falsehood, is a Kafir. It is the Kafir who have become
enemies of the Truth who strive to blow out the divine light of guidance.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Does Qur’an Prohibit Having Intimate Relations with Non-Muslims?*
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✅There are verses in the Qur’an which makes it clear that the deniers of Truth are
not to be made bosom friends. Observe a few of these verses: “Let not the believers
take for friends or helpers unbelievers rather than believers; if any do that, in
nothing will there be help from God; except by way of precaution, that ye may
guard yourselves from them. But God cautions you (to remember) Himself; for the
final goal is to God.” (Quran 3:28).

“Your (real) friends are (no less than) God, his apostle, and the believers – those
who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in
worship). As to those who turn (for friendship) to God, His apostle, and the
(fellowship of) believers – it is the fellowship of God that must certainly triumph.”
(Quran 5:55-56)

“O ye who believe! Take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion
for a mockery or sport, whether among those who received the scripture before
you, or among those who reject faith; but fear ye God, if ye have faith (indeed).
When ye proclaim your call to prayer, they take it (but) as mockery and sport; that
is because they are a people without understanding.” (Quran 5:57-58).

The Qur’an has given an account of the type of Non-Muslims with whom the
Muslims are not to enter into friendly relations: “O ye who believe! Take not My
enemies and yours as friends (or protectors) – offering them (your) love, even
though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the
contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply)
because ye believe in God your Lord!..” (Quran 60:1)

The Qur’an has, therefore, prohibited from entering into an alliance with those of
the non-Muslims, whether of the ‘People of the Book’ or otherwise, who view Islam
and the Muslims with enmity; who hatch conspiracies for their destruction and who
had driven out the Muslims from their homeland for the only reason that they had
believed in Allah. It is certain that no Muslim, who is engaged in a campaign in the
path of God against such deniers of the Truth, can ever have friendly relations with
them.
However, there were, among the Muslims, certain hypocrites, who entered into
friendly relations with the enemies of Islam while feigning the posture of ‘We are
with you’ when with the Muslims. It was about them that the Qur’an said, “and he
amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them” (Qur’an 5:51).

Friendship is Allowed with Good Non-Muslims:

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Does Qur’an Prohibit Marital Relations with Non-Muslims?*
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✅The Qur’an does prohibit all marital relations with polytheists. “Do not marry
unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe; a slave woman who believes is
better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your
girls) to unbelievers until they believe; a man slave who believes is better than an
unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire.
But God beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness…” (Qur’an
2:221).
A marriage relationship is never one which is confined to the physical plane alone.
Indeed, married life finds true fulfillment of purpose only in the union of an attitude
of innocent love with one of mutual respect. The Qur’an has compared the purpose
of man-woman relationship with that of the clothing that one wears. “…they are
your garments and you are their garments.” (2:187).

This similitude makes clear the degree of affinity and mutuality which must exist
between life-mates. As distinct from the religions that have accepted asceticism as
their ground norm, Islam views marital life as a religious obligation. In fact, Prophet
Muhammad( ‫ )ﷺ‬had himself taught that “he who gets married has completed one
half of his faith”

The Qur’an and the practices of the Prophet have, in themselves, prescribed the
exact observances that are to be maintained in marital life. It is expedient to follow
these regulations even in the sexual life that is based on morality.

A Muslim can, by no means, deviate from this code of conduct. Polytheism has, of
itself, no foundational basis. Therefore, polytheism has taken on different forms and
meanings according to the variations in time and place. Similar has been the case
of the rites, customs, and moral prescriptions of the polytheist.

As far as the Muslim, who is obliged to follow the moral code revealed by God, is
concerned he can never follow laws that have been formulated by man; particularly
when such an attitude would go contrary to the tenets of the faith of his own
profession. That his partner should follow a moral life that is quite contrary to his
own creed, will only serve to adversely affect the religious life of the Muslim.

There are religious communities that view adultery as a religious rite. Indeed, the
Hittites of Greece and the Devadasis in India, were forced into prostitution in the
name of religion itself. The decree of Manu Smrithi is that if neither the virgin nor
her father were to give their consent, it is permissible to carry away, by force, the
woman of one’s liking and then marry her. Such marriages which are permitted to
the Kshathriya are referred to as Rakshasam (Manu Smrithi).

It was the custom amongst the polytheists of Mecca to claim paternal rights over
children who most resembled them and which were born out of extra-marital sexual
relationships which they had with many women. Group sex was a way of salvation
in many primitive religions like Tantrik religion.

Undoubtedly, therefore, it would be a difficult task, indeed, for the Muslim who
chooses a mate from communities of polytheists who accepted as their own such
forms of moral law, to live by his own religion. If the Qur’an had allowed the
marriage with the Polytheists, it would have caused much hardship for the Muslims.
It would, perhaps, be also for the purpose of removing such difficulties that the Lord
Creator prohibited marriages with the Polytheists.

*Footnote:*
The Quran permits Muslims to take mates from the ‘People of the Book’ (Jews &
Christians) who are heirs to a moral code that is as clear as it is authentic. Their
moral code is a rough approximation of the Islamic code itself.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Does Qur’an Encourage Muslims to Demolish the Objects of Worship of Other
Religionists?*
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✅Quran strongly prohibits idolatry, but there is not a single verse in the Qur’an
which commands the destruction of the objects of worship of other religions.
Furthermore, it is the injunction of the Qur’an that the objects of worship of the non-
Muslims must not even be ridiculed: “Revile not those whom they call upon besides
Allah” (Qur’an 6:108).

It is true that Islam, which is grounded in monotheism, abhors the worshipping of

creations. For the same reason, therefore, there are, in the Qur’an, numerous
verses which seek to bring out the utter meaninglessness of the worshipping of
creations. All these verses serve the function of awakening the intellect of man.

Indeed, the goal of the Qur’an has been the emancipation of human society from
the unpardonable sin of idolatry. In fact, the Qur’an has never entertained the idea
that humanity can be saved from idol worship by destroying the very objects which
are deified. The Author of the Qur’an, Allah, is well aware that the use of force is
never to be employed in the eradication of these ‘idols’; and that it is the
activization of the intellect that is to be the prime objective.
Therefore, that which the Qur’an did try to destroy has never been the objects of
worship that were cast out of stone or other such materials. Rather, it has ever been
the ‘idols’ that have been carved out in the very consciousness of man himself.

In the view of the Qur’an, while idolatry must, without doubt, be criticized and
opposed in the strongest terms, those who insist on idol-worship must also be
allowed full freedom for their purpose. It is this attitude of tolerance which is
highlighted in the commands of the Qur’an which asks us not to revile the objects of
worship.

Indeed, in allowing the Christians from Najran the complete liberty to use his
mosque at Medina for the purpose of their prayers, the Prophet Muhammed ( ‫)ﷺ‬
had himself demonstrated to the world the great tolerance of worship envisaged by
Islam.

Furthermore, in the political order of Islam, the state is dutybound to protect and
preserve the places of worship as well as the other symbols of co-religionists.

This fact is abundantly clear from the contract which the Prophet had made with the
Christians of Najran. There we read the following: “To the Christians of Najran and
the surrounding territories, the security of God and the pledge of His Prophet are
extended for their lives, their religion and their property to the present as well as to
the absent, and others besides; there shall be no interference with (the practice of)
their faith or their observance, nor any change in their rights or privileges; no
bishop shall be removed from his diocese nor any monk from his monastery, nor
any priest from his priesthood; and they shall continue to enjoy everything great
and small…”

It can be easily seen from the historical records of the relevant period that after the
Prophet, the Caliphs as well as the Muslim rulers who succeeded them, all had
granted complete freedom of worship to the people of other religious
denominations in their realm.

However, it may be seen that the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬ordered the removal of all idols and
tombs caused men to incline towards the heinous practice of Polytheism in
situations wherein a nation becomes Islamic in its totality and there exists no one
therein who remains a worshipper of idols.

This is a line of action that is adopted only after the masses have all become
worshippers of one God. By implication, therefore, it is not a course of action to be
employed by the Muslims in a society wherein there exists a plurality of religions.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What is 'Jihad'? Can Terrorism be Compared to Physical Jihad?*
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✅’Jihad’ is often mistranslated as “holy war”. The word ‘Jihad’ comes from the root
word ‘Jahada’, which means "effort", "strive" or "struggle". At the individual level,
Jihad primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of virtue and
submission to God in all aspects of life.

All efforts to sacrifice, adopting the divine path and in the pursuit of truth are Jihad.
The control over self and the surrender to the will of God, is the first phase of Jihad.
Jihad is the conquest of one's self in order to ward off all kinds of temptations which
might ultimately lead to evil.

At the collective level, Jihad can take various forms, such as:

1. Non-Physical Jihad:

Intellectual Jihad comprises of the struggle to convey the message of God to
humankind and to combat social evils through knowledge, wisdom, and dignified
discourse. As the Glorious Qur’an says: “Who is better in speech than one who calls
(men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, “I am of those who bow in Islam”?
[Qur’an 41:33]

Jihad is also the worthy utilization of one's wealth, energy, and time for the divine
cause. Just as it is imperative for a person to worship the One True God for
becoming a member of the Islamic community, after pledging the vow of truth, it is
also his responsibility to propagate the message of the true religion amongst his
fellowmen. The efforts of sacrifice which form the path of fulfilling the
aforementioned responsibility, is indeed Jihad.

The message of the true religion should be conveyed to others by making one's own
life the example of the teachings of the religion and also by resorting to the use of
logic and good advice.
*2. Physical Jihad:*
Physical Jihad involves collective armed self-defense, as well as retribution against
tyranny, exploitation, and oppression.

Islam is averse to the idea of forced conversion. The Qur'an makes it very clear that
in matters related to religion there ought to be no coercion, and the duty of the
followers of the faith is just to enlighten the people and that if any person accepts
the faith should be done it on his own accord. Islam does not permit attack on
innocent people in the name of religion.

Islam permits the use of force if it is indispensable, to ensure freedom of religion in

the event of a situation where the right to live according to the tenets of Islam is
denied and the freedom to propagate religion is hampered.

Islam has sanctioned war only to ensure the end of violence and restoration of
peace. It is the stricture of the Qur'an that even in war one should not shed one's
dignity nor should one transgress the limits. "Fight in the cause of Allah those who
fight you. But do not transgress limits; For Allah loveth not transgressors." (Qur'an
2:190)

In the event of a Muslim society being forced into war, all those who are able and
healthy should volunteer. All these efforts of sacrifice to protect the true religion
constitute Jihad.

The armed war is but the last of them, which would be resorted to, when every
other choice fails. "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for
(your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with
them; For Allah loveth those who are just." (Qur'an 60:8).

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣5️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Is Jihad the Battle Against Non-Muslims? Does Qur’an Propagate Animosity
Towards Other Religions by Encouraging Jihad?*
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✅In Arabic, Jihad refers to the struggle to attain slated goals by persevering against
all difficulties and obstacles that may come up in the process. Indeed, the term
Jihad has been used both in the Qur’an and the sayings of the Prophet to mean the
highest exertion in the cause of God. It never implied the attacks against non-
Muslims.

It is the duty of every Muslim to strive in the way of God. Look, for instance, at a
verse of the Qur’an which exhorts to the way of incessant striving: “And strive in His
cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen
you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the religion of your
father Abraham…” (Quran 22:78).

The Muslims are those who have been entrusted with the furtherance of the mission
of all the earlier prophets. Therefore, Jihad is the struggle and sacrifice that
becomes necessary in accomplishing the mission of witnessing to the true religion.
A Muslim must firstly prepare himself for the mission of witnessing to the true
religion.

An individual carries out Jihad with his own self by subjecting, and controlling, all his
likes and dislikes to the dictates of the divine commandments. Indeed, in
accomplishing his mission, a Muslim is duty-bound to subject his wealth, family,
society, and environment to a proper and apt preparation. All these preparations
come within the meaning of the term Jihad.

A Muslim fulfills his mission of bearing witness to the true religion by living his life
according to the divine religion and also by its propagation. It is also the duty of
each Muslim to become part of the process of working for change in a situation
wherein the freedom for carrying out both these objectives is curtailed.

It is also his obligation to be an active member even of an armed campaign for the
restoration of the freedom of religious practice in the event that such a situation
comes up and, wherein, the Muslim society decides that such a course of action is,
indeed, imperative.

Jihad is never the battle waged against non-Muslims in a simplistic and general
sense. It is, in fact, the nature of life that is lived in accordance with Islam and the
exertions, sacrifices and struggle that will be necessary to throw aside the forces
that disallow one to live as a Muslim. Only in such circumstances, therefore, will
Jihad be in the form of an armed campaign.
All legal codes in the modern world recognize the right of every single person to live
by, and to propagate, the tenets of the religion that he, or she, believes in. It is the
duty of the Muslim community to make efforts to regain this fundamental right if it
is denied to it. It is only when resort is made to the use of force in such efforts that
italicize comes to imply armed opposition.

Even in the instances where armed struggle is waged against those who deny the
right to live one’s life according to Islam and come forth to make war against the
Muslim community, it is the recommendation of the Qur’an that limits be not
crossed and that no further action be taken against them if they refrain from the
opposition and antagonism which they had displayed earlier: “Fight in the cause of
God those who fight you but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not
transgressors.” (Quran 2:190) “But if they cease, God is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.” (Quran 2:192)

Where but in the Qur’an can we ever find such a humane recommendation that full
justice must be met out even in the field of battle!

In all other situations it will remain only as the life that is lived according to Islam
and as the struggle that goes with the propagation thereof.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Does Qur’an Recommend the Forcible Conversion of Non-Muslims?*
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✅No. There is not a single verse in the Qur’an which recommends the forcible
conversion of non-Muslims. In fact, the Qur’an does not agree with the idea of
forcible conversions. Islam means ‘submission’ or ‘peace’. It can be said that Islam
signifies the peace attained by the one who submits the whole of his life to the
Almighty.
Indeed, the Muslim is the one who has surrendered his own self to God. To say that
one is a Muslim is to so conform one’s life along the path of divine guidance. This
conformance must first germinate in one’s mind. It is the position of the Qur’an that
unless there is a substantial change in thinking there can be no other change,
whatsoever, of a fundamental nature.

Therefore, it does not agree with forcing anyone into the religion. In fact, the
Prophet, who had struggled greatly to convince his own society perchance they
came into the fold of the true faith, was rebuked by the Qur’an for the mental agony
that he underwent on realizing that the deniers of truth were not going to change
their stand, in the following words: “If it had been thy Lord’s will, they would all
have believed- all who are on earth! Will thou then compel mankind, against their
will to believe!” (Quran 10:99)

The Qur’an makes it very clear that the duty entrusted to the messengers, who
were appointed for the conveyance of the message of the true religion, was
restricted to the propagation of the religion alone; it never included the coercion of
others into the faith: “But what is the mission of apostles but to preach the clear
message?” (Quran 16:35) “If then they turn away, We have not sent thee as a
guard over them. Thy duty is but to convey (the message).” (Quran 42:48).

The Qur’an repeatedly tells the Prophet that he was sent only to invite people to the
true religion; never to compel them to change their faiths. “Say: ‘The truth is from
your Lord.’ Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject (it).” (Quran 18:29)
“Therefore do thou give admonition, for thou art one to admonish. Thou art not one
to manage (men’s) affairs.” (Quran 88:21-22)

In short, therefore, the messengers had all been only the propagators of the true
religion. So was it the case with the last messenger also? He had the responsibility
only of showing the people the nature of true religion. The obligation of the
believers, too, who were conferred the duty of conveying the message of true
religion, which was perfected through the last messenger, was restricted to this
purpose alone; the obligation only of enabling others to distinguish between truth
and falsehood.

Not only has the Qur’an not demanded the forcible conversion of others, it has also
declared that the practice of forcible conversion is, in itself, an abomination. “Let
there be no compulsion in religion; truth stands out clear from error.” (Quran 2:256)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What Does the Qur’an Say About Peace & Non-Violence?*
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✅The issue of peace and justice in society, and in the international community at
large is of fundamental importance and must be thoroughly addressed if the
community – national or international – were to prosper and coexist in peace and
harmony. However, this would not be maintained if the code of conduct between
individuals and states were not based on tolerance and non-violence when
addressing matters of disputes and contentions. And there are the unavoidable
circumstances that lead to conflict, but then war should be seen as the last resort in
settling any conflict. This is the approach that is encouraged by Islam.

Islam comes from the root word Salaam, which means ‘peace’. It also means
submitting one’s will to Allah Almighty. Qur’an describes the desirability of peace
and the means of attaining it in various passages, including the verse, “If they
incline toward peace, then seek you peace also,” which clearly demonstrates that
peace is a desired state to be striven for.

Even when wronged, the Glorious Qur’an advises Muslims to repel the evil with what
is best, so that even the enemies would become a warm friend [Al-Qur’an 41:34]

Furthermore, one of the various names for heaven is ‘Dar al-Salam’, meaning
“Abode of Peace.” Thus, peace is a goal that Muslims are required to strive for, in
their own selves, in their families and in their communities.

*Sanctity of Treaties:*
The Prophet and his companions did make treaties, such as that of Hudaybiyya in
the sixth year of the hijra and the one made by Umar with the people of Jerusalem.
Faithfulness to a treaty is a most serious obligation which the Qur'an and hadith
incessantly emphasize: “Believers, fulfill your bonds.” (Quran 5:1)

“Keep the agreements of God when you have made them and do not break your
oaths after you have made them with God as your bond…” (Quran 16:91)
“Covenants should not be broken because one community feels stronger than
another.” (Quran 16:92)

Breaking treaties puts the culprit into a state lower than animals (Quran 8:55). As
stated above, even defending a Muslim minority is not allowed when there is a
treaty with the camp, they are in.

*International Co-operation:*
In the sphere of war and peace, there is nothing in the Qur'an or hadith which
should cause Muslims to feel unable to sign and act according to the modern
international conventions, and there is much in the Qur'an and hadith from which
modern international law can benefit.

There is nothing in Islam that prevents Muslims from having peaceful, amicable and
good relations with other nations when they read and hear regularly the Qur'anic
injunction, referring too members of other faiths: “God does not forbid you front
being kind and equitable to those who have neither made war on you account of
your religion nor driven you from your homes. God loves those who are equitable.”
(Quran 60:8).

This includes participation in international peace-making and peace-keeping efforts.

The rule of arbitration in violent disputes between groups of Muslims is given in the
Qur'an: “If two, of the believers take up arms against one another, make peace
between them. If either of them commits aggression against the other, fight against
the aggressors until they submit to God's judgment. When they submit make peace
between them in equity and justice. God loves those who act in justice.” (Quran
49:9)

This could, in agreement with rules of Islamic jurisprudence, be applied more

generally to disputes within the international community. For this reason, Muslims
should, and do, participate in the arbitration of disputes by international bodies
such as the United Nations.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Does Quran Promote Violence, Bloodshed and Brutality by Saying Muslims Should
Kill the Kuffar Wherever They Find Them?*
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✅A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth
that Islam promotes violence and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale
of Islam. For example, the following verse from chapter 9 is very often quoted by
critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed, and brutality: “Kill
the Mushriqs (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) wherever you find them” (Qur’an 9:5)

Context of Verse is During Battlefield:

Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the
context, we need to read from verse 1 of this chapter. It says that there was a
peace treaty between the Muslims and the polytheists of Makkah. This treaty was
violated by the polytheists of Makkah. A period of four months was given to them to
make amends. Otherwise, war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of the same
chapter says: “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the
polytheists wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait
for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular
prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them; for Allah is oft-
forgiving, Most merciful” (Qur’an 9:5)

This verse was revealed during a battle.

Example of War Between India and Pakistan:

We know that India was once at war with Pakistan. Suppose the President of India or
the General of the Indian Army told the Indian soldiers during the war: “Wherever
you find the Pakistanis, kill them”. Today if I say that the Indian President said,
“Wherever you find Pakistanis, kill them” without giving the context, I will make him
sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will
sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the Indian soldiers
during the war.

Similarly, Quran 9:5 says, “Kill the polytheists (Mushriqs) wherever you find them”,
during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling
Muslim soldiers is, do not be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill
them.

Critics Jumps from Verse 5 to Verse 7:

Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same
verse Quran 9:5 in his book ‘The World of Fatwahs’, on page 572. After quoting
verse 5, he jumps to verse 7 of same chapter. Any sensible person will realize that
he has skipped verse 6.

Quran 9:6 Gives the Answer:

Chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence,
brutality, and bloodshed. It says: “If one amongst the polytheists ask thee for
asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him
to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge”
(Qur’an 9:6)

The Qur’an not only says that a polytheist seeking asylum during the battle should
be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the
present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a
battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace; but which army
General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a
battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?

But, this is exactly what Allah said in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the
world.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?*
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✅Islam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism. In the Quran, God has said:
"O you who believe, do not consume each other’s properties illicitly - only mutually
acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. God is Merciful
towards you." (Quran 4:29)
*Terrorism Has No Place in Islam:*
This is the reminder of the Quran: "We made a covenant with you, that you shall not
shed your blood, nor shall you evict each other from your homes. You agreed and
bore witness." (Quran 2:84)

*The Traits of the Believers are Reflected in Jihad and Not in Terrorism as
Understood from these Verses:*
"They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive… When gross
injustice befalls them, they stand up for their rights. Although the just requital for an
injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness
are rewarded by God. He does not love the unjust... Resorting to patience and
forgiveness reflects a true strength of character." (Quran 42:37-43)

Killing Innocent People is Prohibited and Condemned:

Innocent people are victims of terrorism. Killing innocent people is prohibited in
Quran: “You shall not kill any person - for God has made life sacred - except in the
course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce
justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder; he will be
helped." (Quran 17:33) "You shall not kill - God has made life sacred - except in the
course of justice." (Quran 6:151)

Grossness of Murder can be Understood from this Verse:

"Because of this, we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any
person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he
murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared
the lives of all the people…" (Quran 5:32)

Jihad is Needed Only When Peaceful Solution Fails:

"If it were not for God's support of some people against others, there would be
chaos on earth. But God showers His grace upon the people." (Quran 2:251)

Quran Allows to Fight Only if the Terms of the Treaty is Violated:

"If they violate their oaths after pledging to keep their covenants, and attack your
religion, you may fight the leaders of paganism - you are no longer bound by your
covenant with them - that they may refrain” (Quran 9:12)

War should be Tolerated Only to Drive Away Aggression and Tyranny:

"Permission is granted to those who are being persecuted, since injustice has
befallen them, and God is certainly able to support them. They were evicted from
their homes unjustly, for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is God…" (Quran
22:39-40)
*Quran doesn’t Promote Fighting but Friendship with those Who don’t Fight with
Believers:*
"God does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of
religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be
equitable towards them. God loves the equitable." (Quran 60:8).

*Quran Promotes Peace and it Shows the Way to Establish the Same:*
"If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer,
the Omniscient." (Quran 8:61) Another verse states: "...Therefore, if they leave you
alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then God gives you no excuse
to fight them" (Quran 4:90)

Quran Teaches us How to Treat the Non-Fighting Enemies in their Territories:

"If one of the idol worshipers sought safe passage with you, you shall grant him safe
passage, so that he can hear the word of God, then send him back to his place of
security. That is because they are people who do not know." (Quran 9:6)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Why is Islam Portrayed as Violent and Horrible? Who is Behind this Propaganda?*
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✅‘Islam - Extremism – Terrorism’ - it has been a long time since this discussion
started. The bedrock of things can be understood quickly by checking who are the
beneficiaries of all these.

‘Terror Islam’ is a newly created phrase of Western malice. The driving force behind
this is imperialism/colonialism. By this propaganda, they intend to portray Islam as
a religion of terror and to banish it from the minds of the people. This is intensified
by the atrocities committed by some in the name of Islam and Muslims. But on this
basis, if someone portray Islam as violent, it is just because of their ignorance about
Islam.
Terrorism is, in fact, never compatible with Islam. The Islamic system does not allow
anyone the level of aggression as we see today. Such acts of terrorism are the by-
products of some special circumstances and the result of the change in the
strategies of especially fascist governments. Only truth is that it uses the name of
the entire Muslim community for its expansion and distribution.

Some people kill innocent people in the name of the Qur'an or the Prophet
Muhammad. However, not only does the Qur'an never encourage terrorism, it also
strictly forbids such acts (Qur'an 5:32).

In the modern era, as the Muslim community has gone through decades of history,
oil has been discovered in Muslim countries. That oil fell into the eyes of the
imperialist powers. Imperialism needed oil. Thus, the United States and Britain
turned their attention to Muslim countries in order to secure material benefits.

Now we are getting the evidence that the world's biggest powers themselves were
behind 9/11. Despite UN inspectors who inspected Iraq declared that Iraq doesn’t
have the nuclear weapons as propagated; even though it was known that Saddam
Hussein had nothing to do with Osama bin Laden; and there was no evidence for
the involvement of Iraq in 9/11…, George W. Bush invaded Iraq on the name of 9/11
to seize control and weaken the power of Muslim countries.

Similarly, they have realized that Islam is a barrier to many of the interests of
colonialism, such as usury, alcohol, and adultery. Therefore, the decline of Islam
became an urgent need for these forces. The easiest way for them to do that is to
portray Islam as horrible. It is just that they have brainwashed and hired some of
the Muslims to meet their goals.

The view of Islam on war and terrorism should not be understood from the wrong
people or enemies of Islam. Anyone who does anything that is not in accordance
with Islamic law and tradition is solely responsible for it. Otherwise, only the
organization that took over its paternity will be responsible.

Finding a terrorist hiding or encroaching in a religious institution anywhere in the

world and declaring that all religious institutions are the center of terrorism is a kind
of ideological bankruptcy. Since the terrorist is a human being, how can we say that
all human beings are terrorists? When a person quotes a verse from the Qur'an
about his wrongdoing, it does not mean that the Qur'an supports that wrongdoing.
Instead of that, we should try to understand its meaning and reality.

There are still millions of true believers in the world today who have lived from time
immemorial to preserve the external and internal beauty of the Holy Qur'an. Having
understood the meaning of these holy verses, we need to think that why these
millions do not organize riots unnecessarily.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Are All Terrorists Muslims?*
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✅First, there is nothing new about terrorism. In 1881, anarchists killed the Russian
Tsar Alexander II and 21 bystanders. In 1901, anarchists killed US President
McKinley as well as King Humbert I of Italy. World War I started in 1914 when
anarchists killed Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. These terrorist attacks were not by
Muslims.

Guerrilla fighters from Mao Zedong to Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro killed civilians
during their revolutionary campaigns. They too were called terrorists until they
triumphed. Nothing Muslim about them.

In Palestine, after World War II, Jewish groups (the Haganah, Irgun and Stern Gang)
fought for the creation of a Jewish state, bombing hotels and installations and killing
civilians. The British, who then governed Palestine, rightly called these Jewish
groups terrorists. Many of these terrorists later became leaders of independent
Israel - Moshe Dayan, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Ariel Sharon. Ironically,
these former terrorists then lambasted terrorism, applying this label only to Arabs
fighting for the very same nationhood that the Jews had fought for earlier.

In Germany in 1968-92, the Baader-Meinhoff Gang killed dozens, including the head
of Treuhand, the German privatization agency. In Italy, the Red Brigades kidnapped
and killed Aldo Moro, former prime minister.
The Japanese Red Army was an Asian version of this. Japan was also the home of
Aum Shinrikyo, a Buddhist cult that tried to kill thousands in the Tokyo metro
system using nerve gas in 1995.

In Europe, the Irish Republican Army has been a Catholic terrorist organization for
almost a century. Spain and France face a terrorist challenge from ETA, the Basque
terrorist organization.

Those who carried out the 2004 Madrid bombing, and the 2005 London bombings
were Europeans, born or raised and educated there. Three of the four British
attackers were second-generation British. The 18 Canadians charged with terrorist-
related crimes are graduates of Canadian public schools and universities.

Africa is ravaged by so much civil war and internal strife that few people even
bother to check which groups can be labelled terrorist. They stretch across the
continent. Possibly the most notorious is the Lord’s Salvation Army in Uganda, a
Christian outfit that uses children as warriors.

In Sri Lanka, the Tamil Tigers have long constituted one of the most vicious and
formidable terrorist groups in the world. They were the first to train children as
terrorists. They happen to be Hindus. Tamil Tigers were the first to use ‘Suicide
Bombing’ on a large scale. One such suicide bomber assassinated Rajiv Gandhi in
1991.

In India, the militants in Kashmir are Muslim. But they are only one of several
militant groups. The Punjab militants, led by Bhindranwale, were Sikhs. The United
Liberation Front of Assam is a Hindu terrorist group that targets Muslims rather than
the other way round. Tripura has witnessed the rise and fall of several terrorist
groups, and so have Bodo strongholds in Assam. Christian Mizos mounted an
insurrection for decades, and Christian Nagas are still heading militant groups.

But most important of all are the Maoist terrorist groups that now exist in no less
than 150 out of India’s 600 districts. They have attacked police stations and killed &
razed entire villages that oppose them. These are secular terrorists (like the Baader
Meinhof Gang or Red Brigades). In terms of membership and area controlled,
secular terrorists are far ahead of Muslim terrorists.

In sum, terrorism is certainly not a Muslim monopoly. There are or have been
terrorist groups among Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and even Buddhists. Secular
terrorists (anarchists, Maoists) have been the biggest killers.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What Were the Motives of the Wars of the Prophet?*
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✅Unlike the self-centered rulers and kings all over the world who embark on wars for
expansionist purposes, for the exploitation of human powers, and for the plunder of
wealth and natural resources, Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬refused to resort to the
sword and fighting unless it was necessary and unavoidable. Any wise humanitarian
person accepts such combat and admires it because there is no other way to
achieve the sacred ends of the Prophets.

Here we will point out the motives of Prophet Muhammad in the wars he undertook
so the truth may be made clear.

*Battle of Badr*
For 13 years, Prophet and his followers were tormented and tortured by the infidel
Quraish in Makkah. Finally, they left Makkah and migrated to Medina. Yet the infidel
Makkans did not stop tormenting the Muslims who had remained in Makkah and
also did not let them leave Makkah and migrate somewhere else. At the same time,
the Makkan enemies of Islam had decided to put Medina under a severe economic
siege. Also, Abu Jahl wrote an extremely harsh and rude letter to Prophet and
warned him to expect the attack of the Quraish in that letter. It was on this occasion
that Allah gave permission for war and the battle of Badr happend.

*Battle of Uhud*
Since a considerable number of the infidel troops had been killed in the battle of
Badr, the next year, the third year after the Hijra, the Quraish prepared for war to
take revenge for their defeat in the Badr war. They proceeded to Medina. They
faced the army of Islam in a place called Uhud.

Battle of Ahzab (Trench)

In the 5th year of the Hijra, a Jewish tribe called Bani Nazir went to Makkah and
incited the Quraish against Islam and the Muslims. The Quraish took advantage of
the opportunity, gathered a huge army from different anti-Islamic groups, and
started towards Medina. So, to guard Medina from enemy attack, the Muslims dug
trench/moats all around the city and lined up in front of the enemy army.

*Battle of Khaybar*
Large numbers of Jews lived in the Khaybar forts and had military and economic
relations with the infidels. Since the security of the Muslims was constantly
threatened by those antiIslamic Jews, in 7 AH the Muslims started towards Khaybar,
which was the headquarters of the enemy & surrounded the fort.

*Battle of Mu'tah*
In 8 AH, Prophet sent Harith ibn Umar with a letter to the king of Basra, but his
messenger was killed in a place called Mu'tah. At the command of Prophet, the
army of Islam marched towards the enemy, and in Mu'tah they confronted the army
of Marqal, the king of Rome.

*Conquest of Makkah*
In the Hudaybiyah peace agreement, the Quraish had promised Prophet Muhammad
(‫ )ﷺ‬not to transgress against or oppress the Muslims and their confederates, but
they violated the agreement and helped the Bani Bakr tribe to destroy the Khaza'ah
tribe, which was one of the confederates of the Muslims. To hamper their
aggression, Prophet approached Makkah in secrecy, entered it through an elaborate
device, and conquered Makkah without battle or bloodshed in 630 CE, in the 8th
year of the Hijrah (8 AH).

Battle of Hunayn and Siege of Taif

The Havazin tribe had gathered an army against Islam. Prophet was informed of
their satanic intentions and mobilized 12,000 Muslim soldiers to confront them. The
two opposing armies fought each other in the valley of Hunayn.

We can summarize that those of the Islamic wars against the infidels are trivial, and
none of the wars of the Holy Prophet of Islam were launched out of motives of
expansion, revenge, or aggression. Rather, they were aimed at the repulsion of the
aggressors, defense of the honour of the Muslims, and independence and the
exaltation and prevalence of right, truth, and justice.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Does the Struggle for Rights have to Choose the Path of War Itself?*
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✅War is not an Islamic theme. It is not an essential of Islamic culture. The theme of
Islam is peace. Its culture is the protection and restoration of the rights of human
beings irrespective of caste, religion, or creed. Much of what is meant by
propagating and establishing Islamic culture is the establishment of human rights
and democracy.

An example of war references in the Qur'an is the Qur'anic references to slavery.

Slavery is a bitter reality that could not be ended if Islam alone decides unilaterally.
Islam responded most humanely and morally to that historical reality; and
ultimately put forward many ways to end slavery.

Similarly, war is a part of the history of that time. War continues to determine and
redefine socio-political structures. If Islam's position was that we are not for war, we
are only for peace, then Islam would have nothing to do with the nation or politics.
Islam is not just an advisory movement in history. It did more than just interpreting
the history; it has also tried to shift the system to a democratic one.

It is a later allegation that ‘Islam is a religion spread by the sword’. No enemy would
have made this accusation during Prophet’s time. This is because the accusation
that Islam is a sword-wielding religion, or that Islam is at war, has only one meaning
in that context, that Islam is a religion that interferes in politics.

Everyone involved in politics were speaking the language of the sword in that
century. Moreover, the official language and the dominant language of politics was
the language of sword. When the imperialist powers used the sword to deny the
rights of the people, Islam took up the sword to restore the rights. While others used
the weapon to impose religion, Islam used it to make religious freedom available to
all.

When the opponent applied it on the innocent, Islam applied it only on the guilty.
Islam took war most humanely and liberatingly at a time when war was determining
history. It was not Islam's intention to create a state of war; just like retaining
slavery was not a plan of Islam.
*Covenants and Treaty Instead of War:*
The covenants and the treaty were the forms of international relations that existed
in place of war even at that historic stage. The theme of the Holy Qur'an is a mutual
agreement and peaceful treaties instead of war. From the beginning, Islam sought
to neutralize all war situations through treaties.

However, Islam has often been a party to wars because agreements are not
possible unilaterally. Islam has not violated a single agreement during Prophet’s
time. If the treaties were weakened, it all happened from the sides of the enemies.

Almighty God says, “And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, [O
believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made
Allah, over you, a witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.” (Quran 16:91)

It is obligatory to keep the agreements between nations, tribes, and religions

(Quran 9:4). "If they come to peace, come to it. And put your trust in God. He is the
All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (Quran 8:61)

In summary, the basis of the international relations of Islamic State/Country is

covenants and the treaties, not war. Islam is always ready to speak the language of
agreement, no matter what hostile enemy comes forward. But if the enemy speaks
only the language of war, the Islamic State will not surrender to them by saying that
‘we are non-violent’.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What Does the Qur’an Say About War?*
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✅Islam has been much maligned today as religion of war, not peace and
compassion. The acts of terrorism on the part of some international terrorist groups
who indulge in needless and wanton killing has further aggravated this image in the
contemporary world. During medieval ages also crusades threw up an image of
Islam which pictured Muslims as sword in one hand and Qur’an in the other.

The Islamic relationship between individuals and nations is one of peace. War is a
contingency that becomes necessary at certain times and under certain conditions.
Muslims learn from the Qur'an that God's objective in creating the human race in
different communities was that they should relate to each other peacefully (Quran
49:13).

War in Islam as regulated by the Qur'an and hadith has been subject to many
distortions by Western scholars and even by some Muslim writers. These are due
either to misconceptions about terminology or - above all - using quotations taken
out of context. Nowhere in the Quran is changing people's religion given as a cause
for waging war.

In short, the Quran's attitude toward war and peace may be described as an
idealistic realism. Human existence is characterized neither by incessant warfare
nor by real peace, but by a continuous tension between the two; Societies exist
forever in a precarious balance between them.

Quran Adopted Three Viewpoints Towards War Depending on Situations:

1. When War is Forbidden
2. When War is Permissible
3. When War Becomes Obligatory on Believers

Patience is projected as great virtue and Qur’an says: “Surely Allah is with those
who are patient”. And also, Qur’an says, “By the time, surely man is in loss, except
those who believe and do good and exhort one another to Truth and exhort one
another to patience.” (Chapter 110)

Now coming to the Qur’anic theory of war, it is important to say that war is
sanctioned only in exceptional circumstances and peace is the norm. The
permission for war in Qur’an is given reluctantly and extreme conditions of
persecution and oppression. War is not permissible if people of other persuasions,
religious faith and nationality are part of any treaty or causing no kind of harm to
Muslims. Also, to begin with Muslims should only preach their faith peacefully and
even put up with resistance and opposition and bear adverse conditions with
patience and endurance of high degree.

In Mecca, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬and his followers bore with great patience utmost
humiliation and persecution without any retaliation. The Prophet himself suffered
insults and personal injuries from the hands of his persecutors. He was prevented
from offering his prayers, he allowed himself to be spat upon, to have dust thrown
upon him, and to be dragged out of Ka’ba by his own turban fastened to his neck.
The Prophet bore all this with utmost patience as he was convinced of truth of his
message and did not retaliate even once. Along with the Prophet his followers also
bore even more indignities and torture but never gave up their faith.

Islam had given them a new spiritual message and it was spiritual and moral
teachings of Islam which had given them inner strength to bear all this. For more
than ten years in Mecca, Muslims were persecuted, but before permission was given
to fight they were instructed to restrain themselves (Quran 4:77) and endure with
patience and fortitude: “Pardon and forgive until God gives his command.” (Quran
2:109). See also 29:59; 16:42

*🔜The situations when the war will be allowed in Islam and when it becomes
obligatory on the believers will be discussed in detail in upcoming parts*

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣6️⃣9️⃣*
*❓When is it Permissible to Fight in Islam?*
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✅War may become necessary only to stop evil from triumphing in a way would
corrupt the earth (Quran 2:251). For Muslims to participate in war there must be
valid justifications, and strict conditions must be fulfilled. A thorough survey of the
relevant verses of the Qur'an shows that it is consistent throughout with regard to
these rulings on the justification of war, and its conduct, termination and
consequences.

Justifications and Conditions for War:

All the battles that took place during the Prophet's lifetime, under the guidance of
the Qur'an and the Prophet, have been surveyed and shown to have been waged
only in self-defense or to pre-empt an imminent attack. For more than ten years in
Mecca, Muslims were persecuted, but before permission was given to fight, they
were instructed to restrain themselves (Quran 4:77) and endure with patience and
fortitude: “Pardon and forgive until God gives his command.” (Quran 2:109). See
also 29:59; 16:42

After the Muslims were forced out of their homes and their town, and those who
remained behind were subjected to even more abuse, God gave His permission to
fight: “Permission is given to those who fight because they have been wronged, and
God is indeed able to give them victory; those who have been driven from their
homes unjustly only because they said, "Our Lord is God”… those who, if they are
given power in the land, establish worship and pay the poor-due and enjoin what is
good and forbid iniquity.” (Quran 22:39-41)

This is the earliest verse in the Quran related to fighting, which is clearly indicating
that such permission is an exceptional allowance responding to a specific situation,
and that peaceful conduct is assumed to be the norm for Muslims.

Here, war is seen as justifiable and necessary to defend people's right to their own
beliefs, and once the believers have been given victory, they should not become
triumphant or arrogant or have a sense of being a superpower, because the
promise of help given above, and the rewards are for those who do not seek to exalt
themselves on earth or spread corruption (Quran 28:83).

The first permission in Qur’an to fight also came under similar circumstances. Thus,
Qur’an says: “And what reason have you not to fight in the way of Allah and of the
weak among the men and the women and the children who say: Our Lord, take us
out of this town, whose people are oppressors, and grant us from Thee a friend, and
grant us from Thee a helper” (4:75).

This verse is quite clear as to why Muslims should fight. All conditions have been
mentioned. Also, justice is very central in Islam and is one of the most fundamental
values so much so that Allah’s name is ‘Adil’. And Muslims were subjected to gross
injustices; so, permission to fight was given. Again, the words of the verse clearly
show, it had nothing to do with spreading of religion.

As the wealthy and powerful often do, the enemies tried to silence the Muhammad,
the Prophet and his followers by inflicting inhuman torture on them which has been
so well documented by early historians of Islam but when they did not succeed
drove them out of their homes and hearth and most of them migrated to Ethiopia
and then to Madina. And they were not left in peace even there as their moral and
spiritual superiority could not be accepted vis-à-vis their material superiority.

It is in this background that one has to understand Quran’s permission to fight.

Moreover, there are strict rules of warfare outlined by the Prophet Muhammad and
his successors that prohibit targeting civilians, specifically women and children, or
even harming infrastructure or crops used by civilians.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣0️⃣*
*❓When Does Jihad Become Obligatory for a Muslim?*
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✅What are the circumstances that make Jihad obligatory on a Muslim citizen? What
is the punishment for not taking part in Jihad when it has become obligatory?

When there is a just cause for Jihad, which must have a righteous intention, it then
becomes an obligation. It becomes an obligation for defending religious freedom
(Quran 22:39-41), for self-defense (Quran 2:190) and defending those who are
oppressed: men, women and children who cry for help (Quran 4:75). It is the duty of
the Muslims to help the oppressed, except against a people with whom the Muslims
have a treaty (Quran 8:72). These are the only valid justifications for war we find in
the Qur'an.

As far as an individual is concerned, Jihad becomes compulsory upon him if both the
following conditions are fulfilled:
i. The rulers give a call to each and every citizen of their country to participate in
Jihad.
ii. The individual himself is convinced that his rulers are waging war on the only
legitimate basis on which war can now be waged: to uproot injustice and oppression
perpetrated by a country. If a person is convinced that his country has some other
objective in mind, he can of course refuse their call.

Punishment for Not Taking Part in Jihad:

Even when war becomes necessary, we find that there is no "conscription" in the
Qur'an. The Prophet is instructed only to "urge on the believers" (Quran 4:64). The
Qur'an - and the hadith at greater length - urge on the Muslim fighters (those who
are defending themselves or the oppressed) in the strongest way: by showing the
justice of their cause, the bad conduct of the enemy, and promising great rewards
in the afterlife for those who are prepared to sacrifice their lives and property in
such a good cause.

A study of the Qur'an shows that there is no worldly punishment for either a state or
an individual if they do not undertake Jihad when it becomes obligatory upon them.
The reason for this is that the Qur'an does not mention any such punishment. It
seems that it is the Almighty Himself Who directly punishes such negligence in this
world or in the Hereafter.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What are Islamic Laws and Rules of War?*
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✅Although Islam permits Jihad on the battlefield under the conditions mentioned in
previous posts, the rules of engagement reflect Islam’s inherent inclination towards
peace.

*Righteous Intention:*
Righteous intention is an essential condition. When fighting takes place, it should be
‘in the way of God’ as is often repeated in the Qur'an. His way is prescribed in the
Qur'an as the way of truth and justice, including all the teaching it gives on the
justifications and the conditions for the conduct of war and peace.

The Prophet was asked about those who fight for the booty, and those who fight out
of self-aggrandizement or to be seen as a hero. He said that none of these was in
the way of God. The one who fights in the way of God is he who fights so that the
word of God is uppermost (Bukhari).
*No Aggression Towards Civilians:*
Military conflict is to be directed only against fighting troops and not against
civilians, as the Glorious Qur’an says: “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight
you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors” [Qur’an 2:190]

As far as the non-combatant population is concerned such as women, children, the

old and the infirm, etc., the instructions of the Prophet are as follows: “Do not kill
any old person, any child or any woman”, “Do not kill the monks in monasteries” or
“Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship.” During a war, the
Prophet saw the corpse of a woman lying on the ground and observed: “She was
not fighting. How then she came to be killed?” Thus, non-combatants are
guaranteed security of life even if their state is at war with an Islamic state.

*Upholding Justice:*
The ravages of war are not an excuse for Muslims to engage in any form of cruelty
or violation of human rights. As the Qur’an says: “O ye who believe! stand out firmly
for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make
you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just; that is next to piety; and fear
Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” [Qur’an 5:8]

It is forbidden under Islamic law, to ill-treat prisoners of war or to deny them the
essentials of life, including medical treatment.

Respect for Religious Freedom:

Physical Jihad cannot be waged with the objective of compelling people to embrace
Islam. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion” [Qur’an
2:256]

“If it had been thy Lord’s will, they would all have believed - all who are on earth!
wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!” [Qur’an 10:99]

*Accept Peace:*
If the enemy offers peace, it should be accepted even at the risk of possible
deception. The Glorious Qur’an says: “But if the enemy incline towards peace, do
thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah; for He is One that heareth and
knoweth (all things)” [Qur’an 8:61]

*Cessation of Hostilities:*
Once the hostility of the enemy ceases, the Muslims must stop fighting (Quran
2:193; 8:39): “And if they incline to peace, do so and put your trust in God. Even if
they intend to deceive you, remember that God is sufficient for you.” (Quran 8:61-2)
When the war is over, the Qur'an and hadith give instructions as to the treatment of
prisoners of war and the new relationship with the non-Muslims.

The Qur'an and hadith talk about the different situations that exist between a
Muslim state and a neighboring warring enemy. They mention a state of defensive
war, within the prescriptions specified above, the state of peace treaty for a limited
or unlimited period, the state of truce, and the state where a member of a hostile
camp can come into a Muslim land for special purposes under safe conduct.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Why Suicide Bombing Violates Islam?*
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✅The evil of suicide bombings must be defeated by Muslims, as it violates every
tenet of Islam. Suicide bombings violate the prohibition against suicide and
terrorism violates the prohibition against murder, one of the gravest sins prohibited
by the Qur’an.

We believe that Islamic teachings clearly prohibit killing innocent civilians. While
there are obviously extremist Muslims who disagree with this stance, the position of
the Muslim majority is clear, as demonstrated by repeated condemnations by
Muslim scholars and leaders across the world.

Suicide bombings, indeed, all forms of terrorism, are rejected by mainstream Islam,
and always have been.

The Holy Qur'an says it in very clear, without any ambiguity: "Do not kill yourselves,
for truly God is merciful. And if any do that in rancor and injustice, soon shall We
cast them in the Fire. " (Quran 4:29-30)
The Qur'an makes it clear that there are rules to human conflict and limits that must
be followed: "And fight in the way of God against those who fight you. But do not
transgress the limits. Truly God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190)

Islamic law established very clear rules of war based on the practice of Prophet
Muhammad and his early followers: Do not kill civilians. Do not kill women and
children. Do not harm monks or priests of other religions. Do not destroy the
environment.

Muslims always took great pride in the fact that they acted honorably, even in war.
They looked with contempt upon the warriors of Europe, who slaughtered civilians
mercilessly during the Crusades. When the Muslim leader Saladin defeated the
Christian kingdom of Jerusalem and retook the holy city, he spared its Christian
populace and pointedly said: "We will not do to you what you did to us."

His comment was in reference to the First Crusade, where Christian "holy warriors"
massacred tens of thousands of civilians upon taking Jerusalem in 1099. Muslims
were slaughtered en masse, the Jews of Jerusalem were locked into its main
synagogue and set on fire. And Arab Christians were murdered by their co-
religionists for the sin of having dark skin and looking like the enemy.

The Muslims looked at this kind of atrocity committed in the name of God as
unworthy of any great religion and held themselves above such monstrous
behavior.

So how is it possible that its modern equivalent, the mass murder of civilians
through suicide bombings, should now be done in the name of Islam?

Islam is a religion that has established rules of war for a reason. Human conflict is
perhaps inevitable, but unless there is a sense of morality among warriors, even
among the warriors of the oppressed, human beings will descend into monstrosity.
The nobility of a cause is forever tainted when dipped in the blood of innocents.

As Saladin pointed out, the Muslims would not inflict on the Christians the atrocities
that the Crusaders had inflicted on their victims, simple because we as Muslims
were better than that.

*Footnote:*
In Dying to Win, Robert Pape, a scholar at the University of Chicago, analyzes the
history and motivation of suicide bombers. Many people who read the book will be
surprised to learn that suicide bombing was a tactic that was first used regularly by
Hindu terrorists known as the Tamil Tigers. One of the most prominent victims of
this tactic, Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, was killed on May 21, 1999 by a
female suicide bomber from the Tamil Tigers. According to Pape, Gandhi's murder
marks the first use of the "suicide vest" which has become the tool of suicide
bombers throughout the world today.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What are the Ethics & Humanity Islam Teaches in the War Towards Enemies?*
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✅As Islam stands against waging war, especially against the innocents, it never
overlooks the possibility that mankind may resort to war against each other. That is
why it shows keenness on regulating warfare, between Muslims and non-Muslims; it
enumerates those that should not be killed or even targeted during the battles. Not
only that. Islam also sets rules regarding those taken as prisoners of war; how they
should be treated and dealt with.

This is what is clarified by Sheikh Muhammad Abu Zahra, in his book Concept of
War in Islam; it reads: “Islam advocates clemency with captives. History has never
known warriors so merciful to their captives as the early Muslims who followed the
teachings of their religion. Numerous religious texts demand clemency with
captives.”

Islam never fought nations but fought only despotic authorities. Islamic war was one
of liberation and not of compulsion. Muslims are prohibited from opening hostilities
without properly declaring war against the enemy unless the adversary has already
started aggression against them.

The first and the foremost basic right in Islam is the right to live and the respect of
human life. The holy Quran and the traditional sayings and acts of the Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬strictly impose the following injunctions during the time of peace
and the time of war:

1. No one should be burned alive or tortured with fire.

2. Wounded soldiers who are neither unfit to fight, nor actually fighting, should not
be attacked.
3. Prisoners of war should not be killed.
4. It is prohibited to kill anyone who is tied up or in captivity.
5. Residential areas should not be pillaged, plundered, or destroyed, nor should the
Muslims touch the property of anyone except those who are fighting against them.
6. Muslims must not take anything from the general public of the conquered country
without paying for it.
7. The corpses of the enemy must not be disgraced or mutilated.
8. Corpses of the enemy should be returned.
9. Treaties must not be broken.
10. In Islam, taking one’s life is equal to taking the life of the whole of the mankind.
Allah says in the holy Quran: “If anyone slew a person - unless it be for murder or
for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if
anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people…” (Quran
5:32)

Prisoners are usually taken when a battle is at its height and there is danger that
rage may lead the victorious warriors to harm those who have been defeated in
order to take revenge. The Prophet, however urged his followers to treat their
captives with clemency. He said to them “You are recommended to treat your
captives kindly.”

What are the teachings of Islam as regard the prisoners of war? Does Islam grant
them freedom, ransom or enslave them to the Muslims? Allah says: “Therefore,
when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye
have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them); thereafter (is the
time for) either generosity or ransom; until the war lays down its burdens…” (Quran
47:4)

The Quranic verse thus provides alternatives: either the Muslim commander should
free those captives who cannot offer ransom either in the form of money or an
equivalent number of Muslim captives, or he should ransom his captives for money
or for a similar number of Muslim captives (exchange of prisoners).

The Prophet avoided the enslavement of any free man in his wars; his actions
tended towards its denunciation. He urged the manumission of those who had been
enslaved. The Quran refers to the permissibility of slavery only to urge the
emancipation of the enslaved.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Is Religion Separate from Politics According to Islam?*
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✅Islam is a complete way of life, which the Almighty God gifted to the mankind,
which any person can choose. When a society adopts a particular way of life, it will
naturally influence the decision of that community and influence the leadership.
This is what we call politics.

The view that ‘Islam has nothing to do with politics’ is completely wrong since it will
invalidate the fundamental concept that Islam is a guidance to all walks of life.
‘Politics’ which means management of social life affairs by applying the principles of
Islam in various aspects (according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah) is an integral
part of religion.

We shall elaborate here on the idea of the concordance of religion and politics and
the need for establishing government:

The most vivid evidence which substantiates this idea is the conduct of the Prophet
Muhammed ( ‫ )ﷺ‬during the period of his mission. On studying the words and
practices of the Prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬, we become fully aware that from the outset of his
mission, he was in pursuit of establishing a strong government founded on faith in
God and capable of implementing the agenda and programs of Islam.

The Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬is the Founder of Islamic Government:

1. Before emigration to Medina, Prophet held a meeting with two groups of the
people from Medina at a place called ‘Aqabah’ and they pledged to invite him to
their city and give him support. So, this was the first step towards establishing an
Islamic government.

2. After the establishment of the Islamic government in Medina, the Prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬
made contacts with the powerful political and social centers of his time by
dispatching ambassadors, sending historic letters, and forging economic, political
and military links with many leaders, and appointed rulers and chiefs for many
tribes and cities.
The practices and decisions of the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬confirm that from the beginning of
his mission, he had been in pursuit of setting up a strong government through
which to administer the universal laws of Islam in all facets of life.

Do such actions like forging pacts with active groups and tribes, organizing a strong
army, dispatching ambassadors to different countries, warning kings and rulers and
communicating with them, sending governors and rulers to cities and districts far
and near, and the like have any other name than ‘politics’ in the sense of managing
and administering different aspects of society?

In addition to the conduct of the Prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬, the manner of the Four Caliphs
testimony to the concordance of religion and politics…

A comprehensive study of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) makes it clear that many

religious laws cannot be implemented without the establishment of a government.

Islam calls on us to take part in Jihad and defense, plead for justice against tyrants,
protect the oppressed, enjoin good and forbid evil in a broad sense, form a codified
financial system, and safeguard the unity of the Muslim society.

In the same vein, implementing Islamic laws with the aim of performing the
obligations, preventing crimes, regaining the rights for the oppressed from the
oppressors and the other aforementioned objectives will not be accessible without a
systematized and potent system and organization. Without such a system or
organization, executing them will lead to chaos and tumult.

Although according to Islam the proofs of the need of establishing a government are
far more than what we have stated, it is clear from the mentioned proofs that
religion and politics are inseparable and establishing an Islamic government on the
basis of the values of the luminous Islamic law is indispensable and all of the
Muslims of the world are responsible for achieving this goal.

However, the term "Islamic state" has taken on a more specific connotation since
the 20th century. Like the earlier notion of the caliphate, the modern Islamic state is
rooted in Islamic law. It is modeled after the rule of Muhammad.

However, unlike caliph-led governments, a modern Islamic state can incorporate

modern political institutions such as elections, parliamentary rule, judicial review,
and popular sovereignty.

Today, many Muslim countries have incorporated Islamic law, wholly or in part, into
their legal systems. Certain Muslim states have declared Islam to be their state
religion in their constitutions, but do not apply Islamic law in their courts.

The Essence of Islamic Governments:

The essence or guiding principles of an Islamic government or Islamic state, is the
concept of mutual consultation (Al-Shura) which should consist of:
- Meeting or consultation, that follows the teachings of Islam.
- Consultation following the guidelines of the Quran and Sunnah.
- There is a leader elected among them to lead the meeting.
- All members are given fair opportunity to voice out their opinions.
- The issue should be of public interest.
- The voices of the majority are accepted, provided it does not violate the teachings
of the Quran or Sunnah.

Prophet Muhammad himself respected the decision of the Shura members.

Early Islamic Governments:

The first Islamic State was the political entity established by Prophet Muhammad in
Medina in 622 CE, under the Constitution of Medina. It represented the political
unity of the Muslim Ummah (nation). It was subsequently transformed into the
caliphate by Muhammad's disciples, who were known as the ‘Rightly Guided’
Caliphs (632–661 CE).
*The Modern Islamic State:*
The Islamic state was perceived as a "third way" between the rival political systems
of democracy and socialism. Islamic leaders envisioned the ideal Islamic state as
combining the democratic principles of electoral politics with the socialist principles
of concern for the poor.

Pan-Islamism is a form of religious nationalism within political Islam which

advocates the unification of the Muslim world under a single Islamic state, often
described as a caliphate or ummah.

Characteristics of Islamic State:

The forms and structures of state are bound to vary from place to place and time to
time. The Qur'an greatly emphasizes the nature of society. While the state is
contingent the society based on values like justice, equality, compassion, and
human dignity is a necessity in Islam.

An Islamic state should have following characteristics:

1. It should be non-discriminatory on basis of race, color, language, and nationality
(30:22)
2. It should guarantee equal status to men and women (33:35; 2:228).
3. It should guarantee equal rights to all religious groups and accept plurality of
religion as legitimate (5:48).
4. It should be democratic in nature whose basic premise will be human dignity
(17:70)

Only those states which fulfill these criteria can be construed to be Islamic in
nature. Thus, an Islamic state is the very epitome of modern democratic pluralistic
state.

*Footnote:*
‘Islamic country’ and ‘Muslim country’ are not same. Islamic country is the one
which has its rules and regulations in accordance with the principles of Sharia (Laws
according to Qur’an and Sunnah), whereas a Muslim country could be
acknowledged as one in terms of the abundance of Muslim population. Thus, all
Muslim countries need not be Islamic.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣6️⃣*
*❓How was the Politics & Rule of Prophet?*
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✅The practical aspect of Tawheed (monotheism) is to bring about equality, freedom,
and unity in society. The Prophet (PBUH) implemented a political system to
chronologically make these principles into a clear human system. This was the aim
of the Islamic state that the Prophet established in Madinah.

The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized the need for a constitution that was in line with the
society regardless of the distinction between a ruler and a citizen. It is not correct to
interpret this as merely a democracy, socialism, or secularism. The laws here are
defined by the Almighty God. The way is to cultivate society through personal
purity.

Prophet’s politics can no longer be considered dictatorial or theocratic. The Prophet

is not exception to the law. The law is enforced with the approval of the Council. The
Prophet Muhammed considers the will of the people. But the will should not be
against the broader interests of the society.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) created a society according to the ideas received
through the divine revelation for twenty-three years. It was achieved through
multiple agreements and consultations.

When the Prophet came to Madinah, it was a city of anarchy. The Prophet was
invited to Madinah by the believers from the prominent Arab tribes, the Aws and the
Khasraj. The Medina state was established originally based on the ‘Aqaba’ treaty
with them happened from Makkah. Peace was restored in the Madinah community
when the two tribes stopped their bloodshed and promised to unite under Islam.

The Jews were the dominant sect in Madinah. They were also divided into three
tribes, the Banu Qurayla, the Banu Khainukha and the Banu Nadir. Apart from them,
there were Christians and the disbelievers of Madinah. The Prophet treated Muslims
as another sect since they must accept the Prophet as their leader and ruler. Hence,
the Prophet's Medinah State was a combination of two types of sects.

The responsibility for the Muslim community was more in the Prophet's state. They
are the ones who must protect the country and its people. Military service is
compulsory for them. It is imperative for them to sacrifice their property and lives
for the country. They have a responsibility to protect the faith and property of even
non-Muslims. The second group is a protected group (Dimmi). Their responsibility is
to pay the military tax (Jizya) to the country and to acknowledge the leadership.
Which means, they are free by any other means.

It can be seen that the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) gave priority to the will of the
people when he formed the state constitution. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) is the
leader of only those who recognizes his leadership. Those who recognize it are
entitled to all the rights under the agreement. If they do not get the right, they can
approach the leadership on a constitutional basis. The survival of the community
and the nation is most important. For this we need to compromise as much as
possible; the Hudaybiyyah treaty of the Prophet is a clear proof of this. That is why
he suffered thirteen years in Makkah also. But the weapons are essential when it
comes to defeating an enemy group.

The basis of the Madinah nation was a written constitution. European scholars have
described this constitution as the Madinian Magna Carta and the Prophet's Magna
Carta. The fundamental rights of all the citizen were clearly defined in it. The
Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) outlined his clear vision and mission about the nation
and its citizens in his constitution.

The core aspect of the Prophet Muhammed's political system was to facilitate the
protection of everyone’s fundamental rights and to make ways for the best
execution of their duties.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣7️⃣*
*❓What are the Rights of Citizens in an Islamic State?*
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*✅1. Security for Life:*
On the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, Prophet said: "Your lives and properties are
forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection." Islam
prohibits homicide but allows only one exception, that the killing is done in the due
process of law which the Quran refers ‘with the truth’. A man can be killed only
when the law demands it, and it is obvious that only a court of law can decide
whether the execution is being carried out with justice or without justification.

2. Security for Property:

Along with security of life, Islam has with equal clarity and definiteness conferred
the right of security of ownership of property, as mentioned earlier with reference to
the address of the Farewell Hajj. The Law of God categorically declares: "Do not
devour one another's wealth by false and illegal means" (2:188).

3. The Protection of Honor:

On the Farewell Hajj, Prophet also forbidden any encroachment upon their honor,
respect, and chastity to one another. Quran clearly lays down: "You who believe, do
not let one (set of) people make fun of another set… Do not defame one another…"
(49:11-12)

4. Sanctity and Security of Private Life:

Islam recognizes the right of every citizen of its state that there should be no undue
interference or encroachment on the privacy of his life. Quran has laid down the
injunction: "Do not spy on one another" (49:12). "Do not enter any houses except
your own homes unless you are sure of their occupants' consent" (24:27).

5. Security of Personal Freedom:

Islam has also laid down the principle that no citizen can be imprisoned unless his
guilt has been proved in an open court. To arrest a man only on the basis of
suspicion and to throw him into a prison without proper court proceedings and
without providing him a reasonable opportunity to produce his defense is not
permissible in Islam. Quran says: "Whenever you judge between people, you should
judge with (a sense of) justice" (4:58).

6. Right to Protest Against Tyranny:

Amongst the rights that Islam has conferred on human beings is the right to protest
against government's tyranny. Quran says: "God does not love evil talk in public
unless it is by someone who has been injured thereby" (4:148).

7. Freedom of Expression:

Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression to all citizens of the
Islamic State on the condition that it should be used for the propagation of virtue
and truth and not for spreading evil and wickedness. (Quran 9:71)
*8. Freedom of Association:*
Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and formation of
parties or organizations. This right is also subject to certain general rules. It should
be exercised for propagating virtue and righteousness and should never be used for
spreading evil and mischief.

9. Freedom of Conscience and Conviction:

Islam also gives the right to freedom of conscience and conviction to its citizens in
an Islamic State. The Holy Quran has laid down the injunction: "There should be no
coercion in the matter of faith" (2:256).

10. Protection of Religious Sentiments:

Along with the freedom of conviction and freedom of conscience, Islam has given
the right to the individual that his religious sentiments will be given due respect,
and nothing will be said or done which may encroach upon this right. (Quran 6:108).

11. Equality Before Law:

Islam gives its citizens the right to absolute and complete equality in the eyes of the
law. Islam clearly insists and demands that even all officials of the Islamic State,
whether he be the head or an ordinary employee, are equal in the eyes of the law.
None of them is above the law or can claim immunity.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣8️⃣*
*❓How Did the Prophet Muhammed Treat Minorities in Islamic Country?*
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✅During the first years of the Prophet’s mission to invite people into Islam, his
closest family members, including an uncle, did not only refuse his invitation, but
also persecuted and ill-treated him. Despite all the persecution, ill-treatment and
hardship, the prophet of Islam never used aggressive or unpeaceful means to
promote his religion; even after the victory of his social movement, and when Islam
became the superior power of the Arab Peninsula, history testifies that he never
considered taking revenge.

Friendship and tolerance are affairs of high importance in the social sira [life and
manner] of the holy Prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬, in domestic as well as international aspects. This
led to a reformation of the society, social relations, and affairs.

God has introduced Muhammad ( ‫)ﷺ‬, His great Messenger, as pervasive and all-
encompassing of mercy, whose kind behavior involved both Muslims and Non-
Muslims: “And we have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” [Quran
21:107]

In fact, Prophet Muhammad’s call to Islam was done in such a way that he would
not force anyone into submission. He did not even subdue his greatest enemies at a
time when he had authority over them and was capable of doing anything; rather,
he only sent them out of the Islamic realm to prevent them from carrying out hostile
actions.

After a while, a new religion was spoken of across the Arab world, eventually,
reaching out to other countries. The number of Islam’s followers increased every
day, religious discussions and arguments about the new prophet, Mohammad ( ‫)ﷺ‬,
and his new religion were widespread. Various individuals and religious bodies, from
different places, would come to the Prophet of Islam to verify his message and
challenge his religion.

God had ordered the prophet ( ‫)ﷺ‬, in the Quran, to allow even polytheists and
pagans to come to him freely and safely, "if he seeks your protection to learn about
your religion and research it..” (Quran 9:6). Prophet Muhammad devoted a house in
Medina for hosting these visitors, some visitors would also be hosted by the
prophet’s companions upon his recommendation. When Christians came to visit, the
Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬would spread about his cloak for them to sit upon.

The Prophet would treat his opponents liberally; for instance, when he accepted the
representatives of Najran Christian community, Mohammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬criticized their
belief in divinity of Jesus (pbuh) and invited them to follow Islam. However, he never
forced them into accepting Islam; on the contrary, he allowed them to use the
Mosque of Medina for their worshiping rituals.

Even when Mohammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬decided to send out invitations to the emperors of other
countries, including the Byzantine emperor and the Persian emperor, he asked them
to either submit to Islam or to stay out of the way, so that nations could be exposed
to the new religion and choose their religion freely.
The prophet sought to rectify situations wherein nations could make decisions
based on their thoughts and ideology, and in a case where light is shed on truth
they can accept the monotheistic belief, and cease to worship anything expect for
God--without submitting to anyone’s orders but God's. In order for this responsibility
to be carried out, it is necessary to fight against the powers that prevent nations
from their freedom to explore, research, and convert to the Divine religion.

Prophet Muhammad’s peaceful manner towards the opponents encouraged many

individuals, groups, and religious bodies to freely immigrate to Medina. History
writes that about forty religious and political bodies visited Medina during Prophet’s
time to learn about the religion.

🎥Please Watch this Video👇(⏱9:04mins)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣7️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Are Non-Muslims Treated as Second Class Citizens in Islamic Country? Is levying
‘Jizya’ a Discrimination Towards Them?*
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✅Some people have erroneously viewed the concept of ‘Jizya’ (Quran 9:29) as a
form of injustice, oppression and humiliation of nations and peoples who came
under Islamic rule. Undoubtedly those to hold to this view have neglected the great
privileges attributed to the rights of those who are imposed the Jizya upon in Islam.
Rather, these persons believe that Islam is similar to other ruling regimes that
preceded and succeeded it.

‘Jizya’ is derived from the root ‘Jaza’ or ‘compensate’ meaning ‘a sum of money
given in return for protection’.
*Jizya in Pre-Islamic Times:*
Islam was not the first religion to pre-ordain the Jizya and Muslims were not the first
nation to levy the Jizya unto the peoples subdued by them. Victorious nations
throughout history have persisted in levying the Jizya on their conquered subjects.
Examples of such an action are abundant in human history. This is reflected in the
New Testament (Matthew 17:24-25).

Joshua had both enslaved and levied Jizya on the people of Canaan (Joshua 16:10).
Christ (PBUH) even commanded his followers to pay the Jizya to the Romans and he
himself had expediently paid it. (Matthew 17:24-27) The New Testament considers
the payment of Jizya to the ruler as a legislative right. It is clad in holiness and is
rendered as a religious matter. Please read Romans 13:1-7.

*Jizya in Islam:*
When the Muslim army was victorious over the enemy, any of the defeated people
who wished to remain in the land could do so under a guarantee of protection for
their life, religion and freedom, and if they wished to leave they could do so with
safe conduct.

If they chose to stay among the Muslims, they could become members of the
Muslim community. If they wished to continue in their faith, they had the right to do
so and were offered security.

The only obligation on them then was to pay ‘Jizya’, a tax exempting the person
from military service and from paying ‘Zakat’, which the Muslims have to pay (Zakat
is considerably heavier than the Jizya). Neither had the option of refusing to pay,
but in return the non-Muslims were given the protection of the state.

Islam elevated the Jizya to become not merely a poll-tax paid by the conquered to
the victorious but as a binding covenant made between the Muslim nation and the
people who eventually came under Islamic rule.

Jizya was not a poll-tax, and it was not charged on the old, poor people, women, or
children. The sum of Jizya was never large to the extent that the men were unable
to pay. Rather, it was always available and reasonable. During the reign of the
Prophet, Jizya never exceeded one dinar annually and it never exceeded four dinars
under the Umayyad rule.

Warning Against Injustice Towards the People of Dhimma:

Islam gave unique guarantees to the People of Dhimma that were and will never by
encountered by humanity. In return for very few dirhams to be paid by men who are
able to go to war and fight, they enjoy living in security and absolute protection by
Muslims in addition to the security of their churches and faith.
Allah in His Book and the Prophet in his hadith preordain benevolence and good
deeds to the People of Jizya. Shari’a staunchly prohibits injustice and oppression
toward them. The Holy Qur’an urges Muslims to be good and just with peaceful
People of the Book who do not aggress Muslims [Quran 60:8]

The Prophet also gives warning against being unjust to the People of Dhimma or
impairing their rights: "The one who wrongs a covenanter or impairs his right or
overworks him or forcibly takes something from him, I will be his prosecutor on the
Day of Judgment" [Abu Dawood 3052, Nasa’i 2749].

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Does Islam Prescribe Death Penalty for Apostates?*
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✅The Glorious Qur'an says, "Let there be no compulsion in the religion: Surely the
Right Path is clearly distinct from the crooked path" (Al-Baqarah:256). "Let him who
wishes to believe, do so; and let him who wishes to disbelieve, do so." (Al-Kahf:29)

In another verse, Allah Almighty says: "Yours is only the duty to convey the
message; you are not a guardian over them." (Al-Ghashiyah:21-22)

From the above verses it can be argued that religious freedom and the absence of
compulsion in religion requires that individuals be allowed adopt a religion or to
convert to another religion without legal penalty. Hence the death penalty is not an
appropriate response to apostasy.

Muslims who support the death penalty for apostasy use as their foundation the
hadith, in which the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: "Kill whoever changes
his religion."
The hadith is so generally worded that it would require the death penalty for a
Christian or Jew who converted to Islam. This is obviously not the prophet's intent.
The hadith needs further specification, which has not been documented. Many
scholars interpret this passage as referring only to instances of high treason. (e.g.
declaring war against Islam, Muhammad (PBUH), God, etc.)

There is no historical record, which indicates that Muhammad (PBUH) or any of his
companions ever sentenced anyone to death for apostasy.

*Quranic Views:*
The Qur’an has referred to the issue of apostasy at more than one place (for
example see Al-Baqarah 2: 217, Al-Baqarah 2: 108, Al Imran 3: 90, Al-Nisa 4: 137
and Al-Nahl 16: 106). But at none of these places does the Qur’an mention the
punishment of death for such people who change their religion. The Qur’an does
mention that such people shall face a terrible punishment in the hereafter, but no
worldly punishment is mentioned at any of these instances in the Qur’an.

The issue of killing an apostate (murtad) has been debated among scholars based
on their interpretations of some hadiths since the Qur'an does not specify any
worldly punishment for it. For example, there was a case at the time of the Prophet
(PBUH) where a man came to him in three consecutive days and told him that he
wanted to apostate. The Prophet never took any action against him, and when the
man finally left Madinah, the Prophet never sent anyone to arrest him, let alone kill
him.

This is why some scholars distinguished between individual apostasy and apostasy
which is accompanied by high treason. So, it cannot be confused with the freedom
of conscience for every individual, which has been guaranteed in the Qur'an
through hundreds of verses.

For example, one version of a hadith narrated by A'isha (RA) concerning apostasy
relates to one who left his religion and fought against Muslims.

*Footnote:*
Shaykh Subhani (author of the Book ‘Apostasy doesn't carry death penalty in Islam’)
writes that this order was made to counter a scheme prepared by Jews of Madinah.
They had planned that some of them embrace Islam for some time and then return
to their old religion. Then some other people do the same. It was aimed to create
restlessness among Muslims against their own leadership so that the strong Muslim
unity should start crumbling. To counter this planning the Prophet (SAW) ordered
his companions to act in such a manner.

He emphasizes that people who were awarded death penalty for reverting to other
religions from Islam during the time of the Prophet (SAW) or during the reign of his
caliphs were not given the punishment for the crime of apostasy but for the fact
that they were at war with Muslims and Islamic government.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic View on Nationalism?*
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✅Simple patriotic sentiments, so long as they do not contravene the higher
conviction of man is permissible in Islam, like the affection one feels towards one's
father, son, and family. But as already shown, nationalism does not stop at simple
sentiments. It is a socio-political creed and an actual way of life which aims at a full
control of man's individual and social conduct. Islam, too, being a school having its
own independent, spiritual, practical, political, and social system and comprising a
particular set of beliefs, it naturally comes into conflict with the school of
nationalism.

Unlike other religions such as Christianity, Buddhism etc, Islam is not confined to
religious rites and metaphysical convictions. Had Islam been only a religion of
devotions, it might have agreed with nationalism. But Islam is a religion with asocial
and philosophical worldview and provides for economic and political principles.
Nationalism, too, has its own social and political principles based however on
different beliefs and criteria. Therefore, conflict between Islam and nationalism is
inevitable.

The Islamic ideology is not compatible with any other ideology on the question of
sovereignty over the private and social life of Muslims.

Quran has explicitly rejected the basis of nationalism, and states that language,
color and race are no criteria for unity and privilege. The only criteria are belief and
virtue. A common ideology is the basis of the unity of the Islamic ummah, not race,
country, language or even culture. The goal of nationalism is to create national
units, whereas the goal of Islam is universal unity. Nationalism gives authenticity to
geographical boundaries and racial distinctions, whereas Islam negates them.
Nationalism inclines to limitation and race, but Islam assumes a universal outlook.

Nationalism attaches value only to the historical traditions, culture, civilization,

ideas, and historical figures of its own nation, but Islam's vision goes beyond the
frontier, race, tribe, and nation. Moses, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad are
considered as belonging to all mankind. Islam wishes all nations to regard the Quran
as their Book, and the Ka'aba as their Qibla, and true leaders of Islam as their
leaders.

It is very hard for nationalism to accept this view. According to its limited vision, it
considers the entry of Islam as a transgression or as something dangerous. It
intends to revive its ancient past which Islam calls paganism. Islam curses the
Pharaoh, but Egyptian nationalism makes him a national hero to be worshipped.

Islam says that all the Muslims in the world are members of the same body and all
Islamic nations, Arab, non-Arab, Turk, Afghan, Indian, black, white, and yellow must
belong to one ummah in their belief. But nationalism considers the religious
solidarity of a country with other nations as a danger for national and tribal identity.

Thus, nationalism's vision about society and politics is quite opposite to that of
Islam, and these two cannot go together. That is why the nationalists of other
Islamic lands regard separation from Islam a condition for nationalism to succeed,
even if they do not utter it. Their acts reveal their hatred towards those who seek
Islam.

*Footnote:*
At the advent of Islam and the Islamic revolution, the only social and political
organizations of the pre-Islamic Arabs were the tribe, race and language which were
used as measures of superiority or inferiority. The progress of the Islamic revolution
did away with this idea and with tribal organization; with the tempestuous slogan of
“There is no god but God", it made conviction and ideology prevail over all
attachments to blood, territory and language.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣2️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic View on Democracy?*
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✅Democracy is not an Arabic word. Rather it is derived from the Greek, and it is a
composite of two words: demos, meaning the masses or the people, and kratia,
meaning rule. So, what is meant is the rule of the masses or the rule of the people.

Democracy is a system that is contrary to Islam, because it gives the power of

legislation to the people or to those who represent them (such as members of
Parliament). Based on that, in democracy legislative authority is given to someone
other than Allah; rather it is given to the people and their deputies, and what
matters is not their consensus but the majority.

Thus, what the majority agree upon becomes laws that are binding on the nation,
even if it is contrary to common sense, religious teaching, or reason. In these
systems legislation has been promulgated allowing abortion, same-sex marriage,
and usurious interest (riba); the rulings of shari’a have been abolished; and
fornication/adultery and the drinking of alcohol are permitted. In fact, this system is
at war with Islam and its followers.

Allah has told us in His Book that legislative authority belongs to Him alone, and
that He is the wisest of those who issue rulings and judge. He has forbidden the
association of anyone with Him in His authority, and no one is better than Him in
ruling. Allah says: “So the judgement is only with Allah, the Most-High, the Most-
Great!” [Quran 40:12]

“The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that
you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion,
but most men know not” [Quran 12:40]

“Is not Allah the Best of judges?” [Quran 95:8]

Allah is the Creator of all things and He knows what is good for them and what is in
their best interests of rulings. Human beings vary in intellect, attitude, and customs,
and they are unaware of what is best for them, let alone what is best for others.
Hence in societies that are ruled by the people in terms of legislation and laws, one
sees only corruption, immorality, and disintegration of the social fabric.
It should be noted that in many countries this system has changed into something
that has no reality behind it, and it is mere slogans by which people are deceived. In
fact, the real ruler is the head of state and his helpers, and the people are
suppressed and have no say in anything.

*Democracy vs ‘Consultation’:*
Some people think that the word democracy is equivalent to shoora (consultation)
in Islam! This is a mistaken notion for many reasons, including the following:

1. Shoora has to do with new matters that arise or with matters that are not
explained in detail in the texts of the Qur’an or Sunnah. But in democracy, the
people may discuss what is well-established in religion, which may lead to refusing
to acknowledge the prohibitions on that which is forbidden, and to forbidding that
which Allah has permitted or made obligatory.

2. The ‘consultative committee’ is to be formed of people who have a deep

knowledge of fiqh, Islam and shari’a and have a high level of piety and good
character. So, no one who is of bad character or foolish, or is a disbeliever or
atheist, is to be consulted or involved in the shoora process. As for the democratic
councils of representatives, they pay no attention to any of the conditions
mentioned above.

3. Shoora is not binding upon the ruler; the ruler may give precedence to the view
of one member of the council that is supported by proof, and prefer his view over
that of the other council members, whereas in the case of democracy, the
agreement of the majority becomes legally binding upon the people.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic view on Secularism?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Islam does not put up with secularism for some reasons. First of all, the rights of
legislation and ruling are conferred to human being which means God has no right
of determine laws whereas the owner and ruler over the world is God in Islamic
world view. So, if we are not authorized, it is illegitimate to control their
government.

In secular view, religion is something related to individuals and it is for the relations
between God and individuals. On the contrary, Islamic views determine that as a
comprehensive plan of living in which we have a completed plan for the way we
need to conduct including our salvation in this world or the Hereafter. In other
words, Islam has plans for all aspects of human beings’ life.

For more explanation, religion is a package of knowledge and legal precepts and the
last one entails the relationships between human being with God, with
himself/herself and other people. Thereupon, it includes ethics, laws, and politics.
That is why there are more than 500 verses in Holy Quran about legal precepts and
thousands of traditions concerning living in the society and its rules.

For instance, some verses order people to refer to Quran for solving disputes like
“Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and
warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in
matters wherein they differed” (Quran 2:213)

In some verses Quran rebukes those who legislate without referring to God’s orders
as states: “Have ye considered what provision Allah hath sent down for you, how ye
have made of it lawful and unlawful? Hath Allah permitted you, or do ye invent a lie
concerning Allah?” (Quran 10:59)

Thus, Islam condemn secularism because it ignores the rules which have made by
God and determine religion as an individual thing.

If someone says that there are some views in Islam which authorize secularism, I
would answer that the real Islam rejects this approach because some Muslims left
Ahl Al Bayt behind and divided Islam into political and non-political Islam. That was
the beginning of deviation in Islam. I mean, Islam as the final religion must entails
comprehensive plan which dominated all aspects of life including politics, otherwise,
it cannot be the last one because it is to lead people forever and if it does not have
completed plan, it cannot be forever. Thus, Islam rejects secularism.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What is Islamic View on Marxism & Socialism?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Socialism is completely incompatible with Islam or any religion. Marxism, in its
philosophical foundations is based upon materialism whereas religion is based upon
philosophical idealism. This means Marxism naturally tends towards atheism, as its
analysis of history sees religion as a tool for class elites to control and keep the
working people subservient and also distract them from the underlying causes of
their subservience.

Socialism sees religion as a product of class society that will be destroyed along
with classes that use religion. Historical practice also shows that for revolutions to
occur and get off the ground religious authority and control over the minds of
people has to be subverted and discredited.

Islam is a religion which holds that the highest virtue is total submission to the will
of God (Allah) and this is to be done by living in accordance to the revelation that
was delivered to the Prophet Muhammad and recorded and preserved in the Qur’an.
A Marxist, who dreams of revolution and workers control of society has no time for
such abstractions and will see them as obstacles to international revolution.

Islamic System of the Distribution of Wealth:

The Islamic system of the distribution of wealth is different from Socialism and
Capitalism both. The distinction between the Islamic economy and the Socialist
economy is quite clear. Since Socialism does not admit the idea of private property,
wealth under the Socialist system is distributed only in the form of wages.

On the contrary, according to the Islamic principles of the distribution of wealth, all
the things that exist in the universe are in principle the property of Allah Himself.
Then, the larger part of these things is that which He has given equally to all men as
a common trust. It includes fire, water, earth, air, light, wild grass, hunting, fishing,
mines, un-owned and uncultivated lands etc., which are not the property of any
individual, but a common trust.
On the other hand, there are certain things where the right to private property must
be recognized if only for the simple reason that without such a recognition it would
not be possible to establish the practicable and natural system of economy to which
we have alluded while discussing the first object of the distribution of wealth. If the
Socialist system is adopted and all capital and all land are totally surrendered to the
state, then we would be liquidating a large number of smaller Capitalists, and
putting the huge resources of national wealth at the disposal of a single big
Capitalist - the state.

These being the manifold evils inherent in the unnatural system of the Socialist
economy. Islam has not chosen to put an end to private property altogether, rather
recognized the right to private property in those things of the physical universe
which are not held as a common trust. Islam has, thus, given a separate status to
Capital and to Land, and has at the same time made use of the natural law of
"supply and demand" too in a healthy form.

This is the fundamental distinction of the Islamic view of the distribution of wealth,
which sets it apart from Socialism.

*Summary:*
Marxism/Socialism conflicts with Islamic teachings, apart from many other areas, in
the following important aspects of its understanding:
1. In its fundamental understanding of the origins of man and the universe.
2. In its refusal to grant the individual the right to own property.
3. In its attitude of creating hatred in some men against some others.
4. In its assumption that man can work effectively even without personal incentives,
which is contradictory to the Islamic view of the distribution of wealth.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Was Islam Spread by the Sword?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅One of the bizarre myths perpetuated about Islam, during the centuries of mistrust
during and after the Crusades, is that Muslim armies forced people to accept Islam
at the point of the sword.

Many Western scholars have now repudiated this myth. The great historian De Lacy
O’Leary wrote in “Islam at the Cross-roads”: “History makes it clear however, that
the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the
point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd
myths that historians have ever repeated.”

Indeed, it is a historical fact, that Islam spread much faster during periods of peace
than in periods of war. Islam continued to spread, as it does now, when Muslims
were not prevailing economically, socially, or politically.

History of Tolerance and Mutual Respect:

The Glorious Qur’an says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out
clear from error” (2:256). Traditionally Muslims have treated other religions with
respect, even when they were in a position to use force.

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. During these 800 years, until Muslims
were finally forced out by the crusaders, non-Muslims flourished in Spain.

Muslims have ruled Arabia for 1400 years, except for brief periods of British and
French rule. Yet there are today 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians whose
families have been Christians going back several generations.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. They had the power to forcibly
convert each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the
population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing
witness to the fact that Islam was not spread by the sword.

Thomas Arnold, a former Christian missionary in India, who cannot be accused of

being pro-Islam, in his book ‘The Preaching of Islam’, indicates that there have been
certain periods where Muslim rulers have diverted from this tolerance, but it was
due to a deviation from Islamic principles, rather than conformance to them.

He concludes that the two reasons for the spread of Islam all over the world were
merchants and the Sufis, two groups of people who went out, worked with
humanity, and gently invited others to their faith.
*Legal Safeguards for Non-Muslims Under Islamic Law:*
The Quran and Traditions of the Prophet explicitly dictate regulations and rights for
the protection of non-Muslim minorities living under the rule of Islam. The Prophet
(PBUH) said: “if a Muslims hurts a covenanted non-Muslim living under the rule of
Islam, or commits any injustice to him, then on the Day of Judgment, I would be the
advocate on behalf of the non-Muslim against him”

What would be the sense and need for all of these prescriptions and advice, if Islam
required that they be compelled to accept the religion?

The Rapid Spread of Islam:

An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, yearbook 1986, gave the statistics of the
increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from
1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At the top
was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by 47%.
May one ask, “Which war took place in this century which converted millions of
people to Islam?”

Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The
majority of people in Malaysia is Muslims. Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the
East Coast of Africa. May one ask, “Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and
Malaysia, and to the Africa?”

Today the fastest growing religion in America and in Europe is Islam. Which sword is
forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣6️⃣*
*❓How Did Islam Spread in the World?*
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✅The reason for the rapid spread of Islam was the attraction that the thinking
people developed towards an ideal free from superstition upholding the worship of
the 'One and Only God', the Creator and the pursuit of His messengers. It was only
natural for those thinking people to be drawn to the practice of a faith that sought
the path of 'surrender to God', at a time when their perceptions were fogged by
false deities, and their agents who posed as priests.

The ideal of 'One God, one humanity', simultaneously put forth by Islam, uproots
the parochial beliefs put up in the name of one’s birth. The access to the message
of 'one humanity' experienced by those who were being oppressed in the name of
religion and caste, further led to the propagation of Islam.

The selfless and sincere lives led by Muslims who migrated to different parts of the
world for business purposes and the like, also drew the people of those countries to
Islam. To this day, Islam, which occupies the mind of man though manifold noble
ways, continues to influence the thoughts and deeds of millions of people in all
continents around the world, with its sterling ideals.

Propagation of Islam Through Messengers:

The propagation of Islam was the mission of all the prophets and messengers of
Allah. There was never a prophet who was not a preacher and teacher. All of them
preached the same message: 'Worship Allah, you have no other god but Him.' They
all called to their people saying: 'I do not seek any reward from you for this work.'

Allah Almighty says: 'Call thou [all mankind] unto thy Sustainer's path with wisdom
and goodly exhortation and argue with them in the most kindly manner.' (16:125)

He ordered His Messenger: 'Say [O Prophet]: "This is my way, resting upon

conscious insight accessible to reason, I am calling [you all] unto God - I and they
who follow me." And [say] "Limitless is God in His glory; and I am not one of those
who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him!" (12:108).

Propagation of Islam After Prophets:

Having ordered his servants to employ useful knowledge and good deeds, Allah
confirms: 'And who could be better of speech than he who calls [his fellow-men]
unto God, and does what is just and right, and says, "Verily, I am of those who have
surrendered themselves to God?"' (41:33)

The Muslim community continued preaching of Islam and constituted to grow after
Prophet Muhammad's death. Within a few decades, vast numbers of people across
three continents - Africa, Asia, and Europe - had chosen Islam as their way of life.
Thomas Arnold, a former Christian missionary in India, who cannot be accused of
being pro-Islam, in his famous book ‘The Preaching of Islam’, indicates that the two
primary reasons for the spread of Islam all over the world were merchants and the
Sufis, two groups of people who went out, worked with humanity and gently invited
others to their faith.

One of the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the purity of its
doctrine - Islam calls for faith in only one God. This, coupled with the Islamic
concepts of equality, justice, and freedom, resulted in a united and peaceful
community. People were free to travel from Spain to China without fear, and without
crossing any borders.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Why is Islam Often Misunderstood?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅In today's turbulent world, Islam is often on the front page - mostly for the wrong
reasons. ‘Islam’ means ‘peace’; yet some have taken this peaceful way of life and
hijacked it into a violent way and distorted their ideology for personal and political
gains. Seeing a faith through explosive world events and judging it by the actions of
a misguided few, is the primary reasons why Islam is often misunderstood.

Islam is sometimes, intentionally misrepresented. Some politicians, religious leaders

and media have found an ideal scapegoat in Islam. By associating Islam with the
inhumane acts of a handful, they have been successful in driving larger numbers of
people to vote for them; to donate towards their ministries; and to read their
newspapers, watch their television programs and listen to their radio shows.

The reason they portray Islam as bad is because it serves their interest. No one
wants to hear about good Muslims, they want to see terrorists. It is unfortunate. But
the way they portray Islam is wrong.
However, with an increasing number of Muslims speaking out against this
falsehood; the true and peaceful nature of Islam is becoming more evident. Muslims
are standing up against terrorism, against the persecution and killing of innocent
people, and against those who perpetrate such injustice in the name of any faith.

The very word "Islam" means peace. One-fifth of the world's population is
reclaiming this peace as their chosen way of life.

Negative Media Portrayal of Islam:

There is a current obsession in mainstream media and academic discourse
pertaining to Islam and the West. This current obsession is tinged with negative
signifiers with the global media’s predominantly negative portrayal of Islam and
Muslims, depicting Muslims generally as violent, fanatical, bigoted, or as extremists
and terrorists.

The American-led ‘War on Terrorism’ led to an increase in Islamophobia (fear or

hatred of Islam) across the globe. This increase in Islamophobia was in turn
reflected in the way media outlets addressed and stereotyped Muslim populations.
While some deliberately framed Islamic coverage positively in an attempt to
counter Islamophobia, many of the portrayals of Muslims contributed to the
formation of harmful Islamic media stereotypes.

The point is that Islam has been consistently portrayed by global media as a
violence-prone religion that is diametrically opposed to the West. The question of
“Islam and the West” has been the theme of various academic conferences in the
USA, Europe, and many other countries; it has also been the theme of analytical
writings, discourses, and publications.

It is the nature of media to report on the novel, the sensational, the bizarre, the
dramatic, the extraordinary but not the ordinary occurrences in life. Hence, with
regard to Islam, it does not report about peace-loving Muslims, or Muslims striving
for holiness and daily ‘jihad’ (efforts) against their egos and natural temptations, or
peaceful coexistence between Muslims and other religions in different parts of the
world.

A final suggestion is that when you hear some individual radical Muslim being
quoted, just remember he is one of a billion people and speaks only for himself and
his small following. And be cautious of the quotations he uses, for they are often
deliberately fabricated or distorted.

*Footnote:*
A Christian surveyor, Professor Edward reported in the Time Magazine of April 16,
1979 that in a span of 150 years, from 1800 CE to 1950 CE “over 60,000 books
have been written against Islam by the Christian West.” Now, it is questionable, who
has initiated, nurtured, and collected the hatred, the Muslims or the Christian West?

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Is there a Growing Tendency to Abandon Religion/Islam in the New Generation?*
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✅None of the prophets ever taught that the Religion/Islam should be confined within
the walls of places of worship; In fact, it is a holistic way of life that encompasses a
set of rules and regulations that must be followed in various areas of life.

‘Muslim’ means one who has dedicated himself to his Creator. Therefore, a Muslim
cannot compromise on accepting divine guidance in any walks of life.

When it comes to worship, the ‘concept’ of God-consciousness inside Masjids and

self-interest outside them is unfamiliar to Islam. Therefore, a true Muslim is one who
strictly adheres to the Islamic precepts of all spheres of life.

But the motto of the new generation is to enjoy life free and independent without
being controlled by anyone or anything.

As material systems and conditions have increased, it has become a fashion of

today's generation to challenge everyone and everything, including God. They are
neither willing to submit to their Creator nor even willing to listen any advice from
anyone.

At the same time, we can’t deny that the superstitions and immoral practices found
in many religions, even among those who claim to be Muslims, alienate many from
their religion. But it is unfortunate that they are not ready to understand the fact
that Islam is against such superstitions or to investigate what the real Islam is.
The vast majority of Muslims lack a clear understanding of Islam or the basic tenets
of Islam, which is a major crisis. Their knowledge of Islam is so limited that their
faith can be shattered and misunderstood even when someone makes a small
criticism.

The new generation is arrogant enough to believe only what they see before their
eyes. What we generally see in this generation is a blind denial of everything they
cannot see - especially those against their material interests. They argue that there
is no evidence of Heaven, Hell, the Hereafter, or Judgement. But we have learned in
many articles before that anyone who thinks with the wisdom given by the Almighty
is convinced of all their possibilities and necessities.

These are simply their arguments that they cannot see and that there is no
evidence. Their purpose in life is to truly indulge in material pursuits. It is natural for
such people to deny everything that stands in the way.

Do people use alcohol and drugs without knowing their side effects?! We know that
they are written in their packets that they are harmful to health. There are millions
of such people on earth, who are not willing to change or correct themselves even
after seeing all scientific evidence and experiences, even if they have experienced
it themselves. It would be just a wonder if such people did not deny God and the
Hereafter!

In short, people often abandon Islam not because they feel that the philosophy of
Islam is wrong. On the contrary, the main motivation behind people's departure
from Islam is the desire for material gain or the desire to enjoy life to the fullest
without surrendering to anyone. Only a small minority of those who leave Islam are
accepting other religions; this notion also confirms that most seek refuge in
materialism.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣8️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why Do So Many People Embrace Islam in Today’s Times?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅It might be true that Muslim birth rate is higher than the non-Muslim (keep in mind
that this is the justification of those who deny the fact that people convert to Islam).
But this does not neglect the fact that Islam is spreading rapidly in the term of
converts; and USA and UK are the best examples.

In the United States, for example, nearly 80 percent of the more than 1,200
mosques have been built in the past 12 years (As per a report on 1997).

Islam has drawn converts from all walks of life, most notably African-Americans.
Former NAACP President Benjamin Chavis, who joined the Nation of Islam,
personifies the trend: "In societies where you have minorities that are discriminated
against, I think they may find an appeal in Islam," said Waleed Kazziha of American
University in Cairo.

Islam is embraced by so many humans in all centuries because it is the Truth, and it
provides practical and comprehensive solutions to problems of humankind. Islam
not only teaches good things but also shows practical ways of achieving that state
of goodness.

Muhammad (PBUH) is the last Prophet of God. God revived through him the same
genuine faith which had been conveyed by all His Prophets. This original message
was earlier corrupted and split into various religions by people of different ages,
who indulged in interpolations and admixture. Whoever realizes this fact are
accepting Islam without any confusion.

Since there was to be no messenger after Muhammad (PBUH), the Holy Qur’an is
preserved word for word so that it should be a source of guidance for all times. But
none of other religious scripture is preserved in its purest form, and therefore none
is free from mistakes and contradictions except the Glorious Quran. This fact also
attracted 1000s towards Islam.

The reason for the rapid spread of Islam was the attraction that the thinking people
developed towards an ideal free from superstition upholding the worship of the 'One
and Only God', the Creator and the pursuit of His messengers. It was only natural
for those thinking people to be drawn to the practice of a faith that sought the path
of 'surrender to God', at a time when their perceptions were fogged by false deities,
and their agents who posed as priests.

The selfless and sincere lives led by Muslims who migrated different parts of the
world for business purposes and the like, also drew the people of those countries to
Islam. To this day, Islam, which occupies the mind of man though manifold noble
ways, continues to influence the thoughts and deeds of millions of peoples in all
continents around the world, with its sterling ideals.

In summary, the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the purity
of its doctrine - Islam calls for faith in only one God. This, coupled with the Islamic
concepts of equality, justice and freedom, resulted in a united and peaceful
community. People were free to travel from Spain to China without fear, and without
crossing any borders.

*Footnote:*
Another reason why more and more people are becoming attracted to Islam
nowadays is the media. The media is portraying Islam in a bad way and is printing
against it. This has raised curiosity among people to learn what this religion is
about. When they stop believing blindly in the media and look deep into this
religion, they find it a religion that is the most logical, scientifically perfect, and
true…

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Are All Religions True? Does Islam Agree All Religions?*
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✅Each person is born in a circumstance which is not of his own choosing. The
religion of his family or the ideology of the state is thrust upon him from the very
beginning of his existence in this world. By the time he reaches his teens, he is
usually fully brain-washed into believing that the beliefs of his particular society are
the correct beliefs that everyone should have.

However, when some people mature and are exposed to other belief-systems, they
begin to question the validity of their own beliefs. The seekers of truth often reach a
point of confusion upon realizing that each and every religion, sect, ideology and
philosophy claims to be the one and only correct way for man.

Indeed, they all encourage people to do good. So, which one is right? They cannot
all be right, since each claims all others are wrong. Then how does the seeker of
truth choose the right way?

God gave us all minds and intellects to enable us to make this crucial decision. It is
the most important decision in the life of a human being. Upon it depends his
future. Consequently, each and every one of us must examine dispassionately the
evidence presented and choose what appears to be right until further evidence
arises.

Like every other religion or philosophy, Islam also claims to be the one and only true
way to God. In this respect it is no different from other systems. This series intends
to provide some evidence for the validity of that claim. However, it must always be
kept in mind that one can only determine the true path by putting aside emotions
and prejudices, which often blind us to reality. Then, and only then, will we be able
to use our God-given intelligence and make a rational and correct decision.

It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should it matter which
one we follow. The reply is that all false religions teach the greatest evil, the
worship of creation. Creation-worship is the greatest sin that man can commit
because it contradicts the very purpose of his creation. Man was created to worship
Allah alone as Allah has explicitly stated in the Qur'an: "I have only created Jinns
and Men, that they may worship me" (Qur'an 51:56)

Consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only
unforgivable sin. One who dies in this state of idolatry has sealed his fate in the
next life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final
revelation to man:

"Verily Allah will not forgive the joining of partners with Him, but He may forgive
(sins) less than that for whom so ever He wishes" (Quran 4:48 and 116)

Islam doesn't view other religions as being either completely true or completely
false but believes that all true religions were at one time divinely revealed.
However, over time the teachings of the various religions, due to a variety of
reasons, have become distorted and mixed with made-man ideas.
There are several arguments which may be advanced to support Islam’s claim to be
the true religion of God. The following are only three of the most obvious:

1. The first argument is based on the divine origin of the names of the religion and
the comprehensiveness of its meaning.
2. The second deals with the unique and uncomplicated teachings concerning the
relationship between God, man, and creation.
3. The third argument derives from the fact that Islam is universally attainable by all
men at all times.

These are the three basic components of what logic and reason dictate necessary
for a religion to be considered the true religion of God. The upcoming posts will
explain these concepts in detail.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣1️⃣*
*❓How Can We Realize Which Religion is True?*
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✅There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the
world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to Allah. How can
one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct?

The methods by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial
differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and
identify the central object of worship to which they call, directly or indirectly. False
religions all have in common one basic concept with regards to Allah (Almighty
God). They either claim that all men are gods or that specific men were Allah or that
nature is Allah or that Allah is a figment of man's imagination.
Thus, it may be stated that the basic message of false religion is that Allah may be
worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of
creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it God. For example, prophet
Jesus invited his followers to worship Allah but those who claim to be his followers
today call people to worship Jesus, claiming that he was Allah! This is described in
Qur'an 5:116.

Nor did he worship himself when he worshipped but rather, he worshipped Allah.

Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the

religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that
he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside
of India have taken him to be God and prostrate to idols made in their perception of
his likeness.

By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes
very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the
Qur'an: “That which you worship besides Him are only names you and your
forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority; The
command belongs only to Allah. He has commanded that you only worship Him;
that is the right religion, but most men do not understand" (Quran 12:40)

Consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only
unforgivable sin. "Verily Allah will not forgive the joining of partners with Him, but
He may forgive (sins) less than that for whom so ever He wishes" (Qur'an 4:48 &
116)

The Message of Islam:

Since everything other than Allah, the Creator of all things, is Allah's creation; it
may be said that Islam, in essence calls man away from the worship of creation and
invites him to worship only its Creator. He is the only one deserving man's worship
as it is only by His will that prayers are answered.
It is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that Allah and His creation are
distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His creation or a part of it, nor is His
creation Him or a part of Him.

In the Qur'an Allah clearly states: "For We assuredly sent amongst every people a
prophet, (with the command) worship me and avoid false gods" (Qur'an 16:36)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Why Muslims Call Others to Islam?*
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✅Almighty God created man and caused him to dwell on this earth, but He did not
forsake him. Rather He gave him what he needs of food, drink, and clothing, and
revealed to him throughout the ages a path to follow and be guided by. The
interests and happiness of mankind at every time and in every place depend upon
following the path of the Almighty Creator and rejecting all others: “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)

Islam is the final of the heavenly religions and the Qur’an is the last of the heavenly
Books. Muhammad (PBUH) is the last of the Prophets and Messengers. Allah
commanded him to convey this religion to all of mankind: “this Qur’an has been
revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach”
(Quran 6:18).

Calling others to Islam is an honourable mission. This is the work of the Prophets
and Messengers. The Messenger (PBUH) explained that his mission in life, and the
mission of his followers is to call people to Allah. Allah says: “Say (O Muhammad):
‘This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah) with sure
knowledge, I and whosoever follows me. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah. And I
am not of the polytheists” (Quran 12:108).

Da’wah or calling others to Islam is the best of deeds, because it involves guiding
people to the Straight Path and to that which will bring them happiness in this world
and in the Hereafter (Quran 41:33). The Muslims in general and the scholars in
particular are commanded to call people to Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Convey from me even if it is one verse.” (Bukhaari 3461)

Calling people to Allah is an important task and a glorious mission, because it

means calling people to worship Allah alone. It means bringing them forth from
darkness to the light, planting goodness in the place of evil and truth in the place of
falsehood. Hence whoever does this needs to have knowledge, understanding,
patience, forbearance, gentleness, and kindness. Allah says: “Invite to the way of
your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way
that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and
He is the Best Aware of those who are guided” (Quran 16:125)

Calling people to Allah is a virtuous deed which brings great reward. The Prophet
said: “Whoever calls others to guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those
who follow him, without that detracting from their reward in any way. And whoever
calls others to misguidance will have a burden of sin like the burden of those who
follow him, without that detracting from their burden in any way.” (Muslim 2674)

If building a physical structure needs effort and patience until it is complete, then
building souls and guiding them to the truth also needs patience and sacrifice. The
Messenger (PBUH) called people to Islam, patiently bearing the persecution of the
disbelievers, Jews and hypocrites. They made fun of him and disbelieved in him;
they insulted him and threw stones at him; they said that he was a sorcerer or a
madman – but Prophet bore all that with patience until Allah granted him victory
and caused His religion to prevail.

The Muslims must follow the example and guidance of their Messenger and call
others to Islam, bearing insults and harm with patience for the sake of Allah. “So be
patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true; and let not those who
have no certainty of Faith discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which
you are obliged to convey)” (Quran 30:60)

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣3️⃣*
*❓If Islam is the Best Religion, Why are All Muslims Not Good?*
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✅If Islam is the best religion, why are many of the Muslims dishonest, unreliable,
and involved in activities such as cheating, bribing, dealing in drugs, etc?

1. Media Maligns Islam:

Islam is without doubt the best religion, but the media is in the hands of the
westerners who are afraid of Islam. The media is continuously broadcasting and
printing information against Islam. They either provide misinformation about Islam,
misquote Islam, or project a point out of proportion, if any.

When any bomb blasts take place anywhere, the first people to be accused without
proof are invariably the Muslims. This appears as headlines in the news. Later, when
they find that non-Muslims were responsible, it appears as an insignificant news’
item.

If a 50-year-old Muslim marries a 15-year-old girl after taking her permission, it

appears on the front page but when a 50 year old non-Muslim rapes a 6 year old
girl, it may appear in the news in the inside pages as ‘News briefs’. Every day in
America on an average 2,713 cases of rape take place but it does not appear in the
news, since it has become a way of life for the Americans.

2. Black Sheep in Every Community:

We are aware that there are some Muslims who are dishonest, unreliable, who
cheat, etc. but the media projects this as though only Muslims are involved in such
activities. There are black sheep in every community. We know Muslims who are
alcoholics and who can drink most of the non-Muslims under the table.

3. Muslims Best as a Whole:

In spite of all the black sheep in the Muslim community, Muslims taken on the
whole, yet form the best community in the world. Muslims are the biggest
community of tee-totallers as a whole, i.e. those who don’t imbibe alcohol.
Collectively, Muslims are a community which gives the maximum charity in the
world. There is not a single person in the world who can even show a candle to the
Muslims where modesty is concerned; where sobriety is concerned, where human
values and ethics are concerned.

4. Don’t Judge a Car by its Driver:

If you want to judge how good is the latest model of the “Mercedes” car and a
person who does not know how to drive sits at the steering wheel and bangs up the
car, who will you blame? The car or the driver? But naturally, the driver. To analyze
how good the car is, a person should not look at the driver but see the ability and
features of the car. How fast is it, what is its average fuel consumption, what are
the safety measures, etc. Even if we agree for the sake of argument that the
Muslims are bad, we cannot judge Islam by its followers? If you want to judge how
good Islam is then judge it according to its authentic sources, i.e. the Glorious
Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith.

*5. Judge Islam by its Best Follower i.e. Prophet Mohammed ( ‫)ﷺ‬:*
If you practically want to check how good a car is put an expert driver behind the
steering wheel. Similarly, the best and the most exemplary follower of Islam by
whom you can check how good Islam is, is the last and final messenger of God,
Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. Besides Muslims, there are several honest and unbiased
non-Muslim historians who have acclaimed that prophet Muhammad was the best
human being. According to Michael H. Hart who wrote the book, ‘The Hundred Most
Influential Men in History’, the topmost position, i.e. the number one position goes
to the beloved Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬. There are several such examples
of non-Muslims paying great tributes to the prophet, like Thomas Carlyle, La-
Martine, etc.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Some Questions to Atheists/Rationalists*
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✅1. How did this universe come to existence? Is there any clear evidence for your
claims other than mere conjecture? If yes, what is that?

2. What is the evidence for rationalists to argue that there is no God?

3. How did the life come to be on this earth? According to rationalists, is there any
difference between human beings and non-human beings? Is he morally obligated
to follow any law? If so, who made those?

4. What is the real purpose of the life of a human? Do we have any commitment
with anyone?

5. Rationalists call themselves as free thinkers. But how can today's rationalism
based on extreme atheism be called as free thought? Isn't blind negative attitude
problematic like superstition?

6. Do you consider an agnostic who sees objectively the possibility of the existence
or non-existence of God as a free thinker and rationalist? Would such a person be
allowed to join a rationalist organization?

7. Man's natural common sense is to acknowledge a God. The one who observes the
universe and nature also realizes the reality of God behind it. Believers argue that
the authenticity of religious texts is also evidence for the existence of God. Can a
person who accepts God when there is no substantial evidence to deny it be
considered as a rationalist and free thinker?

8. There does not seem to be complete justice in this world. So, what about those
who do not receive justice? The perpetrators are not getting the punishment they
deserve. How do you rationalists assess the condition of those who die while trying
to do good to others?

9. According to materialism/rationalism, there is no difference between doing good

and doing evil throughout one's life! If Gandhiji and Hitler will be having same
evolution after death, why to lead a moral life here? Doesn't such a rationalism
promote an immoral lifestyle?

10. Atheists do not seem to have made any significant contribution to the
development of science in history! But today they argue that they are the only
people of science. What is the relationship between atheism and science?

11. Your accusation is that the believers are divinely following a book written by
someone. But do you have a better philosophy than this?
12. What development or progress in the society do the rationalists expect by
denying God and leaving religion?

13. Religious philosophy teaches that in the hereafter, there will be another life
which will be better by doing good deeds and will be worse by doing evil deeds
here. What better view could there be from rationalists to replace man with moral
superiority?

14. If a man chooses to live an immoral life in a way that suits his reasoning, how
can it be logically wrong? E.g. stealing, committing adultery, using drugs, etc.

15. Rationalists argue that man should follow logic! The logic of all human beings
does not work the same. So which logic is basically to be followed?

16. What spiritual gain have you made in your secular life? So, what mental healing
did you experience more than the religious people?

17. Are the moral values that we pursue man-made? What is the justification for
following them?

18. What superiority/morality do you claim in the rationale for 'living as you like'
over religious philosophy?

19. Why can't rationalists agree that believers are living their lives according to
their own logic?

20. Do you expect the same evolution after the death of humans and animals? What
will happen after your death? Is your claim your mere belief or is it backed by any
clear evidence?

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What are the Similarities Between Hinduism and Islam?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Almighty God says in Holy Quran: “There was no nation but that there had passed
within it a warner" (Quran 35:24). "We have certainly sent messengers to all
nations" (16:36).

This means that there might have been prophets revealed even in India. Naturally,
they should have taught the same message of Islam (the Submission to God). It
may be because of that; we can see some of Islamic teachings even in Hindu
scriptures.

1. Oneness of God:

Similar to the first fundamental faith in Islam, there are many verses in Hindu
scriptures as well which teaches the Oneness of God.

"What our eyes fails to see, but what gave the sight for our eyes - know that alone
is Brahman, and not this that people worship here" (Kena Upanishad 1:7)

“He who knows Me as the unborn, as the beginning-less, as the Supreme Lord of all
the worlds…” (Bhagwad Geeta 10:3)

“Ekam Evadvitiyam” = He is one only without a second. (Chandogya Upanishad

6:2:1)

“Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires worship demigods”
that is “Those who are materialistic, they worship demigods” i.e. others as deities
besides the True God. (Bhagwad Geeta 7:20)

All these verses exactly teach the real concept of God, which is same as what Islam
teaches.

*2. Prophethood:*
There is also verses associated with the Prophethood, the second fundamental faith
of Islam:

Prophets are the ones who receive the divine revelations from the God. The Qur'an
teaches that the Scriptures are the compilations of such revelations (from God).
Some of Indian Vedas are called as 'Sruthi' means 'heard from God'. This also
underscores the prophethood.
*3. Life After Death:*
Hindu scriptures also describe about the life after death, the third fundamental faith
of Islam:

"We praise you for wisdom and for the peace on the earth, and for the peace in the
Hereafter" (Samaveda- Agneya Kanda:93)

Both Hindus and Muslims believe, after death they will either go to Paradise
(Svarga/Jannah) or Hell (Naraka/Jahannam), depending on their deeds. Accordingly,
those who do good deeds will enter Paradise and those who do evil deeds, will enter
Hell.

*Besides these, Hindu Scriptures contain many concepts which are similar to Islam,
but usually not seen in Indian culture:*

Idol worship is prohibited in Islam. According to Vedas, idol worship is not allowed
for Hindus. “Na tasya pratima asti” = There is no likeness of Him. (Shwetashvatara
Upanishad 4:19)

Yajurveda talks about the Idol worship: "Na Tasya Pratima Asti" (32:3) = There is no
statue, evolution, image, or idol for the Almighty God, who is omnipresent and
unseen (Satyartha Prakash, Swami Dayananda Saraswathi)

Vedas, Epic and Puranas talk about the ‘prayers’ for God at the time when different
phases of the day merges. This was practices by Sri Ram, Sri Krishna, and Shiva
(Hindu Encyclopedia, V. Balakrishnan, Dr. R. Leela Devi). Islam obligates prayers at
the morning and the evenings (Qur'an 76:25)

Like the fasting in Islam, there are commands about fasting on days like Monday,
Thursday, etc in Hindu scriptures.

The Qur'anic verse says alcohol and gambling is forbidden (5:90). Similar
commands are found in Bhagavad Gita (17:22).

The practice of Hijab (veil) is prevalent in Islam. The practice of covering only the
face was prevalent in some Hindu communities in ancient times.

The verse similar to the Quranic verse 2:154 which says the souls of those who died
in the Jihad (struggle on the path of God) will be in Paradise can be seen in
Bhagavad Gita 2:37. This advice by Sri Krishna to Arjuna also demonstrates that the
struggle for Dharma is a spiritual activity.

There can be found many such teachings in the Hindu scriptures.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What are the Differences Between Hinduism and Islam?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Islam is the way of life which introduces the purest concept of God and the
concepts about our life and hereafter, which are also acceptable by the human
reasoning and wisdom. It is only in Islam, that we can see such a clear concept
about God, the purpose of our life, and the concept of life after death without any
complications and contradictions.

1. Concept of God:

Islam is a system of thought that believes in absolute monotheism, called Tawhid.
Hinduism is a system of thought that believes in varied traditions. Though many
verses relating to monotheism are found in the Vedas, there are a variety of
concepts about God in Hinduism. There are people in Hinduism, who seek God in
many forms, other people, idols, avatars, etc. And some of them even believe they
themselves are gods. Moreover, some believe everything in the world are gods.

But the concept of God in Islam is undistorted and straight-forward. Islam teaches
without any complications that there is no power other than the great Almighty
God, the One Who created us all and the worlds.

2. Form of Worships:

Instead of praying to the unseen Almighty God, it is common among Hindus to offer
prayers and dedication to many idols and statues. It is very usual among them to
imagine stone, trees, and men as gods, and make temples on the name of dead and
pray to such dead people.

Islam strictly teaches that we should worship only the Lord Creator and should seek
help from Him alone.
*3. Prophethood of Muhammed (PBUH):*
It is a practice of God to send prophets again when the followers of previous
prophet tamper and corrupt the teachings after their lifetime.

Hence, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last messenger of Allah. So, it is the
responsibility of all men to believe in him since the teachings of none of the
previous Prophets available in its purest form today. However, the Hindus do not
believe in him.

4. Divinity of Holy Quran:

Even many of the Hindu scholars do not argue that the Hindu scriptures existing
today are completely divine and untampered.

Whenever the divine scriptures get corrupted by human interventions, God sends
prophets again, and through them comes the scriptures. The Qur'an is the very
scripture that has been revealed in this way and will be protected till the end of the
world from human interventions/tampering. However, the Hindus do not believe in
it.

5. Caste System:

Hindu texts such as the Manusmriti segregate people through social stratification
called the caste system. Caste System is cultural to India and not specific to
Hinduism. Islamic texts do not segregate Muslims/People by caste.

But Islam teaches that the whole human beings are born free and holy. Islam does
not accept any type of superiority or inferiority based on birth. In Islam, all humans
are equal like a tooth of the brush.

6. Faith in the Hereafter:

Even though we can see some verses about the hereafter in Hindu scriptures, many
Hindus do not believe in the life after death. Even there are several variants of
concepts like reincarnation among the Hindu believers.

Islam does not agree this. Islam teaches that man's life is incomplete in this world
and the ultimate rewards and redemptions will be in the life after death, and that
life in heaven/hell will be eternal.

*7. Monasticism:*
In a Hindu vision, some people will deny the material life and imagine themselves as
servants of God.
But Islam, the divine doctrine which balances out the spiritual and worldly life, does
not permit any kind of extremism like the monasticism. Instead, Islam commands to
submit us completely to God through a balanced life.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣7️⃣*
*❓What are the Similarities Between Christianity and Islam?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅In the Holy Qur'an 41:43, God says to Prophet Muhammad: "Nothing is said to you,
[O Muhammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you…"

In the Qur'an 3:50, Jesus Christ confirms the Torah, which was revealed to Moses:
"And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful
for you some of what was forbidden to you"

The Bible describes the same in the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible: “Do not think
that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish
them but to fulfill them" (Mathew 5:17)

This means that all prophets, including Jesus and Muhammad (PBUH), had preaches
the same doctrine, that’s Islam. The word 'Shalom' used in Hebrew is a synonym of
‘Islam’.

Below are some of the biblical testimony that matches with the fundamental faiths
of Islam.

1. Oneness of God:

Similar to the first fundamental faith in Islam, there are many verses in Bible as well
which teaches the Oneness of God.
David (Dawood) said: "How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you,
and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears" (II Samuel 7:22)

Moses said: "There is no one like the Lord our God" (Exodus 8:10)

Jesus Christ said: "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God; the Lord is one..." (Mark 12:29)

All these verses exactly teach the real concept of God, which is same as what Islam
teaches.

*2. Prophethood:*
Both Islam and Christianity revere Jesus as a prophet and assert Jesus' holiness, in
the sense that he lived in the world while being pure and free of sin.

The Bible is also prophesizing about the coming of Muhammad, the second
fundamental faith of Islam:

And the Lord said to Moses: “I will give them a prophet like you, from among their
brothers, and put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command
him" (Deuteronomy 18:18).

3. Life After Death:

Regarding the coming world after death, the third fundamental faith of Islam, the
Bible says:

"Whosoever speak against the Holy Spirit, not in this world, but in the world that is
to come, shall not be forgiven" (Matthew 12:32)

*Besides these, we can see some of Islamic practices in Bible and in the life of Jesus
Christ, which are similar to Islam, but not seen in Christianity:*

In Matthew 4:10, Jesus says, "You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only
Him”. A Muslim worship only the Almighty God, the Creator.

In Matthew 26:39, Jesus went a little further and prayed to God by bowing his head.
Muslims pray in the same fashion five times a day.

In Bible, Deuteronomy 5:8 says: "Do not make idols; Thou shalt not make thee any
graven image, or 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; Do not worship or serve
them". The ones who follow these commands are the real Muslims.
In the Book of Genesis 17:10, it says: "Let all males bear the circumcision". We can
see in Luke 2:21 that Jesus had the circumcision on the eighth day of his birth.

"The pig: If it divides the hoof, yet chews not the cud, It is unclean for you; Do not
eat their flesh" (Deuteronomy 14:8).

Jesus, who said that “I came to fulfill these laws”, was a Muslim, and his disciples
too. The so-called pictures of Jesus also prove the fact that Jesus had grown the
beard. That too is an Islamic code.

The Bible prescribes even other things which are matching only to Islam.

*Footnote:*
The prayer of Matthew 6:10, "Bring Your Kingdom…" became fulfilled by the Islamic
State established through the Prophet Muhammad. There was no such a kingdom of
God anywhere in the history since the time of Jesus Christ.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣*
*❓What are the Differences Between Christianity and Islam?*
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✅Islam is the way of life which introduces the purest concept of God and the
concepts about our life and hereafter, which are also acceptable by the human
reasoning and wisdom. It is only in Islam, that we can see such a clear concept
about God, the purpose of our life, and the concept of life after death without any
complications and contradictions.

1. Concept of God:

Islam is a system of thought that believes in absolute monotheism, called Tawhid.
Jesus Christ also taught the same oneness of the creator. He constantly reminded
that he is not the God, but the one who had sent him to the world (Father) is the
Almighty God.

But after Jesus, the followers had changed these basic doctrines. And, today, we see
the ‘trinity' as the fundamental faith of Christianity, which is so much complicated
that even the preachers do not understand what it really means!

2. Form of Worships:

Instead of praying to the unseen Almighty God, it is common among Christians to
offer prayers and dedication to many idols and statues.

Islam strictly teaches that we should worship only the Lord Creator and should seek
help from Him alone.

3. Prophethood of Muhammed (PBUH):

It is a practice of God to send prophets again when the followers of previous
prophet tamper and corrupt the teachings after their lifetime.

4. Divinity of Holy Quran:

All the Bible verses are not from the Almighty God, not even from Jesus Christ. Bible
writers added many verses and incidents into it, and some of the Bible verses are
even changed on a later time. Hence, we cannot say Bible is perfectly divine.

5. Original Sin:

Christians today believe that all human beings are born as sinners. They even use
this argument as an evidence to prove the divinity of Jesus and the significance of
his crucifixion.
However, Islam teaches that the whole human beings are born free and holy. Islam
says that people are becoming sinners just by their own deeds.

6. Crucifixion of Jesus:

Majority of today’s Christians believe that Jesus was crucified for the sins of men.
However, Islam teaches that all humans are born in purest form and if anyone
commits any sin, then he himself must taste its punishment unless he repents. And
this is the most just and rational approach towards it.

*7. Monasticism:*
In a Christianity, some people denounce the material life and imagine themselves
as servants of God.

But Islam balances the spiritual and worldly life, and thus does not permit any kind
of extremism like the monasticism. Instead, it commands to submit us completely
to God through a balanced life.

8. Tradition of Exalting to Saint/Holy:

There is a tradition among Christians to raise/exalt some as saint/holy after their
death.

However, Islam's view is that only Almighty God knows complete in-out of any
person and therefore nobody here has the authority to declare someone as
saint/holy or sinner in this world.

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*🌹Understand Islam 1️⃣9️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Is it Compulsory to Accept Islam for Salvation?*
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✅The term ‘religion’ (‘Deen’ in Arabic) literally means obedience and following the
path and the commands of God. The Arabic word ‘Islam’ means ‘submission’ and is
derived from a word meaning ‘peace’.

Islam is not a new religion because ‘submission to the will of God’, i.e. Islam, has
always been the only acceptable religion in the sight of God. For this reason, Islam
is the true ‘natural religion’, and it is the same eternal message revealed through
the ages to all of God’s prophets and messengers. It does not mean that the religion
was called on the same name during the time of all Prophets. Even the Qur'an made
it clear that "We raised every prophet in the language of his people" (14:4)

The ideology is more important. The main message of all the prophets has always
been that there is only One True God and He alone is to be worshipped. All the
prophets preached the basic principles of oneness of God, the truthfulness of the
prophets, and the afterlife.

These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, David,
Solomon, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them all. God says in the Holy
Quran: “We did not send before you (O Muhammad) any messenger but We
revealed to him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship
Me.’” (Quran 21:25)

From the Qur'an, it becomes clear that anyone, at any time, who has believed on
their prophets and has led the best possible life according to it, will be saved and
will be rewarded with heaven.

However, Holy Quran also says: “Indeed, the only acceptable religion in the sight of
Allah is Islam” (Qur'an 3:19), “And whoever desires other than Islam as religion -
never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the
losers” (Qur'an 3:85). These verses of Holy Qur'an make it clear that none of other
religions are acceptable completely since the true message of these prophets was
either lost or got corrupted over time.

Even the most recent books, the Torah and the Gospel were adulterated and hence
they lost their credibility to guide the people to the right path. We can see
polytheism, divine pronouncements on the prophets, infallibility of the priests, weird
concepts of life after death and heaven/hell, complete exhaustion of material life,
injustice, and many other wrong teachings in the non-Islamic religions. If they are
all correct, then Prophet Muhammad would not have come to us.

Therefore 600 years after Jesus, God revived the lost message of previous prophets
by sending the Prophet Muhammad with His final revelation, the Holy Quran, to all
of mankind. Since the Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet, God Himself has
promised to preserve His last revealed words so that it is a source of guidance for
all humanity till the Last Day. It is now imperative for everyone to believe and follow
this final message from God.

The Qur'an gives hope that Allah will forgive our sins by repentance (Quran 39:53).
But there are various kinds of sins. The most serious of these is the ‘Shirk’ or the
Polytheism. There is no greater sin than dedicating our worship to someone other
than Allah, the Creator, and the Protector. The Qur'an teaches that whosoever
disobeys God and does ‘shirk’, Paradise will be forbidden to him (Quran 5:75)

Since the last prophet was appointed confirming all the good in other religions and
revised all the bad, it is only the way of salvation to accept his blissful and flawless
message.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Conversion to Islam and Misconceptions*
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✅Converting to Islam is easy. This article explains how to convert and become a
Muslim in a simple way.

The Arabic word ‘Islam’ means ‘submission’ and is derived from a word meaning
‘peace’. As such, the religion of Islam teaches that in order to achieve true peace of
mind and surety of heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely
revealed Law.

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of his/her
race, nationality, or ethnic background. Hence, any person who is ready to submit
to the will of God is eligible to become a Muslim.
*The Testimony of Faith (Shahada):*
Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process. All that a person need do is to say
a sentence called the Testimony of Faith (Shahada), which is pronounced as: I
testify “La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammad Rasoolullah.”

These Arabic words mean, “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and
Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of the God.” Once a person says the
Testimony of Faith (Shahada) with conviction and understanding its meaning and
endeavoring to regulate one's life following the instructions conveyed by Allah
through his messengers, then he/she has become a Muslim.

By declaring that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammed
is the Prophet of Allah, the believer announces his or her faith in God's oneness, His
sole right to be worshipped and that Muhammed is the last of the prophets. It also
confirms his or her belief in all prophets and the scriptures they brought.

To be a Muslim, One Should Also:

- Believe that the Holy Quran is the literal word of God, revealed by Him.
- Believe that the Judgment Day (Resurrection Day) is true and will come.
- Believe in the prophets that God sent and the books He revealed, and in His
angels.
- Accept Islam as his/her religion.
- Not worship anything nor anyone except God.

Embracing Islam and Name Changing:

The one who embraces Islam, does not have to change his name unless his name
indicates any form of Shirk (Polytheism) or with a bad meaning. Prophet Muhammad
did not change his name from ‘Muhammad’ after his prophethood. The Prophet
never ordered to change the names of Umar, Bilal, Ammar, Salman, Sumayya, etc
after their conversion to Islam. But the names like, ‘Yesudas’, ‘Shivadas’, etc should
be changed since we are the slaves of Almighty God; not of Shiva, Yesu (Jesus) or
any other creations.

Even, it is not compulsory to have name in the Arabic itself. There are many names
even the Quran quoted like Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Elias, Idris, Ayyub… none of these
are Arabic names. Examples are there in our country as well.

Embracing Islam and Family Relationships:

Islam never teaches that one should get separated from his parents or leave the
family after accepting Islam. Moreover, those who embrace Islam should have more
attention and responsibilities towards their families and parents. Allah has obligated
it in the Holy Quran itself.
In short, it is the agenda of anti-Islamic organizations to create a war-like
atmosphere in the society whenever someone accepts Islam. Moreover, the change
of religion of a person is purely a personal matter.

*Dear friend, we heartily welcome you to this beautiful way of life - Islam🌹*

Dear Friends,
We would like to conclude the first phase of *’Understand Islam'* series in the 200
parts shared already. We have included only the most basic and fundamental topics
related to Islam in this phase. Please share your valuable feedbacks, suggestions,
queries, and criticisms related to Islam and the series to the Admin personally.

We will continue the series with the answers for your questions, the refutations for
the common criticisms, and with the topics which were not covered in the first
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*Topics List:*
1. What is Islam?
2. Who is a Muslim?
3. Is Islam a New Religion? Who is the Founder of Islam?
4. What is the Difference of Islam from Material Ideologies?
5. What is the Purpose of Our Existence?
6. Does God Exist? Is There Any Evidence for God's Existence?
7. Finding Wisdom in God’s Creations
8. Who is God? How to Realize the Right God?
9. Who Created God?
10. Does Faith in God Contradict with Science?
11. What is the Concept of God in Islam?
12. What Does Oneness of God (Tawhid) Mean in Islam?
13. What are the Problems with Polytheism
14. Oneness of God in Hindu Scriptures
15. Oneness of God in Bible Old Testaments
16. Oneness of God in Bible New Testaments
17. If the Creator is One, How Come There are So Many Gods?
18. Does Islam Give Freedom to Choose Faith/Religion?
19. Does God Need Our Worship? Why did He Create Us to Worship Him?
20. What are the Principles of Beliefs in Islam?
21. Why Do We Need a Religion?
22. Is Religion Really Needed for Humans to Become Moral & Good?
23. What are the Unique Features of Islam?
24. Islam is Not Just Rituals; It is System of Moral Values
25. Who is Allah? Why Muslims Prefer to Call God as 'Allah'?
26. Does Allah, Lord Rama, Jesus Christ, etc are Different Names of Same God?
27. Why is Associating Partners with God an Unforgivable Sin in Islam?
28. Evidence for Oneness of the Creator
29. Why Does Islam Prohibit Idol Worship?
30. If Islam Opposes Idol Worship, Why do Muslims Pray to Kaaba?
31. Should We Seek God Examining Whether Our Prayers are Answered?
32. Why Should We Pray to the God? Why Don't God Fulfill All the Needs of the
Believers?
33. Why Does God Test Us with Hardship?
34. How to Face the Tests of God?
35. Why Does Allah Allow Suffering and Evil in the World?
36. What Does Faith in Destiny Mean in Islam?
37. If Everything is Predestined, then How the Disbelievers are Responsible for Their
Disbelieves and Bad Deeds?
38. Doesn't Islam Permit Critical Thinking?
39. Signs for Those Who Ponder Over!
40. Does God Give Free Will and Freedom to Control Our Destiny?
41. How Can Life be a Test if Allah is All-Knowing?
42. Why So Many Laws in Islam? Why Does Islam Seem to be Strict?
43. Why Doesn't God Punish All Evil-Doers & Disbelievers in this World?
44. Why did Allah Create Satan (Devil)?
45. What is Islamic View About Death?
46. What Does Islam Say About Life After Death?
47. The Necessity of the Resurrection and Judgment in the Afterlife?
48. What is the Possibility of the Resurrection After Death?
49. What is the Proof for Life after Death?
50. Reformation of Life Through the Belief in the Hereafter

51. What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?

101. What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?

151. What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?

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and the posts personally to the Admin.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What is the Purpose of Life?*
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Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? One of the first
questions that comes to mind when considering our purpose of life is, "Where did
we come from?" Are we here based on random natural coincidences or is there a
higher intelligent being, a Creator? Acknowledging the existence of a creator is the
first step in understanding our true purpose in life. There are many logical and
rational reasons for believing in a creator. Three reasons are briefly mentioned
below:

1. Beginning of the Universe

The first evidence that points to the existence of God relates to understanding the
origin of the universe. Imagine walking in a desert and finding a watch. We know a
watch consists of glass, plastic, and metal. Glass comes from sand, plastic from oil,
and metal extracted from the ground - all these components are found in the
desert. Would you believe that the watch formed itself?

God is eternal, has always existed and has no beginning; therefore, the question of
‘who created God’ is irrational. Human experience and simple logic tell us that
something that has a beginning does not simply come from nothing, nor can
something create itself. Therefore, the most rational explanation is that a higher
"being" created the universe. This is in perfect agreement with modern science
which concludes that the universe is finite and has a beginning.

2. Perfection of the Universe

The second evidence that points to the existence of an intelligent creator is the
order and perfect balance of our complex universe. Many features in the universe
clearly indicate it to be specially designed to support life, such as the earth's
distance from the sun, the thickness of the earth's crust, the speed at which the
earth revolves, the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere, and even the earth's
tilt. If these measurements were slightly different to what they currently are, life
could not exist.

When we see the order, precise laws and systems within ourselves and throughout
the universe, is it not rational they have an organizer? This ‘organizer' is best
explained by the existence of God - the one who brought about this order.

3. Revelation from God

The third evidence that points to the existence of God is the actual revelation that
God has sent to humankind as a sign of His existence. There are clear signs that the
book of Islam, the Quran, is the word of God. Below is a brief summary of reasons
that support this claim.

The Quran is over 1400 years old and contains many scientific facts that were
unknown to people of that time and which have only been discovered recently by
science. It contains many historical facts that were unknown to the people of that
time as well as numerous predictions which have proven to be correct. The Quran is
free from any errors or contradictions despite gradual revelation over 23 years and
covering a wide variety of topics. The Quran has been preserved, word-for-word,
since its revelation in its original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which no
longer exist in their original form. The most rational explanation for the many
unique and miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it is from God.

God Sends Guidance

Upon acknowledging that we have been created by the All-Wise Creator, we would
expect to be informed of our purpose. How can we know what God expects from us?
Do we live in trial and error, or make our own purpose? Do we "go with the flow" by
following others? No. God sent Prophets and revelation to every nation, to inform us
of our purpose. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last in the chain of Prophets.

The Quran is a book of guidance and explains many concepts such as the purpose
of our existence; who God is; the actions liked and disliked by God; the stories of
the Prophets and their lessons; accounts of Heaven, Hell, and the Day of Judgement.

So… Why am I here?

Everyone would acknowledge that our body parts, such as our eyes, ears, brains,
and hearts, have a purpose. Wouldn't it then make sense that the individual, as a
whole, also has a purpose?

God, the All Wise, did not create us to simply wander aimlessly or to only fulfil our
basic instincts and desires. Rather, we have a higher purpose - to acknowledge and
worship God alone, so that we live upon the guidance of our Creator. This guidance
enables us to live a successful and blessed life in all aspects. This includes personal
acts of virtue like prayer, as well as beneficial acts to society, like being good to
one's neighbors, supporting one's family, honesty, and caring for animals.

God forbids us from worshiping anything else (e.g. statues, the sun, moon, saints,
priests or even Prophets). He does not need any partners or intermediaries.
Everyone can always worship God directly.

God describes this life as a test, and people are tested in different ways. We cannot
control what happens to us, but we can control how we react. Patience during
adversities, and gratitude for blessings, are a means of getting closer to God and
attaining eternal Paradise. We are also warned of a terrible punishment in Hell if we
choose to disbelieve and ignore His commands.

So… What do I do now?

The test of one's faith is in using one's intellect to contemplate and recognize God's
signs and live according to His guidance. This is done by submitting to God's
commands, which in Arabic means to become a "Muslim".
God, the One and only Creator - 'Allah' in Arabic - has made Islam accessible to
everyone, regardless of their history, background, or present situation. Therefore,
anyone can become a Muslim by simply believing in, and uttering the testimony of
faith: "I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I testify that
Muhammad is Allah's Messenger."

Isn't it time for you to fulfil your purpose of life, submit to the truth and
acknowledge your Creator?

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Why are All Prayers and Supplications Not Answered or Fulfilled by Allah?*
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*✅1. You may Dislike a thing Which is Good for You (2:216)*
The reply to this question is given in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Baqarah chapter 2
verse 216: “But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that
ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not.”

2. Businessman Misses Flight Due to Traffic

Suppose a rich businessman is supposed to catch a flight in order to click a deal
which would fetch him billions of rupees. While going to the airport to catch the
flight, there was an unusual traffic jam on the road, which prevented him from
reaching the airport on time. The businessman misses the very flight and
sorrowfully says “This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my life.”
While returning back home he hears on the radio that the very flight that he was
supposed to catch has crashed and all the passengers have died. The businessman
happily says this is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life.

Allah knew best that the life of the businessman was much more precious than the
billions of rupees that he had lost. You may dislike a thing which is good for you, but
Allah knows, and you know not.

3. Surah Shura 42:27

The Qur’an mentions in Surah Shura chapter 42 verse 27: “If Allah were to enlarge
the provision for His Servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds
through the earth; but He sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases. For He is
with His servants well-acquainted, watchful.”

4. Surah Baqarah 2:186

It is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verse 186: “When My
servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer
of every suppliant when he calls on Me:”

5. Surah Ghaffir 40:60

It is mentioned in Surah Ghaffir chapter 40 verse 60: “And your Lord says: “Call on
Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will
surely find themselves in Hell – in humiliation!

6. Allah Answers Your Prayer by Not Answering.

Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an that “you call on Me and I will answer the prayer”.
These verses of the Qur’an are not falsified when your prayers are not answered. In
fact, Allah in His Divine Wisdom answers your prayers by not granting you what you
with your limited and finite knowledge had asked for.

7. Unbelievers and Impious People have Luxury.

Some people wonder how is it that several unbelievers and impious people lead a
luxurious life. They worship false gods and pray to them for wealth. Since these
people worship false gods yet, Allah (SWT) answers their prayers and gives them
wealth which further leads them away from Allah (SWT) and thus in the long run it is
harmful for them.

8. Believers Remember Allah Whether Rich or Poor.

A true believer is a person who, irrespective of whether he is rich or poor,
remembers Allah (SWT). Allah has described such people in Surah Al Noor chapter
24 verse 37: “By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the
remembrance of Allah nor from regular prayer, nor from the practice of regular
Charity: their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will be transformed (in
a world wholly new)”

9. A True Believer Always Says Alhamdullillah.

A true believer is a person who irrespective of whatever happens says,
‘Alhamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allah). Even when he goes in loss, he says
Alhamdullillah, because he has faith in Allah that if Allah permitted the loss to be
incurred it has to be beneficial in the long run. In short, he has faith in Allah, that
whatever happens, happens for the good.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Human Rights in the Qur'an*
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✅The Qur'an strongly guarantees all fundamental human rights, without reserving
them to men alone. These rights are so deeply rooted in our humanness that their
denial or violation is tantamount to a negation or degradation of that which makes
us human. These rights came into existence with us, so that we might actualize our
human potential. These rights not only provide us with the opportunity to develop
all of our inner resources, but they also hold before us a vision of what God would
like us to be, what God deems to be worth striving for.

The first and most basic right emphasized by the Qur'an is the right to be regarded
in a way that reflects the sanctity and absolute value of each human life. Each
person has the right not only to life but also to respect, not by virtue of being a man
or a woman, but by virtue of being a human being. Allah states: "Verily, we have
honored every human being" (Quran 17:70).

Human beings can exercise freedom of the will because they possess the rational
faculty, which is what distinguishes them from all other creatures (Quran 2:30-34).
Although human beings can become ‘the lowest of the low’, the Qur'an declares
that they have been made "in the best of molds" (Quran 95:4-6), having the ability
to think, to have knowledge of right and wrong, to do the good and to avoid the evil.

Flowing from this primary right is the right to be treated with justice and equity. The
Qur'an puts great emphasis on the right to seek justice and the duty to do justice.
Justice encompasses both the concept that all are equal and recognition of the need
to help equalize those suffering from a deficiency or loss.

Yet justice is not absolute equality of treatment, since human beings are not equal
as far as their human potential or their human situation is concerned. While each
person's humanness commands respect, the Qur'an also establishes the right to
recognition of individual merit. Merit depends not on gender or any other
characteristic, but only on righteousness.

Of importance to women in the Muslim world today is the Qur'anic idea that justice
takes into account the unequal conditions of different groups of people. This idea
stems from the Qur'anic ideal of community, or ‘ummah’, a word deriving from the
root ‘umm’, meaning mother.

Another fundamental right is the right to be free of traditionalism and

authoritarianism. Instrumental here is the right to seek knowledge, which the
Qur'an emphasizes perhaps more than any other right. Acquiring knowledge is a
prerequisite for evaluating the conditions of life and working toward the creation of
a just world. Denied knowledge, Muslim women are denied justice.

Additionally, with great implications for the status of women, human beings possess
the right to work, to earn, and to own property. This right is not the monopoly of
men. In Islam, everything belongs to God, not to any person, and so every human
being has the right to a means of living. Given the Quran's recognition of women as
persons in their own right, the Qur'an entitles both women and men to the fruits of
their labors.

Human beings also have the right to develop their aesthetic sensibilities and the
right not only to survive but to thrive, to enjoy ‘the good life’. This requires self-
actualization or development, which is not possible without social justice.

It is often said that rights entail responsibility, meaning the responsibility not to use
rights to justify destructive behavior. Rights also entail another kind of
responsibility: the duty not to neglect them. Rights given to us by God ought to be
exercised, since everything that God does is for ‘a just purpose’, as pointed out by a
number of Qur'anic verses.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Some Questions to Those who Seek Evidence for God’s Existence*
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✅1. Are you absolutely sure that there is no God? If not, then is it not possible that
there can be a God? And if it is possible that God exists, then can you think of any
reason that would keep you from wanting to look at the evidence?

2. Would you agree that intelligently designed things call for an intelligent designer
of them? If so, then would you agree that evidence for intelligent design in the
universe would be evidence for a designer of the universe?

3. Would you agree that nothing cannot produce something? If so, then if the
universe did not exist but then came to exist, wouldn’t this be evidence of a cause
beyond the universe?

4. Would you agree that just because we cannot see something with our eyes - such
as our mind, gravity, magnetism, the wind - that does not mean it doesn’t exist?

5. Would you also agree that just because we cannot see God with our eyes does
not necessarily mean He doesn’t exist?

6. In the light of the big bang evidence for the origin of the universe, is it more
reasonable to believe that no one created something out of nothing, or someone
created something out of nothing?

7. Would you agree that something presently exists? If something presently exists,
and something cannot come from nothing, then would you also agree that
something must have always existed?

8. If it takes an intelligent being to produce an encyclopedia, then would it not also

take an intelligent being to produce the equivalent of 1000 sets of an encyclopedia
full of information in the first one-celled animal? (Even atheists such as Richard
Dawkins acknowledges that “amoebas have as much information in their DNA as
1000 Encyclopaedia Britannicas.” Richard Dawkins, The Blind Watchmaker (New
York: WW. Norton and Co., 1996), 116.)

9. If an effect cannot be greater than its cause (since you can’t give what you do not
have to give), then does it not make more sense that mind produced matter than
that matter produced mind, as atheists say?

10. Is there anything wrong anywhere? If so, how can we know unless there is a
moral law? If every law needs a lawgiver, does it not make sense to say a moral law
needs a Moral Lawgiver?

11. Do we have any purpose as human beings? If we do have purpose, can you as
an atheist please explain how that purpose is determined?

12. Would you agree that if it took intelligence to make a model universe in a
science lab, then it took super-intelligence to make the real universe?

13. Would you agree that it takes a cause to make a small glass ball found in the
woods? And would you agree that making the ball larger does not eliminate the
need for a cause? If so, then doesn’t the biggest ball of all (the whole universe)
need a cause?

14. If there is a cause beyond the whole finite (limited) universe, would not this
cause have to be beyond the finite, namely, non-finite or infinite?

15. In the light of the anthropic principle (that the universe was fine-tuned for the
emergence of life from its very inception), wouldn’t it make sense to say there was
an intelligent being who preplanned human life?

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Trust & Reliance in God*
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✅‘Reliance on Allah’ is referred to in Arabic as ‘Tawakkul’. The word literally means
to place one’s affairs in the hands of another.

Allah has many Beautiful Names. One of Allah’s personal Names associated with
‘trust’ is Al-Wakeel - the Disposer of Affairs. The Quran refers to Allah by Al-Wakeel
fourteen times. For instance, “And they said: ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the
best Disposer of Affairs’” (Quran 3:173). “Allah is sufficient as Disposer of Affairs”
(Quran 4:81). “He is the Disposer of all Affairs” (Quran 6:102)

Allah commands us to place our trust in Him: “(He is) the Lord of the East and the
West. There is no true deity but He. Take Him, therefore, as Disposer of your
Affairs.” (Quran 73:9). Likewise, Allah forbids us to place our reliance on His
creation: “We gave Moses the Book and made it a guide to the Children of Israel,
(commanding): ‘Take not other than Me as Disposer of (your) Affairs.’” (Quran 17:2)

Together, these two verses show us that reliance on Allah is an act of worship.
Through our devoted trust and reliance, we express our monotheistic belief, and
therefore these are things we should direct towards Allah alone.

How to Rely on Allah?

1. Do not confuse reliance with laziness:
Tawakkul sometimes is mistaken for being laid back and thinking your problems will
be solved without your intervention. Tawakkul should not be mistaken with giving
up your efforts thinking that somehow your challenges will get resolved. Rather
striving and working with the attitude that Allah will take care of your affairs and will
help you in getting through your trials is part of you relying on Allah. Once the
Prophet asked a Bedouin, “Why don’t you tie down your camel?” He replied, “I put
my trust in Allah!” The Prophet then said, “Tie your camel first, then put your trust
in Allah” [Tirmidhi]

2. Do not become arrogant:

You should always plan and work based on what Allah has blessed you with. You
should fully use those blessings by thanking Allah for them, without getting puffed
up with arrogance about your personal strengths. All your strength and ability are
from Allah and ultimately, it’s the favor of Allah that will determine your success.

3. Accept Allah’s Decisions:

After your best efforts, accept whatever happens. You should believe that Allah, out
of His wisdom, may decide to supersede all your plans for reasons that only He
knows. Remind yourself that believing in al-Qadr (divine decree) is one of the pillars
of your faith. Know that whatever will happen will happen and all you can do is your
best.

4. Take all precautions:

In the Quran Allah tells us the story of two prophets, Yaqub (Jacob) and his son
Yusuf (Joseph). On one occasion, when sending his sons to Egypt, Yaqub instructs
them to enter from different gates of the city to avoid suspicion, but Allah willed
otherwise. The point is that Yaqub took all the measures he could to avoid any
possible risk. We must avoid a common pitfall. We tend to either rely on our efforts
and forget trusting Allah or we think we are relying on Allah by not adopting any
practical measures to solve our problems.

Benefits of Reliance (Tawakkul):

We need to apply tawakkul in our daily lives. One of the major benefits of tawakkul
is that it can relieve us from unnecessary anxiety, worry, and resulting depression
from the daily challenges. By believing that all our affairs are in Allah’s hands and
we can do only what is in our control, we leave the results to Allah and accept His
decree whatever it may be. A sensible Muslim who understands tawakkul will not
give up the effort but will also not become overly elated with success or depressed
by failure.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣7️⃣*
*❓What is the Concept of Worship in Islam?*
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✅According to the teachings of Islam, everything that a human being does with the
pure intention of pleasing God is an act of worship. Due to this, Islam has an all-
encompassing concept of worship unlike any other religion.
Almighty God has revealed in the Holy Qur'an that His purpose for creating human
beings was to worship Him and Him alone. Like other religions, Islam has required
acts of worship, however worship in Islam is not limited to rituals.

Since Islam is an all-encompassing religion with guidance for all aspects of life,
almost every action in a Muslim's life becomes an act of worship if it is done to build
a better relationship with God.

Since man's purpose in life is to worship and submit to God, worship in Islam has
been defined by God Himself in an all-encompassing way. This uniqueness can also
be seen in the fact that most other religions only require formal worship once per
week, while Islam requires it five times a day.

Even more importantly, all rites of formal worship in Islam are based on Divine
revelation, while the modes of worship in other religions are a mixture of Divine
revelation, man-made traditions, opinions of clergymen and religious councils.

Additionally, in Islam acts of worship such as prayer and fasting have been
described by God and His Prophet in such detail that it gives human beings a feeling
of assurance that the way they are worshipping God is pleasing to Him.

Direct Relationship with God:

In other religions, even the ones which claim belief in "One God", people often
approach God through an intermediary, such as a saint, an angel, the Virgin Mary,
or Jesus. However, it is only in Islam that a person is required only to pray to God.

Some people also nullify a truly proper and direct relationship with Almighty God by
mistakenly believing that they have a special relationship with Him simply because
they are members of a certain ethnic group, tribe or "chosen people".

Additionally, in Islam there are no priests or clergy. Each worshipper, man, or

woman has a direct relationship with their Merciful Creator, Almighty God.

Since God is the Owner and Sustainer of everything, as well as the only one who
can provide true and complete forgiveness, it is completely futile to try to approach
Him through anyone else.

According to the teachings of Islam, praying to or worshipping anything or anyone

besides Almighty God is the greatest sin a person can commit. Even though other
religions believe in God, they nullify this belief by making the grave mistake of not
always approaching Him directly.

Some religions even go so far as to say that human beings, due to their sinfulness,
cannot approach God without an intermediary, which mistakenly implies that God is
unable or unwilling to forgive human beings directly. Islam teaches that Almighty
God has the power to do all things and that no one should ever despair of His
mercy.

According to the teachings of Islam, God is always ready to bestow His abundant
Grace and Mercy on anyone who turns to Him in repentance. Even people who used
to commit the worst sin of worshipping others besides God will be forgiven if they
realize what they are doing is wrong and repent.

Having a direct relationship with God, and understanding that He alone deserves
worship and praise, goes hand-in-hand with the Islamic concept of God. This is
because once a proper concept of God is established in the heart and mind,
submission to God and complete reliance on Him alone comes naturally.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Polytheism and Idol Worship are Prohibited in Vedas*
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✅The following are some references from Hindu scriptures which are against the
polytheism and idol worship. The following are only few references, you may find
many more once you go through it.

Most of the Hindus denies some Purana's (myth) and Ithihasa's (like Ramayana,
Mahabharata) which contains more imaginations. Besides Purana and Ithihasa, the
main Hindu scriptures are Bhagwat Gita, Vedas, Upanishads, and Manu Smriti.

Bhagavad Gita: Most popular and the maximum number of translations available
amongst all the religious scriptures of the Hindus.
Vedas: Amongst all the religious scriptures of the Hindus, the most sacred are the
Vedas. Principally there are four Vedas and amongst all the Vedas, the Rigveda is
the most sacred and oldest.

Manu Smriti: The Holy Book and Hindu Book of Laws.

1. From Vedas:

*Prohibition of Idol Worship in Yajurveda:*
"There is no image of him. He is unborn and He should be worshipped" (Yajurveda,
Chapter 32, Verse 3)

"god is bodyless and pure" (Yajurveda, Chapter 40, Verse 8).

"They are entering darkness, those who worship the natural things (like air, water,
fire etc.), they are sinking more in darkness who worship created things."
(Yajurveda, Chapter 40, Verse 9)

*Monotheism in Rigveda:*
"Say this, all one God in many names" (Rigveda, Book 1, Hymn 164, Verse 46)

"Do not worship anyone besides him alone, praise him alone" (Rigveda, Book 8,
Hymn 1, Verse 1)

"Praise him would matchless and alone" (Rigveda, Book 6, Hymn 45, Verse 16)

2. From Bhagwat Gita:

"Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires, they worship
demigods" (Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 7, Verse 20)

3. From Upanishad:

*Prohibition of Idol Worship in Upanishad:*
"There is no likeness of him" (Svetasvatara Upanishad, Chapter 4, Verse 19)

"His form cannot be seen, No one can see him with the eyes" (Svetasvatara
Upanishad, Chapter 4, Verse 20)

*Monotheism in Upanishad:*
"God is one and only, not a second" (Chandogya Upanishad, Chapter 6, Section 2,
Verse 1)

"Of him (God), there is no parents, no Lord" (Svetasvatara Upanishad, Chapter 6,

Verse 9)
*4. Monotheism in Vedanta:*
"There is only one god, Not a second one, not at all, not at all, not in a least bit"
(Brahma Sutra)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣0️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why Bad Things Happen to Good People?*
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✅Allah the Exalted states in Holy Quran: “And We will surely test you with something
of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits but give good tidings to
the patient. Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and
indeed to Him we will return. Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from
their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided” [Qur'an 2:155-
157]

“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best indeed -
and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving” [Qur'an 67:2]

"Or you think that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who
passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty, ailments and
were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who had faith with him said,
'When will the Help of Allah come?' Yes! Indeed, Allah's help is close!" [Qur'an
2:214]

A moment of hardship is an opportunity for the believers to earn higher ranks, it is

an opportunity to be patient and earn Allah’s mercy and blessing and Allah’s regard
for you. The more the suffering and your patience, the more the blessings will be.

As narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah, The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “The greater reward
is with the greater trial or the greater the trial or difficulty of test or hardship is then
the greater the reward. And when Allah loves a person, He will test them. The
people as long as they are in good health, good shape, good condition they are
covered. But if a trial or difficulty or a hardship comes upon them, then you will see
their reality”

Hardship and suffering are blessings in disguise. It is a moment of test, a test that
once you pass with patience, it will grant you rewards more than you can imagine.
Once overcome that period of test will then just remain a memory of the past.

One should be joyous! That Allah is testing you! That Allah has given you an
opportunity because Allah loves you and wants the best for you.

It is your patience that will get you through because you have complete faith in
Allah that He will make it alright. There is nothing worth worrying about when your
life is controlled and is in the Hands of Allah The Almighty, The Compassionate, The
Most Loving.

As recorded in Bukhari and Muslim: The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: "Whoever Allah wants
good for Him, He puts them to test. He puts them through difficulties. Like a
diamond or some metal that has to be burnt and then that which is bad from it is
removed so that you have that which is the pure diamond or the pure gold or
whatever. Put them to tests, trials and difficulties"

One must understand that this world is run by Allah. No one else has any control
over anything. All that happens is by the will of Allah, you have no power to steer it
your way. As we are aware, this world is a place of test. And being so all that is in it
is a test. It will last for only so long and then Allah will make it better. No hardship is
without purpose, no suffering is without reward. The world will run as Allah wills it
to, there is no point in worrying about what comes as difficult. We only need to
believe and turn to Him, believe and have faith, believe and earn rewards and the
love of Allah.

So, welcome your hardships for they are blessings. Know that Allah loves you. That
is why He wishes to purify you. Allah loves you and He has given you an opportunity
to come close to Him. Allah loves you and that is why He has allowed you to earn
more rewards. He loves you and that is why He put you through tribulations to test
your faith and love for Him. Allah loves you and will never abandon you, He just
wishes for you to keep your faith strong in Him and earn more rewards.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣1️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Why Didn’t God Send Any Female Prophet/Messenger?*
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✅Why were all the Prophets of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam men? Why were
there no women Prophets? Why did they have to be male?

Firstly, the Muslim does not hesitate to believe in the great wisdom of Allah, may He
be glorified and exalted, in all that He does. One of His names is al-Hakeem (the
Most Wise) and one of his attributes is Hikmah (Wisdom).

Allah has decreed that one of the attributes of the Messengers is masculinity. Some
of the scholars stated that there was consensus on this point. And there is the
greatest wisdom behind that.

The Messengers were men and not women for reasons which were dictated by the
nature of their task. For example:

1. The role of Messenger requires a great many tasks to be performed: addressing

men and women, meeting people in secret and openly, moving throughout the land,
confronting liars and establishing proof against them and debating with them,
preparing and leading armies, and going through the sufferings of war. All of that is
suitable for men but not for women.

2. The role of the Messenger demands that the Messenger should be in charge of
those who follow him, so he issues commands and prohibitions to his followers, and
he rules and judges among them. If a woman were entrusted with such tasks, she
would not be able to do them properly, and there would be people who would refuse
to follow and obey her.

3. Masculinity is more perfect. Hence Allah has given the role of responsibility to
men over women: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women” [Quran 4:34]

4. Women have to cope with things that prevent them from doing many tasks, such
as menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, etc. which is accompanied by psychological
stresses and pains, in addition to the care that is required by the child. All of that
prevents her from being able to fulfil the role of Messenger and carrying out its
duties.

Secondly, with regard to Prophethood, some of the scholars – such as Abu’l-Hasan

al-Ashari, al-Qurtubi and Ibn Hazm – were of the view that there were some female
Prophets! including the mother of Moses & the mother of Jesus (Maryam). But this is
refuted by most of other scholars.

Anyhow, even though women are exempted from the burden of prophethood &
leading the community in all its spheres, we can see so many verses in Holy Quran,
where Allah sent revelation & guidance to some women directly.

Holy Qur'an has revealed that Moses’ mother had received the directives for her life
directly from Almighty God. Allah says in Quran: “And We inspired to the mother of
Moses, ‘Breastfeed him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do
not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him
[one] of the messengers’" (Qur'an 28:7)

The Qur'an also states that Jesus' mother, Mary also received the message from the
angel similar to the way the prophets receive: “So Mary conceived him, and she
withdrew with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the
trunk of a palm tree. She said, ‘Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion,
forgotten.’ But he (the angel) called her from below, "Do not grieve; your Lord has
provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it
will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So, eat and drink and be contented. And if you
see anyone from among humanity, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful
abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man'" (Quran 19:22-26)

These scriptures make it clear that even though women were not appointed as
prophets for some natural causes, they were divinely inspired as the prophets.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣1️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Qur’an Says that Allah has Made the Earth for You as a Carpet. This Gives an
Indication that the Earth is Flat. Doesn’t this Contradict Established Modern
Science?*
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*✅1. Earth Made as a Carpet:*
The question refers to a verse from the Qur’an: “And Allah has made the earth for
you as a carpet (spread out)” [Qur’an 71:19]

But the sentence in the above verse is not complete. It continues in the next verse,
explaining the previous verse. It says: “That ye may go about therein, in spacious
roads.” [Qur’an 71:20]

A similar message is repeated in another chapter: “He Who has made for you the
earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and
channels) …” [Qur’an 20:53]

The surface of the earth i.e. earth’s crust is less than 30 miles in thickness and is
very thin as compared to the radius of the earth which is about 3750 miles. The
deeper layers of the earth are very hot, fluid and hostile to any form of life. The
earth’s crust is a solidified shell on which we can live. The Qur’an rightly refers to it
like a carpet spread out, so that we can travel along its roads and paths.

*2. Carpet Can also be Spread on Other than an Absolute Flat Surface:*
Not a single verse of the Qur’an says that the earth is flat. The Qur’an only
compares the earth’s crust with a carpet. Some people seem to think that carpet
can only be put on an absolute flat surface. It is possible to spread a carpet on a
large sphere such as the earth. It can easily be demonstrated by taking a huge
model of the earth’s globe covering it with a carpet.

Carpet is generally put on a surface, which is not very comfortable to walk on. The
Qur’an describes the earth crust as a carpet, without which human beings would not
be able to survive because of the hot, fluid, and hostile environment beneath it. The
Qur’an is thus not only logical, it is mentioning a scientific fact that was discovered
by geologists centuries later.

3. Earth has been Spread Out:

Similarly, the Qur’an says in several verses that the earth has been spread out:
“And We have spread out the (spacious) earth: how excellently We do spread out!”
[Qur’an 51:48]
Similarly, the Qur’an also mentions in several other verses that the earth is
expanding: “Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse. And the mountains as
pegs?” [Qur’an 78:6-7]

None of these verses of the Qur’an contain even the slightest implication that the
earth is flat. It only indicates that the earth is spacious and the reason for this
spaciousness of the earth is mentioned. The Glorious Qur’an says: “O My servants
who believe! Truly, spacious is My Earth: therefore, serve ye Me – (And Me alone)!”
[Qur’an 29:56]

Therefore, none can give the excuse, that he could not do good and was forced to
do evil because of the surroundings and circumstances.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣1️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬: Truthful and Honest*
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✅Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬worked as a shepherd in his early life, and later he worked
as a merchant. Due to his honesty and fair dealings with all people, he became
known as ‘Al-Sadiq’ (the truthful) and ‘Al-Ameen’ (the trustworthy). Even the
Quraish tribe of Makkah, his worst enemies, called him by these nicknames, and
they used to entrust him with their money and deposits before and after he
declared his prophethood. Even opponents of Islam, Abu Jahl used to say: “I trust
you Muhammad, but I deny the revelation”.

Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬never told a lie in his entire life. Even his enemies testify on
his honesty and integrity. When Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬gathered all the people of
Makkah near the Mount of Safa and asked them, “O Quraish! If I say that an army is
advancing on you from behind the mountains, will you believe me?” All said in one
voice, “Yes, because we have never heard you telling a lie”. (Sahih Bukhari)
Once Makkan faced an issue that which tribe will lay the black stone in the holy
Kaaba they had decided that the one who entered the holy Kaaba first will fulfill the
duty. Next morning Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬entered the holy Kaaba first, everyone
was happy to see him. They were happy to see that truthful and honest person will
lay the black stone in the holy Kaaba. (The Sealed Nectar)

When Heraclius, Byzantine emperor, received a letter from the Prophet inviting him
and his followers to Islam, he called the Arab traders who were then in Sham for
trade.

He asked Abu Sufyan, their leader: “Did you ever find Muhammad telling a lie
before his claim to Prophethood?” He replied, “No”. The emperor said, I wondered
how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about God.

The emperor then questioned him about the Prophet’s general behavior and
conduct with people. Abu Sufyan replied “Muhammad is nobly born; is honest and
truthful and has never broken a pledge. He enjoins his followers to worship none but
One God and to pray to Him alone. He preaches kindness, piety and tolerance
towards all and his followers are on the increase”. (Bukhari)

These words came from Abu Sufyan who was one of Prophet Muhammad’s(‫)ﷺ‬
fiercest enemies at the time.

Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬encouraged his followers to be truthful. Not only he never

told a single lie in his entire life, but he also warned humanity against the
consequences of lying “A true action leads to the path of virtue, and virtue paves
the way of a person to paradise, and this person continues to speak the truth until,
in the sight of Allah, he is named as-Siddiq (the Truthful). Lying, on the other hand,
leads to vice, and vice leads to indecent acts and a person goes on lying until, in the
sight of Allah, he is called a liar”. (Bukhari)

Such was the Holy Prophet Muhammad. He was a man of extraordinary merits, a
paragon of virtue and goodness, a symbol of truth and veracity, a great apostle of
God, His messenger to the entire world. His life and thoughts, his truth and straight
forwardness, his piety and goodness, his character and morals, his ideology, and
achievements – all send as unimpeachable proofs of his prophethood. He proved by
his life example that truthfulness and honesty of Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is beyond
comparison. Any human being who studies his life and teachings without bias will
testify that verily he was the true Prophet of God and that the Qur’an – the Book he
gave to mankind is the true Book of God. No unbiased and serious seeker after truth
can escape this conclusion.

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*❓Isn't the Animal Sacrifice Cruel to Them?*
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✅What is cruelty? Is it cruel for a creature to eat another creature? It is universally
seen in the divine system (in the eyes of the unbelievers, in the natural system).
Other species are the main food of thousands of species. But it does not become
extinct. This is because they are born here in huge quantities. There may be those
who feel that this phenomenon of the animal world is atrocious. But they cannot
change the nature of the predatory system.

If it is cruel for human beings to eat meat, then we can say that meat is in harmony
with animal nature and sanctioned by the Lord of the world. “And the grazing
livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and
from them you eat” (Qur'an 16:5). “It is Allah who made for you the grazing animals
upon which you ride, and some of them you eat” (40:79).

If man were to choose not to eat any animal, including fish, the livelihood of billions
would be cut off. Those who raise cattle and fish for carnivores (meat-eaters) will
suffer. The slaughter of animals for food is not a serious matter in comparison to
this cruelty towards humans.

If it is not cruel to slaughter sheep, then there is no justification to argue that

sacrificing them to God is cruel. It is not just slaughtering sheep for God's sake; The
flesh of the sacrifice is eaten by themselves and given to the poor to eat. This is
what the Qur'an says about it: “So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined
up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them
and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus, have We subjected them to you that you
may be grateful” (22:36)

Cattle farming was a major source of income in Arabia at the time of the revelation
of the Qur'an. Today, millions of people around the world make livestock a
livelihood. This is one of God's blessings. They should be grateful to Allah for it
through charity or sacrifice. It is because people buy cattle in abundance to sacrifice
and eat, they become profitable.

If slaughter of cattle is condemned as cruel and unlawful, or if it is forbidden by law,

then nobody will show interest in raising them. Raising cattle solely for the purpose
of producing milk is not profitable and will eventually lead to extinction, then that
would be the biggest cruelty to them and to human beings.

The Prophet taught that the animal should be slaughtered with a sharp knife in such
a way that it would suffer the least amount of pain. When the artery in the neck is
broken, the connection between the body and the brain is disconnected, and the
blood stops flowing, and the flesh becomes clean. The wriggling of the animal, when
the artery in the neck is torn off, is not the symptom of severe pain. It is just the
effect of the bio energy left on the muscles. In a nutshell, the Lord of the Universe
has revealed through the Final Prophet through the final scripture, which is just and
righteous instructions for humans and animals.

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*❓Are Non-Muslims Allowed Inside Masjids/Mosques?*
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✅The Holy Quran does not prohibit anyone from visiting a mosque (provided they
are not there to cause trouble) as it is a House of God that can and should be used
for the worship of God by all. Only idolatry is prohibited in a mosque but even then,
all are welcome to visit a mosque. This declaration against idolatry in a mosque was
to protect the Ka’aba (and therefore any mosque) and to ensure that it would
remain a sanctuary for those who believe in the Oneness of God.

The disbelievers are usually not allowed to enter al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah]
and the sacred areas [al-Haram] around it, because Allah says: “O you who believe!
Verily, the polytheists are impure. So, let them not come near Al-Masjid Al-Haram
(at Makkah) after this year” [Al-Tawbah 9:28]. And verse 17 of the same chapter
says: “It is not for the polytheists to maintain the mosques of Allah [while]
witnessing against themselves with disbelief.” But this verse was revealed on a
particular incident when the Prophet and his followers were driven from there. This
means that the references are only to Masjidul Haram in Makkah and not to other
mosques.

With regard to other mosques, some scholars said that it is permissible because
there is nothing to indicate that it is not allowed; others said that it is not
permissible, by analogy with al-Masjid al-Haraam.

The correct view is that it is permissible if it serves the interests of sharia (Islamic
law) or meet a valid need, such as a person interested to understand about Islam,
or someone who need shelter in mosque, or the like. This is because the Prophet
(PBUH) tied up (his prisoner) Thamaamah ibn Athaal al-Hanafi in the mosque before
he became Muslim, and the delegations of Thaqeef and the Christians of Najraan
stayed in the mosque before they became Muslim. There were many benefits
offered by doing this: they could hear the speeches and sermons of the Prophet
(PBUH), see people praying and reciting Qur’an, and other benefits that are gained
by those who visit the mosque. (From Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/276).

If some disbelievers ask to enter the mosque so that they can see how Muslims
pray, so long as they have nothing with them that could make the mosque dirty,
and there are none among them who are dressed in a provocative fashion, or any
other reason not to let them in, then there is nothing wrong with allowing them to
enter and sit with the Muslims so they can see how they pray.

It is recorded that the Christians of Najran came to see the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH). He arranged the meeting in his mosque at Madinah, during the
meeting the Christians asked to leave from the mosque for worship. The Prophet
said that the mosque in which they were is the house of God and they were
welcome to offer their prayers there. So, they did offer their prayers in the mosque
of the Holy Prophet. (Ibn Hisham, I, 575-577)

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*❓Will it Not Affect the Status of the Quran’s Divinity if Some of the Earlier
Injunctions Got Changed Later?*
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✅In truth, the fact that some of the rulings in the Qur’an have been abrogated
actually represents one of the evidences to prove its divinity. The Qur’an is a book
that puts forward wholly practicable methods in the molding of an ideal society on
the basis of a moral code which it, in itself, dictates. It is, in addition, a book that
seeks to show how, in the process of creating an exemplary and ideal society out of
nothing but the most primitive human conditions, the divine law had influenced the
making of such a society in the various stages of its evolution.

The Qur’an does not contain certain numbered injunctions like the Ten
Commandments that were revealed by God. It is, in fact, the compendium of laws
that grew with the beat and rhythm of an evolving society that would eventually
result in the fruitful transformation of an entire people. In that chain of legislation, it
is but natural that the rulings that came at a time of total decadence will become
irrelevant when the society has gone past that stage in its evolution. It is this loss of
relevance that is, in fact, implied in the term ‘abrogation.’

Consider, for instance, the verses related to the consumption of intoxicants. It must
be remembered that the Qur’an was revealed to a society that virtually bathed in
wine. The Qur’an firstly impressed upon their minds the purest conception about
God and of the unflinching awareness of the Hereafter. Indeed, the Qur’an had, as
the first step, sought to create a readiness in submitting one’s entire life before the
Creator.

It was after having created a mind-set to which the acceptance of all legislations
that were confirmed to have been issued from God had become easy that the
Qur’an declared: “They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: ‘In them is
great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.’” (Qur’an
2:219)

This was the first stage. It was then that the second verse was revealed: “O you
who believe! Approach not prayers in a state of intoxication, until you can
understand all that say…” (Qur’an 4:43)

The prayer constitutes a conservation with the Lord Creator. However, many a man
approached prayer in a state of intoxication. Indeed, the degree of their slavery to
intoxicants can be seen from this single fact.
They resolved, thenceforth, that they would, at least, abstain from intoxicants
during the times of the five daily prayers. It was then that the third ruling, which
sought to fully abolish all intoxicants, was finally revealed. “O ye who believe!
Intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an
abomination – of Satan’s handiwork: Avoid such (abomination), that you may
prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with
intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from
prayer: will ye not then abstain?” (Qur’an 5:90-91)

With the revelation of this verse, the other verses that were revealed earlier had
now become irrelevant. It can, therefore, be said that with the coming of this verse,
the other two verses had, for all practical purposes, become abrogated.

It was mentioned earlier that even this abrogation serves only to stress the divine
nature of the Qur’an. It is the Creator who is best aware of the intricacies as well as
of the methodology of variation of the human mind. It is for that same reason that
He brought a law into effect stage by stage. This is why it has been said that the
Qur’an makes it clear that these abrogations are, indeed, from Allah, the
Omniscient.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣1️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Is Allah Forgiving or Revengeful?*
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✅The Qur’an says several times that Allah is most Merciful and Forgiving but also
says many times that He gives severe punishment. Is He Forgiving or Revengeful?
*Allah is Most Merciful & Forgiving:*
The Qur’an says several times that Allah is the most Merciful. In fact, all the
chapters of the Glorious Qur’an except for Surah Taubah (chapter 9) begin with “In
the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”.

The Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses including Surah Nisa, chapter 4
verse 25 and Surah Maidah, chapter 5 verse 74: “And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.”

Allah Gives Severe Punishment to the Deserving:

Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving is also strict in giving punishment to the
deserving. The Qur’an mentions in several verses that Allah will give severe
punishment to the unbelievers and rejecters of faith. He will give punishment to all
those who disobey Him. Several verses of the Qur’an describe the various types of
severe punishment that Allah will give in hell to all those who disobey. “Those who
reject our Signs, we shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted
through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Penalty: for
Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise”. [Qur’an 4:56]

*Allah is Just:*
The question is whether Allah is forgiving or revengeful. An important point to be
noted is that Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving, He also has to give severe
punishment to the deserving wicked or evil people, because He is also Just. The
Qur’an mentions in Surah Nisa: “Allah is never unjust in the least degree”. [Qur’an
4:40]

It is further mentioned in Surah Al-Ambiya: “We shall set up scales of justice for the
day of Judgement, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least. And if
there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, we will bring it (to account):
and enough are we to take account”. [Qur’an 21:47]

This Life is a Test for the Hereafter:

The life in this world is a test for the Hereafter. The Qur’an says in Surah Al Mulk:
“He who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deeds; and
He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving”. [Qur’an 67:2]

If Allah forgives each and every human being and punishes no one, then why should
the human beings obey the command of Allah? If all human beings are going to go
to heaven, then this life cannot be called a test for the hereafter.

Example: Teacher Forgives a Student who Copies in the Examination:

If during an examination, a student copies and the teacher who supervises in the
examinations catches the student red-handed, the teacher says that he is very
merciful and kind and forgives him and allows him to continue copying. Those
students who have worked hard for the examination will not call the teacher
merciful and kind but will call him unjust. This merciful act of the teacher will
encourage the other students to also copy. If all the teachers are merciful and kind
and allow the students to copy, then no student will ever study for examinations
and all will pass with flying colors by copying. The theoretical results of the
examinations will be excellent in which all the students will pass with first class and
distinction but practically these students will be a failure in life. The whole purpose
of the examination would be defeated.

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*❓If Trinity is Not Biblical Teaching, How Did it Become the Doctrine of Christianity?*
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✅The Trinity, which we see today, is not biblical. The word trinity is not even in the
Bible, nor the Bible dictionaries. The trinity was never taught by Jesus and was
never specifically mentioned by Jesus.

*Council of Nicaea:*
Many think that it was formulated at the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. That is not
totally correct. However, the Council of Nicaea asserted that Christ was of the same
substance as God, which laid the groundwork for later Trinitarian theology. But it did
not establish the Trinity, for at that council there was no mention of the holy spirit
as the third person of a triune Godhead.

For many years, there had been much opposition on Biblical grounds to the
developing idea that Jesus was God. To try to solve the dispute, Roman emperor
Constantine summoned all bishops to Nicaea. About 300, a fraction of the total,
actually attended. Constantine was not a Christian. Supposedly, he converted later
in life, but he was not baptized until he lay dying. Now you may ask ‘what role did
this unbaptized emperor play at the Council of Nicaea?’!
Constantine’s role was crucial. After two months of furious religious debate, this
pagan politician intervened and decided in favor of those who said that Jesus was
God. But why? Certainly not because of any Biblical conviction. “Constantine had
basically no understanding whatsoever of the questions that were being asked in
Greek theology,” says ‘A Short History of Christian Doctrine’. What he did
understand was that religious division was a threat to his empire, and he wanted to
solidify his domain.

However, none of the bishops at Nicaea promoted Trinity. They decided only the
nature of Jesus but not the role of the holy spirit. If a Trinity had been a clear Bible
truth, should they not have proposed it at that time?

*Council of Constantinople:*
After Nicaea, debates on the subject continued for decades. Those who believed
that Jesus was not equal to God even came back into favor for a time. But later
Emperor Theodosius decided against them. He established the creed of the Council
of Nicaea as the standard for his realm and convened the Council of Constantinople
in 381 C.E. to clarify the formula.

That council agreed to place the holy spirit on the same level as God and Christ. For
the first time, Christendom’s Trinity began to come into focus. Yet, even after the
Council of Constantinople, the Trinity did not become a widely accepted creed.
Many opposed it and thus brought on themselves violent persecution. It was only in
later centuries that the Trinity was formulated into set creeds.

The Athanasian Creed:

The Trinity was defined more fully in the Athanasian Creed. Athanasius was a
clergyman who supported Constantine at Nicaea. The creed that bears his name
declares: “We worship one God in Trinity… The Father is God, the Son is God, and
the Holy Ghost is God; and yet they are not three gods, but one God.”

Well-informed scholars agree, however, that Athanasius did not compose this creed.
The New Encyclopedia Britannica comments: “The creed was unknown to the
Eastern Church until the 12th century. Since the 17th century, scholars have
generally agreed that the Athanasian Creed was not written by Athanasius (died
373) but was probably composed in southern France during the 5th century…”

So, it took centuries from the time of Christ for the Trinity to become widely
accepted in Christendom. And in all of this, what guided the decisions? Was it the
Word of God, or was it clerical and political considerations? In Origin and Evolution
of Religion, E. W. Hopkins answers: “The final orthodox definition of the trinity was
largely a matter of church politics.”
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*❓Terrorism Doesn't Have a Religion*
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✅In recent years, the world experienced the growth of terrorism in many cities all
over the world. With an empowered sentiment of hatred spread among the world,
media showed that many of these terrible attacks were organized by ‘jihadists’
groups and that the world was in serious danger.

We realize the role of the media took on more and more importance in the way
people reacted to these events, through the way the news were spread and the
resonance given to particular elements of the attacks, such as the nationality or the
religion of the actors. As everyone could expect, this contributed to the growth of
Islamophobia and the generalization that every Muslim is a terrorist.

What many people still do not realize is that terrorism doesn’t have religion and
here it’s explained why.

1. Jihadists are Just One of the Groups Committing Attacks

According to the Europol, there are “four other categories of terrorist acts based on
motivation: right-wing; left-wing and anarchists; ethno-nationalism and separatism;
and single issues (for example animal rights or anti-abortion). In 2017, most
terrorist attacks carried out in the EU were classified as separatist attacks (137 out
of 205).”

In support of this, it would be useful to have a look at the platform Esri mapping
terrorist attacks around the world (a). Here you will remember the anti-Muslim
terrorist attacks in christ-church mosques in New Zealand in March 2019, Baerum
mosque shooting in Norway, where a 21-year-old Norwegian gunman spread panic
into an Islamic Center, or the two attacks in Genoa (Italy) by anarchists in 2019 or
the attacks in Germany organized by anarchists and right wing extremists.

*2. Those Responsible of the Attack are Almost Never a Foreign Fighter*
Most of the attacks appeared to be organized by people who were born and grew up
in a Western country and not by a foreigner. The Europol reported that “jihadist
attacks in 2018 were carried out primarily by terrorists who grew up and were
radicalized in their home country” and that “these terrorists may not necessarily be
very religious: they may not read the Quran or regularly attend mosque and they
often have a rudimentary and fragmented knowledge of Islam.”

3. Islam is the Religion of Peace

The Holy Book “The Quran” contains the revelations that the Prophet Mohammed
(PBUH) received from God. It is ‘enough’ to read this book to realize that Muslims
are encouraged to peace, forgiveness, and equality. There are so many verses in
the book encouraging the believers to be respectful towards others, generous with
poor people, equal to women and also to people who have faith in another religion.

In fact, in Chapter 5, it is written that if it were for Allah, he would have made only
one nation united in religion, but he intended to test the believers in what he gave
to them. That is why they should compete with each other by doing good, because
it is to Him that everyone will return, and it will be Him to inform in what they
differed from each other.

Muslims are encouraged to always find a peaceful resolution to problems, while

what is used to justify the terrorist attacks “the jihad” represents a totally different
concept, far from terrorism, and it has a very long list of specific rules.

As reported by BBC (b), Jihad is not a war to “force people to convert to Islam, to
conquer other nations to colonize them, to take territory for economic gain, to settle
disputes or demonstrate a leader’s power”. This is enough reasons to be able to
separate the religion from the aspirations driving the attacks in the recent years.

When will the world understand this? Terrorism is brutal, senseless and terrorism
has no religion!.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣1️⃣9️⃣*
*❓By Comparing Woman to Cultivating Field, Doesn’t Qur’an See them as
Instruments for Reproduction?*
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✅It is the Qur’anic verse “Your wives are as a tilth unto you, so approach your tilth
when or how you wish, but do some good act for your souls beforehand” (2:223)
that has been criticized here. The allegation here is that the Qur’an, by comparing
the wife to the cultivating field, has made her a mere instrument for the purpose of
reproduction.

There are numerous similes used in the Qur’an. Those which compare woman, with
tilth and with attire form but a couple amongst them. Similes tend to have one
specialty. It is that each person may interpret them in a way most suitable to his
own mode of thinking. Here, according to the peculiarities of the mind of the
interpreter, a person may claim that since the Qur’an has compared the wife with
the cultivating field, it contends that she may be sold off at any time just as the
fields are sold off and that like the fields are apropportioned off, she, too, may be
given away to various individuals.

To interpret the ornate smiles enshrined in any book, it is essential to be aware of

the basic facts concerning the contents of the book as well as the ideology that it
advocates as also the social structure that it puts forth. The Qur’anic verse “And
women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is
equitable” (2:228). provides foundational knowledge pertaining to its views on the
relationship between man and woman.

What does the Qur’an mean when it compares the woman to the fields and the man
to the cultivator? To realize the relationship between the field and its cultivator it is
necessary to ask the cultivator himself. Indeed, he is ready to sacrifice even his own
life for the sake of his farmland. Even the very mention of soil would turn him into a
wellspring of emotions. He is the one who is aware of the laws of the farmland. He
would never allow another person to sow seeds on terrain. And he would himself
never seek to sow his seeds in the fields of another.

The fields are never to be wasted. They are never to be allowed to lain waste or
misused. They are to be fertilized. The soil is to be enriched. Soil erosion should be
prevented. The farmer who hears the Qur’anic instruction that “your women are
your tilths” (2:223) can never consider the woman to be a mere instrument for
reproduction. But for those who are unable to understand the depth of feeling
inherent in the relationship that exists between the farmer and his farmland, they
can never appreciate the comparison that has been made here.

It would be well to ascertain the revelatory context of the Qur’anic verse which
compares the woman to the tilth fields. There was a superstitious belief amongst
the Jews of Medina that it was a sin to have sexual intercourse with one’s wife in a
particular way and that the child born in such a case would have defective eyes.
The companions of the Prophet enquired of him concerning this. It is the opinion of
many commentators of this e Qur’an that this was the occasion of revelation of the
said verse.

It would help to avert misunderstandings if this occasion of revelation is kept in

mind while analyzing the above verses. The Qur’an teaches here that like the
farmer who cultivates his field in whichsoever manner that he pleases, it would also
be alight, likewise, if in the act of sexual intercourse any method of approach is
employed. The only thing that must be ascertained is that the seeds are being sown
at the right place. Through these verses the Qur’an teaches that sexual relations do
not only serve to provide for emotional gratification alone but that its main
objective lies in the very means of propagation of human race.

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*❓Does God Misguide People? - Part1: Whom Does Allah Guide?*
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✅The critics of Islam try their best to make issue of certain Quranic verses and argue
that Allah Himself misguides people. There are three set or types of verses that are
used by the critics.
1. Verses that say Allah guides and misguides whom He wills.
2. Verses that say Allah will leave some people to astray.
3. Verses that say Allah will seal the hearts of some people.

Let us consider these types of verses one by one. But before that we need to
understand the word 'Hidaya' i.e. guidance as Quran speaks of it.

Meaning of 'Guidance' (Hidaya):

The Holy Quran speaks of certain Guidance on certain degrees. The first degree of
guidance is universal and is granted to all beings, living and otherwise: "He said:
'Our Lord is He Who gave to each (created) thing its form and nature, and further,
gave (it) guidance.'" (Quran 20:50)

The second degree is only for men and the jinn i.e. creation that will be held
accountable for its deeds. This guidance is always there, and one is free to work for
it or reject it. "By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it; And its
enlightenment as to its wrong and its right; Truly he succeeds who purifies it; And
he fails who corrupts it!" (Quran 91:7-10)

And third degree of guidance is for those who heed to the message of Truth and
grants them more help in their pursuit of righteousness. “But to those who receive
Guidance, He increases the (light of) Guidance, and bestows on them their Piety and
Restraint (from evil)." (Quran 47:17)

So, when Allah says that He does not guide people it only refers to the third degree
of guidance and this He does only because they do not show the yearning for what
is the prerequisite for it.

Meaning of 'Allah Guides Whom He Wills…':

There are some verses in the Holy Quran which say that Allah guides whom He wills
and leaves straying who He wills. “…Now Allah leaves straying those whom He
pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.”
(Quran 14:4)

Critics of Islam argue that Allah Himself misguides people and does not give them
free-will and therefore He would be unjust in punishing them. This is utterly wrong
interpretation!

Man Has the Choice:

Other passages of the Quran refute such an interpretation. Quran in fact maintains
that Allah has made the Truth and Falsehood clear and now man has the choice to
accept either of them. "By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it; And its
enlightenment as to its wrong and its right; Truly he succeeds that purifies it, and
he fails that corrupts it!" (Quran 91:7-10)
"Say, 'The truth is from your Lord': Let him who will believe, and let him who will,
reject (it): for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames),
like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in" (Quran 18:29)

Whom Does Allah Guide?:

Now let us see about whom Allah guides. Below are some verses, which describe
the same.

"…Allah guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]" (Quran 13:27). "And those
who strive in Our (cause), We will certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah
is with those who do right." (Quran 29:69). "Allah chooses to Himself those whom
He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him)." (Quran 42:13)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Does God Misguide People? - Part2: Whom Does Allah Misguide?*
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✅Now let us see about whom Allah misguides. Below are some verses, which
describe the same.

"…He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path)" (Quran 2:26). “…
but Allah will leave, to stray, those who do wrong: Allah do what He wills." (Quran
14:27)

How Does Allah Misguide?

Now is the question as to how Allah misguides? This is plainly told in the Quran: "If
anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly
conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of Faith, We
shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell,- what an evil
refuge!" (Quran 4:115)
So, Allah misguides the evil doers and those who reject the guidance brought by the
Messenger by letting him follow the path they choose. Through His signs, He makes
things clear and those who will and show passion to follow the Truth, He guides
them further and but those who resort to evil, He lets them follow the path they
choose, so He wouldn't be unjust in punishing such.

Meaning of the verse 'If Allah Leads You Astray…':

Some quote Quran 11:34 which speaks of Prophet Noah saying to his rebellious
people; "Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you (good)
counsel, if it be that Allah will to leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him will
ye return!" (Quran 11:34)

Here Prophet Noah is speaking to the people when they have crossed all limits and
even challenged to bring the torment that he used to warned them of. So here
Allah's act of misleading is just as explained earlier i.e. He will leave them on the
path they have chosen by stubbornly rejecting the Truth. And this may even be
about the punishment, the torment that Prophet Noah knew was due for these
people because the same word is used in the meanings of punishment and
destruction as well.

Some use these verses, "[Satan] said, ‘Because You have put me in error, I will
surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path’" (7:16). “[Iblees] said, ‘My Lord,
because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to
them on earth, and I will mislead them all’" (15:39)

But interestingly one can see that these are only the words of Satan who is just
seeking excuses for his transgression by slandering that Almighty Allah misled him.
Only the Satanic souls turn to these verses for proving their point!

Meaning of the Saying that 'Allah Seals the Hearts…':

Some people argue that when Allah Himself says that He puts seal on the heart of
disbelievers then why are they to be blamed for their acts. Such arguments come
only because of the basic misunderstanding of the whole issue.

Allah seals the hearts of only those who stubbornly reject the message or simply as
explained above, Allah seals the hearts of those who reject the second degree of
guidance which is universal and only needs one own will to be attained. So, we see
that whenever Allah says something on these lines in the Quran it is always about
the stern rejecters of Truth e.g. Quran 2:7, 4:168 & 16:106-109. All such passages
talk about those who reject the Truth and do no show the will to follow the Right
Path.
*Conclusion:*
The gist of the matter is that Allah grants guidance to all by making the Truth and
Falsehood clear through His signs within our own selves and the phenomenon
around and through the Holy Prophets and the scriptures and everyone is free to
follow it. One who hearkens to the message and shows yearning, Allah guides him
further; but one who rejects the Truth, Allah lets him follow the way he likes (Quran
4:115) and withholds the further degrees of guidance from him, seals the hearts of
such and lets him astray.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Is Stoning of the Devil During Hajj a Superstition?*
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✅Why do Muslims throw stones during Hajj pilgrimage? Is this stoning a form of idol
worship or idol damnation?

Stoning of the Satan (at Jamra) is a symbolization of the stoning done by Prophet
Ibrahim (PBUH) when the devil tried to misguide him. This happened at 3 places, so
we do it symbolically at those 3 spots during Hajj. It has nothing to do with idol or
idol worship. For anyone with some understanding, it is easy to realize that Islam
totally and completely rejects idol worship.

If someone misunderstands the stoning as idol worship, it is a total

misunderstanding without trying to understand what that ritual actually symbolizes.
The Jamra is not being worshipped, rather stoning is being done there as a symbolic
way to stay away from the devil.

*History:*
This ritual is a symbolic reenactment of the incident between the Prophet Ibrahim
and the Satan. Ibrahim was commanded by Allah Almighty to sacrifice his son Ismail
(PBUH). On his way to carry out this commandment, Satan repeatedly tried to
dissuade Ibrahim from following this order of Allah. Ibrahim was instructed by the
Angel Gabriel to throw stones at Satan.

This incident is explained by a very famous Muslim historian Al-Azraqi as: “When he
[Ibrahim] left Mina and was brought down to al-Aqaba, the Devil appeared to him at
Stone-Heap of the Defile. Gabriel (Jibril) said to him: "Pelt him!" so Ibrahim threw
seven stones at him so that he disappeared from him. Then he appeared to him at
the Middle Stone-Heap. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven
stones so that he disappeared from him. Then he appeared to him at the Little
Stone-Heap. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven stones like
the little stones for throwing with a sling. So, the Devil withdrew from him.”

This incident was given permanence in the lives of the Muslims in the shape of a
ritual to be performed during Hajj. And each year during Hajj, Muslims perform this
ritual in the remembrance of this incident.

Significance and Symbology Behind Stoning:

The stoning of Jamarat denotes complete obedience to the commands of Allah
without anything dissuading a Muslim against it. Ibrahim was commanded to
sacrifice his son and Satan tried to discourage Ibrahim from doing so, but Ibrahim
demonstrated complete faith in Allah and followed His command without any
questions or temptation.

Satan tried to instill confusion in Ibrahim’s mind and tried to tempt him away from
submitting to God’s will. Ibrahim’s heroism is to be celebrated because Ibrahim was
childless until the age of seventy, when Allah gave him his first son, Ismail. In these
circumstances, this was a very great sacrifice that was demanded of Ibrahim. Satan
tried to discourage Ibrahim by giving the argument of old age and who is going to
look after you in such an age. However, Ibrahim was strong in his faith and in order
to drive Satan away, he threw stones at him. It was an act of casting aside his
desires and wishes, something all Muslims are expected to do during Hajj and
otherwise also.

Throwing stones at the Satan is not as if Satan is present at the place, rather it is an
exercise of faith: this act is a testament that the believers are able to resist the
thoughts and desires that Satan puts in the believer’s mind. Even though a pilgrim
is throwing a stone at one of the pillars of Jamarat, but in fact, he or she is throwing
them in the face of Satan as nothing annoys Satan more than a man following the
command of Allah. Ibrahim followed the command of Allah and stoned the Satan, so
Muslims all over the world follow the commands of Allah and throw stones at the
Satan in the same way to show disdain towards this devil’s being.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣3️⃣*
*❓What Famous People Have Said About Islam - Part1*
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*✅Mahatma Gandhi:* (Indian Civil Rights Leader)
"I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for
Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-
effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense
devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute
trust in God and his own mission. These, and not the sword carried everything
before them and surmounted every obstacle." (‘Young India’, 1924)

Herbert George Wells (H.G. Wells):

“The Islamic teachings have left great traditions for equitable and gentle dealings
and behavior and inspire people with nobility and tolerance. These are human
teachings of the highest order and at the same time practicable. These teachings
brought into existence a society in which hard-heartedness and collective
oppression and injustice were the least as compared with all other societies
preceding it… Islam is replete with gentleness, courtesy & fraternity.”

*Karen Armstrong:*
“Islam is a religion of success. Unlike Christianity, which has as its main image, in
the west at least, a man dying in a devastating, disgraceful, helpless death…
Mohammed was not an apparent failure. He was a dazzling success, politically as
well as spiritually, and Islam went from strength to strength to strength.”

Pope John Paul II:

“… the religiosity of Muslims deserves respect. It is impossible not to admire, for
example, their fidelity to prayer. The image of believers in Allah who, without caring
about time or place, fall to their knees and immerse themselves in prayer remains a
model for all those who invoke the true God, in particular for those Christians who,
having deserted their magnificent cathedrals, pray only a little or not at all.”
*Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockley:*
"The league of nations founded by the prophet of Islam put the principle of
international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to
show candle to other nations...the fact is that no nation of the world can show a
parallel to what Islam has done towards the realization of the idea of the League of
Nations." (History of the Saracen Empires)

*Thomas Carlyle:*
“The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man
(Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only. A silent great soul, one of that who
cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world; the world’s Maker had ordered
so.”

*Leo Tolstoy:*
“The legislation of Quran will spread all over the world, because it agrees with the
mind, logic and wisdom.”

*Lamartine:*
"Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of
rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires
and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which
human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater
than he?" (HISTOIRE DE LA TURQUIE, Paris)

George Bernard Shaw:

"I have studied him (Prophet Mohammed)- the wonderful man and in my opinion far
from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if
a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would
succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and
happiness." (‘The Genuine Islam Vol. No.8’, 1936)

*Reverend R. Bosworth-Smith:*
“If ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by a Right Divine, it was
Mohammad, for he had all the power without instruments and without its support.
He cared not for dressing of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping
with his public life." (Mohammed & Mohammedanism)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What Famous People Have Said About Islam - Part2*
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*✅Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockley:*
“‘I Believe in One God and Mahomet, an Apostle of God' is the simple and invariable
profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by
any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet have never transgressed the measure of
human virtues; and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples
within the bounds of reason and religion." (History of the Saracen Empires)

Sarojini Naidu: (Indian Poetess)

“It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for, in the mosque,
when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together, the
democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel
side by side and proclaim: 'God Alone is Great'… I have been struck over and over
again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes man instinctively a brother.”
(‘Ideals of Islam’, Speeches and Writings, Madras, 1918).

*Edward Montet:*
“Islam is a religion that is essentially rationalistic in the widest sense of this term
considered etymologically & historically… the teachings of the Prophet, the Qur’an
has invariably kept its place as the fundamental starting point, & the dogma of unity
of God has always been proclaimed therein with a grandeur a majesty, an invariable
purity and with a note of sure conviction, which it is hard to find surpassed outside
the pale of Islam…”

Napoleon Bonaparte: (French Military & Political Leader)

“I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated
men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of
Qur'an which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness.”
(‘Christian Cherfils Bonaparte et Islam’, Paris 1914)

Alphonse de LaMartine: (French Writer, Poet & Politician)

"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the three
criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in history with
Muhammad?” “Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas,
restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty
terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad." (‘Histoire de la
Turquie’, Paris 1854, Vol II, pp. 276-77)

Edward Gibbon: (Historian)

“The good sense of Muhammad despised the pomp of royalty. The Apostle of God
submitted to the menial offices of the family; he kindled the fire; swept the floor;
milked the ewes; and mended with his own hands his shoes and garments.
Disdaining the penance and merit of a hermit, he observed without effort of vanity
the abstemious diet of an Arab.” ('The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' 1830)

Michael H. Hart: (Astrophysicist and Author)

"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may
surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man
in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level."
(‘The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History’, New York 1992)

*Dalai Lama:*
“… since September 11th event, on many occasions I always come forth, with a
defense of Islam. Islam like any other major tradition. I think the very praising Allah
means love, infinite love, compassion, like that. I understand Islam, they usually
carry rosary, all 99 beads, different name of Allah, all refer compassion, or these
positive things.”

Lawrence E Browne: (Author & Scholar)

“Incidentally, these well-established facts dispose of the idea so widely fostered in
Christian writings that the Muslims, wherever they went, forced people to accept
Islam at the point of the sword.” (‘The Prospects of Islam’, 1944)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Debate Between Two Babies in a Mother’s Womb*
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✅In a mother’s womb were two babies…

One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?” The other replied,
“Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to
prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”

“Nonsense” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would
that be?”

The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we
will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses
that we can’t understand now.”

The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our
mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need.
But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.”

The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it
is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.”

The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover, if there is life, then why has no one has
ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery
there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere.”

“Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she
will take care of us.”

The first replied “Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That is laughable. If
Mother exists, then where is She now?”

The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It
is in Her that we live. Without Her this world would not and could not exist.”

Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.”

To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and
you really listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice,
calling down from above.”

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What Islam Recommends Dealing with Epidemic Diseases?*
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✅In recent years, health professionals around the world have become increasingly
concerned with the spread of infectious diseases. Outbreaks of swine flu, avian
(bird) flu, nipah virus, COVID-19 (corona) and severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS) have meant that infectious diseases have taken on a global context. The
scope of infectious diseases is progressively more challenged by globalization. Easy
and frequent air travel allows diseases to spread rapidly between communities and
countries.

Some basic measures are appropriate when trying to control the spread of any or all
infectious diseases. These include meticulous hand washing, covering the mouth
when sneezing or coughing, proper disposal of tissues, staying at home and away
from public places, and in extreme cases such as SARS & COVID-19, quarantine.

Islam is a holistic belief system, and it takes into account the physical, emotional,
and spiritual wellbeing of individuals and societies. Although care of the individual is
important, safeguarding communities, including its weakest members, is of
paramount importance. More than 1400 years ago, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
taught his followers hygiene practices that are still applicable in the 21st century.

From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, we find evidence that clearly indicates
Islam’s stance on coughing and sneezing openly. Prophet Muhammad instructed the
believers to cover their faces when sneezing [Mustadrak Haakim].

The viruses that cause SARS & COVID-19 are transmitted most readily by
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus
also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with
infectious droplets and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eye.
Islam is referred to as the religion of cleanliness. “Truly, God loves those who turn
unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves” (Quran 2:222). In
the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, cleanliness is mentioned as half of faith.
Therefore, it is important to keep the body fresh and clean and Islam insists on
several practices to facilitate this.

The private parts are washed after using the toilet and Muslims must pay attention
to being clean before praying. They wash their hands, faces, (including rinsing the
mouth and nose) arms and feet, a minimum of five times per day. Prophet
Muhammad insisted that the believers wash their hands, before praying, before and
after eating and upon waking up in the morning [Abu Dawood & Sahih Al-Bukhari].

Infection control in Islam includes isolation and quarantine. Prophet Muhammad

(PBUH) instituted strategies that are today implemented by public health
authorities. He commanded his followers not to travel to places known to be
afflicted with illness and he advised those in the contaminated areas or
communities not to leave and spread the disease further afield. He said, “If you
hear that there is a plague in a land, do not enter it; and if it (plague) visits a land
while you are therein, do not go out of it” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim].

During the worldwide outbreak of SARS & COVID-19, quarantine officials arranged
for appropriate medical assistance, which sometimes included medical isolation and
restricted travel movements.

The teaching and principles of Islam are designed to benefit all of humankind. Rules
and recommendations for personal hygiene and cleanliness promote the well-being
of individuals and communities. Infection control is inherent in Islamic hygiene
behavior. Measures taken in the 21st century to prevent the spread of infections
and viruses conform almost exactly to the hygiene and infection control practices
taught by Prophet Muhammad.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣7️⃣*
*❓What Islam Says About Transgenders?*
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✅Transgender people are those who are physically and psychologically abnormal.
They are called ‘Mukhannath’ in Arabic and are looked down upon by the society
because of their physical abnormality and their effeminate manners and speech.
They are generally called the third gender because they look and behave neither
like men nor women. These people go through a psychological and sexual anxiety
through their entire life.

When we study the Quran to find the Quran’s approach towards the transgenders,
we find no mention of them. This is somewhat intriguing because the holy Quran
does not leave any aspect or issue which is important for the society. So, let us try
to find out the reason why it does not mention the transgenders.

When we study the Quran, we find that it says that there is no third among human
beings or in any other species on earth. The Quran says that God created every
species including human beings in pairs. This suggests that all the species have
only two genders: male and female. There are many verses dealing with the issue:
“Glory to Allah, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as
their own (human) kind and (other) things of which they have no knowledge.”
(Quran 36:36). Does the Quran then ignore the transgender who are neither men
nor women?

The reason for the Quran not mentioning the transgender because there is nothing
called the third gender. The people who are considered the third gender actually
suffer from a disease or syndrome which causes abnormality in physical and mental
behavior of a man. The disease is called Klinefelter Syndrome and the persons
suffering from this syndrome are called hermaphrodites.

Since transgender are human beings with a chromosomal disorder, the Quran does
not treat them like third gender.

The practices of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) show that he did not have any aversion
towards transgender persons. In the prophet’s era transgender were employed as
domestic helps and they were respected in the society. However, the principles of
moral and ethical behavior were applied to them. Belonging to transgender
community did not entitle them to speak or behave immorally. The Prophet
Muhammed (PBUH) disapproved of immoral behavior of transgenders. There is a
Hadith about an incident in which the Prophet expressed displeasure over the
remark of a transgender about a woman of Taif. (Sahih Muslim; Book No.39, 2180).

Prophet (PBUH) respected them as human beings as their abnormality was a

biological disorder. The modern scholars also approve of sex-reassignment surgery
to change the sex of transgenders to free them of their psychological biological
dilemma. This is based on a Hadith on cutting vein. (Ahmad, Muslim)

However, in most societies, the transgenders are not treated with respect. They
have been reduced to a community of beggars and entertainers. They are also
considered a community of Gays and Lesbians. But this was not their position
during the Mughal era in India. In the Mughal palace, they were called Khwaja Sara
and were employed as the supervisors and also held important positions in the
court. But during the British rule, the government passed the Criminal Tribes Act.
Under this law, they could not dress like women or sing or dance in the public. This
took away their source of earning and they had to resort to begging.

In short, though the Prophet (PBUH) did not hate the transgender and even allowed
them to work as a servant to his wives, our society has reduced them to outcastes
confining them to an ostracized life of crime and prostitution. The Islamic society
needs to change their outlook towards the transgender community helping them to
lead a dignified life.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣8️⃣*
*❓How Islam Views Homosexuality?*
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✅An increasing number of people are becoming homosexuals either gays or lesbians
in different parts of the world. The former refers to the perverted sexual relationship
between man and man while the latter is the title for women practicing sex with
women. This is, however, not a new phenomenon; what is new is the attempt of
those people who have been considered all the time as outcasts and perverts, to
assert their identity and force the rest of the people to recognize and accept them
and their relationships as natural ones.
As this is becoming an increasingly dangerous issue, it is indeed important to clarify
the attitude of Islam towards homosexuality.

We must reiterate, as does Isabelle Levy in “Soins et croyances” that all the worlds’
major religions and spiritual traditions-from the majority view in Hinduism,
Buddhism and Judaism to Christianity and Islam-condemn and forbid homosexuality.
The great majority of rabbis hold the same position, as do the Pope and the Dalai
Lama, who condemns homosexuality.

For these traditions, as for Freud (who speaks of “perversion”), homosexuality is

considered to be “against nature,” an “expression of disequilibrium” in the growth
of a person. The moral condemnation of homosexuality remains the majority
opinion of all religions, and Islam is no exception.

In both the Qur’an and the Bible, we are told that the first people who started this
habit on a national scale were the people of Lot in the old city of Sodom which used
to occupy the area where the Dead Sea now exists. (See Genesis 19). Let us
concentrate on what the Glorious Qur’an says about these people:

In chapter ash-Shu’ara, we read: “The people of Lot rejected the messengers. Their
brother Lot said to them: 'Will you not fear God? I am to you a messenger worthy of
all trust. So, fear God and obey me. No reward do I ask of you for it. My reward is
only from the Lord the of worlds. Of all the creatures of the world will you approach
males, and leave those whom God has created for you as mates? Nay. You are
people transgressing all limits'…” (Quran 26:160-173)

The Qur’an also says: “And Lot who said to his people: 'Do you do what is indecent
though you see its iniquity? Would you really approach men in your lusts rather
than women? You are a people grossly ignorant.'…” (An-Naml:54-58).

We are also told in the Qur’an that Lot's people used to practice this same sex
relationship in public. They saw no harm in looking at each other while doing this.
They claimed that it is beyond the capacity or human beings to be pure or clean in
this area.

Part of the Qur’anic perspective of the universe is that Allah Almighty controls
everything in this world. Being the Creator of life and death, He is also the
Sovereign and the legislator. He sends messengers to different peoples from among
themselves who are role models as well as conveyers of His message to them. If
they listen and obey, this is for their own good in this world and the next. Whatever
Allah permits is everything that is good, pure, and healthy; and whatever He
prohibits us to do, it is also for our own sake.
This is how the Ever-Glorious Qur’an looks at this issue of homosexuality. It is
against human nature; it is harmful to man and it betrays one basic goal of sex,
namely: procreation within the limits of marriage only. That is why it is prohibited to
practice homosexuality.

One more point deserve our attention. One is that Islam does not consider sex as a
sinful deed. It does not look down on this human instinct. On the contrary, it
considers it to be rewarding by Allah provided that it is practiced within the limits of
marriage.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣2️⃣9️⃣*
*❓What the Reports Say About the Conversion to Islam?*
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✅According to "The Plain Truth", February 1984, in its 50 Year Anniversary Issue,
quoting from the "World Almanac and Book of Facts 1935" and "Reader's Digest
Almanac and Yearbook 1983", between 1934 and 1984, the Christianity increased
47%, World Population increased 136%, but Islam increased 235%. 100,000 people
per year in America alone, are converting to Islam. Today the fastest growing
religion in America and in Europe is Islam.

In the United States, women convert outnumber men by four to one, and in Britain
make up the bulk of the estimated 10,000 to 20,000 converts, forming part of a
Muslim community of 1.5 million.

For many black Americans, Islam has become the religion of choice and some one
million have converted. “It is an American phenomenon, which started in the
ghettoes of the north,” says Yvonne Haedad, a professor of history of Islam and of
Christian-Muslim Relations at Georgetown University. “It is a response to racism… It
is seen as the religion of liberation.”
*Here are Some More Reports and Comments Regarding Conversion to Islam:*
“The second-largest religion in the world after Christianity, Islam is also the fastest-
growing religion. In the United States, for example, nearly 80 percent of the more
than 1,200 mosques have been built in the past 12 years” - Sunday Times London,
U.K. Correspondent Gayle Young, April 14, 1997

“…there is much that the world can learn from Islam. It is now practiced by one of
every four people on Earth” - Hillary Rodman Clinton, Los Angeles Times, May 31,
1996, p.3

“Already more than a billion-people strong, Islam is the world’s fastest-growing

religion” - ABC News Broadcasted on BIC News 13 December 1997

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country” - NEWSDAY, March 7, 1989, p.4

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States…” NEW YORK TIMES, Feb
21, 1989, p.1

“Moslems are the world’s fastest-growing group…” - USA TODAY, The population
reference bureau, Feb 17, 1989, p.4A

“Muhammed is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities” -

Encyclopedia Britannica

“There are more Muslims in North America then Jews Now” - Dan Rathers, CBS
NEWS

“Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America” - TIMES MAGAZINE

“Islam continues to grow in America, and no one can doubt that!” - CNN, December
15, 1995

“The religion of Islam is growing faster than any other religion in the world” - MIKE
WALLACE, 60 MINUTES

“In fact, religion experts say Islam is the second-largest religion in the United
States… Islam has 5 million to 6 million members, followed by Judaism, with
approximately 4.5 million… And Islam is believed to be fastest-growing religion in
the country, with half its expansion coming from new immigrants and the other half
from conversions” - ELSA C. ARNETT Knight-Ridder News Service.

*Footnote:*
It should now be clear as light that Islam is the fastest growing religion on the
planet. Islam is growing at an incredible speed because it is the religion of truth
which offers you the answers to the questions of life and gives you a complete code
of life. Do not just be amazed at the growth of Islam; study it, accept it and practice
it.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Every Religion Claims That It is the Truth. What are the Criteria of the Truth?*
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✅There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the
world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to God. How can
one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct?

The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial
differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth and
identify the central object of worship to which they call, directly or indirectly.

False religions all have in common one basic concept with regards to Almighty God.
They either claim that all men are gods or that specific men are gods or that nature
is God or that God is a figment of man’s imagination.

Thus, it may be stated that the basic message of false religion is that God may be
worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of
creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it as God.

For example, prophet Jesus invited his followers to worship the Almighty God alone,
but those who claim to be his followers today call people to worship Jesus, claiming
that he is God!

Buddha was a reformer who introduced several humanistic principles to the region
of India. He did not claim to be God, nor did he suggest to his followers that he be
an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists have taken him to be God and
prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.

By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes
very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the
Quran: “That which you worship besides Him are only names you and your
forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority. The
command belongs only to Allah. He has commanded that you only worship Him;
that is the right religion, but most men do not understand" (12:40)

It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should it matter which
one we follow. The reply is that all false religions teach the greatest evil, the
worship of the creations. Creation-worship is the greatest sin that man can commit
because it contradicts the very purpose of his creation. Man is created to worship
the Creator alone. (Qur’an 51:56)

Consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the

unforgivable sin. One who dies in this state of idolatry has sealed his fate in the
next life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by God in his final
revelation to man.

Criteria to Prove Authenticity of Quran as God’s Words:

1. Rational Teachings: Since our Creator bestowed reason and intellect upon us, it is
our duty to use it to distinguish the Truth from falsehood. True, undistorted
revelation from God must be rational and can be reasoned out by all unbiased
minds.
2. Perfection: Since our Creator is all perfect, His revelation must be perfect and
accurate, free from mistakes, omissions, interpolations, and multiplicity of versions.
It should be free from contradictions in its narration.
3. No Myths or Superstitions: True revelation is free from myths or superstitions that
degrade the dignity of our Creator or man himself.
4. Scientific: Since our Creator is the Creator of all knowledge, true revelation is
scientific and can withstand the challenge of science at all times.
5. Factual Prophecy: Our Creator is the Knower of the past, present and future.
Thus, His prophecies in His revelation will be fulfilled as prophesied.
6. Inimitable by Man: True revelation is infallible and cannot be imitated by man.
God’s true revelation is a Living miracle, an open book challenging all mankind to
see and prove for themselves its authenticity or veracity.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣1️⃣*
*❓If According to Islam, Messengers or Prophets were Sent to Every Nation of the
World, then Which Prophet was Sent to India? Can We Consider Ram and Krishna to
be Messengers of God?*
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*✅Prophets Sent to Every Nation:*
The Glorious Qur’an mentions in Surah Fatir: “…And there never was a people,
without a warner having lived among them (in the past).” [Qur’an 35:24]

A similar message is repeated in Surah Rad: “…and to every people a guide.”

[Qur’an 13:7]

Stories of Only Some Prophets Narrated in the Qur’an:

Allah says in Surah Nisa: “Of some messengers, We have already told thee the
story; of others we have not.” [Qur’an 4:164]

A similar message is repeated in Surah Ghafir: “We did aforetime send messengers
before thee: of them there are some whose story We have related to thee, and
some whose story We have not related to thee…” [Qur’an 40:78]

25 Prophets of God are Mentioned by Name in the Qur’an:

By name, only 25 Prophets of God are mentioned in the Qur’an e.g. Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammed (PBUH)

More than 124000 Prophets of God:

According to Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬, there were more than 1,24,000 prophets
sent to this world.

All Previous Prophets Sent Only for Their People:

All the prophets that came before Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬were only sent for their
own people and were to be followed only for a particular period of time.

Surah Ali Imran, chapter 3 verse 49: “And (appoint him) a messenger to the
Children of Israel…” [Qur’an 3:49]
*Muhammad( ‫ )ﷺ‬is the Last Messenger of God:*
Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is the last and final messenger of Almighty God. It is
mentioned in Surah Ahzab: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but
(he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full
knowledge of all things.” [Qur’an 33:40]

Prophet Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬Was Sent for Whole Humankind:

Since Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬is the last and final messenger, he was not sent only
for the Muslims or the Arabs, but he was sent for the whole of humankind.

It is mentioned in Surah Anbiya: “We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all
creatures.” [Qur’an 21:107]

A similar message is repeated in Surah Saba: “We have not sent thee but as a
universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against
sin), but most men understand not.” [Al Qur’an 34:28]

It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, volume 1, Book of Salaah, chapter 56 hadith no.

429: Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger said, “Every Prophet used to be
sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.”

Which Prophet Was Sent to India?

Regarding the question of which prophet of God was sent to India, and can we
consider Ram or Krishna to be prophets of God, there is no text in the Qur’an or
Sahih Hadith mentioning the name of the prophet that was sent to India. Since the
names of Ram and Krishna are nowhere to be found in the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith,
one cannot say for sure whether they were prophets of God or not. However, a
person may say that perhaps they may have been the prophets of God.

*Even if Ram and Krishna were Prophets, Today We Should Follow the Last Prophet
of God i.e. Muhammad ( ‫)ﷺ‬:*
Even if Ram and Krishna were prophets of God, they were only meant for people of
that time and were to be followed only for that particular period of time. Today, all
the human beings throughout the world, including India should follow the last and
final prophet and Messenger of God – prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Islam and Ethics*
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✅Ethics generally refers to a code of conduct, that an individual, group or society
hold as definitive, in differentiating right from wrong. Islam as a comprehensive way
of life encompasses a complete Ethical system that is an important aspect of its
worldview. We live in an age where good and evil are often looked at as relative
concepts. Islam, however, holds that Ethical positions are not relative, and instead,
defines a universal standard by which actions may be deemed Ethical or unethical.

Islam’s Ethical system is striking in that it not only defines Ethics, but also guides
the human race in how to achieve it, at both an individual as well as a collective
level.

According to the Islamic School of thought, Ethical system stems from its primary
creed of belief in One God as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Islam
considers the human race to be a part of God’s creation, and as His subjects.

From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of human life is to worship God, by

leading this worldly life in harmony with the Divine Will, and thereby achieve peace
in this world, and everlasting success in the life of the hereafter. Muslims look to the
Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet as their Ethical guides.

The Glorious Qur’an says: “It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards
east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the
Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love
for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask,
and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity;
to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or
suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of
truth, the Allah-fearing.” [Qur’an 2:177]

The love and continuous awareness of God and the Day of Judgment enables man
to be Ethical in conduct and sincere in intentions, with devotion and dedication.

The guiding principle for the behavior of a Muslim is what the Qur’an refers to as
‘virtuous deeds’. This term covers all deeds, not just the outward acts of worship.
By Reading Islamic literature and through Quran we come to know that some of the
most primary character traits expected of a Muslim are piety, humility, and a
profound sense of accountability to God. A Muslim is expected to be humble before
God and with other people. Islam also enjoins upon every Muslim to exercise control
of their passions and desires.

Charity is one of the most commendable acts in Islam. In fact, Zakat, the charity
that is obligatory on every Muslim who has accrued wealth above a certain level, is
one of the pillars of Islam.

Gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity, and the courage to uphold the truth,
even when inconvenient to one, are just some of the qualities that every Muslim is
encouraged to cultivate.

For an individual as well as a society, Ethics is one of the fundamental sources of

strength, just as immorality is one of the main causes of decline. While respecting
the rights of the individual within a broad Islamic framework, Islam is also
concerned with the Ethical health of the society.

The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) summarized the conduct of a Muslim when he said:
“My Sustainer has given me nine commands: to remain conscious of God, whether
in private or in public; to speak justly, whether angry or pleased; to show
moderation both when poor and when rich, to reunite friendship with those who
have broken off with me; to give to him who refuses me; that my silence should be
occupied with thought; that my looking should be an admonition; and that I should
command what is right.”

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Prophet Muhammad: The Social Reformer*
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✅All great civilizations, such as the Greeks, Romans, Persians and today in the form
of West, have arisen mainly by advancing human rights and the rule of law. The rise
of the Islamic civilization between the 7th and 13th centuries also owes itself to this
principle. Few individuals in any civilization have been able to accomplish religious,
gender, educational, racial and conflict-resolution reforms all at once. Prophet
Muhammad reformed his society in all five respects which laid the foundation of the
Arab and Muslim civilization.

1. Religious Freedom

Some intolerant Muslims today persecute non-Muslims for proselytizing or
blasphemy. In contrast, the Islamic Holy scripture Quran states that “there is no
compulsion in religion” (2:256). Moreover, the Prophet permitted Najrani Christian
priests to offer their prayers in his mosque and to have an open religious dialogue
before an audience. Moreover, he later wrote them a decree that declared “No
compulsion is to be on them; No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to
damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses; they are my allies
and have my secure charter against all that they hate.”

2. Racial Equality

Pre-Islamic Arab society had racial biases against non-Arabs just as American
society had up till the 1960’s. The Prophet managed to purify these primitive
sentiments by his personal example. His closest companions Bilal bin Riba (an
Abyssinian) and Salman Farsi (a Persian) were both former slaves who went on to
command enormous respect in the first Muslim society. In his famous last sermon,
the Prophet declared “a white has no superiority over black, nor does a black over a
white, except by piety and good action”.

*3. Education*
The Prophet famously declared that “learning is obligatory upon every Muslim man
and woman” and that “he who gives the best upbringing and education to his
daughters shall enter paradise.” He told once that “one should seek knowledge
even if one needs to go to China.” Not surprisingly, it was this initial encouragement
which ultimately led to the Islamic golden age of science which advanced medicine,
astronomy, algebra, and philosophy and also contributed to the Western
Renaissance.

4. Women’s Rights

In the pre-Islamic society, some proud pagans practiced ‘honor’ killings and female
infanticide to offset their ‘shame.’ The numerous reforms which the Prophet
instituted in the 7th century included the end of ‘honor’ killings, the right of a
woman’s approval in her marriage, her right to ownership of private property, to
seek unilateral divorce if the husband was abusive and to re-marry as a widow or
divorcee. Some of these rights did not exist even in the West until the early 20th
century.

5. Islam and War

Quran permitted war only in the interest of establishing religious freedom or for self-
defense (22:40). The Prophet was himself driven out of his city for preaching his
religion, his followers were persecuted or killed, and their bodies were mutilated.
Yet, he himself forbade retaliation in kind or the holding of slaves except as
prisoners captured in such conflicts. It is not surprising that his humane teachings
quickly won the hearts of his former enemies which rapidly led to the conversion of
Arabia to Islam.

*Footnote:*
Islam’s global spread and appeal owed itself to Prophet Muhammad’s social
reforms. Unfortunately, over the centuries his teachings have been obfuscated and
violated much as any other faith or movement. Thus, the misconduct of some
Muslim extremists today often makes it difficult to put the historic struggle of
Prophet Muhammad for humanitarian causes in context.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣*
*❓If Allah has Sealed the Hearts of the Disbelievers (Kuffar), then Why are they to
be Blamed for Not Accepting the Truth?*
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*✅Allah has Sealed the Hearts of Those Who are Continuously Bent on Rejecting the
Truth:*
Allah mentions in Quran: “As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them
Whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe. Allah hath set a
seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the
penalty they (incur).” [Al-Qur’an 2:6-7]

These verses do not refer to common Kuffar who reject faith. The Arabic words used
are ‘alladina kafaroo’, those who are bent on rejecting the truth. It will not make any
difference to such people whether you warn them or not, they will not believe. Allah
has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing and on their eyes is a veil.

It is not because Allah has set a seal on their hearts that these kuffar do not
understand and believe, but it is the vice-versa. It is because these kuffar are bent
on rejecting the truth and whether you warn them or not they will not believe that
Allah has set a seal on their hearts. Therefore, Allah is not to blame, but these
kuffaar who are bent on rejecting the faith are responsible.

Example of Teacher Predicting a Student will Fail:

Suppose an experienced teacher, before the final examinations, predicts that a
particular student will fail in the exams, since the student is very mischievous, not
attentive in class and does not do his homework. If after the student appears for the
examination, he fails, who is to be blamed for the student failing: the teacher or the
student? Just because the teacher predicted, it does not mean that the teacher is to
be blamed but the student himself is responsible for his failure.

Similarly, Almighty Allah knows in advance that there are some people who are bent
on rejecting the faith and Allah has put a seal on their hearts. Thus, these non-
Muslims themselves are responsible for rejecting the faith and not Allah.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Is Islamic Inheritance Law Unjust? Why Does the Man Inherit More Wealth than His
Female Siblings?*
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✅Is Islamic Shari’a an outdated Law that does not confirm to the norms of the
society we live in and which tries to treat the male and female members of our
society equally?

In the non-cohesive liberal society, we live which seeks to ingrain individualistic

values and worldview on people it would be unjust. But, in the Islamic framework
[law], which is a cohesive and comprehensive value system that consigns every
being in its natural place, it is completely consistent with the reality and its
comprehensive message of justice, equity and fairness.

Almighty Allah says: “Men are managers of the affairs of women because Allah has
made the one to exceed the other, and because of what they spend of their riches
for them” [Quran 4:34]

1- It is the sole responsibility [obligation] of the male members of the family to

provide for the female members.

2- The woman is not obligated to expend on anyone, in contrast to the man who is
obligated to spend on his family, relatives and others who are under his care.

3- Man’s expenditure is therefore more than that of a woman and hence requires
more in inheritance than the woman in order for him to fulfil his obligations as a
provider and maintainer of the family structure.

4- The man is obligated to pay the dowry, pay for the living expenses for the wife
and the children.

5- All other expenses such as food, clothing, medical care, education costs etc falls
on the shoulders of the man and not the woman.

This should clarify the reasoning and wisdom behind the Islamic injunction on the
law of inheritance and for the men to receive twice as much as the women. As
indicated above, women may spend their wealth as they wish whereas the men are
obligated by law to provide for the women [family] with their wealth. Thus, Shari’a
is all about wisdom and achieving people’s welfare in this life and the hereafter. It is
all about justice, mercy, wisdom, and good’.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Abu Hanifa’s Debate with an Atheist*
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✅Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanifa madhab (school of jurisprudence), was asked
by the ruler to meet with the Muslims and an atheist so Abu Hanifa could debate
with the atheist. They set a time for them to all gather and meet up.

It was sunset at the time and one hour had passed, but Abu Hanifah still had not
arrived. Another hour had passed, but still there was no sign of him. The Muslims
started to become tense and worried about his late arrival. They did not want the
atheist to think that they were too scared to debate him, yet they did not want to
take up the challenge themselves as Abu Hanifa was a better than debater than
themselves. Another hour passed, and suddenly the atheist started laughing and
said, “Your best debater is too scared! He knows he’s wrong, he is too frightened to
come and debate with me. I guarantee he will not turn up today.”

Many hours passed until Abu Hanifa finally came. Everyone questioned him about
his being late and what happened. So, he started explaining that there was a river
that he had to cross… and he was waiting for a boat to come and bring him on the
other side of the river. While he was waiting, the branches and leaves of the tree fell
and slowly formed themselves into a boat. And he jumped in that boat and crossed
the river.

The atheist laughed bust out laughing and remarked, “Oh Abu Hanifa, I heard that
you were the best debater from amongst the Muslims, I heard that you were the
wisest, the most knowledgeable from amongst your people. From seeing you today,
I can say that you show none of these qualities. You speak of a boat appearing from
nowhere, without someone having built it. Nails positioning themselves without
someone having banged them, sealant being poured without someone having
poured it, and the boat taking you to your destination without a navigator against
the tide. You are taking childish, you are talking ridiculous, I swear I do not believe a
word of it!”

Abu Hanifa turned to the atheist and replied, “You don’t believe a word of it?”. The
atheist remarked defiantly, “Yes, I don’t believe a word of it!”
Abu Hanifa replied, “If you cannot believe that a boat came into being without a
boat maker, than this is only a boat; so how can you believe that the whole world,
the universe, the stars, the oceans, and the planets came into being without a
creator?

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Muslims Believe that Certain Earlier Verses of the Qur’an were Abrogated by
Verses Revealed Later. Does this Imply that God Made a Mistake and Later on
Corrected it?*
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✅The Glorious Qur’an says in the following verse: “We do not abrogate a verse or
cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to
it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?” [Qur’an 2:106]

A reference to this is also made in chapter 16 verse 101 of Surah Nahl. The Arabic
word mentioned is ‘ayath’ which means ‘signs’ or ‘verses’ and which can also mean
‘revelations’. This verse of the Qur’an can be interpreted in two different ways:

i. The revelations that are abrogated are those revelations that were revealed
before the Qur’an, for example the Torah, the Zaboor and the Injeel.

ii. If we consider that the Arabic word ayath in the above verse refers to the verses
of the Qur’an, and not previous revelations, then it indicates that none of the verses
of the Qur’an are abrogated by Allah but substituted with something better or
similar.

Many Muslims and non-Muslims misunderstand the second interpretation to mean

that some of the earlier verses of the Qur’an were abrogated and no longer hold
true for us today, as they have been replaced by the later verses of the Qur’an or
the abrogating verses. This group of people even wrongly believe that these verses
contradict each other.

Let us Analyze an Example - Gradual Prohibition of Intoxicants:

The first revelation of the Qur’an to deal with intoxicants was the following verse:
“They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: ‘In them is great sin, and some
profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit’” [Qur’an 2:219]

The next verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants is the following verse: “O ye

who believe! approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand
all that ye say” [Qur’an 4:43]

The last verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants was the following verse: “O ye
who believe! intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by)
arrows, are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork; eschew such (abomination), that
ye may prosper.” [Qur’an 5:90]

The Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years. Many reforms that were brought
about in the society were gradual. This was to facilitate the adoption of new laws by
the people. An abrupt change in society always leads to rebellion and anarchy.

The prohibition of intoxicants was revealed in three stages. The first revelation only
mentioned that in the intoxicants there is great sin and some profit, but the sin is
greater than the profit. The next revelation prohibited praying in an intoxicated
state, indicating that one should not consume intoxicants during the day, since a
Muslim has to pray five times a day. Finally, the total prohibition of intoxicants at all
times was revealed in Quran 5:90.

This clearly indicates that the three verses do not contradict each other. Had they
been contradicting; it would not have been possible to follow all the three verses
simultaneously. Since a Muslim is expected to follow each and every verse of the
Qur’an, only by following the last verse i.e. of Surah Maidah (5:90), he
simultaneously agrees and follows the previous two verses.

Qur’an Doesn’t Contain any Contradictions:

The theory of abrogation does not imply that there is a contradiction in the Qur’an
since it is possible to follow all the verses of the Qur’an at the same time.

If there is a contradiction in the Qur’an, then it cannot be the word of Allah. “Do
they not consider the Qur’an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they
would surely have found therein much discrepancy (contradictions).” [Qur’an 4:82]

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Life and Beyond According to the Quran*
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✅In the Quran life in this world is an inseparable part of a continuum, a unified whole
- life, death, life - which gives our life a context and relevance. In this context, the
life of the individual is made meaningful and enriched because it is full of 'good
works'. Life in this world leads to the afterlife, a belief which is fundamental in the
Quran. The afterlife is not treated in the Quran in a separate chapter, or as
something on its own, for its own sake, but always in relation to life in this world.

Linguistically it is not possible in the Quran to talk about this life without semantic
reference to the next since every term used for each is comparative with the other.
Thus: al'ula and al-akhira (the First and the Last life), al-dunya and al-akhira (the
nearer and the further/latter life). Neither has a name specific to itself, or
independent of the other. Consequently, the frequency of the terms in the Quran is
the same, in the case of dunya and akhira- each appears 115 times.

There is a reference, direct or indirect, to one aspect or another of the afterlife on

almost every single page of the Quran. This follows from the fact that belief in the
afterlife is an article of faith which has a bearing on every aspect of the present life
and manifests itself in the discussion of the creed, the rituals, the ethics and the
laws of Islam. In discussing the afterlife, moreover, the Quran addresses both
believers and non-believers. The plan of two worlds and the relationship between
them has been, from the beginning, part of the divine scheme of things:

“It is God who created you, then He provided sustenance for you, then He will cause
you to die, then He will give life back to you.” (Quran 30:40)

“It is We who give life and make to die and to Us is the homecoming.” (Quran
50:43)
“He created death and life that He might try you according to which of you is best in
works.” (Quran 67:2)

According to the Quran, belief in the afterlife, which is an issue fundamental to the
mission of Muhammad, was also central to the mission of all prophets before him.

Belief in the afterlife is often referred to in conjunction with belief in God, as in the
expression: 'If you believe in God and the Last Day'. Believers are frequently
reminded in the Quran, 'Be mindful of God and know that you shall meet Him'
(Quran 2:233) (used in this instance to urge fitting treatment of one's wife in
intimate situations). 'To Him is the homecoming/ the return' (Quran 36:83; 40:3 and
passim).

As a belief in the afterlife is so fundamental to Islam, it is only right that Muslims

should regularly be reminded of it not only throughout the pages of the Quran but
also in their daily life. Practicing Muslims in their five daily prayers repeat their
praise of God at least seventeen times a day, 'The Master of the Day of Judgment'
(Quran 1:4). Being inattentive to the afterlife (Quran 30:7) or to the prospect of
coming to judgment (Quran 32:14) are signs of the unbeliever.

All this heightens the believer's sense of responsibility for actions in this life. In fact,
the principles and details of religion are meant to be seen within the framework of
the interdependence of this life and the afterlife and to color the Muslims'
conception of life and the universe and have a bearing on their actions in this life.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣3️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why do Muslims Slaughter the Animal in a Ruthless Manner by Torturing it and
Slowly and Painfully Killing it?*
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✅The Islamic method of slaughtering animals, known as ‘Zabiha’ has been the
object of much criticism from a large number of people. One may consider the
following points, which prove that the Zabiha method is not only humane but also
scientifically the best:

1. Islamic Method of Slaughtering Animal:

The Islamic mode of slaughtering an animal requires the following conditions to be
met:

a. Animal should be slaughtered with sharp object (knife):

The animal has to be slaughtered with a sharp object (knife) and in a fast way so
that the pain of slaughter is minimized.

b. Cut windpipe, throat, and vessels of neck:

Zabiha is an Arabic word which means ‘slaughtered’. The ‘slaughtering’ is to be
done by cutting the throat, windpipe and the blood vessels in the neck causing the
animal’s death without cutting the spinal cord.

c. Blood should be drained:

The blood has to be drained completely before the head is removed. The purpose is
to drain out most of the blood which would serve as a good culture medium for
microorganisms. The spinal cord must not be cut because the nerve fibers to the
heart could be damaged during the process causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the
blood in the blood vessels.

2. Blood is a Good Medium for Germs and Bacteria:

Blood is a good media of germs, bacteria, toxins, etc. Therefore, the Muslim way of
slaughtering is more hygienic as most of the blood containing germs, bacteria,
toxins, etc. that are the cause of several diseases are eliminated.

3. Meat Remains Fresh for a Longer Time:

Meat slaughtered by Islamic way remains fresh for a longer time due to deficiency
of blood in the meat as compared to other methods of slaughtering.

4. Animal Does Not Feel Pain:

The swift cutting of vessels of the neck disconnects the flow of blood to the nerve of
the brain responsible for pain. Thus, the animal does not feel pain. While dying, the
animal struggles, writhers, shakes and kicks, not due to pain, but due to the
contraction and relaxation of the muscles deficient in blood and due to the flow of
blood out of the body.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣0️⃣*
*❓If Allah has Sent His Books and Revelations in Every Period, then which Revelation
was Sent to India?*
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✅The Glorious Qur’an mentions that Allah has sent His books and revelations in
every period: “For each period is a book (revealed).” [Qur’an 13:38]. If so, which
revelation was sent to India? Can We consider the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures
to be the word of God?

1. Four Revelations of God Mentioned by Name in Quran:

By name, only four revelations of God are mentioned in the Qur’an i.e. Torah,
Zaboor, Injeel and the Qur’an.

-Torah is the revelation which was given to Moses (PBUH)

-Zaboor is the revelation which was given to David (PBUH)
-Injeel is the revelation which was given to Jesus (PBUH) and
-Qur’an is the last and final revelation which was given to the last and final
Messenger Muhammad (PBUH).

*2. All the Previous Revelations Sent Only for Their People:*
All the revelations that came before Qur’an were only sent for their own people and
were to be followed only for a particular time period.

3. The Qur’an Sent for Whole Humankind:

Since the Qur’an is the last and final revelation, it was not sent only for the Muslims
or the Arabs, but it was sent for the whole of humankind. It is mentioned in:

a. Surah Ibrahim: “…A book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou
mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light…” [Qur’an 14:1]
b. A similar message is repeated in Surah Ibrahim chapter 14 verse 52: “Here is a
Message for mankind: let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He
is (no other than) One God: let men of understanding take heed.” [Qur’an 14:52]

c. Qur’an mentions in Surah Baqarah: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent
down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and
judgement (between right and wrong).” [Qur’an 2:185]

d. A similar message is repeated in Surah Zumur: “Verily We have revealed the

Book to thee in Truth, for (instructing) mankind.” [Qur’an 39:41]

4. Which Revelation Sent to India?

The question that arises is “which revelation of God was sent to India and whether
we can consider the Vedas and the other Hindu Scriptures to be the revelations of
God?” There is no text in the Qur’an or Sahih Hadith mentioning the name of the
revelation that was sent to India. Since the names of the Vedas or other Hindu
scriptures are nowhere to be found in Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, one cannot say for
sure that they were the revelations of God. They may be the revelation of God or
may not be the revelation of God.

*5. Even if the Veda was the Word of God, today You have to Follow the Qur’an:*
Even if the Vedas and the other scriptures were the revelations from God, they were
only meant for people of that time and were to be followed only for that particular
period of time. Today all human beings throughout the world including India should
only follow the last and final Revelation of God, i.e. the Qur’an. Moreover, since all
the previous revelations were not meant to be followed for eternity, Almighty God
did not preserve them in their original form. There is not a single religious scripture
of any of the major religions which claims to be the word of God and has maintained
its pure original text and is free from alteration, adulteration and interpolation.
Since the Glorious Qur’an is to be followed for eternity, Allah has taken upon
Himself to maintain its original purity and guard it from corruption. Allah says in
Glorious Qur’an:

“We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it
(from corruption).” [Qur’an 15:9]

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Where Did the Universe Come From?*
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✅100 years ago, Albert Einstein published three papers that rocked the world. These
papers proved the existence of the atom, introduced the theory of relativity, and
described quantum mechanics.

His equations for relativity indicated that the universe was expanding. This bothered
him, because if it was expanding, it must have had a beginning and a beginner.
Since neither of these appealed to him, Einstein introduced a ‘fudge factor’ that
ensured a ‘steady state’ universe, one that had no beginning or end.

But in 1929, Edwin Hubble showed that the furthest galaxies were fleeing away
from each other, just as the Big Bang model predicted. So, in 1931, Einstein
embraced what would later be known as the Big Bang theory, saying, “This is the
most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation to which I have ever
listened.” He referred to the ‘fudge factor’ to achieve a steady-state universe as the
biggest blunder of his career.

Einstein’s theories have been thoroughly proved and verified by experiments and
measurements. But there is an even more important implication of Einstein’s
discovery.

Not only does the universe have a beginning, but time itself, our own dimension of
cause and effect, began with the Big Bang. That is right - time itself does not exist
before then. The very line of time begins with that creation event. Matter, energy,
time, and space were created in an instant by an intelligence outside of space and
time.

About this intelligence, Albert Einstein wrote in his book “The World as I See It” that
the harmony of natural law “Reveals an intelligence of such superiority that,
compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an
utterly insignificant reflection.”

He went on to write, “Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science

becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe - a spirit
vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest
powers must feel humble.”

Universe Created from Nothing?

Nothing is defined as the absence of all things. To illustrate this better, imagine if
everything, all matter, energy, and potential, were to vanish; that state would be
described as nothing. Nothing also refers to the absence of any causal condition. A
causal condition is any cause, that produces an effect. This cause can be material or
non-material.

Asserting that things can come from nothing means that things can come into being
from no potential, no matter or nothing at all. To assert such a thing defies our
intuitions and stands against reason.

So, could the universe have come into existence from nothing?

The obvious answer is ‘NO’ because, from nothing, nothing comes. Nothingness
cannot produce anything. Something cannot arise from no causal conditions
whatsoever.

For something to arise from nothing, it must have at least some type of potential or
causal conditions. Since nothing is the absence of all things, including any type of
causal condition, then something could not arise from nothing. Maintaining that
something can arise from nothing is logically equivalent to the notion that things
can vanish, decay, annihilate or disappear without any causal conditions
whatsoever.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Words of Wisdom from the Qur'an*
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✅1. Respect and honor all human beings irrespective of their religion, color, race,
sex, language, status, property, birth, profession/job and so on [17:70]
2. Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33:70]
3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17:53, 2:83]
4. Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low. [31:19]
5. Always speak the truth. Avoid words that are deceitful [22:30]
6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2:42]
7. Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3:167]
8. Speak in a civilized manner in a language that is recognized by the society and is
commonly used [4:5]
9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative [6:152]
10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31:18]
11. Do not talk, listen, or do anything vain [23:3, 28:55]
12. Do not participate in any paltry [25:72]
13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness [6:151]
14. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people [31:18]
15. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17:37, 31:18]
16. Walk with humility and sedateness [25:63]
17. Keep your gazes lowered [24:30-31, 40:19]
18. If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, keep your mouth shut
[24:15-16]
19. Ascertain the truth of any news [49:6]
20. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge.
21. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with truthful evidence
[24:12-13]
22. The believers are but a single Brotherhood [49:10]
23. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others [49:11]
24. Do not defame others [49:11]
25. Do not insult others by nicknames [49:11]
26. Avoid suspicion and guesswork [49:12]
27. Spy not upon one another [49:12]
28. Do not backbite one another [49:12]
29. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission
[24:27]
30. Treat kindly the parents, relatives, orphans, and those who have been left alone
in the society [4:36]
31. Take care of the needy, the disabled [4:36]
32. Treat kindly related neighbors, and unrelated neighbors [4:36]
33. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street [4:36]
34. Be nice to people who work under your care [4:36]
35. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of
your generosity [2:262]
36. Do not expect a return for your good behavior, not even thanks [76:9]
37. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in
evil [5:2]
38. Do not try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53:32]
39. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions
speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach
[2:44]
40. Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of
ignorance, and then repents and amends [6:54, 3:134]
41. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4:54]
42. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58:11]
43. Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7:31]
44. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17:26]
45. Fulfil your promises and commitments [17:34]
46. Keep yourself clean, pure [9:108, 4:43, 5:6]
47. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite character [7:26]
48. Seek your provision only by fair endeavor [29:17, 2:188]
49. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials
or the judges to deprive others of their possessions [2:188]
50. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation.
Reason with them most decently [16:125]

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Has Not the Qur’an Actually Legalized Adultery by Allowing the Master to have
Sexual Relationships with His Female Slaves?*
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✅Female slaves are the natural by-product of the system of slavery. The situation
that prevailed in all societies where the institution of slavery existed was such that
slave women were used at will and were employed to gain economic advantage by
inciting them towards prostitution. As for Islam, it provided for a facility which
would, in the course of one generation, bring an end to the system through the
slave women themselves.

The slave woman is the property of the master. However, the master has no right,
whatsoever, to incite her towards adultery. Like the male slaves, the female slaves,
too, have rights of their own. It is the duty of the master to provide her with food,
shelter, clothes, and other necessities. Moreover, the Qur’an has asked the owner to
make the necessary arrangements for her marriage as well (Qur’an 24:32).

This, in effect, means that the Qur’an has prompted the owner towards having
sexual relations with an unmarried female slave. This permission is however
restricted to the owner alone. No one else is allowed to use her in this fashion even
if it be with the permission of the master! In giving birth to the child of the master,
the slave woman becomes entitled to new rights. Thenceforth, the master has no
right to sell her. She becomes the mother of her master’s children. These children,
too, become entitled to all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the master’s other
children.

Islam disagrees with the Jewish stand that the children born through a slave woman
have none of the rights that should naturally be given to them by virtue of
paternity. These children are, in all respects, his own children. There is to be no
discrimination of any kind between them and the other children. With the death of
the master, the slave woman, who is the mother of his children, becomes a free
woman. She is then protected by her own children. They, too, like the other
children, will becomes entitled to a share in their father’s inheritance.

The permission to accept slave women as one’s life-partner was, in fact, a provision
which would, in the course of one generation, cut out the very root of slavery. In
reality, therefore, the permission granted for having relations with slave women was
one among the many unique steps taken by Islam in practically eradicating slavery.

It is not possible to equate the permission given for having relations with slave
women to adultery. These acts stand at two extreme poles. One is the case of the
woman who lives under her master enjoying the protection that he confers upon
her. It is a relationship in which he fully agrees to take up the responsibilities that
may result as a product of that relationship. It is a relationship in which her
personality, beyond the contours defined by sex, is accorded full recognition. It is a
relationship which opens to her the door to freedom.

As for the second, it is nothing but a carnal relationship with a prostitute without
any sort of commitment. The position of the prostitute is, in fact, much worse than
that of the slave woman. For, she is nothing more than a soul-less animal. Her
function is restricted solely to the gratification of the animal passions of man. It is
but a transaction made solely for money. Flesh trade! The man who comes for the
satisfaction of carnal of his desire is never prepared to take up the responsibility
that may accrue from it.

Any comparison, whatsoever, between these two is impossible because they stand
at two opposing and extreme poles. One recognized by benign humanism, the other
which leads to depredation and frustration.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Do the Muslims Believe in Jesus (PBUH) and His Second Coming?*
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✅Yes, Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to
believe in Jesus Christ (PBUH). No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus
Christ (PBUH). We believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah. We
believe that he was the Messiah, translated ‘Christ’. We believe that he was born
miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern-day Christians do
not believe. We believe that he gave life to the dead with God’s permission. We
believe that he healed those born blind and the lepers with God’s permission.

Allah says in the Qur’an regarding Jesus Christ: ‘And remember Jesus the son of
Mary said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah (sent) to you…”’
(Quran 61:6)

In fact, Islam makes it an article of faith to believe not only in Jesus Christ (PBUH),
but all the Messengers that preceded and followed him. Allah instructs us in the
Qur’an: “O you who believe! believe in Allah and his Messenger and the scripture
which He has sent to His Messenger and the scripture which He sent to those before
(him). And who denies Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Day of
Judgment have gone far astray.” (Qur’an 4:136) Thus, belief in the Messengers,
including Jesus (PBUH) is an important belief of Islam.
*Second Coming of Jesus (PBUH):*
It is also true that the Muslims, on the authority of the Qur’an and the sayings of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. He was
the only Prophet of Allah who was raised up alive. (Qur’an 4:157-158).

Allah mentions the second coming of Jesus Christ (PBUH) in the following verse of
the Qur’an: “And indeed, he (i.e. Jesus) will be (a sign for) knowledge of the Hour, so
be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.” (Qur’an 43:61)

The reason why Jesus (PBUH) is the only Prophet of Allah who was raised up alive by
Allah is because his ‘followers’ mistook him as God. They wrongly say that he
claimed divinity. Thus, he will come back again to this world to clarify all such
misconceptions. Says Allah in the Qur’an: “And behold! Allah will say “O Jesus the
son of Mary! did you say unto men worship me and my mother as gods in
derogation of Allah?” He will say: “Glory to You! never could I say what I had no
right (to say). Had I said such a thing you would indeed have known it. You know
what is in my heart though I know not what is in yours. For You know in full all that
is hidden” (Qur’an 5:116)

It should also be borne in mind that Jesus Christ (PBUH), in his second coming will
not be coming with any new message or revelation. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is
reported to have said: “How will you be when the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends
amongst you and he will judge people (by the Law of the Qur’an and not by the law
of the Gospel)”. (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 4. Hadith No. 658).

Let us now analyze the following words attributed to Jesus Christ (PBUH) in the
Bible: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity.” [Mathew 7:22-24]

In the verses quoted above, Jesus (PBUH) said that in his second coming, he would
ask the people to depart from him, to get away from him because he would not
know them. Who are these people? The Muslims or the Hindus? The answer is
neither Hindus nor Muslims but the Christians!

Thus, Muslims believe in Jesus Christ (PBUH) to be one of the mightiest Messengers
of Allah and also believe in his second coming.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣5️⃣*
*❓What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part1*
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✅His complete biography has been authenticated and circulated amongst scholars
around the world starting while he was still alive and continuing up until today.

1. One of the first examples we quote from is from the Encyclopedia Britannica, as it
confirms: (regarding Muhammad) "…a mass of detail in the early sources shows
that he was an honest and upright man who had gained the respect and loyalty of
others who were likewise honest and upright men." (Vol.12)

2. Another impressive tribute to Muhammad is in the very well written work of

Michael H. Hart, "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History." He
states that the most influential person in all history was Muhammad, with Jesus
second. Examine his actual words: "My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the
world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned
by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on
both the religious and secular level." (Michael H. Hart, The 100: A Ranking Of The
Most Influential Persons In History, New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978,
p. 33.)

3. While we are reviewing statements from famous non-Muslims about Prophet

Muhammad, consider this: "Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior,
conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the
founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is
Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured,
we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?" (Lamartine, Histoire De La
Turquie, Paris, 1854, Vol. II, pp. 276-277.)

4. George Bernard Shaw, a famous writer and non-Muslim says: "He must be called
the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the
dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way
that would bring it much needed peace and happiness." (The Genuine Islam,
Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936)
5. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, an Indian (Hindu) professor of Philosophy, in his booklet
"Muhammad the Prophet of Islam" calls him the "perfect model for human life."
Professor Ramakrishna Rao explains his point by saying: "The personality of
Muhammad, it is most difficult to get into the whole truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I
can catch. What a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes. There is Muhammad
the Prophet. There is Muhammad the Warrior; Muhammad the Businessman;
Muhammad the Statesman; Muhammad the Orator; Muhammad the Reformer;
Muhammad the Refuge of Orphans; Muhammad the Protector of Slaves; Muhammad
the Emancipator of Women; Muhammad the Judge; Muhammad the Saint. All in all,
these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is alike a
hero."

6. What should we think about our prophet Muhammad, when someone with the
worldly status such as Mahatma Gandhi, speaking on the character of Muhammad,
says in 'Young India': "I wanted to know the best of one who holds today undisputed
sway over the hearts of millions of mankind... I became more than convinced that it
was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It
was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous
regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his
intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These
and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.
When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was
not more for me to read of the great life."

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part2*
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✅Muhammad was nothing more or less than a human being, but he was a man with
a noble mission, which was to unite humanity on the worship of ONE and ONLY ONE
GOD and to teach them the way to honest and upright living based on the
commands of God.

7. Diwan Chand Sharma wrote in ‘The Prophets of the East’: "Muhammad was the
soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around
him" (D.C. Sharma, The Prophets of the East, Calcutta, 1935, pp. 12)

8. English author Thomas Carlyle in his 'Heroes and Hero Worship', was simply
amazed: “How one man single handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering
Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades.”

9. Speaking on the aspect of equality before God in Islam, the famous poetess of
India, Sarojini Naidu says: "It was the first religion that preached and practiced
democracy; for, in the mosque, when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers
are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when
the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim: 'God Alone is Great'..." (S.
Naidu, Ideals of Islam, vide Speeches & Writings, Madras, 1918, p. 169)

10. In the words of Professor Hurgronje: "The league of nations founded by the
prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on
such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations." He continues, "the
fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done
towards the realization of the idea of the League of Nations."

11. Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockley, on the profession of ISLAM, writes in ‘History
of the Saracen Empires’: ‘I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, AND MAHOMET, AN APOSTLE OF
GOD’ is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the
Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet has
never transgressed the measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have
restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion."
(History of the Saracen Empires, London, 1870, p. 54)

12. Wolfgang Goethe, perhaps the greatest European poet ever, wrote about
Prophet Muhammad. He said: "He is a prophet and not a poet and therefore his
Qur’an is to be seen as Divine Law and not as a book of a human being, made for
education or entertainment." (Noten und Abhandlungen zum Weststlichen Dvan, WA
I, 7, 32)

13. W Montgomery Watt an Emeritus Professor in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the
University of Edinburgh wrote: "His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs,
the high moral character of the men who believed in him and look up to him as a
leader, and greatness of his ultimate achievement all argue his fundamental
integrity. To suppose Muhammad was an impostor raises more problems than it
solves" (Mohammad At Mecca, Oxford, 1953, p 52).
14. In his book, Reverend Bosworth Smith stated that; "He was a Caesar and a Pope
in one; but he was a Pope without Pope's pretensions, Caesar without legions of
Caesars: without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a
fixed revenue. If ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by the right divine,
it was Muhammad, for he had all the power without its instrument and without its
supports" (Mohammad and Mohammadism, London 1874, p 92).

15. Annie Besant, a woman's right activist admires Muhammad as follows; "... And
although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many,
yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new of admiration, a new sense of
reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher" ('The Life and Teaching of Muhammad',
Madras 1932 p 4).

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Islam and Darwinism*
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✅Islam believes in the theory of creation and Darwinists believe in the Theory of
Evolution. In this article briefly it is discussed that the life on earth is created by
God; it is not accidental or by chance. The atheists and the materialists negate the
existence of God and consider human life and even mind to be a form of matter.
Darwin’s theory of Evolution has influenced the minds of people and their character
has been influenced as well. Such people do not believe in divine morals and
values. They do not believe in God, soul and Hereafter. Islam says that God has
created this universe and Humans with a specified goal.

The man comes in to being through a proper natural system. Without sexual
intercourse and conception no life can take shape. But when the Quran refers about
the birth of Adam & Jesus Christ; it is not natural or usual way of birth. It is through
special command.
There are many verses in the Quran dealing with the subject of creation. Quran 6:2
says, “He it is who created you from clay; and then decreed a stated term (for you).
And there is in His presence another determined term; yet you doubt within
yourselves”.

Man is the blend of Matter and Soul. When God created Adam out of clay, he
infused his spirit in it. The Quran very explicitly narrates the story of the creation of
Adam. The materialists do not believe in creation and spirit and regard the universe
only the product of blind material forces.

Now let us discuss what Darwin propounded. Darwinism bases on materialism. The
ancient Greek materialists like Democritus believed in Evolutionary Naturalism.

Charles Darwin, in his ‘The Origin of Species’ and ‘The Descent of Man’, presented
his theory of evolution. He presented the theory of the Mechanism of Natural
Selection or survival of the fittest. Darwinism maintains that living things were not
created but came into being by chance.

Darwinism, materialism, and communism believe in matter not in spirit. Darwin

himself regarded his theory based on assumptions. Darwinism has been
scientifically rejected. The defeat of Darwinism in the faces of science can be
reviewed under three basic topics:

1- The Darwinism theory cannot scientifically explain how life originated on Earth.

2- No scientific finding shows that the ‘evolutionary mechanism’ proposed by the

theory have any evolutionary power at all.

3- The fossil record provided proves the exact opposite of what the theory suggests.

The evolutionists claim that the universe started from ‘first atom’ and life started
from ‘first cell’. Who created the atom and cell, the evolutionists cannot answer!
Inanimate matter must have produced a living cell as a result of coincidence in the
belief of the evolutionists. Modern biologists have rejected this claim. Life comes
from life has been proved.

Lamarck and Darwin believed in the transferring of traits of one species to the
other. They maintain that living creatures passed on the traits they acquired during
lifetime to the next generation. However, the laws of inheritance discovered by
Gregor Mendel and verified by the science of genetics have nullified the theory of
‘evolutionary mechanism’.
The fossil record theory of Darwin, which was a basic contention, has been rejected
on scientific grounds. According to this theory, every living species has sprung from
a predecessor. No ‘Transitional Forms’ have yet been uncovered. On the contrary,
the British Paleontologist, Drerk v. Ager in ‘The Nature of the Fossil Record’ admits
that the fossil records show not gradual evolution but the sudden explosion of one
group at the expense of another. This is just the opposite of Darwin’s assumptions.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Hijab - The Islamic Concept of Veil*
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✅Two verses of the Holy Quran succinctly and candidly deal with the basic concept
of veil in Islam. First; in Sura An-Nur (The light) the Quran says: “And tell the
believing women to lower their gazes and be modest, and to display of their
adornments only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms.”
(24:31)

In this verse it is clearly mentioned that sex parts must not be exposed and must be
covered. “Adornment which is apparent” alludes to the common body parts
between male and female sexes. The face, hands and feet are common parts and
are exposed without any indecency or immodesty.

Second, in Sura Al-Ahzab (The confederates), the Quran says: “O; Prophet! Tell thy
wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close
round them (when they go outside). That will be better, that so they may be
recognized and not molested” (33:59). The ancient Arab history reveals the fact
that the immodest and immoral ladies used to expose their bodies and walk in
market without veil. They were purchasable commodities. They did not wear hijab
or scarf.
The corrupt people could easily decipher and unravel about their character or
profession. They were prostitutes. Hence the Quran announced that pious ladies
must be properly and modestly dressed so that when they go out of their houses,
people should recognize them as domestic chaste, pure and pious ladies and they
should not be teased or chased.

From these two above-mentioned Quranic verses, it is clear that God ordains to
cover the bodies and strictly rejects and condemns nudity and obscenity.

What the Concept of Veil in Islam?

Different jurists and interpreters have differently interpreted the above-mentioned
Quranic verses about veil. Here I would like to cite from two illustrious
contemporary scholars. Maulana Moududi of Pakistan in his book entitled “Pardhah”
(The veil) considers the covering of face obligatory for a Muslim woman. On the
other hand, Ustad Murtaza Motaheri Shaheed of Iran in his Persian book entitled
“Hijab” (The veil) does not consider the covering of face obligatory.

But both scholars of eminence believe that a Muslim lady must wear “scarf” and
cover her head for identity and sobriety. They also in detail discuss that covering of
sexual parts was obligatory in ancient Greek and Roman culture and was religiously
obligatory in the society of the Jews and the Christians as well.

To date the ladies who expose their bodies in the name of modernity and
progressive civilization represent the ladies of ancient times who were considered
the ladies of market having no value and culture. The history is repeating itself.

It is happy omen that the Muslim society believes in the covering of the womenfolk,
but it is divided in its concept and practice as mentioned earlier. The Muslim world
is divided in to three groups:

1. Those who claim to be modern wear European dress like miniskirts, etc. They do
not care about the Quranic injunctions.

2. Those who cover their bodies from top to toe. It is known as ‘Burqa’. It is a kind of
veil with eyeholes to it, covering the whole body from head to foot. You cannot see
the face, hands, or feet of the women.

3. Those who give the moderate interpretation of religion. These ladies neither wear
western dress nor ‘Burqa’. They cover their bodies but do not cover the face, hands,
and feet.

Majority of them believe that scarf is the part of Islamic dress while some others do
not, as there are no clear Quranic injunctions about headscarf in the Quran. But the
Muslim history testifies the fact that wives of the holy Prophet (PBUH) used to cover
the head with a sheet or scarf. Hence such ladies consider scarf an Islamic
obligation.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣4️⃣9️⃣*
*❓The Sweetness of Islamic Faith*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Anas ibn Malik quotes the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying: “Any person
who combines these three qualities will experience the sweetness of faith: 1) that
God and His messenger are dearer to him than anything else; 2) that his love of
others is purely for God’s sake; and 3) that he hates to relapse into disbelief as
much as he hates to be thrown in the fire.” (Related by Al-Bukhari).

The first thing to note in this Hadith is that certain qualities are necessary before a
person experiences the sweetness of faith. This suggests that a person may look at
the message of Islam and find it reasonable and logical. He declares himself a
believer and expresses his unhesitating belief in God’s oneness and in Prophet
Muhammad’s message. Such a person is a Muslim, no doubt. He earns the reward
of believers. However, he needs to do more in order to experience what the Prophet
describes as “the sweetness of faith.”

Such sweetness is like the fruit of a tree. Thus, when one is convinced of the truth of
faith, that person has planted a shoot, which one needs to nurture and look after so
that it grows into a tree and produces its fruits. Nurturing the tree of faith is by
fulfilling God’s orders, doing what He wants us to do and refraining from what He
has forbidden us.

Indeed, when a believer begins to do that, committing himself to do what God has
bidden, he will soon find the effects of such commitment within himself and in his
life generally because God only orders us to do what is good for us, and He forbids
us only what is evil and harmful to us or others. Thus, such committed person will
realize that his commitment brings him increasing benefits in this present life, in
addition to what he hopes to receive of God’s reward. He would then love his
commitment and do it more than willingly.

The two other qualities develop in consequence of the first. A Muslim’s commitment
to obey God in all that He bids us to do or refrain from will begin to influence his
social life. His relations with other people will put much importance on their attitude
to Islam and Islamic life. He will love those who do what He does of obeying God
and following the Prophet’s guidance. His relationship with them will be based on
the fact that they share a commitment and a method of living that places obedience
to God as paramount.

They will all feel a bond uniting them in a cause that brings only goodness in human
life. Such bond generates a sort of happiness that envelops them all, a happiness
that can transform every human society and bring the best out of it.

Experiencing all this, a true believer is always increasingly happy with his faith and
way of life. He will not barter it for anything on earth. He realizes that this happy life
will also bring him far superior happiness in the life to come. He cannot imagine
himself going back to disbelief. Indeed, to him the very thought is so repugnant that
he would prefer to be thrown in the fire rather than be an unbeliever.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Meaning of Life According to Islam*
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✅Islam is the response to humanity’s search for meaning. The purpose of creation
for all men and women for all times has been one: To know and worship God.

The Qur’an teaches us that every human being is born conscious of God:
“(Remember) when your Lord extracted from the loins of Adam’s children their
descendants and made them testify (saying): ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said: ‘Yes,
we testify to it.’…” (Qur’an 7:172-173)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) teaches us that God created this primordial need
in human nature at the time Adam was made. God took a covenant from Adam
when He created him.

Every person carries the seed of belief in the Oneness of God that lies deeply buried
under layers of negligence and dampened by social conditioning. If the child were
left alone, it would grow up conscious of God - a single Creator - but all children are
affected by their environment.

So, just as the child’s body submits to physical laws, set by God in nature, its soul
submits naturally to the fact that God is its Lord and Creator. However, its parents
condition it to follow their own way, and the child is not mentally capable of
resisting it.

The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing,
and God does not hold it to account for this religion. When a child matures into an
adult, he or she must now follow the religion of knowledge and reason.

As adults, people must now struggle between their natural disposition toward God
and their desires in order to find the correct path. The call of Islam is directed to this
primordial nature, the natural disposition, the imprint of God on the soul, the fitrah,
which caused the souls of every living being to agree that He Who made them was
their Lord, even before the heavens and earth were created, “I did not create the
jinn and mankind except for My worship.” (Qur’an 51:56)

According to Islam, there has been a basic message which God has revealed
through all prophets, from the time of Adam to the last prophet, Muhammad (peace
be upon them). All the prophets sent by God came with the same essential
message: “Indeed, We have sent a messenger to every nation (saying), ‘Worship
God and avoid false gods...’” (Qur’an 16:36)

The prophets brought the same answer to mankind’s most troubling question, an
answer that addresses the yearning of the soul for God.

*What is Worship?*
Islam means ‘submission’ and worship means ‘obedient submission to the will of
God.’ Every created being ‘submits’ to the Creator by following the physical laws
created by God: “To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; all
obey His will.” (Qur’an 30:26)

They, however, are neither rewarded nor punished for their ‘submission’, for it
involves no will. Reward and punishment are for those who worship God, who
submit to the moral and religious Law of God of their own free will. This worship is
the essence of the message of all the prophets sent by God to mankind.

‘Will’ means ‘what God wants human beings to do.’ This ‘Will of God’ is contained in
the divinely revealed laws which the prophets taught their followers. Consequently,
obedience to divine law is the foundation of worship.

Only when human beings worship their God by submitting to His religious laws can
they have peace and harmony in their lives and the hope for heaven, just like the
universe runs in harmony by submitting to the physical laws set by its Lord. When
you remove the hope of heaven, you remove the ultimate value and purpose of life.
Otherwise, what difference would it really make whether we live a life of virtue or
vice? Everyone’s fate would be the same anyway.

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51. What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?

101. What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?

151. What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?

201. What is the Purpose of Life?

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣1️⃣*
*❓An Invitation to the Truth*
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✅Death is considered to be an end and a final destruction by those who do not
believe in the Hereafter. This is a flawed perception however because death is not
an end but a beginning. For believers, it is the beginning of a perfect, eternal
paradise that is free from all evil and flaws. For disbelievers on the other hand, it is
a transition to a torment life in Hell, where a great penalty lasts forever.

Those who comprehend this reality live a pleasant end in the world when death
meets them and a pleasant beginning in the Hereafter. These two occur
simultaneously. Disbelievers, on the other hand, encounter the irrecoverable regret
of disregarding this reality, of which that had previously been informed. They suffer
this regret every moment for all eternity and never find respite from it.

Although death is not a subject of profound thought for most people, it is an

unavoidable end. That is because God creates death as the definite end of this life.
So far, not a single person has avoided death. No one's property, wealth, career, or
close friends have provided salvation from death.

Certainly, everyone will meet death. So, does avoiding contemplation over death
and the life after death save one from facing this reality? Surely the answer to this
question is "No". Since man is desperate against death, the most rational thing to
do is to constantly contemplate upon death and to get prepared for the Hereafter.

Those who neglect thinking about the Hereafter whilst being distracted by this
fleeting worldly life are taken by surprise by death. Those saying "While we are
young, we can make the most of our lives and think about death in the latter years
of our lives" definitely do not grasp that they might never have such an opportunity.
That is because death is predestined by God. A person may well die before he grows
old. In this case, solely making future plans and postponing the fulfilment of God's
commands will only lead to dreadful regret.

Those who spend their lives distant from God and who only repent when they
realize they are close to death will experience such regret. Yet repentance which
arises from the fear of death and which does not bear sincere intention to correct
and purify one's self is not acceptable by God. Because He knows what is inside of
man, including his most inner thoughts and deepest secrets. We are informed in the
Qur'an that God will not accept repentance based on the fear of death at the very
last moment.

“There is no repentance for people who persist in doing evil until death comes to
them and who then say, 'Now I repent,' nor for people who die as a disbeliever. We
have prepared for them a painful punishment”. (Surat an-Nisa:18).

For this reason, it would be erroneous to have a rationale based on the thought "I
will repent when the appropriate time comes." This kind of thinking will not save
one from the torment in Hell. So, if one does not want to suffer an eternal grievous
penalty after death, he should live for a purpose, knowing that he will absolutely
meet God and have to give an account of his actions.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Isn’t the Social Setup Envisioned by the Qur’an is a Male Dominated One?*
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✅This is a baseless allegation. Certainly, it is the Creator of man and woman who is
best aware of their natures. On giving a little thought it will become clear that the
moral system recommended by the Lord God can never be the cause of the
overlordship of one group to the detriment of the other. The problem is then not of
the moral system as such. It is more a problem of the type of criterion that is used
to measure it.

The Qur’an teaches that it is the cooperation and mutuality between man and
woman which works as the foundational basis for the very existence and
furtherance of the institution of the family.

Indeed, the Qur’an formulated laws on the ground that to ensure the permanence of
any moral code it is necessary that the institution of the family is itself manifested
in good order. It is possible, however, that those who believe in the ideology of the
necessity of the collapse of the family, will find the Qur’anic laws unacceptable. But
those who think over the existence of human society which is grounded in morality
can never say that even one among the Qur’anic laws is in favor of male
domination.

The Qur’an teaches that in the preservation of the solid edifice of the family, both
the man and the woman are to play their respective roles. It is from this
foundational basis that the Qur’anic laws concerning their rights, responsibilities
and duties emanate.

*The Qur’anic vision with regard to man and woman may be summarized as
follows:*
1. Both man and woman originated from the same soul. They are like the two sides
of a coin. Although both are independent, it is their mutuality which gives each its
fullness.

2. Neither can a woman be like a man nor a man be like a woman. Each has its very
own different, yet, potentially mutual, existence.

3. Both man and woman have their rights. However, those rights are to be attained
not through violence. It must be through mutual cooperation.

4. Both have their respective duties. It is only by virtue of fulfilling these duties that
both the individual and the society can survive.

5. It is against the very law of nature for a man to undertake the responsibilities of a
woman and for a woman to try to fulfill those of a man. Each has to perform its own
duty.

6. It should not be at the expense of the other’s rights that each seeks to fulfill
one’s obligations and enjoy one’s own rights.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Why to Choose Islam?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Usually non-Muslims do not study Islam until they have first exhausted the
religions of their exposure. Only after they have grown dissatisfied with the religions
familiar to them, meaning Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism - do
they consider Islam.

Perhaps other religions do not answer the big questions of life, such as "Who made
us?" and "Why are we here?" Perhaps other religions do not reconcile the injustices
of life with a fair and just Creator. Perhaps we find hypocrisy in the clergy,
untenable tenets of faith in the canon, or corruption in the scripture. Whatever the
reason, we perceive shortcomings in the religions of our exposure, and look
elsewhere. And the ultimate "elsewhere" is Islam.

Now, Muslims would not like to hear me say that Islam is the "ultimate elsewhere."
But it is. Despite the fact that Muslims comprise one-fourth to one-fifth of the
world's population, non-Muslim media smears Islam with such horrible slanders that
few non-Muslims view the religion in a positive light. Hence, it is normally the last
religion seekers investigate.

Another problem is that by the time non-Muslims examine Islam, other religions
have typically heightened their skepticism: If every "God-given" scripture we have
ever seen is corrupt, how can the Islamic scripture be different? If charlatans have
manipulated religions to suit their desires, how can we imagine the same not to
have happened with Islam?

The answer can be given in a few lines but takes books to explain. The short answer
is this: There is a God. He is fair and just, and He wants us to achieve the reward of
paradise. However, God has placed us in this worldly life as a test, to weed out the
worthy from the unworthy. And we will be lost if left to our own desires. Why?
Because we do not know what He wants from us. We cannot navigate the twists and
turns of this life without His guidance, and hence, He has given us guidance in the
form of revelation.

Sure, previous religions have been corrupted, and that is why we have a chain of
revelation. Ask yourself: why would God send another revelation if the preceding
scriptures were still pure? Only if preceding scriptures were corrupted would God
need to send another revelation, to keep mankind on the straight path of His
design.

So, we should expect preceding scriptures to be corrupted, and we should expect

the final revelation to be pure and unadulterated. If impure, it too is due to be
replaced, for we cannot imagine a loving God leaving us astray. What we can
imagine is God giving us a scripture, and men corrupting it; God giving us another
scripture, and men corrupting it again … and again, and again. Until God sends a
final revelation which He promises to preserve until the end of time.

Muslims consider this final revelation to be the Holy Quran. You consider it worth
looking into. Islam is the religion of truth, the religion that possesses the pure and
final revelation.

*Footnote:*
You need not trust me - trust our Creator. Read the Quran; read books and learn
more. But whatever you do, get started, take it seriously, and pray for our Creator
to guide you. Your life may not depend on it, but your soul most definitely does!

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣4️⃣*
*❓How Did Prophet Muhammed Treat the Children?*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was an extraordinary husband, a perfect
father, and a unique grandfather. He was unique in every way. He treated his
children and grandchildren with great compassion and never neglected to direct
them to the straight path and to good deeds. He loved them and treated them
tenderly but did not allow them to neglect matters related to the afterlife. He
showed them how to lead a humane life and never allowed them to neglect their
religious duties or to become spoiled.

His ultimate goal was to prepare them for the Hereafter. His perfect balance in such
matters is another dimension of his divinely inspired intellect. Anas Ibn Malik, the
Messenger’s helper for 10 years, says: “I have never seen a man who was more
compassionate to his family members than Muhammad.” [Sahih Muslim]

Muhammad was a human like us, but God inspired in him such an intimate affection
for every living thing that he could establish a connection with all of them. As a
result, he was full of extraordinary affection towards his family members and
others.

All the Prophet’s sons died. Ibrahim, his last son, died in infancy. The Prophet often
visited his son before the latter’s death, although he was very busy. Ibrahim was
looked after by a nurse. The Prophet would kiss and play with him before returning
home. [Sahih Muslim]

The Messenger was completely balanced in the way he brought up his children. He
loved his children and grandchildren very much, and instilled love in them.
However, he never let his love for them be abused. None of them deliberately dared
to do anything wrong. If they made an unintentional mistake, the Messenger’s
protection prevented them from going even slightly astray. He did this by wrapping
them in love and an aura of dignity. For example, once Hasan or Hussain wanted to
eat a date meant for distribution among the poor as alms. The Messenger
immediately took it from his hand and said: “Anything given as alms is forbidden to
us.” [Sahih Muslim]

In teaching them while they were young to be sensitive to forbidden acts, the
Prophet (PBUH) established an important principle of education.

Whenever he returned to Medina, he would carry children on his mount. On such

occasions, the Messenger embraced not only his grandchildren but also those in his
house and those nearby. He conquered their hearts through his compassion. He
loved all children.

He loved his granddaughter, Umamah. He often went out with her on his shoulders,
and even placed her on his shoulders while praying. When he prostrated, he put her
down; when he had finished praying, he placed her on his back again. [Sahih
Muslim]

The Prophet showed this degree of love to Umamah to teach his male followers how
to treat girls. This was a vital necessity; only a decade earlier, it had been the social
norm to bury infant or young girls alive. Such public paternal affection for a
granddaughter had never been seen before in Arabia.

The Messenger proclaimed that Islam allows no discrimination between son and
daughter. How could there be? One is Muhammad, the other is Khadijah; one is
Adam, the other is Eve; one is Ali, the other is Fatima. For every great man there is
a great woman.

As soon as Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger, entered the room where the
Messenger was, he would stand, take her hands, and make her sit where he was
sitting. He would ask about her health and family, show his paternal love for her,
and compliment her. Fatimah, knowing how fond he was of her, loved him more
than her own self.

This is the Prophet and his relation to children, A man respected by leaders,
cherished, and loved by children!

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Marital Relationship in Islam*
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✅The female has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals. Her consent is a
prerequisite to the validity of the marital contract, according to the Prophet’s
teaching. It follows that if an ‘arranged marriage’ means the marrying of a female
without her consent, then such a marriage may be annulled if the female so wishes:
Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of Allah, and she reported
that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God
gave her the choice… (between accepting the marriage or invalidating it) (Ahmad,
Hadith no. 2469). Another version of the report states that “the girl said: ‘Actually, I
accept this marriage, but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right to
force a husband on them.’” (Ibn-Majah).

The husband is responsible for the maintenance, protection, and overall leadership
(qiwamah) of the family, within the framework of consultation and kindness. The
mutuality and complementary of husband and wife do not mean ‘subservience’ by
either party to the other. Even Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) helped his family in
household chores.

Prophet Muhmmad (PBUH) instructed Muslims regarding women, “I commend you

to be kind to women.” He also said, “the best of you is the best to his family (wife).”
The Qur’an urges husbands to be kind and considerate to their wives, even if a wife
falls out of favor with her husband or disinclination for her arises within him. It also
outlawed the pre-Islamic Arabian practice whereby the stepson of the deceased
father was allowed to take possession of his father’s widow(s) (inherited them) as if
they were part of the estate of the deceased:

“O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor
should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the martial
gift you have given them, except when they have been guilty of open lewdness; on
the contrary, live with them on a footing of kindness and equity” (Qur’an 4:19)

Should marital disputes arise, the Quran encourages couples to resolve them
privately in a spirit of fairness and probity. Under no circumstances does the Qur’an
encourage, allow, or condone family violence of physical abuse.

Indeed, the Qur’an outlines an enlightened step and a wise approach for the
husband and wife to resolve persistent conflict in their marital life. In the event that
dispute cannot be resolved equitably between husband and wife, the Qur’an
prescribes mediation between the parties through family intervention on behalf of
both spouses.

Divorce is a last resort, permissible but not encouraged, for the Qur’an esteems the
preservation of faith and the individual’s right to felicity. Forms of marriage
dissolution include an enactment based upon mutual agreement, the husband’s
initiative, the wife’s initiative, the court’s decision on a wife’s initiative, and the
wife’s initiative without a ‘cause’, provided that she returns her marital gift to her
husband (khul’).
The truth of the matter is that Islam has the most humane and most just system of
divorce that exists. Firstly, many options are taken and tried before coming to the
decision of the divorce. Further, they must undergo the waiting period, which lasts
for many menstrual cycles to assure the woman is not pregnant. This period allows
the couple to think about what they are doing and if this is what they really want to
do.

It is quite ironic that in such an “advanced society” as America, there are divorce
cases in which women are being forced to pay alimony to their ex-husbands. Can
this and many other things we know about the “modern” system of divorce in
various parts of the world compare to the Islamic system of divorce?

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣6️⃣*
*❓By Composing the Qur’an, did Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Intent the Worldly Benefits
through Establishing Himself as the Messenger of God?*
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✅It is probable that Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬, who had grown up an orphan, was subjected to
considerable hardships in life. However, with his marriage to the businesswoman,
Khadeeja (r), naturally, his standard of living should have been improved. The
marriage of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬to Khadeeja took place fifteen years before getting his
prophethood. This means that it was only after 15 years of a life of financial security
that Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬claimed that he is a messenger of God and that the Qur’an
constituted the word of God. If the attainment of worldly profits was his motive, his
financial position should have become stronger after this claim. But what had
actually happened?

Says Aysha (r), the wife of the Prophet, “As there was no food cooked in our house,
the cooking place would go without a fire being lit for one or two months at a
stretch. Ours was a diet of dates and water. Sometimes it would be the milk of
goats and the dried shells of dates which those from Medina would bring us.”
Aysha was once recalling the past days to a person. The subject of narration was
the poverty which the Prophet and his family endured after the migration. She then
talked of an occasion in which they worked in the house in total darkness. “Was not
there a lamp?” enquired the person. She then replied thus: “If the oil to burn the
lamp was in our possession, instead of burning it, we would have drunk it to satisfy
our hunger.”

This by no means, was the situation that was prevalent only in the first years of the
Prophet’s mission. Even after Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬had assumed the position of the
powerful sovereign of a vast realm his condition was not very much different. Let
the inner sanctum of the ruler of the Islamic empire be described in the words of
Umar (r), his own companion:

“I never saw anything save three pieces of leather in a corner and a little barley in
the room of the Prophet. I wept at this. The Prophet asked, ‘Why is it that you cry?’ I
said: “O messenger of Allah! How will I hold back my tears? I see the imprint of the
palm leaves on your body. I am also aware of the contents of this room. Oh,
messenger of Allah! ask Allah for the enough means of sustenance. For, while the
rulers of the Persian and Roman people – the Chosroes and the Caesars - live in the
luxury of gardens beneath which rivers flow, the chosen messenger of Allah living in
poverty and hunger!...’

When heard this reply, the Prophet, who had been reclining on a pillow, sat up and
then said, ‘Oh Umar! Are you still in doubt concerning this matter? The comforts
and provisions of the Hereafter are much better than the comforts and pleasures of
this worldly life. The unbelievers enjoy their share of the good things in this life. As
for our share, it has been reserved for the life Hereafter.’ Then I told Prophet, ‘O
Messenger of God! Pray for my forgiveness. I am wrong!’”

The claim that the Qur’an was the creation of Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬, which he had
contrived for his own worldly gains, is rendered baseless here. For it is, indeed,
without foundation to say that the man who had given away the seven dinars, which
were his only worldly possession, in charity on his death-bed and who died, thereof,
after pawning his armor with a Jew, was a man after wealth.

Even the New Catholic Encyclopedia has considered baseless the argument that the
creation of the Qur’an was due to an excessive love for wealth: “A notion has been
created that the religious revolution of Muhammad was driven by a love of wealth.
Actual and known facts, however, will contest this notion.” (The New Catholic
Encyclopedia, Vol. IX, Page 1001)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣7️⃣*
*❓How Can Islam be Called the Religion of Peace When it was Spread by the
Sword?!*
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✅It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have
millions of adherents all over the world if it had not been spread by the use of force.
The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it
was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid
spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace:

Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means
submitting one’s will to Allah. Thus, Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by
submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah.

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace:

Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts its followers to fight where
there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of
force. In Islam, force can only be used to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary:

The noted historian De Lacy O’Leary wrote in the book “Islam at the cross road”
(Page 8).: “History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims
sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon
conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have
ever repeated.”

4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years:

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the
sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain
and wiped out the Muslims.
5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians:
Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million
Arabs who are Coptic Christians. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not
have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.

6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India:

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the
power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than
80% of the population of India are non-Muslims.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia:

Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The
majority of people in Malaysia is Muslims. May one ask, “Which Muslim army went
to Indonesia and Malaysia?”

8. East Coast of Africa:

Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if
Islam was spread by the sword, “Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of
Africa?”

9. No compulsion in religion:
With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it, they could not use it to
spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse: “Let there be no
compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error” [Qur’an 2:256]

10. Sword of the Intellect:

It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people.
The Qur’an says: “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful
preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” [Qur’an
16:125]

11. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984:

An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, yearbook 1986, gave the statistics of the
increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from
1934 to 1984. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had
increased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which
converted millions of people to Islam?

12. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe:

Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion
in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in
such large numbers?

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣8️⃣*
*❓When Was the Quran Written?*
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✅The words of the Quran were collected as they were revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬, committed to memory by the early Muslims, and recorded in
writing by scribes.

Under Supervision of the Prophet Muhammad ( ‫)ﷺ‬:

During revelation, the Prophet Muhammad made special arrangements to ensure
that it was written down. Although the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬himself could neither read nor
write, he dictated the verses orally and instructed scribes to mark down the
revelation on whatever materials were available: tree branches, stones, leather, and
bones. The scribes would then read their writing back to the Prophet, who would
check it for mistakes.

With each new verse, the Prophet Muhammad dictated its placement within the
growing body of text. When the Prophet Muhammad passed away, the Quran had
been fully written down. It was not in book form, however. It was recorded on
different parchments and materials.

Under Supervision of Caliph Abu Bakr:

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims continued to memorize the
Quran. Hundreds of the early companions of the Prophet had memorized the entire
revelation. And Muslims daily recited large portions of the text from memory. Many
of the early Muslims also had personal written copies of the Quran.

Ten years after the Hijrah (632 C.E), many of these scribes and early Muslim
devotees were killed in the Battle of Yamama. While the community mourned the
loss of their comrades, they also began to worry about the long-term preservation
of the Holy Quran.
To collect and preserve the words of God, the Caliph Abu Bakr ordered all people
who had written pages of the Quran to compile them in one place. The project was
organized and supervised by one of the Prophet Muhammad’s key scribes, Zayd ibn
Thabit.

The Process of Compiling the Quran was in Four Steps:

1- Zayd ibn Thabit verified each verse with his own memory.
2- Umar ibn Al-Khattab verified each verse. Both men had memorized the entire
Quran.
3- Two reliable witnesses had to testify that the verses were written in the presence
of the Prophet Muhammad.
4- The verified written verses were collated with those from the collections of other
companions.
This method of cross-checking and verifying from more than one source was
undertaken with the utmost care.

This complete text of the Quran was kept in the possession of Abu Bakr and then
passed on to the next Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab. After his death, the Mushaf
remained with his daughter Hafsah (widow of the Prophet Muhammad).

Under Supervision of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan:

As Islam began to spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula, more and more people
entered the fold of Islam from as far away as Persia and Byzantine. Many of these
new Muslims were not native Arabic speakers, or they spoke a slightly different
Arabic pronunciation from the tribes in Makkah and Madinah.

People began to dispute about which pronunciations were most correct. Caliph
Uthman bin Affan took charge of ensuring that the recitation of the Quran is a
standard pronunciation.

The first step was to borrow the original copy of the Quran from Hafsah. A
committee of early Muslim scribes made transcripts of the original copy and
ensured the sequence of the chapters. Then Uthman ordered all remaining
transcripts to be destroyed so that all copies of the Quran were uniform in script.

All Quran copies available in the world today are exactly identical to the Uthmani
version. It was completed less than twenty years after the death of Prophet
Muhammad.

Later, some minor improvements were made in the Arabic script. Adding dots and
diacritical marks, to make it easier for non-Arabs to read. However, the text of the
Quran has remained the same.
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⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣5️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Human Rights: Role of Islam in Liberating the Slaves*
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✅The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared his Prophethood in an era when human
rights were extremely breached. All categories of people were suffering from a lot of
violations in women’s rights, children’s rights, the rights of the neighbors, the rights
of the slave, the rights of the poor and the needy and the parental rights. In some
societies of the world, these violations were practiced under the cover of religion
and law. The widows were burnt with her dead husband’s pyre in Indian community.

We present here some examples of Islamic principles and practical instances that
show how Islam liberated the salves and honored them and safeguarded their
humanity.

There are many principles in Islamic Shariah that highlight the care of Islam for
slaves and how it tried by all ways and means to liberate the slaves. Islam in its
early days laid down a rule that if an educated slave teaches an uneducated person
writing and reading, he will be freed in lieu of his teaching.

Islam allocated a share from Zakat to be spent in freeing the slaves, and made
freeing slaves as expiation for some sins, such as in the case of murdering a person
by mistake, etc. Also, many Muslims were usually interested in freeing slaves
seeking the pleasure of Allah.

The slaves and servants in general were treated badly before Islam. They were
regarded as trading goods that were bought and purchased same as animals. When
Islam was manifested, it gave them honor and respect and tried to free them from
the slavery by all possible means.
One of the examples is the Abyssinian slave, Bilal, who was honored with the
position of announcing Adhan (call for prayer). He was appointed for this exalted
duty by the Prophet Muhammad himself.

Prophet Muhammad and the Slaves

In addition to that, it was narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (PBUH) once saw a
cloth seller and he bought a shirt from him for four dirhams. Then, he passed by a
slave girl who was crying, he asked: “What made you cry?” She answered: “O
prophet of Allah! My owner gave me two dirhams to purchase some food, but the
dirhams were lost by me.” He gave her two dirhams and took his way, but when he
returned, he found her weeping.

The Prophet asked her: “What made you cry again? You have taken two dirhams.”
She answered: “It is true! But I am so late, and I fear of their beating.” So, the
Prophet (PBUH) accompanied her and went to her owner. The owner asked the
Prophet: “What has brought you here? O Prophet of Allah! My father and my mother
are sacrificed for your sake!” He answered: “This girl was afraid of your beating”.
The owner said: “She is free for the sake of Allah because you have accompanied
her.”

Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) was always keen to liberate the slaves, the
following narration confirms this fact.

It was narrated by Muawiyah ibn Suwayd who stated that: “We -the sons of Maqran-
did not possess anything except a slave girl. This happened at the time of the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). One of us slapped her and when the Prophet of Allah
was informed about this harsh act, he instructed us saying: “Let her free.” Then, we
apologized and said: “we have none except her.” Then the Prophet (PBUH)
instructed him saying: “Then, keep her, but whenever you would not need her, free
her very soon.” (Reported by Muslim)

*Footnote:*
The Second Caliph of Islam, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, once asked his people: “Since
when did you enslave the people though they were born from their mothers in
freedom?”

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣0️⃣*
*❓If God is Just, Who Created Handicapped and Mentally Retarded? Isn’t it Injustice?
*
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✅This question is apparently very relevant and fair. But with a little thought, the
mistake can be easily realized. Let us expand this question further. Then a number
of questions that seem relevant will be raised.

A short man can ask why he did not get six-feet height. And the black man’s
question as to why he didn’t get white skin, and the question of deformed (ugly)
that why he is not beautiful, and the normal person’s question of why he didn’t
become a genius, and the question of a desert-dweller that why he was not born in
a cozy climate, and the question of the poor that why he didn’t belong to a wealthy
family, and the citizen’s question of why he didn’t become the ruler, and the tenth-
century person’s question of why he is not born in 21st century… all of these are
relevant questions. All of these are gross injustice and unfair from the perspective
of each of them.

The question of our wives is more reasonable and relevant: “Why did God create us
with some discomforts on certain days in the month, to conceive, to give birth, to
nurse to a child? Our husbands have no such difficulties.” So, any woman can ask
why she was not created as a male. She can even argue that what God has done to
her is unfair.

If justice means the elimination of all these differences between human beings, then
all of them should be born and live in the same land, in the same climate, at the
same time, in the same family, at the same level of intelligence, in the same body,
in the same sex. Everyone knows that this is impossible and impractical. Therefore,
diversity in all things is essential for the survival of the mankind.

All these questions about justice are of course relevant if human life is going to be
ended with death. Then from birth to death everyone should have the opportunity
to enjoy the life equally. But the Almighty God does not end human life with death.
The life of this world is an ‘testing period’. Trial, judgment, and rewards are on the
next world of the life after death.

It will be evaluated how the skills and opportunities provided to each are utilized.
The rewards in the afterlife are determined based on the fulfillment of the duties
assigned to each accordingly. Therefore, the human condition on the earth is unjust
only if there is no other world after death. Since the immortality of the eternal world
is undeniable, the disability, the difference in the state of health, and the difference
in intellectual quality do not contradict God's law of justice.

It is also a test for the healthy people the disabled, the poor for the rich. The
rewards of their afterlife will be based on whether they are compassionate, loving,
helpful, and generous toward the disabled and needy, in remembrance of God's
blessings.

But the materialists who deny God and the Hereafter cannot answer such questions
of justice. Why did the 'nature', which gave the universe its proper rhythm, clear
order, and a condition, did not do justice to the man? What is the materialist's
solution to this gross injustice by nature? The disbelievers and the heretics should
provide the answer!

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣1️⃣*
*❓The Greatness of Islamic Justice*
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✅Allah created man to be His servant and to implement His Way on earth. If humans
distance themselves from this message, then they distance themselves from God’s
injunctions. That is why Islam has prepared its followers to follow this righteous
instinct; it is a joy to our spirit to stand and think of the greatness of Islamic justice,
how fair Islamic law is to individuals and groups, rulers and the ruled!
Let us shed light on one of Islam’s greatest and brightest symbols of justice,
Shurayh Al-Qaadhi (the judge), who narrates: The Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (RA)
bought a horse from a Bedouin, paid its price, and rode off with it. However, after
traveling a little distance, the Caliph noticed some kind of defect in the horse, so he
returned to the seller, requesting him to take it back since it was defective. The
man refused, telling the Caliph that the horse was perfectly healthy when it was
sold to him. Umar told the man to choose a judge and the man suggested Shurayh
ibn Al-Haarith Al-Kindi whom Umar accepted.

After the judge listened to the Bedouin’s testimony, he turned to Umar asking: “Was
the horse normal and healthy when you bought it?” Umar replied: “Yes, it was.”
Shurayh then said: “Then keep what you bought or return it as you took it.” Umar
looked at Shurayh in admiration saying: “Thus justice should be -- statement,
distinguishing words and fair justice… I give you the position of Chief Justice of
Koofah in Iraq.”

This is Islamic justice, an ordinary Bedouin taking the Caliph to court, deciding
which judge to go to and the Caliph accepting the judge’s decision voluntarily.
However, this leader was not an ordinary man, but the one about whom the Prophet
(PBUH) said: “O Allah! Make Islam victorious by one of the two Umars.”

Umar did not threaten the Bedouin or misuse his power. Umar accepted the
judgment, making the case an everlasting example of Islamic justice. The judge’s
fairness made Umar appoint him as a judge of Koofah. He rewarded the judge for
his justice and fairness and did not jail him for ruling against him, as some leaders
may have done in present so-called ‘democracies’.

Another Example of Shurayh’s Justice:

Ali ibn Abu Talib (RA) lost a shield that was dear to him and later found it in the
hands of a non-Muslim citizen who was selling it in one of Koofah’s markets. When
he saw it, Ali said: “This is my shield that fell off my camel on so and so night at
such and such time.” The man answered: “No, this is my shield in my hand.” Ali
replied: “No, it is mine since I never sold it or gave it to anyone.”

The man agreed to let a judge decide, which Ali accepted. They went to Shurayh
who asked Ali for his side of the story. Ali said that the shield was his and that he
had found it with that man; it had fallen off his camel and he had never sold it or
given it to anyone. The judge turned to the other man asking his story. The man
said that he did not accuse Ali of lying, but the shield was his, as it was in his hands.

Shurayh turned to Ali saying: “I believe you, but we need the testimony of two
witnesses to back your story.” Ali said that there was his aide Qanbar and his son
Al-Hassan (RA) to which the man replied that a son could not testify for the benefit
of his father.
Then Ali turned to the man and said: “Take the shield, as I have no other
witnesses.” The man, who was a non-Muslim, then said: “O Ali, the shield is yours.
What a great religion! I can sue Ali and get a judge to pass a decision for my
benefit! I declare myself a Muslim.” He told the judge that he was following the
army and had seen the shield fall down and picked it up. Ali then told him to keep
the shield, and on top of that, he also gave him a horse.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Why a Non-Muslim Should Know the Qur'an?*
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✅The Qur'an is undeniably a book of great importance even to the non-Muslim,
perhaps more today than ever, if that is possible. One aspect of Islam that is
unexpected and yet appealing to the post-Christian secular mind is the harmonious
interplay of faith and reason. Islam does not demand unreasoned belief. Rather, it
invites intelligent faith, growing from observation, reflection, and contemplation,
beginning with nature and what is all around us. Accordingly, antagonism between
religion and science such as that familiar to Westerners is foreign to Islam.

This connection between faith and reason enabled Islamic civilization to absorb and
vivify useful knowledge, including that of ancient peoples, whereby it eventually
nursed Europe out of the Dark Ages, laying the foundation for the Renaissance.
When Europe got on its cultural feet and expelled Islam, however, the European
mind was rent by the inability of the Christian church to tolerate the indivisibility of
the sacred and the secular that characterized Islam and had enabled Islamic
civilization to develop natural science and abstract art as well as philosophy and
social science. The result was a painful, ill-fated divorce between science and
religion in Europe, one whose consequences have adversely affected the entire
world.
In the post-Christian West, where thinking people, including scientists themselves
once more, are seeking solutions to the difficulties created by the Christian divorce
between religion and science, the Qur'an offers a way to explore an attitude that
fully embraces the quest for knowledge and understanding that is the essence of
science, while at the same time, and indeed for the same reasons, fully embraces
the awe, humility, reverence, and conscience without which "humankind does
indeed go too far in considering itself to be self-sufficient" (Qur'an 96:6-7).

Even for the secular Westerner, apart from any question of religious belief or faith,
there are immediate benefits to be found in reading the Qur'an. First, in view of the
sacredness and vital importance of the Qur'an to approximately one-fifth of all
humanity, a thinking citizen of the world can hardly develop a rational and mature
social consciousness without considering the message of the Qur'an and its
meaning for the community.

With the fall of communism, it has become particularly clear that global peace,
order, and self-determination of people cannot be achieved without intelligent
respect for Islam and the inalienable right of Muslims to live their religion. The
second immediate benefit in reading the Qur'an, therefore, is that it is a necessary
step toward the understanding and tolerance without which world peace is in fact
inconceivable.

For non-Muslims, one special advantage in reading the Qur'an is that it provides an
authentic point of reference from which to examine the biased stereotypes of Islam
to which Westerners are habitually exposed. Primary information is essential to
distinguish between opinion and fact in a reasonable manner. This exercise may
also enable the thinking individual to understand the inherently defective nature of
prejudice itself, and thus be the more generally receptive to all information and
knowledge of possible use to humankind.

*Excerpted from "The Essential Qur’an" by Thomas Cleary. Thomas Cleary has
translated various religious texts, including The Essential Tao, The Secret of the
Golden Flower, and the bestselling The Art of War.

It was narrated that the second Caliph of Islam, Umar (May Allah be pleased with
him), rode a camel by turn with his servant while they were traveling to Syria. When
they came near to Syria, the turn was of the servant to ride the camel. Umar
ordered him to ride and he himself came down of the camel. The servant apologized
as it was unacceptable to him to ride while the Caliph of Muslims was walking on his
foot in front of people. But Umar remained insistent until the servant rode. Thus,
they entered Syria with the caliph walking and his servant riding the camel. When
the people of Syria saw them, they were extremely surprised. (Akbar Shah Khan
Najibabadi, A’inah Haqiqat Numa, Hamdard Press, India, 1931, p.42.)

It is also interesting that once Umar ibn Al-Khattab came to a fountain of Ibn
Harithah where he met Muhammad ibn Maslamah. Umar asked him: “How do you
see me? O Muhammad!” Muhammad answered saying: “By Allah! I see you as I like
to see, and as your well-wisher likes to see, I see you strong in collecting the due
money, uninterested in taking anything from it, just in its distribution. However, if
you deviate, I shall straighten you as an arrow is straightened in the straightening
mold.” Umar said: “Hurrah! If I deviate, you will straighten me as an arrow is
straightened in the straightening mold.” And thanked Allah the Almighty saying: “All
praise is to Allah Who has made me in a nation who dare to set me upright when I
deviate.” (Adh-Dhahabi, Siyar Aalam An-Nubala’, Ar-Risalah, vol.2, p.372.)

Indeed, it is equality, freedom, and freedom of expression. This is a practical

example by the Second Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab.

There is another inspiring narration on the human rights. Once the Muslims gained
some booty (Yemenite cloths) when it was distributed among the people by Umar,
Abdullah ibn Umar (his son) got a piece of that cloth and gifted his share to his
father Umar. Umar made a robe with both pieces of the cloth and put on his dress
and stood among people to address them. He said in his speech: “O my people,
listen and obey!” Then a man named Salman stood and said: “No listening and
obedience for you.” Umar asked him: why have you said so? The man answered:
“How did you get this loose robe? You are a tall man, and your share was like
others, only one cloth?”

Umar called on his son Abdullah, who was present there and the son responded: “O
commander of Muslims! I am here.” Umar said: “I swear you by Allah! Tell us is not
it your cloth that you gifted me?” Ibn Umar answered: “Of course! It was mine that I
have gifted you.” Then, Salman said: “Now order us, we shall listen and obey your
order.” (Ibn Al-Qayyim, I’alam Al-Muwaqqi’in An Rabbil-Aalamin, Darul-Kutub Al-
Ilmiyyah 1991, vol.2, p.124.)

There is no wonder if we imagine the modesty, justice, and mercy of Umar upon his
nation, and followers. In fact, it was the result of the influence of the Prophet’s
teachings upon him.

*Footnote:*
This is what had really inspired even Mahatma Gandhi, our Father of Nation, who
wished to have the rule of Caliph Umar in India and stated: “I cannot give you the
example of Ram Chandra or Krishna, because they were not recognized figures in
history. I cannot help it but to present to you the names of Abu Bakar and Umar
Farooq. They were leaders of a vast Empire, yet they lived a life of austerity.”
[Harijan: Dated-27.07.1937]

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Islamic View on Sexuality*
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✅Sex is a normal and essential part of life. For Muslims however, the open
discussion of sex is frowned upon usually for cultural reasons but mostly because
Islam considers sexuality to be a private matter between husband and wife. This
does not, however, mean that discussion about sex should not happen, with plenty
of hadith from the Holy Prophet discussing sexual etiquette between husband and
wife. This article explores how sex is perceived in Islam, what its benefits are and
the Islamic guidelines for a healthy sex life for both men and women.

Sex is a Great Worldly Pleasure:

Sex between husband and wife is known to be one of the pleasures of this world. It
is narrated that once Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq told his students “Whether in this world or
in the hereafter, one has not, and will not, perceive a pleasure more pleasurable
than sexual relations with women, and certainly, this is the commentary of the
words of Allah in the Quran (3:14): “To mankind has been made to seem decorous
the love of (worldly) desires, including women and children.”

It was reported from Abu Dharr that the Prophet said: “In the sexual intercourse of
any one of you there is reward.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, when any one of
us fulfils his desire, will he have a reward for that?” He replied, “Do you not see that
if he were to do it in a prohibited manner, he would be punished for that? So, if he
does it in a lawful manner, he will be rewarded.” (Muslim, 720)

Another hadith mentions, the wife of a companion came to the Prophet and said:
“Oh messenger of Allah, every day my husband fasts and, in the evenings, engages
in prayer” (i.e. he doesn’t sleep with her). The Prophet was so angered that he went
to the man’s house without wearing his sandals, and told him: “Allah has not sent
me to be a recluse, I swear by Allah that has instigated me to this pure, orthodox
and easy religion, I fast, I pray and I go to my wife, and anyone that likes my
custom, must be bound by my sunnah and custom, and sexual intercourse is from
my Sunnah.” (Hadith)

Islamic Etiquettes of Sex:

There are no specific rules for sexual intercourse; whatever is mutually pleasing is
right, and likewise, whatever is mutually displeasing should be avoided; the only
exception to this rule is what the Shariah (Islamic law) clearly forbids; for example,
anal sex. However, there are several recommended acts that, if followed, will
inevitably lead to a more pleasurable experience. For example, cleaning, brushing
teeth, using perfumes, etc.

Satisfying one’s wife is extremely important for Muslim men. Lack of satisfaction
over a long period of time can lead to frigidity and dislike towards the husband. A
tradition from Ali ibn Abu Talib states, “When any of you wants to sleep with his
wife, he must not rush her for indeed women have needs too.”

It is important for the husband to be aware that a woman’s sexual desire takes
longer to express itself, but once it is elicited, is very strong, whereas a man is
quickly aroused and also can quickly be satisfied. It is interesting to note that the
importance placed by Islam on the satisfaction of both man and woman, is a clear
indicator of the justice and fairness of Allah.

It is also important not to reveal specific details about your intimate relationship to
outsiders. A hadith mentions that the Prophet said, “telling others what someone
did with spouse is like a male devil meeting a female devil in the road and having
intercourse with her whilst the people are watching.” (Abu Dawood, no. 1/339;
Albaani in Adaab al-Zafaaf, p. 143)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Pride and Arrogance are Not the Qualities of Believers*
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✅The first entity to show pride and arrogance was devil (Satan) or as he is often
called especially in the story of Adam, Iblees. He was filled with pride and arrogance
because he thought that he was better than Adam. He felt superior. “…then We told
the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam’, and they prostrated, except Iblees, he refused to be
of those who prostrate. (Allah) said: ‘What prevented you (O Iblees) from prostrating
when I commanded you?’ Iblees said: ‘I am better than him (Adam), You created me
from fire, and created him from clay’” (Quran 7:11-12)

That feeling of superiority is the root of all pride and arrogance. I am better than
you. I make more money, my house is bigger, my intellect is greater, I have
travelled more, my muscles are larger, I cook more delicious meals; the list goes on.
One thing that all the things that we feel superior about have in common is that
they are almost exclusively related to matters of this world (Dunia). Love of the
world and all its trappings push us further away from Paradise. Being, or appearing
superior by worldly standards might just be more of a hindrance than a help. It is
our God consciousness that makes a difference; being superior in that respect is the
only superiority that counts.
You might make more money, but did you spend it to please your Creator? You
might make delicious meals, but did you feed them to the poor? If you answer yes
and you are proud of your accomplishments, then this is not the pride and
arrogance that translates to the Arabic word ‘Kibr’ (unhealthy and unnecessary
pride and arrogance).

Islam is not against innovation and achievement, it rewards and encourages

excellence and success, and thus motivation, desire for reward and even desire for
recognition are not the sins. The sin is in doing things with an incorrect intention.
While achievement for the sake of Allah and to serve humanity is the correct
intention, doing something for self-gain or self-love is an incorrect intention. Doing
something to benefit your sense that the needs and desires of the world somehow
revolve around you is ‘Kibr’.

Pride (kibr) has the unintentional effect of making people dislike you, even fear you;
it strips away respect. In addition, it may deny you a place in Paradise. Prophet
Muhammad often counselled the companions about the importance of humility. He
said, “…Anyone who possesses half a mustard seed of pride in his heart will not be
granted admission to Paradise” [Sahih Muslim].

Pride puts our place in Paradise in jeopardy because it prevents us from acquiring
the qualities of a believer. A prideful person is not capable of wanting for others
what he wants for himself. Nor can he be humble or avoid envy. An arrogant person
refuses to accept advice and is often unable to restrain his anger or wrath. A
believer, however, strives to remove these traits from his character.

The remedy for keeping someone away from pride and arrogance, is as simple as
remembering who you are: just a human being, with a mother and father like
everybody else. We all cry the same salty tears and bleed the same red blood. And
we all have the same purpose in life, to worship Allah. We must also remind
ourselves that all provisions come from Allah.

One person might earn more money, but it is Allah that allowed him to acquire the
skills to do so. Another person might be more handsome or beautiful, but it is Allah
that determined the quality of his or her genes. When we receive something that we
perceive as a special blessing from Allah we should remind ourselves to be thankful
and grateful. One step up from that would be to strive to use that blessing for the
sake of Allah and to benefit humankind or this planet in some way.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣6️⃣*
*❓What is it that Makes the Qur’an a Supernatural Sign?*
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✅The content, style and language of the Qur’an are all, in themselves, wonderful. It
was into the midst of the greatest exponents of Arabian literature that the Qur’an
was revealed. The poetry of fourteen centuries past are, to this day, hailed as the
masterpieces of Arabian literature. It was through an illiterate person from amongst
them that the world first heard of the Qur’an. As for him, he was one who had
shown not the slightest inclination towards literature up to the age of forty.

There were also no questions raised about the undoubtedly, excellent quality of the
style of the Qur’an by the society into which it was revealed. Whether believer or
unbeliever, the Arabs were all unanimous in their recognition of the lofty standard
of the style and language of the Qur’an. The unbelievers, for their part, had only
refrained from accepting its divine nature by resorting to allegations that it was
sorcery and the words of the Devil himself.

It is pertinent, here, to note the words of Waleed bin Mughira, a leader of the
Quraysh and himself the greatest authority in Arabian literature, who, on being
asked by Abu Jahl to make a public proclamation against the Qur’an, said: “What
can I say? Whether it be in prose or in poetry, the poems of the Jinns or in any other
branch of Arabian literature, I possess greater knowledge than you. By God! The
words brought forth by this man, are such as to be incomparable with any of the
others… Moreover, its branches are laden with fruit while its roots are firmly
entrenched in the soil whence it proceeds… It is certain that it will conquer anything
comes under its influence!”

It must be remembered that this has been the comment of a non-Muslim. Indeed, a
finer endorsement of the level of the style and language of the Qur’an need not be
called for. The style of the Qur’an is inimitable. This has been attested by even the
most modern of the non-Muslim Arab scholars. Observe the writing of the orientalist
G. Sale. “The style of the Qur’an is beautiful, it is adorned with bold figures after the
eastern taste, enlivened with florid and sententious expressions and in many places
where the majesty and attributes of God are described, sublime and magnificent”
(G. Sale, The Qur’an: Commonly called Al-Qur’an, with a preliminary discourse,
London, 1899, Vol.1, page 47).

A.J. Arberry, another orientalist, writes thus: “The complex prosody, a rich repertory
of subtle and complicated rhymes had been completely perfected. A vocabulary of
themes, images, and figures extensive but nevertheless circumscribed, was firmly
established” (A.J. Arberry, The Qur’an interpreted, London 1955, page 11).

The style, language and content of the Qur’an are all unparalleled; all beyond
imitation; are all in their refined beauty, exquisite. Anyone conversant with Arabic
will easily grasp this. Each verse of the Qur’an possesses an extreme attraction and
a potential so great as to cause a transformation in the mind of its listeners. This
has been admitted by several medieval and modern critics with a reasonable
knowledge of Arabic.

A thing becomes a supernatural manifestation when it remains unconquered by

man. It is the contention and claim of the Qur’an itself that it remains unmatched in
its style, structure, breadth of vision and loftiness of content and that it is
impossible for any man or groups of men to ever compose a script that will, in any
way, equal it. “And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to
time to Our servant then produce a chapter like this; and call your witnesses or
helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, If you are truthful…” (2:23-24).

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Why are We Here? - The Purpose of Life*
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✅Why am I here is an age-old question that has plagued humankind for millennia.
What is the purpose of my life, what is the purpose of anyone’s life? Those and
other similar questions have been asked by people as long as human life has
existed. It is expressed by someone, somewhere all the time. It is expressed in
many different forms, such as "What should I do?", "Why are we here?", "What is life
all about?", and "What is the purpose of existence?" and even "Does life exist at
all?" In the great scheme of things, Muslims are in a very privileged position
because they are able to comprehend the answer.

The reason that we (humankind) are here, on this tiny planet spinning in a
seemingly infinite universe, is to worship our Creator and the Creator Alone. This is
the purpose for which we were created. It is not a secret or a mystery nor is it an
enigma or a puzzle. Finding the meaning of life is possible with only one thing, a
desire to fulfil the Creator’s plan. There is no need for hours or months or years of
searching and yearning. “Oh humankind, worship Allah, you have no other God but
Him.” (Quran 7:59)

However, it is important to understand that Allah is not in need of human worship. If

not a single human worshipped Allah, 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.
"O humankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all
wants and needs), Worthy of all praise." (Quran 35:15)

Because we are fragile humans, we need the comfort and security of worshipping
Allah. In addition to that we will not find true happiness and contentment until we at
the very least attempt to fulfil our purpose in life. The purpose of our existence is
more meaningful than being slaves to the worldly life. Allah states that the reality of
this world is full of deception and warns us not to fall for its temporary enjoyments.
We should focus on our purpose in life in order to secure our place in the life after
death.

Islam explains our purpose plainly, whilst giving us clear guidelines to follow in
order to make our worship easier and more fulfilling. Everything is explained in the
Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. They are our guidebooks for a life
full of purpose and contentment. They are the only means to true happiness, but
this however does not mean that we will not be tried and tested. Allah states very
clearly in Quran that He will test us. (Quran 67:1-2)

Of course, the life of a human being can be filled with play and pleasure, but this is
not the purpose of our lives. Allah says in the Quran that we were indeed created
for a purpose beyond that of mere delight and enjoyment. The reality of life is that
we will be resurrected to account for every detail of our lives. “Did you think that
We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be
brought back to Us?” (Quran 23:115)

One of the easiest ways to have the best of everything is to worship Allah in
everything that we do. Islam makes this easy. It is as simple as following the
guidelines set out for us. To remember Allah at every opportunity and to conduct
our lives knowing that Allah is watching us. By worshipping Allah, we are doing
ourselves a favor. When we are God-conscious, we act in an upright manner and
stay away from being evil and oppressing others.

The purpose of life is to recognize Allah and His signs, and to be grateful to Him. It
entails being thankful, counting our blessings and obeying Allah’s commandments.
The meaning of life is contained within our worship. Every time we live our lives
surrendered to the will of our Creator; we are fulfilling our purpose.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Does Only Allah Know the Gender of the Child in the Mother's Womb?*
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✅The Qur’an says that only Allah knows the sex of the child in the womb of the
mother but now science has advanced, and we can easily determine the sex of the
child in the womb by Ultra sonography. Isn’t this verse of the Qur’an conflicting with
Science?

Allah is Omnipotent and Omniscience. Allah has granted knowledge of certain things
to humankind. But Allah has knowledge of the seen as well as the unseen.

1. Allah has knowledge of all things:

Many people believe that the Qur’an claims that Allah alone knows the sex of the
child in the mother’s womb. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Verily the knowledge of the
Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He who sends down Rain, and He who knows what is
in the wombs….” [Al-Qur’an 31:34]

A similar message is given in the following verse: “Allah doth know what every
female (womb) doth bear, by how much the wombs fall short (of their time of
number) or do exceed. Every single thing is before His sight, in (due) proportion.”
[Al-Qur’an 13:8]
2. Sex can be determined by Ultra sonography:
Today science is advanced, and we can easily determine the sex of the child in the
womb of a pregnant mother, using ultra sonography.

3. The word ‘sex’ is not mentioned in the verse of Qur’an:

It is true that many translations and commentaries of this verse of the Glorious
Qur’an say that only Allah knows the sex of the child in the mother’s womb. If you
read the Arabic text of this verse, there is no Arabic word corresponding to the
English word ‘sex’. In fact, the Qur’an says the knowledge of what is in the womb is
with Allah alone. Many commentators have misunderstood it to mean only Allah
knows the sex of the child in the womb which is a mistake.

4. No one besides Allah can determine the nature:

This verse does not only refer to the sex of the child in the womb, but it refers
everything including how the child in the mother’s womb will be. How will his nature
be? Will he be a blessing or a curse to his parents? Will he be a boon or a bane to
the society? Will he be good or evil? Will he go to heaven or hell? The complete
knowledge of all things is with Allah alone. No scientist in the world, no matter how
advanced his equipment, will ever be able to accurately determine the knowledge
of these things about the child in the mother’s womb.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣6️⃣9️⃣*
*❓The Black Stone in Makkah and the Idol Worship!*
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✅Is ‘Black Stone’ (Hajarul Aswad) an idol? Do Muslims worship Kaaba or the ‘black
stone’? If not, then why do they pray or prostrate in the direction of Ka’aba in
Makkah? Why do some Muslims touch or kiss the black stone in the Kaa’ba when
they perform the pilgrimage? These are the questions raised by some of the non-
Muslims.
*Physical Description of the Black Stone (Hajarul Aswad)*
First, we shall describe the physical nature of the Stone itself. The Black Stone is
built into the Kaaba wall, at the eastern corner of the Kaaba, about 5 ft. above the
ground level, not very far from the door of the Kaaba. The Kaaba itself can itself be
described as a black box, which Muslims face in daily prayers.

Muslims believe that the Black Stone was originally given to Abraham, who built the
Kaaba used the Black Stone as a corner stone for the structure. Abraham and
Ishmael taught the early Makkan Arabs monotheism; after the passing of Abraham
and Ishmael, the Makkan Arabs with time regressed into pagan practices including
idol worship. They ended up having a pantheon of gods, despite the original
message of Abraham and Ishmael which taught the early Arabs to worship God
alone (monotheism).

Going back to the Black Stone, it was originally a single piece of rock but today
consists of three large pieces and several small fragments stuck together and
surrounded by a large ring of stone, which in turn is held together by a silver band.

Do Muslims Worship Black Stone?

In Islam, idol worship is banned because you are substituting God (Allah) for another
being or pairing him with another being, which is a sin known as Shirk. In Islam, the
belief is that there is one God and only one God and that the Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) is his last messenger. Muslims also believe that Allah has no partners,
parents, siblings or children or no symbolic representations.

Muslims do not worship the Ka’aba nor do they worship the black stone set within
the walls of the Kaaba. Muslims worship only God (Allah) alone.

Why Do Muslims Kiss Hajarul Aswad?

If someone takes the Qur'an or Bible and kisses it, will anyone say that they worship
it? Kissing mother and wife are never seen as worship; rather, it is a sign of respect
and love.

So how can it be the worship only when you kiss Hajarul Aswad? The believers kiss
black stone in Ka’aba while performing pilgrimage just because the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) kissed it as a sign of respect and love.

Khalif Umar (r) once made this point very clear while kissing the Stone by saying:
“By Allah, I know that you are just a stone and that you can neither do any harm nor
give benefit. Had I not seen the Prophet kissing you, I would not have kissed you
either” (Sahih Muslim, 2/925).
The reason why Umar (r) made this statement was to impress on the minds of
onlookers (some of whom were newly converted Muslims), that Islam is a
monotheistic religion. Shirk (idolatry and polytheism) would result if one believed
that the Black Stone can directly harm or benefit mankind. We do not kiss it while
harboring such a belief. Just as a person kissing his wife or/and children does not
mean that one regards them as idols or objects of worship, so too must the kissing
of the Black Stone be understood in the same context. Such acts are merely carried
out to display love and attachment.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Is the Quran a Book of Science?*
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✅The Quran is not a book of science; it is a book of guidance. It teaches us how to
live like human beings. It teaches human beings about the purpose of creation. It is
not a book that teaches about science or directly predicts science. At times, it
describes the creations of Allah in such a way that does not contradict science. At
times, the description of a certain creation is so vivid that it makes you think that it
is a book of science. But at the end of the day, it is just a book of guidance that is
meant to fascinate you with Allah's creations in order to bring you closer to the
truth.

On Nov.9, 1976, Dr. Maurice Bucaille proclaimed, “the presence in the Qur’an of
highly accurate reflections on natural phenomena.” In his lecture “Physiological and
Embryological data in the Qur’an,” Bucaille, a French medical doctor, author and
one of the brilliant members of the French Society of Egyptology, listed different
expressions, phrases and basic concepts of a purely scientific nature contained in
the Qur’an. He claimed that “there is no human work in existence that contains
statements as far beyond the level of knowledge of its time as the Qur’an”.
The expansion of the universe, for instance, supported in modern time by both the
theory of relativity and all current calculations of astrophysics, fits perfectly the
descriptions given in Qur’an. What is summed in the verse, “I built the heaven with
power and it is I, who am expanding it” (Quran 51:47) alludes to all discoveries in
modern science. Then comes another unique example in the Quranic affirmation
that God “made every living thing out of water” (Quran 21:30), aligning completely
with the modern idea that the origin of life is aquatic.

Of course, the Quran has other echoes of science in it. It contains and references
various specific data relevant to modern science’s conclusions and discoveries.
Additionally, the way the Quran explains natural phenomena represents an
absolutely encyclopedic scientific knowledge to the extent that we can confidently
suggest that it establishes its total conformity with modern knowledge.

Above all, the main idea within the holy Quran is about guidance and exhortation.
To say this is to basically dissociate the Quran from those claims that the book is of
science. Should it be considered extravagant or represent a shameful act of
ignorance to dispel the Quran’s talks on physics, chemistry, geology and more or
deprive it of any scientific privilege? Yes. Again, everything depends on
interpretation. If there is a paradigm to hold to, void of confusion or ideology, it is to
say, once and for all, that all these beautiful things living within the warmth of the
holy Quran are there to guide mankind towards the best possibilities of moral life.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Was the Kaaba Forcibly Captured by Muslims? Who Demolished the Idols in the
Kaaba?*
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✅The Holy Kaaba was built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail. They built it to
worship the Almighty Creator. Moreover, it was the first building built on earth to
worship the true God. "Surely the first mosque built for mankind was in Makkah"
(Qur'an 3:96)

No religion in the world teaches the concept of polytheism or practices idolatry. The
situation of Hinduism and Christianity are not different. None of them were idolaters
in the early days; we can see that polytheism and idolatry were evolved on later
stages of those religions.

Quran strongly prohibits idolatry, but there is not a single verse in the Qur’an which
commands the destruction of the objects of worship of other religions. Furthermore,
it is the injunction of the Qur’an that the objects of worship of the non- Muslims
must not even be ridiculed: “Revile not those whom they call upon besides Allah”
(Qur’an 6:108).

It is true that Islam, which is grounded in monotheism, abhors the worshipping of

Indeed, the goal of the Qur’an has been the emancipation of human society from
the unpardonable sin of idolatry. In fact, the Qur’an has never entertained the idea
that humanity can be saved from idol worship by destroying the very objects which
are deified. Therefore, that which the Qur’an did try to destroy has never been the
objects of worship that were cast out of stone or other such materials. Rather, it has
ever been the ‘idols’ that have been carved out in the very consciousness of man
himself.

In the political order of Islam, the state is dutybound to protect and preserve the
places of worship as well as the other symbols of co-religionists. This fact is
abundantly clear from the contract which the Prophet had made with the Christians
of Najran.

There we read the following: “To the Christians of Najran and the surrounding
territories, the security of God and the pledge of His Prophet are extended for their
lives, their religion and their property to the present as well as to the absent, and
others besides; there shall be no interference with (the practice of) their faith or
their observance, nor any change in their rights or privileges; no bishop shall be
removed from his diocese nor any monk from his monastery, nor any priest from his
priesthood; and they shall continue to enjoy everything great and small...”

However, it may be seen that the Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬ordered the removal of all idols and
tombs caused men to incline towards the heinous practice of Polytheism in
situations where in a nation becomes Islamic in its totality and there exists no one
therein who remains a worshipper of idols.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Rights of Neighbors in Islam?*
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✅Islam has great respect for the mutual rights and duties of neighbors. “And be
good to the neighbor who is your relative and to the neighbor who is not a
relative…” (Qur'an 4:36)

The rights of neighborhood are not meant for Muslim neighbors only. of course, a
Muslim neighbor has one more claim upon Muslims - that of Islamic brotherhood;
but so far as the rights of neighborship are concerned, all are equal.

The Holy Quran has divided them into three categories: 1. A neighbor who is also a
relative. 2. An alien neighbor and 3. A casual or temporary neighbor with whom one
had occasion to live or travel for some time. All of them are deserving of fellow-
feelings, affection, courtesy and fair treatment.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said that the rights of the neighbors were so
overwhelmingly emphasized to him by Angel Jibril that he thought that neighbors
might be made partakers of one’s inheritance. In another Hadith, the Holy Prophet (
‫ )ﷺ‬said that a man whose neighbor is not safe from his misdeeds, is not a believer
in Islam.

Again, he says that a person who enjoys a full meal while his neighbor is starving
really has no faith in Islam. The Holy Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was once informed of a woman
who used to offer prayers regularly and would often keep fasts and give alms
frequently, but her neighbors were sick of her abusive tongue. The Holy Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
said that such a woman deserved only the fire of Hell. He was then told of another
woman who did not possess these virtues but did not trouble her neighbors and the
Holy Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said that she might be rewarded with a place in Heaven.

The Holy Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬has laid so much emphasis on rights of neighbors that he has
advised that whenever a Muslim brings fruits for his children he should either send
some to his neighbors as a gift or at least not throw the peelings outside his house.
This would prevent the neighbor from feeling deprived. On one occasion, the Holy
Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said that a man is really good if his neighbors regard him as such and
he is bad if they consider him so.

Al-Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn in his Risalat al-Huquq, said: These are your duties
towards your neighbor: Protect his interests when he is absent; show him respect
when he is present; help him when he is inflicted with any injustice. Do not remain
on the look-out to detect his faults; and if, by any chance, you happen to know any
undesirable thing about him, hide it from others; and, at the same time, try to desist
him from improper habits, if there is any chance that he will listen to you. Never
leave him alone at any calamity. Forgive him if he has done any wrong. In short, live
with him a noble life, based on the highest Islamic ethical code.

In brief, Islam requires all neighbors to be loving and cooperative with one another
and share their sorrows and happiness. It enjoins that they should establish social
relations in which one can depend upon the other and regard his life, honor, and
property safe among his neighbors. A society in which two persons, separated only
by a wall, remain unacquainted, even though they have lived there for years or
even those who live in the same area of a town, but have no interest or confidence
in one another can never be true Muslims.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣3️⃣*
*❓A Christian Lady's House and a Masjid*
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✅”There was a Christian lady's house near this Masjid!”

The man from Bethlehem had come to visit his relative in Egypt. The house he saw
when he came few years back is no longer there. He was confused and could not
find the house he was looking for. He, then asked a wayfarer whom he met nearby.
“Oh they; they have moved there now.”

He walked along the pointed path and came to the front of the old lady's house. He
was surprised of seeing the house because it was bigger than ever before! The
young man went inside thinking how she had got so much money in the last years.

But the sight inside the house was so miserable. A thin, clumsy woman is crying. He
asked; “What happened? Why are you so skinny?”

The old woman, who was shedding tears, slowly raised her face and began to say:
“You remember that little house next to the masjid; where I lived with my father,
husband and son; where all of them were buried as well; I was so comfortable on
those days and was having a feeling that they all were with me.

Then one day the city officials came to see me and told that they are expanding the
masjid because of the large number of believers and that they could only do that if
they get my land. But I told them that I will not sell my land.

Then the governor's representative approached me. The representative said that
the government have authority to take the land legally, still they were trying to
solve the problem through reconciliation because I was a different believer. They
also told me that the land will be taken for a good price and that I should buy it and
vacate the house. I did not agree with that either.
They continued with more offers. At last, when they offered me double the price of
the land and a mansion in addition, it took my mind for a while. They used that time
to acquire the land and build a masjid there.”

The guest who understood her emotions said: “We have no justice; still shall we
meet the Caliph of the Muslims once? We know that he is very righteous and
merciful!”

Hence, they started to Madinah to meet the Caliph of that time, Umar bin Khattab.

The old man and his relative entered the city and enquired about the way to show
the caliph their face. The inhabitants of Madinah said: ‘The leader of the believers
will be in the masjid of the Prophet seeing in front; anyone can see him, and there
are no special formalities for that.'

They both entered the masjid and shared their concerns to Caliph. After listening
all, Umar called the Egypt governor and asked for explanations. After hearing the
governor's explanation, the caliph remained silent for a while, then looked at the
woman and asked: "You have received twice as much money as the fair price. The
mansion is bigger than the first house to live in. Your old house is being demolished
and the masjid is being built and the believers are worshiping there. Now what is
the reason for you to complain now?"

The woman said with a stuttering voice assuming her hopes were dashed: "My
father, husband and son are resting in that yard. I had a sense of security there, a
feeling like they were always with me. I have not slept since he left that land. I did
not consciously give up my house…”

Umar looked at his companions, and that woman. Then he ordered the governor;
"demolish the masjid and rebuild their house as it was before. The Creator does not
like to worship Him where the spotless tears of creation have fallen."

Caliph Omar smiled as he walked slowly to the side of the woman, who could not
believe what she was hearing. “You are not alone without anyone, this government
is to serve you, and I as a servant. You may return now happily; your house will be
rebuilt right there.”

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What is the Islamic View on Organ Donation?*
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✅Donating organs is not all on one level. There is the donation of organs on which
life depends, and there is the donation of organs on which life does not depend. If
the donation is of an organ on which life depends or harm to the donor, it is not
permissible to donate it, according to the consensus of the scholars, because that is
killing a soul.

But if it is an organ on which life does not depend, then there is a difference of
opinion among contemporary scholars, and there are two views on this matter:
Some scholars say that it is permissible to transplant human organs, but some
others don’t agree.

Rulings stating that it is permissible have been issued by a number of conferences,

seminars and committees, including: the International Islamic Conference held in
Malaysia; the majority of the Islamic Fiqh Council; the Council of Senior Scholars in
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and the Fatwa Committees in Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt
and Algeria. It is also the view of a number of scholars and researchers, including
Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Sa’di.

So, the (scholarly) view that it is permissible to donate organs is most likely to be
the correct view, so long as the donation will not lead to the death of the donor. But
all scholars agree that selling organs for money is forbidden in Islam. On other
hand, if no one is willing to donate an organ, some scholars agree to buy an organ
from the seller for a price. They also say that the buyer should make sure that the
seller is not harmed by it.

Here we will quote resolutions of the Islamic Fiqh Council of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference convened in the fourth conference in Jeddah in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia in February 1988. These resolutions were issued after lengthy
discussions among a number of scholars, doctors and specialists after studying Fiqhi
(Islamic jurisprudence) and medical research submitted to the Council concerning
the issue of one person benefiting from the body parts of another, living or dead.
*The Rulings can be Summarized as Below:*
1. It is permissible to transplant an organ from one place in a person’s body to
another place in the same body, but attention must be paid to ensuring that the
expected benefits outweigh any possible harm.
2. It is permissible to transplant an organ from the body of one person to another if
it is an organ that renews itself automatically, such as blood and skin. But attention
must be paid to the condition that the donor be fully qualified and fulfil the shar’i
(Islamic law) conditions.
3. It is permissible to make use of organs that have been taken from the body of
another person due to sickness, such as taking the cornea from the eye of a person
whose eye has been removed due to sickness.
4. It is prohibited to transplant an organ on which life depends (which causes death
of donor), such as transplanting the heart from a living person to another person.
5. It is prohibited to transplant an organ from a living person when its removal may
cause an essential function to cease, even though his life does not depend on it,
such as taking the corneas of both eyes.
6. It is permissible to transplant an organ from a dead person to a living person
whose life or basic essential functions depend on that organ, subject to the
condition that permission be given by the deceased before his death, or by his heirs
after his death, or by the authorities in charge of the Muslims if the identity of the
deceased is unknown or he has no heirs.
7. The agreement on the permissibility of organ transplants explained above is
subject to the condition that this is not done by selling the organs, because it is not
permissible to subject human organs to sale under any circumstances.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣5️⃣*
*❓The Purpose of Our Creation*
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✅The purpose of creation is a topic that puzzles every human being at some point in
his or her lifetime. Everybody at some time or another asks themselves the
question “Why do I exist?” or “For what purpose am I here on earth?”

The variety and complexity of the intricate systems which constitute the fabric of
both human beings and the world in which they exist indicate that there must have
been a Supreme Being who created them. Design indicates a designer. When
human beings come across footprints on a beach, they immediately conclude that a
human being had walked by there some time previously. No one imagines that the
waves from the sea settled in the sand and by chance produced a depression
looking exactly like human footprints.

Nor do humans instinctively conclude that they were brought into existence without
a purpose. Since purposeful action is a natural product of human intelligence,
humans conclude that the Supreme Intelligent Being who created them must have
done so for a specific purpose. Therefore, human beings need to know the purpose
for their existence in order to make sense of this life and to do what is ultimately
beneficial for them.

To answer the question “Why did God create man?” it must first be determined
from which perspective the question is being asked. From the point of view of God,
it would mean, “What caused God to create human beings?” while from the human
point of view it would mean “For what purpose did God create humans?” Both
points of view represent aspects of the intriguing question “Why do I exist?” …both
aspects of the question will be explored based on the clear picture painted by divine
revelation.

This is not a topic for human speculation, because human guesswork cannot
possibly produce the whole truth in this matter. How can human beings
intellectually deduce the reality of their existence when they can hardly understand
how their own brain or its higher entity, the mind, functions? Consequently, many
philosophers who have speculated on this question down through the ages have
come up with innumerable answers, all of which are based on assumptions which
cannot be proven.

Although most people put the question of why we are created aside after occasional
brief reflection, it is extremely critical for human beings to know the answer.
Without knowledge of the correct answer, human beings become indistinguishable
from the other animals around them. The animal necessities and desires of eating,
drinking, and procreating become the purpose of human existence by default, and
human effort is then focused on this limited sphere.

When material satisfaction develops into the most important goal in life, human
existence becomes even more degraded than that of the lowest of animals. Human
beings will consistently misuse their God-given intelligence when they lack
knowledge of their purpose of existence. The degraded human mind uses its
abilities to create drugs and bombs. Without knowledge of the purpose of life,
human existence loses all meaning and is consequently wasted, and the reward of
an eternal life of happiness in the hereafter is completely destroyed. Therefore, it is
of the utmost importance that human beings correctly answer the question “Why
are we here?”

Humans most often turn to other human beings like themselves for the answers.
However, the only place that clear and precise answers to these questions can be
found is in the books of divine revelation. It was necessary that God reveal the
purpose to man through His prophets, because human beings are incapable of
arriving at the correct answers by themselves. All of the prophets of God taught
their followers the answers to the question “Why did God create man?”

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Islam is the Solution for Racism & Casteism*
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✅Racism and Casteism are the evils that repeatedly try to engulf society. These are
not newly coined terms as people have been through these problems from time to
time. Racism is defined as 'poor treatment of people because of their race while
casteism is a blind group loyalty towards one’s own caste or sub-caste, which does
not care for the interests of other castes, and seeks to realize the social, economic,
political and other interests of its own group’.

Where racism leads to suppression of people because of their physical

characteristics, casteism leads the members of one caste to exploit the members of
another caste for their vested interest in the name of superiority or inferiority.
With the rapid growth of these problems, some countries and organizations
amended their constitutions and charters to deal with these growing menaces.
Many countries have mentioned their national books to provide equal rights to
citizens. It is a secondary question that their implementation is considered
necessary or not? Nevertheless, these attempts deserve applause.

Interestingly, modern world has become concerned about such issues in the 20th
century, but Islam has given a sense about it 1400 years ago. If I would say Islam is
first religion that has uprooted and objected such evils, it would not be a mistake.

Islam protects honor. In Islam, insulting others or making fun of them because of
caste, creed, race, etc. is not permitted. Merciful Holy Prophet (PBUH) says: “Truly,
your blood, your property and your honor are inviolable” (Al-Bukhari). The life,
property and honor in an Islamic state and Islamic concept are considered sacred
irrespective of your race and caste.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Your God is one and your ancestor (Adam) is one.
An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab.
And a red (white tinged with red) person is not superior to black and black is not
better than red, except in piety.” (Musnad Ahmad). Islam gives a clear message,
that God created human beings as equals, who are to be distinguished from each
other only based on faith and piety and this categorical message eradicates the
concept of racism and casteism.

History has witnessed the era when Abubakar (R.A) and Bilal e Habshi (R.A) used to
sit side by side in the same row and same place in Mosque of Medina. History has
also been evident, when all people, Arabian or non-Arabian, rich or poor, Master or
Slave, used to assemble at the same place, sit in the same row and used to perform
Salah (prayer) behind the same leader (imam) and that will continue until the Day
of Judgment.

Apart from this, Prophet (PBUH) denounced and opposed the concept of racism and
casteism, not only vocally, but practically too and furnished honor to a number of
occupations (upon which castes are based) that people treat inferior to practice.

When we look at the biography of Prophet (PBUH), we find him repairing his sandal
himself (Adab ul Mufrad) and practicing goat farming (Musnad Ahmad), just to teach
the people, not to consider these jobs inferior. In nutshell, Biography of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) provides ample evidence that he was first anti-racist & anti-
casteist.

To summarize, Islam provides a perfect harmony between the individual and society
holding both in concert with each other, which lays the foundation of a new religious
aspect ‘Islamic Sociology’.
The need of the hour is to be obedient to the Creator and follow teachings of
beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that is only the solution to our present-day
problems. So, let us propagate the true message of Islam (based on loyalty, love,
peace, compassion and affection), which is being demonized on every platform.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Does Quran Envisage Patriarchal System Which Speaks to Woman of Her
Obligations and to Man of His Rights?*
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✅No. The Qur’an speaks to both man as well as to woman concerning their duties
and rights.

“And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what
is equitable; but men have a degree over them, and Allah is Exalted in Power,
Wise.” (Qur’an 2:228). This is the clear and unambiguous statement of the Qur’an.
How then can it be said that the Qur’an, which contains this declaration is the
creation of a patriarchal system? In reality, there is no other religious text, like the
Qur’an, which deals with the rights of the woman in so clear and exhaustive a
manner.

If the impact of the rights which the Qur’an allowed for the woman is to be fully
appreciated, the position of the woman during the time of its revelation must first
be understood. Greek philosophers considered woman to be the very personification
of the devil. The Roman law was such that it granted complete freedom for the male
to even murder his wife. The Indian woman was given the religious advise to
immolate herself at the funeral pyre of her husband.

The attitude of the Jews towards the woman, the cause of sin, was most cruel. Even
as late as the 16th century, the subject of discussion amongst the church fathers
was the question as to whether woman did possess a soul or not. The people in
Arabia before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was ever ready to bury alive the infant if
it was a female. It was in such a social context that the Qur’an first began to speak
on the rights of woman.

The Rights of Woman by the Qur’an may be Summarized as Follows:

The right to live:
The Qur’an criticizes that narrow-mindedness which would not permit the girl child
to live. (Qur’an 16:59, 81:9). It declares that like man, she, too, has the right to birth
and to life.

The right to own property:

The Qur’an has given the woman, like the man, the right to earn wealth. The view of
the Qur’an is that all her earnings, whether it be through her personal efforts or by
way of inheritance, belongs to her and to her alone. None, not even the husband,
has the right to take anything, whatsoever, of her earnings without her explicit
permission.

The right to inheritance:

It is the Qur’anic recommendation that daughters, too, have a share in the wealth of
their parents (Qur’an 4:7). In reality, no other religious scripture has declared the
right to inheritance of the woman.

The right to choose spouse:

Islam recommends that while putting forth marriage proposals, the likes and
dislikes of the woman must be seriously considered. None, not even the father, has
the right to marry off his daughter to a person whom she dislikes.

The right to education and free thought:

The Qur’an’s view is that women have the right to education and free thought. This
view is, however, not restricted to mere advice. The Prophet had practically
demonstrated this. The great yearning for knowledge exhibited by the woman who
followed the Prophet is universally acknowledged.

The right to take part in social activities:

Although it is only natural that men take part in politics, Islam has granted the
freedom to participate in matters pertaining to the nation to the woman also. Islam,
however, does not compel women to take part directly in the campaigns for
freedom of belief. But Muslim women did take part in helping those who were
fighting in the field of battle.

The right to divorce:

The woman has the right to get a divorce under circumstances wherein she
becomes unable to live with her husband. The divorce from the woman’s side is
referred to by the two terms Khul’a and Fasq.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Is ‘Allah’ the Moon God (Hubal) of Arab Polytheists Before Islam?*
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✅The word ‘Allah’ predates Islam and is almost certainly derived from a contraction
of the Arabic “Al Ilah” (lit. “the god”, al- ‘the’ and ilah ‘deity, god’). It has cognates
in many other Semitic languages, such as Aramaic Elah, Syriac Alaha, and Hebrew
Eloha.

Misinformed people sometimes refer to Allah as a modern interpretation of an

ancient moon god. This gross misrepresentation of Allah has often combined with
strange unsubstantiated claims that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) resurrected this
god and made him the focal point of the religion of Islam. This is categorically
untrue. Allah is God, the One, and Only, the Most Merciful. Allah is the God of
Abraham, the God of Moses, and the God of Jesus (PBUH).

First of all, the claim that Allah is the Moon God can be judged in the light of the
Holy Qur'an: “And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not
prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostate to Allah, who created them, if it
should be Him that you worship.” (Qur'an 41:37)

It is clear from this that ‘Allah’ is not the alleged moon god.

Now, the Holy Qur'an says who worshiped Baal and denied Allah, the true Creator
and God: “And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers. When he said to his
people: “Will you not fear Allah? Do you call upon Baal and leave the best of
creators - Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?"” (Quran 37:123-
126)

It means, the community of Prophet Elijah (PBUH) worshiped the god Baal and
forgot Allah, the true Creator.

There is no doubt that the Arabs wrongly worshipped idols, heavenly bodies, trees,
and stones, and that some of their idols even had animal characteristics. Although a
number of minor deities across the Arabian Peninsula may have been associated
with the moon, there is no evidence of the Arabs ever worshipping a moon god
above other gods.

The Arabs worshipped many idols and called on them for intercession. In the midst
of overwhelming paganism and polytheism, the pre-Islamic Arabs never called upon
a moon god as a supreme deity. For generation after generation, they did not lose
their belief in One supreme ruler of the universe (even though most of the time they
held the wrong concept of belief in Allah). They were aware of His blessings and His
punishment and believed in a Day of Judgement.

Quran also testifies to the fact that the pre-Islamic Arabs were aware of Allah - God -
the One: “If you were to ask them “Who has created the heavens and the earth and
subjected the sun and the moon?” They will surely reply, “Allah.” How then are they
deviating (as polytheists and disbelievers)?…” (Quran 29: 61-63).

Those who claim that Allah is a pagan deity, most notably the moon god, often base
their claims on the fact that a symbol of the crescent moon adorns the tops of many
mosques and is widely used as a symbol of Islam.

It is true that before the coming of Prophet Muhammed, many "gods" and idols were
worshipped in the Middle East. The most prominent idol in Mecca was a god called
Hubal, and there is no proof that he was a moon god. Moreover, the idol of Hubal
was brought from Moab or Mesopotamia. Baal was the god worshiped by the
Moabites. But the Kaaba existed long before the idol of Hubal was brought from
Moab. Everyone knows that ‘Allah’ is the Lord of the Kaaba.

At last, let us view this logically as well. If Muhammad worshiped Hubal, ‘chief god’
of Arabia in pre-Islamic times and told people to discard all other idols for Hubal,
then what exactly was Mecca’s problem with him? Why would the people of Mecca
hate him for telling them to worship their chief god? Wouldn’t they promote him to
a priest status instead?

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣7️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Did Prophet Order to Expel Jews and Christians from the Arabia?*
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✅In the time of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, there were conflicts between Muslims and non-
Muslims who had violently resisted the spread of the Islam. The conflicts are
reflected in some verses and traditions, but conflict is not the general rule in Islam.
These texts need to be interpreted in historical context and within the wider whole
of Islamic teachings.

One such text is the narration that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬intended to expel non-Muslims
from the Arabian Peninsula. Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: The Messenger of Allah (
‫ )ﷺ‬said: “I will certainly expel the Jews and Christians from the peninsula until I
leave none but Muslims.” (Sahih Muslim, 1767)

This text is but a snapshot within the larger narrative of the Prophet’s ( ‫)ﷺ‬
biography. Other narrations demonstrate that this statement was made after the
conclusion of a battle that had been instigated by one of the hostile Jewish tribes.

Ibn Umar reported: When the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬was victorious at the battle of
Khaybar, he intended to expel the Jews from there, but they asked him if they could
remain on condition that they work the land and they would get half of its fruits. The
Prophet said: “We will allow you to remain upon that as long as we wish.” (Sahih
Muslim, 1551)

They stayed in the area thereafter until Umar located them to Tayma’ and Ariha’.
This was done for the protection of the region of Hijaz, which contains the two
holiest sites of Islam in the cities of Makkah and Madinah. Tayma’ and Ariha’ are
considered part of the Arabian Peninsula, but still the Jewish tribes were settled
there.

This region is dedicated to the pilgrimage to Makkah and visitation of the mosque of
the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, so they are off-limits to non-Muslims who might instigate conflict
or disrupt the pilgrimage by proselytizing and preaching an anti-Islam message.
However, most scholars allowed non-Muslims to visit Makkah and Madinah with
permission of the government for legitimate business purposes.

Here we should differentiate between relocating the Jews and Christians and killing
them. In no way did the Prophet mean to kill them. Under no context is it allowed
for Muslims to kill the Jews and the Christians as long as they are not invaders and
enter the Muslim countries with an official visa which is considered like a pledge of
protection granted to non-Muslims.

Some scholars maintain that what is prohibited is to let the Jews and Christians
have an independent state inside the Arabian Peninsula. They are allowed to stay
there as workers and visitors. This stay is temporary and someday they will go
home to their native lands.

The Prophet allowed the Jews to stay in Khaybar and he hired them to work in
farming. The Prophet had good relations with the Jews to the extent that at the time
of his death, he had no money, and his shield was being held in mortgage by a
Jewish man.

In sum, the Prophet’s (‫ )ﷺ‬order to expel Jews, Christians, and idolaters from the
Arabian Peninsula was specific to the Hijaz region and for the objective of securing
the regional pilgrimage from hostile forces. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit Makkah
and Madinah for legitimate reasons and with permission from Muslim leaders, but
not for proselytizing and preaching against Islam.

The above mentioned explains how the Companions understood the Prophet’s
command to “expel” the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula. As you can
see, we must know the background and context of each narration reported from the
Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. Generalization is not always recommended. Each case has its own
circumstances and what can be applied in a certain area cannot be applied literally
in another.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Is it True that the Original Version of Quran was Burnt by Caliph Usman & the
Present Quran was Compiled by Him?*
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✅One of the most common myths about the Qur’an, is that Usman, the third Caliph
of Islam authenticated and compiled one Qur’an, from a large set of mutually
contradicting copies. The Qur’an, revered as the Word of Allah by Muslims the world
over, is the same Qur’an as the one revealed to Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. It was
authenticated and written under his personal supervision. We will examine the roots
of the myth which says that Usman (RA) had the Qur’an authenticated.

*1. Prophet Muhammad( ‫ )ﷺ‬Himself Supervised and Authenticated the Written

Texts of the Qur’an:*
Whenever the Prophet received a revelation, he would first memorize it himself and
later declare the revelation and instruct his Companions. The Prophet would
immediately ask the scribes to write down the revelation he had received, and he
would reconfirm and recheck it himself. If there was any mistake, the Prophet would
immediately point it out and have it corrected and rechecked. Similarly, he would
even recheck and authenticate the portions of the Qur’an memorized by the
Companions. In this way, the complete Qur’an was written down under the personal
supervision of the prophet (‫)ﷺ‬.

2. Order and Sequence of Qur’an Divinely Inspired:

The complete Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years portion by portion. The
Qur’an was not compiled by the Prophet in the chronological order of revelation.
The order and sequence of the Qur’an too was Divinely inspired and was instructed
to the Prophet by Allah through archangel Jibril. Hence, the Qur’an was compiled
and authenticated by the Prophet himself during his lifetime, both in the written
form as well as in the memory of several of his Companions.

3. Qur’an Copied on one Common Material:

The complete Qur’an, along with the correct sequence of the verses, was present
during the time of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. The verses, however, were written on separate
pieces, scrapes of leather, thin flat stones, leaflets, palm branches, shoulder blades,
etc. After the demise of the prophet, Abu Bakr (RA), the first caliph of Islam ordered
that the Qur’an be copied from the various different materials on to a common
material and place, which was in the shape of sheets. These were tied with strings
so that nothing of the compilation was lost.

*4. Usman (RA) Made Copies of the Qur’an from Original Manuscript:*
Many Companions of the Prophet used to write down the revelation of the Qur’an on
their own whenever they heard it from the Prophet. However, what they wrote was
not personally verified by the Prophet and thus could contain mistakes. All the
verses revealed to the Prophet may not have been heard personally by all the
Companions. There were high possibilities of different portions of the Qur’an being
missed by different Companions.

Usman (RA) borrowed the original manuscript of the Qur’an, which was authorized
by Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, from Hafsha, the Prophet’s wife. Usman ordered four Companions
who were among the scribes who wrote the Qur’an when the Prophet dictated it to
rewrite the script in several perfect copies. These were sent by Usman to the main
centers of Muslims.

There were other personal collections of the portions of the Qur’an that people had
with them. These might have been incomplete and with mistakes. Usman (RA) only
appealed to the people to destroy all these copies which did not match the original
manuscript of the Qur’an in order to preserve the original text of the Qur’an. Two
such copies of the copied text of the original Qur’an authenticated by the Prophet
are present today, one at the museum in Tashkent in erstwhile Soviet Union and the
other at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, Turkey.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣1️⃣*
*❓The Testimony of the Enemies to the Honesty of the Prophet (‫*)ﷺ‬
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✅Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬was honest and truthful. He never told a lie in his entire
life. Although the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬had many enemies after he started calling
people to Islam, from the Jews, Christians, disbelievers of Quraish and others, no
one ever questioned his truthfulness and trustworthiness. No doubt, the testimony
of an enemy carries weight, as it indicates how honest the people thought the
Messenger of Allah was. Here are some incidents from the history.
*Abu Lahab and Quraish*
When Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬gathered all the people of Makkah near the Mount of
Safa and asked them, “O Quraish! If I say that an army is advancing on you from
behind the mountains, will you believe me?” All said in one voice, “Yes, because we
have never heard you telling a lie”. Then the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬started to
proclaim the Message which he had been ordered to tell the people in public,
saying, “I am a warner to you, warning you of a severe torment.” Abu Lahab replied,
“May you be perished! Is this what you gathered us for?!” But he did not accuse the
prophet of lying! Yes, the disbelievers of Quraish acknowledged to themselves that
the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬was truthful.

*Abu Sufyan*
The best testimony of this is the discussion of Abu Sufyan with Heraclius, the
Roman ruler. He was one of Prophet’s(‫ )ﷺ‬fiercest enemies at that time. During the
discussion, Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan, “Did you ever find Muhammad telling a lie
before his claim to Prophethood?” Abu Sufyan replied, “No.” At the end of the
meeting, the emperor said, I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about
others could ever tell a lie about God.” [Fath Al-Bari].

*Abu Jahl*
Abu Jahl also was one of the strongest enemies of the Prophet! But he too testified
that the Messenger of Allah was truthful and was truly a Prophet. When Al-Akhnas
ibn Shurayq asked him on the day the believers and disbelievers met in battle at
Badr, “Oh Abu Al-Hakim (nickname of Abu Jahl), tell me about Muhammed; is he
truthful or a liar? There is none from Quraish here but you and I who can hear what
we say.”

Abu Jahl said, “Woe to you! By Allah, Muhammed is truthful; he has never lied. But,
if the sons of Qusayy are the keepers of the banner, the distribution of water for
pilgrims, the custodianship of the Kaaba and prophethood, what will be left for the
rest of the Quraysh?” [Comparative Religions by Ibn Al-Qayyim]

An-Nadir ibn Al-Harith

An-Nadir ibn Al-Harith, one of the enemies of the Messenger of Allah, was talking to
a group of Quraish. He said: “Oh Quraish, by Allah, words have been revealed to
him which will never be given to anyone after him. As a young boy that lived among
you, Muhammed’s manners pleased you; he was always truthful when he talked to
you and very trustworthy. By Allah, he is not a sorcerer… he is not a fortuneteller…
he is not a poet… he is not mad… Oh Quraish, reflect on your state of affairs, as
truly, Allah has revealed to you mighty words” [The Prophet’s Biography by Ibn
Hesham]

This was a testimony of the Arab who was an enemy of the Messenger of Allah ( ‫)ﷺ‬,
so see how the Prophet’s enemies had no choice but to admit that the Messenger of
Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬was truthful. What do you think of the stance and the testimonies of the
leaders of the disbelievers with regards to the Messenger of Allah (‫?)ﷺ‬

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣2️⃣*
*❓A Clearer Understanding of the Realities of Islam*
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✅Though Islam has been misunderstood for many years, the dislike toward it has
been on the increase since the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the society is its lack of concern over the
ignorance displayed-television, movies, politicians and even teachers promote
racism by condoning and exemplifying it. Who is to blame? The media, whose flat-
out false information drives many people to believe that Islam is purely evil, seems
a likely candidate.

It is common to associate negative qualities with Islam since barbarism and

violence are on the top of the list. Long draping gowns, silken veils, mysterious dark
faces, and a language of exotic sounds are fair observations. What is not fair,
though, are the dark associations that have been attached to them: that their loose,
flowing clothing could only mean that they are hiding something, the veils are for
concealment and dark faces suggest dark intentions.
The media is a strong factor in the average people’s misunderstanding of Islam
merely due to its own function, which is to communicate news of importance. It is
only natural that the bad news will be the good news, because tragedy and
bloodshed are more stimulating than a quick glimpse of religious volunteers smiling
at work.

Islam is a call for good faith, good works, and love. It may seem like a wild
statement to the common people, but Islam's message focuses on the submission
to God through peace. The contrasting influence is the constant display of terrorists
bombing Jews and Christians on the television screen.

The public takes in the visual depiction of the Muslim and develops a generality
about the entire religion. To get to the source of the issue, we need to ignore the
mainstream media. We need to read the scripture itself and learn what the religion
is truly about.

The Qur'an is the Islamic scripture, transcribed word for word from the angel Gabriel
to the prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬. In it we find the fundamental essence of Islam,
which is followed by the vast majority-submission and love.

Allah even says of his followers, "Lo! You are they who will love them while they
love you not" (3:118). This is similar to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount: to love even
those who hate you. This is certainly far from the war cry of a fanatical or sadistic
Lord.

In speaking of fighting, Allah says, "And spend in the way of Allah and cast not
yourselves to perdition with your own hands and do good to others. Surely Allah
loves the doers of good" (2:195). Clearly, if any Muslim believes he needs to commit
mass-murder for Allah, then he is the wrongdoer - not Allah.

Terrorism is the result of compulsion, a vice that the Qur'an directly opposes. In it,
we read: “There is no compulsion in religion-the right way is clearly distinct from
error" (2:256). Could it be any clearer? If there is any doubt left in the idea that
Islam is a violent religion and prejudiced against Christianity and Judaism, one need
only read "And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you but be
not aggressive. Surely Allah loves not the aggressors" (2:190).

To comprehend a religion, examination of the scripture is most important. Any

summary, analysis, commentary, book, essay, story, newspaper, article, pamphlet,
documentary, song, or Web site can be false, corrupted, and/or biased. Any person
can be a fool, and most are.
Only the scripture, which is the religion, can fully represent its essence. Accordingly,
Muslims follow nothing but the Qur'an. They believe it to be the direct word of God,
so they preserve its originality.

With all of this in mind, it is obvious why the text is so important.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Is Not the Concept of the Equality of Sexes in Modern Democracy More Suited
than the Quranic Vision?*
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✅Is democracy really able to provide eternal values that will be conducive to human
salvation? In reality, democracy is but the rule of the majority. Can it be really
possible for the majority in a society to develop and formulate the laws that are to
be necessarily followed for the conduct of life of a people?

The majority of the people in Europe and America have accepted the system of
dating wherein young girls and boys come to know each other intimately, to
intermingle with each other freely and even to sleep together as well before
marriage. It is, after all, this acceptance that has served to torment that society with
the afflictions of deadly diseases like AIDS and of numerous mental disorders. Here,
the fact becomes clear that it is the Lord God Himself, who created man, who is to
teach how man is to lead his life.

What is modern democracy? It is nothing but a new name that has been conferred
upon capitalism. Are not man and woman equal in the capitalist world? For those
looking upon the participating presence of both the sexes at the offices, it may be
possible to give ‘yes’ as an answer. However, they refuse to accept the fact that
capitalism prevents woman from fulfilling the role which nature has demanded of
her.
Modern democracy can very well ask woman to work alongside man, to earn her
salary and to go forth into the market. But who, indeed, can ask man to undertake
pregnancy, to give birth and to breast-feed like the woman? It may, perhaps, be
possible for capitalism to ask the nation to provide for woman who gives birth to a
child who knows not its own father. But, which, indeed, is the ideology that can
confer solace upon the woman who yearns to be fondled by the father of the child
within her?

A woman can never become like a man nor can a man ever become like a woman.
Western democracy, which teaches woman to be like man is, in reality, making the
life of woman unbearable. Through this, it wrecks the family and, with it, the very
moral fiber of the society as well.

Capitalism sees everything in the world as a part of consumerism. Man and woman
are no exceptions. For it looks only to the market. It thinks of nothing but the
objects that will serve to accelerate the various processes therein. This is the
position of woman in capitalism. After all, her being a mother would diminish her
market value; wouldn’t it?! Then she becomes an old woman; an inhabitant of old-
age homes.

The Qur’an, however, presents a most practical, yet moral, system. A practical
system which moves forward always in harmony with human nature. In its vision,
the human being is not only the one with rosy cheeks and unwrinkled skin, but he is
also the child within its mother’s womb as also the aged one awaiting death.
Indeed, its command encompasses even the dead body which is never to be
violated.

The Quran is never in conformity with the utilitarianism of capitalism. This is the
main point of divergence where the Quranic vision differs from the view of modern
democracy over the subject of woman. The Qur’an never sees woman as a source of
economic gain. It never agrees to see her as an instrument of trade either; for she is
one half of the human soul; the veritable mother of society.

It is her motherhood which Islam considers first and foremost. It emphasizes that it
is on the lap of the mother that the very bedrock of the institution of the family, the
fundamental unit of morality that is so vital in society, is nurtured. The Lord Creator,
who revealed the Qur’an, is aware of the difficulties and limitations faced by a
woman who becomes a mother. Indeed, these have been given due consideration
by the Qur’an.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Islam and Honesty*
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✅Islam orders the Muslim to be honest to himself and others. This order repeatedly
comes in the Noble Qur'an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islam
orders the Muslim to tell the truth even if it is against the teller's interest. Orders
him not to cheat or deceive other people. A Muslim is ordered by Allah to be honest
in his words and deeds, privately and publicly alike.

Honesty in words implies telling the truth in all cases and under all conditions.
Honesty also implies fulfilling the promise and carrying out duties as fully as
possible whether the person is supervised or not.

Honesty is a blanket term that covers a wide range of traits. It covers telling the
truth, sincerity in work, carrying out duties, fulfilling one's word, objective
judgments, and objective decisions. Honesty is the opposite of lying, the opposite of
bluffing, the opposite of hypocrisy, the opposite of favoritism, and the opposite of
deceit.

External & Internal Honesty:

External honesty means which is judged by other people. Internal honesty means
honesty which is judged by the person himself alone.

The reward of external honesty comes from Allah, from people, and from the
psychological satisfaction the honest person feels. When you are honest, you are
liked by God and people whom you deal with. Your honesty gives you the social
approval you need and here comes the social value of honesty.

Further, when everybody is honest, a great deal of human problems disappears

including lying, cheating, bluffing, stealing, forgery, and many other social diseases.
In other words, honesty is something you give and something you take: others
enjoy your honesty, and you enjoy their honesty.
Thus, honesty is a factor in the psychological health of the honest person himself
and the health of other persons whom he deals with. However, Islam emphasizes
internal honesty as well, i.e., honesty which is judged by the person himself and
cannot be seen by other people.

It often happens that a person acts privately. Sometimes we act with nobody seeing
us. A believer in Allah feels that although no person is watching him, Allah is
watching. This continuous watch of Allah develops the concept of internal honesty
or conscience in the believer. This means that internal honesty becomes an overall
strategy of the believer.

The Muslim is to be honest, internally and externally, privately and publicly,

whether observed by other people or not, whether he acts or peaks. This overall
honesty makes the Muslim confident of himself, of his behavior, and of his words
and deeds. Honesty makes the person feel that he trusts others and is trusted by
others.

*Building Honesty:*
Islam builds the ethical qualities in general and honesty in particular in the believers
through several ways:
1. Instructions - Allah orders the Muslim to be honest in all cases, in all deeds and
words, to himself and others.
2. Reason - Allah shows the Muslim rationally that honesty is the best policy, even
on utilitarian bases.
3. Reward - Allah promises the honest person generous rewards in the first life and
in the second life.
4. Punishment - Allah threatens the dishonest person with severe punishment for his
dishonest behavior.
5. Practice - Allah develops the habit of honesty in the Muslim through actual
practice. For example, practices self-control against temptations and impulses
during the month of Ramadan.

Thus, Islam builds the habit of honesty in the Muslim through direct instructions,
through rational arguments, through the reward and punishment principles, and
through practice. The outcome is a healthy self and a healthy social atmosphere
that leads to the happiness of both the individual and the group.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Muslim Woman’s Right to Work and Earn*
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✅In Islam, a woman has a distinct and separate identity. She is not an accessory of
her husband. Islam has given her the right to be the owner of her earnings. No one
(her father, husband, or brother) has a right over them. She can dispose of her
earnings and property as she wishes, within the framework of Islam.

One of the greatest women in the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him),
was his first wife Khadijah. She was the daughter of a very prosperous businessman
and inherited the business set up by her father.

Her astuteness and business ability made hers one of the most widespread
businesses among the Quraish. Her policy was to employ hardworking and honest
managers to deal on her behalf. She exported goods to far away markets like Syria
and her managers brought goods from those markets to be sold back in Makkah.
The managers received fifty percent of the profit and so she thrived.

Labor forces were employed from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, both
men and women were involved in diverse occupations and economic activities.

Women were employed in a wide range of commercial activities and diverse

occupations in the primary sector (as farmers for example), secondary sector (as
construction workers, dyers, spinners, etc.) and tertiary sector (as investors,
doctors, nurses, presidents of guilds, brokers, peddlers, lenders, scholars, etc.).
Muslim women also held a monopoly over certain branches of the textile industry,
the largest and most specialized and market-oriented industry at the time, in
occupations such as spinning, dying, and embroidery.

In comparison, female property rights and wage labor were relatively uncommon in
Europe until the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A unique feature of medieval Muslim hospitals was the role of female staff, who
were rarely employed in ancient and medieval healing temples elsewhere in the
world.
Medieval Muslim hospitals commonly employed female nurses, including nurses
from as far as Sudan, a sign of great breakthrough. Muslim hospitals were also the
first to employ female physicians, the most famous being two female physicians
from the Banu Zuhr family who served the Almohad ruler Abu Yusuf Ya’qub Al
Mansur in the 12th century. This was necessary due to the segregation between
male and female patients in Islamic hospitals.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Why to Follow Prophet Muhammed in Everything?*
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✅The life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a role model for every person of this world.
This source of light and guidance (the Prophet PBUH) can lead us completely. Allah
sent His messengers in every period of history to guide the humanity. The world
had been waiting for the last Prophet for centuries. This long wait was ended with
the prophethood of the Muhammed (PBUH). He was sent as the last Prophet of Allah
Almighty. His Shariah (law) was regarded as the last message of Allah and the
previous laws were abolished. His guidance was declared sufficient for all till the
end of this world.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was an embodiment of mercy for all mankind. All the
prophets guided the humans. Mohammad (PBUH) brought a revolution in the lives
of the people. This revolution is example-less in the history of mankind. Our love for
the Prophet (PBUH) involves not only the devotion and passion for him but to follow
his deeds also. There is no option left for us but to follow his teachings. The Quran
and Sunnah (prophet’s traditions) are the basis of Islam. The holy lifestyle of the
Prophet (PBUH) guides us in our individual and collective life. He stressed that
Muslims should have good behavior with others. They should have good character
also. It shows the importance of behavior and character in his teachings.
Abu Huraira reported that on the occasion of ‘Farewell Hajj’ he said, “I am leaving
two things among you. You will never deviate from the right path. These are the
Holy Quran and my traditions (Sunnah). These two things will not be separated…” If
we will follow the Quran and Sunnah, we cannot be deviated from the right path.
These two things will keep on guiding us up to the last day of this world. We will
keep on consulting the Quran for a solution to every problem.

Allah has ordered that we should follow him in everything. And we should take
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as our role model. We should follow his guidance in all
things, large and small. It is said in the Holy Quran that the people who believe in
Allah they should obey the Prophet (PBUH) as well. It means that the obedience of
the Prophet (PBUH) is the obedience of Allah. It is clear that the teachings of the
Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Holy Quran are the basis of Islam. In other way, the life
of the Prophet (PBUH) was the explanation and practical implementation of what
Quran teaches us. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah,
you have a good example to follow.” (Surah Al-Ahzab: 33:21).

Mohammad (PBUH) is the last Prophet of Allah. His prophethood is sufficient for all
humanity up to the end of this world. The prophethood of the Prophet Muhammed
has two parts. Firstly, he is a prophet and secondly, he is the last prophet of Allah
Almighty. It shows that his prophethood is universal. He is not the prophet of his
age, but he is the prophet of every age. He should be obeyed in every age. Truth is
forever. Islam guides people in every field of life. It is a complete code of life.
Anyone who wants to please the Creator, he should follow the teachings of the Holy
Prophet (PBUH).

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Are there Degrees and Levels in Paradise and Hell?*
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✅Will all people same at Paradise and Hell? How many heavens and hells are there?
How do these levels differentiate?

With regard to numbers, there is one Hell and one Paradise, but each of them has
degrees and levels. Paradise is sometimes mentioned in the plural in the sayings of
Prophet (Hadith), but this does not mean that there are several types of Paradise;
rather this is indicative of its greatness and the various degrees and levels in it, or it
is indicative of the greatness of the reward of the one who enters it.

It says in the hadeeth of Anas ibn Maalik that Umm al-Rubayyi’ bint al-Bara’, who
was the mother of Harithah ibn Suraqah, came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “O
Prophet of Allah, will you not tell me about Harithah? (who had been killed at the
battle of Badr by a stray arrow).” “If he is in Paradise, I will bear it with patience but
if it is otherwise then I shall weep long and hard for him.” He said: “O Umm
Harithah, there are gardens in Paradise – according to another report: many
gardens – and your son has attained the highest Firdaws.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari,
2809)

The levels of Hell differ according to the extent of their inhabitants’ kufr (denial of
the Truth) and actions in this world. The hypocrites will be in the lowest (severe)
level of Hell, as our Lord has told us: “Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest
depth (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them” (Quran 4:145)

The least severe (in torment) of its levels – from which we seek refuge with Allah –
was mentioned by the Prophet (PBUH) in the hadeeth reported by al-Nu’man ibn
Basheer who said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The least severely
punished of the people of Hell will be a man who has two shoes and shoelaces of
Fire – according to another version: two live coals will be placed on the soles of his
feet – because of which his brains will boil as a pot boils. He will not think that
anyone is being punished more severely than him, but he will be the one who is
punished most lightly.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6562; Muslim, 212)

We know of no limit to the number of degrees and levels in Paradise. It was said
that their number is equal to the number of verses in the Qur’an, based on a Hadith
of ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr. (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1646; al-Tirmidhi, 2914)

The highest of the degrees of Paradise is al-Firdaws, as it was narrated that Abu
Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“… When you ask of Allah, ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is in the middle of Paradise
and is the highest part of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful,
and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2637;
Muslim, 2831)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Are Muslims Ordered to Fight Jews?*
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✅It is narrated in hadith (tradition) that the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said that the
last Hour will not begin until Muslims fight the Jews and kill the last one. At the same
time, the Muslims throughout history have treated the Jews well and coexisted with
them. So why does the hadith tell us here that the Muslims should kill the Jews?

Islam is the religion of mercy and peace. Therefore, Islam allowed the Jews and
Christians to remain in Muslim lands, and did not expel them or kill them, as they
did and still do when they gain control over Muslim lands. That is in accordance with
the treaty between them and the Islamic state, with both parties having rights and
duties. So long as they continue to adhere to those conditions, they have the right
to enjoy that right of residence and security.

Hence Islam offers protection to non-believers (ahlu dhimmah) in Muslim lands, and
defends their rights if they adhere to the conditions of residence, to the extent that
the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Whoever kills a mu‘ahid (non-Muslim living under Muslim
rule) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance may be
detected from a distance of forty years.” (Bukhari 3166).

But if the non-believers break the conditions – such as if they commit acts of
betrayal or treachery, or they prepare to fight Muslims or help their enemies, and
the like – then they have broken the treaty, and in that case there is no treaty
between Muslims and them, and they do not deserve to reside in security as they
did not uphold the treaty.

The Muslims used to coexist with the Jews and treat them well, so long as they
adhere to the conditions of residence. But they may choose to be treacherous. It is
sufficient for you to know that when the Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬migrated to Madinah, there
were three Jewish tribes in the city. He made treaties with all of them and agreed to
live in peace with all of them, but they all committed acts of treachery and betrayal.
Therefore, the Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬fought them, killed some of them and banished some
beyond Madinah, and he did not allow them to remain in the city.

It is narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (r) that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ( ‫)ﷺ‬
say: “The Jews will fight you and you will prevail over them, then a rock will say: ‘O
Muslim, here is a Jew behind me; kill him.’” (Bukhari 3593, Muslim 2921)

It is also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “The Hour will not
begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them, until a Jew
hides behind a rock or a tree, and the rock or tree will say: O Muslim, O slave of
Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Except the gharqad (a thorny
tree), for it is one of the trees of the Jews.” (Sahih Muslim 2922)

In some reports there is an indication that the fighting against the Jews that is
mentioned in this hadith will occur at the end of time, when the Dajjal emerges and
the Messiah Eesa ibn Maryam (‫ )ﷺ‬descends and fights him.

In short, the tradition which is presented to prove that Prophet Muhammad (

‫ )ﷺ‬ordered Muslims to kill Jews concerns a future situation of conflict between
Muslims and Jews and has nothing to do with day-to-day Muslim-to-Jew relations. It
does not apply to all Jews at all times. Its contents reflect a situation of conflict.
Prophet’s statement regarding the Jews addresses those Jews deserving of censure
at that certain time. It does not mean that he is censuring Jews simply because they
are Jews.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣8️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Islam is Spread by its Moral Message and Not by the Sword*
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✅It is a common misconception with some non-Muslims that Islam would not have
millions of followers all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force.

The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it
was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid
spread of Islam.

Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. Freedom of
religion is ordained in the Qur'an itself: "There shall be no compulsion in
(acceptance of) the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong."
(Qur'an 2:256)

The noted historian De Lacy O'Leary wrote: "History makes it clear however, that
the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the
point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd
myths that historians have ever repeated."

If Islam was spread by the sword, it was the sword of intellect and convincing
arguments. It is this sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The
Qur'an says: "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction and
argue with them in a way that is best." (Qur'an 16:125)

The facts speak for themselves: Indonesia is the country that has the largest
number of Muslims in the world, and the majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims.
But no Muslim army ever went to Indonesia or Malaysia. It is an established
historical fact that Indonesia entered Islam not due to war, but because of its moral
message. Despite the disappearance of Islamic government from many regions
once ruled by it, their original inhabitants have remained Muslims. Moreover, they
carried the message of truth, inviting others to it as well, and in so doing endured
harm, affliction and oppression.

The same can be said for those in the regions of Syria and Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, North
Africa, Asia, the Balkans and in Spain. This shows that the effect of Islam on the
population was one of moral conviction, in contrast to occupation by western
colonialists.

Muslims ruled Spain (Andalusia) for about 800 years. During this period, the
Christians and Jews enjoyed freedom to practice their respective religions, and this
is a documented historical fact.

Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years, and therefore had the power to
force each and every non-Muslim of India to convert to Islam, but they did not, and
thus more than 80 percent of the Indian population remains non-Muslim.
Similarly, Islam spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. And likewise, no Muslim
army was ever dispatched to the East Coast of Africa.

An article in Reader's Digest 'Almanac,' yearbook 1986, gives the statistics of the
increase of the percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from
1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in The Plain Truth magazine. At the top was
Islam, which increased by 235 percent, while Christianity had increased by 47
percent. During this fifty-year period, there was no "Islamic conquest”, yet Islam
spread at an extraordinary rate.

Today the fastest growing religion in America and Europe is Islam. The Muslims in
these lands are a minority. The only sword they have in their possession is the
sword of truth. It is this sword that is converting thousands to Islam.

Islamic law protects the privileged status of minorities, and that is why non-Muslim
places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. Islamic law also allows
non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws
drawn up by the minorities themselves. The life and property of all citizens in an
Islamic state are considered sacred whether they are Muslims or not.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣0️⃣*
*❓How Can We Identify the True Religion?*
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✅There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the
world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to Allah. How can
one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct?

Thus, it may be stated that the basic message of false religion is that Allah may be
worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of
creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it God. For example, prophet
Jesus invited his followers to worship Allah but those who claim to be his followers
today call people to worship Jesus, claiming that he was Allah! This is described in
Qur'an 5:116.

Nor did he worship himself when he worshipped but rather, he worshipped Allah.

Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the

By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes
very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the
Qur'an:

“That which you worship besides Him are only names you and your forefathers have
invented for which Allah has sent down no authority; The command belongs only to
Allah. He has commanded that you only worship Him; that is the right religion, but
most men do not understand" (Quran 12:40)

The Message of Islam:

Since the total submission of one's will to Allah represents the essence of worship,
the basic message of Allah's divine religion, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and
the avoidance of worship directed to any person, place or thing other than Allah.
Since everything other than Allah, the Creator of all things, is Allah's creation; it
may be said that Islam, in essence calls man away from the worship of creation and
invites him to worship only its Creator. He is the only one deserving man's worship
as it is only by His will that prayers are answered.

In the Qur'an Allah clearly states: "For We assuredly sent amongst every people a
prophet, (with the command) worship me and avoid false gods" (Qur'an 16:36)

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Was Not Prophet Muhammad Assured of his Own Salvation?*
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✅Many Non-Muslims Claim that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not sure of his own
Salvation; then how can Muslims be sure to have salvation by following him. Let us
have a look.

Misinterpretation of Quran and Hadith by Enemies of Islam:

Christian missionaries argue that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not certain about
his own salvation according to Islamic sources. They put forth one Qur'anic verse
and one hadith as proof for this. Let us look at the Quran verse:

Say: "I am no bringer of new-fangled doctrine among the messengers, nor do I know
what will be done with me or with you. I follow but that which is revealed to me by
inspiration; I am but a warner open and clear." (Quran 46:9)
The first possible solution is that this Qur'anic verse might have revealed before the
Prophet knew that he was going to paradise.

As for his expression "By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know
what Allah will do to me", the Prophet (PBUH) uttered this in accordance with Allah's
statement in Surah Al Ahqaaf "Say: "I am no bringer of new-fangled doctrine among
the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you".

The above verse was revealed before the revealing of the verse "That Allah may
forgive you your sins of the past and the future" (Surah Al Fatah 48:2) because Al
Ahqaaf was revealed before Prophet’s migration to Madina, while Surah Al Fatah
was revealed after his migration and there is no contradiction between the two of
them.

And it has been established that the Prophet (PBUH) said "I am the first who will
enter paradise" and there are other reports which convey this meaning as well. So,
it is possible to sustain this (i.e. the fact that the Prophet doesn't know) on
knowledge in a general sense, but negating the inclusiveness of the particulars.
(Kitab: Al Janaaiz, Bab: Al Dukhool 'Ala Al Mayyit Ba'd Al Mawt izhaa Adraja fi
Akfaanihi, commentary on Hadith no. 1166)

Imam Tabari in his commentary quotes Qatadah saying: "Nor do I know what will be
done with me or with you", then Prophet (PBUH) knew from Allah after that what he
would do with him, for Allah said "Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) a
manifest victory. That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future"
(Surah 48:1-2) (Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Jami' al-bayan fi ta'wil al-Qur'an, Commentary on
Surah 46:9)

So, we see that the first possible solution is that the Prophet (PBUH) expressed his
ignorance of what will happen to him in the next life before he received revelation
from Allah that stated that he would be going to paradise. The second solution for
this is that Muhammad talks about the worldly life.

Confirming Prophet Muhammad's Salvation:

Al-Bukhari narrated that Prophet Muhammad, said: "I and the custodian of an
orphan are like this (together) in Paradise", and he joined his forefinger and middle
finger together."

"After the passing of the Prophet from this world, Abu Bakr said to the
Companions: "I asked Allah's Messenger what basic thing was necessary for
salvation and he replied that whoever accepts the Word which I brought and which I
offered to my uncle Abu Talib and which he rejected: this Word constitutes salvation
for him." Related by Ahmad (1:6), Tabarani in al-Awsat, Tayalisi in his Musnad, Ibn
Sa`d in his Tabaqat (2/2:84-85), Abu Ya`la, Ibn Abi Shayba, Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-
iman.

Ibn Kathir quotes several Hadith [an-Nihayah, 2/213] that state this such as the
report of Muslim from Anas (ra) according to which the Prophet said, "I will be
the first one to knock at the gates of Paradise".

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Can Terrorism be Compared to Physical Jihad?*
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*✅Definition of Jihad*
While Islam in general is misunderstood in the western world, perhaps no other
Islamic term evokes such strong reactions as the word ‘Jihad’. The word Jihad is
mistranslated as ‘Holy War’. The Arabic equivalent of ‘Holy War’ is ‘harb-u-
muqadasah’. This term is not found in any verse of the Qur’an. There is nothing in
the Islamic sources that permit a Muslim to fight against non-Muslims solely on the
basis that they are not Muslim.

The word Jihad comes from the root word Jahada, which means to struggle. At the
individual level, Jihad primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of
virtue and submission to God in all aspects of life.

At the collective level, Jihad can take various forms, such as: Intellectual Jihad,
Economic Jihad & Physical Jihad as discussed before. Thus, the concept of Jihad is
vast and comprehensive. Admittedly, it is the last category of Jihad that is a cause
for concern to many, and which we shall explore in detail.

*Physical Jihad*
Jihad on the battlefield, in the Islamic perspective, is the last resort, and is subject
to stringent conditions. It can be waged only to defend freedom, which includes
freedom of faith. The Glorious Qur’an says: “To those against whom war is made,
permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged; and verily, Allah is most
powerful for their aid; (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in
defiance of right, (for no cause) except that they say, “our Lord is Allah”. If Allah
didn’t check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been
pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name
of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure…” [Qur’an 22:39-40]

Moreover, the Qur’an says: “And why should ye not fight in the cause of God and of
those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? – Men, women and children,
whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors;
and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who
will help!” [Qur’an 4:75]

Thus, the conditions of physical Jihad are clearly defined in the Qur’an.

Can Terrorism be Compared to Jihad?

Terrorism is usually defined as ideologically motivated indiscriminate violence that
targets civilians, with the intention of inspiring terror in order to achieve political
ends. Although this definition ignores the reality of state terrorism, it is clear that
terrorism has no place in the noble concept of Jihad. Even Jihad that involves
physical conflict is the very antithesis of terrorism, as is clear from the following
differences:

1. Jihad can be launched only by an established authority as a policy in order to

deter aggression. Terrorism, on the other hand, is committed by individuals or
groups that have no legitimacy to speak for the majority. When terrorism is
committed by states, it usually depends on misleading the masses.
2. Jihad is limited to combatants while terrorism involves indiscriminate killing of
civilians.
3. Jihad, when the need arises, is declared openly, while terrorism is committed
secretly.
4. Jihad is bound by strict rules of engagement while terrorism is not bound by any
rules.

*Conclusion*
It is clear from the foregoing discussion that Jihad is a vast concept that
encompasses various spheres of activity, all directed towards the betterment of self
and society. Regardless of how legitimate a cause may be, Islam does not condone
the killing of innocent people. Terrorizing the civilian population, whether by
individuals or states, can never be termed as Jihad and can never be reconciled with
the teachings of Islam.
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*❓Does the Quran Allow Men to Beat their Wives?*
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✅The Quran verse 4:34, which allows a man to ‘strike’ his wife in case of stubborn
disobedience, has been wildly misrepresented by opponents of Islam and even
some Muslim men. It is often wrongly translated as ‘beating.’ In fact, the ‘striking’ in
the verse is a symbolic gesture meant as a last resort, before divorce, for husbands
whose wives refuse to stop violating the terms of their marriage contract. There are
very strict legal restrictions on how a man may discipline his wife. Interpreted in its
complete context, the verse is actually a prohibition on domestic violence.

It is not permissible in Islam for a man to deliberately harm his wife physically or
emotionally. Allah said: “Do not harm them in order to make it difficult for them.”
(Quran 65:6)

All scholars unanimously agree that the striking mentioned in the verse is “without
severity” or “without pain”. It is only in the case when a wife habitually violates her
marriage contract and after other means have been taken but failed to correct her
behavior. It is illegal in Islam for a husband to cause bruises, injuries, or any harm
whatsoever to wife.

The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “I enjoin you to treat women well, for they are like
captives to you. Verily, you have no right treat them otherwise, unless they commit
flagrant immorality. If they do so, then you may separate from their beds and strike
them without causing pain, but if they you then you may do nothing against them.”
(Tirmidhi 1163)

To summarize all the restrictions placed on ‘striking’ by the scholars: it is with a

light object; it must not cause pain, injury, or disgrace; it must not leave any bruise
or mark; and it must not be on sensitive areas like the face. A man who violates any
of these restrictions is held legally responsible and his wife may divorce him for it,
all of which amounts to a prohibition of domestic violence.

Taken altogether, this ‘striking’ is nothing more than a teaching mechanism

intended to convey to his wife the gravity of her unwarranted behavior, because the
final step afterwards is divorce.

In fact, some of the early Muslims understood the ‘striking’ to be metaphorical and
not physical at all. Indeed, Aisha reported that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬never hit a woman
or a servant unless he had to defend himself or his community in battle. (Sahih
Muslim 2328).

In this regard, the best course of action for a Muslim man is to never strike his wife
at all. The action of symbolically striking his wife, within the aforementioned legal
limits, is considered by scholars to be permissible but ‘disapproved’ (makruh),
meaning a Muslim man will be divinely rewarded for not doing so.

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬rhetorically criticized men who beat their wives while marriage in
Islam is supposed to be based upon love, mercy, and partnership. The Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
said: “How does one of you strike his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then
embrace her?” (Sahih Bukhari 5695)

Finally, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬strongly encouraged Muslim men to treat women in

general, and their wives in particular, with the utmost respect and chivalry. The
measure of a man’s character is directly related to his treatment of women.
(Tirmidhi 1162)

In sum, the Quran does not allow Muslims to harm or ‘beat’ their wives. Rather, the
‘striking’ mentioned in the verse is a symbolic gesture and a last resort to correct a
wife’s misbehavior, before initiating divorce. If a husband harms his wife in any way,
she has the right to seek a divorce from him. Muslim men should follow the example
of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬, who never hit his wives and would behave honorably,
chivalrously, and compassionately with women.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣4️⃣*
*❓What is Halal Food? Why is It So Controversial?*
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*✅What is Halal?*
Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. In reference to food, it is the
dietary standard, as prescribed in the Holy Qur’an. The opposite of halal is haram,
which means unlawful or prohibited. Halal and haram are universal terms that apply
to all facets of life. These terms are commonly used in relation to food products,
meat products, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, food
ingredients, and food contact materials.

What is Halal/Haram Meat?

In the context of dietary rules, pork and blood, as well as meat from birds of prey
and reptiles, are defined as haram and so forbidden to practicing Muslims. In
general, every food is considered halal in Islam unless it is specially prohibited by
the Qur’an or the Hadith. However, in cases of necessity, prohibited things may
become permissible (halal) for the duration of the emergency or need, as Islam puts
a priority on life over death. (Qur’an 2:173)

How is Halal Meat Prepared?

Muslims are only allowed to eat meat that has been prepared according to Islamic
law. The slaughterer must say the name of God before making the cut. The name of
God is said in order to emphasize the sanctity of life and that the animal is being
killed for food with God’s consent.

After reciting the blessing, the slaughter man uses a surgically sharp instrument to
cut the animal's throat, windpipe and the blood vessels around its neck. The blood
is then allowed to drain from the body.

Islam says that the animals must be well treated before being killed. And only one
animal can be ritually slaughtered at a time and the other animals must not witness
any death. Even the knife must not be sharpened in the animal’s presence. Also,
the knife blade must be free of blemishes that might tear the wound.

The religious law also says how the animal must be treated during its life, with the
animal not allowed to have been mistreated or caused any pain. It must also be
provided with enough space to roam, clean water, food and fresh air.
*Life of Animals are Sacred*
Islam places great emphasis in the way in which an animal’s life ends, which has to
be in accordance with Islamic regulations. Life is a sacred blessing of God to
creation, animals as well as humans. If the life of an animal has to be ended for
human survival, then its life should only be taken in the name of God. Any animal
slaughtered in the name of a person alive or dead, any deity or idol will be
considered as haram and therefore it is not permissible for Muslims to consume that
meat.

Do the Animals Feel Pain?

The method of Islamic slaughter is often challenged by animal rights activists as
‘causing unnecessary suffering to the animal’. Muslims disagree and say that
Islamic law on killing animals is designed to reduce the pain and distress that the
animal suffers.

Some experts say that the animal killed in this way does not suffer if the cut is
made quickly and cleanly, because it loses consciousness before the brain can
perceive any pain: “the Islamic way of slaughtering is the most humane method of
slaughter and that captive bolt stunning, practiced in the West, causes 3 severe
pain to the animal” Schulze W, Schultze-Petzold H, Hazem AS, Gross R.

*Conclusion*
Islam is not only a religion it is a way of life with protocols, rules and manners
governing every facet of life. Since food is an important part of daily life, food laws
carry a special significance. Muslims are expected to eat for survival, to maintain
good health and not to live for eating. In Islam, eating is considered to be a matter
of worship of God like prayer, fasting, alms-giving and other religious activities.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣5️⃣*
*❓The Legacy of Islam*
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✅At the time of Umar Bin Khattab (RA) there was a boy who killed the father of two
brothers. On being called to the court of Umar for trial, the boy explained how he
killed him by accident. So, Umar asked the two brothers: “Will you forgive him?”

They both said: “No; we want retribution (qisas – meaning this boy should be killed
for man-slaughter).”

So, Umar asked the boy: “Do you have any last requests?”

The boy said: “Yes; my father passed away and I have a younger brother and my
father left some money for my brother, I would like three days to retrieve this
wealth from a hidden place so that I could make sure my brother gets it when I die.”

Umar said: “I can only give you permission to leave if you have a guarantor, so we
can guarantee that you will return for judgement”.

The boy shouted out in the court… “Will someone not help me today?”

Everyone puts their head down and there was a hushed silence in the courtroom.
Noticing there was no-one to support the boy, Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (RA), the noble
companion who spread the message of peace (Islam) to many tribes, raised his
hand. He had understood and agreed that the guarantor takes full responsibility for
the one he vouches for and recognized that if the boy did not come back, he
instead will have to face the capital punishment of retribution. Hence, Umar
released the boy in place of Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari.

The first day passed by and the boy was nowhere to be seen. The second day
passed by in the same way. On the third day, as the day passed noon, the two
brothers took Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari to the courtroom and pressed for fulfilment of the
judgement. However, they were reminded that “the day does not end till maghrib
(sunset)” and so crowds upon crowds all waited in the courtroom, shocked and
worried that this famous companion of Prophet would be killed for a young boy who
had betrayed him. As they entered late afternoon, there was still no sign of the boy
and everyone was making prayers and pleading for mercy.

As the final minutes before the Adhan of Maghrib approached, the door slammed
open and the boy rushed in.

Umar was astonished and asked the boy: “Oh boy, why did you come back? I did
not send anyone after you to call you and you could have gone renegade to save
your own life and look after your orphan brother. What made you come back?”
He said: “I did not want anyone to say that when a believer gave his word, he did
not fulfil it… So, I came back…”

Umar then turned to Abu Dharr and said: “Oh Abu Dharr, what made you act as the
guarantor of this boy, despite not knowing him or whether he would return?”

Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari replied: “I saw a believer in need, and I did not ever want
anyone to say that a Muslim was need and no one was there to help him, so I raised
my hand to be the guarantor of this boy.”

On hearing this, the brothers shouted out: “and we would like to forgive the boy!
When we have people like this, how can a believer ask for forgiveness and no one
be there to forgive him?”

This was the legacy of Islam.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Did the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬Instruct to Force Non-Muslims to the Side of the Road?*
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✅Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Do not initiate
greetings with the Jews and Christians. When you meet any of them in the road,
then make him take its narrowest path.” (Sahih Muslim 2167)

This is a hadith usually quoted by rationalists and some other anti-Islamists to claim
that Islam promotes racism and narrow-mindedness. There is no doubt in the
acceptance of this hadith reported by Imam Muslim; but its meaning is not the one
which is misinterpreted by the critics. This hadith is not a general instruction. It has
a particular background and context. Ie, the Prophet (PBUH) said this to the
rebellious and hostile groups of the Jews and Christians.
Whenever we read a narration about the Prophet, we need to understand it within
its historical, theological, and moral context. Al-Qurtubi comments on this tradition,
saying: “The meaning is not that if we meet them on a wide road we should force
them to take its narrowest edge, as this would be harming them and we have been
prohibited from harming them without a just cause.” (Fath al-Bari 11/40)

It is not allowed in Islam to harm anyone or anything without a just cause. Letting
them take the narrow part of the road was simply a means to avoid honoring them,
since at the time their tribe was showing hostility towards the Muslims. Ibn Hajar
comments on this tradition, saying: “It means do not give up your section of the
road to them in order to honor and respect them.” (Fath al-Bari 11/40). If we were to
honor such people at the time of their wrongdoing, that would only embolden them
to commit more crimes.

In general, Islam encourages us to be kind and gentle even to those who are very
rude to us, as long as they are not violent against us. Aisha reported: The
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Verily, Allah is kind and he loves kindness in all
matters.” (Sahih Bukhari 6528). The Prophet made this statement about a group of
Jews that cursed him inside his own home, telling his wife Aisha to be kind and not
to curse them in retaliation.

On the surface, the hadith seems like the Muslims are being commanded to be rude
to others. However, the Prophet made this statement to his companions when they
were departing to confront a Jewish tribe that had just violated their peace treaty.
Ibn Al-Qayyim comments on this tradition, saying: “It is said that this was in a
specific situation, when they were marching to the tribe of Qurayzah” (Zad al-Ma’ad
2/388).

Authentic versions of this tradition as narrated by other companions make this

context clear. Abu Basrah reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Verily, I
will depart against the Jews in the morning, so do not greet them with peace and if
they greet you with peace, then say: And upon you.” (Musnad Ahmad 26695). This
narration is authentic according to Al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaʼid 8/44 and Al-
Albani in Irwa’ al-Ghalil 1275.

From these, we can understand that the command to not initiate peaceful greetings
and to not accommodate their path was specific to these hostile tribes. In another
context, the companions would greet non-Muslims with peace. The Muslims in this
case were simply told to continue marching on their way without stopping to
accommodate these people. Even so, it was not permissible for the Muslims to harm
these non-Muslims while they walked along the path.
In sum, the tradition about not initiating greetings with non-Muslims and making
them use the narrow path was specific to the context of hostilities. It does not mean
non-Muslims should be harmed or that we should be rude to them as they use the
road. Rather, the general rule in Islam is to be kind and gentle with others.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Why Doesn’t Allah Stop Human Suffering?*
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✅In the very beginning of the Quran, angels question Allah about the creation of
beings capable of committing evil acts and causing pain to other living beings.
Allah’s reply is that Allah has reasons that are not discernible to creatures with
limited knowledge. Indeed, this is one of the classical answers philosophers and
theologians come up with to solve the problem of suffering. God is perfectly good
and omnipotent, yet those attributes need not entail that He stops all suffering in
the world. God might have a plan which would morally justify God allowing
suffering. For instance, suffering may be necessary to produce more human
happiness than a world without suffering.

There are other verses in the Quran which refer to the limits on human knowledge
which prevent a full and true evaluation of the events we face: “…But perhaps you
hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for
you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” (2:216)

The Quran not only points out limited human knowledge in relation to the problem
of suffering, it relates the suffering in the world to human free-will. Although Allah
guides and motivates human beings to be moral, just, and righteous, He also let
them to be free in making their choices, which includes acting immorally and
causing suffering. Part of the suffering in the world, then, is due to the existence of
free will.
This is closely related to another theme in the Quran. The existence of free-will is
crucial and indispensable in Islam because this world is believed to be a test for
human beings. Thus, creating robot-like creatures that have no option other than
committing moral acts would not be wise. “He who created death and life - to test
you - as to which of you is better in conduct. He is the Almighty, the
Forgiving.” (67:2)

This verse also note that the reason behind the existence of suffering stem not only
from human evil acts, but also from diseases and natural disasters. Although Allah
wants to reward human beings, He wants them to earn this reward through being
moral, righteous, grateful, and patient in difficult circumstances. In the absence of
hardships, staying righteous is not really challenging and hence it does not act as a
key distinguishing factor among human beings.

Pain and suffering are not only tools Allah uses to test human beings. They are also
agents that provide us the opportunity to grow. (2:155–157) Thus, from the Quranic
perspective, pain and suffering restore the relationship between Allah and human
beings. The bad experiences we go through remind us of our imperfect nature and
vulnerability.

Pain and suffering not only restore our relationship with God, they are also helpful in
restoring our relations with others who are living in harder conditions. Passing
through painful experiences, we start to empathize with those who suffer and get
closer to them even though we were unconcerned about them before.

The existence of suffering in the world might also give us an idea of the afterlife. If
there were no pain and suffering in the world, we would not be able to grasp what
hell would be like. There are verses in the Quran which seem to support this idea.
(2:25)

Finally, a world without pain and suffering would be absurd on many grounds. In
such a world working would be meaningless since no one would experience hunger
in a suffering-free world. And in a world without suffering, natural laws would not
work properly. Gravity, for instance, would stop working when someone decides to
commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. In such a world where natural laws keep
changing, science would not be possible.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Islam Offers Dignity and Rights to All Humanity*
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✅The extraordinarily rapid spread of Islam from its modest beginnings in Arabia has
no parallel in history, even to this day. And while there are a variety of reasons why
this phenomenal movement took hold, none of them include the use of the sword as
a means of conversion: no individual, group, tribe, or nation was forced to convert
to Islam under threat of death - absolutely none.

Instead, Islam brought an unprecedented wealth of human and spiritual values to

the people with which it came into contact. Primary among these values was the
knowledge and certainty that God Almighty bestows the gift of dignity upon every
human being. It is an unqualified and unconditional gift, freely offered to the pious
and sinful alike, irrespective of gender, religion, race, social status, age, power, etc.

Even criminals are entitled to dignified treatment, for punishment is meant both as
a deterrent and a means to reform offenders, not to humiliate them. Similarly, Islam
teaches that prisoners of war are to be treated well and their human dignity is not
to be compromised.

This universal assurance of human dignity is affirmed by the Qur'an (17:70) and was
practiced by a vast majority of Muslims during the period following the death of
Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. The Prophet declared in a Hadith, reported in
Mishkat al-Masabih, that "people are God's children and those dearest to God are
the ones who treat His children kindly." The Qur'an makes human dignity so
intrinsic to every person that no regime, however powerful, can take it away.

To understand how deeply Islam engaged with the longing of indigenous peoples
throughout Africa and Asia, we must examine the prevailing values of the late
Roman Empire.

The Romans built impressive amphitheatres for live shows, which often consisted of
prisoners of war fighting one another to the death. Special gladiatorial games
("gladi" means sword) were also popular public amusements. Men, women and
children alike deserted their homes to enjoy the sensation of watching skilled
fighters being slain by their more skilled opponents. On other occasions, more
blood-sport entertainment was provided by setting lions, tigers, bears and other
beasts loose in the arena to devour hapless slaves.

The Romans perfected their road-building skills over a vast network that allowed for
the rapid deployment of troops to quash any rebellion in the more distant colonies.

When Islam first reached Egypt in 640 CE, it was still a Roman province of the
waning empire. Although a great many of the Roman citizens, as well as the native
Egyptian Copts, were Christian, it was the Copts who were most frequently
oppressed and persecuted for their faith. Similarly, in Jerusalem the Jews were
persecuted by their Roman overlords. No wonder the native peoples in Africa, the
near East and Asia regarded the movement of Muslims into their regions as
beneficial, for they lived among those of other faiths as brothers and sisters,
treating them humanely, whether they converted or not.

Islam was accepted and welcomed all around the Mediterranean basin because it
countered the rigid conformity of Roman rule by introducing the value of respecting
each person's inherent human dignity and by implementing concrete precepts to
make the achievement of universal human dignity a reality.

Islamic human rights include: the right to live in peace, to have employment and a
decent standard of living, to have a family, to worship, to have access to free
education, to have free access to justice, to live free of oppression and debt, etc.

Islam was so far ahead of its time that the West only codified some of these rights
and principles during the past 50 years.

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*🌹Understand Islam 2️⃣9️⃣9️⃣*
*❓The Importance of Divine Message*
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✅The divine revelation for the human mind is like the external light to eyes. The eye
alone is not enough in the process of vision unless it is accompanied by an outer
light.

Man is always in dire need of the divine guidance or message from Allah Almighty,
which reveals the nature of the relationship between mankind and the Creator of
the universe.

In fact, the prophets and messengers are the people who were selected by the
Creator who deliver the message of Allah to His slaves, because every person is not
prepared for receiving the direct message from Allah Almighty. Prophethood from
the Islamic perspective is a selection by Allah Almighty and a special gift from Him
to His selected slaves and devotees who are the most perfect individuals among the
people.

Moreover, Allah has granted man the sense and mind to guide him to the right path
and help him to distinguish between the right and wrong. This reality has been
elucidated by the Glorious Qur’an. And modern psychology also confirms that man
is equipped with an instinct that helps him to differentiate between good and evil.

Though, man came to this world with such quality and instinct, but this quality is
mostly exposed to some types of pests that come between human mind and its
assigned functions. They disturb it to carry out its duties properly. Sometimes it is
influenced by personal feelings. From time to time, it is defeated by worldly desires
and deviant ideas. At times, it is affected by anger, hostility and bigotry. Thus, the
duties and functions of the human sense are interrupted and become unable to
distinguish between good and evil. That’s why Allah has selected
the prophets and apostles from among His slaves to guide human mind to the right
direction.

As the mind guides man, so the mind is guided by the divine revelation. If a person
gets deprived of his mind, he becomes insane and crazy and when the human mind
is deprived of the guidance of divine revelation the mind becomes insane. Both are
necessary for each other, each of them completes the other. Likewise, the human
mind alone is not sufficient for the identification of the truth if it is not accompanied
by the divine revelation. The honor of human being lies in the life and activeness of
his mind; otherwise, he loses his dignity and distinction as a human being.

Moreover, Allah Almighty has created this world as a trial and a test for mankind,
ordering them to recognize their Creator and learn about Him, His nature, His will,
His orders and commands in order to adapt their life in the light of His guidance.
Allah says: “And I did not create the jinn and men except to worship Me.” (Quran
51:56) Furthermore, He says: “Who has created death and life that He may test you
which of you is best in deeds. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” (Quran
67:2)

Allah wanted to help man on this mission and assist him through His revelation to
the prophets and messengers. Allah Almighty has provided him everything that
fulfills his worldly needs and natural requirements.

The noble prophets and messengers delivered the message of Allah Almighty to His
slaves and educated them according to the will of Allah Almighty and taught them
the principles of faith and the values of ethics, and guided them to the right path in
every matter of life. If a person does not know his Lord, he could not be able to
conceive the nature of the relationship between him and his Creator. Without divine
message, man could not worship His Lord as He wills and orders, without their
guidance, it is too difficult to lead our life in a balanced way.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Benefits of Becoming a Muslim*
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✅Any person who becomes a Muslim should recognize that he will get all these
benefits and much more. However, he should realize that he has to earn them by
practicing the teachings of Islam. Implementing the practice of Islamic teachings is
as important as believing in it.

1. As far as the Creator (Allah) is concerned, you will be able to identify Him and get
to know Him, His role and your relationship to Him. You will be able to communicate
with Him any time. As a result, you will be able to know your origin, your roots, and
the wisdom as to why you are on this planet. You will be able to have good answers
to the questions why, how, when, where, what, and other philosophical questions.
2. As a result of above, your loyalty, allegiance, and obedience will be to the Creator
Himself You will transcend yourself from all types of allegiance for this world. This
means that you will put your trust on Allah, and you will follow Him before anyone
else.

3. As a result of above, you will be able to acquire peace, harmony, tranquility and
happiness within yourself, with your family; with people of the world, with the
environment and with the universe.

4. Through daily prayers, you will get rid of all the unwanted thoughts and tensions.

5. As a result of above, you will acquire a pleasant personality. You will be friendly
and amicable. You would not need to drink alcohol, to use drugs or to get involved
in vulgarity or immorality.

6. Through fasting, you will be able to have self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline,

self-education, self-evaluation, and self-obedience to Allah the Creator. You will be
able to improve your health, personal. its, character and behavior.

7. As a result of above, you will be able to control your lusts, selfishness, desires,
greed, ego and conceitedness. Also you will be generous and hospitable; you will try
to purify yourself and your mistakes by sharing your happiness and your wealth
with those who are less fortunate than you.

8. By performing pilgrimage to Makkah, you will transcend yourself from being

nationalistic, sectarian, or denominational into being universal. You will be part of
the universal brotherhood with those who already submitted themselves to the
Creator. At the same time, you will get rid of the inferiority or superiority complex.

9. In becoming a Muslim, you will do your best to stop all types of exploitations in all
their forms: economical, biological, mental, spiritual, psychological, political, etc.
You will also to liberate people and give them freedom in worship, speech, and
expression. You will be a leader to lead people to peace, tranquility and happiness.

10. In accepting Islam, you will help to reduce all types of social ills in the society:
juvenile delinquency, child abuse, women's battering, incest, homosexuality, sexual
promiscuity, extramarital relationship, and other vices.

11. Finally, when you die, you will die at peace. You will have a happy life in the
grave and later an eternal happiness. On the Day of Judgment, you will be able to
see and meet the Creator Allah, Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and all your beloved
ones. You will live an eternal life of bliss in Paradise.

*Footnote:*
The benefits mentioned above and many more cannot be purchased with money
anywhere in the world. No one is to sell them to you or to advertise them on TV. You
have to take the initiative yourself and try to acquire them by accepting Islam, and
then by practicing its teachings. Are you ready to accept the challenge today?
Remember, tomorrow may not come, and it will be too late.

Dear Friends,
We have shared 300 episodes of the *’Understand Islam'* series so far. Please share
your valuable feedbacks, suggestions, queries, and criticisms related to Islam and
the series to the Admin.

We will continue the series with the answers for your questions, the refutations for
the common criticisms, and with the topics which were not covered so far.

We will share the whole 300 parts of the series as a *Word/PDF Document* soon.
*Topics List:*
1. What is Islam?
2. Who is a Muslim?
3. Is Islam a New Religion? Who is the Founder of Islam?
4. What is the Difference of Islam from Material Ideologies?
5. What is the Purpose of Our Existence?
6. Does God Exist? Is There Any Evidence for God's Existence?
7. Finding Wisdom in God’s Creations
8. Who is God? How to Realize the Right God?
9. Who Created God?
10. Does Faith in God Contradict with Science?
11. What is the Concept of God in Islam?
12. What Does Oneness of God (Tawhid) Mean in Islam?
13. What are the Problems with Polytheism
14. Oneness of God in Hindu Scriptures
15. Oneness of God in Bible Old Testaments
16. Oneness of God in Bible New Testaments
17. If the Creator is One, How Come There are So Many Gods?
18. Does Islam Give Freedom to Choose Faith/Religion?
19. Does God Need Our Worship? Why did He Create Us to Worship Him?
20. What are the Principles of Beliefs in Islam?
21. Why Do We Need a Religion?
22. Is Religion Really Needed for Humans to Become Moral & Good?
23. What are the Unique Features of Islam?
24. Islam is Not Just Rituals; It is System of Moral Values
25. Who is Allah? Why Muslims Prefer to Call God as 'Allah'?
26. Does Allah, Lord Rama, Jesus Christ, etc are Different Names of Same God?
27. Why is Associating Partners with God an Unforgivable Sin in Islam?
28. Evidence for Oneness of the Creator
29. Why Does Islam Prohibit Idol Worship?
30. If Islam Opposes Idol Worship, Why do Muslims Pray to Kaaba?
31. Should We Seek God Examining Whether Our Prayers are Answered?
32. Why Should We Pray to the God? Why Don't God Fulfill All the Needs of the
Believers?
33. Why Does God Test Us with Hardship?
34. How to Face the Tests of God?
35. Why Does Allah Allow Suffering and Evil in the World?
36. What Does Faith in Destiny Mean in Islam?
37. If Everything is Predestined, then How the Disbelievers are Responsible for Their
Disbelieves and Bad Deeds?
38. Doesn't Islam Permit Critical Thinking?
39. Signs for Those Who Ponder Over!
40. Does God Give Free Will and Freedom to Control Our Destiny?
41. How Can Life be a Test if Allah is All-Knowing?
42. Why So Many Laws in Islam? Why Does Islam Seem to be Strict?
43. Why Doesn't God Punish All Evil-Doers & Disbelievers in this World?
44. Why did Allah Create Satan (Devil)?
45. What is Islamic View About Death?
46. What Does Islam Say About Life After Death?
47. The Necessity of the Resurrection and Judgment in the Afterlife?
48. What is the Possibility of the Resurrection After Death?
49. What is the Proof for Life after Death?
50. Reformation of Life Through the Belief in the Hereafter

51. What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?

101. What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?

151. What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?

152. What Does Islam Teach About Humanity?
153. What Should Be the Approach of Muslims Towards Non-Muslims?
154. Who is Kafir? Does this Term Denounce Non-Muslims?
155. Does Qur'an Prohibit Having Intimate Relations with Non-Muslims?
156. Does Qur'an Prohibit Marital Relations with Non-Muslims?
157. Does Qur'an Encourage Muslims to Demolish the Objects of Worship of Other
Religionists?
158. What is 'Jihad'? Can Terrorism be Compared to Physical Jihad?
159. Is Jihad the Battle Against Non-Muslims? Does Qur'an Propagate Animosity
Towards Other Religions by Encouraging Jihad?
160. Does Qur'an Recommend the Forcible Conversion of Non-Muslims?
161. What Does the Qur'an Say About Peace & Non-Violence?
162. Does Quran Promote Violence, Bloodshed and Brutality by Saying Muslims
Should Kill the Kuffar Wherever They Find Them?
163. What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?
164. Why is Islam Portrayed as Violent and Horrible? Who is Behind this
Propaganda?
165. Are All Terrorists Muslims?
166. What Were the Motives of the Wars of the Prophet?
167. Does the Struggle for Rights have to Choose the Path of War Itself?
168. What Does the Qur'an Say About War?
169. When is it Permissible to Fight in Islam?
170. When Does Jihad Become Obligatory for a Muslim?
171. What are Islamic Laws and Rules of War?
172. Why Suicide Bombing Violates Islam?
173. What are the Ethics & Humanity Islam Teaches in the War Towards Enemies?
174. Is Religion Separate from Politics According to Islam?
175. What is the Concept of Islamic State/Country?
176. How was the Politics & Rule of Prophet?
177. What are the Rights of Citizens in an Islamic State?
178. How Did the Prophet Muhammed Treat Minorities in Islamic Country?
179. Are Non-Muslims Treated as Second Class Citizens in Islamic Country? Is
levying 'Jizya' a Discrimination Towards Them?
180. Does Islam Prescribe Death Penalty for Apostates?
181. What is Islamic View on Nationalism?
182. What is Islamic View on Democracy?
183. What is Islamic view on Secularism?
184. What is Islamic View on Marxism & Socialism?
185. Was Islam Spread by the Sword?
186. How Did Islam Spread in the World?
187. Why is Islam Often Misunderstood?
188. Is there a Growing Tendency to Abandon Religion/Islam in the New Generation?
189. Why Do So Many People Embrace Islam in Today's Times?
190. Are All Religions True? Does Islam Agree All Religions?
191. How Can We Realize Which Religion is True?
192. Why Muslims Call Others to Islam?
193. If Islam is the Best Religion, Why are All Muslims Not Good?
194. Some Questions to Atheists/Rationalists
195. What are the Similarities Between Hinduism and Islam?
196. What are the Differences Between Hinduism and Islam?
197. What are the Similarities Between Christianity and Islam?
198. What are the Differences Between Christianity and Islam?
199. Is it Compulsory to Accept Islam for Salvation?
200. Conversion to Islam and Misconceptions
201. What is the Purpose of Life?
202. 'My name is Islam': A short video introducing Islam in brief
203. Why are All Prayers and Supplications Not Answered or Fulfilled by Allah?
204. Human Rights in the Qur'an
205. Some Questions to Those who Seek Evidence for God’s Existence
206. Trust & Reliance in God
207. What is the Concept of Worship in Islam?
208. Polytheism and Idol Worship are Prohibited in Vedas
209. Why Bad Things Happen to Good People?
210. Why Didn’t God Send Any Female Prophet/Messenger?
211. Qur’an Says that Allah has Made the Earth for You as a Carpet. This Gives an
Indication that the Earth is Flat. Doesn’t this Contradict Established Modern
Science?
212. Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬: Truthful and Honest
213. Isn't the Animal Sacrifice Cruel to Them?
214. Are Non-Muslims Allowed Inside Masjids/Mosques?
215. Will it Not Affect the Status of the Quran’s Divinity if Some of the Earlier
Injunctions Got Changed Later?
216. Is Allah Forgiving or Revengeful?
217. If Trinity is Not Biblical Teaching, How Did it Become the Doctrine of
Christianity?
218. Terrorism Doesn't Have a Religion
219. By Comparing Woman to Cultivating Field, Doesn’t Qur’an See them as
Instruments for Reproduction?
220. Does God Misguide People? - Part1: Whom Does Allah Guide?
221. Does God Misguide People? - Part2: Whom Does Allah Misguide?
222. Is Stoning of the Devil During Hajj a Superstition?
223. What Famous People Have Said About Islam - Part1
224. What Famous People Have Said About Islam - Part2
225. Debate Between Two Babies in a Mother’s Womb
226. What Islam Recommends Dealing with Epidemic Diseases?
227. What Islam Says About Transgenders?
228. How Islam Views Homosexuality?
229. What the Reports Say About the Conversion to Islam?
230. Every Religion Claims That It is the Truth. What are the Criteria of the Truth?
231. If According to Islam, Messengers or Prophets were Sent to Every Nation of the
World, then Which Prophet was Sent to India? Can We Consider Ram and Krishna to
be Messengers of God?
232. Islam and Ethics
233. Prophet Muhammad: The Social Reformer
234. If Allah has Sealed the Hearts of the Disbelievers (Kuffar), then Why are they to
be Blamed for Not Accepting the Truth?
235. Is Islamic Inheritance Law Unjust? Why Does the Man Inherit More Wealth than
His Female Siblings?
236. Abu Hanifa’s Debate with an Atheist
237. Muslims Believe that Certain Earlier Verses of the Qur’an were Abrogated by
Verses Revealed Later. Does this Imply that God Made a Mistake and Later on
Corrected it?
238. Life and Beyond According to the Quran
239. Why do Muslims Slaughter the Animal in a Ruthless Manner by Torturing it and
Slowly and Painfully Killing it?
240. If Allah has Sent His Books and Revelations in Every Period, then which
Revelation was Sent to India?
241. Where Did the Universe Come From?
242. Words of Wisdom from the Qur'an
243. Has Not the Qur’an Actually Legalized Adultery by Allowing the Master to have
Sexual Relationships with His Female Slaves?
244. Do the Muslims Believe in Jesus (PBUH) and His Second Coming?
245. What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part1
246. What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part2
247. Islam and Darwinism
248. Hijab - The Islamic Concept of Veil
249. The Sweetness of Islamic Faith
250. Meaning of Life According to Islam

251. An Invitation to the Truth

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣1️⃣*
*❓How Do We Know God Exists? - Part1*
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✅Even on a very fundamental level we find that throughout history there is a very
strange phenomenon that people of different backgrounds, living in different parts
of the world at different points in time, have always had this strong urge within
themselves to look and to yearn for the Creator. They see that there is some power,
a magnificent and merciful power that is sometimes interpreted in a mistaken way
by materializing that in some form or other (i.e. idols). The basic yearning has
always been there. Even in places where there is no recorded history of prophets,
people have yearned for a Creator.

Is the Intellect an Enemy to Faith?

All human faculties such as the senses including also the intellect are part and
parcel of the whole process of seeking the truth. None of these by themselves will
be sufficient, but on a whole they are not really in contradiction. In fact, one of the
main things that make the human being distinct is intellect. So, the intellect is a
God given gift or blessing. How could we interpret that as a challenge or antithesis
of faith? This doesn’t really stand.

On the personal or individual level, one doesn’t have to venture far to realize that
God does exist. Just look into yourself, you don’t have to be a scientist but if you are
then you’ll appreciate more the construction of the body; how it is made up of many
cells. One cell becomes a cell for sight and the other for hearing: it’s amazing. How
does the brain operate? The circulatory system? The digestive system? The nervous
system? Such coordination and beauty [are shown through their functioning]. This
shows that these things didn’t come to be in a random way, there must have been a
deliberate designer behind them. So, if you want to find God, then look into
yourself. The Quran says, “By looking into yourselves, you will find evidence to the
presence and powers of God.”

In another verse it even says, “Do they not reflect in their own minds?” (30:8). In
fact, if one really divorces himself from any prejudice caused by societal pressures
one way or the other, or the worship of science as the ultimate thing, if one utilizes
science in the proper way, you wouldn’t have to look at the body as a whole, just
start analyzing one single organ and see how it works. Like some scientists would
tell you that in order to duplicate the digestive system you’d need a huge laboratory
and still it wouldn’t operate as efficiently as a naturally created organ would such as
the stomach. We have acids in our stomachs that can erode metal but it doesn’t
hurt us. How could that be random? If one aspect of that was developed by chance,
would everything else falling in line and falling together also happen by chance?

The Environment and Cosmic Order

Let’s move on to beyond ourselves, to find further evidence, the Quran also
implores people to consider and to think. Take one aspect that many people think
about today as very fashionable, like the ecological balance for example. Many
people would take that as very clear evidence again that there is a design in this
universe; vegetation as it relates to animal life and to human life; and the various
atmospheric layers that we have. Everything is put together to sustain human life. If
you look into the Quran, you find this mentioned: “God created everything in exact
proportion.” (54:49)

In another verse, when people look at the whole scheme of creation, it says, “Or
were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did
they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain.” (52:35-36).
So, the science is there. It’s whether we apply it in the right place and in the proper
way or not that makes the difference.

Continues…
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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣2️⃣*
*❓How Do We Know God Exists? - Part2*
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✅If you are not just looking into ourselves or the environment around us, but looking
into the whole cosmic order, again there is a design. The planets. The solar system.
The way everything is coordinated. The distance between the sun and the earth,
which if decreased may burn everything and if decreased everything would freeze.
This is all deliberate. The succession of day and night, the circulation or changes of
seasons, which has very important relevance to the lives of the people, to
vegetation, and to animal life; all of these beautiful things that we are in awe at in
the universe, we look at them with great admiration, definitely show that there is a
design behind them and as is obvious any design needs a designer or creator it.

One verse in the Quran implores us in particular to this area and says, “Have they
not reflected on the domain of the heavens and earth and what God created
therein?”

In another verse it also says: “In the creation of the heavens and earth and in the
succession of day and night there are certainly signs for those who reflect. Those
who remember God while standing, sitting, and laying down and ponder on the
creation of the heavens and the earth, saying: Our Lord you have not created this in
vain. Glory be to You. Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.” (3:190-191)

Our Own Limitations

In talking about the senses and the intellect or knowledge, anyone, even a person
who does not believe in God, would admit readily that our senses are limited. Our
perceptions are limited. Our sight, hearing, etc- we know that. Also, we know that
our perceptions could also be deceived or they can deceive us. If you put a spoon in
a glass of water, it looks crooked. So, our perception is very useful, but it still falls
short of getting to know everything.

On the other hand, science is fine. Science can resolve many issues and problems
that are purely scientific- that are purely technical. Science can tell you for sure how
to use technology for example to communicate sounds and pictures; this can be
determined fully by science. However, there are many aspects in lives of people
that are beyond science also. There is the moral aspect, there are the ethical
standards, and there is the application of the fundamental principal of good and
bad. And we know throughout history that people have always had differences as to
what exactly defines the proper ethical or moral standards. In order to resolve that
problem, there must be a higher authority, God, Himself, telling us and providing us
with stable standards of ethics and morality.

Finally, the most important reason, is that we know that knowledge is not only
limited to science or books or perception. We know that there are certain aspects of
knowledge, legitimate knowledge, which does not lend itself to any of those tools.
For example, take the knowledge of the unseen. What happened in the past before
history was recorded? If you wanted to get any information on that there is no
recorded history. Or at least there is dispute about the recorded history. Revelation
can tell you what, for example, the stories of previous prophets and what they said
and what their message was.

There are issues that no matter how much you use your mind you will not be able to
arrive at a final conclusion. An example of that would be the knowledge about God.
You can’t feel the presence of God. You can feel the attributes of God, but you can’t
have full knowledge without having a prophet or messenger in receiving that
revelation from God and the communication from Him to us. So, in essence, there is
no contradiction. Actually, they all supplement each other. They have to be simply
used in the proper context.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Materialism vs Spirituality: Transient Joy vs Eternal Pleasure*
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✅What is spirituality? It is the elevation of man to a plane where the mind is focused
on the higher, non-material realities of a godly existence. Its opposite is
materialism, a course followed all too often in this world.
To put it another way, he who focuses on mere appearances, is material-minded
and the one who rises above it is spiritual. He obeys the injunction of the Quran: “Be
devoted servants of God.” (Quran 3:79)

To understand what constitutes materialism, imagine yourself looking at a palatial

house or an attractive car and being overcome by the desire to possess it. A person
who is unmoved by these objects and the notions of luxury they convey, lives in a
more rarefied sphere. For him there is little attraction in the world of superficiality,
being engrossed as he is in the higher realities of a supremely spiritual life. A truly
nonmaterial person’s soul exists at a profound level of spirituality. This is the
unadulterated truth.

Material Pleasures are Transient, Spiritual Pleasures are Eternal:

Those who live for worldly pleasures believe that gratification cannot be had except
through the enjoyment of material goods. But this kind of thinking is the result of
sheer ignorance. Having only experienced worldly pleasures, these people come to
believe that every kind of enjoyment depends on it alone. If they were to
experience spiritual pleasure, they would quickly forget about material pleasures
which are transient, whereas the spiritual kind may be savored eternally.

The taste of good food is enjoyable, but it is only when the experience of eating
results in an outpouring of thanksgiving to God that we attain complete pleasure.

A car ride can be exhilarating, but the pleasure that comes from a deep perception
of reality - on sensing the indescribably unique power of God as manifested in cars,
airplanes and all the other modern amenities created for man’s comfort - is far
superior to that which one experiences while travelling in a luxurious automobile.

A materially minded person finds pleasure only in something which he or she

actually experiences. The spiritual person will thank God even at the sight of
another person’s object. Rather, he transforms his friend’s material pleasure into
spiritual pleasure for himself. A materially minded person only sees the creation
while a spiritually inclined person sees the splendor of the Creator through the
creation. It is obvious that the spiritual riches accruing from the discovery of the
Creator cannot be gained through objects he created.

Non-material Person’s Soul Exists at Profound Level of Spirituality:

Furthermore, in the spiritual world, there is no great difference between comfort
and deprivation. What one gains from material experiences is of lesser value than
what one learns from deprivation. Tears of pain hold greater lessons than laughter.
The greatest source of pleasure is in the remembrance of God. It is this reality
which finds expression in the following verse of the Quran: “Only in the
remembrance of God are hearts comforted.” (Quran 13:28).

Comfort here implies peace of mind that stems only from God, and not merely
temporary solace. Man is an idealist by nature. Anything short of ideals only attracts
fitful attention.

Existing only at the materialistic level is like descending into animalism. Materialism
is, in other words, a form of shallowness. A real man is one who discovers the secret
of spirituality.

If in materialism there is pleasure of laughter, in spirituality, there is greater and

lasting pleasure. If materialism is to live a life of limitations, spirituality is to live in
boundless freedom.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Did Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬Kill 900 Jews of Banu Qurayza?*
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✅The Banu Qurayza were a Jewish tribe who lived in Medina and entered into an
alliance with Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬. He had the largest following of any leader in
the city, hence he was elected as the city's chief. Each tribe agreed to his
nomination and every tribe, including the Banu Qurayza, was granted the right to
practice its own faith in peace. The point to be noted is that each tribe would be
judged according to their own laws - specifically the laws of the faith it followed. So,
Muslims would be judged according to the Quran and the Jews according to the
Torah.

In 627 AD, the enemies of Islam united and marched onto the city of Medina to wipe
away the Muslims. It is recorded that at first the Jews of the tribe remained loyal.
However, after being informed that the Muslims were heavily outnumbered and due
to the persistence of the enemy, they decided to abandon the Muslims. Not only
this, but they agreed to attack the Muslims from the rear while the Meccans
engaged the Muslim army at the ditch. Fortunately, the Muslims became aware of
this secret plot and placed 500 soldiers in their way.

When the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬became aware of their treachery, he did not
immediately accept the rumors. He sent parties forth to their tribe to investigate the
claims, who rejected having any agreement with the Muslims and confirmed their
betrayal. Following on from this, the Muslims laid siege to the Jews’ fortress. When
Banu Qurayza could not hold out any longer, they sent a message to the Prophet (
‫ )ﷺ‬that they would surrender but would like their fate to be decided by one of their
allies. Sa’d bin Muadh, the chief of the tribe of Aws, was appointed the arbiter. Sa’d
passed the judgment on the Banu Qurayza according to the law of the Torah
(Deuteronomy 20:10-14).

According to the Jewish law, the punishment for treason was death. In passing the
death sentence on Banu Qurayza, Sa’d reminded the Jews of the fact that had the
Jews succeeded in carrying out their plan, they would have put all the Muslims to
death. As a result of Sa’d bin Muadh’s judgment, all the male members of the Banu
Qurayza tribe who were of fighting age were executed and their women, children
and elders expelled, who went to Syria.

*Number of Executed:*
The number is not important as the point was whether they were criminals or not. If
only one innocent person was killed, this would be unjust and if they all deserved
punishment, it would be just if they received it. The claim that 900 people were
killed is wrong. The number according to researchers fall between 40 and 400.

Bukhari and Muslim say nothing regarding the number, they rather quote the
judgement of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh as in the narration quoted above. Nasa'i, ibn Hiban,
Tirmidhi and other narrated they were 400 warriors. (Tirmidhi 1582). In the book of
al-Amwal of Ibn al-Zanjawayh (d. 251 A.H.), he narrated a sound narration that says
they were only forty people (Ibn al-Zanjawayh, Kitab al-Amwal, Vol. 1, p. 229)

*Footnote:*
Even to this day many states of the US and other countries uphold the death
penalty for the crime of treason. Wherever the capital punishment has been
abolished, such as the UK, life imprisonment implies. Many historians claim that the
Jews made a mistake by asking one of their allies to decide their fate. Instead, they
say that if the tribe had entrusted Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬to make the decision he
would most likely have shown leniency and simply banished them from Medina. Ibn
Hisham reports of two men of the tribe being set free and pardoned by the Prophet
Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬. He showed this kindness despite promising not to intervene in
Sad’s judgement on a general level.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Islamic View on Revenge & Forgiveness*
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✅Islam teaches forgiveness over revenge. According to Quranic teachings, revenge
is not an option. Revenge only increases the problem. The chapter entitled Al-Nahl
(Bees) of the Quran gives practical advice on this point. It says: “If you want to
retaliate, retaliate to the same degree as the injury done to you. But if you are
patient, it is better to be so.” (Quran 16:126). In other words, if one is wronged and
responds with patience and forgiveness, this behavior holds more value in the eyes
of God and may even serve as an atonement for one’s own sins.

Revenge is the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong
suffered at their hands. According to Quranic teachings, there are two levels of
revenge - one may be called equal revenge and the second may be described as
"you forget the bad experience you received from the other". Although revenge or
retaliation is allowed as a concession to the aggrieved but there is a strict condition
with this allowance - be an equal revenge, not exceeding the others' bad action -
but in fact it is not an option. It is so difficult that no sincere person will take this
option.

There is no available measurement that may tell you that your retaliation was
completely equal to the action you received from the other. So, this option is only a
hypothetical option. Any sincere person will decide not to take this option, because
if during the retaliation you exceed the limit you will become an offender. The
Prophet and his companions never avenged anything. It is narrated on the authority
of Hazrat Ayesha that the Prophet never avenged for his own self. (Sahih al-Bukhari
6853)
Practically, there is only one option, which is forgiveness. While revenge may open
a new chapter that is ‘revenge after revenge’, but forgiveness ends this chain.
Forgiveness means that you have put a full stop, while revenge in this case means
that you have put commas. Forgiveness in such cases is a reward-able action.
Forgiveness is a highly valuable deed.

Quran enjoins a believer to retaliate every bad action with a good one. It says:
“Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see
that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.” (Quran 41:34)

This is the true spirit of Islam!

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*❓What Does the Quran Say about Christianity?*
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✅Quran is the only non-Christian Scripture that makes Jesus and his mother Mary as
an article of faith. No Muslim is a Muslim until he believes and witnesses that Jesus
was one of the great Prophets of God and was born miraculously without a father
from the blessed mother Mary.

Quran asked the followers of Islam to declare that they (Muslims) believe the truth
of what was revealed to Jesus and Moses. Quran further asked the followers of Islam
to declare that they do not discriminate among the messengers of Almighty God
(3:84).

Quran is the only non-Christian Scripture that has a chapter itself in the name of
mother Mary (Chapter 19 ‘Maryam’) and declared Mary, a pious woman and a
woman who was chosen and raised above all the women of the world (3:42) and
Quran further declared her a truthful woman who never deviated from the truth
(5:75). Quran represents mother Mary as an example who guarded her chastity,
believed in her Lord's Words and His Books, and a devoutly obedient woman
(66:12). According to Quran, God promised mother Mary a son who will be highly
distinguished in the world and near to God (3:45). Quran says God exalted the
followers of Jesus over those who deny Jesus till day of judgement (3:55).

To prove the birth of Jesus without father, Quran present the similitude of the birth
of Adam. If God can create Adam without mother and father, then that God is totally
capable of creating Jesus without a father (3:59).

According to Quran, Jesus Christ (PBUH) was obedient messenger of God and Jesus
was given a book. (19:30) In Quran, God says Jesus, the son of Mary was sent with
clear signs and God helped him with the Angel Gabriel (2:253). Quran says Jesus
was righteous like other prophets (6:85); and was sent with wisdom and clear
evidence for the clarification over which the people used to differ (43:63).

Jesus Christ was blessed by God and was ordered to pray and give charities (19:31).
According to Quran, Jesus Christ was blessed for whole of his life from the day he
was born till the day he dies, and Jesus Christ shall be blessed when he will be
raised back to life again (19:33). Jesus Christ was kind to his mother, and he was not
a rebellious or defiant or domineering or haughty or arrogant person (19:32).

Quran recognizes the miracles of Jesus like speaking from the cradle, giving life to
dead, curing blindness and leprosy and making a living bird out of clay. According to
Quran, all these miracles were shown through Jesus by permission of God.

Quran declared Jesus as one of the great prophet and God says in Quran, “We took
a covenant from the Prophets (to preach faith) and from you (Mohammad PBUH)
and from Noah and from Abraham and Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary, and We
took from them a solemn covenant” (33:7).

According to Quran, Jesus was not God himself rather he was one of the messengers
of God (5:75). Quran says God will ask Jesus on the day of judgement ‘did you say
to people to Worship you and your mother as gods instead God?’ And Jesus will
reply in negative (5:116). Quran says God is all powerful has control over the lives
of Jesus, Mary and all other human beings on earth and God has the power to
destroy them all (5:17).

According to Quran, Jesus Christ was neither killed nor crucified and those who
claim that Jesus was crucified are making assumptions without any knowledge and
evidence (4:157).

According to Quran, Christians started worshipping their monks and even Jesus
Christ although they were commanded to worship only one true God (9:31). Quran
says Christians have forgotten a large portion of their commandments and in
punishment of that, God broke them into different sects who hate each other till the
day of Judgement (5:14).

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Is it Injustice to Women that Islam Instructs the Widow to Separate Herself from
Society and Maintain a Mourning Period?*
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✅The Qur’an does instruct that the woman whose husband has passed away must
maintain an ‘idha’ period of four months and ten days. “And make not God’s (name)
an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace
between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.” (Quran
2:224). What is the purpose behind this legislation? The purpose is actually two-
fold. One is that she, thereby, mourns her separation from her life partner. The
other is to clear all doubts pertaining to her possible pregnancy through her now
deceased husband.

During the period of idha, she should not be married. Marriage proposals are also
prohibited during this period. During this period, she should not attract men by
enhancing her beauty or encourage sexual passions within herself. So, she is
prohibited from using ostentations ornaments, facial coloring or perfumes. However,
there is nothing to prevent her from going out for urgent matters and from using
clean and decent clothing. In short, the woman’s duty bound to abstain from all
things that serve to generate sexual passions in her.

If, after four months and ten days of her husband’s demise – or after delivery, if she
is found pregnant – she is free to do as she pleases. She can either re-marry or can
decide not to do so. The decision, in any case, must be left to her choice. In the pre-
Islamic Arabia, the widows used to maintain a mourning period of one year. It was a
way of mourning wherein they clothed themselves in the filthiest of clothes and
went out without bathing or cleaning themselves. It was Islam which brought about
a sea change in such a state of affairs.

Let us see what must a Hindu woman, who has lost her husband, do? Observe the
ruling of the Manu Smrithi: “After the death of the husband (she) is to while away
time by wasting her body on a diet of pure tuber, fruits, flowers etc. She is not to
utter the name of another man with the intention of lust. After the death of the
husband, the woman is to remain steadfast, patient and pure; as one ever
conscious of the Brahma; as one abstaining from the consumption of wine and flesh
and as one who is ever desirous of the dharma of the righteous woman bereft of her
husband”. (5:157-158).

The situation that prevailed in India was, however, even more appalling. The woman
was instructed to immolate herself at the funeral pyre of her husband. This was the
cruel tradition of Sati. Those women who refused to comply with the demands of
this tradition were to shave their heads and to live in isolation within the society.
The law stipulated that even the 6-7 years old were forced to shave their heads
after the death of their husbands imposed upon them through child-marriage. The
only facility that was allowed them was one meal each day!

The Qur’an does not prohibit widows from remarrying. The only condition that it
does put forth is that they are to wait four months and ten days. Indeed, this
waiting term is wholly scientific and beneficial for the woman. For it is possible that
the fathership of the child born to the woman who remarries before the expiration
of this waiting period can come into question. Such doubts could lead to cracks in
the solidarity of the family and to the associated mental torture that goes with it.
But for the woman who remarries after completing the waiting term prescribed by
the Qur’an, such problems never arise. The child born can be confirmed to be that
of the second husband himself. Here it is clear that the law of ‘idha’ prescribed by
the Qur’an is beneficial to the woman and is one that seeks not to put her in any
difficulty.

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*❓Does Qur’an Allow for the Superiority and Command of Man over Woman? Does
this Mean Qur’an is a Work of Male Chauvinism?*
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✅“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the
one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their
means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the
husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard…” (Quran 4:34) “…And
women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is
equitable; but men have a degree over them, and Allah is Exalted in Power.” (Quran
2:228).

These have been the verses quoted by those who accuse the Qur’an of being
influenced by male chauvinism. What is the reality?

The family is an institution. It is a noble institution that grants peace and tranquility
to both halves of the soul. In fact, it is the family that forms the most important of
all social institutions. Therefore, similar to any other institution, it is vital that there
must be a leader for properly carrying out all the incumbent responsibilities that
arise while maintaining a family right from bringing up children and giving them all
the guidance required for making them responsible members of the society.
Otherwise, total anarchy and chaos will be the result.

At the same time, it will also be a problem if an institution having two leaders at the
same time. So, if both are made the leaders, there will be a dichotomy of views
concerning their approaches to the resolution of problems. This will result in a
jostling for power and leadership, which will ultimately disturb the family
atmosphere.

The physical make-up as well as the mind set of both man and woman are so
constituted that they are enabled in carrying out the function that they have been
assigned. In conferring upon woman a body suited for motherhood and upon man
with one suited for labour, they surely must have been provided with qualities of the
mind compatible with their respective functions as well. Compassion, consideration
and a host of emotions form the specialties of the female mind. It is, indeed, one
that is dominated by emotions. But thoughtful response, masculine conduct and
action based on thought constitute the typical male mind. In short, the man’s mind
has been so constituted that it supplements earning and responsible work. This is a
general appraisal; but there are opposite cases also as exceptions.

It is his ability to undertake action that is in conformance to thought which makes

the man fit to assume the guardianship of the family. Indeed, that is but the very
fulfillment of the role which his physical endowment has thrust upon him. He must
work for a living; must earn money to feed the family – it is in his hands that all
control of the affairs of the family has been placed. Indeed, this responsibility makes
it an incumbent duty for him to determine and chart out the appropriate means of
living for that institution and of all the members within it and to supervise all
financial matters that relate to the process. This is the reason why it is said that the
Qur’an, by placing the affairs of the family upon the man, has conferred a great
responsibility upon him.

By granting man the control over the affairs of woman and over family, it does not
mean that he may become a virtual dictator over them. Indeed, leadership itself
becomes ennobling and enlivening only in the context of cooperation and mutual
consultation. A truly satisfying family life becomes possible only when the man, who
is entrusted with the leadership of the family, accepts the Quranic recommendation
“treat the women with kindness” as well as the advice of the Prophet “the among
you is one who is best to his wife.”

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣0️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why Did Allah Create the Heavens and the Earth in Six Days, When He is Able to
Have Created It in Less Time?*
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✅One of the firm beliefs held by people of deep faith and complete Oneness of God
(Tawheed) is that the Lord is able to do all things, and His power is without limits.
He has absolute power, perfect will and ultimate control of all affairs. If He wills a
thing, it happens as He wills it at the time when He wills it, and in the manner that
He wills.

There are many definitive texts in the Holy Quran and in the traditions of Prophet
(PBUH) which affirm this and state it clearly, with no ambiguity. It is sufficient here
for us to quote some of the verses that indicate this, such as the verses: “The
Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to
it : ‘Be!’ - and it is” (Quran 2:117). “Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing,
is only that He says to it, “Be!” - and it is!” (Quran 36:82). “It is He Who gives life
and causes death. And when He decides upon a thing He says to it only: ‘Be’ - and it
is” (Quran 40:68). “And Our Commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye”
(Quran 54:50)

And there are many other verses which speak of this matter and explain it. Once
this is established, then why did Allaah create the heavens and the earth in six
days?

Firstly, it is narrated in more than one verse of the Book of our Lord that Allaah
created the heavens and the earth in six days. For example, Allaah says: “Indeed,
your Lord is Allaah, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then
He rose over the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty)” (Quran 7:54)

Secondly, there is nothing that Allaah does but there is great wisdom in it. This is
one of the meanings of Allaah’s name al-Hakeem (The Most Wise). Allaah may or
may not show this wisdom to us, and those who have deep knowledge may
understand it, to the exclusion of others. But the fact that we may not know or
understand this wisdom should not make us deny it or object to the rulings of
Allaah, or try to ask too much about this wisdom that Allaah has hidden from us.
Allaah says: “He [Allaah] cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will
be questioned” (Quran 21:23)

Some scholars have attempted to explain the reason why the heavens and the
earth were created in six days (commenting on verse 7:54):
*Imam al-Qurtubi (Al-Jaami’ li Ahkaam al-Qur’an - 4/7/140):*
- Allah wanted to teach His slaves kindness and deliberation in their affairs.
- He wanted to manifest His power to the angels step by step.
- And because Allaah has decreed a course for everything.”

Ibn al-Jawzi (Zaad al-Maseer -3/162):

- Allah wanted to create something each day to show His power to the angels and
those who witnessed it. This was suggested by Ibn al-Anbaari.
- Doing things in a short time is more indicative of power, and deliberation is more
indicative of wisdom. Allah wanted to manifest His wisdom in that, just as He
manifested His power when He said, ‘“Be!” And it is.’
- He taught deliberation to His slaves, because if the One Who does not make
mistakes created the universe in a deliberate manner, then it is more appropriate
for those who are vulnerable to making mistakes to do things in a deliberate
manner.
- Creation was accomplished step by step, lest anyone think that this happened as
the result of an accident of nature.

Al-Qaadi Abu’l-Sa’ood (3/232):

- It indicates the Divine Will and is a sign of His power for those who understand.
- It encourages deliberation in all things.

Based on the above, it is clear that Allaah has absolute power, ultimate will and
perfect control, and He has wise reasons for everything that He creates, which no
one knows but He, may He be exalted.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Does Quran 2:91 Confirm the Bible Since it Uses the Word “Which is with Them”?*
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✅The Quran confirms all earlier revelations insofar as they remain true to the divine
truth. Let’s see an example with Bible.

The Quran is very clear that Allah (God) is one and only, without partner, do not
beget nor is He begotten. But the Bible states in one part that Jesus (PBUH) is the
Messenger of God, yet in another part states that Jesus is god himself.

So how can it be that Allah commands us to accept something which clearly

contradicts what He says in the Quran. So whilst He instructs us to except earlier
revelations, He expects us to accept the one or parts of which is in line with the
precepts of the Quran.

The Prophet (PBUH) provides a good answer to this. “when face with the
Bible/Gospel, do not reject nor accept it totally”. There are messages within it which
are common with the Quran, e.g. kindliness, neighborliness, charity, justice, etc.
*And Why is this So? Why is There this Commonality?:*
If indeed there is a God, then would it not be logical that the message/guidance to
men would be the same from the beginning of time? Put it in another way, would
God sent one message today and a completely opposite one tomorrow, which only
purpose is to confuse mankind?

Hence Jesus (PBUH) said that, “I brought nothing new, but to reaffirm the old”. And
did not the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said the same thing as well?

So why did these two great men say the same thing, i.e. reaffirm the old. Is it
because the message has been forgotten or corrupted, or both? Something must
have happened through the passage of time. But, God in his infinite mercy did not
want to leave His creation lost and misguided. So He sent forth His messengers
from time to time to refresh and renew what is the truth.

That is why there are lot of similarity between the Quran and the Bible, except the
part about the essence of God. Some people call it plagiarism, but we call it a
renewed message. God has no need to plagiarize His own work.

That is why Muslims believe and revere all the Prophets of God, Abraham, Moses,
David, Solomon, Isaac, Joseph, Jesus and the rest (May peace be upon them all). As
said in the Quran; “And they hold no distinction between them. For they all say, “we
hear, and we obey”” (Quran 2:285). For they are all purveyor of the same creed,
“there is no God but the one and only God”.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Why are Two Women Witnesses Equivalent to One Man Witness? Is this Injustice
to the Woman?*
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✅It is not true that two female witnesses are always considered as equal to only one
male witness. It is true only in certain cases. There are about five verses in the
Qur’an that mention witnesses, without specifying male or female.

Many religious texts have ruled that the woman is wholly uneligible to stand as
witness. For instance, look at the law of Yagnavalkasmrithi: “Woman, child, the
aged, the gambler, the intoxicated, the insane, the one who has sinned by way of
Brahmahatya,… all these are not eligible to stand as witnesses.” (2:70-71)

Why are women deemed non-eligible to bear testimony? The explanation of the
Manusmrithi is as follows: “One single man who is not greedy may be a witness, but
not several women, even if they are unpolluted, because a woman’s understanding
is unreliable, nor even other men who are rife with bad qualities” (8:77)

It was in times wherein such rulings held that women were wholly unfit as
witnesses, Islam ordered that the testimony from the women also would be
considered!

There is only one verse in the Qur’an, that says two female witnesses are equal to
one male witness. This is the longest verse in the Qur’an and deals with financial
transactions. It says: “Oh! you who believe! When you deal with each other, in
transactions involving future obligation in a fixed period, then write it down… And
get two witnesses out of your own men and if there are not two men, then a man
and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses so that if one of them errs the
other can remind her…” (Qur’an 2:282)

This verse of the Qur’an deals only with financial transactions. In such cases, it is
advised to make an agreement in writing between the parties and take two
witnesses, preferably both of which should be men only. In case you cannot find two
men, then one man and two women would suffice.

Islam expects men to be the breadwinners of their families. Since financial

responsibility is shouldered by men, they are expected to be well versed in financial
transactions as compared to women. As a second option, the witness can be one
man and two women, so that if one of the women errs the other can remind her.
Thus, financial transactions constitute the only case in which two female witnesses
are equal to one male witness.

However, some scholars are of the opinion that the feminine attitude can also have
an effect on the witness in a murder case. In such circumstances a woman is more
terrified as compared to a man. Due to her emotional condition, she can get
confused. Therefore, according to some jurists, even in cases of murder, two female
witnesses are equivalent to one male witness.
In all other cases, one female witness is equivalent to one male witness. There are
about five verses in the Qur’an which speak about witnesses without specifying man
or woman. For example, while making a will of inheritance, two just persons are
required as witnesses (Quran 5:106, 65:2). Two persons endued with justice are
enough in case of Divorce. Four witnesses are required in case of charge against
chaste women. (Qur’an 24:4).

Moreover, Quran 24:6 clearly equates one female witness and one male witness.
And some incidents require only female witness and that of a male cannot be
accepted. For instance, in dealing with the problems of women, while giving the
burial bath to a woman, the witness has to be a woman.

In summary, the seeming inequality of male and female witnesses in financial

transactions is not due to any inequality of the sexes in Islam. It is only due to the
different natures and roles of men and women in society as envisaged by Islam.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣2️⃣*
*❓If God is One, Why Does Allah Use the Plural Pronoun "We" to Refer to Himself?*
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✅The Qur’an says very clearly that there is only One God, Allah. “There is no god but
Allah” is the basic principle of Islam. There is no ambiguity about this fact in the
Qur’an and there are hundreds of verses of the Qur’an that make this point very
clear. Belief in more than one God (polytheism) is a major sin according to the
Qur’an.

Whenever in the Qur’an Allah is mentioned in the third person, there are always
singular pronouns used, such as ‘He’, ‘Him’. Whenever Allah is spoken to in the
second person, there are also singular pronouns, such as ‘You’, ‘Your’. However only
in the first person sometimes the pronouns ‘I’, ‘My’ or ‘Mine’ are used and
sometimes ‘We’, ‘Us’ and ‘Our’ are used.
This is a style of speech. Sometime the speaker says I and sometime says we. We
also use that in our conversations. In the Qur’an you will see that often the first-
person singular such as I or My is used when Allah speaks about His love, care and
closeness and forgiveness for His servants. In a similar way the first-person plural is
often used when Allah speaks about His power, majesty, glory, great deeds or when
He speaks about His anger and wrath for the sinners and criminals. (This is, of
course, the general use. Sometime the reverse is also the case, depending on the
context of the chapter)

See for example the verses where the first person singular is used: “When My
servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer
of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to My call,
and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way.” (Quran 2:186) “Verily, I am
Allah: there is no god but I: so, serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer
for celebrating My praise.” (Quran 20:14)

See also some verses where the first-person plural is used: “We have, without
doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).”
(Quran 15:9) “We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, but for
just ends. And the Hour is surely coming” (Quran 15:85) “And among His Signs is
this: you sees the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it, it is
stirred to life and yields increase. Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can
surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things.” (Quran
41:39).

See another example where both pronouns are used side by side, “Before them the
People of Noah rejected (their Messenger): they rejected Our servant, and said,
“Here is one possessed!” and he was driven out. Then he called on His Lord: “I am
helpless: do You then help (me)!” So, We opened the gates of heaven, with water
pouring forth. And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs… But how
(terrible) was My Penalty and My Warning? (Quran 54:9-16)

*Footnote:*
Christian writers in their desperate desire to prove their doctrine of Trinity have
sometime interpreted some Biblical passages where first person plural is used to
suggest that this means the “Divine Trinity”. For example, in the Bible it is
mentioned, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26).
Christian writers contend that this means that there is plurality in God. But
unfortunately, that is just their own misinterpretation!

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Who Are the Jews and Christians Who will Enter Paradise?*
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✅There are some verses in Holy Quran which say Christians and Jews also will enter
Paradise, whereas another verse says any other religion except Islam will never be
accepted by Almighty Allah. How can we interpret these verses?

There are two verses in Holy Quran which say Christians and Jews also will enter
Paradise. The first of them is the verse: “Verily, those who believe and those who
are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day
and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall
be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” [Quran 2:62]

The second is here: “Surely, those who believe, those who are the Jews and the
Sabians and the Christians – whosoever believed in Allah and the Last Day, and
worked righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” [Quran 5:69]

In order to understand these verses correctly, we need to refer to the scholars of

Qur’an. The great leader Ismaa’eel ibn Katheer said in the explanation of Quran
2:62: “Almighty Allah points out that whoever of the previous nations did well and
was obedient, will have a good reward, and this will be the case for everyone who
follows the Final Messenger Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬until the Hour comes - he will
have eternal happiness, and they will not fear what they are going to face, nor will
they grieve for what they have left behind. As Allah says: “No doubt! Verily, those
who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much, and love Allah much, no
fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.” [Quran 10:62].

As far as the Jews are concerning, their faith meant believing in the original Torah
and following the way of Moses (PBUH) until Jesus came, after which whoever
continued to follow the Torah and the way of Moses, but did not follow Jesus, was
doomed. As far as the Christians are concerned, their faith meant believing in the
Injeel (original Gospel) and following the laws of Jesus; whoever did this was a
believer whose faith was acceptable to Allah, until Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬came, after
which whoever did not follow Prophet Muhammad, was doomed.

The verse “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] is a
statement that Allah will not accept any way or deed from anyone, after sending His
Final Messenger, except those that are in accordance with the laws of Muhammad (
‫)ﷺ‬. Prior to this, however, anyone who followed the Prophet of his own time was on
the Straight Path of salvation. So, the Jews were those who followed Moses (PBUH)
and referred to the Torah for judgement at that time. When God sent Jesus (PBUH),
the Children of Israel were obliged to follow him and obey him, and so they and
others who followed him became Christians…

When God sent Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬as the Final Prophet and a Messenger to all the
children of Adam, all of mankind was obliged to believe in him and obey him, and
refrain from what he prohibited. Those who did so are the true believers. The nation
of Prophet Muhammad is called the believers because of their deep faith and
conviction, and because they believe in all the past Prophets and in the prophesied
events that are yet to come.

Commenting on Quran 2:62, scholar Ibn Katheer said: “What is meant is that every
group believed in Allah and the Last Day, which is the appointed Day of Reckoning,
and did righteous deeds. But after Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬was sent to both mankind and
the jinn, true belief can only be in accordance with the way of Prophet Muhammad.
Whoever follows his way will not fear the future or grieve for what they leave
behind.”

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Can It Not be Claimed That Quran Was the Composition of Muhammad (PBUH)
Himself?*
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✅Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬had lived in the light of history. It was through him that
the world first heard of the Qur’an. As such, all that may be asserted by those who
do not accept the divine status of the Qur’an is that it is the composition of
Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. There are, however, certain facts that must be understood as the
premises for this discussion. It can only be on the foundations of these premises
that the question as to whether the authorship of the Qur’an can be attributed to
Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬can be discussed.

1. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬had been, upto the age of forty, the most favoured man among
the Arabs. It was because he had claimed that the Qur’an was divinely inspired and
that the commandments within it are to be adhered to, that he was hated;
osctracized; and forced to flee from his hometown.

2. Even among his bitterest opponents there was unanimity about the truthfulness
of Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬. It is difficult, therefore, to believe that after living forty years of
his life with utmost truthfulness, he should venture to declare a falsehood in the
name of the Lord Creator and that he should have risked his own life for the sake of
its propagation.

3. Men of letters were accorded a high status in Arabia. There was not the slightest
dissenting opinion among any, as regards the lofty position of the Qur’an in its
viability as a literary creation. If Prophet Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬had ventured to claim the
Qur’an as his own work, he would have gained great respectability and status
amongst the Arabs.

4. There are references in the Qur’an which have criticized certain of the actions of
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬himself.

5. There are also other references in the Qur’an which reproach Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in
the strongest possible terms. It should be in the light of these facts that the pros
and cons of the argument that the Qur’an is the work of Prophet Muhammad should
be examined. Indeed, if a work of great literary merit is composed and is then
attributed to the name of God, there must necessarily exist vested interests that
lurk beneath. To expose those vested interests will then be the duty of the critics. It
will be on the basis of such an exposition alone that the truth of the claim can be
ascertained.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Bible Verses That Indicate Jesus is Not God the Creator*
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*✅Matthew 24:36* “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the Son, but the
Father only.”

Here Jesus makes a distinction between what he knows and what the Father knows.

*Matthew 26:39* “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me, yet
not as I will, but as Thou will.”

Jesus’ will is likewise autonomous from God’s Will. Jesus is seeking acquiescence to
God’s will.

*John 5:26* “For as the Father has life in Himself, so he has granted the Son to have
life in himself.”

Jesus received his life from God. God received his life from no one. He is eternally
self-existent.

*John 5:30* “By myself, I can do nothing: I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is
just, for I seek not to please myself but him who has sent me.”

Jesus says that he can do nothing! This indicates that Jesus is relying upon his own
relationship with God.

*John 5:19* “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the
Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son does also.”

Jesus declares that he is following a pattern laid down by God. He is expressing

obedience to God.
*Mark 10:18* “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone.”

Here Jesus emphatically makes a distinction between himself and God.

John 14:28 “The Father is greater than I.”

This is another strong statement that makes a distinction between Jesus and God.

Matthew 6:9 “Our Father, which art in Heaven.”

He didn’t pray, Our Father, which art standing right here!”

*Matthew 27:46* “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Inconceivable if he is God the Creator.

*John 17:21-23* “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me, and I
am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent
me… that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me.”

In this prayer Jesus defines the term “to be one.” It is clearly accomplished through
the relationship of two autonomous beings. Here, “to be one” does not mean to be
“one and the same” since even the believers also “may be one as Father and Jesus”

*1 Corinthians 15:27-28* “For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it
says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include
God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son
himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may
be all in all.”

Paul declares that God put everything under Christ, except God himself. Instead,
God rules all things.

*Hebrews 1:3* “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation
of his being.”

Jesus is only the representation of his being. If I send my representative to

Congress, he is not me, myself. He is my representative.

*Hebrews 4:15* “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we
are - yet without sin.”

Jesus has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he never sinned.
*James 1:13* “When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt.”

Jesus was tempted in every way, but God cannot be tempted. This is why Jesus said,
“don’t call me good, none are good, only God.”

*Hebrews 5:7-9* “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and
petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and
he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he
learned obedience from what he suffered…”

Jesus had to walk a course of faith and obedience in order to achieve perfection.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Mercy of Almighty God*
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✅Almighty Allah Himself talks about His boundless mercy through multiple verses in
Holy Quran: "…I will inflict My torment on whoever I will. But My Mercy
encompasses all things…" [Quran 7:156] "And your Allah is One Allah: There is no
god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." [2:163]

Allah's mercy is beyond limits. Allah is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
His mercy is all-embracing. Whoever is bereft of Allah’s mercy is most truly lost. It is
only by Allah’s mercy that anyone attains Paradise. It is by His mercy alone that sins
are pardoned and that anyone is assured of salvation. Allah is worthy of our fear.
Equally, He is worthy to be the One to show us mercy. "And they will not remember
except that Allah wills. He is worthy of fear and adequate for [granting]
forgiveness." [Quran 74:56]
Mercy of Allah can come in different forms; it can be in form of a Guidance, Favor,
Love, Forgiveness, etc. "Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good."
[Quran 7:56]

It is right for us to fear Allah. We should shun sinful deeds and show obedience to
our Creator. Likewise, Allah is worthy to show mercy to those who strive to obey
Him and who return to Him whenever they might stray. "And those who, when they
commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and
seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and [who]
do not persist in what they have done while they know." [Quran 3:135]

To obtain Allah's mercy we should also show mercy to His creations. Allah's Apostle
said, "Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind." [Bukhari
Volume 9, Book 93, Number 473]

The Mercy of Allah to Sinners:

The sins of wrong doers and unbelievers also will be all forgiven for them when they
repent and embrace Islam: "Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from
unbelief), their past would be forgiven for them; but if they persist, the punishment
of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them)." [Quran 8:38] "The
Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all between, - Exalted in Might, able to
enforce His Will, forgiving again and again." [Quran 38:66]

If we are sincere, our daily sins are almost always forgiven: "Those who avoid great
sins and shameful deeds, only (falling into) small faults, verily thy Lord is ample in
forgiveness. He knows you well when He brings you out of the earth, and when you
are hidden in your mothers' wombs. Therefore, justify not yourselves: He knows
best who it is that guards against evil." [Quran 53:32]

If you ask Allah Almighty for forgiveness, then He'll forgive you: "If anyone does evil
or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks God's forgiveness, he will find God Oft-
forgiving, Most Merciful." [Quran 4:110]

If you are grateful to Allah Almighty, then He'll give you more: "And [remember]
when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor];
but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’" [Quran 14:7]

Be sure that Allah Almighty is always Willing to forgive all our sins: "Say: O my
Servants who Have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of
Allah: for Allah forgives all sins for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Quran 39:53]

Everybody sins but the best is the one who repents and seek Mercy and Forgiveness
of Allah: "And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, ‘Peace be
upon you.’ Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does
wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself - indeed,
He is Forgiving and Merciful." [Quran 6:54]

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Even the People without Faith Need the People with Faith*
⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
✅Abu Bakr(ra) and his group have decided to leave their homes and lands. What
was the crime they have committed? Harassing someone, stealing someone's
money, or raping someone? No; they have not committed any such heinous acts.
Then why were they expelled from their own country?

The only reason was that they abandoned polytheism and believed in one true God.
The enemies of Islam could not digest it. They unleashed various forms of
oppressions. Hence the Prophet (PBUH) gave them permission to travel when they
could not stay in their homeland due to persecution.

With a heavy heart, Abu Bakr left Makkah one day with the intention to migrate to
Abyssinia. He took the road to Yemen from where he had to sail to Abyssinia. When
he had proceeded some distance from Makkah, he met Ibn Ad-Dughna who was the
chief of the Qarah tribe, a section of the Quraish.

Ibn Ad-Dughna inquired of Abu Bakr as to where he was going, and Abu Bakr told
him: “My people have forced me from Makkah, and I want to travel freely on earth
to worship my Lord.” Ibn-Dughna said: "O Abu Bakr, someone of your ranking and
character should not leave from here and should not be forced to leave. You are
always keen to fulfill the needs of others, you join the ties of kinship, support the
weak, and you honor your guests. I will take you under my protection, and you
should come back with me to Makkah. Rest assured no harm will come to you."
After they arrived in Makkah, Ibn Ad-Dughna spent the entire night visiting the
various noblemen of the Quraish. And to each one of them he said, "Verily,
someone of Abu Bakr's ranking and character should not leave (his homeland) and
should not be forced to leave. Will you expel (from Makkah) a man who provides for
the needy, joins ties of family relations, supports the weak, honors his guests, and
helps others?"

The leaders of the Quraish accepted Ibn-Dughna's guarantee of protection, but they
said to him, "Order Abu Bakr to worship his Lord in his home, to pray in his home,
and to recite whatever he wants to recite in his home. He must not harm us with
those acts by coming out and performing them openly, for we fear that our women
and children will be put to trial (i.e., that they will become attracted to his religion)"

Ibn Ad-Dughna conveyed their stipulations to Abu Bakr who then began to worship
the Lord in his home. He abstained from praying in front of others and recited the
Qur'an in his home for some days. But that brave man did not like to be restricted
at home with just worships like a coward. He could not hide himself anymore. Thus,
Abu Bakr built a place of worship in the courtyard, adjacent to his house, and
started all his worships from there.

The Quraish felt nervous. They apprehended that if Abu Bakr continued his prayers
in the open, he might attract some persons to him. Some of the leading Quraish
went to Ibn-Dughna and said, "Have you given him this protection so that he may
publicly injure our feelings? He recites the Quran in a sweet voice, and we fear that
he may seduce our women and youth to his faith. You should advise him to pray
indoors."

Ibn Ad-Dughna met Abu Bakr and advised him that the most expedient course for
him was to pray indoors and not to annoy the Quraish. To Abu Bakr there could be
no expediency in the matter of faith. He said to Ibn-Dughna "You are advising me as
I am under your protection. What if I renounce your protection?" "In that case I will
have nothing to say" Ibn-Dughna replied. Thereupon Abu Bakr said, "Under these
circumstances I renounce your protection. The protection of Allah is enough for me."

Thus, under the pressure of the enemies of Islam, Ibn Ad-Dughna had to withdraw
his protection for Abu Bakr.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Were Holy Qur'an Pages Eaten by a Goat? Are Some Verses Missing from the
Quran?*
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✅The following is a hadith commonly quoted by critics of Islam to argue that some
of the verses have been lost from the Holy Qur'an. They allege that the Qur'an has
not been fully preserved.

Reported Ayisha(R): “the verse of stoning and of suckling an adult ten times was
revealed, and they were (written) on a paper and kept under my pillow. When the
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) expired and we were occupied by his death, a goat
entered and ate the paper.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1944)

First of all, this is only the case of the loss of a palm-leaf belonging to a person
Aisha(ra). But the Quran was preserved through recitation primarily. So, it can never
be erased by flipping through any of the pages in someone's hands.

Now someone may think that the verses which were present in Quran before as
reported by Ayisha (ra) are not found in the Qur'an today. This doubt stems from
ignorance about the Qur'an.

Allah Himself has removed some of the verses from the Qur'an. This is clear in
Qur'an itself in 2:106. This is called Naskh (abrogation). There are three types of
Naskhs. Sometimes the verse and the law will be removed from Quran. Sometimes
only the verse will be removed, and the law will remain. The third is that the law will
be removed but the verse will remain.

Allah will inform the Prophet to remove some of the verses and thus they will be
removed from the Qur'an. Sometimes Allah cause it to be forgotten completely from
the hearts. Anyhow, Naskh only happens during the lifetime of the Prophet. So, the
Prophet taught us exactly which all verses were abrogated.

There are many examples of all types of abrogation. Some of the early rules of the
Qur'an had been changed later. For example, the Qur'anic verses with a partial
prohibition of alcohol were abrogated when the verse of the complete Prohibition of
alcohol was revealed. This is an example of the existence of the verse and the
weakening of the law.
The word to throw a married adulterer to death is an example of Naskh, where the
verse is excluded from the Qur'an and only the law exists. The verse is removed but
the law remains the same. This law will remain in the Shariah until the end of the
world. These things can be seen exactly in the prophetic words.

Caliph Umar (ra) delivered a long speech to the Companions in Bukhari. "…In the
Qur'an there was a verse that a married adulterer and adulteress should be stoned
to death… I am afraid that after a while people will say, 'We do not find in the
Qur'an the verses of stoning to death…'" (Bukhari:6830)

It is important to understand that the verse is not lost because the goat ate it, as
the critics allege. Umar (ra) was delivering this sermon in front of thousands of
followers of the Prophet. He recited the same verse as well. But the verse is not
included in the Qur'an because it was commanded by Prophet (PBUH) to be omitted
from the Qur'an; not because they did not get the verse nor because they did not
know it. Therefore, nobody there questioned the speech of Umar.

Similarly, the rule that ten times breastfeeding is mandatory to establish the
relationship of mahram, was abrogated and replaced with the new law of five
definite breastfeeding are enough for the same. This was narrated by Muslim
(No.1452) and many others.

Finally, with regards to the Quran being eaten by a sheep, the narration about this
is not authentic and if we analyze the isnaad (chain of narration) we find
Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq who is known to have jumbled reports and made errors
when narrating hadith. As such he is regarded as an unreliable narrator and is
rejected. And, even if the goat had actually eaten those pages, there is no problem
with it as explained above.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣1️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Who Are the Real Terrorists and the Abolitionists? Are Palestinians also Terrorists?
*
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✅Are there any Islamic government or military unilaterally interfering in any non-
Islamic country and destabilizing those countries? Are Muslims destroying their
peace? If anyone commits terrorism anywhere, does it have the support of any
authoritative Islamic country? Are Islamic countries or authorized organizations
promoting any terrorist activities? Have they ever not condemned any terror
attack?

Has any Hindu organization denied any of the attacks and terrorist activities carried
out by the Indian fascist terrorist movement RSS? If not, why? Have any Christian
organizations denied Christian terrorism in the North-eastern States? If not, why?

Is not Naxalism in India Terrorism? Have any Muslim extremists in India done
anything like those Naxals? Have Muslim extremists carried out a terrorist act in
India like the assassinations of Mahatma Gandhiji, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi?

Wasn't LTT terrorism? Weren't Khalistan extremists? Aren't Ulfa and the National
Liberation Friend in all the north-eastern states extremists? Aren't they anti-
nationals? Aren’t there areas in India where even the Indian national flag is not
allowed to be flown? Are Muslims conducting or promoting all these?

Are Irish extremists Muslims? The Mossad has directly carried out several terrorist
activities. Isn't that terrorism? Isn't the genocide of Rohingya Muslims a form of
terrorism? Isn't it terrorism to attack Palestinians from their own country? Isn't the
torture of Uyghur Muslims in prisons a state terrorism? Was it not state terrorism
that wiped out millions in Rwanda? Isn't the genocide of three million Muslims in
Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Sudan forms of terrorism?

If we look at the history of terrorism, we can realize that the most victimized
community is Muslims. Then how can we still say Islam is terrorism, or Muslims are
the terrorists?

Isn't the Indian subcontinent a country ruled by Muslims for almost a thousand
years? If Islam was a terrorist movement like the others, would it not have
eliminated and transformed the vast majority of India and made it the largest
Muslim nation in the world?

Didn't the British rule for just 180 years killed about ten percent of the Indian
population? More than three crore people… Wasn't that state terrorism? But
Muslims have ruled this country for almost five times than British. Shouldn't they
proportionally kill fifteen to twenty crores of people according to the extent of the
annihilation by the British.

Remember also that the population in India was not much when Islam reached here.
It was only ten percent compared to the population during British rule. They
themselves were fighting each other and were trying to eliminate and destroy the
unarmed Buddhist and Jain monks. Was it a mistake of Islam and Muslims to take
care of all those victims?

Was it not terrorism that wiped out the Mayan people and culture that existed in
America after the Europeans invaded the Americas? Wasn't terrorism the attacks of
the Crusades for centuries? Was not the genocide perpetrated by Stalin, Hitler and
Mussolini state terrorism? Were Muslims the cause of World War I and II? Did
Muslims exterminate many in Australia?

If someone attacks a sect with the aim of genocide, can the victims be blamed if
they think that martyrdom through resistance is better than that kind of death…?

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣0️⃣*
*❓If Islam is a Religion of Peace, Why is There So much Conflicts in Countries Where
Muslims Live?*
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✅This question makes two assumptions: first, that there is more conflict among
Muslims than among followers of other religions, and second, that conflicts involving
Muslims result primarily from their religion.

The first assumption is a false perception. Of the fifty Muslim-majority countries, the
vast majority are at peace. Furthermore, many countries with non-Muslim majorities
are involved in conflict. The United States, for instance, a Christian-majority country,
is the world’s largest arms exporter and is involved currently in several armed
conflicts and was previously involved in a number of conflicts, most famous among
them the Vietnam War. The two largest world wars in history were fought mostly
between Christian-majority countries (i.e., World Wars I and II).

The second assumption is likewise misleading. While religion is sometimes invoked

by parties to support a war, religion is at most one factor among many in producing
conflict, and usually not the most important one. Economic and political issues are
generally the underlying causes behind most conflicts, including those involving
Muslims.

Additionally, in many of these conflicts Muslims are the victims rather than the
perpetrators of violence and conflict. Some current examples include: Myanmar,
where close to a million Rohingya Muslims have been persecuted and driven from
their homes by the Burmese army and militants in what has been called a genocide;
in China, where one million Uighur Muslims have been detained in concentration
camps; in Kashmir where a brutal crack-down has resulted in the oppression of all
its Muslim residents following decades of repression; and ongoing conflicts over
land and rights in Palestine.

This has also been the case in previous conflicts in Iraq, Chechnya, Afghanistan, and
Bosnia, where others instigated conflict to the great detriment, loss of lives,
destruction, and suffering of the Muslims living in those countries.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Whatever God Does, It is For Our Best*
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✅When Almighty Allah in His Infinite Wisdom, tests us with a situation that we think
is difficult or takes away something that in our mind was good for us, we need to
remember that perhaps it may not be so. Perhaps if we had continued in our way, it
might have been harmful for us and whatever Allah decreed for us is actually better
for us, for He is All-Wise and All-Knowing. Allah says: “…and it may be that you
dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you.
Allah knows but you do not know.” (Quran 2:216)

So have faith in Him and trust in Him and although, sometimes we may not
understand the reason behind certain things, know that as long as you obey Him,
whatever He will do for you is, in fact for your betterment.

So if Allah didn't give you that big house, or that nice car you wanted or that big
raise you were hoping for, know in your mind and believe in your heart that it is
actually better for you. Who knows… maybe that big house, that car or that money
would have become a source of test (fitnah) for you… Perhaps you would have
become arrogant and conceited because of it, and Allah saved you from it. Because,
you know that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Any one in whose heart is even a mustard
seed's worth of pride will not enter Paradise.” (Muslim)

And if you have been sick and suffering, sure it is not easy. But again, know in your
mind and believe in your heart that it is indeed better for you. For, if you bear
patiently, it will be a means of expiation for your sins and a source of great reward.
The Prophet said: “There is nothing that befalls a believer, not even a thorn that
pricks him, but Allah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad
deed from him.” (Muslim)

Our minds, our logic and our senses cannot even begin to fathom the Wisdom and
the Knowledge behind Allah's decisions and verdicts. It is He who is the Wise… it is
He who is the Just and it is He who is the Knower of the unseen. If we trust in Allaah,
He will suffice and it is He who will grant us goodness in any situation and under any
circumstances. “And when someone puts all his trust in Allah, He will be enough for
him.” (Surah at-Talaaq:3)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Do Muslims Worship God Because of Fear or Because of Love?*
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✅The term fear, when used to refer to God-consciousness in the Islamic context,
does not mean being scared of God because being scared excludes any feeling
of love or respect. Fear of God means to fear the disobedience and His punishment
on the Day of Judgment, and to fear forgetting Him and losing His blessings.
Another partial meaning of fear, which is nobler, is the fear of displeasing God, the
One Whom you love.

For example, when two people love each other, you find each of them trying their
best to please the other and to avoid even forgetting their special days like
anniversaries. If this is the attitude of humans towards each other, then it is more
appropriate that people fear God’s displeasure. People should love God most
because they owe everything to Him: their lives, property, and, above all, His
guidance to know and worship Him.

So, fear of God is not founded on a vengeful concept of hate and fear of God. It is
actually based on love, which leads to a feeling of fear of God’s displeasure.
*God-Consciousness*
God-consciousness (taqwa) is the core of Islam because it is acknowledging, feeling,
and realizing God’s presence at all times, and knowing that He is looking after you
and knows what you are doing and even what your soul whispers to you.

This feeling results in trying to go through life according to God’s orders and being
ashamed of doing wrong in His presence, which is at all times. So, a person who
has taqwa tries to avoid both things that displease God and things that may harm
himself or others.

God-Consciousness and Divine Love

For centuries, philosophers and writers have tried to explore divine love but found
that there are some feelings that just cannot be translated into words, especially
when a person moves to higher degrees of divine love.

The Quran connects divine love to taqwa in a verse that says: “For lo! Allah loves
those who ward off (evil).” (3:76) This shows that divine love is not only manifested
in pure acts of worship like prayers, but it is also reflected in different aspects of
life. That is why following the path of God is the real test for the genuineness of
divine love.

Translating Love into Good Deeds

This is beautifully expressed in the Quran, while addressing Prophet: “Say, (O
Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive
you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (3:31) Following this path that God has
established for man results in a sense of dependence upon God and a sense
of gratefulness to God for all His bounties.

Divine love requires commitment and steadfastness so a person can be prepared to

face the different trials and tribulations in life. It also requires responsibility and
sacrifice of some of the person’s time, property, desires, and even a person’s own
life if necessary. The Quran indicates that to have this true love, one must put God’s
love above all other types of love. (2:165)

Various verses in the Quran explain the characteristics that a person should have to
receive God’s love. One of those traits is taqwa or God-consciousness. (Quran 3:76)
Also, people who constantly repent to God deserve His love. (2:222) Another one is
constant self-purification. (9:108). People who do good were also mentioned in
several verses. (2:195, 5:42)
*True Believers Need Not Fear*
Ultimate bliss is also reached by God-consciousness, and not only is this bliss in life
on earth but also in the eternal life of the hereafter. The Quran refers to this by
saying: “Behold! verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they
grieve.” (10:62)

Having this quality of taqwa would result in a feeling of inner peace, and eternal
tranquility would spread among people.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣3️⃣*
*❓The Universalism of Islam*
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✅The cardinal principle of Islam is belief in the absolute oneness of God (Tauheed).
In the opening chapter of the Quran, God is described as ‘Lord of the Universe(s)’. In
the Quran, God is not related to any particular place or people but to all creation.

Whilst the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament refers to God as the God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, the Quran does not refer to God as the God of a particular prophet.
God is the one and only creator of everything that exists and from God’s unity
comes the unity of creation. The Quran points out that God not only creates and
sustains all creatures but also gives moral guidance to humanity which has been
made “in the best of molds” (Quran 95:4).

The Quran affirms that God “cares for all creatures” (Quran 2:268)., and testifies
that the message it contains is universal as may be seen from the following verses:
“Hallowed is He who from on high, step by step, has bestowed upon His servant the
standard by which to discern the true from the false, so that to all the world it may
be a warning” (Quran 25:1).
“[The Quran] is but a reminder and a divine discourse, clear in itself and clearly
showing the truth, to the end that it may warn everyone who is alive (of heart)”
(Quran 36:69-70). “This (divine writ) behold, is no less than a reminder to all the
worlds” (Quran 38:87). “This (message) is no less than a reminder to all humankind
to every one of you who wills to walk a straight way (Quran 81:27-28).

The Quran also affirms the universal mission of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) as,
for instance, it states: “Now (as for you, Mohammad) We have not sent you
otherwise than to mankind at large, to be a herald of glad tidings and a warner.”
(Quran 34:28).

Islam’s non-exclusive spirit is embodied in many Quranic verses, such as the

following: “Verily, those who have attained to faith (in this divine writ) as well as
those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians - all who
believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds - shall have their reward
with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve”
(Quran 2:62; this verse is repeated in an almost identical form in Quran 5:69).

“And they claim, ‘None shall ever enter paradise unless he be a Jew - or a Christian’.
Such are their wishful beliefs! Say: ‘Produce an evidence for what you are claiming,
if what you say is true!’ Yea, indeed: everyone who surrenders his whole being unto
God, and is a doer of good withal, shall have his reward with his Sustainer; and all
such need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve” (Quran 2:111-112).

“And be conscious of the Day on which you shall be brought back unto God,
whereupon every human being shall be repaid in full for what he has earned, and
none shall be wronged” (Quran 2:281).

Since God is the universal creator who sends guidance to all humanity, Muslims are
commanded by the Quran to affirm the divine message given to all the previous
prophets. (Quran 40:78). The Quran enjoins Muslims to affirm the continuity of Islam
with previous revelations and prophets and not to make a distinction amongst
them, as can be seen from verses such as the following: “Say, We believe in God,
and in that which has been bestowed from on high upon us, and that which has
been bestowed upon Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and their
descendants, and that which has been bestowed upon Moses and Jesus, and that
which has been given to all the (other) prophets by their Sustainer: we make no
distinction between any of them. And it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves”
(Quran 2:136, 3:84).

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Is God Singular or Plural? Why Allah Uses Pronoun 'We' in Quran to Refer to
Himself?*
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✅It is a feature of literary style in Arabic that a person may refer to himself by the
pronoun “We” for respect or glorification. Allah may also use the word “I”, indicating
one person, or the third person “He”. All three styles are used in the Qur’an.

Allah sometimes refers to Himself in the singular, by name or by use of a pronoun,

and sometimes by use of the plural, as in the phrase: “Verily, We have given you a
manifest victory” (Quran 48:1), and other similar phrases.

But Allah never refers to Himself by use of the dual, because the plural refers to the
respect that He deserves, and may refer to His names and attributes, whereas the
dual refers to a specific number (and nothing else), and He is far above that.

These words, "Verily We" and "We", and other forms of the plural, may be used by
one person speaking on behalf of a group, or they may be used by one person for
purposes of respect or glorification, as is done by some monarchs when they issue
statements or decrees in which they say “We have decided…” etc. This is known in
English as “The Royal We”.

In such cases, only one person is speaking but the plural is used for respect. The
One Who is more deserving of respect than any other is Allah. So when He says in
the Qur’an “Verily We” and “We”, it is for respect and glorification, not to indicate
plurality of numbers. If a verse of this type is causing confusion, it is essential to
refer to the clear, unambiguous verse for clarification.

If a Christian, for example, insists on taking verses such as: “Verily, it is We Who
have sent down the Qur’an” (Quran 15:9) as proof of divine plurality, we may refute
this claim by quoting clear and unambiguous verse such as: “And your God is One
God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Most Beneficent,
the Most Merciful” (Quran 2:163) and “Say: He is Allah, the One” (Quran 112:1) and
other verses which can only be interpreted in one way.
Thus, confusion will be dispelled for the one who is seeking the truth. Every time
Allah uses the plural to refer to Himself, it is based on the respect and honour that
He deserves, and on the great number of His names and attributes, and on the
great number of His troops and angels.

Let us see another example. With regard to Allah’s closeness to us, sometimes it is
mentioned in the singular, as in the verse: “And when My slaves ask you (O
Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them) I am indeed near (to them). I
respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me…” (Quran 2:186),
and sometimes in the plural, as in the verse: “…And We are nearer to him than his
jugular vein" (Quran 50:16).

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣5️⃣*
*❓100 Advices from Glorious Quran:*
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1. Do not mix the truth with falsehood (2:42)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣6️⃣*
*❓How Was the Glorious Qur’an Revealed?*
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✅The Glorious Qur’an is the written text of the revelation which Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) received from Almighty Allah. The account of how Prophet Muhammad first
received the revelation of the Glorious Qur’an is recorded in the traditions of the
Prophet and by early Islamic historians who explained the events.

In the year A.D. 610, Prophet Muhammad was forty-years old. When he was
mediating in the cave of Hira’ he received his call to Prophethood. This Prophetic
call was the beginning of the Glorious Qur’an. A Muslim historian, Muhammad H.
Haykal, reports the events of Muhammad’s call, according to Islamic traditions as
follows:

One day, while Muhammad was in the cave (Hira), an angel approached him. The
angel said to Muhammad, “Read.” Muhammad answered, “I do not read.” He felt as
if the angel had strangled and then released him and heard once more the
command, “Read.” Muhammad’s reply was, “I do not read.” Once more he felt the
angel strangling and then releasing him, and he heard him repeat the command,
“Read.” For the third time Muhammad answered, “I do not read.” fearful that this
time the strangling would be stronger. The angel replied, “Read in the name of your
Lord, Who Created, created man of a clot of blood. Read! Your Lord is Most
Gracious. It is He Who taught man by the pen that which he does not know.”
[Quran 96:1-5]

Prophet Muhammad recited these verses, repeating them after the angel who
withdrew after they were permanently carved upon his memory. Thus, the earliest
of the biographies reported, and so did ibn Is’haq.

Prophet Muhammad went home and confided to his wife, Khadijah about what just
happened in the cave, he confessed he feared on himself, she reassured Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH). Khadijah then went to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who was
had some knowledge of previous scriptures, she was eager for advice regarding
Prophet Muhammad. Upon hearing the events regarding Muhammad, Waraqah
declared him a prophet of Allah to the whole world.
As Muhammad entered his house, he asked Khadijah to wrap him in blankets. She
could see that her husband was shivering as if struck with high fever. When he
calmed down, he cast toward his wife the glance of a man in need of rescue and
said, “O Khadijah, what has happened to me?” He told her of his experience and
intimated to her his fear. She said to him, “Joy to my cousin! Be firm. By Him who
dominates Khadijah’s soul I hope that you are the Prophet of Allah Almighty. By
God, He will not let you down. You are kind to your kin; your speech is always true;
you rescue the weary; entertain the guest and help the truth to prevail.”

When Waraqah was informed about the event of Angel Gabriel he broke into these
words: “Holy, Holy! By Him who dominates Waraqah’s soul, if your report is true, O
Khadijah, this must be the Great Spirit that spoke to Moses. Muhammad must be
the Prophet of Allah.”

From this point forward, the angel who appeared to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
would come back over the remaining 22 years of his life, from forty to age sixty-two,
giving him further revelations. The 114 chapters recorded in the Glorious Qur’an are
linked to the periods in Muhammad’s life, until his death in A.D. 632. The method
of revelation was not always the same according to Islamic tradition.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Why Alcohol is Prohibited in Islam?*
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✅Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It
continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions
throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society.
The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and
millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute testimony to the
destructive power of alcohol.
*Prohibition of Alcohol in Qur’an:*
The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in this verse: “O you who
have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other
than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid
it that you may be successful” (Qur’an 5:90)

Prohibition of Alcohol in Bible:

The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses: “Wine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
[Proverbs 20:1] “And be not drunk with wine.” [Ephesians 5:18]

Prohibition of Alcohol in Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the
most shameful of evils.” (Ibn-I-Majah Vol 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith
No. 3371)

Alcohol Inhibits the Inhibitory Centre:

The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre
prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For instance, a
person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his parents or
elders. When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited.
That is precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be indulging
in behaviour that is completely uncharacteristic of him.

*Cases of Adultery, Rape, Incest and AIDS are More among Alcoholics*
According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S.
Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713 rapes
took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were intoxicated
while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of molestation. Almost all the
cases of incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved.

Every Alcoholic was Initially a Social Drinker

Many may argue in favour of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They
claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and so never
get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic started as a social drinker,
and later gets addicted to it.

Diseases Associated with Alcoholism

There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicants
i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one
particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every
year only because of intake of alcohol. The ill-effects of alcohol need not be
explained. Liver Cirrhosis, Cancer, Hepatoma, Gastritis, Pancreatitis, Hepatitis,
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Heart Attacks, Strokes, Apoplexy, Endocrine
Disorders, Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Eczema and many
other diseases are common among alcoholics.

Alcoholism is not a Disease - It is Satan’s handiwork

Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call alcoholism a
disease rather than an addiction. Allah in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against
this snare of Satan. Islam is called “the natural religion”. All its injunctions are
aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a deviation from this
natural state, for the individual as well as for society. Hence the consumption of
alcohol is prohibited in Islam.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Tips for Achieving Happiness*
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✅Happiness is the only goal on earth that all people without exception are seeking
to attain. Believers and unbelievers alike seek to be happy, but each party is using
different methods. However, only believers can achieve genuine happiness. All
forms of happiness attained without a firm belief in God, the Almighty, are mere
illusions.

The following are tips for the attainment of happiness:

1. Know that if you do not live within the scope of today, your thoughts will be
scattered, your affairs will become confused, and your anxiety will increase. Prophet
Muhammed said: “When you are in the evening, do not expect to see the morning,
and when you are in the morning, do not expect to see the evening.” (Bukhari)
2. Forget the past and all that it contained, focus on the present.
3. Do not completely preoccupy yourself with the future and then discard the
present. Be balanced in life, prepare yourself adequately for all situations.
4. Do not be shaken by criticism; instead, be firm. Be sure that in proportion to your
worth, the level of people's criticism rises. Also, make good use of criticism in
discovering your shortcomings and faults, and let it drive you towards self-
improvement.
5. Have complete faith in God and perform good deeds; these are the ingredients
that makeup a good and happy life.
6. If you desire peace, tranquility, and comfort, you can find it all in the
remembrance of God.
7. You should know with certainty that everything that happens, occurs in
accordance with the divine decree.
8. Do not expect gratitude from anyone.
9. Train yourself to be prepared for the worst possibility.
10. Perhaps what has happened is in your best interest, even though you may not
comprehend how that can be so.
11. Everything that is decreed for the believer is the best for him.
12. Enumerate the blessings of God and be thankful for them.
13. Remember that you are better off than many others.
14. Relief comes from one hour to the next. Indeed, with each difficulty there is
relief.
15. In both times of hardship and ease, one should turn to supplication and prayer,
either patiently contented or thankful.
16. Calamities should strengthen your heart and reshape your outlook in a positive
way.
17. Do not let trivialities be the cause of your destruction.
18. Always remember that your God is Oft-Forgiving.
19. Assume an easy-going attitude and avoid anger.
20. Life is bread, water, and shade; so, do not be perturbed by a lack of any other
material thing. “And in the heaven is your providence and that which you are
promised.” (Quran 51:22)
21. A daunting evil that seemingly will happen usually never occurs.
22. Look at those who have more afflictions and be grateful that you have less.
23. Bear in mind the fact that God loves those who endure trials with steadfastness,
so seek to be one of them.
24. Work hard at something that is productive and cast-off idleness.
25. Do not spread rumors and do not listen to them. If you hear a rumor
inadvertently, do not believe it.
26. Know that your malice and your striving to seek revenge are much more
harmful to your health than they are to your antagonist.
27. The hardships that befall you recompense for your sins if you endure with
patience.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣2️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Does Quran Say to Kill Non-Muslims Wherever See Them?*
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✅Islam does not allow anyone to be killed for the sole reason of being a non-Muslim.
On the contrary, Islam commands Muslims to be tolerant of disbelievers. However,
extremism and terrorism are fabricated on the name of Islam by misinterpreting
some verses of the Qur'an which have been revealed on special occasions.

Religious freedom is the essence of Islam: “And say, The truth is from your Lord, so
whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve.” (Qur'an
18:29).

Now let’s look at a verse that is often misinterpreted: “Then, when the sacred
months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them and
besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every ambush. But if they repent, and
maintain the prayer and give the zakat, then let them alone. Indeed, Allah is all-
forgiving, all-merciful.” (Qur'an 9:5)

These words are usually interpreted by all critics to mean cutting off the necks of
unbelievers. If you read the verse in its entirety, you will understand that these are
the positions to be taken in war.

Moreover, the verses just before and after that verse make it clear that this is not a
general attitude towards non-Muslims. “Excepted are those with whom you made a
treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in
anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until
their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous (who fear Him)” (Qur’an
9:4). “And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him
protection so that he may hear the words of Allah [i.e., the Qur’an]. Then deliver
him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.”
(Qur’an 9:6)

Let’s see another verse that is also misinterpreted often: “So when you meet those
who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted
slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards
or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That is the policy of war”
(Qur'an 47:4)

With this verse in mind, it is being propagated that in every case, wherever a non-
Muslim is found, his neck should be cut off. But this Quranic verse is self-
explanatory; it is clearly stated that this is until the end of the war, it is clear that
the post-war attitude towards non-Muslims is different.

Islam teaches that "Let not hatred of a people incite you to do injustice" (Qur'an
5:8). See also some Qur'anic verses that the critics conveniently conceal: "Whoever
kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had
slain mankind entirely." (Qur'an 5:32). "And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which
Allah has forbidden, except by right." (Qur'an 17:33)

Islam, which forbids even insulting the idols of non-Muslims, does not command the
unjust execution of any human being. On the contrary, these verses, which are
misinterpreted to misrepresent Islam, refer to fighting as a means of defense
against the unbelievers who attack the believing Muslims and persecute their faith.
These are the commands to retaliate in order to defend oneself from being
oppressed and weak when attacked by unbelievers.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Rational Evidence of Muhammad’s( ‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood?*
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✅The signs that prove the prophecy of Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬are numerous. Many books
have been written to enumerate them and thoroughly discuss them. We would like
to mention some of the signs as reported by Muslim scholars, which prove that
Muhammad ( ‫ )ﷺ‬was a real Prophet.
1. His good biography and high morals as well as the noble qualities that
distinguished him. He was known before becoming a Prophet as a truthful and
honest person, although the community where he lived was a society of ignorance.
This was, perhaps, the most important sign of his prophecy. He was not known to
have ever lied on people. So, why should he lie on be half of the Lord by claiming
that he was a Prophet, if he was not a real Prophet?

2. The powers and triumphs Allah gave him and the spread of the religion he
preached, as well as the triumph of this religion over all existing religions in a short
period of time. Had he been a liar, Allah would have humiliated and destroyed him
as He did with those before him who falsely claimed Prophethood.

3. The miracles Allah gave him as supporting evidence were beyond the ability of
human beings and were beyond range of natural phenomena. The moon split for
him, water gushed from his fingers, food became more abundant in his hands, and
similar phenomena were authentically reported and happened in a way that could
not be denied.

4. The Prophet ( ‫ )ﷺ‬was backed by the greatest miracle which is the Quran. In fact,
Quran was a challenge and remains a challenge for Arabs who were known to be
good poets and eloquent speakers. Allah challenged them to write a single chapter
that would be similar to that of Quran, but the Arabs were unable to do so. Indeed,
the challenge still endures, none of the Arabs throughout history - since the
revelation of the Quran - was able to make anything that was even similar to it.

5. No doubt that the Quran has been preserved intact until it came to us. Groups of
people memorized it including children, adults, males and females. So, generations
brought the Quran to generations until it reached us as it was revealed 14 centuries
ago. Hence, the Quran remains intact protected from distortion or alteration.
Nothing has been added to it, nor taken from it.

6. The Quran contains many previously unknown scientific facts that were verified
only in these times of scientific investigation. No doubt that Muhammad who was
illiterate would not have possessed this knowledge 14 centuries ago. Doesn't this
prove the authenticity of the Quran and that it is the Word of the Creator of the
Universe who knows all its secrets?

7. Muhammad's revelations were witnessed by many people. Prophet received his

first revelation while praying alone in a cave outside Mecca. Howeven, many of his
proceeding revelations were witnessed by his followers.

8. The things from the unseen that he (the Prophet ‫ )ﷺ‬informed us about. Some of
them occurred during his lifetime. Others happened later. Some of these things
happened to the Prophets, who preceded him, and some are still to occur. He also
informed about the signs of the Day of Judgment, some of which had already been
seen such as widespread killings and genocide, adultery and fornication,
outnumbering of males by females, etc.

9. The testimony of some of the people from other faiths that he was a true Prophet.
Some of them believed in him like Abdullah Ibn Salam (ra) who was a Jew as well as
Negus (king of Abyssinia) who was a Christian. Some of the people of other faiths
certified that he was a Prophet from Allah but refused to follow him like Huyayy Ibn
Akhtab.

These are some of the signs that prove Muhammed’s Prophethood and the
authenticity of his revelations.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣1️⃣*
*❓God Has Not Left Humankind Without Guidance*
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✅God, through His grace, mercy, and generosity guides whom He wills and through
His fairness doesn’t guide whom He wills. God’s guidance is brighter than the sun.
One who is guided will truly get to know God, know that He is One, be at peace of
mind, be connected to Him through prayer, know what the real purpose of life is
and know for certain that there is a Hereafter that one must prepare for by doing
good deeds. "God is the Guardian of those who believe. He brings them out from
darkness into the light." (Quran 2:257)

God has not abandoned humankind after creating them, rather He has always
shown the path that leads to Him. It is then up to the people if they want to seek
and benefit from that guidance or not. "Then if there comes to you guidance from
Me, then whoever follows My guidance he shall neither go astray, nor shall be
distressed" (Quran 20:123). "We (God) will show them Our signs in the horizons and
within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it (Monotheism) is the truth."
(Quran 41:53)

Acts That Make One Worthy of Guidance

1. Repentance
Everyone makes mistakes and the best of those who make mistakes are those who
turn to God in admittance of their mistakes and seek His forgiveness. "Verily, God
sends astray whom He wills and guides unto Himself those who turn to Him in
repentance." (Quran 13:27)

2. Being thankful
God’s blessings cannot be counted. He created us after we were nothing and
blessed us with life, sight, hearing, speech, and intellect so that we may reflect and
show gratitude to Him. "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if
you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe." (Quran 14:7)

3. Truthfulness
God appreciates truthfulness, not only with others but with one’s self too. When the
Straight Path becomes apparent, one should be truthful with oneself and embrace
it. "That God may reward the truthful for their truth and punish the hypocrites if He
wills or accept their repentance…" (Quran 33:24)

4. Seeking God’s Pleasure

"Wherewith God guides all those who seek His pleasure to the ways of peace, and
He brings them out from darkness into the light by His Will and guides them to the
Straight Way." (Quran 5:16)

Acts That Make One Unworthy of Guidance

1. Not Believing in Him and His signs
Being obstinate in accepting the Straight Path. "Indeed, God does not guide the
disbelieving people." (Quran 5:67)

2. Transgression
Those who knowingly and willfully commit transgression and injustice. "And
God does not guide the defiantly disobedient people." (Quran 5:108).

3. Lying
"God certainly does not guide whoever persists in lying and disbelief." (Quran 39:3)

4. Arrogance
"I (God) will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without
right; and even if they were to see every sign, they still will not believe in them. If
they see the Right Path, they will not take it. But if they see a crooked path, they
will follow it. This is because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them."
(Quran 7:146)

Repentance Is Open for Everybody

All people commit faults, sins, and mistakes, and as long as one is still alive, it is
never too late to repent sincerely to God and turn to Him. The Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) said, "God is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than anyone of
you is pleased with finding his camel which he had lost in the desert." (Saheeh
Bukhari)

"Say, [O Prophet, that God says,] ‘O My servants who have transgressed against
themselves [by sinning]! Do not lose hope in God’s mercy, for God certainly forgives
all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’" (Quran 39:53)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Muslims Love Jesus: 6 Things You Should Know about Jesus in Islam*
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✅Here are six things you may not know about the role of Jesus - and his mother,
Mary - in Islam:

1. Jesus, Mary, and the angel Gabriel are all prominent characters in the Qur’an (as
are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and a bunch of other Bible characters).

2. Muslims believe that Jesus (called “Isa” in Arabic) was a prophet of God and was
born to a virgin (Mary). They also believe he will return to Earth before the Day of
Judgment to restore justice and defeat al-Masih ad-Dajjal, or “the false messiah” -
also known as the Antichrist. All of this may sound pretty familiar to many
Christians.
3. Mary (called “Maryam” in Arabic) has an entire chapter in the Qur’an named for
her - the only chapter in the Qur’an named for a female figure. In fact, Mary is the
only woman to be mentioned by name in the entire Qur’an. Mary is mentioned more
times in the Qur’an than in the entire New Testament of the Bible.

4. Just as they do with all the other prophets, including Muhammed, devout Muslims
recite “peace be upon him” after every time they refer to Jesus by name.

5. Muslims believe that Jesus performed miracles: The Qur’an discusses several of
Jesus’s miracles, including giving sight to the blind, healing lepers, raising the dead,
and breathing life into clay birds.

6. The story of Jesus’s birth as told in the Qur’an is also the story of his first miracle,
when he spoke as an infant in the cradle and declared himself to be a prophet of
God. Here’s the story:

“And remember Mary in the Book, when she withdrew from her family to an eastern
place. And she veiled herself from them. Then We [God] sent unto her Our Spirit
[the angel Gabriel], and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. She said,
"I seek refuge from thee in the Compassionate [i.e., God], if you are reverent!" He
said, "I am but a messenger of thy Lord, to bestow upon thee a pure boy."

She said, "How shall I have a boy when no man has touched me, nor have I been
unchaste?" He said, "Thus shall it be. Thy Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me.’" And [it is
thus] that We might make him a sign unto mankind, and a mercy from Us. And it is
a matter decreed.

So, she conceived him and withdrew with him to a place far off. And the pangs of
childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date palm. She said, "Would that I had died
before this and was a thing forgotten, utterly forgotten!" So, he called out to her
from below her, "Grieve not! Thy Lord has placed a rivulet beneath thee. And shake
toward thyself the trunk of the date palm; fresh, ripe dates shall fall upon thee. So,
eat and drink and cool thine eye. And if thou see any human being, say, ‘Verily I
have vowed a fast unto the Compassionate, so I shall not speak this day to any
man.’"

Then she came with him [the infant Jesus] unto her people, carrying him. They said,
"O Mary! Thou hast brought an amazing thing! O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not
an evil man, nor was thy mother unchaste." Then she pointed to him [Jesus]. They
said, "How shall we speak to one who is yet a child in the cradle?"

He [Jesus] said, "Truly I am a servant of God. He has given me the Book and made
me a prophet. He has made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and has enjoined
upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I live, and [has made me] dutiful toward
my mother. And He has not made me domineering, wretched. Peace be upon me
the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised alive!"

That is Jesus, son of Mary - a statement of the truth, which they doubt.

So, although Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the son of God, Muslims do revere
Jesus as an important prophet.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣3️⃣*
*❓This World is the Place of Trials and Tribulations*
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✅This world is the place of striving and the Hereafter is the place of reward or
punishment, where the believers will be rewarded with Paradise and the wicked
people will be punished with Hell.

Paradise is good and none but those who were good will enter it. Allah is Good and
accepts nothing but that which is good. So, the way of Allah with His slaves is to test
them with calamities and tribulations, so that the believer may be known from the
disbelievers and so that the truthful may be distinguished from the liar, as Allah
says: “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’
and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And
Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make
evident the liars (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)” (Quran
29:2-3)

Victory and success cannot be achieved except after tests which will bring the good
forth from the evil and tell the believer apart from the disbeliever, as Allah says:
“Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He
distinguishes the wicked from the good. Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of
the unseen” (Quran 3:179)
Among the trials with which Allah tests His slaves in order to distinguish the
believers from the disbelievers is that which He mentions in the verse: “And
certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and
fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient. Who, when disaster strikes them, say,
‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return’, those are the ones
upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the
guided.” (Quran 2:155-157)

So, Allah tests His slaves, and He loves those who are patient, and gives them the
glad tidings of Paradise.

Allah Tests with Different Kinds of Trials:

Allah tests us, sometimes with calamities and sometimes with blessings, to show
who will be thankful and who will be ungrateful, and who will obey and who will
disobey, then He will reward or punish them on the Day of Resurrection: ”and We
shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned”
(Quran 21:35)

Wealth and children are a trial by means of which Allah tests His slaves, to know
who will give thanks for them, and who will be distracted from Allah by them: “And
know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allah has with
Him a great reward.” (Quran 8:28).

Sometimes Allah tests His slaves when they commit sin. He punishes them with
calamities so that they might come back to him, as He says: “And whatever of
misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned…” (Quran
42:30) “And indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not
themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke with submission to Him” (Quran
23:76).

Allah is merciful to His slaves; He sends repeated tribulations upon the community
so that they may return and repent to Him. It is part of the mercy of Allah that
disasters befall sinners in this world, so that their souls might be purified, and they
might come back to Allah before they die: “And verily, We will make them taste of
the near torment prior to the supreme torment (in the Hereafter), in order that they
may return” (Quran 32:21)

Sometimes Allah tests His slaves with calamities in order to raise them in status and
to expiate for their sins, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: “No misfortune or disease
befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress - not even a thorn that pricks
him - but Allah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.” (Bukhari 5641)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣4️⃣*
*❓The Conquest of Makkah: The Day of Mercy*
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✅The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was an event that took place during the time of the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It was a pivotal treaty between him, representing the
state of Medina, and the Qurayshi tribe of Mecca in January 628. It helped to
decrease tension between the two cities, affirmed peace for a period of 10 years,
and authorized Prophet Muhammad's followers to return the following year in a
peaceful pilgrimage.

However, this treaty of Hudaibiyah was broken by the enemies of Islam. After the
treaty of Hudaibiyah was broken following an attack on Muslims, the Prophet
ordered Muslims to march to Makkah. Precautions were taken so that Makkans
should not get aware of it. It was the 10th day of Ramadan, 8 years after his
migration from Makkah, that an army of 10,000 Muslims marched towards Makkah.
The Muslims encamped at a place a few kilometers from Makkah. As the news
reached Makkans, they feared and tried to negotiate with Muslims. The Prophet
Muhammad make sure that no harm will be done to them.

Abu Sufyan the chief of Makkah at that time make some attempts to have another
treaty with Muslims and Prophet Muhammad. He managed to contact some Muslims
including uncle of Prophet Muhammad, Abbas but all his efforts were failed.

The Muslims entered Makkah peacefully and there was no bloodshed. Abu Sufyan
who was the present chief of Makkah and a bitter enemy of Prophet accepted Islam
at that moment. Prophet said the following about Abu Sufyan's house: "Even he who
enters the house of Abu Sufyan will be safe, He who lays down arms will be safe, He
who locks his door will be safe" (Page 329, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh by Ibn al-Athir)

The most bitter enemy was touched with general amnesty (general pardon) of the
Prophet and accepted Islam. The Prophet Muhammed purified the sacred House of
Allah (Ka'ba) removing all its 360 idols and stones, which were brought there by the
polytheists. Prophet along with his companions visited the Ka’ba, and recited the
following verses of Quran: "Truth has come and Falsehood vanished and no more
shall falsehood return" (Quran 17:8).

The sanctuary of the Ka'ba contained such idols as Hubal, Latt and Manat. They saw
their downfall for they were nothing but pieces of stones. Now every nook and
corner of Makkah witnessed and resounded with the call of Oneness of God. Prophet
Muhammed also proclaimed: “Allah has forbidden the sale of intoxicants and usury
(Interest) is declared as prohibited”.

Then Prophet Muhammad turned to the people said: "O Quraish, what do you think
of the treatment that I should accord you?"

And they said, "Mercy, O Prophet of Allah. We expect nothing but good from you."
Thereupon Prophet Muhammad declared: "I speak to you in the same words as
Yusuf spoke to his brothers. This day there is no rebuke against you; Go your way,
for you are free." [Related by Ibn Kathir, recorded by Ibn al-Hajjaj Muslim]

That’s why the Holy Quran said about the Prophet: "And We have not sent you, [O
Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." [Quran 21:107]

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Why Islam Prohibits Pork?*
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✅The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The
following points explain various aspects of this prohibition:
*1. Allah Commanded Believers Not to Eat Swine:*
"Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on
which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah." [Al-Qur’an 5:3]

2. Pork Prohibited in the Bible:

The Christians are likely to be convinced by their religious scriptures. The Bible
prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus: "And the swine, though
he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean
to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are
unclean to you." [Leviticus 11:7-8]

Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy: "And the swine,
because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye
shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass." [Deuteronomy 14:8]

3. Consumption of Pork Causes Several Diseases:

The other non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason,
logic and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of
diseases. A person can have various helminthes like roundworm, pinworm,
hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in lay man’s
terminology called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. Its ova
i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If
it enters the brain, it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart
attack, if it enters the eye it can cause blindness, if it enters the liver it can cause
liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body.

Another dangerous helminthes is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception

about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project
undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from
Trichura Tichurasis, twenty-two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that
the ova present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature.

4. Pig is One of the Filthiest Animals on Earth:

The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces
and dirt. It is the best scavenger among the animals. In the villages they don’t have
modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta are
cleared by pigs.

Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very
clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept
together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by
nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour’s excreta.
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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Prophet Muhammad: The Most Influential Person in History*
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✅Michael H. Hart is a Jewish American astrophysicist and the writer of the famous
book “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History” which has sold
more than 500,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages. The said book
was not directed to Muslims, still Michael Hart placed Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) at
the top of the list.

In his book, Michael Hart says about the reason behind choosing the prophet as
number one in the list: “My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most
influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others,
but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the
religious and secular levels. Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and
promulgated one of the world's great religions, and became an immensely effective
political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still
powerful and pervasive.”

In comparison with the rest of men in the list, Michael Hart says about Muhammad
(PBUH): “The majority of the persons in this book had the advantage of being born
and raised incenters of civilization, highly cultured or politically pivotal nations.
Mohammad, however, was born in the year 570, in the city of Mecca, in southern
Arabia, at that time a backward area of the world, far from the centers of trade, art,
and learning”. Hart continues his talking about the history of the Prophet by saying:
“Most Arabs at that time were pagans, who believed in many gods.”

Prophet Muhammed - Most Astonishing Man Ever:

Micheal Hart claims that accomplishments of Prophet Muhammed have no parallel
in human history: “The Bedouin tribesmen of Arabia had a reputation as fierce
warriors. But their number was small; and plagued by disunity and internecine
warfare, they had been no match for the larger armies of the kingdoms in the
settled agricultural areas to the north. However, unified by Muhammad for the first
time in history, and inspired by their fervent belief in the one true God, these small
Arab armies now embarked upon one of the most astonishing series of conquests in
human history.”

Unprecedented Achievements of Prophet Muhammed:

“In fact, as the driving force behind the Arab conquests, he may well rank as the
most influential political leader of all time… Of many important historical events,
one might say that they were inevitable and would have occurred even without the
particular political leader who guided them... But this cannot be said of the Arab
conquests. Nothing similar had occurred before Muhammad, and there is no reason
to believe that the conquests would have been achieved without him.”

“…We see, then, that the Arab conquests of the seventh century have continued to
play an important role in human history, down to the present day. It is this
unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles
Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history.”

Today 15 centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive. Most
personalities of history are influential in some areas but Prophet Muhammad is
influential in almost all areas of life. He was a messenger of God, a leader, a general
in the battlefield, a teacher, a spiritual religious figure, a political hero, a lawgiver, a
maker of history, and most importantly, the founder of the spirit of the modern age
of knowledge, wisdom and science. Poet Allama Iqbal has pointed out that the
Prophet of Islam seems to stand between the ancient world and modern world.
Mahatma Gandhi described him as the best of one who holds undisputed sway over
the heart of millions of mankind.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣7️⃣*
*❓The Beauty of Allah's Creations*
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✅The Prophet (PBUH) has said that Allah is beautiful, and He loves beauty. It is for
this that the whole of Allah's creation has been designed and created according to
the highest heavenly standard of splendor and order impossible to be ever
emulated by anyone. There is nothing in existence but beauty, for God created the
cosmos in the image of His infinite beauty. Hence all cosmos with all its objects and
events is beautiful.

Allah says on this: “Such is the Creation of Allah: now show Me what is there that
others besides Him have created…” (Quran 31:11). “…(Such is) the artistry of Allah,
Who disposes of all things in perfect order…” (Quran 27:88). “He Who created all
things in the best way and He began the creation of man from clay” (Quran 32:7).

Since man has been created as the vicegerent on earth to whose use all things in
the heavens and on earth had been subjected (Quran 31:20), man stands for an
essential part of the intricate picturesque network of creation, serving the Creator's
universal plan: “We have indeed created man in the best of moulds” (Quran 95:4).

Man is created as the most beautiful creature on earth. He is given the power of
reasoning and insight. He is created as the vicegerent on earth never to be forsaken
by God's words of guidance. This is so lest man should lose his way, rebel against
the will and plan of his Lord, and gradually become puffed up with egotism, self-
exaltation and innumerable superstitions pertaining to his own existence and
existence taken as a whole.

When these exceptional qualities of man are paired with one's submission to the
Creator, Lord and Cherisher of the worlds, one confidently sets out proving his
worth, elevating his status over that of the angels in the process. Conversely, no
sooner does one start mishandling and abusing the same qualities and gifts than
one starts drifting away from the plane of truth, debasing his self lower than the
level of animals in the process.

While actualizing his vicegerency mission on earth by means of holding fast to the
values and philosophy divinely given, as well as by means of constant constructive
interaction with the rest of creation, man is bound to comprehend rightly the
mission and purpose of creation (including the creation of his very self), penetrating
through some of its highest mysteries with his powers of reason and insight.

Man's initial impression of amazement with regard to the awesome sights in the
universe, as a result of Allah's supreme artistry, followed by his in-depth study of
what is viable thereof, is meant to lead man to an unwavering spiritual awakening,
thus prompting all his spiritual and mental faculties to assertively declare: “…Our
Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then
protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Quran 3:191).

Allah Almighty says: “[And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in
the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So, return [your] vision [to the
sky]; do you see any breaks? Then return vision twice again. [Your] vision will return
to you humbled while it is fatigued” (Quran 67:3-4).

Thus, everything in the universe has been created beautiful, with purpose and in
proportion and measure, both qualitatively and quantitatively (Quran 54:49). The
traces of divine wisdom and plan underpin each and every aspect of creation. Only
man's ungodly and self-centered tempering with the existing total artistic setting is
able to render things ugly, harmful, evil and obsolete. Man's own self, status and
mission are no exception to this rule, in that man is capable very much of rendering
them repulsive, dull, worthless and pathetic, too.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Why Islam Allows to Eat Non-Veg Food, Since Eating of Animals could Make a
Person Violent?*
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✅Science tell us that whatever one eats, it has an effect on one’s behavior. Why
then, does Islam allow Muslims to eat non-vegetarian food, since eating of animals
could make a person violent and ferocious?

1. Only eating of herbivorous animals allowed

It may be true that, what a person eats has an effect on his behavior. And, if true,
this may be one of the reasons why Islam prohibits the eating of carnivorous
animals like lion, tiger, leopard, etc. who are violent and ferocious. The consumption
of the meat of such animals would probably make a person violent and ferocious.
Islam only allows the eating of herbivorous animals like cow, goat, sheep, etc. that
are peaceful and docile. Muslims eat peaceful and docile animals because we are
peace loving and non-violent people.

2. The Qur'an says Prophet prohibits what is bad

The Qur'an says: “The Prophet commands them what is just and prohibits what is
evil”. “He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them what is
bad (and impure),” [Al-Qur'an 7:157]. “So, take what the Messenger assigns to you
and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you.” [Al-Qur'an 59:7]

For a Muslim, the Prophet's statement is sufficient to convince him that Allah does
not wish humans to eat some kinds of meat while allowing some other kinds.

3. Hadith prohibiting eating of carnivorous animals

According to various authentic traditions narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih
Muslim including hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih Muslim, Book of hunting and
slaughter, Hadith No. 4752 and Sunan Ibn-I-Majah chapter 13 Hadith no. 3232 to
3234, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) prohibited the eating of:

i) Wild animals with canine teeth, i.e. meat eating carnivorous animals. These are
animals belonging to the cat families such as lion, tiger, cats, dogs, wolfs, hyenas,
etc.
ii) Certain rodents like mice, rats, rabbits with claws, etc.
iii) Certain reptiles like snakes, alligators, etc.
iv) Birds of prey with talons or claws, like vultures, eagle, crows, owl, etc.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣3️⃣9️⃣*
*❓The Only True Religion*
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✅In order to understand whether Islam is a man-made religion or not, one first
needs to understand and appreciate what actually Islam means. Islam is the name
of the religion that is embodied not only in the nature of a human being but in fact
in the nature of everything in the world. Islam is therefore the religion of all the
prophets of God. Islam in its conceptual meaning simply means to surrender to God
and in its conventional meaning simply means a set of directives that set the person
free from any other thing so that the person can surrender himself to God.

I think at least for a believer in God, the above definition of Islam, conceptual and
conventional, should be acceptable. The question then will be, how we can we make
sure that the religion that the Qur'an talks about is the same Islam that we
introduced above. In other words, how we can make sure that the Qur'an was not
the work of a human being and was actually revealed by the Almighty Himself.

One way to answer this is to think what the other explanations would be (other than
the belief that the Qur'an is revealed by God). Other explanations need to be
thought of only after appreciating the following facts (among many others):

1. The process of revelation of the Qur'an extended 23 years during which the
Prophet (PBUH) led a very adventurous and unsettled life.

2. Evident from the history and the Qur’an itself, the style of the Qur’an has a
beauty and influential elegance that was unfounded in any Arab literature at the
time. This was the reason that the “author” of the Qur’an challenged its immediate
addressees if they could produce anything like that.

3. While being a work that completed only in 23 years, there is a very solid and
systematic link and correlation between the verses and their concepts throughout
the Qur’an (this can be appreciated by one who studies the Qur’an in depth).

4. The Prophet (PBUH) was never known as a person who would be able to say
poetic pieces or as a person of knowledge and reading. He was either almost
illiterate or at least not a reader of any literary works.

5. The Prophet (PBUH) was a very successful and charismatic leader; in other words
his life was not limited to uttering the verses of the Qur’an.

6. The promises of the Qur’an about the victory of Muslims and their prosperous life
in this world and the perishing of their enemies came literally true despite all the
apparently rational odds.

7. While the Qur’an is inline with the previous divine scriptures, it provides some
alternative explanations about the theological and historical aspects of the previous
religions. These alternative explanations often sound more rational and
intellectually superior to those that are offered by these scriptures or their followers.
Anyone who intends to provide an explanation about the source of the Qur’an needs
to consider the above points in the process. We would like to highlight that the
explanation “the Qur'an has been divinely revealed to the Prophet (PBUH)” matches
all the above points perfectly and that no other explanation provides such a perfect
match.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What Does the Qur'an Verse Mean which Says Prophet Muhammad was Allowed
to have More Wives to Avoid ‘Difficulty’?*
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✅There are some rulings that do not apply to ordinary Muslims but only for the Holy
Prophet (PBUH). For example, the Tahajjud prayer was obligatory for the Prophet,
but optional for everyone else. It is forbidden for the Holy Prophet and his family to
accept Zakat (charity), but not forbidden to anyone else… Only the Blessed Prophet
(PBUH) is allowed to marry more than four wives.

Qur'an 33:50 mentions about why Allah made the Prophet (PBUH) an exception to
the general rule. “That there should be no difficulty (restraint) upon you.” It does
not mean that he was a very lustful person, and therefore, he was permitted to
marry several wives so that he might not feel any hindrance due to the restriction to
four wives. Only a person affected by the blindness of prejudice can interpret this
verse in such a way.

The Prophet (PBUH) at the age of 25 married a lady who was 40 years old, and lived
a happy, contented married life with her for full 25 years. Then, when she died, he
married another old lady Saudah, who remained his only wife for the next four
years. Now, no sensible and honest person can imagine that when he became over
fifty-three he was suddenly filled with lust and needed to have more and more
wives.
In fact, in order to understand the meaning of “no restraint”, one should, on the one
hand, keep in view the great task whose responsibility Allah had placed on the
Prophet (PBUH), and on the other hand, understand the conditions and
circumstances under which he had been appointed to accomplish the great task.
Anyone who understands these two things with an unbiased mind, will certainly
realize why it was necessary to grant him freedom in respect of the wives and what
hindrance was there for him in the restriction to four wives.

His mission was to educate and train a primitive society in all walks of life, even
from a cultural and civic point of view, and to transform them into a society of high
standards of culture, refinement and purity. It was not enough to discipline only
men to achieve this goal. But since the free mixing of men and women was
forbidden, the only way for educating women was to marry many women of
different ages and mental abilities, to guide them directly, and to educate all
sections of women through them.

In addition, he was responsible for the active cultivation of society and the
eradication of ignorant customs. In this mission he could struggle with the flag
bearers of the ignorant system. In this situation, it became necessary for him to
marry from different tribes, to cement many ties of friendship and put an end to
enmities. So in the choice of women he married, this interest was also more or less
involved in addition to their personal qualities.

Umm Salamah was the daughter of the family to which Abu Jahl and Khalid bin
Walid belonged, and Umm Habibah was the daughter of Abu Sufyan. These
marriages neutralized the enmity of these families to a large extent; so much so
that after Umm Habibah’s marriage Abu Sufyan never confronted the Prophet on
the battlefield. Safiyyah, Juwairiah and Raihanah belonged to Jewish families. When
the Prophet married them after setting them free, the hostile Jewish activities
against him subsided.

Thus, Prophet married his wives in view of the educational requirements, or for the
reformation of society, or for political and social objectives. For these reasons it was
essential that there should be no restriction for the Prophet in respect of marriage
so that in view of the requirements of the great mission entrusted to him he could
marry as many women as he wanted.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣1️⃣*
*❓What Does Islam Teach About Patience?*
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✅”O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance;
strengthen each other; and fear Allah; that ye may prosper.” [Qur’an 3:200] "And
be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient" [Qur’an 8:46]

The Arabic word for patience is ‘sabr’ and it comes from a root word meaning to
stop, detain, or refrain. Being in patience is required in Islam. There are many
verses in Quran that speaks about being patient and thus being closer to Allah, the
Almighty Creator: "O you who have believed, seek help through patience and
prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." [2:153]

Allah tells us if we are patient and pious, the plot of the enemy cannot do any harm,
even if he is powerful, as He says: “But if you remain patient and become Al-
Muttaqoon (the pious), not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah
surrounds all that they do” [Quran 3:120]

Allah tells us that He loves those who are patient, and that is the greatest
encouragement. Allah says: “And Allah loves As-Saabiroon (the patient)” [Quran
3:146]

Allah states that the victory of attaining Paradise and being saved from Hell will be
won only by those who are patient: “Verily, I have rewarded them this Day for their
patience; they are indeed the ones that are successful” [Quran 23:111]

As believers, we should not let our emotions get the better of us. It is certainly
difficult for a person to look at the tragedies of the world today and not feel helpless
and sad. But believers are called to put their trust in their Lord, and not to fall into
despair or hopelessness. We must continue to do what Allah has called us to do: put
our trust in Him, perform good deeds, and stand as witnesses for justice and truth.

"Verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and join
together in the mutual enjoining of truth, and of patience and constancy." (Quran
103:2-3) "Be patient, for your patience is with the help of Allah." (16:127) "And be
steadfast in patience, for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to
perish." (11:115)
*Benefits of Patience:*
- Patience is enjoyed upon the Believers. [16:127]
- That which is opposite to patience is forbidden [68:48]
- Patience is made a condition of success and prosperity [3:200]
- The reward of those who exercise patience is doubled [28:54]
- Patience and faith are pre-requisites for leadership in religion [32:24]
- Patience is the way to earn the Companionship of Allah [8:46]

Three Types of Patience:

(i) Patience upon obedience – To be patient when finding it hard obeying Allah's
rules.
(ii) To be patient when a trouble befalls you
(iii) To be patient when finding it hard to abstain from sins.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Does Islam Degrade Women by Keeping them Behind the Veil? - Part1*
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✅The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media.
The ‘hijab’ or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the ‘subjugation’
of women under Islamic law. Before we analyze the reasoning behind the religiously
mandated ‘hijab’, let us first study the status of women in societies before the
advent of Islam.

*1. Islam Uplifted the Status of Women and Granted Their Rights:*
In the past, women were degraded and used as objects of lust. The following
examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the status of women in earlier
civilizations was very low to the extent that they were denied basic human dignity:
The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian
Civilization. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife
was put to death. The Egyptian Civilization considered women evil and as a sign of a
devil. In Roman Civilization, a man even had the right to take the life of his wife.
Prostitution and nudity were common amongst the Romans.

Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations. Still,
women were deprived of all rights and were looked down upon even there. In Greek
mythology, an ‘imaginary woman’ called ‘Pandora’ is the root cause of misfortune of
human beings. The Greeks considered women to be subhuman and inferior to men.
Before spread of Islam, Arabians also used to bury their female child alive when
born.

In such a situation, Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just
rights 1400 years ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status.

2. Hijab for Men & Women:

People usually only discuss ‘hijab’ in the context of women. However, in the Qur’an,
Allah first mentions ‘hijab’ for men before ‘hijab’ for the women. The Qur’an
mentions: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well
acquainted with all that they do.” [Qur’an 24:30]

The next verse says: “And say to the believing women that they should lower their
gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and
ornaments except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over
their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers,
their husbands’ fathers, their sons…” [Qur’an 24:31]

3. Six Criteria for Hijab:

According to Qur’an and traditions of Prophet, there are basically six criteria for
observing hijab.

The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This is different
for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male is to cover the
body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the extent is to cover the
complete body except the face and the hands upto the wrist. Some scholars insist
the face and the hands are also part of ‘hijab’.

However, all the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women. For
example, the clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure; they
should not be transparent such that one can see through them, they should not be
so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex, etc
*4. Hijab Includes Conduct and Behavior Also:*
Complete ‘hijab’ also includes the moral conduct, behavior, attitude, and intention
of the individual. A person only fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijab’ of the clothes is
observing ‘hijab’ in a limited sense. ‘Hijab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by
‘hijab’ of the eyes, ‘hijab’ of the heart, ‘hijab’ of thought, etc. It also includes the
way a person walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Does Islam Degrade Women by Keeping them Behind the Veil? - Part2*
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*✅5. Hijab Prevents Molestation:*
The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the
following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab: “O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and
the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons
(when abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and
not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Al-Qur’an 33:59]

The Qur’an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are
recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being molested.

6. Example of Twin Sisters:

Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down the
street. One of them is attired in the Islamic hijab i.e. the complete body is covered,
except for the face and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister is wearing
western clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is a hooligan or
ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he tease? The girl
wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing the skirt or the mini? Naturally he will
tease the girl wearing the skirt or the mini. Such dresses are an indirect invitation to
the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur’an rightly says that hijab
prevents women from being molested.

7. Capital Punishment for the Rapists:

Under the Islamic shariah, a man convicted of having raped a woman, is given
capital punishment. Many are astonished at this ‘harsh’ sentence. Some even say
that Islam is a ruthless, barbaric religion! Let’s ask a simple question: suppose, God
forbid, someone rapes your wife, your mother or your sister. You are made the
judge and the rapist is brought in front of you. What punishment would you give
him? All will say they would put him to death. If someone rapes your wife or your
mother, you want to put him to death. But if the same crime is committed on
somebody else’s wife or daughter, you say capital punishment is barbaric. Why
should there be double standards?

8. Western Society Falsely Claims to have Uplifted Women:

Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of
exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honour.
Western society claims to have ‘uplifted’ women. On the contrary it has actually
degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies who
are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketeers, hidden behind
the colourful screen of ‘art’ and ‘culture’.

9. USA has One of the Highest Rates of Rape:

United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries of
the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in the world. According to a
FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average 1756 cases of rape were
committed in U.S.A alone. In 2021, Later another report said that on an average
everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. In 2021, 84767 rape incidents
were reported till Oct first week.

10. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will Reduce the Rate of Rapes:

Consider a scenario where the Islamic hijab is followed in America. Whenever a man
looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he
lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic hijab. After this if any man commits
rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such a scenario, will the rate of
rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or will it decrease?

Thus, hijab does not degrade a woman but uplifts a woman and protects her
modesty and chastity.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Why do Muslims Refer to Science and Scientific Facts when Explaining Islam?*
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✅Muslims refer to science and scientific facts when explaining Islam because some
people only accept scientific facts. Materialists and both non- and anti-religious
people have sought to exploit science to defy religion and give their ideas more
prestige than they deserve. By doing so, they have misled and corrupted the minds
of very many people. Therefore, we must learn how “to talk their language” in order
to prove that science and technology do not contradict Islam. We have to turn the
arguments of such people against them by evaluating them and then using them to
guide people to the right way.

Such an approach is entirely permissible, for how can we dispute what such people
say if we are not well-versed in their facts and ideas? The Qur’an urge us to reflect
and study, to observe the stars and galaxies. They impress upon us the
Magnificence of the Creator, exhort us to wander among people, and direct our
attention to the miraculous nature of our organs and physical creation.

From atoms to the largest beings, from the first human being’s appearance on Earth
until our final departure, the Qur’an places all creation before our eyes. Touching
upon a multitude of facts, it tells us that “those who truly fear God, among His
servants, are those who have knowledge” (35:28)., and so encourages us to seek
knowledge, to reflect and research. However, we must never forget that all such
activities must comply with the spirit of the Qur’an. Otherwise, even though we
claim to be following its advice and command, actually we will be moving away
from it.

Science and its facts can be used to explain Islamic facts. However, science cannot
be regarded as superior to religion, and substantial Islamic issues cannot use
science or modern scientific facts to justify or reinforce religion’s credibility. In
addition, we cannot accept science or scientific facts as absolute. Science is to be
used to awaken or stir some minds that otherwise might remain asleep or unmoved.
Muslims’ position is clear: The Qur’an and Hadith are true and absolute. Our belief
in science should be intellectual and nothing more. We can count on science to do
many great things, but we can also count on science to make mistakes. If we put
faith in science, we depend on imperfect, sinful, limited, mortal men. Science
throughout history has been wrong about many things, such as the shape of the
earth, powered flight, vaccines, blood transfusions, and even reproduction. God is
never wrong.

However, there is danger when scientists hold their faith in human logic above faith
in our Creator. They have chosen faith in man (rather than the Creator) and will find
facts to defend that faith.

However, much of science supports the existence and work of God. As modern
science discovers more about the universe, we find more evidence of creation. A
Muslim should embrace science that seeks the truth but reject the “priests of
science” who put human knowledge above God.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬was Sent to All Mankind*
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*✅Proofs from the Quran:*
Almighty Allah says: “Say (O Muhammad): ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all
as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the
earth.’” (Quran 7:158).

“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a
warner to all mankind, but most men know not.” (Quran 34: 28).

There are many other verses in the Qur’an in which the people of the Book, the Jews
and Christians, the disbelievers, the idolaters and all mankind and even the Jinn are
called to Islam, and this is an acknowledged fact. So, how strange it is to say that
Prophet Muhammad was sent only for the Arabs, although his call, messengers, and
battles were all directed to the Jews, Christians and Magi after the disbelievers?

Allah, Exalted be He, mentions in the Glorious Qur'an the disbelief of those who
disbelieved from amongst the Jews and the Christians. For example, see the below
verses in Holy Quran:

“Surely, they have disbelieved who say: ‘Allah is the Messiah (Jesus), son of Maryam
(Mary).’ But the Messiah (Jesus) said: ‘O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord
and your Lord.’ Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah
has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the
polytheists, there are no helpers..." (Quran 5:72-75)

After the above verses, Quran continues: "Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘How do
you worship besides Allah something which has no power either to harm or to
benefit you? But it is Allah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.' Say (O Muhammad):
‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Exceed not the limits in your
religion (by believing in something) other than the truth, and do not follow the vain
desires of people who went astray in times gone by, and who misled many, and
strayed (themselves) from the Right Path.” (Quran 5:76-77)

Proofs from the Hadeeths:

Abu Hurairah (r) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “I have been
favored (by Allah) over all other Prophets with six (gifts which are): (i) I have been
granted (the gift of uttering) the shortest expressions that bear the widest
meanings, (ii) Allah made me victorious by means of awe, (by His frightening my
enemies), (iii) the spoils of war were made lawful for me (iv) the earth was made for
me (and my followers) a place for praying and a (means of) purification (v) and I am
the last of the Prophets.” [Muslim in, Kitabul-Masajid, hadith no. 523, p. 5. At-
Tirmidhy, Kitabus-Siyar, hadith no. 1553 and Ahmad in his Musnad, vol. 2, p. 412]
Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) also said, “Every Prophet was
sent to his nation only, but I have been sent to all mankind.” [Bukhari, Kitabut-
Tayammum, hadith no. 335]

The proof mentioned above, as well as a lot of other evidence establish the fact that
Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to the Christians and to all other people as well. They
also prove that he called them.

Related Facts Unanimously Agreed Upon by Muslim Scholars:

Muslims unanimously agree that Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to all nations. He was
indeed sent to both mankind and Jinn. They also agree upon the fact that anyone
who disbelieves in him is a disbeliever and deserves Allah’s punishment. This is
what the people who believe in Allah and His Messenger agree upon, because it is
the command of Allah that is mentioned in the Qur’an and illustrated by His
Prophet.

Moreover, anyone who claims that Muhammad (PBUH) said that he was sent to the
polytheist Arabs only is either extremely ignorant and misguided, or totally
obstinate and ostentatious.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣6️⃣*
*❓In the History of the World, Who has Killed Maximum Innocent Human Beings?*
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*✅1. Mao Tse Tsung (China).*
He has killed around 50 million human beings. Do you know who he was? Was he a
Muslim?

He was an Atheist; but media will never call him as an Atheist terrorist!

2. Joseph Stalin called as Uncle Joe (Soviet Union, Russia).

He has killed 20 to 34 million human beings including 14.5 million were starved to
death.

Was he a Muslim? He was also an Atheist!

3. Hitler (Germany).

He has also killed 20 million human beings. Was he a Muslim?

He was a Christian; but media will never call him as a Christian terrorist!

4. Benito Mussolini (Italy).

He has killed 400 thousand human beings. Was he a Muslim?

5. Ashoka In Kalinga Battle (India).

He has killed 100 thousand human beings. Was he a Muslim?

He was a Hindu; but media will never call him as a Hindu terrorist!

6. Embargo put by George Bush in Iraq.

Half million children have been killed in Iraq alone! Imagine these people are never
called terrorists by the media. Was George Bush a Muslim?

He was also a Christian!

Today, the majority of the non-Muslims are afraid by hearing the words ‘Jihad’. Jihad
is an Arabic word which comes from root Arabic word ‘Jahada’ which means “to
strive” or “to struggle” against evil and for justice. It does not mean killing
innocents. The difference is that the Muslims stand against evil, not with evil!

Is Islam Really the Problem?

1. The First World War, 17 million dead (caused by non-Muslims).

2. The Second World War, 50-55 million dead (caused by non-Muslims).

3. Nagasaki atomic bombs 200,000 dead (caused by non-Muslims).

4. The War in Vietnam, over 5 million dead (caused by non-Muslims).

5. The War in Bosnia/Kosovo, over 5,00,000 dead (caused by non-Muslims).

6. The War in Iraq (so far) 12,000,000 deaths (caused by non-Muslims).

7. Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Burma (monks!) etc ongoing. (caused by non-

Muslims).
8. In Cambodia 1975-1979, almost 3 million deaths (caused by non-Muslims).

”MUSLIMS ARE NOT TERRORISTS AND TERRORISTS ARE NOT MUSLIMS.”

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Why Don’t Muslims in India Follow the Islamic Criminal Law?*
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✅When Muslims in India insist on having a separate Muslim Personal Law for
themselves, why don’t they also insist on implementing the Islamic Criminal Law for
the Muslims; for example implementing the rule that the robber’s hands should be
chopped off if a Muslim robs?

1. Muslim Personal Law.

Personal Law is a law concerning an individual person and the persons closely
related to him, e.g. laws relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. It includes
laws which are mutually agreed upon by a group of people. This law does not
include any crime or an act that will harm the society directly.

2. India is Secular And Democratic.

In any country, the Personal Law may differ for different groups of people and for
different communities. Since India is a secular and democratic country, it allows
different groups of people to follow their own personal law if they wish.

3. Islamic Personal Law is the Best.

Muslims believe that compared to all the different types of personal laws available
in the world, the best and the most result oriented is the Islamic Personal Law.
Muslims of India prefer following the Muslim personal law also because of their own
belief in Islam.
*4. Criminal Law.*
Criminal law is that law which is associated with a crime or an act which directly
affects the society e.g. robbing, raping, murdering, etc.

*5. The Criminal Law should be the same for all people.*
In any country, the criminal law unlike the Personal Law cannot be different for
different groups of people. It has to be same for all people of different groups and
different religions. e.g. In Islam if a person robs, his hands are chopped off. This
punishment is not prescribed in Hinduism. If a Hindu robs a Muslim, what would be
the robber’s punishment? The Muslim would want the hands of the robber to be
chopped, while the Hindu Law would not agree.

*6. The Muslims in India alone cannot separately follow the Islamic Criminal Law
without involving the Non-Muslims.*
Even if a Muslim agrees, that as far as he commits a crime, he should be given the
punishment according to Islamic Criminal Law, it would not be practical. In case an
allegation is made against a Muslim for robbery and if the witnesses are Non-
Muslims, and if each one follows his own Criminal Law, the punishment in Islam for
bearing false witness is 80 lashes, whereas in the Indian Criminal Law, a person
giving false witness can easily escape. Thus, for a non-Muslim to falsely accuse a
Muslim of any crime is very easy, if both follow their own criminal law. However, if
both follow the Indian Law where the punishment is lenient for false witnesses and
robbers, it will encourage both the robber to rob as well as encourage the witnesses
to give false witness for their own benefit.

*7. The Muslims in India would prefer the Islamic Criminal Law to be implemented
on all Indians.*
Muslims would prefer that in India the Islamic Criminal Law be implemented on all
the Indians, since, chopping the hands of a thief will surely reduce the rate of
robbery in India. Similarly, 80 lashes for giving false testimony will prevent a person
from giving false witness.

8. Islamic Criminal Law is Most Practical.

Islam besides pointing out a crime, it also gives you a solution showing how to
prevent the crime. e.g. chopping the hands of a robber, death penalty for the rapist.
The punishment is so severe that it is a deterrent for the criminal to commit the
crime. He will think a hundred times before committing a crime.

Thus, if crime has to be reduced or stopped in India the best solution is to

implement ‘The Common Islamic Criminal Law’.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣8️⃣*
*❓The Ability to See the Signs of God - Part1*
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✅Say: “Praise be to God. He will show you His Signs and you will recognize them.
Your Lord is not heedless of anything you do.” (Surat an-Naml: 93)

In today's society, people assess the Quran very differently from what is the real
purpose of its revelation. Even in the Islamic world, in general, very few people
know the contents of the Quran.

Some Muslims often hang the Quran on the walls of their houses within a decorative
cover and elderly people read it from time to time. They assume that the Quran
protects those who read it from “misfortune and trouble”.

The Quranic verses, however, inform us that the purpose of the Quran's revelation
is entirely different from what is mentioned above. For instance, in the 52nd verse
of Surah Ibrahim, God states: “This is a communication to be transmitted to
mankind so that they can be warned by it and so that they will know that He is One
God and so that people of intelligence will pay heed.” In many other verses, God
emphasizes that one of the most crucial purposes of the Quran's revelation is to
invite people to ponder.

In the Quran, God invites people to reject blindly accepting the beliefs and values
society imposes on them and to ponder by pushing aside all the prejudices, taboos,
and constraints on their minds.

Man must think on how he came into being, what is the purpose of his life, why he
will die and what awaits him after death. He must question how he himself and the
whole universe came into existence and how they continue to exist. While doing
this, he must relieve himself of all constraints and prejudices.

By thinking, while isolating his conscience from all social, ideological, and
psychological obligations, the person should eventually perceive that the entire
universe, including himself, is created by a superior power. Even when he examines
his own body or any other thing in nature, he will see an impressive harmony, plan
and wisdom at work within its design.

At this point again, the Quran guides man. In the Quran, God guides us as to what
we should reflect on and investigate. With the methods of reflection given in the
Quran, he who has faith in God will better perceive God's perfection, eternal
wisdom, knowledge and power in His creation. When a believing person starts to
think in the way shown in the Quran, he soon realizes that the whole universe is a
sign of God's power and art.

In the Quran, people are summoned to contemplate numerous events and objects
that clearly testify to the existence and uniqueness of God and His attributes. In the
Quran, all these beings that bear witness are designated as “signs”, meaning
“tested evidence, absolute knowledge and expression of truth”. Therefore, the signs
of God comprise all the beings in the universe that disclose and communicate the
being and attributes of God.

This, indeed, is the responsibility of mankind; to be able to see the signs of God…
Thus, such a person will come to know the Creator who created him and all other
things, draw closer to Him, discover the meaning of his existence and his life and so
prosper.

Each thing, the breaths any human takes, political and social developments; the
cosmic harmony in the universe, the atom, which is one of the smallest pieces of
matter, is each a sign of God and they all operate under His control and knowledge,
abiding by His laws.

Everyone will recognize and know the signs of God in accordance with his own
wisdom and conscience. Some guidelines may also help. As the first step, one can
investigate certain points stressed in the Quran in order to acquire the mentality
that perceives the whole universe as an articulation of the things created by God.

To be continued…
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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣4️⃣9️⃣*
*❓The Ability to See the Signs of God - Part2*
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✅The best thing through which one can know Allah is through His creations that He
perfectly brought to existence and all the bounties He bestowed upon mankind—
believing and unbelieving.

The noble Qur'an is the most evident witness on the greatness and will of Allah
since it includes the news of all creations and unveils the facts that humans ignore.

God's signs in nature are emphasized in Surah an-Nahl: “It is He who sends down
water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you
graze your herds. And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and
grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a sign in that for people who
reflect. He has made the night and the day subservient to you, and the sun, the
moon and the stars, all subject to His command. There are certainly signs in that for
people who use their intellect. And, the things of varying colors He has created for
you in the earth. There is certainly a sign in that for people who pay heed…

…It is He who made the sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh flesh from
it and bring out from it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships cleaving through
it so that you can seek His bounty, and so that perhaps you may show thanks. He
cast firmly embedded mountains on the earth so it would not move under you, and
rivers and pathways so that perhaps you might be guided, and landmarks. And they
are guided by the stars. Is He Who creates like him who does not create? So, will
you not pay heed?” (Quran 16:10-17)

In the Quran, God invites men of understanding to think about the issues which
other people overlook, or just dismiss using such barren terms as “evolution”,
“coincidence”, or “a miracle of nature”.

"In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,
there are Signs for people of intelligence: those who remember God standing,
sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the
earth: “Our Lord, You did not create this for nothing. Glory be to You! So, guard us
from the punishment of the Fire." (Quran 3:190-191)

As we see in these verses, people of understanding see the signs of God and try to
comprehend His eternal knowledge, power and art by remembering and reflecting
on them, for God's knowledge is limitless, and His creation flawless.
For men of understanding, everything around them is a sign of this creation.

Just for an example, we will point out one of the miracles mentioned in the noble
Qur'an that strongly prove the existence of Allah and His eternal encompassing
knowledge:

Exploring the deep seas, marine geologists discovered that all the details pertaining
to the descriptions of the seas are stated in the Qur'anic verse in which Allah
Almighty says:

"Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by
waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them
upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to
whom Allah has not granted light - for him there is no light." [Quran 24:40].

Professor Shridar, one of the greatest marine geologists in West Germany

commented on the above verse saying: "this is a fact which has been proved
through building dozens of arsenals and taking pictures through satellites. These
words can never be of humans."

This is Allah!!

If you still do not know Him,

- Ponder over His signs and creations;

- Think of the heavens and how they are erected;

- How He stretched the earth beneath your feet;

- Think who controls your breath in ever inhale and exhale;

- He is Allah the One and the Ever-Sustainer.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣*
*❓What Does Islam Say About the End of the World?*
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✅Will the Universe remain the same forever? Will the position of the Sun go wrong?
Scientists say that increasing or decreasing the distance between the Earth and the
Sun from present will cause unbearable hardship to life on Earth. So, the relevant
question is whether the position of the Sun go wrong? Since there are many planets
in the universe, some may ask why the Sun is mentioned in the Holy Quran without
mentioning about many other planets. This is because the sun is having a huge
impact on our daily lives. If we do not get sunlight on a day, that will affect not only
the plants, but also our body and mind.

The followers of Islam have some clear beliefs about the frightening conditions of
the changes in the Sun and the Earth. In short, they all will perish. Its doom is
predicted to encourage man about the conviction that humans will be reborn in an
immortal world. And it is for our own goodness!

Most religions share the concept that God Himself has set an end to this material
world.

In the Holy Qur'an, Allah says: "Indeed, the Hour is coming - I almost conceal it - so
that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.” (Qur'an
20:15).

Regarding final hours, the Bible says: "But about that day or hour no one knows, not
even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36).

We can also find references to this in Hindu scriptures. In Mundaka Upanishad, the
third Mundaka, in the second Khanda, in sixth Mantra, speaks of an afterlife (the
time of the worldly end to attain the Hereafter). (Dashopanishad, DC Books)

Doomsday is not just a hypothesis for Muslims. It is an undeniable and inevitable

reality, and thus one of the fundamental principles in Islamic philosophy. Islam's
answer to the question of when this will happen is that the Creator did not intend to
reveal man of its time. What is relevant to man is not knowing its day and time; but
to be prepared to face it. There are a lot of date scammers regarding the final
hours. But no man can predict nor any prophet was informed about the exact time
of it.
Although the time of the end of the world is not mentioned, some signs of it are
mentioned in the Qur'an and by the Holy Prophet. One of them is that the violence
and chaos will become widespread in the world. Even the courts become the place
of injustice, and the judges will sell justice for a pittance. The other one is that the
complete disorder of the natural system and thus the increased natural calamities.
Even the mountains will be broken, and on the final day, the rotation of the earth
will be reversed.

Furthermore, even according to the science & scientists, there is no doubt that this
world will end tomorrow if not today.

Material thinkers does not see a creator behind the universe. The universe came
into being by chance during the motion of the matters. Their view was that the
human race would exist indefinitely in this world through birth. But this perspective
is being shaken by the ongoing environmental changes on Earth.

*Footnote:*
The Holy Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) have told us a lot about the
reality of the final hours and the horrors. But, the Qur'an does not only predict the
end of the world, and leave mankind in hopeless. The man is promised a new world
and the life afterwards; and our destiny in that life will be determined based on our
honesty and justice in this life.

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We have shared 350 episodes of the *’Understand Islam'* series so far. Please share
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51. What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?

101. What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?

151. What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?

201. What is the Purpose of Life?

251. An Invitation to the Truth

301. How Do We Know God Exists? - Part1

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Is Hinduism the Oldest and Therefore the Best Religion?*
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*✅1. Islam is the Oldest Religion.*
Hinduism is not the oldest of all the religions. It is Islam which is the first and the
oldest of all religions. People have a misconception that Islam is 1400 years old and
that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the founder of this religion. Islam existed since
time immemorial, ever since man first set foot on this earth. Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) was not the founder of Islam. He was the last and final Messenger of
Almighty God.

*2. The Oldest Religion Need Not be the Purest and the Best.*
A religion cannot be claimed to be most pure and authentic, only on the criterion
that it is the oldest. It is similar to a person saying that the water he has kept in an
open glass, in his house, outside the refrigerator, for three months is purer than the
water which has just been collected in a clean glass, immediately after it has been
purified.

*3. The Latest Religion Need Not be the most Authentic and the Best.*
On the other hand a religion cannot be claimed to be the purest or authentic, only
on the criterion that the religion is new or the latest. A bottle of distilled water which
is sealed, packed and kept in the refrigerator for three months is much purer than a
bottle of water freshly collected from the sea.

*4. For Religion to be Pure and Authentic, it Should Not have Interpolations,
Changes and Revisions in its Scriptures Revealed from God.*
For any religion to be pure and authentic, its scriptures should not contain any
interpolation, addition, deletion or revision. Moreover, the religion’s source of
inspiration and direction should be Almighty God. The Qur’an is the only religious
scripture on the face of the earth which has been maintained in its original form. All
the other religious scriptures, of all the other religions have interpolations,
additions, deletions or revisions. Allah promises in the Qur’an: “We have, without
doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).”
(Quran 15:9)

5. A Religion is Best, if it has the Solutions to the Problems of Mankind.

For a religion to be considered the best, it should have the solution to all the
problems of mankind. It should be the religion of truth, and should be applicable to
all ages. Islam is a way of life which has the solution to all the problems of mankind.
e.g. the problem of alcoholism, surplus women, rape and molestation, robbery,
racism, casteism, etc.

Islam is the religion of truth, and its laws and solutions are applicable to all the
ages. The Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth, which has
maintained its purity and authenticity proving itself to be the word of God in all the
ages. i.e. previously, when it was the age of miracles, literature and poetry and in
present times when it is the age of science and technology. Moreover, Islam is not a
man-made religion, but a religion revealed and inspired by Almighty God.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Did Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Have Sex with All His Wives in One Night?*
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✅Some of the Christians quote the following tradition and yell obscenities against
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) saying that he had passion for women: Narrated Anas:
"The Prophet used to go round (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one
night, and he had nine wives." But as a matter of fact, this is clearly wrong
translation and the words within parenthesis do not find any place here.
*Actual Text of the Hadith and Correct Translation:*
“‫”َأَّن َنِبَّي الَّلِه َصَّلى الَّلُه َعَلْيِه َوَس َّلَم َكاَن َيُطوُف َعَلى ِنَس اِئِه ِفي الَّلْيَلِة اْلَواِحَدِة َوَلُه َيْوَمِئٍذ ِتْسُع ِنْس َوٍة‬

The word, ‫ َيُطوُف‬like ‫ طواف‬i.e. circumambulating the Holy Ka’ba only refers to going
around and has no other nuance whatsoever. So, the correct translation of the
Hadith is: Narrated Anas: “The Prophet used to go round all his wives in one night,
and he had nine wives.” (Bukhari, Hadith 275)

There is nothing special in the Hadith. It in fact shows that he cared for all his wives
and went to see them. The query probably rises from the famous translation of this
Hadith which is there in well-known website. In that website it reads: "The Prophet
used to go round (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one night, and he had
nine wives."

One can clearly see that the words ‘have sexual relations with’ are in parenthesis,
that is to say these are not the direct meanings of the Arabic words but addition by
the translator to help understand according to his understanding.

However, it seems the translator’s understanding is not correct and thus we believe
that these words in the parentheses are not helping to understand better but are
rather misleading. Holy Prophet (PBUH) did visit them all, but it is not that he had
sexual relations with each of them.

Details of Prophet’s Visits to his Wives:

Urwa reported on the authority of his father: ‘Aisha said: "O my nephew, the
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not prefer one of us to other in respect of his division
of time of his staying with us. It was very rare that he did not visit any of us any
day. He would come near each of his wives without having any intercourse with her
until he reached the one who had her day (i.e. her turn) and passed his night with
her…" (Sunan Abu Dawud Hadith 2135. Albani classified it as Hasan Sahih)

Besides Sunan Abu Dawud, this narration is found in Musnad Ahmad (No. 23621),
Baihaqi's Sunan Al-Kubra (No. 13434, 14754), Mustadrak Al-Hakim (No. 2710). It is
found in Sunan Darqutni (No.3781) too with more explicit wording.

It makes it clear beyond all doubt here that he visited all of them just to see them
and did not have intercourse with each of them but only with the one whose turn
was it that day.

*Further Clarification:*
One may refer to the narration from Anas (r.a) in which he related the same issue of
Prophet (PBUH) all his wives in a single night with him being given the "strength of
thirty men." One may say this implies the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬used to have intercourse
with all his wives. But how can the implied understanding of some other
companions be taken in precedence over a direct authentic report from none other
than the wife of the Holy Prophet? Who else would have been more knowledgeable
of such intimate details of the Prophet's personal life?

Similarly, even the word ‫ َيُطوُف‬implies 'intercourse' when used in relation to a

person going to his wife [or wives] it will not work here for an explicit authentic
report from the wife of the Prophet (PBUH) bars us. Indeed, Allah Knows the Best!

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Ruler Thumamah Turning to the Right Path*
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✅In the sixth year after the hijrah, the Prophet (PBUH) decided to expand the scope
of his mission. He sent eight letters to rulers in the Arabian peninsula and
surrounding areas inviting them to Islam. One of these rulers was Thumamah ibn
Uthal.

Thumamah was one of the most powerful Arab rulers in pre-Islamic times. This is
not surprising since he was a chieftain of the Banu-Hanifah and one of the rulers of
al-Yamamah whose word no one dared to challenge or disobey. When Thumamah
received the Prophet's letter, he was consumed by anger and rejected it. He refused
to listen to the invitation of Truth and goodness. More than that, he felt a strong
desire to go and kill the Prophet and bury his mission with him.

Thumamah waited and waited for a convenient time to carry out his plan against
the Prophet until eventually forgetfulness caused him to lose interest. One of his
uncles, however, reminded him of his plan, praising what he intended to do.

In the pursuit of his evil plan against the Prophet, Thumamah met and killed a group
of the Prophet's companions. The Prophet thereupon declared him a wanted man
who could lawfully be killed on sight. Not long afterwards, Thumamah decided to
perform umrah. He wanted to come to Makkah and sacrifice to the idols there. So,
he left al-Yamamah for Makkah. As he was passing near Madinah, an incident took
place which he had not anticipated.

Groups of Muslims were patrolling the districts of Madinah and outlying areas on the
lookout for any strangers or anyone intent on causing trouble. One of these groups
came upon Thumamah and apprehended him but they did not know who he was.
They took him to Madinah and tied him to one of the columns in the mosque. They
waited for the Prophet himself to question the man and decide what should be done
with him.

When the Prophet was about to enter the mosque, he saw Thumamah and asked his
companions: “Do you know whom you have taken?" "No, messenger of God," they
replied. "This is Thumamah ibn Uthal al-Hanafi," he said. "You have done well in
capturing him."

The Prophet then returned home to his family and said, "Get what food you can and
send it to Thumamah ibn Uthal." He then ordered his camel to be milked for him. All
this was done before he met Thumamah or had spoken to him.

The Prophet then approached Thumamah hoping to encourage him to accept the
true path. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Prophet asked.

Thumamah replied: "If you want to kill in reprisal, you can have someone of noble
blood to kill. If, out of your bounty, you want to forgive, I shall be grateful. If you
want money in compensation, I shall give you whatever amount you ask."

The Prophet then left him for two days, but still personally sent him food and drink
and milk from his camel. The Prophet went back to him and asked, "What do you
have to say for yourself?" Thumamah repeated what he had said the day before.
The Prophet then left and came back to him the following day. "What do you have
to say for yourself?" he asked again and Thumamah repeated what he had said
once more. Then the Prophet turned to his companions and said, "Set him free."

Thumamah left the mosque of the Prophet and rode until he came to a palm grove
on the outskirts of Madinah. He watered his camel and washed himself well. Then
he turned back and made his way to the Prophet's mosque. There, he stood before
a congregation of Muslims and said: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah
and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger." He then
went to the Prophet and said: "O Muhammad, by God, there was never on this earth
a face more detestable than yours. Now, yours is the dearest face of all to me."

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Why do We Quote Allah as He/Him/His? Is Allah Male in Gender?*
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✅Modern linguists distinguish between natural gender and grammatical gender.
Natural gender is determined by physiology: an animal with a male sex organ is
naturally masculine, and an animal with a female sex organ is naturally feminine.

Grammatical gender is determined by language convention, not physiology. To

clearly understand the distinction between natural and grammatical gender, one
must examine languages like French or Arabic, where nouns are always
grammatically masculine or feminine, even when they don’t have a natural gender.

The distinction between natural and grammatical gender is blurred in English

because words are only grammatically masculine or feminine if they are
correspondingly naturally masculine or feminine. When a word doesn’t have a
natural gender like “chair”, it is grammatically neutral and one refers to it with the
neuter pronoun, “it”, not the masculine pronoun “he”, nor the feminine pronoun
“she”.

Hence the English language has got three genders: male, female and neutral. For
example, if we translate the Arabic word ‘huwa’ into English, it can be translated as
‘he’ or ‘it’. And the Arabic word ‘hiya’ can be translated as ’she’ or ‘it’.

But the Arabic grammar has only two genders, male and female; and the male
gender itself is of two types:
1. Real (Masculine Haqeeqi) - which is used to denote the masculine gender in
humans, animals, etc
2. Unreal (Masculine Majazi) - wherein it is used as Masculine but in reality it is not
so e.g. Malak (Angels), Layl (Night), Bab (door). The word ‘Allah’ too falls in this
second category i.e. Masculine Majazi.
The Arabic word ‘Allah’ has no gender. And the Almighty Allah is unique and cannot
be referred as ‘it’ in English, since Allah has no gender, neither male nor female or
neutral. The presence of the neuter gender in English and its absence in Arabic
causes linguistic mismatch. Therefore, the Quran refers to Allah using the masculine
pronoun ‘huwa’ (meaning ‘he’ in English) because the word “Allah” is grammatically
masculine, not because Allah is naturally masculine.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Does Islam Say that Sun Sets in Murky Water?*
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✅One of the questions hurled at Muslims in debate is about the following verse of
the Holy Qur’an about Dul-Qarnain: “Until, when he reached the setting of the sun,
he found (wajada) it set in a spring of murky water“ (Qur’an 18:86). The critics
argue that this verse clearly says that sun sets in the murky water and needless to
say it is blunder and proves that Qur’an is not the word of God.

What Does the Qur’an Actually Say?

Had the Qur’an actually said what they make it say, their conclusion would have
been logical only. But they err in understanding the verse in the very first place.

1. Context and Meaning:

This is a story narrated in Quran by Almighty Allah and it’s not what Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) created/invented on his own. The story of ‘Dhul-Qarnain’ was
also narrated in Bible and Jews people know him very well (by a different name) as
this historical character was extremely important for them as he saved them and
helped them to return to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile and helped them to
rebuild the temple.

So, while narrating his story, God/Allah is telling us about an event when Dhul-
Qarnain reached a place in the direction of sun’s setting place, hence the phrase
“maghriba” which doesn’t mean sun sets at this place, rather it’s the direction,
West, i.e. sun sets at West, where ‘west’ is not a real place but a direction.

2. Qur’an Uses the Wording from Dhul-Qarnain’s Perspective:

In this verse, Allah is narrating when Dhul-Qarnain reached a place in the direction
of setting of the sun, what he found there. The verse does not say that the sun sets
in a murky pool; rather, it says that Dhul-Qarnayn found it as if it were setting in a
murky pool (this is what appeared to his eyes). “Until, when he reached the setting
of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a
people…" (Qur’an 18:86).

The word used in Holy Quran is ‘wajada’. This word refers to perception through any
one of the five senses. What we find is that Qur’an has used the word from the
perspective of Dhul-Qarnain and merely describes his perception and how it
appeared in his sight. And the description is very much valid for on a shore that is
how sunset actually seems. In short, the view of Dhul-Qarnain is similar to the view
which one can see when sun sets at the sea, it doesn’t set at the sea but it’s a view
people can see.

3. Quran also Talks about Rising of Sun:

Had it been setting in a murky pool, then Dhul-Qarnayn should have seen it rise out
of the murky pool; rather, he sees it rising on people who were not shielded from it,
on the other side of the planet as the verses say he had traveled across: “Until,
when he came to the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We
had not made against it any shield." (Qur’an 18:90).

4. Multiple Literary Devices are Employed in the Arabic Language:

Furthermore, while there are direct verses with no use of literary devices, as
in Quran 4:17: "So believe in Allah and His messengers," one can find the use of
many literary devices as well in Quran as in Quran 37:65: "Its emerging fruit as if it
was heads of the devils." Qur'an uses multiple literary devices from similes to
metaphors to other devices that are commonly employed in the Arabic language as
in Quran 24:39.

Finally, the various tafsirs do not support the view that sun actually sets in a murky
water; rather, this is how it was perceived from the view of Dhul-Qarnayn as he saw
the sun sink in the lake or pool.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣6️⃣*
*❓The Soul - A Proof for Existence of Our Lord*
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✅The soul is something which we neither see nor understand, yet we believe in it,
for we see its effects. The soul is one of the greatest proofs of the existence of our
Lord. It also serves as a refutation of the materialists who always desire tangible
evidence so that they may perceive with their senses, for they believe in the soul
although they cannot perceive it with their senses, rather through its effects.

The soul is one of the heavenly secrets. No one knows its true reality except God,
and any attempt to investigate it is futile. Allah says: "And they ask you (O
Muhammad) about the soul. Say, “The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind
have not been given of knowledge except a little." [Quran 17:85]

The spirit is that with which a body would come to life, move about, sense his
surroundings, gain knowledge and hold certain opinions, and be able to discern
(between good and evil). If a person loses this, he would not possess any of these
traits, and would become a carcass that needs to be carried… It is that to which the
spiritual characteristics are attached just as physical characteristics are attached to
the body”

In this stage (mudghah) the bones are formed and then clothed with flesh. Allah
says: "We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, and then We clothed the
bones with flesh." [Quran 23:14]

The fetus continues to develop until the time which Allah prescribed for it comes to
pass, and then it emerges out into this world. Allah says: "To him [alone] is
attributed knowledge of the Hour. And fruits emerge not from their coverings nor
does a female conceive or give birth except with His knowledge." [Quran 41:47]

Allah says: "And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We
placed him as a Nutfah in a firm lodging. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot, then
We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of
flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as
another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. After that, surely, you
will die. Then, surely, you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection." [Quran
23:12-16]
In another verse, Allah says: "O People, if you should be in doubt about the
Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a
sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and
unformed - that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a
specified term, then We bring you out as a child... And you see the earth barren, but
when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of
every beautiful kind. That is because Allah, He is the Truth, and it is He Who gives
life to the dead, and it is He Who is Able to do all things." [Quran 22:5-6]

Allah always speaks the truth; He says: "We will show them Our Signs in the
universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that [the
Qur’an] is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness
over all things?" [Quran 41:53]

In his book, 'The Developing Human', Professor Keith Moore (He is a doctor and
professor of embryology, at the University of Toronto, Canada) said: “It is clear to
me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God (Allah),
because most of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This
proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God.” (Taken from
Muhammad al-Mutees book: 'I won Muhammad and did not lose the Messiah’)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Hindu Caste System and Islam - Part1*
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✅The Hindu religion has been characterized by caste system since the ancient
times. Manusmriti or the Laws of Manu included some rules and principles that
establish this system. The effects of caste system are still pervasive in Indian
society, especially among the Hindus. A lot of oppressions happen on the lower
castes by the so-called upper castes in Indian society. Here we take a quick look at
the caste system in Manusmirti comparing them with the principles
of Islam concerning equality and impartiality.

Caste System in Manusmriti

A Hindu scripture says: “By his very birth a Brahmin is a deity even for the gods and
the only authority for people in this world, for the Veda is the foundation in this
matter.” (Manusmriti 11:85)

And Chandogya Upanishad says in this context: “People here whose behavior is
pleasant can expect to enter a pleasant womb, like that of a woman of the Brahmin,
the Kshatriya, or the Vaishyas caste. But people of foul behavior can expect to enter
the unclean womb, like that of a dog, a pig, or an outcaste woman.” (Chandogya
Upanishad 5:10:7)

The Manusmriti or Laws of Manu says: “If a man of one birth (Shudra) pronounces
cruel words at one of the twice-born, his tongue should be cut out, for he was born
from the rear-end. If he mentions their name or caste maliciously, a red-hot iron nail
ten fingers-long should be thrust into his mouth. If he is so proud as to instruct
priests about their duty, the king should have hot oil poured into his mouth and
ears.” (Manusmriti 8:270-272)

Moreover, the Manusmriti says: “If a man of inferior caste tries to sit down on the
same seat as a man of superior caste, he should be branded on the hip and
banished, or have his buttocks cut off.” (Manusmriti 8:281)

Furthermore, the Manusmriti says: “If someone born in a Kshatriya, Vaishyas, or

Shudra womb should be unable to pay his fine, he may absolve himself of the debt
by labor; a Brahmin should pay little by little. The king should have women,
children, madmen and the old, the poor and the ill chastised with a whip, a bamboo
cane, a rope and so forth.” (Manusmriti 9:229-230)

The Manusmriti defines the duties and rights of every caste and says: “The Shudra’s
duty and supreme good is nothing but obedience to famous Brahmin householders
who know the Veda. If he is unpolluted, obedient to his superiors, gentle in his
speech, without a sense of ‘I’ and always dependent on the Brahmins and the other
(twice-born castes), he attains a superior birth (in the next life).” (Manusmriti 9:334-
335)

The Manusmriti exaggerates the status of Brahman and says: “A Brahmin is a great
deity whether or not he is learned, just as fire is a great deity whether or not it is
brought to the altar. The purifying fire with its brilliant energy is not defiled even in
cremation grounds, and when oblations of butter are placed in it at sacrifices it
grows even greater. Thus Brahmins should be revered in every way, even if they
engage in all kinds of undesirable actions, for this is the supreme deity. If the
Kshatriyas become overbearing towards the Brahmins in any way, the Brahmins
themselves should subdue them, for the Kshatriyas were born from the Brahmins.”
(Manusmriti 9:317-320)

The Manusmriti explains the nature of four castes and their creation: “His (Purusa’s
or the Supreme Personality of Godhead) mouth became the Brahmin; his arms were
made into the Kshatriya, his thighs the Vaishyas and from his feet the Shudra was
born.” (Rig Veda 10:90:12)

It is noteworthy that Shudras in comparison are as low as feet and out-castes

(Avarna) are even below that status of course.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Hindu Caste System and Islam - Part2*
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*✅The Caste System Defies Islamic Faith:*
The inequitable principles of caste system were amongst the causes that lead
people to desert Hinduism and embrace Islam, since they found in Islam a salvation
from the burden of the caste system and its unbearable hardships as if Islam has
represented for them a light after thousands of years of darkness, or a savior from
drowning or a life after death.

Everyone can conclude through a hasty comparison between inhuman laws of Manu
and between the Islamic principles of equality. Do you not see that the rich and the
poor, the ruler and the ruled, the ignorant and the educated, all stand in the same
row in the same mosque for prayer. There is no difference between the rich and the
poor in front of Allah.
How beautiful are the words of the great Muslim poet, Allamah Iqbal (1877–1938).
When he described this Islamic equality in his poems: “(The king) Mahmud and (his
servant) Ayaz stood in the same row (in prayer), hence no difference remained
between the king and his servant. The slave and the owner, the needy and the rich
became similar; when they came to Your Blessed Court (O Allah!) they all became
one and same.”

How can human mind even imagine the unfair Laws of Manu as the revealed
Message of Ishvar! The divine message and the divine religion always are based on
the principle of equality. When the sun shines it does not discriminate in the
distribution of rays and heat and lights, and when the rain comes down it does not
discriminate in the distribution of its pure water. All these favors are from Allah the
Almighty and by His permission, and such is the nature of the true divine
revelation with its principles and rules, they never could be based on racial
segregation or ethnic discrimination. And this confirms that the scriptures that
differentiate between people on the basis of race, color or birth can not be divine
teaching.

On the contrary, in Islam there is no such merit for a certain race, Allah says: “O
mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you
peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you
in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Quran 49:13)

This blessed verse of the Glorious Qur’an refutes the Hindu caste system because
this verse makes the basis of virtue and honor the quality of piety, righteousness
and pure faith, not country, color or race as was mentioned in the Laws of Manu.

On the other hand, this blessed verse eradicates the doctrine of some Hindu
scriptures that stated that Brahmin caste was created from the mouth of Brahma
and Kshatriya from his arms and Vaishyas from his thighs and Shudra from his feet.
The verse has stated clearly that people were created from single male and female,
i.e. Adam and Eve, not from the body of Brahma who is regarded as Hindu god.

This verse has a miraculous nature that refutes the concept of creation and the
caste system of Hinduism in a clear and patent manner fourteen centuries ago. We
should bear in our mind that the doctrine of the Hindu caste system and the
creation of people from the body of Brahma may not have been so famous at that
time in the Arabian Peninsula as it is in our modern time. Indeed, the
Glorious Qur’an is a true revelation from Allah the Almighty Who is All-Knowing and
All Seeing.

Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “O people, your Lord is one;
there is no merit for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor is there merit for a non-Arab over
an Arab; and there is no merit for a white person over a black person, nor for a
black person over a white person; except by measure of [piety and good actions].
Indeed, the most noble among you in the Sight of Allah are the most god-fearing.”
(Ahmad)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣5️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Why was the Holy Qur’an Revealed in Arabic?*
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✅Many people may be thinking if Islam and Holy Quran are for the entire humanity,
then why this Quran was not revealed in today’s most popular language English!

In fact, this question will not come from those who are aware of the history of the
languages. The ‘English’ language did not exist in 7th century in Arabia, nor did it
exist as we know today anywhere else. The English language evolved so much in
the recent centuries. Only recently it has been the language of the globe due to
advancement in science and technology.

The Quran was First Revealed to Arabs:

The Quran is God’s final revelation and since Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived in
Arabia, the Quran was revealed in Arabic. Almighty says about it: “And if We had
made it a non-Arabic Qur’an, they would have said, “Why are its verses not
explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [recitation] and an Arab
[messenger]?” Say, “It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure.” And those
who do not believe – in their ears is deafness, and it is upon them blindness. Those
are being called from a distant place” (Quran 41:44).

Because the Quran is in Arabic does not mean that Arabs are superior to non-Arabs.
Rather, all humans are equal. However, God chose to reveal His final message to
mankind to a people who had a very high sensitivity and appreciation to the finest
nuances of the language. The Arabs of the 7th century took great pride in their
linguistic skills. The Quran is revealed in very precise Arabic. If the Quran is to be
the final text, then its meaning must be preserved. In order to do that, the language
itself must be very precise and defined.

Since the Quran was revealed in Arabic, scholars went to painstaking lengths to
preserve the dialect, idioms, sayings, poetry of that language so that the correct
understanding of Qur’an can be reached. This was always a priority for Muslim
scholars, many of whom were not Arab.

The Arabic Language is Rich:

The Arabic language has a very complex system of grammar and word formation.
One statement can mean many things, and this is only possible in the Arabic
language. Arabic is syntactical which means it cannot be compared to any other
languages in terms of grammatical rules.

The shortest wording without any loss in the meaning is only in the Arabic language.
It is also the most advanced language amongst world languages in terms of
eloquence, literature, and fluency. Thus, no other language can express the
meanings in the world.

Since Arabic is a highly developed language, a translation of a text like the Quran
never fully conveys its deeper message. Despite pre-Islamic Arabs being highly
skilled in Arabic, the Quran’s literary style stunned all of the poets and language
experts of the time.

See what Almighty says about it: “Now if We had willed this [divine writ] to be a
discourse in a non-Arabic tongue, they [who now reject it] would surely have said,
“Why is it that its messages have not been spelled out clearly?”” (Quran 41:44).

*Conclusion:*
Ultimately, the Quran was primarily revealed in Arabic because it was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who lived in Arabia. Furthermore, the Arabic language
is unique among other languages in its nuance, grammatical structure, syntax, and
style.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣0️⃣*
*❓The Effects of Hatred on the Body and Mind*
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✅Of late, there has been a significant increase in religious and political hatred.
Several forces are trying to normalize hatred for their selfish interests.
Unfortunately, the spread of hatred is countered with hatred from the other side
and thus increasing the intensity of hatred in the society. It is sad to see youngsters
and even kids sucked into this dangerous spectrum of hatred.

Hatred must be taken seriously as it not only harms society but also causes serious
harm to the individual who carries it for a prolonged time.

Harmful Effects of Hatred on the Body & Mind

Numerous studies have been conducted on how hatred impacts us physiologically
and psychologically. These studies all revealed that before hatred affects any part
of our body, it affects our brain first. The brain is our internal alarm system.

When you hate someone, the brain interprets it as a threat or harm and millions of
nerve fibres within our brain release chemicals throughout the body to every organ.
The chemicals released are cortisol (stress hormone), adrenaline and noradrenaline.
This prepares us to act aggressively when feeling hateful, either to defend or as an
attack.

When the hatred continues on a regular basis, the chemicals are more frequently
released. This depletes the adrenals and contributes to weight gain, insomnia,
anxiety, depression and chronic illness. With time, reaction to chemicals released
takes a toll on the nervous, immune and the endocrine system leading to various
illnesses like: diabetes, hypertension, cancer and auto-immune disorders.

Hatred and Human Psychology

Hatred creates a mirror effect and it attracts the person back to what he / she
hates. This causes the hate to increase which in turn triggers another mirror effect.
This becomes a vicious cycle causing more damage to your body and mind. The
cycle cannot be broken until the person decides to consciously intervene to stop it.

Save Yourself from Hatred

1. Be conscious of “hatred” and acknowledge it as soon as you recognize it.
2. Identify the triggers of hatred. Example: misunderstanding, propaganda, bias,
stereotypes etc.
3. Try to address the triggers. Example: remove the misunderstanding, do a fact
check if it is a propaganda, correct your bias and stereotypes
4. Focus on the positive (Every situation, every person, every community has a
positive side)
5. Refocus your mind and fill it with constructive habits like: reading, exercise,
charity etc.
6. Try mind relaxation techniques and breathing exercises

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣1️⃣*
*❓The Belief in Almighty God*
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✅The requisite belief of individuals in the Creator originated before the appearance
of any evidence of this existence. The existence of this Supreme, Powerful and Wise
Being Who is behind the creation of the universe has been the main concern of
philosophers of all times. They have tried to establish or refute this idea with
elaborate arguments that have sometimes been totally unconvincing, even to
themselves. Instead of the philosophical approach, we shall rather go through the
simple arguments of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah.

1. The Pure Nature In People (The Fitrah)

The intuition of perceiving the existence of the Creator is inborn in human nature. It
is the intuitive ability to distinguish between right and wrong, true and false. It is
the human being’s instinctive realization of Allah’s existence and oneness, and his
self-surrender to Allah. The Qur’an refers to this innate tendency: “Therefore, set
your face (O Muhammad) steadfastly towards the true faith, turning away from all
that is false, in accordance with the [pure Islamic] nature with which Allah has
created people. No altering let there be in the laws of Allah’s creation. This is surely
the True Religion, but most people do not know it.” (Quran 30:30).
This verse indicates that people start with equal abilities to recognize their Lord. But
their abilities may subsequently be blurred by self-indulgence or unfavorable
environmental influences. This is also depicted in the following hadith: “Every child
is born with the pure fitrah [to recognize his Lord]; it is only his parents that later
turn him into a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.” (Muslim).

2. The Greatness and Perfection of The Creation

Every single creation in the universe is so well made, and so skillfully designed, that
any sensible person cannot but submit to the existence of the All-Wise, Almighty,
All-Knowing Being behind it all. Allah says: “Verily, in the creation of the heavens
and the earth, in the alternation of night and day, in the sailing of the ships through
the ocean for the profit of people, in the water which Allah sends down from the
skies reviving with it the dead earth and dispersing over it all kinds of beasts, in the
change of the winds, and in the clouds that run their appointed courses between
heaven and earth; in all of this, indeed, there are signs for rational people.” (Quran
2:164).

This passage is one of many in which the Qur’an appeals to those who use their
reason to observe the daily wonders of nature, including the evidence of people’s
own ingenuity (the ships), as indications of a conscious Power pervading the
universe. The creation is so intricate and yet so perfect that no defect can be
detected anywhere, no matter how hard one tries.

3. Causality (Relationship Between Cause and Effect)

The notion that every effect must have a cause is well established in the minds of
people. On this notion they base all of their actions and responses. All scientific
experiments have this implicitly built into them. Yet, when it comes to the creation
of the universe that, by their standards, must have a cause and a Creator, they
become hesitant to submit to the truth! Allah ridicules this attitude by some people.
He asks them: Did you come into existence by yourself? Was it a mere chance and
spontaneous generation that you came into being? Are you not the handicraft of a
Wise and Wonderful Creator? You obviously did not create the wonders of the starry
heavens and the fruitful globe of earth. (Kindly read Quran 52:35)

The absurdity of the unwillingness to admit the existence of a Creator initiating all
of creation is exhibited in this argument to which they can give no reasonable
answer since they have no firm belief about that.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣2️⃣*
*❓The Basic Teachings of the Holy Qur’an*
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✅Qur’an talks about the supreme oneness of almighty God which includes his
names, attributes, the relationships between the Almighty and his creatures and
how man should maintain those relationships. It also talks about the continuity of
the prophets and their lives, their messages, and their overall mission. It insists
upon following the final and universal example Muhammad (PBUH), the seal of the
prophets and messengers.

The object of this life is not for you to sit here and do nothing without an effect.
Every cause has an effect. And you came into this life for a cause and a purpose,
and it must have an effect. You don’t go to school to stay there. You don’t go to
work not to get paid. You don’t build a house and don’t move into it. You don’t get a
suit made and don’t wear it. You don’t grow up as a child and don’t become an
adult. You don’t work without expecting a reward.

You can’t live without expecting to die. You cannot die without the expectancy of
the grave and you can’t expect that the grave is the end. Because that would mean
God has created you for a foolish purpose. And you have not gone to school or
worked or chose a wife for a foolish purpose. How can you assign to God something
less than yourself?

In an attempt to capture and convince the imagination and faculties of reasoning,

the Qur’an goes through great length and beauty to expound upon the oceans and
rivers, the trees and plants, the birds and insects, the wild and the domestic
animals, the mountains and the valleys, the expansion of the heavens, the celestial
bodies and the universe, the fishes and the aquatic lives, the human anatomy and
biology, the human civilization and history, the description of paradise and hell, the
evolution of the human embryo, the mission of all the prophets and the purpose of
life on earth.
How could a man born in the desert who could not read – could expound upon
things which he was never exposed to? The most unique aspect of the Qur’an
however, is that it confirms the previously revealed scriptures, and that if you
should decide to become a Muslim, you do not have to consider yourself changing
your religion.

Islam is simple my dear Brothers and Sisters. Bear witness that there is none to be
worshipped except Almighty God. If I ask any of you to bear witness that your father
is your father, how many of you would say yes, my father is my father? My son is
my son – my wife is my wife – I am who I am- then how is it that you hesitate to
bear witness that Almighty God is One and Almighty God is the only and Almighty
God is your lord and your creator? Why? Are you arrogant? Do you possess
something that God does not possess?

If you thought that you would die tonight and in front of you was paradise and the
back of you is hellfire – and you had the chance to put this straight with God, and
ask God to accept the best of your deeds – if you had that chance to do that before
you die, then you would not hesitate to bear witness that there is only one God. You
would not hesitate to bear witness that Muhammad is a messenger of God. You
would not hesitate to bear witness that you are one of those who would like to be
written down in the book of God as those who submit.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣3️⃣*
*❓By Permitting Divorce, Isn’t Quran Creating Helpless Women and Children?*
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✅The general objective of the Qur’anic laws is the preservation of the marital
relationship unto death. However, by no means does it seek to remain in the dark
with regard to the difficulties associated with human nature. It may be that there
exist quarrels and incompatibilities amongst spouses. These can even lead to the
disruption of the family. Quran 4:34 deals with the measures that a man has to
undertake in order to save the family from disintegration. And, if the problems
continue to persist, Quran instruct other family members to sincerely mediate
between the estranged spouses. (Quran 4:35)

It is true that the Qur’an permits the dissolution of the marriage tie if all such
attempts at reconciliation between the spouses fail. Indeed, when the partners are
forced to live together as husband and wife even when all attempts at reconciliation
fail it will be more the case of a bondage, rather than a bond, that will exist between
the two. Leaving such bondages untied will only lead to a situation where it will
have to be cut through. This is what transpires in communities wherein divorce is
not permitted.

The Qur’an had, as in the case of all other matters, only served to improve upon
and civilize the practice of divorce as it existed at that time so that it may be made
as acceptable and suitable for mankind as possible. It is quite true that almost all
legal codes in the world do permit divorce.

Manu spoke of divorce thus: “A barren wife may be superseded in the eighth year;
one whose children have died, in the tenth; one who bears (only) daughters, in the
eleventh; but one who says unpleasant things (may be superseded) immediately”
(Manusmrithi 9:81).

However, Islam does not agree with these viewpoints since all of them are
discriminatory. It is cruel that the woman be divorced for no crime of hers for, after
all, barrenness, giving birth to a stillborn, or to female off springs alone: these are
all cases that go beyond her control and she can have no part, whatsoever.

What is the stand of Marxism, which itself claimed to be the 20th century ideology,
on this issue? “It is not possible for any to say how long the individual tendencies for
sexual love will last for each person, particularly for the man. It is better that
divorce be resorted to as soon as it becomes clear that all love has drained away or
that it has been channeled into another receptor.” (Marx, Engels: Selected Writings,
Volume 3, P.319)

The Qur’an disagrees with this attitude. In the Qur’anic vision, love is never a
material commodity that exhausts itself.

It is clear from the Old Testament of the Bible that divorce was permitted in Israeli
society. It was a divorce that was not subject to any conditions, whatsoever. From
this it may be understood that divorce was prevalent amongst the Jews.

This is, however, not the case with the New Testament. There are verses in the
gospels and the words of Paul, which explicitly prohibits divorce: “Whoever divorces
his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces
her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10 :11,12)

It need not be emphasized that these are instructions that make divorce quite
impossible. The only thing that makes divorce possible is adultery on the part of the
woman. According to the laws of the New Testament it is also a sin to marry a
woman who has been divorced by her husband. Cases wherein divorce becomes
impossible will further lead to extremely dangerous situations. In fact, the Christian
community is indeed, facing such dangers presently. It is now being said that one of
the reasons for laxity in the moral plane, in these lands, is the very existence of
such laws.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Is Marxian View Which Sees Both Man and Woman as Two Equal Members of the
Working Class Better than Qur’anic Vision?*
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✅It was on the basis of the doctrine that private property was the cause of all evils
that the Marxist ideologists gave form and substance to their doctrines. It was on
these grounds that communism analyzed man-woman relationships as well. “In the
Capitalistic system, man-woman relationship is exploitative. Indeed, the tradition of
monogamy itself originated as a result of the necessity for protecting private
property. With the elimination of private property, man will be liberated from all
evils.” This is the perspective of Communism.

We can understand the communist view of the woman from the Marxian analysis of
the state of family relationships in the upcoming socialist system: “Men and women,
irrespective of whether they be Hindu, Muslim or Christian, may undertake work and
offices that befits their capacity; may select the mates of their own choice and live
together as long as they like; may resort to divorce if either of the partners dislikes
the other; may if so desirous, take a new mate and then lead another marital life. It
is such a situation that modern democracy as well as Socialism, its highest form, is
aiming to achieve” (E.M.S: Reply to Questions, Chinda weekly, 1993, November 25)

The Marxist tradition, which analyses mankind on the basis of economic relations
alone, considers the institution of the family, moral values and all else as the by-
products of an exploitative system. The genesis of this communist viewpoint stems
from the outlook that man and woman are independent and are two distinct
individualities who are, in no way, mutually associated. The Marxian visionaries
never even considered the fact that the institution of the family was an
indispensable factor in society. They also refuse to see the fact that the roles of
both man and woman in the family are as unique in themselves, as they are
complementary.

Marxism is unable to even consider the natural differences between man and
woman and the divergence in emotions that exists within them. It seeks to measure
woman based on her capacity to work. It refuses to see the mother in her. It does
not consider her weaknesses and difficulties. It does not tolerate the fact that it is
man who is to be her protector.

In short, Marxism measures woman based on her labor value alone. This is because
the Marxism was the product of the intellects of two men. They were men who
viewed the world and all in it on the basis of economic relations. For this same
reason, the Marxist view of woman, in reality, reeks of male chauvinism. It
stubbornly refuses to see the distinct qualities of woman.

Islam, on the other hand, considers firstly the motherhood of woman when it talks
of her. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬had taught that ‘paradise lies at the feet of the mother’. His
advice to man was that he was to always be kindly disposed towards her. ‘Accept
my advice that you are to behave kindly with women.’ The greatness of woman is
never to be measured on the basis of her capacity to work. Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬had
taught that it was rather to be based on her behavior. He once said that ‘a righteous
woman was the greatest fortune of a man.’

Woman is the heroine of the family and the mother of society. Man is to protect and
support her. The laws of the Qur’an are such that they remind man of her
weaknesses and, thereby, help him in being able to protect and support her. The
Qur’anic verse “… And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them,
according to what is equitable; but men have a degree over them, and Allah is
Exalted in Power, Wise.” (2:228). makes all these very clear and explicit. Indeed,
this proclamation is the very basis of all family laws in Islam.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Cosmic Diversity and the Oneness of the Creator*
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✅This is one of the doubts that atheists constantly raise when discussing the
cosmopolitan view of Islam: Man is the central character of the universe according
to Islamic philosophy. The Qur'an reveals that the heavens and the earth were
created for them. But the size of the earth is only a fraction of a millionth of the
total universe. Only about one-third of that earth is land. Only two-thirds of the
same is habitable. So why did God create such an infinite universe, and what are its
meanings?

The universe is said to be the abode of truths other than Allah. They are all either
gross matter or invisible properties that are rooted in matter. These collective
action processes are called cosmic phenomena. Mankind is only a part of this.
According to the Islamic faith, they are all things that are submissive to Allah.
(Qur'an 22:18).

Mankind has officially assumed the responsibility of being 'God's representative' in

the crowd. So he became the center of the universe. In many verses of the Bible we
find that the whole cosmic rhythm is a proclamation of the oneness of God
(Tawheed).

In this mundane universe, exclusivity is unique to man. Thus he alone possessed

discretion and scientific and technological expertise. As a result, selfishness and
arrogance became his alone. Therefore, Allah constantly awakens man to his
insignificance, inferiority and slavery. One thing that is remarkable there is that
creatures that are apparently weaker than humans are often sent to teach man a
lesson.

Allah sent a mosquito to destroy Namrud who tried to set Prophet Ibrahim (a) on
fire. He was in agony, and the same instrument which had thrown Ibrahim (a) into
the fire with a bow and arrow screamed to soothe his pain. Eventually it collapsed
and disappeared.
When some scoffed at the references to animals, insects and beasts in the Qur'an,
Allah's response was remarkable: “The believers and the righteous will understand
its lessons. The disbelievers will ridicule” (Surat al-Baqara 26).

In Qur'anic history, the aggressors were tempted by creatures such as lice, fleas
and frogs. Some tragedies are beyond speculation. Thousands of people died of
suffocation. Another was that tens of thousands who had fallen asleep died in the
same bed without being able to wake up. The 'Nipavirus' and ‘COVID’ epidemics can
be read in the same vein.

In short, people must achieve the breadth of perspective necessary to respect

nature and their phenomenological diversity. This is because they are strong
identities of those who believe in Allah. Do not use abusive language when it comes
to rains and disasters. Do not blame the weather and the weather conditions of the
time.

When the famine comes next year, it will be clear that what happened earlier was
not a disaster but a blessing. In addition, additional monsoon spells are also prone
to disasters due to incorrect developmental defects. It is just as important to
remember the controller of nature as one of the common blessings of nature. It is a
general principle that atheists and atheists alike agree that cosmic control belongs
to a force. The only difference is in who the Almighty is. That is why news of
'praising the Almighty' is part of a rational worldview.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣6️⃣*
*❓The Human Brain: Wonders of Allah's Creations*
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*✅The Secrets of the Brain*
The well-known neuroscientist David Ottoson – author of the "Challenges and
Perspectives in Neuroscience" – says in the introduction of the book: "It is
impossible for neuroscientists at any day, whether at the present time or the future,
to fathom the mysteries of the brain and reveal his secrets definitely and with no
doubt, because the human brain cannot understand himself."

As for the human brain, computer science cannot produce a machine that matches
the brain's efficiency, neither now nor in the future, because the brain's efficiency
matches a million of advanced computers working at the same time. If we assess
the electric power consumed by these computers all at once, we will find out that it
is about 100 thousand Amp, while the single human brain consumes 6 watt per
minute (0.1 Amp).

Complexity of the Human Brain:

No human, regardless of his degree of knowledge and power of imagination, can
visualize the brilliant complexity of the human brain. Scientists agree that the brain
is the most complex creation of Almighty Allah in this universe. This is confirmed by
the well-known neuroscientist Wilder Penfield when he said: "The human brain is a
small universe; it is not less complex than the big universe. Just as like Allah
manifests His glory to His creation in the big universe, He also is manifested in the
small universe."

The complexity level of the brain structure is enormous, the number of nerve cells
in the human brain is ten thousand million nerve cells, an easy number to be
pronounced but difficult to imagine. There are other cells in the brain that have the
function of feeding and supporting neurons, their number is ten times of nerve cells
(100 thousand million cells). As for the nerve fibers, it is enough to mention one
aspect about them to imagine their complexity. For example, the Corpus Callosum
contains 300 million nerve fibers, it links the right lobe with the left lobe of the
brain, the number of nerve signals passing through it is 4 billion signals per second
so that one lobe knows what the other one is doing!!!

The Brain Controls the Various Functions of the Body:

There is a tight and accurate distribution of the various functions to specific areas of
the brain. For example, the function of the occipital lobe – located in the back of the
brain – is seeing in specific, while the functions of the frontal lobe are thinking,
sound decision-making and handling part of the memory. Also, it contains the motor
strip which controls the movement of the facing part of the body (the face and the
upper and lower parts), and the same goes for the rest of parts. Almighty Allah
says: "…and has created each thing and determined it with [precise]
determination." (Al-Furqan: 2)

As for the emotions and human feelings, like love, hate, joy, sadness, anxiety and
confidence and their relationship with the brain, there is a whole system in the
depths of the brain called the Emotional Limbic System, its sole function is the
emotions and feelings.
*The Relationship Between the Soul, Will and the Brain:*
There are several stages to determine this relationship through the development of
neuroscience, which is still the main concern for many neuroscientists. In short, the
soul - according to the data of modern science - dominates the brain in every sense
of the word, the soul understands the brain's signals, and she directs him (i.e. the
soul is the source of will) to do a certain act. It is like the relationship between a
king and his soldiers.

Finally, the most appropriate conclusion is the words of Almighty Allah: "We have
created you, so why do you not believe?" (Al-Waqi'ah)

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Doesn't the Qur'an Advocate a Muslim State/Country?*
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✅This question is very important because, according to a majority of Muslims
throughout the world, the solution to most problems Muslims facing today is to build
a Muslim state. In their mind, the state of Medina, ruled by the Prophet (PBUH) was
a Muslim country when in reality it was not. It was a civil state.

Islamic State vs Muslim Country:

‘Islamic country’ and ‘Muslim country’ are not same. Islamic country is the one
which has its rules and regulations in accordance with the principles of Sharia (Laws
according to Qur’an and Sunnah), whereas a Muslim country could be
acknowledged as one in terms of the abundance of Muslim population. Thus, all
Muslim countries need not be Islamic.

Islam advocates a pluralistic society; a prime example is the population of Medina

during the life of the Prophet (PBUH). The population was Idol worshippers, Jews,
Muslims, and few Christians. An Islamic state can also incorporate modern political
institutions such as elections, parliamentary rule, judicial review, etc.

Islam advocates freedom of conscience, where people are free to choose their faith
or no faith. A prime example is Medina under the Prophet (PBUH), where people
became Muslims or decided to leave Islam without fear of punishment. Islam
advocates the free selection of the leader. Even when the Medina tribes invited the
Prophet to lead them, he still asked people to show their acceptance and willingness
to accept his leadership based on a social contract he drew for them.

The type of voting they exercised is called ‘bay’at’; which means ‘pledge’. This was
asked equally of men and women and they both participated. The result was a
majority giving Muhammad (PBUH) their votes. Thus, Medina had a civil
government, respecting all its diversified population; not a Muslim dictatorship.

Characteristics of Islamic State:

An Islamic state should have following characteristics:

Only those states which fulfill these criteria can be construed to be Islamic in
nature. Thus, an ‘Islamic State’ is not the same as a ‘Muslim State’; instead, it’s the
very epitome of modern democratic pluralistic state.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Why Are Non-Muslims Not Allowed in Makkah & Madinah?*
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✅The Holy Quran does not prohibit anyone from visiting a mosque (provided they
are not there to cause trouble) as it is a House of God that can and should be used
for the worship of God by all. Only idolatry is prohibited in a mosque but even then,
all are welcome to visit a mosque. However, it is true that non-Muslims are not
allowed in the holy city of Makkah, by law. The following points will serve to
elucidate the possible reasoning behind such a restriction.

All Citizens are Not Permitted in the Cantonment Area

I am a citizen of India. Yet, I am not permitted to enter certain restricted areas like
the cantonment. In every country there are certain areas where a common citizen
of that country cannot enter. Only a citizen who is enrolled in the military or those
who are connected with the defense of the country are allowed in the cantonment
area. Similarly, Islam is a Universal Religion for the entire world and for all human
beings. The holy city of Makkah is the cantonment areas of Islam. Here only those
who believe in Islam and are involved in the defense of Islam i.e. the Muslims are
allowed.

Similarly, whenever a person travels to a foreign country, he has to first apply for a
visa i.e. the permission to enter that country. Every country has its own rules,
regulations, and requirements for issuing a visa. Unless their criteria are satisfied,
they will not issue a visa. It would be illogical for a common citizen to object against
the restriction on entering a cantonment area; and similarly to object against rules
& regulations of entering another country. Similarly, it is not appropriate for non-
Muslims to object against the restriction against entering the holy city of Makkah.

Which all Areas are Restricted for Non-Muslims?

But this verse was revealed on a particular incident when the Prophet and his
followers were driven from there. This means that the references are only to
Masjidul Haram in Makkah and not to other mosques.
*Visiting Other Masjids/Mosques:*
With regard to other mosques, the correct view is that it is permissible if it serves
the interests of sharia (Islamic law) or meet a valid need, such as a person
interested to understand about Islam, or someone who need shelter in mosque, or
the like. This is because the Prophet (PBUH) tied up (his prisoner) Thamaamah ibn
Athaal al-Hanafi in the mosque before he became Muslim, and the delegations of
Thaqeef and the Christians of Najraan stayed in the mosque before they became
Muslim. There were many benefits offered by doing this: they could hear the
speeches and sermons of the Prophet (PBUH), see people praying and reciting
Qur’an, and other benefits that are gained by those who visit the mosque. (From
Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/276).

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣6️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Islam is the Solution for Depression*
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✅It is of the utmost importance that people know the difference between sadness
and depression. Sadness is a typical human emotion. No living soul is unfamiliar
with it; even our Prophets faced multiple episodes of sadness. Hence, sadness is not
a sign of weakness in any form. Faith does, however, equip us with the tools to
combat depression and hopelessness. The strength of a believer is that he never
loses hope despite all the pain and grief. Here are a few truths that can help you
through your darkest days and rekindle that light at the end of that tunnel.
*No Soul is Burdened with More than It Can Bear:*
Don’t ever forget that Allah will never burden you with something that is beyond
your capacity to deal with. Even on days when you feel as if you cannot take it
anymore, know that you can survive it- for Allah knows us better than we know
ourselves and whatever trial you’re facing in your life, know that He also gives you
the strength to handle that trial.

With Hardship Comes Ease:

Allah promises that “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease” (Quran 94:5). Trust
His word. Even if the suffering feels endless and you feel yourself getting exhausted
from the weight of it all, do not lose hope- for there is ease and something even
better waiting for you right around the corner. Nothing remains forever, not even
hardships. And those believers who hold on to hope and faith in Allah and adopt
patience amidst their difficult times are then rewarded in ways human beings
cannot even imagine. So, remember, this too, shall pass.

Allah Controls Everything, You are Not:

Depression is majorly defined by a sense of hopelessness- in yourself and in the
world around you. It is rooted in a sense of sheer helplessness where you feel like
nothing is in your control. But that is the truth; nothing is in our control. It is in
Allah’s control. Take a moment, embrace your lack of control over your
circumstances, and know that the one in control is the best of planners and loves
you more than you can imagine. Surrender your attempts to control your life, leave
it up to Allah, and trust His plan for you. By accepting that Allah is in control and
welcoming His plans for us ultimately leads to the enrichment of our mind, body and
soul.

*Do the Best You Can and Leave the Rest to Allah:*
Remind yourself that human responsibility is restricted within certain boundaries. All
Allah asks of us is that we fulfill our duties and do the best we can in our
circumstances and leave the outcomes to Allah. We can only control our actions and
duties, not the outcomes. Even Prophets did not have control over their outcomes. A
believer is rewarded based on the effort, not the result. Do not dwell on what is
beyond your control and embrace Allah’s magnificence. Play your role the best you
can and leave the rest to Him.

*Be Grateful for the Blessings Allah has Bestowed You With:*
During the hard times, we tend to forget the blessings we have around us and
instead, we focus more on the things that are going wrong for us. It is human
nature. We tend to get lost in circumstantial sources of grief and pain and forget to
notice our source of blessings. Whenever you feel yourself being sucked into a dark
phase of hopelessness and depression- remind yourself that you have a lot to be
grateful for at the same time- whether it is a loving family, supportive friends, food
every night before you sleep, a roof over your head and countless other things.
Remind yourself that you are better off than so many other people who do not share
our fortune in these domains.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣0️⃣*
*❓The Beauty of Islamic Belief*
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✅The very epicenter of a Muslim’s belief is their relationship with our Creator,
Almighty God. It is imperative to have an increased awareness of our Lord to enable
us to attain everlasting peace, happiness, and contentment in both this world and
the Hereafter.

It is of utmost importance to follow our Creator’s guidance, by way of the Holy

Qur’an, in order to sustain this close relationship with our Lord; this guidance was
not bestowed upon this world for only Muslim’s, instead it was gifted to all of
mankind: “Truly, in remembering Allah do hearts find peace and rest.” (Holy Qur’an
13:28).

However, it is very easy to get lost in the material aspects of this world and lose
sight of why we have really been put here. We have not been placed here to acquire
possession of worldly goods – they have no true value; we have been placed on
Earth as a test. Ask yourself “Why has Almighty God not given equal wealth and
possessions to all of humanity? Why has Almighty Allah not given the same level of
health to all of mankind?”

This is exactly what we as humans are being tested on.

The wealth and worldly good we possess on Earth are not ours to own, they are only
temporary. God is testing us to see if we utilize this wealth for good causes; to see if
we help our brothers and sisters in their time of need. Once we identify this purpose
in life, we are then able to recognize our overall purpose on Earth. Not only does
giving to others please our Creator, we are also greatly rewarded for it in countless
different ways.

The very existence of Islam is based on clear evidence, such as the Holy Qur’an.

The Holy Qur’an was sent down as guidance for mankind, it also contains many
signs and scientific facts for human to ponder over. Unlike any other known book,
and although it was revealed over a time span of 23 years, the Holy Qur’an still
remains unchanged and free of any inconsistencies: “He has certainly sent down
signs that make things clear, and Allah guides whom He wills to the right path.”
(Holy Qur’an 24:46)

It is not our social standing, worldly respect, or the balance of our bank accounts
that will give us the ultimate standing in front of the Creator, Almighty God. Instead,
it is our worldly good deeds, our acts of giving, our obedience to our Lord, our
humility and generosity towards others, and most importantly, our intention.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Is it Very Difficult to Follow/Practice Islam?*
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✅One of the terms used by the Qur'an during the early Makkan period to describe
Islam was ‘Al-Yusraa’ means 'The Easy Way'. This is simply because Islam was, and
is the natural way of life. Indeed, whatever is natural for human beings should be
easy for them in every way, hence cause them to gravitate towards it easily, and
consequently bring harmony, peace, and tranquility to their lives. Since the Quran is
the book upon which the Islamic way of life is built, then the Quran has to be easy
to understand and follow.

This view that Islam is easy to understand and practice, is one which is derived from
the primary sources of Islam. In the Quran, Allah comforts us by continuously
reassuring us that He desires for us ease not hardship, despite the seemingly
formidable trials and tribulations that we may sometimes face. He says: “God
desires ease for you, and desires not hardship” (2:185) “Truly, with hardship comes
ease” (94:6) “God desires to lighten things for you, for the human being has been
created weak” (94:28).…

Islam is Not Complex:

The Path of Moderation:

Moderation which leads to balance, is a fundamental and distinguishing feature of
Islam. Allah tells us: “We have made you a nation justly balanced” (2:143). Indeed,
the Prophet always resisted any tendency towards religious excessiveness. He told:
“Do not overburden yourselves, lest you perish. People [before you] overburdened
themselves and perished.” (Musnad of Abu Ya'la). In other words, excesses may
eventually develop into large problems and even become a threat to the wellbeing
and security of the Muslim community.
Abiding by the will of Allah requires that we seek and maintain a delicate balance
between the various obligations that demand our attention; between our obligations
to Allah, our obligations towards others and our obligations towards ourselves.
Moreover, whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always
chose the easier, unless it was explicitly forbidden (Bukhari).

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣2️⃣*
*❓By Composing Qur’an, Did Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Intent to Achieve the Worldly Benefits
by Establishing Himself as the Messenger of God?*
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✅It is greatly probable that Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬, who had grown up an orphan, was
exposed to considerable hardships in life. However, with his marriage to the
businesswoman, Khadeeja (r), it is also probable that there was, naturally, a
considerable rise in his standard of living. As the husband of Khadeeja, the
possibility that he would have been prone to the constraints of a financial kind is
remote indeed. The marriage of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬to Khadeeja took place fifteen
years before his attaining prophethood. This means that it was only after fifteen
years of his having led a life of financial security that Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬came on to
the scene with the claim that he was a messenger of God, and that the Qur’an
constituted the word of God.

If the attainment of worldly profits was his motive, his financial position should have
become stronger after he made the claim. But what was it that actually transpired?
Says Aysha (r), the wife of the Prophet: “As there was no food cooked in our house,
the cooking place would go without a fire being lit for one or two months at a
stretch. Ours was a diet of dates and water. Sometimes it would be the milk of
goats and the dried shells of dates which those from Medina would bring us.”
Aysha was once recalling the past days to a person. The subject of narration was
the poverty which the Prophet and his family endured after the migration. She then
talked of an occasion in which they worked in the house in total darkness. “Was not
there a lamp?” enquired the person. She then replied thus: “If the oil to burn the
lamp was in our possession, instead of burning it, we would have drunk it to satisfy
our hunger.”

The Prophet asked, ‘Why is it that you cry?’ I said: “O messenger of Allah! How will I
hold back my tears? I see the imprint of the palm leaves on thine own body. I am
also aware of the contents of this room. O messenger of Allah! Beseech Allah for the
ample means of thine own sustenance. For, while the rulers of the Persian and
Roman people – the Chosroes and the Caesars – live in the luxury of gardens
beneath which rivers flow, the chosen messenger of Allah should live in abject
poverty and hunger!’…

When he heard this reply of mine, the Prophet, who had been reclining on a pillow,
now sat up and then said, ‘Oh Umar! Are you still in doubt concerning this matter?
The comforts and provisions of the Hereafter are much better than the comforts and
pleasures of this worldly life. The unbelievers enjoy their share of the good things in
this life. As for our share, it has been reserved for the life Hereafter.’ Forthwith did I
implore the Prophet thus, ‘O Messenger of God! Pray for my forgiveness for I have,
indeed, erred.’”

It is the claim that the Qur’an was the creation of Muhammad( ‫)ﷺ‬, which he had
contrived for his own worldly gains, that is rendered baseless here. For it is, indeed,
without foundation to say that the man who had given away the seven dinars, which
were his only worldly possession, in charity on his death-bed and who died, thereof,
after pawning his armor with a jew, was a man after wealth.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Aren't Children with Disabilities Contrary to the Qur'an Verse 'Man was Created
Flawlessly'?*
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✅One of the things that the Muslim believes about the Lord is that He created
creation, made it well and perfected it. Allah praises Himself for that in several
verses: “Who perfected everything which He created” [Quran 32:7] “and formed
you and perfected your forms” [Quran 40:64] “[It is] the work of Allah, who
perfected all things” [Quran 27:88] “Have they not looked at the heaven above
them - how We structured it and adorned it and [how] it has no rifts?” [Quran 50:6].

The verses which the critics regards as problematic because of what one may see in
Allah’s creation of humans with defects and disabilities, is the passage: “Who has
created seven heavens, one above the other; no defect will you see in the creation
of the Most Gracious. Look again; do you see any flaw? Keep looking, again and
again; your gaze will come back to you humbled and weary [having found no flaws
in Allah’s creation]” [al-Mulk 67:3-4].

Does what Allah say in this verse, that there are no defects or flaws in His creation,
contradict what we see of humans whom Allah has created with disabilities or
deformities or some shortcoming in their physical makeup?

It may be said that the verse is general in meaning and includes all the creation of
Allah such as plants, animals, and humans. All the creation of Allah is perfectly
made and there are no flaws or defects in it in principle. As for what there may be of
flaws or defects in some of it, it is something that Allah has not willed should be
physically perfect.

In principle, there are no flaws in the universal creation; rather flaws occur because
of the nature of that creation, for the Creator did not create potential in it, and as a
result of that these flaws occurred because of the lack of creation, not because of
creation. Thus, the verse 'man was created flawlessly' is about the general structure
of humans and the universe. It doesn’t mean that no one will be born with any
disabilities; there were many disabled people even during the time of revelation of
the Holy Quran.

Allah is wise in all that He does, and there is great divine wisdom in what He creates
of shortcomings, defects, and sicknesses. Allah has created all things. He created
troubles and evils, and He created shortcomings in some of His creation, for great
and wise reasons mainly to test human through multiple ways. The one to whom
Allah has granted well-being should acknowledge this blessing and kindness of his
Lord and should thank Him for that, and the others who are being tested by
difficulties and disabilities should be patient and pray for the blessings of Allah and
still should be grateful to the Almighty for giving other blessings in their life.

All the questions of the critics are of course relevant if human life is going to be
ended with death. Then from birth to death everyone should have the opportunity
to enjoy the life equally. But the Almighty God does not end human life with death.
The life of this world is a ‘testing period’. Trial, judgment, and rewards are on the
next world of the life after death.

Each one has a duty to perform on the earth, according to what he has been
provided. The poor man doesn’t have the liability of the rich. The illiterate is not
having the responsibility of a scholar. Responsibility of a genius is more than the
common person. The disabled have less responsibility than the full-fledged. The
fulfillment of these obligations is the key to the life's success. It will be evaluated
how the skills and opportunities provided to each are utilized. The rewards in the
afterlife are determined based on the fulfillment of the duties assigned to each
accordingly.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Islamic Concept of Education*
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✅The Quran believes in the respect and equality of all humankind, but it announces
the superiority of the class of educated people. The Quran says: “Are the educated
and uneducated equal?” The Quran declares the superiority of Adam in these
words: “And He taught Adam, the names of all things; then He placed them before
the angels and said: “Tell me the names of these if you are right”. They said,
"Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it
is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.". (Quran 2:30-32)

The angels and Satan failed in the test of knowledge. Hence the vicegerency was
assigned to Adam. Knowledge made him superior to all creatures. The first word of
the revelation deals with the importance of knowledge: “Read in the name of your
Lord who created”. The importance of knowledge is manifest at different places in
the Quran. The Quran says that we send the Prophets to teach people wisdom. It
further says that only the people of knowledge fear God. (Quran 2:197)

The Arabic word “Ulil Albab” (The men of mind), has been used in the Quran
maintaining that the verses of the Quran are for the men who cogitate. The animals
share humans in sex and stomach. They do not share the humans in intellect. The
humans are superior to the animals because of the mind. If we negate the element
of rationality from human, they are nothing more than cattle and chattel. The Quran
again asks: “Why don’t you meditate”. Hence, we see that the Quran is a Book of
wisdom and exhorts to pick up the glistening pearls of wisdom.

Besides the Quranic emphasis on education, we find many sayings of the Holy
Prophet on this subject. A drop of sweat of the brow of a thinker is better than the
thousand blood drops of the martyr, is a famous Hadith of the Holy Prophet. The
Prophet further said: “Attain knowledge from the cradle to the grave”. In another
Hadith the Prophet said: “Acquiring of knowledge is obligatory to every Muslim male
and female”. The Holy Prophet once issued the orders of release of prisoners of war
who could teach the children.

Islam believes in the mastery of matter and mind. Holy Quran says: “For you (God)
subjected all that is in the heavens and on the earth, all from Him. Behold! In that
are signs for people who reflect” (Al-Jathiya:13). The message of God makes us to
ponder over the natural objects. It is a scientific enquiry and research, which are
made obligatory. Dr. Maurice Bucaille in a book entitled, “The Bible, The Quran and
Science” proves that Islam is a scientific religion emphasizing on the need of
scientific inquiry.

There are four gates of knowledge, Perception, Intellect, Intuition and Revelation.
Perception deals with five senses and enhances material research. It provides us
information on the matter and the properties of matter. Scientists use this method.
Philosophers, Logicians and Jurists use intellect to solve the problems. The mystics
and poets are endowed with the boon of intuition. The Prophets have been given
the special and chosen duty of reformation through the gift of revelation. Islam
ordains to use all these methods for the benefit of humankind.

The antonym of knowledge is ignorance. The Quran at a place says that turn your
back to the ignorant. It means that we should not strike our head with the stony
walls of illiteracy and ignorance rather we should educate the uneducated lot. The
real knowledge makes us tolerant, civilized and rational. In Islamic jurisprudence no
one can become Jurist without sound intellectual background. Whether someone is
a scientist, a ruler, a leader or a jurist, knowledge is the basic requirement for these
positions. Islamic conception of education teaches us to be the master of matter
and mind to serve the humankind.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣5️⃣*
*❓Did Prophet Muhammed Say Women are Bad Omens?*
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✅In the first place, we would like to make it clear that Islam prohibits pessimism and
bad omens. A Muslim is always an optimistic person who looks to the bright side of
things. When something bad befalls him, he firmly believes that this is the Decree of
Allah and His Will. Allah always chooses the best for him and He never decrees
something bad. Even if we with our weak human perception think that such a thing
is bad, it is still not bad, but it is our own minds that cannot grasp the bright side
and the Divine Wisdom.

Please note this Hadith which rule out the belief in omen: Narrated Ibn Abbas:
Allah's Messenger said, "Seventy thousand people of my followers will enter
Paradise without accounts, and they are those who do not practice Ar-Ruqya and do
not see an evil omen in things, and put their trust in their Lord” (Sahih Bukhari:
Volume 8, Book 76, Hadith 479)

This is the basic principle regarding bad omens. But there are sayings of prophet
which indicate that a bad omen may be in a woman, a house or a horse. Ibn Umar
said: Mention of bad omens was made in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH), and
the Prophet said: “If bad omens are to be found in anything, it is in a house, a
woman and a horse.” (Narrated by Bukhari: 5094 and Muslim: 2252)
The scholars differed concerning this narration and how to reconcile them with the
sayings of Prophet that forbid bad omens. The correct view is that all types of belief
in bad omens are condemned, and that no kinds of women, houses or animals can
cause harm or bring benefit except by Allah’s leave. Allah is the Creator of both
good and evil. A person may be tested with a wife who has a bad attitude, or a
house in which there is a lot of problems, in which case it is prescribed for him to rid
himself of these things, fleeing from the decree of Allah to the decree of Allah, and
so as to avoid falling into pessimism and belief in bad omens which is forbidden.

Scholar Ibn al-Qayyim said: “regarding these three as bad omens only affects those
who believe in that. Whoever puts his trust in Allah and does not believe in omens
and superstition, that does not affect him. This is indicated by the hadeeth of Anas,
‘A bad omen only affects the one who believes in it.’ If a person believes in bad
omens, Allah may make that the cause of bad things happening to him, just as He
may make trust in Him and making Him alone the focus of one's fear and hope one
of the main causes of warding off evil that people may superstitiously expect.”

The reason for that is that superstitious belief in omens implies disbelief or
associating others with Allah, fearing others besides Him and not putting one’s trust
in Him. The superstitious person attracts evil to himself, so the superstition affects
him more, because he did not protect himself with belief in Allah alone and trust in
Allah. If a person fears something other than Allah, it gains control over him and he
is tormented by it; if he loves something else as well as Allah, he will be tormented
by it; if he puts his hope in something alongside Allah he will be let down by it.

These matters are well known from real life and there is no need to provide further
evidence. Everyone inevitably feels superstitious but the strong believer wards off
those superstitious feelings by putting his trust in Allah. Whoever puts his trust in
Allah, He will suffice him and he will have no need of anyone or anything else.

Hence, superstition with regard to houses, women and horses may affect only those
who believe in it; as for the one who puts his trust in Allah and fears Him alone, and
does not believe in bad omens, then horses, women and houses cannot be bad
omens for him.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Duties of a Muslim Towards Non-Muslims*
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✅A Muslim should not wrong any non-Muslim with regard to his physical wellbeing,
his wealth or his honor. Even though he is a non-Muslim living under Muslim rule,
the one who is granted security in a Muslim land or the one with whose country the
Muslims have a peace deal, Muslims should give him his due rights, and not
transgress against his wealth by stealing, betraying or deceiving, and he should not
harm him physically by striking or killing him, because he will be protected by
Shari’ah (Islamic laws).

There is no reason why a Muslim should not interact with a non-Muslim, buying,
selling, renting, hiring and so on. It is narrated in authentic reports that the
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) bought from non-Muslims who were even idol
worshippers, and he bought from the Jews, and these are interactions. When he
(PBUH) died, his shield was being held in pledge by a Jew for some food he had
bought for his family.

A Muslim should be a well-wisher for all and thus should wish for the salvation of
even the non-Muslims living all over the world. He should explain the reality of this
worldly life and the real purpose of human life to the non-Muslims whenever
possible. Thus Muslims should try to convey the true message of Islam and invite
them to the true Almighty Creator. Every Muslim should do this with regard to
whatever subjects he has knowledge about, because this is the greatest kindness
that he can give to his fellow-citizens and to those whom he meets from the non-
Muslims.

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever calls others to right guidance will have a reward
like that of those who follow him, without that detracting from their reward in the
slightest.” And the Prophet also said to his companion Ali when he sent him to
Khaybar and instructed him to call the Jews to Islam: “By Allah, if Allah were to
guide one man through you, that would be better for you than having red camels
(the best kind).” So inviting people including the non-Muslims to the right path,
conveying Islam to them and being sincere towards them in that are among the
best means of drawing close to the Creator.

Another right is being a good neighbor. So, if a non-Muslim is a neighbor, Muslims

should be kind to him and do not annoy him; give charity to him if he is poor, give
him gifts, give him beneficial advice, because the neighbor has rights. The
Messenger (PBUH) said: “Jibreel kept urging me to be kind to my neighbor until I
thought that he would make him my heir.” (Hadith). If the neighbor is a disbeliever,
he still has the rights of a neighbor; if he is both a relative and a disbeliever, then
he has two rights: the rights of a neighbor and the rights of a relative.

One of the rights of the neighbor is that you should give him charity if he is poor.
Allah says: “Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who
fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes.
Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity” [Quran 60:8]. According to the
authentic hadeeth narrated from Asma’ bint Abi Bakr, her mother, who was a
disbeliever, entered upon her during the truce between the Prophet (PBUH) and the
people of Makkah, seeking help. Asma’ asked the Prophet for permission - should
she uphold ties of kinship with her? The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Uphold ties of kinship
with her.”

Even there is nothing wrong with offering the non-Muslims condolences if a loved
one dies, such as saying, “may Allah compensate you in your loss” and other kind
words. Even though a Muslim can’t pray for the forgiveness of the deceased person
if he was not willing to agree the truth till he dies; he may pray for the one who is
alive to be guided and to be compensated and so on.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Islam’s Perception of Worldly Life?*
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✅First of all, we would like to say that in principle, indulging in the life of this world
without neglecting religious duties is definitely permissible. However, a Muslim must
be aware that the more he indulges in this life, the more liable he is and the more
his responsibilities will increase.
This should not make us turn away from succeeding in life and achieving goals, but
rather it should make us more attentive to the tricks of Satan. In this regard, a
scholar was asked: “Is the honest trader preferable to you, or the one who spends
all his time in worship?” He said: “The honest trader is preferable to me, because he
is in jihad.” Satan comes to him through the weighing and measuring and through
his dealing, but he is striving against him.

1- The life of this world is transitory.

Great scholar Imam Al-Ghazali says, “Know that the life of this world is transitory. Its
duration is fleeting; it promises eternity but fails in its tryst, you look at it and it
seems settled while it is in great motion. It is departing with speed, but the one who
looks at it may not feel its movement so he relaxes in it; he will only feel it when it
reaches its end…”

This is a key belief that each Muslim must adhere to. The more one’s belief in this
principle weakens, the more likely his indulgence in the wealth and luxury of this
world will hinder him in the Hereafter.

2- Wealth is a tool that can be either praiseworthy or blameworthy.

Whoever knows the benefit of something and uses it to achieve his aims, has done
well and has benefited himself. Wealth is a tool and can be a means to attain a
corrupt purpose; and it is that purpose which hinders the person from
attaining happiness in the Hereafter and impedes the way to knowledge and
achievement. Thus, it is both praiseworthy and blameworthy.

Wealth, career, and assets are not aims in themselves, but rather tools and means
that a Muslim uses for the benefit of this world as well as the Hereafter. If we
remember this, wealth will always be in our hands, not our hearts. We will not be
desperate for wealth, but rather desperate to please Allah the Almighty with the
tools He has given us.

*3- While seeking wealth, a Muslim must never forget his religious duties.*
Allah the Almighty says in the Glorious Qur’an, “O you who believe! Let not your
wealth nor your children divert you from the remembrance of God, and whoever
does that, they are the losers.” (Quran 63:9)

In this verse, Allah the Almighty did not forbid us from seeking wealth or children,
but rather He forbade us from allowing them to divert us from remembering Him
and being steadfast on the duties that He has asked us to fulfill. He should never
compromise his religion for the sake of this life. Also, one must not do any
impermissible job or fall into any impermissible dealings for the sake of supplying
himself and his family with the things they desire. The permissible always leads to
opulence and bliss.
*4- Wealth is a trust that requires gratitude and sharing.*
Allah the Almighty says, “Your wealth and your children are only a temptation, and
with God is an immense reward.” (Quran 64:15) The word ‘temptation’ in this verse
means a ‘test.’

Do we remember Allah the Almighty when we are rich? Or do we only remember

Him when we fall into hardships? Do we help the needy? We are tested through
bounties such as wealth, to see whether we will misuse them or use them in the
right place and in the right way; whether we thank Allah the Almighty for them or
not, and whether we give the needy their share or not.

If these four cornerstones are well-rooted in a Muslim’s heart and he continuously

evaluates himself accordingly, then indulging in the life of this world will not hinder
him in the Hereafter.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Can it be Denied if Someone Argue that the Qur'an is Written by Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬to Guide the Society to Morality?*
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✅The Qur’an is, indeed, a book that guides people to the way of morality and virtue.
In fact, it is the Qur’an, and the Qur’an alone, which can claim the distinction of
being a book which transformed a society that was steeped in wine, debauchery
and warfare into a people who became the staunchest advocates and practitioners
of morality and virtue within a short span of just 23 years. However, to any who has
had even a cursory reading of the Qur’an, it is clear that to say Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬had
written the Qur’an for the cause of moral revivalism and had then attributed it to
God is to say something without any foundation. Observe the facts mentioned
below:

1. There have been no two opinions about the fact that Muhammad( ‫ )ﷺ‬was truthful.
It is illogical, therefore, to assume that such a one as he would then, in the name of
moral revival, attribute a blatant falsehood in the name of God. It is unbelievable
that a person who persevered for the cause of morality would then commit, for the
same cause, a gross immorality. What, indeed, can be a greater sin than attributing
lies in the name of God?

2. The Qur’an itself has declared that the worst transgressor is the one who invents
lies in the name of the Lord Creator and the one who writes something and then
says that it is from God. “Who can be more wicked than one who invents a lie
against Allah, or says, ‘I have received inspiration,’ when he has received none, or
(again) who says, ‘I can reveal the like of what Allah has revealed’?” (6:93). If the
Qur’an is, indeed, Muhammad’s own work, then the ‘most wicked’ one mentioned in
this verse must necessarily be he himself. Will he have condescended to describe
himself as the “most wicked” and to preserve it in writing too?

3. God has cursed those who write with their own hands and then attribute it to
God. “Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say:
‘This is from Allah’.” (2:79). If the Qur’an is, indeed, the work of Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬,
then this curse is most applicable to him. Consider this: to makes one’s own
composition; then to proceed to curse one’s own self. Is this believable?

4. The Qur’an is not a book that was revealed all at once. The verses of the Qur’an
were, in fact, revealed over a long period of 23 years and, that too, under varying
circumstances. There are verses in the Qur’an which were revealed as direct
answers to the questions posed by the people. There are around fifteen occasions
wherein the verses which employ the style “they ask you (O Muhammad)
concerning…” have been used. If the composition of the Qur’an was the work of the
Prophet, who sought to bring about a moral revival, he would have been able to
answer the questions of the people as and when they arose. Instead, that was not
done; without making his own statement, he awaited the arrival of the divine
revelation.

5. There are certain Qur’anic verses which seek to correct Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬.
The verses of the Qur’an (80:1-10) which criticized the action of the Prophet when
he did not receive the blind Abdulla bin Ummi Makthoom with warmth and respect
owing to his being engaged in discussion with the leaders of the Quraysh, are only
too well-known. After the Battle of Uhud wherein the Muslims had suffered great
losses, the Prophet had cursed some of the disbelievers and had mentioned to
himself: “How will a people, who injure their own prophet, ever progress?”
Immediately was the verse of the Qur’an, which sought to correct the Prophet,
revealed (3:128). If the Qur’an was really the composition of the Prophet, would
there have been verses in the Qur’an which criticized his own actions?

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣7️⃣9️⃣*
*❓A Perfect Role Model for Humanity -Part1*
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✅The Noble Quran has praised Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to high heaven on
occasion. Accordingly, he has been addressed as being sent as a mercy to the
worlds. Allah told humankind that the Messenger of Allah is on an exalted standard
of character. Indeed, he is the bringer of glad tidings and a warner.

The people sang his praises right from his childhood up to his adulthood and
prophet-hood. Conversely, his loving mercy touched the lives of friends and foes
alike. Also, his companions drew a parallel between his physical appearance and the
full moon with respect to his handsomeness. His people glorified his person by
awarding him the titles of Truthful (Sadiq) and Trustworthy (Ameen).

He was indeed a man for all seasons in terms of depth of character, and he wasn’t
found lacking in any dimension of his perfected attributes. The Prophet
Muhammad’s life was an authentic interpretation of the Book of Allah. And who was
the epitome of tolerance, humility, patience, forbearance towards men. The
following are some instances of his luminous morals and manners.

Attributes that Make Prophet Muhammed a Role Model:

*Benevolence:*
A prime example of the Prophet’s (PBUH) benevolence was apparent on his way
back from Taif. The three stubborn chiefs of Taif had harshly rejected his invitation
to the truth and had assigned gangsters to pelt him with stones upon his return.
He bore the physical pain of their wretchedness until his shoes were bloodstained.
When suddenly, Angel Jibriel appeared and offered to bring Allah’s punishment upon
the rebellious ones by crushing them between two mountains. The Prophet of mercy
responded to Jibriel by saying that he would prefer to wish for Allah to guide their
offspring to the truth so that they worship Almighty Creator alone and shun
polytheism.
*Mildness in Expressing Displeasure:*
The Prophet (PBUH) wouldn’t swear at others, or display rudeness. He did not curse
others and did not show harshness while admonishing people, as per Sahih al-
Bukhari. Every Muslim must follow suit. Swearing, cursing, rudeness are not traits
that any believer adopts.

*Peace-Making Instincts:*
There was an instance of the people of Quba fighting with each other, to the extent
than they started pelting stones. The Prophet (PBUH), upon learning of this conflict,
sought to reconcile the matter between those who clashed. (Bukhari) The Prophet
(PBUH) stood on an exalted standard of character. He was a man of peace who
united warring tribes and won hearts. The people of Medina also were originally at
odds with each other. Previously known as the Aus and Khazraj tribes, they would
fight over the most trivial of things. Their conflicts were passed from generation to
generation to be kept alive. Until along came the Prophet (PBUH) and united them
into a single Nation. His peace-making instincts would always kick in when required.

Kindness Towards Children:

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) always treated children with kindness and
compassion. He would openly display his affection for kids. He enjoyed their
company and played with them. In the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, it was mentioned
that he said he would reward the child who reached him first with a gift, upon which
kids would race to him and fall on him. His grandsons Hassan and Hussain would
take great liberties with him during their infancy. They would often climb on his
back when he prostrated. The Prophet also said that who is not kind to the
youngsters and respectful towards the elderly, is not a real believer.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣0️⃣*
*❓A Perfect Role Model for Humanity -Part2*
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*✅Self-Sacrifice and Generosity:*
It was narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet (PBUH) did not reject anyone
who asked him for something in his possession. No man on the face of the earth
could outdo the Prophet (PBUH) in his generosity. It was the very hallmark of his
personality. He was one to prefer the needs of others before his own and never
denied those who asked of him.

Deep Regard for Womenfolk:

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that one who raises two girls till they come of age
will be with him in the Hereafter, in a way similar to the closeness of two fingers to
each other. He (PBUH) was the man through whom Almighty gave women their
rights in the capacity of mother, daughter, sister, and wife almost 1500 years ago.
Heaven lay beneath a mother’s feet, raising a daughter was the means for a
father’s entry into Paradise, sisters had to be looked after and given their due
rights, and wives were to be sheltered, clothed, fed and treated kindly by their
husbands. Each one of them had been assigned a share in the inheritance.

*Pleasant Countenance:*
According to a Hadith from Tirmidhi, no man smiled as much as the Prophet (PBUH).
He was the most pleasant of men who’d smile and greet everyone with a radiant
smile. Above all, a gentle soul, and the bearer of a friendly attitude. Anyone who
met the Prophet (PBUH) would think that he was the most beloved to him. That
speaks volumes about how pleasantly he came across to them. He never had a
harsh word to say unless it was to protect the truth.

Concern for the Welfare of Orphans:

In a Hadith recorded in Ibn Majah, Muhammad (PBUH) stated that the best Muslim
house is the one where people are good to an orphan, whereas the worst Muslim
house is the one where an orphan is mistreated. No one ever found our evergreen
role model to lack love and compassion for one and all. This included people from
every stratum of life. The Prophet (PBUH) had reserved a special place in his heart
for orphans after he became an orphan at an early age. He once put his index and
middle fingers together and then said he who looks after an orphan would be like
this with me in the Afterlife.

Love for Cooperation and Collaboration:

Regarding the battle of the Trench, a companion narrated in Sahih Bukhari that he
saw Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on that day, carrying dirt that had resulted from
the Muslims’ digging until it covered his chest. Before that, he (PBUH) had
also participated like any other laborer in building Masjid e Nabwi. He was not
accustomed to leading a life of luxury or grandeur. Once when questioned by Angel
Jibrail, if he wanted a mountain of gold to follow him wherever he went, he had
replied that he would rather that Allah provides him with just enough for a day so
that he may thank Him. Then the next day, he would like that Allah keeps him
hungry so that he may supplicate to Him for sustenance.

Concern for Animal Rights:

Muhammad (PBUH) once urged his wife Ayesha (RA) to be gentle with a horse when
she was struggling to ride it. (Sahih Muslim) He was known to have reported that a
prostitute who quenched the thirst of a dog by drawing water out of a well in her
leather sock was given the glad tidings of Paradise. Allah appreciated her action and
forgave her discrepancies. In another report, he mentioned how a cruel woman had
kept a cat caged in her home without feeding it until it had grown weak and died.
He said she would find her place in Hellfire.

The list of the Prophet’s (PBUH) unparalleled qualities is endless, but for a dearth of
space, we leave you with this: In Mustadrak Al-Hakim, the Prophet (PBUH) said that
Allah’s most loved believers are the ones who possess the best manners.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣1️⃣*
*❓Is it Possible to Eliminate Extra-Marital Relationships through the Punishments
Prescribed in Quran?*
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✅It is not just penal laws that find mention in the Qur’an. In fact, Islam views the
recourse to penal law only as a last resort. The Qur’an teaches that all
circumstances which can lead to extra-marital sexual affairs must first be removed.
All laws and regulations for that purpose are provided by the Qur’an. They can be
summarized as follows:
1. Men and women are to dress decently. As sight constitutes the prime motivation
of the sexual impulse in man, women are not to dress in such a fashion as to display
their beauty.
2. There should be nothing in society which is of a sexually provocative nature.
Indeed, in an Islamic society, cabarets, beauty contests and the like are never
permitted.
3. The unrestricted mingling of the sexes, which ultimately leads to adultery, must
be prevented.
4. The use of sex as a profession must be completely banned. For in an Islamic
society, prostitutes, call-girls, sex-bombs, nude models and the like are an
impossibility.
5. Men and women (excepting for the husband or any relative with whom marriage
has been prohibited) are not to travel together.
6. Men and women are not to converse freely except in the presence of another
person.
7. Unless they have become mates through the institution of marriage, men and
women are not to gaze at each other with lewed passion.
8. They are not to speak, or flirt, in a manner that evokes lust.
9. If a man comes with the offer of marriage, the guardians of the woman must
come forward to offer her in marriage to him if he is seen to be of a suitable person.
10. In the case of the men who cannot find contentment in a single woman, there is
also the provisions – albeit a conditional one – to marry more than one woman.

Firstly, the Qur’an seeks to remove all situations which serve to inflame sexual
passions and to promote crime of adultery. Secondly, it provides for an open
permission for the fulfillment of desires through recourse to a lawful procedure.
Even after this, those who opt for illegal means for the fulfillment of their desires
actually destroy the moral fabric of society as well as the family. Islam’s
prescription here is to award severe punishments in such cases.

Circumstances play not an insignificant role in tempting people to commit sin. In

actual terms, therefore, due to the transformation of the media and the market into
the promoters of sexual provocation and the current stand of the society in seeing
in extra-marital relationships nothing of a sinful nature, the attacks against women
have only risen to alarming heights.

What could be the reason for this? The shift in the position of the society as regards
to extra-marital affairs and the exploitation of feminine charms by the media and
the market have played out not a small part of their own in contributing to the rise
of atrocities against women. If such a state of affairs is to continue, even women
who lead decent lives will not be allowed to go about in peace.

This situation cannot exist in an Islamic society. For there can be no instance
wherein women cannot live free of the fear of losing their chastity. Indeed, in the
time of the Prophet very few people, whose number could be virtually counted by
the fingers of one’s hands, were punished for adultery. So was it during the reign of
the Caliphs. Although the way of the media and the influence of western culture
have all served to create much decadence, the low rate of crime even today in
countries where the Qur’anic penal laws are implemented highlights its
practicability through all ages.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Islamic Teachings on Kind Treatment of Wives*
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✅Almighty God instructs men to be nice to their wives and to treat them well to the
best of their ability: "…And live with them in kindness…" (Quran 4:19)

The Messenger of God said: "The most perfect of believers in belief is the best of
them in character. The best of you are those who are the best to their women." [Al-
Tirmidhi] The Prophet of Mercy tells us that a husband’s treatment of his wife
reflects a Muslim’s good character, which in turn is a reflection of the man’s faith.
How can a Muslim husband be good to his wife? He should smile, not hurt her
emotionally, treat her gently, and be patient with her.

Being nice includes good communication. A husband should be willing to open-up

and be willing to listen to his wife. Many times, a husband wants to air his
frustrations (like work). Still, he should not forget to ask her about what annoys her.
Communication, compromise, and consideration are the cornerstone of marriage.

Being nice includes encouraging one’s wife. The most meaningful admiration comes
from a sincere heart that notices what really matters - what the wife really values.
So, a husband should ask himself what she feels most insecure about and discover
what she values. That is the wife’s sweet spot of praise. The more the husband
compliments it, the more the wife will admire it, the more on target this healthy
habit will be.

Human beings are imperfect! The Messenger of God said, "A believing man should
not hate a believing woman. If he dislikes something in her character, he should be
pleased with some other trait of hers." [Saheeh Muslim] A man should not hate his
wife because if he dislikes something in her, he will find something he likes about
her if he gives it a chance. One way to be aware of what he likes in his wife is for
the husband to make a list of a half dozen things he appreciates about her.

Marriage experts recommend that one be as specific as possible and focus on

character traits - just as the Prophet of Islam recommended, not just what she does
for the husband. For example, a husband may appreciate the way she arranges his
clean laundry, but the underlying character trait may be that she is thoughtful. The
husband should consider admirable traits such as being compassionate, generous,
kind, devout, creative, elegant, honest, affectionate, gentle, optimistic, faithful,
confident, cheerful, and so on. It will help him be more aware of his wife’s good
attributes and far more likely to compliment them.

A companion asked the Prophet of God about the right of a wife over her husband.
He said, "That you feed her when you eat and clothe her when you clothe yourself
and do not strike her face. Do not malign her and do not keep apart from her,
except in the house." [Abu Dawud]

Conflict in marriage is virtually inevitable and it leads to lot of anger. Although

anger is one of the most difficult emotions to manage, the first step toward
controlling it can be learning how to forgive those who hurt us. Under no
circumstance, even when he is angry or somehow feels justified, is a husband
allowed to malign her by using hurtful words or cause her any injury.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Why Indian Muslims Want Only Muslim Personal Law; But Not Islamic Criminal
Law?*
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✅1. Muslim Personal Law:
Personal Law is a law concerning an individual person and the persons closely
related to him, e.g. laws relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. It includes
laws which are mutually agreed upon by a group of people. This law does not
include any crime or an act that will harm the society directly.

2. India is Secular and Democratic:

In any country, the Personal Law may differ for different groups of people and for
different communities. Since India is a secular and democratic country it allows
different groups of people to follow their own personal law if they wish.

3. Islamic Personal Law is the Best:

4. Criminal Law:
Criminal law is that law which is associated with a crime or an act which directly
affects the society e.g. robbing, raping, murdering, etc.

5. The Criminal Law should be the same for all people:

In any country, the criminal law unlike the Personal Law cannot be different for
different groups of people. It has to be same for all people of different groups and
different religions e.g. In Islam if a person robs, his hands are chopped off. This
punishment is not prescribed in Hinduism. If a Hindu robs a Muslim, what would be
the robber’s punishment? The Muslim would want the hands of the robber to be
chopped, while the Hindu Law would not agree.

6. The Muslims in India alone cannot separately follow the Islamic Criminal Law
without involving the Non-Muslims:
Even if a Muslim agrees, that as far as he commits a crime, he should be given the
punishment according to Islamic Criminal Law, it would not be practical. In case an
allegation is made against a Muslim for robbery and if the witnesses are Non-
Muslims, and if each one follows his own Criminal Law, the punishment in Islam for
bearing false witness is 80 lashes, whereas in the Indian Criminal Law, a person
giving false witness can easily escape. Thus, for a non-Muslim to falsely accuse a
Muslim of any crime is very easy, if both follow their own criminal law.
7. The Muslims in India would prefer the Islamic Criminal Law to be implemented on
all Indians:
We Muslims would prefer that in India the Islamic Criminal Law be implemented on
all the Indians, since death penalty for the rapist will surely reduce the rate of rapes
in India. Similarly, 80 lashes for giving false testimony will prevent a person from
giving false witness.

8. Islamic Criminal Law is Most Practical:

Islam besides pointing out a crime, it also gives you a solution showing how to
prevent the crime e.g. chopping the hands of a robber, death penalty for the rapist.
The punishment is so severe that it is a deterrent for the criminal to commit the
crime. He will think a hundred times before committing a crime.

Thus, if crime has to be reduced or stopped in India the best solution is to

implement ‘The Common Islamic Criminal Law’.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣4️⃣*
*❓Living with the Quran’s Values is Easy*
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✅Allah sent down the Qur'an as a guide to humanity and conveyed the simplest and
the best way to lead one's life. The verses give us the good news that Islam is easy
to practice: "Allah desires ease for you; He does not desire difficulty for you" (Surat
al-Baqara: 185).

The Qur'an is a clear admonition to people of all ages and cultures. However, some
people refer to unreliable sources, rather than the Qur'an, that cause them to
believe mistakenly that Islam is difficult. The basic reason behind this attitude is
their incomplete knowledge of Islam. However, the Qur'an was sent down so that
people could read it and take admonition. Almighty Allah also promises guidance to
the sincere servants who turn to Him.
Those who assert that the Qur'an is hard to understand, seek to prevent people
from reading it, turning to Allah, and living by its values. However, Allah states in
many parts of the Qur'an that it is easy to understand: “We have sent down Clear
Signs to you, and no one rejects them except the deviators.” (Quran 2:99)

Apart from the Qur'an, its judgments and practices are also very easy. The following
verse is self-explanatory: “We did not send down the Qur'an to you to make you
miserable, but only as a reminder for those who have fear.” (Surah Ta Ha: 2-3)

The Qur'an's morality is the only way of life that befits human nature. Allah, the
Creator of man from nothing, is the One Who best knows people's needs, the forms
of worship they can perform, and the ways that lead to a tranquil and peaceful life.
For this reason, Allah informs us that He does not impose upon people more than
they can bear: “Allah does not impose on any self any more than it can stand… Our
Lord do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake!... Our Lord do not place
upon us a load that we have not the strength to bear!…” (Quran 2:286)

Out of His infinite Mercy and Compassion for His servants, Allah gives a detailed
account of what type of life will give happiness, peace, and tranquility to people. For
instance, people are innately fond of love, respect, mercy, and compassion, and
expect such treatment from others. They avoid cruelty, evilness, and immorality,
and innately fear to be exposed to them. Such feelings and expectations are the
inspiration of Allah to a person's soul.

As this is how Allah created human nature, the type of life that complies with
Islam's morality is the life that offers the utmost pleasure to humanity. Allah states
this fact in Quran: “So set your face firmly toward the Religion, as a pure natural
believer, Allah's natural pattern on which He made humanity. There is no changing
Allah's creation. That is the true Religion - but most people do not know it.” (Surat
ar-Rum: 30)

The Qur'an states in several places that the religion described in the Qur'an is the
easiest one in many respects, as follows: “Allah desires ease for you; He does not
desire difficulty for you.” (Quran 2:185) “But as for him who has faith and acts
rightly, he will receive the best of rewards, and We will issue a command, making
things easy for him.” (Surat al-Kahf: 88). “We have made the Qur'an easy to
remember.” (Surat al-Qamar: 17)

The tradition of the Prophet (PBUH) is also easy to practice. The Prophet, who
adopted the Qur'an as his guide, said: "Facilitate (religious matters to people) and
do not make (things) difficult. Obey each other and do not differ (among
yourselves)." (Bukhari and Muslim).
All Muslims are responsible for presenting the easiness of Islam (which is its very
essence), reconciling people's hearts to the Qur'an and Islam, instructing people in
the Qur'an and the Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH), and making them the sole guide
of one's life.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣5️⃣*
*❓How the Code of Right Conduct Prescribed by Qur’an Becomes the Proof for its
Divinity?*
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✅Man is the only creature who has been facilitated with the ability to act
independently in his relationship with both nature and society. His actions can prove
to be useful and harmful as well. Other creatures follow the laws described by their
own genetic code and thereby attain to the object of their life. In contrast to this,
human has to follow certain laws and commandments for his very existence and
survival. It is certain, therefore, that conformation to these laws leads to his own
wellbeing while non-conformance to his own destruction.

Which are these laws and recommendations? Which are the commandments that
would serve to brighten up human life and existence? It was to instruct people in
these that the messengers were appointed. They presented before the people the
example of their own lives which had been cleansed owing to their conformance
with the divine commandments. In addition to this, the scripture that contained the
divine commandments were also revealed through them. It was these scriptures
and the messengers, who confronted the people with them, who provided a
faultless knowledge of good and evil.

Arrogance is the most despicable of satanic traits. It is from arrogance that

selfishness too finds its origins. Man is eminently capable of transforming
everything that surrounds him in such fashion that it suits his own interests. In the
case of most the religious scriptures too, this is what had happened. The prophets
interpreted the scripture according to divine revelations. Their successors ought to
have followed them loyally. However, the priests in most of religions rewrote the
religious laws and perverted the tradition of prophets to serve their own interests.
For this reason, today, we feel the laws and commandments described in most of
the religious books to be impracticable. The only exception for this is the Holy
Quran.

A code of law that will serve to civilize and to purify the minds of men and which is
practicable as well, can only be formulated by divine guidance. It is here that all
materialistic ideologies fail. They appear on the scene with solutions seemingly for
all the travails of mankind. Furthermore, their recommendation also will appear to
be perfect on paper. However, practically they all become mere idiosyncrasies. The
fact that is thus highlighted here is that, only the Creator of man is able to provide a
legislation that will serve to cleanse him and practicable as well.

It is because of this limitation that communism, which was seen as the hope of the
twentieth century, was forced to retire into the dust – bin of ideologies by the last
decade of that century itself. Those who seek to learn the lesson that emanates
from this fall will do well to appreciate the fact that no matter how strong the
theoretical foundations on which they are based, no philosophy of materialism can
ever hope to provide the lasting provision of guidance that may effectively cleanse
mankind.

Besides this, there is another reality that may also come in for appreciation. This is
the fact that the book which does provide for a wholly practicable legislation and
also cleanses humanity as well will be divine in itself. This is why it is said that the
provision of guidance of the Holy Qur’an constitute the very proof of its divine
nature. There is no difference of opinion over the fact that the legislations put
forward by the Qur’an serves to make men morally conscious and righteous
individuals. This is a reality that has been admitted even by the materialists as well.
If the obligation of a religious scripture is the guidance of humanity, then, is there
any other book that deserves to be called a religious scripture like the Qur’an.

Can Islam be prejudice to women, and yet appeal to women? Can Islam lower the
status of a woman and still have more women embracing it as their way of life than
men? According to an article written by Lucy Berrington in the Times Magazine
(London) dated 9th Nov. 1993: "It is even more ironic that most British converts
should be women, given the widespread view in the west that Islam treats women
poorly. In the United States, women converts outnumber men by four to one, and in
Britain make up the bulk of the estimated 10,000 to 20,000 converts, forming part
of a Muslim community of 1 to 1.5 million "

How Can the Case of those Women be Explained?!

Well, we can say that there are only one of two choices that one can decide upon.
Either all those women who choose Islam don't know what they are doing or that
they discovered Islam is not prejudice to them as others have yet to discover.

In the Noble Quran Allah says: "Mankind! We have created you from a male and a
female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.
Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is the believer who has piety
and loves Allah most. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (Quran 49:13) "I shall
not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in My way, be it man or woman;
each of you is equal to the other (3:195)"

On the light of those verses, Islam declares that it has not come to disadvantage
women, but in fact has been revealed to elevate women ever since 1400 years ago,
when women in many parts of the world and especially in the western societies
were considered objects that are owned and with little to no rights in the society
they live in.

Before any other religion or system in the world, Islam gave women the right to
inherit, the right to vote and voice her opinion, the right to trade invest and improve
herself financially, the right to own - buy and sell, the right to seek knowledge and
have a good education, the right to work, etc. Islam also oblige the males to take
care of her, to spend on her, to provide her with the food, clothing and shelter that
she needs, to provide her with a good education, to protect her from anything that
can harm her, etc.
Karima Slack, a former American feminist who converted to Islam says: "I thought
Islam oppressed women. Of course, I saw hijab as an oppressive tool imposed by
men rather than as an expression of self-respect and dignity. What I discovered in
my readings surprised me. Islam not only does not oppress women, but actually
liberates them, having given them rights in the 6th century that we have only
gained in this century in this country: the right to own property and wealth and to
maintain that in her name after marriage; the right to vote; and the right to
divorce."

US Navy petty officer, Heather Ramaha, a new convert to Islam says: "Islam gives
us Elevation; not Degradation". We can see hundreds of such women testimonies
regarding the beauty of Islam from those who converted to Islam from different
parts of the world.

Some people may rightly ask then, why some Muslim societies lack those values
today! The answer is very generic: every person can be a father; but if a father does
not turn out to be a good father, then it's not fatherhood that we would blame.
Similarly, Islam is a rule and order. A Muslim who does not act according to that rule
and order then by all means its not Islam that should carry the blame.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣7️⃣*
*❓Islamophobia and its Impacts*
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✅Islamophobia and Arabophobia has been part of western culture since the
Crusades, with Saddam and Osama only the latest in a long line of Arab bogeymen.
The real reason for the current spate of Islamophobia is the fact that Islam has been
the fastest growing religion in the world and as such poses a threat to the West.
This is happening inspite of widespread misconceptions and negative media
portrayed of Islam.
Prejudice against Islam in the West developed due to historic rivalry of Christianity
against Islam. The defeat of Christians by the Muslims in Crusades was a big shock
for the Christian world. These deep wounds are still so fresh in the Christian world
today that the parents, media, politicians and teachers feel it a duty to nurture the
feelings of prejudice against Islam in the hearts and minds of their young
generations.

Hostility towards Muslims is still a major problem and is not being taken seriously
enough by race relations bodies. According to Dr. Richard Stone, there is now
renewed talk of a clash of civilizations, a new global cold war, and mounting
concern that the already fragile foothold gained by Muslim communities in Britain is
threatened by ignorance and intolerance. According to John Gieve of the Home
office, Islamic extremism might be a ‘symptom of disaffection’.

The Western Orientalists have always tried to mispresent Islam in their writings.
They have always tried to spread baseless lies against Islam. They have called all
efforts to restore pure Islam in Muslim countries as “fundamentalist movements”
against modern-day material progress and economic development. Lacy O’Leary in
the book ‘Islam at the crossroad’ writes: “history makes it clear however, that the
legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the
point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd
myth that historians have ever repeated.”

Even Gandhi refuted the false propaganda, otherwise, one could not find even a
single Hindu or non-Muslim in the Indian sub-continent. India would be the largest
Muslim country in the world. In the 20th century new images emerged, the fanatical
terrorist, the stone-thrower and the suicide bomber. According to Lord Carey, there
was a deep-rooted Islamophobia in Britain. There is a worrying ignorance of Muslim
people and suspicion of their presence in the United Kingdom.

The truth is that, throughout the modern history, Muslims have contributed for the
Renaissance of Western culture and society. Islamic ideas helped shape the
European West that produced the values cherished by the constitution’s framers.
The bests of western culture are in fact based on Muslim culture. The aim of
education is to give the highest possible standard in order to advance spiritually,
emotionally, technologically and economically. The early Muslim knew this and they
were instrumental in giving the west much of the scientific knowledge that has once
helped it to thrive.

Bernard Shah once said that the future religion of the West would be Islam and only
Islam. Islamophobia is guiding Westerners towards that end. They study with open
mind the Holy Quran and Islamic literature and poetry. Islam is a force fighting
Imperialism. Read the greatest book of revolution: The Holy Quran. Meet the
greatest revolutionary of all times: Muhammad (PBUH). In America a great number
of universities, colleges and schools are offering Islamic Studies courses. Thus, in
fact Islamophobia is a blessing in disguise.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣8️⃣*
*❓Atheism Destroys Science and Human Progress*
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✅It might sound strange to say that atheism destroys science. However, while it
may seem to many that atheism leads to science and moral progress, the truth is
exactly the opposite. Rather than upholding science, atheism destroys the
foundations that underlie science; and far from promoting human progress, atheism
degrades humanity and inevitably leads to moral decay in society.

Muslims believe that God gave us rationality so that we could use it to study and
learn more about the world in which we live. Our belief that our minds and our
sense organs are a gift of God give us sufficient ground to trust it as being reliable
in giving us information about this wonderful universe which we are privileged to
call home.

However, an atheist cannot say the same thing. For suppose that we live in a world
that is merely a cosmic accident, and suppose – for the sake of argument – that the
material reality is all that exists and there is no spiritual dimension whatsoever.
Under this view, the mind is purely a material phenomenon and is directly
equivalent to the brain. There is no aspect whatsoever to the mind that is
immaterial under this view.

However, the brain is merely a conglomeration of nerves and chemicals. In a purely

physical, materialistic world, what we perceive as emotions, thoughts and feelings
are merely the result of chemicals firing around in our brain. Even our deepest
moral sentiments are simply the products of how our brain has been evolved to
think and perceive reality.
But if this is true, then how can the atheist say that his senses and rational powers
are capable of giving him an accurate depiction of reality? If the mind is simply a
physical organ that is determined to function and act in a particular way, then there
are no rational grounds for trusting your perception or your ability to reason.

After all, everything – in an atheistic worldview – is a cosmic accident and the way
your brain thinks and perceives something to be ‘rational’ or ‘logical’ or ‘reasonable’
is merely an accident as well. If evolution had taken a different path, then your
brain might not even have existed… or it would be operating in a different manner,
giving you a different perception of what you call ‘reality’.

Atheism & Morality:

The same thing holds true for morality. We all have basic moral instincts. From
Islamic point of view, God is perfect and He gives us a basic knowledge of what is
right and wrong. Thus, believers can say with conviction that certain things are
basically right and others are basically wrong.

But can the atheist say such a thing? Certainly, atheists have moral beliefs, but can
they justify those beliefs? After all, if there is no God and if materialistic naturalism
is true, then there are no objective moral principles. Whatever morality we might
have is purely subjective. Our mind is conditioned to think in a particular way
because of external accidental circumstances. Morality, in an atheistic worldview,
inevitably becomes either a psychological construct or a societal one.

On the former view, it is primarily evolution that conforms us to have certain moral
instincts – and, remember, there is no guarantee that evolution would have taken
the path it ultimately took! On the latter view, morality is primarily the result of
societal conditioning – we happen to live in a society that values liberty and
freedom; therefore, we have learned to value them as well. Had we lived in a
cannibalistic society we would have had different moral values.

The problem is not that atheists don’t have a sense of morality – they certainly do.
The problem, rather, is that their metaphysical worldview cripples them from having
an objective foundation for their morality.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣8️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Are the Islamic Rulings like ‘Murder for Murder’ Outdated (Barbaric)?*
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✅It is only natural for those who device their theories on the foundations of the
mythical idea that the murderer can be civilized by way of showering mercy upon
him, without even considering the plight of the one killed without reason and of the
problems of the family that becomes orphaned thereof and even the fissures that
develop in society, to feel that the laws in the Qur’an are impractical and barbaric.
However, we must realize that experience has shown the facts to lie contrary to the
results of their investigations.

The maximum sentence that may be inflicted for homicide in a modern-day court of
law is life imprisonment. Moreover, terms of life imprisonment usually end up being
a prison sentence of a few years. This again is applicable only for those who have
actually been sentenced. As for those with wealth and influence, how many, indeed,
are the cases which we hear of every day wherein such people are allowed to safely
escape the law or evade punishment.

What is the end result of the situation wherein nothing would transpire even if
anyone committed a murder? The incredible rise in crimes of homicide! A situation
in which the youth are prompted increasingly towards the commission of murder for
money and comfort! There are thousands of the living proofs against the arguments
of the criminologists that the criminals can be civilized by putting them in prison!

An altitude of sympathy towards the criminals can serve only to make criminals out
of more people. Indeed, the Qur’an has prescribed death in retaliation for murder on
the realization that a peaceful social life can become possible only if the
circumstances that may lead to crime are first removed and then by punishing
severely those that still harbour within themselves the perverted tendency for
crime: “O ye who believe! The law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of
murder: The free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman…”
(Qur’an 2:178)

This verse was revealed in such fashion that it struck at the very heart of the most
cruel norms of retributory justice which prevailed in Arabian society wherein blood
was constantly spilt over petty intertribal conflicts. The tradition that prevailed there
was not one in which the murderer was killed. Rather, it was their tradition to kill, in
retaliation, as many people from the tribe of the murderer as would be the
equivalent of the price of the murdered individual. The reverse of the situation could
also be the same. If a person of high rank in a tribe were to kill a lowly placed
individual from another tribe they had great misgivings about killing the murderer in
retaliation.

The Qur’an which put these customs to an end, had clearly indicated in the above
verse that retaliation was to be carried out on the person of the murderer alone.

Islam places a high price for human life. Indeed, one’s life was not meant to be
destroyed in the name of tribal conflicts, anger or revenge. The Qur’an makes it
very clear that: “…if any slew a person – unless if be for murder or for spreading
mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole humanity: and if anyone
saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (Qur’an 5:35)

The argument that “the death penalty is outdated” is baseless. In a society which
restrains from retaliations, there will occur a series of murders. A state of affairs
wherein none will be enabled in living a life free of fear will then manifest itself.
That’s what Qur’an said: “In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) life to you, O
people of understanding.” (Qur’an 2:179) The incidents happening around us are
attesting to the truth of this Qur’anic proclamation.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Pondering on the Signs of God*
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✅In the Qur’an, it is stated that the unbeliever is one who neither recognizes nor
appreciates the signs of God. The distinguishing mark of a believer is his ability to
see those signs and proofs. He knows that these are not created in vain, and can
realize the power and great art of God everywhere and find ways to revere Him.
“They are those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their
sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth (and pray), “Our
Lord! You have not created (all of) this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us
from the torment of the Fire.” (Quran 3:191)

At various points in the Qur’an, expressions like, “will you not take heed?”, “…there
is a sign for thinking men,” lay stress on the importance of pondering upon the
signs of God. God has created an endless list of subjects for reflection. Everything
we see and sense in the heavens and on the earth and in between is indeed a
manifestation of God’s creativity and, as such should be food for thought. One of
the verses gives the example of these divine blessing of God: “With it He produces
for you corn, olives, date palms, grapes and every kind of fruit: verily, in this is a
sign for those who give thought.” (Quran 16:11)

Let us think for a moment of one of the above-mentioned items: the date palm. The
tree grows up from a seed out of the earth. From this tiny seed (a seed is not even 1
cubic centimeter in size), arises an enormous wooden mass of 4-5 meters long and
hundreds of kilograms in weight. The only thing that the seed can use while
constituting this great mass is the earth in which it is buried.

How can a seed know how to form a tree? How can it “reason” to decompose the
necessary substances in the soil to create wood? How can it predict the required
shape and structure? This last question is especially important, because it is not an
ordinary wooden piece that emerges from the seed. It is a complex living organism
with roots for assimilating substances from the earth, with veins and with branches
that are perfectly organized. It’s very difficult for us to draw even a picture of a tree,
while on the contrary a simple seed can produce such an extremely complex object
by merely using the substances in the soil.

This observation concludes that a seed is extremely intelligent and wise, even more
so than we are. Or to be more precise, there is an amazing intelligence in what a
seed does. But what is the source of that intelligence? How can it be possible for a
seed to have such intelligence and memory?

No doubt, this question has a single answer: the seed is created by being endowed
with the ability to form a tree, that is, it is programmed so in advance. Every seed
on earth is encompassed by God and grows within His knowledge. Quran says:
“With Him are the keys of the unseen - no one knows them except Him. And He
knows what is in the land and sea. Not even a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a
grain in the darkness of the earth or anything -green or dry- but is (written) in a
perfect Record. (Quran 6:59)

It is God who creates the seed and causes it to spring forth as a new plant. Quran
said: “Truly it is Allah Who causes the grain and the fruit-kernel to sprout. He brings
forth the living from the dead and brings forth the dead from the living.” (Quran
6:95) The seed is merely one of the numerous signs that God has created in the
universe. If men begin to think not only with their minds but also with their hearts,
and ask of themselves, the questions “why” and “how”, they will be able to
understand that entire universe is the proof of the existence and power of God.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣1️⃣*
*❓The Importance of Justice in Islam*
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✅The Holy Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam, considers justice to be a supreme
virtue. It is a basic objective of Islam to the degree that it stands next in order of
priority to belief in God’s exclusive right to be worshipped (Tawheed) and the truth
of Muhammad’s prophethood. God declares in the Quran: “God commands justice
and fair dealing...” (Quran 16:90). And in another passage: “O you who believe, be
upright for God, and (be) bearers of witness with justice!…” (Quran 5:8).

Therefore, one may conclude that justice is an obligation of Islam and injustice is
forbidden. The centrality of justice to the Quranic value system is displayed by the
following verse: “We sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them
the Book and the Measure in order to establish justice among the people…” (Quran
57:25)

*Equality in Justice:*
God spoke to His Messenger in this manner: “O My slaves, I have forbidden injustice
for Myself and forbade it also for you. So avoid being unjust to one another.”
(Saheeh Muslim).

The Quranic standards of justice transcend considerations of race, religion, color,

and creed, as Muslims are commanded to be just to their friends and foes alike, and
to be just at all levels, as the Quran puts it: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for
justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, and
your relatives, or whether it is against the rich or the poor…” (Quran 4:135)
*Justice to Even Disbelievers:*
With regards to relations with non-Muslims, the Quran further states: “God does not
forbid you from doing good and being just to those who have neither fought you
over your faith nor evicted you from your homes…” (Quran 60:8)

The scholars of the Quran have concluded that these rulings apply to all nations,
followers of all faiths, as a matter of fact to all humanity. According to another
Quranic passage: “Let not the hatred of a people swerve you away from justice. Be
just, for this is closest to righteousness…” (Quran 5:8)

Justice & Prophet:

In the view of the Quran, justice is an obligation. That is why the Prophet was told:
“…If you judge, judge between them with justice…” (Quran 5:42). “We have
revealed to you the scripture with the truth that you may judge between people by
what God has taught you.” (Quran 4:105)

The Quran views itself as a scripture devoted mainly to laying down the principles of
faith and justice. The Quran demands that justice be met for all, and that it is an
inherent right of all human beings under Islamic Law. The timeless commitment of
the Quran to the basic standards of justice is found in its declaration: “And the Word
of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His Words.”
(Quran 6:115)

Justice and the Self:

The Quranic concept of justice also extends justice to being a personal virtue, and
one of the standards of moral excellence that a believer is encouraged to attain as
part of his God-consciousness. God says: “…Be just, for it is closest to God-
consciousness…” (Quran 5:8). The Quran tells the believers: “…When you speak,
speak with justice, even if it is against someone close to you…” (Quran 6:152)

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💐For those who would like to know more about Islam:
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Click here to Return to the Topics List
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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣2️⃣*
*❓Can a ‘Good Muslim’ Be a ‘Bad Person’?*
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✅This article addresses the misconception that religious worship is separate from
moral character, or that someone can be a ‘good Muslim’ but a ‘bad person.’ Faith
in Islam, as described in the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions, consists of not only a
theological creed but also a set of character dispositions. The five pillars of Islam,
which are the religion’s core rituals of worship, all contain moral dimensions that
inform both a believer’s relationship to their Creator and to other created beings. It
is a categorical error, then, to claim someone can simultaneously be a ‘good
Muslim’ and a ‘bad person’ because a good Muslim believer should be a good
person.

Aligning Faith and Character:

It is common in modern secular society to hear the argument that people do not
need God, religion, or revelation to be “good,” to recognize moral values, and be
productive members of society. It is true, in a limited sense, that people have
access to moral knowledge even without divine revelation. Every person is born
with a God-given conscience or instinct (al-fitrah) that naturally recognizes the
moral truths manifesting from the Attributes of Allah, such as love, compassion,
justice, and beauty. The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, “Righteousness is good character and sin
is what disturbs your heart and you hate for people to find out about it.” (Sahih
Muslim)

But being good solely on the basis of personal conscience or philosophy is a

precarious position to be in. It lacks a metaphysical understanding of reality to
ground its ethics and hold it in place when our moral values are put to the test. Put
simply, if there is no God to judge us, if there is no divine law to guide us, our moral
prescriptions are merely preferences, and preferences can be discarded the
moment they become inconvenient.

Rulers like Pharaoh, who do not really believe they are held accountable to God,
inevitably devolve into the most notorious of tyrants. Perhaps the most notable
example of 20th-century godless despotism was the murderous Communist regime
which subjected the Soviet public to virulently atheistic propaganda on the streets
and in the workplace. Joseph Stalin certainly did not believe he would stand before
God on the Day of Judgment to take responsibility for the millions of souls who died
by his command.

Religious people commit atrocities too, some will argue, and it is indeed true. Islam,
however, does not separate religion from morality as some people misunderstand.
One cannot be a ‘good Muslim’ and a ‘bad person’ at the same time, because
worship and character are two sides of the same coin. The use and abuse of religion
for evil ends is definitely a reality, but it does not represent the true expression of
faith. Rather, it is hypocrisy which Allah has condemned in the Qur’an: “Among
people are those who say, ‘We have faith in Allah and the Last Day,’ but they are
not truly believers. They try to deceive Allah and the believers, but they deceive
none but themselves, while they do not perceive it…” (Quran 2:8-10)

*Summary:*
Faith in Islam is a comprehensive way of life, consisting of outward and inward
dimensions, ritual and creed, spirituality and morality. It cannot properly be reduced
to outward rituals without any practical moral implications in daily life. The five
pillars of Islam are all concrete, tangible markers of faith not only as it appears on
the outside, but perhaps more importantly how it manifests on the inside, how it
purifies our hearts and refines our characters in a way that benefits the lives of all
those around us. Thus, a good Muslim must necessarily by definition be a good
person; anything less is the fault of our own human weaknesses and not the
revealed religion.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣3️⃣*
*❓Prophet Muhammed’s (‫ )ﷺ‬Kindness to Animals*
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✅The word ‘Islam’ is derived from ‘salama’ which means peace. Islam is a way of life
that promotes peace, dignity, respect, tolerance, justice, and mercy and all of these
qualities are tempered with serenity that comes from submission to God. Perhaps
the greatest of these qualities is mercy. It is one of the overriding themes
throughout the Quran.

Mercy is that ethereal quality that embodies gentleness, piety, care, consideration,
love, and forgiveness. When these qualities are observable in this world, they are a
mere reflection of God’s mercy towards His creation. God said clearly that Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬was a mercy for all of creation, not just his family and friends or the
Arab nation, and not for human beings alone: “And We have sent you O Muhammad
not but as a mercy for all of humankind, jinn, and all that exists.” (Quran 21:107)

Prophet Muhammad was the embodiment of mercy, he showed compassion to all

those around him, family, orphans, friends, strangers and even enemies. He also
treated the environment and animals with respect and mercy. He taught his
followers that because animals were part of God’s creation, they should be treated
with dignity and due care.

The traditions of Prophet Muhammad remind us that humankind was put on this
earth to be the custodian of God’s creation. Treating animals with kindness and
mercy is just one of the responsibilities embedded in that custodianship. Prophet’s
words and behavior make it clear: “If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow
will cry out on the Day of Judgment, “O Lord! That person killed me in vain! He did
not kill me for any useful purpose.” (An-Nasai)

Islam expects humankind to treat all animals with respect and dignity. Prophet
Muhammad continuously advised people to show kindness. He forbade the practice
of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of
keeping horses saddled unnecessarily. (Sahih Muslim). If Prophet sees any animal
over-burdened or ill fed, he speaks mildly to the owner and say: “Fear God in your
treatment of animals.” (Abu Dawood)

However, refraining from physical cruelty is not enough; abstaining from mental
cruelty is equally as important. Even a bird’s emotional distress should be treated
seriously. One of Prophet Muhammad’s companions narrates, “We were on a
journey and during the Prophet’s absence, we saw a bird with its two chicks; we
took them. When Prophet returned, he said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird
by taking its chicks? Return them to her.” (Sahih Muslim)

In pre-Islamic times, pagan superstitions and polytheistic practices included acts of

torture and cruelty to animals. Islam condemned this and put a stop to all such
practices.

In Islam, the rules pertaining to slaughtering animals are very strict. Protecting
animals from pain and undue suffering is paramount: “God has ordained kindness
(and excellence) in everything. If the killing (of animals) is to be done, do it in the
best manner, and when you slaughter, do it in the best manner by first sharpening
the knife, and putting the animal at ease.” (Sahih Muslim)

Humankind must strike a balance in their treatment of animals. All living creatures
were put on this earth by God for our benefit. They are not at the same level as
human beings, but neither should they be treated cruelly. It is human’s
responsibility to provide them with food, water, and shelter. Living creatures must
not be overburdened, abused, or tortured and doing so will surely result in God’s
just punishment. A true believer in God demonstrates his belief by respecting the
entire creation, and Prophet Muhammad’s character and actions are a shining
example of respect for all that exists.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣4️⃣*
*❓The Truth Behind Prophet’s Marriage to Aisha*
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✅An Orientalist W. Montgomery Watt had written, “Of all the world’s great men,
none has been so much maligned as Muhammad.” Among other slanders, critics
find it objectionable that Prophet’s beloved wife Aisha was just six years old when
she was engaged to Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬, when he himself was in his 50s, and
she was only nine when the marriage was consummated.

Since these criticisms are recurring ones among the critics of Islam, the matter
deserves close scrutiny.

It may be true that most Muslims would not consider marrying off their nine-year-
old daughters today. However, in Islam, girls and boys can be married off once they
enter puberty. And we can also see similar marriages at younger ages in different
societies and cultures all over the world in previous eras.

Although, the Bible doesn't explicitly tell the age of Mary when she conceived Jesus,
scholars say that she must have been between the ages of 12–16 years old, as it
was the common Jewish norm during those days for a woman to be betrothed to a
man, as early as even 12. According to an article published in ‘The Wire’ and ‘The
Guardian’, five centuries after Prophet’s marriage to Aisha, 33-year-old King John of
England married 12-year-old Isabella of Angouleme.
These examples prove that Aisha may have been young, but she was not younger
than was the norm at the time. She had already been mature enough by the
standards of her society to consider for marriage.

The portrayal of Prophet Muhammad by Islamophobes, based on his marriage to

Aisha or him having 9 wives, ignored the fact that before his marriage to Aisha,
Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬had been married to Khadija, who was 15 years elder to
him. And he was with Khadija alone for 25 years. But when she passed away, he
was devastated, and his companions encouraged him to remarry. Only after that he
married Aisha; the daughter of his close friend, Abu Bakr, who was the first man to
accept Islam.

Another fact the critics ignore is that all the wives of Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬were
widows except Aisha. To consider the marriages of the Prophet(‫ )ﷺ‬outside of these
calculations is profoundly dishonest.

Islamophobes paint Aisha as a victim, but the records are clear on this that Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬and Aisha had a loving and egalitarian relationship. The instances
that they liked to drink out of the same cup or race one another, are indicative of a
deep connection which belies any misrepresentation of their relationship.

Islamophobes manipulate Aisha’s story to justify the abuse of young girls and to
depict Islam as a religion that legitimizes such abuse. But the gulf between her true
legacy and her depiction in Islamophobic materials is not merely historically
inaccurate, but it is an insult to the memory of a pioneering woman and the
greatest man on earth who married widows to provide support to them.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣5️⃣*
*❓The Importance of Balance in Life*
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✅Many people think that, to follow Islam, we must stay away from all worldly desires
and needs! Most of us believe that if we have to be religious and pious, we must
avoid all worldly requirements and wishes! There is a misunderstanding that Islam
is tough and a difficult religion to follow. In fact, Islam is not an ascetic religion that
expects its followers to abandon the world and worship the God all day and night in
a cave.

Instead, Islam forbids such tendency in behavior and encourages people to interact
with society and live normal lives within the boundaries set by Almighty Allah.
Perhaps most of the people avoid meeting friends, relatives, and neighbors,
because they believe that if they indulge in meeting people, they will not be able to
perform their religious duties well.

Since Islam is a simple and straight forward religion, it gives emphasis to all
believers to live a simple and humble life as well. We are never asked to do
something beyond our capacity, we are never asked to give up our genuine worldly
desires, abilities, social lives, or money, we are never asked to pray all day and
night or fast the whole year… In fact, such things are prohibited.

Islam emphasizes that we live a balanced life in this world, fulfilling our obligations
and duties to our Creator as well as our responsibilities towards society and even
our own selves. Thus, Islam obliges us to worship the Creator only, to be good to the
rest of the creation, never harm others, stay away from all types of prohibited
matters and have honest character and personality.

If we see through Islamic point of view, every act we do whether big or small are
counted in our good deeds, like serving the family, bringing up kids, cooking,
cleaning, visiting relatives and neighbors, helping the needy, visiting the sick, even
a smile is a charity to be rewarded by Allah. Obviously, Islam guides us to worship
the Creator only, pray five times a day, fast one month a year, give 2.5% of our
excess wealth in charity, make Hajj once in lifetime and keep away from all
forbidden acts. None of these is beyond human capability.

In fact, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬resisted any tendency towards religious excessiveness. He

once said to his companion Abdullah ibn Amr: “Have I heard right that you fast
every day and stand in prayer all night?” Abdullah replied: “Yes, O Messenger of
Allah”. The Prophet said: “Do not do that. Fast, as well as, eat and drink. Stand in
prayer, as well as sleep. This is because your body has a right upon you, your eyes
have a right upon you, your wife has a right upon you, and your guest has a right
upon you.” (Al-Bukhari, 127)

Allah not only wants us to enjoy ourselves in the Hereafter but also in this world. He
mentions in the Quran to pray for both, this world and hereafter: “Our Lord, give us
what is good in this world and also what is good in the Hereafter” (Quran 2:201)
Furthermore He says: “O you who believe! Make not unlawful the good things Allah
has made lawful to you. But commit no excess, for Allah does not like those given to
excess…” (Quran 5:87-88).

The most significant aspect of Islam is that it is a religion that is concerned with
both this life as well as the hereafter. Islam is about moderation in each and every
affair whether religious or otherwise.

Allah has formed a natural equilibrium amid what is easy to follow for humans and
what is the minimal obligation needed to be a morally, ethically, and spiritually
pious person. Thus, the true believers must be careful that their acts are within the
framework set by Allah, and the essence of message in Islam is to lead a life in
balance avoiding excessiveness and recklessness. This is very much practical,
simple, and rewarding too.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣6️⃣*
*❓Taqiyya: Are Muslims Allowed to Lie for Islam?*
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✅Taqiyya comes from the root word meaning “to be cautious, to guard.” When a
Muslim’s life is being threatened, it is permissible to deny Allah and His Messenger if
that will save his life or protect him from harm. Such permission was necessary at
the time when Muslims were being persecuted, tortured, and killed simply for being
a Muslim. Muslims are never allowed to lie for political or religious reasons, but
rather only for security reasons.

Allah said: “Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief, except for one who is
forced to renounce his religion while his heart is secure in faith, but those who
willingly open their hearts to unbelief, upon them is wrath from Allah and for them is
a great punishment.” (Quran 16:106)
Ibn Kathir comments on this verse, saying: “This is an exception in the case of one
who utters statements of unbelief and verbally agrees with the disbelievers because
he is forced to do so by their beatings and abuse to which he is subjected, but his
heart refuses to accept what he is saying, while he is in reality at peace with his
faith in Allah and His Messenger.” (Tafseer Ibn Kathir 16:106)

It is only in these specific circumstances, in which a Muslim faces harm and

persecution, that he or she is allowed to lie in self-defense. The general rule is that
a Muslim should always speak the truth and be just, even when truth and justice are
not in favor of the Muslims.

Allah said: “O you who believe, be persistently standing firm in justice as witnesses
for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether one
is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. Follow not your desires, lest you not be
just, and if you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, then Allah is aware of
what you do.” (Quran 4:135) And Allah said: “O you who believe, fear Allah and be
with those who are truthful.” (Quran 9:119)

The Prophet told us that truthfulness leads to Paradise and falsehood leads to
Hellfire. If a Muslim continues to lie and cheat, then Allah will record him as a liar
and punish him on the Day of Judgment. (Sahih Muslim 2607)

As for the Prophet’s statement, “War is deceit,” he said this in the context of a
battle in which he intended to misdirect enemy troops. (Abu Dawud 2637). This is
not lying for political reasons, but rather for security reasons. It is employing the
same classical military tactics used by armies for centuries.

However, this deception is only allowed in Islam during a declared state of war. It is
a major sin for a Muslim to act treacherously or deceptively regarding covenants,
peace treaties, promises, and agreements. Ibn Umar reported: The Prophet
Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Then Allah gathers together the earlier and later generations
on the Day of Resurrection, He will raise a banner for every treacherous person, and
it will be announced that this is the treachery of so-and-so the son of so-and-so.”
(Sahih Muslim 1735)

This even applies when treachery would result in a military advantage for the
Muslims. The companions of the Prophet strictly avoided treachery and dishonesty
even at the expense of military or political gains. (At-Tirmidhi 1580)

As we can see, Muslims are only allowed to lie if it is necessary to protect

themselves from persecution. The general rule is that a Muslim must always speak
the truth even if it goes against himself, his family, or his community. Moreover, the
permission for deception during a state of war is universally consistent with military
tactics used by armies since antiquity unto the present, but deception in violation of
peace treaties, covenants, and agreements is strictly forbidden in every
circumstance.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣7️⃣*
*❓The Message of Islam: The Creator and His Creations*
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✅Since the total submission of one’s will to Almighty Creator represents the essence
of worship, the basic message of Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the
avoidance of worship directed to any person, place, or thing other than Allah.

Since everything other than the Almighty Creator are His creations, it may be said
that Islam in essence calls man away from the worship of creations and invites him
to worship only their Creator. He is the only one deserving man’s worship as it is
only by His will that prayers are answered. If man prays to a tree and his prayers
are answered, it was not the tree that answered his prayers but Allah who allowed
the circumstances prayed for to take place.

One might say, “That is obvious,” however, to tree-worshippers it might not

Similarly, prayers to Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Saints or even to Muhammad, are not
answered by them but are answered by Allah. Even Jesus did not tell his followers to
worship him but to worship Allah (Quran 5:116); nor did he worship himself when he
worshipped but rather, he worshipped Allah. This basic principle is enshrined in the
opening chapter of the Qur’an: “You alone do we worship and from you alone do we
seek help.” (Quran 1:5)

It is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that Allah and His creation are
distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His creation or a part of it, nor is His
creation Him or a part of Him. This might seem obvious, but man’s worship of
creation instead of the Creator is to a large degree based on ignorance of this
concept.
It is the belief that the essence of Allah is everywhere in His creation or that His
divine being is or was present in some aspects of His creation, which has provided
justification for the worship of creation though such worship may be called the
worship of Allah through his creation. However, the message of Islam as brought by
the prophets of Allah is to worship only Allah and to avoid the worship of his
creation either directly or indirectly. In the Qur’an Allah clearly states: “For We
assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), ‘worship
me, and avoid false gods’”. (Quran 16:36)

*Idol-Worshippers*
When the idol worshipper is questioned as to why he or she bows down to idols
created by men, the invariable reply is that they are not actually worshiping the
stone image, but the Almighty God who is present within it. They claim that the
stone idol is only a focal point for Allah’s essence and is not in itself Allah! However,
the one who understands the basic message of Islam and its implications would not
ever concede to idolatry no matter how it is rationalized.

Those who have claimed divinity for themselves down through the ages have often
based their claims on the mistaken belief that Allah is present in man. They merely
had to assert that although Allah according to their false beliefs, is in all of us, He is
more present in them than in the rest of us. Hence, they claim, we should submit
our will to them and worship them as they are either God in person or God
concentrated within the person. Similarly, those who have asserted the goodness of
others after their passing have found fertile ground those who accept the false
belief of God’s presence in man.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣8️⃣*
*❓How does Islam View the Belief that Jesus is the Son of God?*
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✅The Qur'an strongly rejects and criticizes the claim of the son of God: "The Jews
say, “Ezra is the son of Allah,” while the Christians say, “The Messiah is the son of
Allah.” Such are their baseless assertions, only parroting the words of earlier
disbelievers. May Allah condemn them! How can they be deluded ‘from the truth’?"
(Quran 9:30)

"O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah
except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah
and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from
Him. So, believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is
better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To
Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient
is Allah as Disposer of affairs." (Quran 4:171)

The truth is that the words of Christ in the Bible also don’t agree the son of God
concept, which is denied by the Qur'an. There is no biblical text that states that
Christ claimed to be divine. It is often argued that he had divinity because he
described himself as the son of God and did not discourage his disciples from calling
him that. When the Bible addresses the 'Son of God', it only refers to a man
specially appointed by God. Paul writes that "For all who are led by the Spirit of God
are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

Was Jesus the Only Begotten Son of God?

It can be seen that the 'Son of God' method of addressing has existed since the Old
Testament. Jacob, Solomon, Ephraim and David are all sons of God in the language
of the Old Testament: "The Lord says: Israel is my son. My firstborn.” (Exodus 4:22).
"I will be father to him (Solomon), and he will be son to me." (Samuel 7:14) “I am a
father to Israel. And Ephraim is my firstborn.” (Jeremiah 31:9) “You (David) are my
son; Today I gave birth to you.” (Psalm 2:7). So, we can conclude that Jesus is not
the only begotten son of God.

The New Testament says that all who believe in Christ are sons of God. John writes.
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right
to become children of God" (John 1:12).

*Is Jesus the Son of God Since He was Born without Father?*
It is argued that Jesus Christ is the son of God because he was born without a
father. If so, Adam, who was born without a father and mother, is more worthy son
of God than Jesus! And, the Bible calls Adam also as the son of God in Luke 3:38. So,
the truth is that Jesus and Adam do not differ in God’s sight. They were a mere
creation of God. The Holy Qur’an also says the same: “Verily, similitude of Jesus
with God is as the similitude of Adam; He created him out of dust then said He unto
him ‘be’, and he became.” (Quran 3:59).
*Who Was Jesus If Not the Literal Son of God?*
According to the Bible in Matthew 21:11 “And the multitude said, this is Jesus the
Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” This was Jesus. He was a prophet of God. He was
sent like other prophets to deliver the message of his One and only One God (glory
be to Him). The Bible also says in John 5:30 “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I
hear, I judge; and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the
will of the Father which hath sent me.” These are the true characteristics of a
prophet. They do as they are commanded.

References to Christ as 'Son of God' are rare in the Gospels. This usage is found
mostly in Paul's epistles. In the Gospels, Jesus is referred to as 'Son of Man' 63
times, and only human 73 times. The bottom line is that the Bible's words confirm
the Qur'anic text that God has no son, and that Jesus Christ is only a great Prophet.

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*🌹Understand Islam 3️⃣9️⃣9️⃣*
*❓Did the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬Contemplate Suicide After his First Encounter with Jibreel?*
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✅The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬first received the revelation at the mountain then the revelation
was intermitted for a few days. The Prophet was yearning for the revelation, so he
used to go to the same place where he received the first revelation; i.e. the
mountain. Some narrations considered this kind of going back and forth to the
mountain as a sign of willing to commit suicide and so included a non-authentic part
arguing for this concept; others regarded it as a sign of yearning to the source of
revelation.

It is narrated in Bukhari from Zuhri on the authority of Aisha (ra): "Divine Inspiration
was also intermitted for a while and the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬became so sad -as we have
been told- he intended several times to throw himself from the tops of high
mountains. Every time he went up the top of a mountain in order to throw himself
down, Gabriel would appear before him and say, "O Muhammad! You are indeed
Allah's Messenger in truth" whereupon his heart would become quiet and he would
calm down and would return home…" (Bukhari 6982)

There are similar narrations also in Ahmed Vol. 43, pp. 113-114, Musanaf Abd ar-
Razaq 9719, Abu Na'eem, Bayhaqi, Tabaqat Ibn Saad, etc

The Deficiency of Chain of Narrators:

All the Hadiths mentioned this part of the Prophet's contemplation of suicide is
either weak or fabricated, but the hadith mentioned in Bukhari is the one to be
considered.

This part of Hadith in Bukhari is not soundly attributed to Aisha (ra) who narrated
the entire narration, rather Bukhari narrated in the hadith the comment of the
narrator, 'as we have been told'. This is the statement of Zuhri who actually did not
attend the event (since he was born later), therefore he must appoint a
contemporary source for his narration. This kind of unattributed narrations in Hadith
is considered weak because it is not attributed directly to the companion or its
narrator who is not known. In such narrations, scholars could not know the attribute
if this narrator; whether he is a liar, weak, good memorizer or otherwise; therefore,
they don't accept.

The Deficiency of Text:

This weak addition of hadith is not mentioned in the other sound hadiths narrated in
Bukhari 4953, 3; Sahih Muslim 160 a, and others. Thus these narrations' texts are
contradicting with other authentic narrations. All the other narrations state; when
the revelation was intermitted, the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬used to frequently visit the
mountain where he received the first revelation.

Some narrator misunderstood the action and wrongly thought he was trying to
commit suicide. In fact, the intention of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬to suicide is unknowing to
the outsiders except if he expressed it. In the sound narration we have, there is no
such thing.

Considering the Hadith as Correct for the Sake of Argument:

If we considered this part of narration as correct, we can't find any problem with it,
especially because God prevented that to happen. It was an ordinary human
reaction of such dejection which is really hard for a human to overstep. In addition,
the confusion of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬regarding what he experienced is an effective
factor in understanding the issue. The concept also does not underestimate the
status of the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬because he only contemplated, and he did not commit.
*Conclusion:*
The Hadiths mention this concept is either weak or fabricated. There is a narration
in Bukhari states the concept of contemplating suicide, but it is not attributed
directly to the narrator of the companion, and thus the scholars of Hadith criticism
consider this hadith as weak. Moreover, although the hadith is not authentic, it does
not underestimate the status of the Prophet Muhammed (‫)ﷺ‬.

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*🌹Understand Islam 4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣*
*❓Faith in Oneness of God for Redemption in the Hereafter*
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✅Unity or Oneness of God is a concept dealing with the belief in only one God and
the worship and service to Him without associating any partner to Him. It is
considered the basic belief of Islam. But a large section of humankind belonging to
other religions also believes in the unity of God. For example, people professing
Judaism, Sikhism, Ahmadism and Vaishnavism also believe in the unity of God.
Moreover, some people say that there is a Supreme Being called God Who is The
Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer of the universe. They say, we believe in Him for
our redemption in the Hereafter. Will these people belonging to other religions than
Islam attain redemption in the Hereafter?

Islam is the religion that deals with the idea of prophethood. The prophet is a man
who receives the messages of God and delivers them to the people faithfully so as
to guide people how to believe in one God and worship and serve Him alone.

Almighty God sent many prophets with Holy Books (divine law) right from the first
prophet Adam to the last prophet Muhammad (PBUH) so as to teach and guide their
respective peoples how to believe in God and worship and serve Him in accordance
with the teachings of those holy Books brought by them for their success in both the
worlds, this and the Hereafter. This is called ‘Ibadat’ (worship and service to Allah)
in Islam for which Almighty God has created the humankind (Quran 51:56).
It is the matter of regret that the holy Books revealed prior to the advent of Prophet
Muhammad were distorted, transmuted, and adulterated by the enemies of religion
as stated in the Holy Quran (2:79, 3:78 & 5:66), resulting in the loss of their original
texts. Now these holy Books cannot be found in their original texts and languages
but in their translated and revised versions. Hence, Allah has rescinded and
replaced them by the Holy Qur’an as the last and final guidance for the mankind
revealed to the last and final prophet, Muhammad.

Allah has also assured the protection of the text of the holy Qur’an against
corruption and distortion (Quran 15:9, 56:77-78). There are numerous persons in
the world who memorize the Holy Qur’an and preserve it in their hearts since early
Islam to this day. No scripture except the Holy Qur’an is fully memorized and
preserved in the human heart. In fact, it is the ‘Living Miracle’ of the holy Qur’an.
Consequently, the holy Qur’an still exists in its original text as it was revealed and
will continue to exist in its original form till the Day of Resurrection!

However, Islam teaches that now people are obligated to accept the unity of God
based on the teachings of the holy Qur’an so as to believe in One God and to
worship and serve Him alone for their redemption in the Hereafter. This is called the
faith or religion of Islam. When a man thus believes in the unity, or oneness, of God,
he is required to declare his faith: “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His
Prophet”. This signifies that he believes in God and worships and serves Him alone
according to the divine law (Quran) revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

Conversely, if a person believes in the unity of God not based on the holy Qur’an
but on the distorted earlier holy Books or on man-made laws, it would be considered
disbelief making him/her disqualified for redemption in the Hereafter. On several
occasions, the Prophet said: “Those who know me as the Prophet of Allah but deny
my teaching, will surely be consigned to the Hell-fire in the Hereafter”.

We will continue the series with the answers for your questions, the refutations for
the common criticisms, and with the topics which were not covered so far.

We will share the whole 400 parts of the series as a *Word/PDF Document* soon.

51. What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?

101. What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?

151. What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?

201. What is the Purpose of Life?

251. An Invitation to the Truth

301. How Do We Know God Exists? - Part1

351. Is Hinduism the Oldest and Therefore the Best Religion?

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Please find the below documents for the 400 parts of *’Understand Islam’* series👇

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Dear Friend,
How much time we spent for our education to make this life better? How much
efforts we put to make our future more comfortable? How much money we spend to
make our life secure? How much safety measures we take just while buying a car?
But did you ever spend time to seek the real meaning of our life? Do you know
what’s the real purpose of human life? Are we born just by a chance, without any
purpose? Is our life just a rat racing game? Are we here just to fight with others,
defeat them and celebrate those moments?...

Did you ever think the countless blessings we received in our life? Though millions
of starving people are around us, most of us are in good position today in life. We
have better education, enough wealth, good family, and all the facilities for an
enjoyable life. Some people are even blessed here with extreme richness, beauty,
brilliance, power and position in the society.

Do you believe whatever you achieved are the outcomes of your efforts? Do you
think others are backward just because of their laziness? Do you believe God
Almighty will simply put some people in luxury while others in trouble, without a
purpose?

Dear friend, do you think all the pleasures you enjoy today are eternal? Did you
ever imagine what will be your state if you meet with an accident tomorrow? It
doesn’t matter whatever precautions we take; once our turn comes, death will
surely catch us even if we are at the safest place of the world.

Just think how trivial the human life is! If whatever we learned and earned for years
are going to be wiped out in a fraction of a second and terminates our life abruptly,
don’t you think then our life is absolutely a meaningless one? Don’t you desire the
peace and justice to be implemented in the world? Don’t you wish the right doers to
be rewarded and the evil people to be punished for their deeds in this life? But we
know, it is not always the case, moreover not possible in this life.

We know this world is not just! People are treated differently here. While hundreds
of criminals are sitting in the parliament, thousands of innocent people are getting
brutally tortured and murdered unfairly around us.

Dear friend, God Almighty has created us all. He is All-knowing and Powerful. If He
has left this life unevenly and imperfect, surely there should be a purpose behind it!
See what God Himself says: “And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all
that is between them, for mere play. We created them to examine and test those
who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient
ones and punish the disobedient ones, but most of them know not” (Quran 44:38).

Islam says this life is nothing but a test, and the test is nothing but whether we are
willing to live according to the directions of our Creator or not. So, our only duty in
this life is to admit the Almighty God, our Creator, and follow His instructions in
every aspects of our life.

When we work in a company, the first thing we should do is to recognize and admit
our manager; without which we don’t even understand our responsibilities.
Similarly, without realizing and admitting our Creator, how can we follow His
directions?

BTW, Islam does not say that one should live simple life to the extent that it goes
back to Stone Age, rather it only stresses on having a modest life so that the greed
and lust of getting more and more may not make one to forget about his real life,
i.e. hereafter.

Some may think that if we just do some good deeds, we will be saved in the
afterlife. But how we know what are good and what are bad? Something good in my
view may be bad for others! God Almighty has created us, He Himself described
about all the righteousness, evils, and the way we should live to achieve His
pleasure and salvation in the hereafter. So, there is no choice for us to deny the All-
Knowing Creator and define our own way for life.

Dear friend, our life is incomplete without a life after death. Don’t you wish a fair
judgement for our deeds whether good or bad? Moreover, do you think it’s difficult
for the One who created us first time from an ‘invisible drop’ to create us once
again!

As mentioned above, we are really blessed enough in this life and are leading a
good life compared to the majority. But after all the blessings and pleasures of this
short life of few years, if we lose the eternal life just because of our ignorance and
arrogance, then surely, we will be the big losers and fools. So dear friend, kindly
spend some time to learn about the true path and understand the real purpose &
meaning of our life.

We believe we didn't hurt your feelings nor insulted or provoked any faiths or
community. However, we clearly explained the concept of life in Islam and stressed
it just to convince you and make you understand. We would also like to remind you
that we just shared all these with you intending your benefit and salvation. But the
choice is surely yours. You have the right to accept or reject.

We know you might have hundreds of questions, doubts and critiques against Islam
and Muslims. It's our pleasure to address those and clear. You are always welcome.
We can surely spend time for you on our free time if you wish so.

✍Team Understand Islam

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I believe I didn't hurt your feelings nor insulted or provoked any faiths or
community. However, I clearly explained the concept of life in Islam and stressed it
just to convince you and make you understand. I would also like to remind you that I
just shared all these with you intending your benefit and salvation. But the choice is
surely yours. You have the right to accept or reject.

I know you might have hundreds of questions, doubts and critiques against Islam
and Muslims. It's my pleasure to address those and clear. You are always welcome. I
can surely spend time for you on my free time if you wish so.

✍Jaseem Kuttamboor
📲http://wa.me/919497306836

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*🌹Why Don’t Anybody Need this Medicine❓*
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The current yearning of entire humanity is to discover a medicine for COVID

treatment as soon as possible. I simply imagine what would be the state of the one
who will be developing the vaccine! The entire people of the world will leave
everything and appreciate him. He will become the hero of the century in just a
moment!

What are these scientists, all over the world, trying so hard to achieve? To wipe out
a microbe… and save the world from death! Truly a most substantial and
appreciable effort! Let us wish them to get succeed in their efforts. I would like to
share few thoughts on this occasion.

Have you ever thought, who could really save humans from death even if the
corona virus vaccine is developed? No matter how much science grows or
whichever medicines we invent; everyone who is born here will die on a day. Why
doesn’t anybody worry about that death?

We may leave this world at any time. No one can think the death is something
which will only happen in the next century. In other words, if there were no lock-
down and restrictions because of COVID, many of us would have already died in
some accidents during that period.

We all are so worried about this small virus, but how much are we concerned about
the real purpose of our life? We do researches and pre-plan 'what is there after
COVID'; but do we ever inquire whether there is any possibility for life after death?
Even though someone comes to us and introduces about such an eternal life, we
simply reject it saying, ‘this was not the faith of our forefathers’!... What a
stringency, which we do not even show to the medicines which only give us
temporary benefits.

Dear friend, life after death is not a concept which we have researched and
developed. And it does not need any of our efforts to make it happen. The Almighty
God, who created us, has assured that to us. And we understand, this afterlife is
essential for completeness of our life, which we leave half-way; and for making
value for the life of those who are truthful, virtuous, and honest in their worldly life;
and for providing the perfect rewards for the deeds of all.

Another paradox is that the people who are doing research on how to extend our
life for one more minute on earth, themselves are researching how to deny the
possibility of life after death!

Dear friends, not everything is possible in this world for every human. God created
people with different capabilities. But the afterlife is not like that; everybody can
achieve that. Our nation, language, wealth, beauty, or power are not the criteria for
that. The eternal life is easily attainable for anyone who recognizes the Creator, who
gave us life, and thus leading a life according to His commandments. See how just
and merciful our Lord is towards us!...

Many friends say, 'you may talk about anything, but don't talk about faith!'. What
else is better to share with you, friends? This ideology never demands anyone to
abandon their place and work; or to cut off all their ties with siblings and family. All
it says is to seek and obey the true Creator who created and sustained me, you, and
this world.

And, if you still believe that those who lost their lives will not get it again, then there
are much more this 'corona virus' has to teach you. This virus, which is inactive
(dead) in the outer world get its life back when entering the human body, which is
indeed a sign for all those who really ponder over!
✍Jaseem Kuttamboor
📲http://wa.me/919497306836

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One of my friends, who works in USA, once shared one his travel experiences to me.
He works in my current company's San Diego office in California. Around three years
back, I had a chance to visit there with some of my colleagues. We used to go for
trips whenever we were free. During one of our roaming trips, my friend narrated
his travel experience of his initial days in the USA.

The incident had happened a few years ago, few years before the navigation
applications like Google map became popular. He started a trip with his family to
Phoenix, a city in Arizona state, which is around eight hours away from San Diego.
He had kept a printed copy of route map with him as there were no navigation
applications available by then.

Whenever they reached junctions on their way, his wife helped him with directions
looking at the map. They felt thrilled realizing that they are approaching their
dream destination. Since American highways don't have shops with street names
written on them or pedestrians to consult with while driving, they couldn't recognize
the cities they are passing by.

Anyways, after travelling around five-six hours with the aid of route map, they had
decided to check the place where they are in. To their surprise, instead of Phoenix,
they had reached one of the cities in Navada state, which is farther than the
distance they travelled till then. (Pardon me if I have mistaken the place names).

Now, let's think about our own life. Is it not like the journey of my friend? Do we
cross check often to re-assure we are moving on the right track? Do we ponder
much about our life journey? Many, often realise that they were on the wrong tracks
only after spending years of their life for worldly gains. Furthermore, some will find
the time to think on it only when the angel of death reaches their doorsteps.

Nowadays, we don't miss our routes as we have navigation apps. Even if we miss
our way, those apps will bring us back to the right track. However, those people
who ignore with arrogance might sometimes regret that they could look at the
navigation app at least once on their way.

Dear friends, our life is the longest journey. Once we finish this trip, we cannot
return or rectify. So, we need to be really confident about the purpose of our life
and its mission.

Sad to say, in this modern time, where the entire world became a small global
village and where all the informations are available on our fingertips, when people
are asked about the purpose of their life, most of them show off their hands!

So, I would like to share my understandings about the purpose and aim of our life
with you. I would request you to go through it and ponder over again. You may take
it if you feel it will help you for a better future; otherwise, you may set it aside if you
are sure that you are already on the right track. Lest you regret, like my friend,
when you realize you had missed your way long back!

Dear friend, our life has a great meaning and purpose. Since we didn’t create
ourselves, we are not supposed to decide the purpose of our life. Instead, the
creator of the universe who created and sustains us, Himself described us about the
purpose of our life.

He is our creator and we are His creations. He is our master and we, His slaves. No
human being has the right to disobey the Almighty Creator or live a lustful life.

Just like sedition is a great crime in any kingdom; denying God, who created this
universe and sustains us is the greatest sin from the creations. When one denies
God, he in fact denies all the commandments from Him for a virtuous life and thus
ultimately falls into a lustful life.

As you are aware, our worldly life finishes with the death. All born on earth return,
poor or rich and king or commoner with an empty hand leaving everything they
earned and possessed.

We would say that our life is utterly meaningless if it was limited to this world. Evil
has an upper hand over goodness in this world. Thousands of innocent people are
being killed by violent criminals. The rights of poor are continuously denied, and the
undeserving people rule over the nations. To sum up, truth, justice or virtue are
becoming valueless in the present world.
As you know, we are not rewarded here justly for all our deeds. What is the
significance of such an imperfect life? But the Almighty God promises us that the
ultimate justice shall be provided to everybody in the eternal life hereafter. God has
taught us that He tests us in this world and will reward us in the hereafter in
accordance with our deeds. Hence the Almighty God will re-create us again after our
death to complete the imperfect life of this world.

Almighty God says that the earthly blessings such as wealth, power, children, etc
are just tests from Him to check who all are doing good and bad. On other hand,
some of us will be tested through hard times and disasters. And, some people’s life
will be a combination of both joy and grief, which are also the part of evaluation
from our Creator.

Our approach and responses to these tests are going to be the criteria of our
success or failure in eternal life. Those who are blessed should be grateful for the
blessings they received and should also spend for the cause of God. Similarly, the
people who are tested with hard times should be patient and rely upon God
Almighty for solace.

It is taught by God that whatever blessings we have on earth won't last forever, and
the real victory is the success gained in the immortal life by submitting our free will
to God. This eternal success should be the aim of human life on earth. This way of
life is called ‘Islam’.

My aforesaid friend lost a day as he didn't confirm his route while heading. But, if
we are reluctant to re-confirm that we are moving on the right track of life, we are
likely to lose our eternal life itself!

✍Jaseem Kuttamboor
📲http://wa.me/919497306836

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*🌹Disturbed Mind Even During the Hajj Pilgrimage🌹*
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I am now at Masjid Al-Haram, Makkah, the place on earth which Muslims believe to
be the holiest. At least 100 crore human beings all over the globe perform their
daily prayers facing the Ka'aba at the centre of this Masjid. This is truly an obvious
example of unity and equity.

From every part of the world, hundreds of thousands of people visit this place to
perform their Haj pilgrimage. It is said that around 2.2 million believers are
performing Haj this year (2019).

It is obligatory upon every able-bodied Muslim to perform Haj pilgrimage at least

once in his lifetime if financially possible. The Prophet stated, "Whoever performs
Haj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed,
will go back (free of sin) as his mother bore him" [Sahih Muslim 1350]

It is because of that Haj is one of the greatest hopes and excitements of every
Muslim. Many perform Haj with great difficulty and suffering. Masjid al-Haram is
packed with emotionally overwhelmed Believers seeking God's forgiveness for
every one of their past sins.

Sitting near the Ka'aba recalling the history of prophets and witnessing the pilgrims
fulfilling their spiritual obligation, my mind is however still disturbed. Even while
many in front of me are at the peak of their spirituality, my mind goes to the
thousands of my friends who are lost not knowing the right path (to God).

I am deeply saddened by the fact that many people fail to realise that I am writing
all these in the best interest of all of mankind. However, I continue my works fully
aware of what I am doing, with full positive hopes.

I thought for a minute: like Muslims, adherents of other religions too do perform
various pilgrimages! Isn't their motivation too similar to what Muslims have for Haj...
Several hundreds of thousands undergo various sacrifices and struggles and travel
to various places for pilgrimage. But what is the basis for all those pilgrimages?
Everyone definitely has the freedom to choose whichever faith they want, and to
follow it; but how is it that believing in something in any manner makes it the right
thing? Have they all ever thought about their beliefs?

It is surely the faith in God that is the motivation for all pilgrimages. Isn't it to get
closer to God, to please Him, and to get blessed with our desires that every believer
(from whichever religion) takes up this tiresome venture?

But think about the situation if all this struggle becomes useless. And instead of
God's pleasure, if you earn His displeasure alone, is there any venture worse than
that?
Who is our God? Whom should we pray to? Are the 'gods' we pray to even capable
of fulfilling what we ask for?

I worship and pray to the God who created you, me and every other creatures. He is
over all things Competent to answer to whoever asks. He is One and Only. Everyone
is obligated to follow the guidance of that Almighty God, and thereby discipline
one's life. It is in compliance to the Almighty's command that all these Muslims
including myself are performing the Haj pilgrimage.

Are the other pilgrimages like this? When everyone in Makkah pray to and ask of
the Creator, aren't people in most of other places praying and asking of creations
than of the Creator?

It was the One and Only Creator who sent Prophets like Moses, Jesus and
Muhammad. If there ever were Siva, Vishnu and Krishna, they too were all created
by the Almighty God. The first lesson taught by all Prophets was to worship the One
and Only God, and to seek only His aid.

But, we humans, the supposed adherents of those believes, pray to some of such
Prophets who passed away centuries ago, or to some idols that can neither help us
nor harm us and cannot even hear our prayers, or to some animals who cannot
even recognise our languages?

In short, it is the absolute opposite of what all Prophets taught. Isn't it nothing but
serious blasphemy? Is there a blasphemy more serious? Offering to the creations
what is to be offered to God, and vainly hoping that God will answer our prayers!

My beloved friends, there is no sin greater than blasphemy (or associating partners
with God). There is absolutely no sense in constructing an attractive building but
with a weak foundation!

We need to check the scriptural authenticity of these difficult pilgrimages too.

Hundreds of thousands of people conduct several pilgrimages for their spiritual
relief without a single backing from the scriptures which they believe to be from
God, or inspired by God.

There is no basis for many such pilgrimages other than that people have been
visiting some of those places for a while. Moreover, many of those pilgrimages are
essentially against the teachings of their own chosen scriptures. Unfortunately,
even some "Muslims" visit certain such places without religious validity, just like
many people of other religions do!
Take a moment and ponder, my friend, why we are spending so much of time and
money for these pilgrimages. Whom are we invoking with our desires, full of hope?
What's more vain than praying to someone who is not capable of answering us,
much less understanding us? What is the benefit of asking of those that cannot help
or harm us?

There is no need to be a philosopher or a scholar to comprehend any of this. One

needs to use his common sense and reason only. Unfortunately, many fail to use
this common sense, despite having conquered many academic feats in this world.

So, with the truest of intentions at heart, let me humbly remind you all: have an
introspection before it's all over. Ensure that you fully realise the fact that it is
unwise and absolutely useless to worship creations, and that you ask of the
Almighty God alone who is competent to answer your prayers. It is the pure belief in
that One and Only Creator too, that makes Islam different from any other faiths or
ideologies.

✍Jaseem Kuttamboor
📲http://wa.me/919497306836

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*Special Messages:*
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*🌹Eid: The Celebration of Self-Purification*
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✅Eid-Ul-Fitr is an Arabic term which is commonly known as "festival of breaking of
the fast". It is one of the two religious festivals in Islam and takes place in the 10 th
month of Islamic Calendar. After fasting for a whole month known as Ramadan, the
day when this stringent fasting ritual is broken is known as Eid. Believers perceive
that it is a gift from the Almighty God for them. Eid celebrations become meaningful
from the joy of this gift.

Ramadan is a turning point in the life of a believer. It is the time when believers
draw closer to the Almighty who has guided them. They have gained satisfaction by
cleansing the sins that were committed before, as well as gaining confidence for the
coming year. They praise the lord who gave them such an opportunity. That is what
Eid is. They mark the glory of Allah not just with their words, but with their deeds
too. They offer all praises and glory to their Lord.
A believer is one who abstains himself from what is allowed for him, only because of
the obedience to Almighty Allah. Not only food, they kept aside their thoughts and
emotions for Allah's satisfaction. Ramadan is a month when the mercy of the
Muslims showers boundless towards the world. They are extremely concerned about
the piety in their life. At last, they bid farewell to the holy month.

Eid is a celebration. The thirty days of sacrifice should not be doomed in one day of
celebration. Eid should be viewed as ways to strengthen your ties. It should be
considered as means of getting closer to families and friends. Believers bid farewell
to the holy month letting go of hatred, enmity, and revenge. They should try to
make this practical on the day of Eid as well.

Also, we should be aware that there are people who do not know what the joy of Eid
is. Just like our children, their children also have Eid. No one can ever celebrate
anything in a situation of facing death. There are many such lives in this world.
Extend our helping hands to those around us and include others at least in our
prayers.

After a month of compassion, fasting and Eid should enable the believers to accept
compassion as a moral conduct. Then we can be sure about ourselves that our
fasting and other actions are on the right track.

Hearty Eid Wishes to All!💐

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*🌹For those who would like to know more about Islam👇🏻*
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*🌹The Message of Bakrid (Eid al-Adha)🌹*
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✅The historical background of Eid al-Adha is that the Prophet Ibrahim /Abraham
(may Allah be pleased with him) had a dream in which he was sacrificing his young
son, Ismail/Ishmael (PBUH). Prophet Ibrahim, a great believer in Allah, took his
dream literally and wanted to sacrifice his son. But, according to the tradition, Allah
the Almighty sent his angels and asked him to sacrifice an animal instead of his son.
During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims honor and remember Ibrahim’s trials,
by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel & goat. The meat
from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others.

After the five pillars of Islam, this sacrifice is the most important activity. This
sacrifice is the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim who combines the Prophetic patronage
from three religions i.e. Jewish, Islam and Christianity. The festival also symbolizes
the trial of faith and loyalty towards Allah. It enlightens ours path with true spirit of
righteousness and rectitude.

A sacrifice, usually taken to be the slaughtering of animals, is more than that. The
physical act of sacrificing of the animals is just a ritual, is just a tradition and is just
a sacred practice whereas the essence lies far beyond it and the spirit of it goes far
beyond common human perception. Allah says in Quran: "It is not their meat nor
their blood that reaches Allah; it is your devotion that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)

The act symbolizes our will to give up some of our own bounties, in order to
strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. It is to train us how to
surrender ourselves to the will of Allah for the sake of serving humanity. We
recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our heart and
share with others.

In fact, sacrifice is an act of submission to Allah. It is to submit to the will of the

Almighty. Sometimes Allah asks us to sacrifice something important to us in order
to learn that there is something greater beyond it. But sadly, we fail to translate the
essence of its sacrificial values in our life!

Eid is also a day on which Muslims remember the deceased, visit the sick, see
relatives and friends, overlook grudges, help the needy and show kindness and
generosity to all.

Overcoming the common grievances against each other that prevent our mutual co-
existence is the ultimate spirit of sacrifice. It is also a day for rejoicing by getting
involved in a good, clean and honest enjoyment.

Sacrifices contribute to the success of our struggle. They strengthen our inner
spiritual and moral resources and develop qualities of character which are essential
to our struggle at every level of our existence.

Every act of sacrifice nourishes and increases our Faith, for it transforms a verbal
confession and a mental conviction into a living reality. It confirms, and thus
increases, our love for Allah, for every step we give up something for the sake of his
love.
Sacrifices are essential for the development of all moral qualities, but especially for
the development of tolerance, strength, determination, firmness and purpose.
These can be summed up in just one-word ‘patience’.

Every sacrifice reinforces the quality of patience, making it grow in quality and
strength. Forbearance, in turn, sustains and increases the capacity to sacrifice.

All promises of help from Allah, all assurances of success in this world and rewards
in the Hereafter, have been made conditional upon the attainment of sacrifice and
patience.

Indeed, sacrifice is the essence of life and we should leave no stone unturned to
sacrifice our money, comfort and time for the sake of Allah. We should make an
effort to live truly to the expectations of the spirit of sacrifice that the festival of Eid
al-Adha stands for.

Sacrifice is the Essence of All Creations. Hearty Eid Wishes to All!🤝

🌹Rabi’ul Awal Special Post:

The articles (with series numbers) shared so far in the *'Understand Islam'* series
which introduces the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the answers to the criticisms
against the Prophet👇🏻 (Also attached the document containing the entire series.
After opening the PDF file, you may just click on the topic of your choice to read the
full article on that subject.)

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61. Who is Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him)?

62. Characteristics of Muhammad’s (‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood
63. What are the Evidences for Muhammed's (‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood?
64. What is Wrong in Considering that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Had Aimed for Worldly
Power?
65. Why is Muhammed(‫ )ﷺ‬Called the Last Prophet?
66. Why Prophet Muhammad Didn’t Die for Our Sins?
67. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Hindu Scriptures?
68. Is Prophet Muhammad the Kalki Avtar Prophesized in Hindu Scriptures?
69. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible Old Testaments?
70. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible New Testaments?
89. Is it Not True that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has Copied the Qur'an from the
Bible?
138. What was the Wisdom Behind Prophet's Multiple Marriages? / Why Did Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Have Many Wives?
147. The Prophet's Last Sermon
166. What Were the Motives of the Wars of the Prophet?
176. How was the Politics & Rule of Prophet?
178. How Did the Prophet Muhammed Treat Minorities in Islamic Country?
210. Why Didn’t God Send Any Female Prophet/Messenger?
212. Prophet Muhammad(‫)ﷺ‬: Truthful and Honest
233. Prophet Muhammad: The Social Reformer
245. What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part1
246. What Famous People Have Said About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? - Part2
256. By Composing the Qur’an, did Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Intent the Worldly Benefits
through Establishing Himself as the Messenger of God?
262. How Did Prophet Muhammed Treat the Children?
279. Did Prophet Order to Expel Jews and Christians from the Arabia?
281. The Testimony of the Enemies to the Honesty of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬
286. Why to Follow Prophet Muhammed in Everything?
291. Was Not Prophet Muhammad Assured of his Own Salvation?
296. Did the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬Instruct to Force Non-Muslims to the Side of the Road?
304. Did Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬Kill 900 Jews of Banu Qurayza?
314. Can It Not be Claimed That Quran Was the Composition of Muhammad (PBUH)
Himself?
330. Rational Evidence of Muhammad’s(‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood?
334. The Conquest of Makkah: The Day of Mercy
336. Prophet Muhammad: The Most Influential Person in History
340. What Does the Qur'an Verse Mean which Says Prophet Muhammad was
Allowed to have More Wives to Avoid ‘Difficulty’?
345. Prophet Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬was Sent to All Mankind
352. Did Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Have Sex with All His Wives in One Night?
372. By Composing Qur’an, Did Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Intent to Achieve the Worldly
Benefits by Establishing Himself as the Messenger of God?
375. Did Prophet Muhammed Say Women are Bad Omens?
378. Can it be Denied if Someone Argue that the Qur'an is Written by Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬to Guide the Society to Morality?
379. A Perfect Role Model for Humanity -Part1
380. A Perfect Role Model for Humanity -Part2
393. Prophet Muhammed’s (‫ )ﷺ‬Kindness to Animals
394. The Truth Behind Prophet’s Marriage to Aisha
399. Did the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬Contemplate Suicide After his First Encounter with Jibreel?
410. Refuting Claims Regarding the Prophet’s Marriage to Zaynab
413. Do You Know this Man?
417. How Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Handled Criticism?
420. Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬: You Must Know This Man
422. 6 Leadership Lessons from Prophet Muhammed(‫)ﷺ‬
428. Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬: The Liberator of Women
430. The Truth Concerning Prophet's Marriage to Safiyyah
432. Was Prophet Muhammad a Pedophile to Marry 9 Year Old Aysha?
437. Was Muhammed (‫ )ﷺ‬an Ordinary Man or a Prophet?

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*🌹Those who would like to know more about Islam, may join this group👇🏻*
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*🌹Mar 15: International Day to Combat Islamophobia*
*❓Islamophobia and its Impacts*
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✅Islamophobia and Arabophobia has been part of western culture since the
Crusades, with Saddam and Osama only the latest in a long line of Arab bogeymen.
The real reason for the current spate of Islamophobia is the fact that Islam has been
the fastest growing religion in the world and as such poses a threat to the West.
This is happening inspite of widespread misconceptions and negative media
portrayed of Islam.

Prejudice against Islam in the West developed due to historic rivalry of Christianity
against Islam. The defeat of Christians by the Muslims in Crusades was a big shock
for the Christian world. These deep wounds are still so fresh in the Christian world
today that the parents, media, politicians and teachers feel it a duty to nurture the
feelings of prejudice against Islam in the hearts and minds of their young
generations.

The truth is that, through out the modern history, Muslims have contributed for the
Renaissance of Western culture and society. Islamic ideas helped shape the
European West that produced the values cherished by the constitution’s framers.
The bests of western culture are in fact based on Muslim culture. The aim of
education is to give the highest possible standard in order to advance spiritually,
emotionally, technologically and economically. The early Muslim knew this and they
were instrumental in giving the west much of the scientific knowledge that has once
helped it to thrive.

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*🌹May 01: International Labors’ Day*
*❓What Does Qur'an Say About Master-Laborer Relationship?*
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It is only natural that the master and laborer come to picture when production,
trade and cultivation set in. The relationship between the master and laborer does
not warrant any confrontation. On the other hand, it ought, to be of co-operation, as
per the teachings of Islam.

The economic system of Islam is not drawn in the light of arithmetical calculations
and capacities of production alone. Rather, it is drawn and conceived in the light of
a comprehensive system of morals and principles. The person who is working for
another person or for a firm or an institution is ordained by God to do his work with
efficiency and honesty. The Prophet said that if any of you undertakes to do any
work, God loves to see him do it well and with efficiency. It is the responsibility of
the employee to endeavor sincerely for a satisfactory completion of the work
assigned to him.

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🌹Those who would like to know more about Islam, kindly Join the group through this
link👇
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*🌹June 05: World Environment Day🌹*
*❓Environmental Teachings of Islam*
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✅Over the years, our environment has been facing a severe threat. The rivers are
polluted with undesirable chemicals and toxicants, underground water is being
depleted and getting polluted. Forests are being lost at an alarming rate resulting in
environmental degradation. A balance in oxygen and water in the environment is
being lost, which is so important to sustain and preserve the human civilization on
the planet earth.

For the past century and a half enormous advances have taken place in science and
technology to the benefit of mankind. But these developments have also posed
great problems and health hazards, threatening the existence of human life on
earth.

Purpose of Human Creation:

Life is thus, a brilliant demonstration of God’s wisdom and knowledge. He has

Emphasis on Plantation and Agriculture:

Messenger of God (PBUH) once remarked that even if you knew that the world
would end tomorrow, you should plant a tree.
*Management of Water Resources:*
There are numerous passages in the Qur’an, which mention the effect of rainwater
on the growth of vegetation. In (Quran 16:10-11) we read, “God is one, who sends
water down from the sky. For you there is a drink and out of it (grow) shrubs in
which you let cattle graze freely. There with for you He makes sown fields, olive,
palm trees, and all kinds of fruits grow.” Thus, the proper and judicious use of the
water resources is of utmost importance to keep the viable environment for the
benefit of humanity.

*Depletion of Resources:*
Moderation is the most important characteristic of Islam. It is probably how Islam
views human nature and the meaning of life. Man is created by God-Almighty and is
commanded to be God’s viceroy on earth. Islam discourages luxurious and lavish
living. It is a general observation that luxurious lifestyles lead to weakness among
nations, and eventually to their downfall. The existence of luxury is also an
expression of social injustice, as few can afford luxurious items at the expense of
the deprived masses of people.

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*🌹Aug 15: Happy Independence Day*
*❓The Rights of Citizens in an Islamic State*
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*✅1. Security for Life:*
On the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, Prophet said: "Your lives and properties are
forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection." Islam
prohibits homicide but allows only one exception, that the killing is done in the due
process of law which the Quran refers ‘with the truth’. A man can be killed only
when the law demands it, and it is obvious that only a court of law can decide
whether the execution is being carried out with justice or without justification.

2. Security for Property:

3. The Protection of Honor:

4. Sanctity and Security of Private Life:

5. Security of Personal Freedom:

6. Right to Protest Against Tyranny:

7. Freedom of Expression:

8. Freedom of Association:

Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and formation of
parties or organizations. This right is also subject to certain general rules. It should
be exercised for propagating virtue and righteousness and should never be used for
spreading evil and mischief.

9. Freedom of Conscience and Conviction:

10. Protection of Religious Sentiments:

11. Equality Before Law:

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*🌹Dec 10: World Human Rights Day*
*❓Human Rights in Islam/Quran*
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*✅Right to Life:*
The Qur’an upholds the sanctity and absolute value of human life [Quran 6:151] and
points out that, in essence, the life of each individual is comparable to that of an
entire community and, therefore, should be treated with the utmost care [Quran
5:32].
*Right to Respect:*
The Qur’an deems all human beings to be worthy of respect [Quran 17:70] because
of all creation they alone chose to accept the ‘trust’ of freedom of the will [Quran
33:72]. Human beings can exercise freedom of the will because they possess the
rational faculty, which is what distinguishes them from all other creatures [Quran
2:30-34].

*Right to Freedom:*
Qur’an is deeply concerned about liberating human beings from every kind of
bondage. A number of Qur’anic passages state clearly that the responsibility of the
Prophet Muhammad is to communicate the message of God and not to compel
anyone to believe [Quran 6:107; 10:99; 16:82; 42:48]. The right to exercise free
choice in matters of belief is unambiguously endorsed by the Qur’an (18:29). In the
context of the human right to exercise religious freedom, it is important to mention
the Quranic dictum, “Let there be no compulsion in religion” [Quran 2:256]

Right to Acquire Knowledge:

*Right to Work:*
According to Qur’anic teachings, every man and woman has the right to work,
whether the work consists of gainful employment or voluntary service. The fruits of
labour belong to the one who has worked for them - regardless of whether it is a
man or a woman. Quran 4:32 states: “...to men Is allotted what they earn, And to
women what they earn”
*Right to Privacy:*
The Qur’an recognizes the need for privacy as a human right and lays down rules
for protecting an individual’s life in the home from undue intrusion from within or
without [Quran 24:27-28,58; 33:53; 49:12].

Right to ‘The Good Life’:

The Qur’an uphold the right of the human being to ‘the good life’. The good life,
made up of many elements, becomes possible when a human being is living in a
just environment. According to Qur’an, justice is a prerequisite for peace, and peace
is a prerequisite for human development. In a just society, all the earlier-mentioned
human rights may be exercised without difficulty. In such a society, other basic
rights such as the right to a secure place of residence, the right to the protection of
one’s personal possessions, the right to social and judicial autonomy for minorities,
the right to the protection of holy places, etc also exist [Quran 2:229; 3:17,77;
5:1,42-48; 9:17; 17:34; 67:15].

⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨⌨
*💐The series introducing the fundamentals of Islam will be started in the new
WhatsApp group on Wednesday (Dec 20)👇*
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Understand Islam Series Invitations:

*❓Are you someone who would like to know about Islam in brief?*

❓Did you ever think to know the facts on the criticisms usually pop up on social
media against Islam?

❓Did you ever wish to clear up the doubts about Islam in your mind for ages?

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Dear Brothers & Sisters,

What is the purpose of our life? Who is God? Why does God test us? Who is Muslim?
What is the significance of Islam over other doctrines? What is the concept of
Heaven & Hell in Islam? Who is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? What is Qur'an? What
are the Islamic disciplines on economic, socio-political & other aspects of life? What
is Islam's view on extremism & terrorism? Why is Islam misinterpreted, but still
spreading rapidly in the world?...

The series introducing the fundamentals of Islam will be started in the new
WhatsApp group on Wednesday (Dec 20). We hope this series will present you the
genuine picture of Islam as a complete code of life which touches every aspect of
human life.

💐You may invite your family, colleagues, Muslim & non-Muslim friends to understand
Islam and clear the misconceptions about it. Those who are interested, kindly click
on the below link👇

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Dear Brothers & Sisters,

The series introducing the fundamentals of Islam will be started in the new
WhatsApp group on Sunday (Feb 25). We hope this series will present you the
genuine picture of Islam as a complete code of life which touches every aspect of
human life.

💐You may invite your family, colleagues and friends of all religions and faiths to
understand and clear the misconceptions about Islam.

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*✍Admin:* http://wa.me/919497306836 (If unable to join the group)

Topics of the Series:

1. What is Islam?
2. Who is a Muslim?
3. Is Islam a New Religion? Who is the Founder of Islam?
4. What is the Difference of Islam from Material Ideologies?
5. What is the Purpose of Our Existence?
6. Does God Exist? Is There Any Evidence for God's Existence?
7. Finding Wisdom in God’s Creations
8. Who is God? How to Realize the Right God?
9. Who Created God?
10. Does Faith in God Contradict with Science?
11. What is the Concept of God in Islam?
12. What Does Oneness of God (Tawhid) Mean in Islam?
13. What are the Problems with Polytheism
14. Oneness of God in Hindu Scriptures
15. Oneness of God in Bible Old Testaments
16. Oneness of God in Bible New Testaments
17. If the Creator is One, How Come There are So Many Gods?
18. Does Islam Give Freedom to Choose Faith/Religion?
19. Does God Need Our Worship? Why did He Create Us to Worship Him?
20. What are the Principles of Beliefs in Islam?
21. Why Do We Need a Religion?
22. Is Religion Really Needed for Humans to Become Moral & Good?
23. What are the Unique Features of Islam?
24. Islam is Not Just Rituals; It is System of Moral Values
25. Who is Allah? Why Muslims Prefer to Call God as 'Allah'?
26. Does Allah, Lord Rama, Jesus Christ, etc are Different Names of Same God?
27. Why is Associating Partners with God an Unforgivable Sin in Islam?
28. Evidence for Oneness of the Creator
29. Why Does Islam Prohibit Idol Worship?
30. If Islam Opposes Idol Worship, Why do Muslims Pray to Kaaba?
31. Should We Seek God Examining Whether Our Prayers are Answered?
32. Why Should We Pray to the God? Why Don't God Fulfill All the Needs of the
Believers?
33. Why Does God Test Us with Hardship?
34. How to Face the Tests of God?
35. Why Does Allah Allow Suffering and Evil in the World?
36. What Does Faith in Destiny Mean in Islam?
37. If Everything is Predestined, then How the Disbelievers are Responsible for Their
Disbelieves and Bad Deeds?
38. Doesn't Islam Permit Critical Thinking?
39. Signs for Those Who Ponder Over!
40. Does God Give Free Will and Freedom to Control Our Destiny?
41. How Can Life be a Test if Allah is All-Knowing?
42. Why So Many Laws in Islam? Why Does Islam Seem to be Strict?
43. Why Doesn't God Punish All Evil-Doers & Disbelievers in this World?
44. Why did Allah Create Satan (Devil)?
45. What is Islamic View About Death?
46. What Does Islam Say About Life After Death?
47. The Necessity of the Resurrection and Judgment in the Afterlife?
48. What is the Possibility of the Resurrection After Death?
49. What is the Proof for Life after Death?
50. Reformation of Life Through the Belief in the Hereafter
51. What is the Concept of Heaven in Islam?
52. Who All Will Enter Paradise?
53. What is the Concept of Hell in Islam?
54. Are All Non-Muslims (Even with Good Morals) Going to Hell?
55. What Will be the Fate of Disbelievers Who Never Heard the Message of Islam?
56. What are the Concepts of Last Day & the Day of Judgment?
57. Who are the Prophets? Why Did God Send Prophets?
58. What are the Criteria for a True Prophet?
59. Why were Prophets Chosen from Human Beings, Not from Angels?
60. What Were the Teachings of the Prophets?
61. Who is Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him)?
62. Characteristics of Muhammad’s (‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood
63. What are the Evidences for Muhammed's (‫ )ﷺ‬Prophethood?
64. What is Wrong in Considering that Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Had Aimed for Worldly
Power?
65. Why is Muhammed(‫ )ﷺ‬Called the Last Prophet?
66. Why Prophet Muhammad Didn’t Die for Our Sins?
67. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Hindu Scriptures?
68. Is Prophet Muhammad the Kalki Avtar Prophesized in Hindu Scriptures?
69. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible Old Testaments?
70. Prophecies About Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬in Bible New Testaments?
71. Who are the Angels?
72. Why Did God Create Angels? Does He Need Help of Angels?
73. What are the Scriptures?
74. What are the Fundamental Sources of Islamic Faith?
75. What is the Holy Qur'an?
76. What is the Theme of Holy Qur'an?
77. Who Wrote the Holy Qur'an? Can It Not Be Claimed that the Qur'an was the
Composition of Muhammad(‫ )ﷺ‬Himself?
78. Why the Qur'an Was Not Revealed to Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬in a Compiled Form
(Altogether)?
79. When and Under What Circumstance was the Qur'an Compiled as a Complete
Book Bound Between Two Cover Pages?
80. What are the Evidence for the Qur'an to Be a Divine Scripture?
81. Is there Any Contradiction in Holy Qur'an? What is the Reality of the
'Contradictions' that Critics Allege?
82. Is Qur'an Scientific & Rational?
83. Scientific Facts in the Quran
84. Can it Be Said that the Qur'an is a Practicable Book in All Respects?
85. What Does the Qur'an Say About the Scriptures that Preceded It?
86. Does Islam Agree the Hindu & Christian Scriptures Existing Today?
87. Did the Glorious Qur'an Preserve as It was Revealed from God?
88. Are there Different Versions of Holy Quran?
89. Is it Not True that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has Copied the Qur'an from the
Bible?
90. What is Hadith? What is the Importance of Hadith in Islam?
91. What are the Obligatory Acts of Worship in Islam?
92. Why do Muslims Perform Daily Prayer (Namaz)?
93. Message of Ramadan - Why do Muslims Fast?
94. Concept, Importance & Benefits of Zakat in Islam
95. Why Do Muslims Perform Hajj?
96. What is Shariah Law?
97. What is the Relation Between God and Human?
98. What Should Be a Muslim's Attitude Towards Worldly Life?
99. Islamic Perspective of Monasticism (Sannyasa)?
100. Morals and Faith Are Inseparable

101. What is the Islamic View About Virtue and Vice?

102. What is the Concept of Sin in Islam?
103. What Should Be the Characters of a Muslim?
104. Importance of Knowledge & Education in Islam?
105. What are the Islamic Directions in the Financial Front & Earning Money?
106. What are the Islamic Directions on Spending Money?
107. What Does Qur'an Say About Master-Laborer Relationship?
108. Environmental Teachings of Islam
109. What are the Islamic Teachings Regarding Food?
110. What are the Islamic Teachings Regarding Health and Wellness?
111. What is Islamic View on Entertainments?
112. What are the Characteristics of Islamic Society?
113. What are the Human Rights in Islam/Quran?
114. The Concept of Equality in Islam?
115. The Concept of Justice in Islam
116. Social Service in Islam
117. Humanity and the Divine Religion
118. The Importance of Good Family Ties in Islam
119. What is the Status of Parents in Islam?
120. How Should Be a Muslim's Relationship with Non-Muslim Parents?
121. The Rights of Children on Parents in Islam.
122. What is Islamic View About Neighborhood? / Rights of Neighbors in Islam?
123. What is the Quran's Approach Towards Slavery?
124. What Were the Practical Steps Qur'an Adopted for the Eradication of Slavery?
125. Why Didn't Qur'an Completely Prohibit Slavery?
126. What is the Concept of Gender Equality in Islam?
127. Does Not Islam Give Freedom to Women? Is Islam a Male Dominated Religion?
128. What are the Rights Islam Gives to Women?
129. What Will Women Get in Paradise, While Men Get Beautiful Maidens (Hoor)?
130. Does Islam Prevent Women from Entering Masjid (Mosque)?
131. Isn't it an Explicit Discrimination that Islam Gives Men Twice the Portion of
Women in their Share of Inheritance?
132. What is the Islamic Code of Dress?
133. Is Hijab (Veil) a Symbol of Oppression or Freedom?
134. What is the Islamic View on Marriage?
135. What are the Procedures in Islamic Wedding?
136. Why is Polygamy Allowed (for Men) in Islam?
137. Why Islam Prohibits Woman from Having More than One Husband?
138. What was the Wisdom Behind Prophet's Multiple Marriages? / Why Did Prophet
Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬Have Many Wives?
139. What Does Islam Say About Divorce?
140. What is the Quranic Procedure of Talaq?
141. Why is Extra-Marital Sexual Relationship Prohibited in Islam?
142. Teachings of Moderation and Balance in Islam
143. Peace of Mind Only through Remembrance of God
144. Is Islam a Religion of Logic?
145. Islam - The Easy and Natural Way
146. No Priesthood in Islam
147. The Prophet's Last Sermon
148. What is the Islamic View Towards Casteism & Racism?
149. Why are There Many Sects/Groups in Islam?
150. Islam is the Religion of Tolerance and Ease
151. What is Islamic View on Pluralism? Can a Muslim Be Communal?
152. What Does Islam Teach About Humanity?
153. What Should Be the Approach of Muslims Towards Non-Muslims?
154. Who is Kafir? Does this Term Denounce Non-Muslims?
155. Does Qur'an Prohibit Having Intimate Relations with Non-Muslims?
156. Does Qur'an Prohibit Marital Relations with Non-Muslims?
157. Does Qur'an Encourage Muslims to Demolish the Objects of Worship of Other
Religionists?
158. What is 'Jihad'? Can Terrorism be Compared to Physical Jihad?
159. Is Jihad the Battle Against Non-Muslims? Does Qur'an Propagate Animosity
Towards Other Religions by Encouraging Jihad?
160. Does Qur'an Recommend the Forcible Conversion of Non-Muslims?
161. What Does the Qur'an Say About Peace & Non-Violence?
162. Does Quran Promote Violence, Bloodshed and Brutality by Saying Muslims
Should Kill the Kuffar Wherever They Find Them?
163. What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?
164. Why is Islam Portrayed as Violent and Horrible? Who is Behind this
Propaganda?
165. Are All Terrorists Muslims?
166. What Were the Motives of the Wars of the Prophet?
167. Does the Struggle for Rights have to Choose the Path of War Itself?
168. What Does the Qur'an Say About War?
169. When is it Permissible to Fight in Islam?
170. When Does Jihad Become Obligatory for a Muslim?
171. What are Islamic Laws and Rules of War?
172. Why Suicide Bombing Violates Islam?
173. What are the Ethics & Humanity Islam Teaches in the War Towards Enemies?
174. Is Religion Separate from Politics According to Islam?
175. What is the Concept of Islamic State/Country?
176. How was the Politics & Rule of Prophet?
177. What are the Rights of Citizens in an Islamic State?
178. How Did the Prophet Muhammed Treat Minorities in Islamic Country?
179. Are Non-Muslims Treated as Second Class Citizens in Islamic Country? Is
levying 'Jizya' a Discrimination Towards Them?
180. Does Islam Prescribe Death Penalty for Apostates?
181. What is Islamic View on Nationalism?
182. What is Islamic View on Democracy?
183. What is Islamic view on Secularism?
184. What is Islamic View on Marxism & Socialism?
185. Was Islam Spread by the Sword?
186. How Did Islam Spread in the World?
187. Why is Islam Often Misunderstood?
188. Is there a Growing Tendency to Abandon Religion/Islam in the New Generation?
189. Why Do So Many People Embrace Islam in Today's Times?
190. Are All Religions True? Does Islam Agree All Religions?
191. How Can We Realize Which Religion is True?
192. Why Muslims Call Others to Islam?
193. If Islam is the Best Religion, Why are All Muslims Not Good?
194. Some Questions to Atheists/Rationalists
195. What are the Similarities Between Hinduism and Islam?
196. What are the Differences Between Hinduism and Islam?
197. What are the Similarities Between Christianity and Islam?
198. What are the Differences Between Christianity and Islam?
199. Is it Compulsory to Accept Islam for Salvation?
200. Conversion to Islam and Misconceptions
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