The Key To Understanding Islam

Abdul-Rahman Bin Abdul-karim Al-Sheha
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 110 | Size: 52.5 MB

While the way of life known as Islam continues as the world’s most populace religion—the traditional undercounting of Muslims by western statisticians notwithstanding—the availability of useful Islamic information that speaks to the needs of both practicing Muslims as well as interested others has struggled to keep pace with the expanding community. Ironically, the post-9/11 frenzy that has gripped western societies with an uncommon and often irrational loathing for global Islam has, simultaneously, piqued the interest of more inquisitive, pensive non-Muslim westerners whose skepticism of mass media accounts of predatory Islamic “extremists” and “America haters” doesn’t match with their personal experiences of the Muslims they encounter in their neighborhoods, in their classrooms, or on their jobs.

Consequently, they seek the truth of the religion and strike out on their own to find answers to questions that are either ignored in the popular media, or are given the familiar “spin” that underwrites misinformation. What results is an informational void that cries out for a meaningful, serious response.

Abdul-Rahman al-Sheha, in his groundbreaking compendium The Key to Understanding Islam has not only addressed this need, but has introduced a uniquely constructed format that is as “user friendly” as it is comprehensive and scholarly.

The Islamic revival that accompanied Muslim’s throwing off the yoke of colonialism in the mid-20th century did not suffer from a dearth of scholars or scholarship aimed at consolidating new found freedoms within the divine Mercy of the Book of Allah and the traditions of His Noble Prophet. Indeed, the genius of these early Muslim sages helped to re-construct the framework that houses today’s resurgent Islamic movements. But many if not all of these definitive Islamic treatises are written in a language and style that appeal to those who, for the most part, are either already Muslim, or are comfortable conversing in dense, scholarly terms. Al-Sheha’s Key, in one simply written volume, offers a wealth of information that is, at once, revelatory for the non-Muslim who seeks a clear and concise understanding of what IS, and what IS NOT Islam, while providing a supremely well-organized inventory of traditionally sourced overviews on faith, worship, and social issues for the practicing Muslim. Clearly, this approach to dispensing critical informationon the life-affirming message of Islam presents a fresh and wholly inviting opportunity for presenting Islam while maintaining, immutably, the pristine principles of the Faith.

The Key to Understanding Islam combines the insightful, knowledgeable eye of the scholar with the empathy of a socially conscious researcher.

The result is an informative, compelling narrative that treats, for example, the essentials of Muslim worship, and the Islamic interpretation of astrophysics, al-Haitham, and Edwin Hubble, with equal clarity and aplomb, and importantly, connects them all together with appropriate references from the Qur’an, Prophetic traditions, or both. The breadth and depth of the subject covered is truly remarkable, and stands as a testimony to the enormous talent and sagacity of the author.

In its content, its style, its singularly important contribution to the global dialogue on religion in contemporary life, al-Sheha’s The Key to Understanding Islam takes its place among the most important works of its kind; it redefines the contours of this discussion while establishing improved methods for illuminating the Islamic underpinnings of European science and culture. It is a truly seminal work that will hopefully influence the next generation of Muslim scholars who choose to sow the fallow fields of presenting Islam as their life’s work. We pray for the universal acceptance of this bounteous offering; and we pray Allah, the Almighty, the One, the Sublime, to imbue Muslims and avail non-Muslims of the guidance and the knowledge of the best in this world, and the Best in the Life to Come.

Love Chronicles

Mohammad El-Shinawy

Ibn Taimiyah said: “The heart will not find complete happiness except by loving Allah and by striving towards what is dear to Him. It is not possible to achieve this love except by rejecting all things that compete with it. This is what the words, ‘There is no god but Allah’ mean; this is the spirit of the deen of Ibrahim and of that of every other prophet.” (Ibn Taimiya, Majmu’ al-Fatawa, vol 28, p.32, Riyadh).

The Crusades Through Arab Eyes (Audio Book)

Amin Maalouf

European and Arab versions of the Crusades have little in common. For Arabs, the twelfth and thirteenth centuries were years of strenuous efforts to repel a brutal and destructive invasion by barbarian hordes. In “The Crusades Through Arab Eyes”, Amin Maalouf has sifted through the works of a score of contemporary Arab chroniclers of the Crusades, eyewitnesses and often participants in the events.

He retells their stories in their own vivacious style, giving us a vivid portrait of a society rent by internal conflicts, and shaken by a traumatic encounter with an alien culture. He retraces two critical centuries of Middle Eastern history, and offers fascinating insights into some of the forces that shape Arab and Islamic consciousness today.

Reviews:

‘A useful and important analysis adding much to existing western histories … worth recommending to George Bush.’ London Review of Books ‘Well-researched and highly readable.’ The Guardian ‘A wide readership should enjoy this vivid narrative of stirring events.’ The Bookseller ‘An inspiring story … Very readable … Well translated … Warmly recommended.’ The Times Literary Supplement ‘Very well done indeed … Should be put in the hands of anyone who asks what lies behind the Middle East’s present conflicts.’ Middle East International

About Author:

Amin Maalouf is a Lebanese writer and journalist. He is the author of bestselling books, including Leo Africanus, Samakand, On Identity and Ports of Call. He has lived in Paris since 1976.

The Clash Of Civilizations: An Islamic View

Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 158 | Size: 5 MB

In a time when Muslims in the West live in an environment of turmoil and difficulty facing new challenges daily, they encounter a cultural dilemma, a clash of the Islamic and Western civilisations. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to know the foundations of these cultures, the differences between them as well as understanding islam correctly taken from its pure sources. In this book, the author highlights these aspects of the two cultures whilst also giving a detailed explanation of the core beliefs of Islam.

Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips was born in Jamaica, but grew up in Canada, where he accepted Islam in 1972. He completed a diploma in Arabic, and a B.A. from the College of Islamic Disciplines (Usool Ad-Deen) at the Islamic Univeristy of Madeenah in 1979. At the University of Riyadh, College of Education, he completed a M.A. in Islamic Theology in 1985, and in the department of Islamic Studies at the University of Wales, he completed a Ph.D. in Islamic Theology in 1994. Since 1994 he has founded and directed the Islamic Information Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (which is now known as Discover Islam) and the Foreign Literature Department of Dar Al Fatah Islamic Press in Sharjah, UAE. Presently, he is a lecturer of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the American University in Dubai and Ajman University in Ajman, UAE.

Dialogue Between An Atheist Professor And A Muslim Student

Islamic Invitation website, www.islamic-invitation.com
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 15 | Size: 9 MB

This is a very interesting dialogue between an atheist professor and a Muslim student regarding some principles in Islamic belief. The student succeeded in refuting wrong believes spreading all over the world through proving the Islamic belief based on irrefutable evidences. He discussed in detailed the issue of Allah’s existence.

Sharh ‘Umdah Al-Fiqh

Sheikh Abu Adnan
Language:  English | Format: Mp3 + PDF | PDF Pages: 453 | Size: N/A

The Fiqh of Worship. The book of al-‘Umdah is an abbreviated book of Fiqh according to the hanbali school of Fiqh (madhhab).

Fiqh is a subject that to some extent is being neglected these days with more concerted efforts taking place in the realm of aqidah (creed), and although it is undoubtedly pertinent that one learn what is permissible and not in relation to their beliefs, it is similarly important that the Muslims know what is permissible or otherwise in terms of their actions.

The term fiqh is commonly translated as jurisprudence, yet the meaning of jurisprudence has been somewhat allusive to most people. Linguistically, the word fiqh means ‘understanding’ whereas the technical meaning applied to fiqh is that it is knowledge of the practical legal rulings derived from the detailed evidences. Of course, to many people such a classification will seem like technical legal jargon but it simply means that fiqh is knowledge of what is halal and haram in accordance with the Islamic sources of authority.

The Hanbali school of legal thought was the last of the four major schools of thought to formulate its principles, and built upon the scholarship of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal it has survived and been practised for over a millennium. There were many periods in history when the Hanbalis numbered a handful, although today the school of thought seems to be making a resurgence. From amongst the long line of Hanbali scholars Muwaffaq-al-Din Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Qudama Al Maqdisi is amongst the most famous with his scholastic contributions making an impact on schools other than his own, not only in fiqh but also in aqidah. Having grown up in a religious family devoted to learning, he along with relatives would travel to Baghdad to seek knowledge already having benefitted from the scholars of Damascus (his own city) having moved there from Palestine. A contemporary of Salahuddin, he, along with his relatives took part in the great battle against the Crusaders which saw the end of their barbaric control of Jerusalem.

The Hanbali scholar Abdul Qadir ibn Badran discussed the juristic contributions of Ibn Qudama stating that he wrote four major books in Fiqh which served as a curriculum, the first one (Al Umdah) suitable for the absolute beginner and the last one (Al Mughni) qualifying the student as a jurist.[1] It is Umdah Al Fiqh that is the focus of this review, since the book serves as essential for those who wish to ground themselves in fiqh and grasp the basics.

Many Hanbali scholars past and present have attached great importance to Ibn Qudama’s Al Umdah due to its scholastic value, clear layout, simple language, and providence of basic evidences from the Qur’an and Sunnah. He says in his introduction, “I have abridged this book of fiqh as much as I can and shortened it merely to one opinion of the school so that it will serve as a primer for the reader. Thus, he will not be confused as to what is correct because of differing reports and narrations. Some of my (Muslim) brothers asked me to summarise it so as to make it simple for the teachers and to facilitate its memorisation for students…”

The ease by which the student can encompass all of the major topics of fiqh is facilitated by Ibn Qudama’s method of writing the manual. The chapters begin with a hadith (prophetic tradition) related from the authentic compilations and Ibn Qudama’s discussion is drawn out of that hadith – a method which instils within the reader the importance of hadith as well as encouraging him/her to study the prophetic traditions. It was for reasons such as these that many of the great luminaries from amongst the Hanbalis paid attention to this brief primer. Ibn Taymiyyah undertook its explanation which provides an extremely beneficial analysis of the primer although he did not complete it only reaching the chapter of pilgrimage. However, that which he did complete is extremely beneficial for the student, its depth is realised by the fact that reaching the chapter of pilgrimage took him four volumes! It has been printed by Dar Ibn Taymiyyah (Cairo) and Al Maktabah Al Dhahiriyyah (Damascus).

The most well known explanation of the primer is Al Uddah Sharh al Umdah by the faqih (jurist) and muhaddith (traditionalist) Baha’uddeen Abdul Rahman ibn Ibrahim Al Maqdisi. His explanation is a detailed exposition of the Hanbali school of thought crammed with evidences from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Although Al Umdah provides only one position in regards to a legal issue, Al Uddah at many junctures quotes up to three opinions found within the school (as well as the scholars these opinions are ascribed to) whilst occasionally mentioning the opinions of the other Imams, although, this is not an oft occurrence. Some scholars state that Al Uddah is, arguably, an abridged form of Ibn Qudamah’s Al Kafi (the third book in his curriculum) but written as an explanation to Al Umdah.

Al Uddah has become somewhat of a norm to be studied alongside Al Umdah, although, it can be confusing for those who are absolute beginners in fiqh, and more specifically, the Hanbali School of thought. Al Uddah has been published by Maktabah Al Qahirah (Cairo) although it contains many errors as well as the verification of hadith being unreliable. A better verification has been provided by the scholar Dr. Abdullah Al Turki and printed by Mu’assasah Al Risalah (in two volumes).

Al Umdah also has a few contemporary explanations such as that written by Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz Al Jibreen, and due to its simplicity, it seems to be more of an appropriate starting point for the beginner than Al Uddah. Such is also the case with Hashiyah ala Umdah Al Fiqh by shaikh Abdullah Aali Bassam which provides explanatory notes that accompany Al Umdah.

Al Umdah, being a brief primer in Hanbali fiqh is extremely beneficial for those beginning a new course of study as well as those wanting to go over the basics. The manual consists of short chapters which are very much understandable, and the brevity of the primer leaves the reader thirsty for more. The issues covered within the respective chapters are core points to note, but the intriguing way in which they are presented leaves the reader with deeper questions as if the discussion at hand was intended not only to inform the reader of the legal issue, but to invoke questions deeper into the topic.

The Two Holy Mosques

Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah and Guidance
Language:  English | Format: PDF | Pages: 22 | Size: 11 MB

A brief book on the two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia, the Holy Mosque in Makkah is the most revered place of worship for Muslims around the world. At the center of the Mosque is the Ka’aba, which literally means ‘cube’ in Arabic. All Muslims are required to face in the direction of the Ka’aba five times every day when offering their prayers. The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah is the second most revered place of worship for Muslims around the world. Millions of Muslims visit the Mosque each year, to worship, to visit the Prophet’s grave, and to see the city that gave birth to Islam.

A Comparison Between Islam, Christianity And Judaism And The Choice Between Them

Muhammad Al-Sayed Muhammad
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 208 | Size: 1.5 MB

All praises are due to Allah Lord of the worlds, Originator of the heavens and the Earth, the Creator of darkness and light, I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone without ascribing any partners to him, the Protector of the believers and the One who guides them to the straight path. I testify that Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him is his slave and messenger. O’ Allah send your peace and blessing upon Muhammad the Prophet and seal of the Prophets and Messengers, who was sent with the illumination, he delivered the trust and admonished his nation and Allah wiped away all of the darkness, and peace and blessings be upon his wives and his purified household and his blessed companions, who gave him victory and all those who were guided from his guidance, and emulated his way, and followed his traditions till the Day of Judgment.

As to what follows:

In the recent past especially since the advent of the satellite T.V channel, there has been a stark increase in the attacks on the religion of God, Islam, the aim is simply to lead people astray from it.

It has manifested itself in spite of the increased number of people accepting Islam around the world. They are systematically exploiting peoples ignorance about Islam and perpetually poisoning.

Therefore with the will and grace of Allah in this treatise a comparative study of Islam Christianity and Judaism, with particular attention to their creeds respectively.

This will clarify for us the authentic from the unreliable, the acceptable and the unacceptable, so that the objective reader can decide with certainty between the three faiths.

To begin with I plea to all parties be they; Muslim Christian or Jew to free themselves from partisanship and their desires when choosing what is more deserving to be followed, as this decision will be a proof against them on the Day of Judgment, in front of Allah. So it is important at the beginning that one takes a moment with oneself being absolutely truthful with oneself and Allah in the sincere search for the truth, before a day where neither money nor offspring with assist them, except a man who will go to Allah with a sound heart.

I ask Allah to guide us all to the truth that has no doubt, and that he expand our chest and that he enables us to tread upon the path of truth, His path, until the day we meet him indeed he is the One who is capable of doing it.

Who are “The People of The Book”?

The term The People of The Book in brief refer to the Christians and the Jews who were recipients of the “heavenly religions” respectively.

There is little doubt that these faiths had been altered and have deviated from their original course, and by doing so were no longer within the guidance that God Almighty had chosen for human kind.

What ties the Christians to the Jews and what are the similarities between the two?

Before looking furthers one must note that the Christians and the Jews are in opposition of one another and have severe enmity between them and so unifying them is impossible.

One of the main causes for these irreconcilable differences is their differing creeds, as the Christians believe in the divinity of Christ and say that he is one of three in the trinity, claiming that he was crucified and killed on the cross at the hands of the Jews, he was then resurrected from the dead and raised to heaven.

On the contrary the Jews in turn completely deny the prophet-hood of Jesus claiming that he was illegitimately born out of wedlock, and are condescending of his mother.

The points of contention between the two are numerous but the point indicated above is sufficient to show that brining together these two faiths is an impossible task.

Despite the efforts of the world media to show Christianity and Judaism in a good light as partners of one another and with a mutual agreement between the two, the truth could not be further away, and this is only a veneer that they both are content with in order to demonise and attack Islam, which is a commonality between the two.

The truth behind the façade is the following:

The Jews are convinced that if they rebuild the structure of Solomon then their Saviour will emerge and he is the Messiah Dajjal (the anti-Christ) as is foretold in their scripture.

And in that fact is a testimony to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who said; “ the Dajjal (anti-Christ) with be followed by 70,000 of the Jews of Asafhaan who will be wearing the Tayaalisah” or clothes of their religious men” One may ask if this is the number of their clergymen what is the number of their congregation.

Their belief having rejected the prophet hood of Jesus are waiting for their saviour who was mentioned in their scripture who will subjugate the people of the Earth for them, what is even more shocking is that the Anti-Christ who will be believed in by the Jews as their saviour, will be blind in one eye and have a human body and will finite and definable, i.e. in a particular place, which is something not attributable to Almighty God who is not encompassed in a place like the Messiah of the Jews.

As for the Christians:

Then their belief revolves around the fact that if the Anti-Christ emerges then that would signal the beginning of a new era for the Christians who will again rule the
Earth from Jerusalem. So the Christians consider the Jews a stepping-stone to eventual world domination.

This is why they the Christians are anxious that if the Muslims were to be victorious against the Jews this would delay the decent of Christ.

So it is clear the reason why the West and particularly the U.N is obsessed with supporting the state of Israel even when they have established a country on stolen land.

So from what has been clarified the veneer of peace between the Christians and Jews is one built on mutual benefits for both of them and yet there lies a deep resentment and enmity between the two that can result in any moment spilling in to war, if recent history is anything to go by.

Ways For Gaining Rewards

Department of Jaliyat in Zulfi
Language: Arabic – English | Format: PDF | Pages: 35 | Size: 1 MB

There are many ways to gain reward from Allah and in this book there are some examples like: The Holy Qur’an, Remembering Allah, Ablution, Prayer and Fasting.

1. Memorizing Qur’an: Aisha reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Such a person who recites the Quran and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Quran by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.”

2. Reciting Qur’an: Abu Umama reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It.”

3. Learning and Teaching Qur’an: Uthman bin Affan reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”

4. Suratul Al-Ikhlas: Abu Edarda reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ” Suratul Ikhlas: (Chapter 112) is equal to one-third of the Qur’an!”

5. Suratul Falaq and Surat Nas: Uqba bin Amir reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: What wonderful verses have been sent down tonight. the like of which has never been seen! They are:” Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn,” and” Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of men.” (chapters: 112 – 113 – 114 )

6. Suratul Baqarah: Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Do not make your houses as graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Suratul Baqarah is recited.”d of men.”

7. Suratul Baqarah and Suratu Ali Imran: Abu Umama reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, al- Baqara and Al ‘Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.”.

8. Ayatul Kursi (The Throne): Ubay bin Ka’b reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said to him: “O Abal-Mundhir, do you know which verse of Allah’s Book that you have is the greatest? “I replied, “Allah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal ” (2:254) . Thereupon he struck me on my breast and said: May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abal Mundhir!”

9. The last two verses of Al-Baqarah: Abu Mas’ud reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever recites the last two Verses of Suratul Baqarah during the night, they will be sufficient for him.”

10. Memorizing ten verses of Suratul Kahf: Abu Edarda reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ” Whoever learns by heart the first ten verses of Suratul Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.”
This hadith has been transmitted by Qatada with the same chain of transmitters. But Shu’ba (one of the narrators) said: At the end of Suraul Kahf . (chapters: 112 – 113 – 114 )

11. Remembering Allah much: Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said : “Mufarridun have gone ahead.” They (the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) ) said: Allah’s Messenger, who are Mufarridun? He said: “They are those males and females who remember Allah much. “

12. Abu Musa reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one.”

A Message To A Christian

Mahmoud Reda Morad Abu Romaisah
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 45 | Size: 1 MB

This message is for every Christian who is welling to search for the truth with a sincere desire, and a broad mind to provide him with answers to questions that would otherwise take him long time to find.

Since you are a Christian, have you ever thought of the origin of Christmas; or how genuine is Christmas? Or, do you consider Christmas a social tradition or a ritual? If you consider it a social tradition, then there is no room for it in you faith. If it as a ritual, then it should hav:e. an origin in your Bible. If it does not have an origin in your Bible, then, either the Bible is false or Christmas is. It is time you should know the truth about Christ and Christmas. Here is what Britannica Encyclopedia has to say about Christmas:

Christnlas (Old English “Christ’s Mass”) Christian festival celebrated on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is also a popular secular holiday. According to a Roman almanac, the Christian festival of Christmas was celebrated in Rome by AD 336.

The ecclesiastical calendar retains numerous remnants of pre-Christian festivals-notably Christmas, UJhich blends elements including both the feasts of the Saturnalia and the birthday of Mithra.

The development of legends

Legends developed in Christianity because of a need to answer questions posed by the less intellectual Christians, the need for stories of exemplary Christians, and the transference of the deeds of pagan gods and goddesses in popular piety to those zuho are of saints and martyrs. Many Christians UJere not satisfied with the gaps in the narration of Christ’s life in the canonical Gospels. There thus developed several apocrypha,l often influenced by Gnosticism, that provided legendary accounts of Christ’s life, as well as those of the Apostles.2

Since you are a fellow human being, first and foremost, we are concerned about your spiritual welfare;’ hence we have prepared this message for you.

Mankind belong to one single father, Adam, and have one single God, Allah, Who has brought them into existence, and provided them with their means of substance in order to worship Him alone. It is inconceivable that the God Who created the universe and every thing in it to need help; let alone taking a son or a spouse, or a partner. He was all by Himself when there was nothing in existence; then He created mankind and the rest of the creation for one single purpose, that is to worship Him.

Discrediting Islam

Dimension: 1000×1416 | Format: PNG | Size: 1 MB

Discrediting Islam: Attacking the reputation of Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

Yes! I Converted To Islam And Here Is Why…

Muhammad Haneef Shahid
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 66 | Size: 3 MB

# Moderation and temperance are keynote of Islam

The simplicity of Islam, the powerful appeal and compelling atmosphere of its mosques, the earnestness of its faithful adherents, the confidence inspiring realization of the millions throughout the world who answer the five daily calls to prayer – these factors attracted me from the first.

The broad-minded tolerance of Islam for other religions recommends it to all lovers of liberty. Muhammad admonished his followers to treat well the believers in the
Old and New Testament; and Abraham, Moses, Jesus are acknowledged as co-Prophets of the One God. Surely this is generous and far in advance of the attitude of other religions.

Moderation and temperance in all things, keynote of Islam, won my unqualified approbation.

Col. Donald S. Rockwell – U.S.A.

# Islam alone can satisfy the needs of every member of the human family

Christianity must go the way of all things, and henceforth perish and forever to make room for the True Religion of God to mankind, and that is Islam, which is Truth, sincerity, toleration, looking to the interests of man and pointing him

to the Right Way. Islam alone can satisfy the needs of every member of the human family, and Muslims are the only people among whom can be found the “True Book of Brotherhood” in reality and not mere “make-belief’ as in Christianity .

Sir Jalaluddin Lauder Brunton – England

# Islam alone offers the solution of present-day problems

To the Western mind, the chief appeal of Islam must be its simplicity. Admittedly, there are one or two other faiths which are as easy of approach but they sadly lack the vitality of the Faith of the Prophet (may AWih bless him), and the spiritual and moral elevation which it offers.

Islam must also appeal by virtue of its tolerance … Strangely Christian intolerance awakened my first interest in Islam. The Churches are utterly incapable of grappling with present-day problems. Islam alone, offers the solution.

John Fisher – Newcastle

# In Islam I have found the true Faith for which I had been seeking so long

I devoted a considerable amount of my spare time to a thorough study of an English translation of the Holy Qur’ an, and as I read over and over again, certain of the words of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah exalt his mention), I could not help but see that here, at last, in Islam I had found the true faith for which I had been seeking so long.

I would like to say that I feel confident, that if only people in this and other Western countries can be brought to appreciate the full meaning of Islam, and what it stands for, the ranks of Islam will be daily swelled, only unfortunately there is a vast amount of misapprehension in the minds of many ‘Free Thinkers’ and others who still cling to their old creed simply because they require the moral courage to abandon a faith, with the principles of which they are, at variance, and to embrace Islam.

Walker H. Williams

#If Britain and Europe were converted to Islam, they would again be powerful forces for good

There is no version of Christianity which is really satisfactory. Christians believe that because of the fall of Adam and Eve, all human beings are born in a state of original. sin, and are unable by their own actions to merit Heaven. Muslims, however, do not believe that people are punished for the sin of Adam and Eve. They believe that all human beings are born of innocence, and can only lose their hope of Heaven by their own sins when they are old enough to be guilty of deliberate wrong-doing.

If Britain and Europe were converted to Islam, they would again be powerful forces for good. British and European Muslims are some of the best.

Khadija F.R. Fezoui – England

# The purity and simplicity of the Islamic Faith and its obvious Truth made a special appeal to me!

The purity and simplicity of the Islamic Faith, its freedom from dogma and sacredotalism and its obvious Truth made a special appeal to me. The honesty and sincerity of the Muslims, too, are greater than anything I have seen in Christians.

Another beauty ofIslam is its equality. It is only Islam that has real equality maintained between man and man and no other religion has anything like it. The Faith of Islam generates unity.

The Deen of Islam is also the cleanest religion in the world because Muslims have to wash the exposed parts of the body five times a day, a practice not found in any other religion of the world.

A. w.L. Van Kuy/enhurg (Known as M.A. Rahman)

Women In Islam

Aisha Lemu – Fatima Heeren
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 53 | Size: 2 MB

During the last fifteen years since I came to accept Islam, I have been asked many questions about the Muslim way of life by non-Muslim friends and acquaintances. The ignorance of the ordinary educated Westerner about Islam is almost total; but the area where the vacuum of knowledge has been most effectively filled with misinformation is possibly concerning the role of women in Islam. Some non-Muslims ask such questions as “In Islam do you believe that women have souls?” and “Muslim women do not pray or go to Makka, do they?” and “Paradise is only for men in Islam, isn’t it?”

Fantasy and Escape

According to these assumptions, the Muslim woman is spiritually a non-person, existing in a world of shadows, oppressed and suppressed, from which she will at death pass into a sort of limbo for soulless non-entities. This impression has in the past often been fostered by Christian missionaries, some of whom may even have actually believed it to be true. Side by side with this image In the Western mind is another one projected by the entertainment media, that of the Muslim woman as a member. of the harem in the Hollywood versions of the Arabian Nights. Here she forms a unit in a flock of scantily-clad and birdwitted young ladies who lie around in palaces awaiting the opportunity to be noticed by their lord and master, the sultan.

These images are of course very appealing to the Western imagination-firstly of the mysterious and chaste veiled woman, living in fear of her jealous and brutal husband; she is the traditional maiden in distress, waiting for St. George to slay the dragon and rescue her; and secondly of the slave-girl, dazzling in silks and jewels, awaiting her master’s pleasure. Which Western man or woman has not at one time or another indulged in a fantasy in which he or she plays one of these roles? This is doubtless why the fantasy lingers so long. We want to believe that these women exist so that we can weave these day-dreams about them, though publicly we must condemn a situation so obviously contrary to the principles of women’s liberation.

This then is the fantasy, and as long as we recognise it as such, it is a pleasant form of escapism. But we are here to discuss women in Islam and to outline what is the role expected of a Muslim woman. Th& best source of information on this must be not tales of imagination and Hollywood’s choicest offerings but the source-book of Islam-that is the Qur’an, and the hadTth, the recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad.

My intention is to bring to your notice some of those verses of the Qur’an and sayings of t~e Prophet Mu~ammad which relate to women, and to try to draw some conclusions about what these mean-or should mean-in practice, with regard to a woman’s life. I do not intend to describe the status of Muslim women In individual countries past or present, however, since this varies considerably from one period to another and one place to another due to the influence of regional customs stemming from pre-Islamic or modern cultural factors…

Foreword:

The West has known Islam for over thirteen centuries now, but it has generally known it in antagonistic terms as an enemy and as a threat. It is not surpri’sing therefore that our religion has been portrayed as a hostile, tyrannical, violent and even idolatrous religion and our culture has been painted in dark and dismal colours. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to persist and disfigure relations between Islam and the Western world. With the advance of knowledge and a greater contact between Europe and the Muslim world, intellectual, social, cultural and political and economic, we hope the old attitudes will change, giving place to better understanding and closer co-operation based on loyalty to facts, honest appreciation of areas of agreement and disagreement between us, and respect for differences. where we may disagree.

The International Islamic Conference held in London from 3rd to 12th April, 1976, has no parallel in the history of Europe for never before have so many distinguished Muslim scholars and statesmen been brought together in one place in Europe to explain before the world the teachings of Islam as Muslims understand. them. A major aim of the Conference was the development of a better understanding of Islam and Muslim Culture in the West, with a view to improving relations between Muslims and the followers of other faiths and ideologies.

One of the most memorable sessions was the one devoted to themes relating to woman in Islam. It was addressed by two Muslim women, both coming from the Western background, one English and the other German. As such the Western audience had a chance to listen to the Islamic viewpoint from those who, although coming from a different background, had accepted the Islamic social framework out of conviction and were prepared to share their experience and its intellectual appreciation with others. I am glad that these lectures are being published in the form of a separate book even before they appear in the voluminous proceedings of the Conference. I am thankful to the Islamic Foundation for producing this book so quickly and efficiently.

Al-Ghurabah In Light Of Ash-Shaam

Ustadh Uthman Lateef

Who are the Ghurabah (Strangers)?

Amidst the current crisis in Syria, who are the Ghurabah?

How can we aid those who are suffering?

How can we become amongst the Ghurabah?

The Prophet SAW said “Islam began as something strange, and it will return as something strange the way it began. So Tooba for the Strangers”.

The Tree Of Faith

Abdur Rahman al-Sa’di
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 96 | Size: 2 MB

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Allah, the Exalted says:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ كَلِمَةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ۬ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ۬ وَفَرۡعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ – تُؤۡتِىٓ أُڪُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينِۭ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهَا‌ۗ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَڪَّرُونَ

“Do you not see how Allah sets forth a metaphor of a good word: a good tree whose roots are firm and whose branches are in the sky? It bears fruit all the time by its Lord’s permission. Allah sets forth metaphors for people so that hopefully they will pay heed.” (Surah Ibrahim 14:24-25)

Allah has likened the statement of faith, which is the best of statements, with a tree that is the best of trees bearing these noble characteristics. Its roots are firm, it is always growing and maturing and it bears fruit all the time, directing is numerous benefits and delectable fruits to its owner and others.

This tree varies greatly in the hearts of the believers, changing in accordance to the variation of the qualities that Allah has described it with. Therefore it is upon the servant to hasten towards acquiring knowledge about it, its descriptions, that which leads to its existence and potency, its roots and its branches. It is upon him to expend his efforts in actualizing this tree in terms of knowledge and action for indeed his portion of goodness and success, happiness in this life and the Hereafter, is dependant upon the extent to which this tree (is implanted in the heart).

On Contemporary Dawah

Muhammad al-Abdah
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 76 | Size: 12 MB

A critical look into the internal body of Da’wah and those engaged in it. It contains 30 powerful articles on the many issues of the Call today. This book is a pause for thought, and a call for re-examination of current practises. The frankness of this book marks it as worthy of admiration.

The Rights Of Non-Muslims In The Islamic World

Salih ibn Husain Al-‘Ayid
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 81 | Size: 24 MB

In this study titled The Rights of non-Muslims in the Islamic World, to discuss this issue in depth, so that non-Muslims can know what Islam guarantees them, and not go to extremes in making demands that have no basis in truth. At the same time, Muslims can learn about the rights of others, and not oppress them by denying them some or all of their rights.

A Message To Who Does Not Believe In Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Website of Rasoulullah (peace be upon him)
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 31 | Size: 2 MB

A Scientific and Material Speech to this who does not believe in Muhammad the Messenger of Allah

Mocking Allah, His verses and His Messenger has become a normal thing nowadays and it comes in most cases from abroad, where atheists claim that Islam is a religion of underdevelopment, terrorism and ignorance. That›s why the enemies of Islam continued to mock its teachings, claiming that they have become out of date and do not fit the times!

Glorified be Allah! Has freedom of expression become, from their point of view, their freedom to mock the greatest creature of Allah (PBUH)? However, apparently, those have not found any scientific thing to criticize Islam for; thus, they tended to use these desperate cartoons. They failed to extract any scientific or linguistic mistake from the Noble Qur›an or the ahadith (speeches) of the greatest Messenger to convince their followers about it, except these cartoons, which reflect their bankruptcy.

We have the right to express our opinion about such things, but, we do not mock their prophets, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them, as they are quit of them and their deeds and because we do not differentiate between these honored prophets, as they are all messengers from Allah (Exalted be He). But, before doing so, let›s listen to this saying of Allah (Exalted be He) about those people and the like of them:

«Surely the ones who hurt Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in the present (life) (Literally: the lowly (life), i.e., the life of this world) and the Hereafter, and He has prepared for them a degrading torment *** And the ones who hurt male believers and female believers, without that they have earned it, then they have readily burdened themselves calumny and evident vice» [Surat Al-Ahzab: 57-58].

These cartoons hurt Allah and mock His Messenger and represent a severe hurt to every male and female believer. That›s why the likes of those are promised a painful torment on the Day of Judgment, if they do not stop doing such act.

Our style of expression will be more severe and enduring than theirs, which is no more than cartoons that do not reflect anything except illusions existing no where but in the imagination of their author. We will address those (people) in the language of science, which they failed to use in addressing us! And we will tell them the reality of that merciful Prophet (PBUH).

I am not going to talk about the good manners and the wonderful attributes that the final Prophet had, because those do not have these manners and do not recognize it, but, we will direct a scientific and material speech to them, including the facts that this honored Prophet brought with him and are present in the Qur›an and recited fourteen centuries ago and up till now. I tell those, who are proud of science and justice, because they represent technically advanced countries and they are democratic countries that believe in justice and rights, we say: the Qur’an, which you mock, was the first book to call for science and justice, and these two are the measures of success and continuity of any civilization.

Indeed, the first word sent down to that honored Prophet was «read» and this proves that Islam is the religion of science. While, the last word sent down of the Qur’an was «they will not be done injustice» and this proves that Islam is the religion of justice. Thus, what you boast today, our Prophet (PBUH) preceded you to it long centuries ago.

You say that you are the first to call for searching the history of universe and creatures and you are proud of this, but we ask you to read the saying of Allah (Exalted be He) in the Noble Qur›an, about an explicit and direct call to investigate the beginning of creation: «Say, “Travel in the earth, then look how He began creation. Thereafter Allah brings into being the last bringing up. Surely Allah is Ever-Determiner of everything» [Surat Al-Ankabut: 20]. This proves Qur›an›s interest in investigation, contemplation, research and study.

Indeed, our Prophet (PBUH) has set a scientific basis for astronomy and cosmic phenomena, when people thought the sun eclipsed for the death of Ibrahim, the son of the Prophet (PBUH), so he said: (the sun and the moon are two signs of Allah’s (Exalted be He) and they do not eclipse for the death or life of anybody). [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

These words of the Prophet of mercy (PBUH) came at a time when you used to believe that eclipse is an indication of the birth of a great person or his death, the fall of a governor or the loss of a battle.

At a time when Europe was full of priests, astrologers and charlatans and those were believed by most people then. At this time, our Prophet (PBUH) prohibited such acts as he said: (anyone who goes to a priest or a fortuneteller and believes him in what he says, he has disbelieved in what was sent down to Muhammad) [narrated by Ahmad].

At the time when you thought that the earth is stable and immobile, the Qur’an set a scientific fact confirming that everything in universe rotates in a specific orbit and this fact was not discovered except recently. He (Exalted be He) says about the earth, the sun and the moon: «and each is swimming in an orbit» [Surat Ya-sin: 40].

What Do You Actually Know About Islam?

Abdullah Al-Qenaei
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 24 | Size: 1 MB

Islam is a religion and a way of life. It means submission, devotion, and obedience to God, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Therefore, a Muslim is someone who submits himself to God. That is the reason why every prophet and messenger of God and their followers were by definition ‘Muslims’, as stated in the Qur’an.

“Whoever submits His whole self to Allah and is a doer of good,- He will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” [The Qur’an, 2: 112].

Islam is the religion of God and the same message which all the prophets and messengers of Almighty God came with, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus and fifinally Muhammad – may the peace and blessings of God be upon them. Therefore, Muslims believe in, love, and respect all the prophets and messengers of Almighty God. “The messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers; We make no difference between any of His messengers; and they say: We hear and obey, our Lord! your forgiveness (do we crave), and to you is the eventual course” [The Qur’an, 2:285].

Islam aims to preserve the basic rights of human beings, establishing security and peace in society and the world as a whole. Islam urges its followers to be kind, polite, decent, and good citizens in a society. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said : “The best among you are those who have the best manners and character” [Bukhari, 56].

What is Islam all about ?

Islam calls for, and nurtures a loving and direct relationship between ‘God’ and ‘humans’ with no intercessors or intermediaries “Surely to Allah alone sincere devotion (and obedience) is due” [The Qur’an, 39:3].

When you pray, you pray directly to God, and when you want to repent from your sins, you ask God directly for forgiveness.

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me” [The Qur’an, 2:186] and “And your Lord says, Call upon Me; I will respond to you” [The Qur’an, 40:60].

Islam is the religion of pure human nature and clarity. It urges and calls its followers to ask about all issues or problems they may encounter or endure, from the simple problems of their every day life to the deepest, most complex and also the most incomprehensible questions of their existence.

“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know” [The Qur’an, 16:43]

‘People of knowledge’ refers to the experts in the various fields known for their expertise.

In Islam, the whole doctrine is clearly explained, therefore there are no obscure or mysterious components to the belief.

“Allah would explain to you and guide you by the examples of those who were before you, and would turn to you in mercy. Allah is Allknowing, All-wise. And Allah would turn to you in mercy; but those who follow vain desires would have you go immensely astray. Allah would lighten your (diffificulties): For man was created weak (in flflesh)” [The Qur’an, 4:26-28].

Islam is not a religion of monasticism or separation from the worldly life. On the other hand, it does not allow the uncontrolled indulgence of worldly pleasures and desires. It teaches us to nourish and satisfy our soul and spiritual needs as much as we need food and provision for our body. It is a complete social system which promotes a lifestyle based on moderation, embracing both religious and mundane affairs, and considers them complementary to one another: neither aspect should prevail at the expense of the other.

“But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and be kind as Allah has been good (kind) to you, and seek not mischief in the land” [The Qur’an, 28:77].

Islam places men and women all equal before their Lord regardless of their race, tongue, national origin, appearance, wealth and social status. The criterion for differentiation among them arises in their compliance with the divine regulations.

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware” [The Qur’an, 49:13].

The most pivotal benefifits that Islam provides for the individual are:

1. True happiness and inner peace.
2. Practical guidance in leading a good life.
3. A correct understanding of human nature.
4. Forgiveness from all previous sins.
5. The gateway to eternal Paradise.
6. Salvation from Hell-fire.

In order to gain such benefifits and much more, there is primarily one basic step to take: It is to bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah and that Muhammad is his servant and messenger. This is what we call ‘Testimony of Faith’, which is the fifirst pillar in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Islam has been built on fifive (pillars), testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayers, paying the Zakat (the annual poor due), making the Pilgrimage to the House (in Mecca, once in a lifetime) and fasting in Ramadhan” [Bukhari, 8 - Muslim, 16]. It is important not to let our mind be framed by barriers or limitations that may discourage us, such as the use of the Arabic language. The meaning of ‘Allah’ is in fact simply ‘Almighty God’ and it is an exclusive title which no-one else besides Him has been given, in all of human history.

When I use the word ‘Allah’ I mean the same God that created Adam and Eve, the same God that sent prophets such as Abraham, Job, Lot, David, Jesus and Mohammad peace and blessings be upon them. I do not mean a different God than the God that spoke to Moses, and split the sea for him. I mean the exact same God that saved Noah in the ark and Jonah in the Whale. I mean the exact same God that created Jesus in the womb of Virgin Mary.

Even Arab Christians use the word ‘Allah’ when they refer to the Creator of the Universe. You can verify this in the Arabic translations of the Holy Bible.

Ramadan: The Month Of Victory

Sheikh Abu Adnan

Sheikh Abu Adnan speaks about the virtues of Ramadan and gives some advice about how we should worship and act during ramadan and how we should keep our good deeds outside of ramadan. This is another very beneficial lesson by our beloved Sheikh.

The Key To Paradise

Imam Ibn Rajab al Hanbali
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 113 | Size: 3 MB

The Key To Paradise: An Explanation To The Testimony Of Faith And Its Benefits

When the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihi wa salam) was sent to the polytheists to call to this statement, ‘None has that right to be worshiped save Allah,’ that understood something from it that made them reject it, opposed the Messenger, and all those who believed in it. What was this understanding? Was it the understanding that Allah existed and was One? They already believed in this. They believed that He was the Creator, Nourisher, Sustainer, in His hands was the control of all affairs, and in His hands was life and death.

It was said to al-Hasan, ‘People say that whoever says, ‘None has the right to be worshipped,’ shall enter Paradise.’ He said, ‘Whoever says, ‘None has the right to be worshipped save Allah,’ and fulfills its obligations and meets its requirements shall enter Paradise.’

Wahb ibn Munabbih was asked, ‘Is not the testification that “none has the right to be worshipped save Allah” the key to Paradise?’ He replied, ‘Of course, but every key has its teeth: if you bring a key that has teeth, the door shall open; but if not, it will not.’

My brothers! Strive, today, to your utmost in actualizing Tawhid, for nothing else can take you to Allah. Be desirous for establishing its rights for nothing else will save you from the punishment of Allah. The testification of Tawhid has many great benefit, it is not possible to enumerate them all, however, the author mentions fifty-five benefits of it.

This small treatise deals with the correct and accurate meaning of the testification of Tawhid and with an extremely beneficial appendix – The Types of Hearts – by al-Hafiz ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.

About Imam Ibn Rajab al Hanbali (736 – 795 AH)

He was the noble Imaam, the Haafidh, the Critic, Zayn-ud-Deen ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Ahmad bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan bin al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Abil-Barakaat Mas’ood As-Salaamee Al-Baghdaadee (due to his place of birth), Al-Hanbalee (due to his madh-hab), Ad-Dimashqee (due to his place of residence and death). His kunyah was Abul-Faraj, and his nickname was Ibn Rajab, which was the nickname of his grandfather who was born in that month (of Rajab).

He was born in Baghdad in 736H and was raised by a knowledgeable family, firmly rooted in knowledge, nobility and righteousness. His father played the greatest role in directing him towards the beneficial knowledge.

Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab, may Allaah have mercy on him, was deeply attached to the works of Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah, for he would issue legal rulings according to them and would constantly reference his books. This is since he served as a student under Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, the most outstanding student of Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah, may Allah have mercy on all of them. But in spite of this, he (rahimahullaah) wasn’t a blind follower or a fanatical adherent (to his teacher). Rather, he would review, authenticate, verify and follow the evidences.

Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab, may Allaah have mercy on him passed to the  realm of the Akhira in  Ramadaan, 795H. He died while in Damascus.

The Calamities Of Ash-Shaam

Sheikh Abu Adnan

Urgent lecture explaining the situation in Ash-shaam and that the Authority (Tamkeen) cannot be given in the land without trials, tests and calamities as this is a universal way of Allah, as it was the case of the Prophets and the true believers. The lecture also incites us to support the brothers in As-shaam by any means possible.

Sheikh Abu Adnan is currently the Amir of the Global Islamic Youth Centre in Sydney, Australia. He is heavily involved in presenting informative lectures on a regular basis to a variety of audiences, delivering Juma’ah Khutbah, assisting and training potential Islamic speakers as well as playing a lead role within the Sydney Muslim community. Sheikh Abu Adnan also helped set up the Islamic College of Australia and currently holds the position of Deputy Principal at the college. He teaches many authentic Islamic courses concerning Fiqh, Tafseer, Seerah, Aqeedah, Hadeeth and Quranic Sciences, all of which require students to graduate with certified documentation.

‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (R) (2 Vol. Set)

Dr. Ali Muhammad Sallaabee
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 1297 | Size: 33 MB

Succession to the Prophet…The murder of `Uthman and the quest for justice…The Battle of the Camel…Ahl al-Bayt…Caliphs and Imams…Moderation and extremism…

This book is far more than a biography, as it discusses major issues that have their origins in the early decades of Islam, the repercussions of which are still felt today. In this book, Dr. Sallabi guides the reader through a myriad of hadiths and reports, peeling away the centuries-old layer of fabrications and distortions through which hostile elements both in the Muslim world and beyond sought to conceal the truth. What emerges is a clear picture of the first great turmoil that engulfed the Muslim world and how the noble Companions of the Prophet and the members of his family worked together to resolve these momentous issues, following the guidance and teaching brought by the Messenger of Allah.

The true battle for hearts and minds is that which is raging in the Muslim world today, where many vested interests are seeking to distort the very self-image of the Muslims. It is high time for us to reclaim our history and to stop letting others tell it for us. This book is of great importance as it sets the record straight on a period of our history that is of major significance. Every Muslim who cares about the big issues faced by Islam and Muslims should read this book.

Dr. Ali M. Sallabi is famous for his detailed books of history and biography that bring the past to life for modern readers. Dr. Sallabi was born in Libya in 1383 H/1963 CE, and earned a bachelor’s degree at the Islamic University of Madinah, graduating first in his class. He completed his master’s and doctorate degrees at Omdurman Islamic University in Sudan.

Importance Of Ethics And Values In Islamic Civilization

Ragib Al-Sarjani
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 103 | Size: 5 MB

Human rights in Islamic civilization

Introduction

Western philosopher Nietzsche says: «The weak and failures should perish: first principle of our love of humanity. And they should be helped to do this»[1]! But the philosophy of Islam and its law have never deviated from the values and ethics, which were represented in a set of rights that included all human beings without distinction between colors, races or languages, and also included the human behavior in dealing with each other. These values and ethics were also represented in maintaining and applying these rights with the authority of Islamic law and imposing sanctions upon offenders.

Islam’s view for humans

Islam treats man with honor and esteem out of Allah›s saying: {We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of our creation.}[Al-Isra: 70]. This view gives special characteristics and features for human rights in Islam. The most important feature is the comprehensiveness of these rights.These rights include political, economic, social and intellectual rights. They are also common for Muslims and non-Muslims without distinction between colors, races or languages. They are not subject to cancellation or change, as they are linked to the teachings of the Lord of the worlds.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) reported this in his farewell address, which was a comprehensive report on human rights, as he said: «… No doubt, your blood and your properties are sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this town of yours, till the day you meet your Lord..[2]». This prophetic address asserted a set of rights, the most important of which is the sanctity of blood, money, honor, and others.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also magnified the human psyche in general, preserving its greatest right, namely the right to life. Asked about great sins, he (peace be upon him) said: «Polytheism and killing a soul…[3]». The word soul was generalized to include any soul killed without right.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) went further as he ordered man to preserve his own life by prohibiting suicide. He (peace be upon him) said: «Whoever purposely throws himself from a mountain and kills himself, will be in the (Hell) Fire falling down into it and abiding therein perpetually forever; and whoever drinks poison and kills himself with it, he will be carrying his poison in his hand and drinking it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever; and whoever kills himself with an iron weapon, will be carrying that weapon in his hand and stabbing his abdomen with it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever.»[4]

Islam prohibits any action that diminishes the right to life, whether through intimidation, insult, or beating. Hisham ibn Hakim said he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him saying: «Allah would torment those who torment people in the world.»[5]

Equality among people

After honoring man in general and stipulating the sanctity of blood, honor and money, and the right to life, the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the right of equality among all people; between individuals and groups, between races and peoples, between rulers and the ruled, and between governors and the governed. So, there are no restrictions or exceptions; no difference in legislation between Arabs and non-Arabs, or between white and black, or between rulers and the ruled. Rather, people are differentiated according to piety. He (peace be upon him) said: «O people! Verily your Lord is one and your father is one. All of you belong to one ancestry of Adam, and Adam was created out of clay. Verily the noblest among you in Allah›s view is he who is the most pious. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab except in piety.»[6]Let›s look at how the Prophet handled the principle of equality in order to realize his greatness. Abu Umamah reported: Abu Dhar taunted Bilal about his mother and said: You son of a black woman. Bilal went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and told him the story. The Prophet got angry. Abu Dhar came and did not know what happened. The Prophet turned his face away from Abu Dhar. Abu Dhar said: There should be something that made you turn your face away from me. The Prophet said: «Are you taunting Bilal about his mother?»and then said: «By the One Who revealed the book to Muhammad – or any other oath he wanted, God willing – one is not preferred to another except by work. You are all equal.»[7]

Justice in Islam

Another right is linked to the right to equality, namely the right to justice. One of the masterpieces in this regard is the Prophet›s saying to Usama ibn Zayd when the latter wanted to intercede for the Makhzumi woman who had committed theft: «By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut off.»[8]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also banned the confiscation of one›s right to self-defense in order to observe justice. He says: «… no doubt, for he (the creditor) has the right to demand his debt (harshly)….»[9]. He says to those who take over governance and judiciary: «…When two litigants sit in front of you, do not decide till you hear what the other has to say as you heard what the first had to say; for it is best that you should have a clear idea of the best decision.»[10]

Right to sufficiency in Islam

The right to sufficiency is a unique right stipulated in the Islamic law. It was not stipulated in any positive system or a human rights charter before. The right to sufficiency means that everyone shall live within the confines of the Islamic state on the adequate needs of life, on condition that he shall lead a decent life, having appropriate standards of living. This right is different from the bare subsistence level stipulated in positive systems, which means the minimum limit that maintains life.[11]

The right to sufficiency is achieved through work. If one is unable to do this, Zakat (alms) can do it; and if Zakat is unable to pay to the poor, the state budget shall pay. The Prophet (peace be upon him) expressed this when he said: «…he who left behind property that is for his family, and he who dies under debt or leaves children (in helplessness), the responsibility (of paying his debt and bringing up his children) lies on me.»[1212]He asserted this right when he said: «The one who sleeps with a full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry doesn’t believe in me.»[13]Lauding Ash›arites, he (peace be upon him) said: «When the Ash›arites run short of provisions in the campaigns or run short of food for their children in Medina they collect whatever is with them in the cloth and then partake equally from one vessel. They are from me and I am from them.»[14]

Our Morals Following The Prophet’s Path

Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al-Noonan
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 61 | Size: 3 MB

Alhamdulillah and all praises be to Allah, the Bestower of benevolence, bounty and generosity to his servants. He is the Giver of countless blessings to all creatures and creations. He is the Generous and the Benevolent whose graces are visible and invisible. Thanks and praises to him at the beginning and at the end. All thanks be to Allah. We give gratitude to Him, we seek His help and guidance, and we ask for His forgiveness.

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds, we glorify Him, seek His help, ask for His forgiveness and return to Him in repentance to Him. We seek refuge in Allah the Almighty from our faults and iniquities. He whom Allah guides, is rightly guided, but he whom Allah sends astray, you will find no guide for him. I bear witness that no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) is the servant and messenger of Allah.

We thank Almighty Allah and all the Praises and Blessings be on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the master of the messengers, the imam of the pious and the final prophet. He is the final messenger, the leader of goodness and the messenger of mercy.

Having good manners is a trait of the prophets, truthful and righteous people. High degrees and ranks are achieved by following good manners. Almighty Allah devotes a verse in the Qur’an about the manners of the Prophet (PBUH), it relates all the high morals and best of manners to the Prophet (PBUH). Allah says in the Qur’an: “And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character.” (Al-Qalam: 4).

Having good manners in Islam is of a high status and favorable position. There are many texts that praise the good behaviors and encourage following and adhering to them. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The believers with the most perfect faith are those with the most perfect conduct and manners. And the best ones amongst you are those who are best to their families.” (Al-Tirmidhi) The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Mankind has not been given anything better than good manners.» (Sahih al-Jami’)

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik (RA) that the Prophet (PBUH) said to him: «I command you to be of good manners and remain silent for long periods of time, because by Him whose hand is in my soul, the creation cannot beautify themselves with anything better than these.» Good manners mean smiling at people’s faces, helping them, doing goodness, treating people with kindness, and not to hurt anyone. In short, they are every positive conduct by Muslims such as good words, forbearance, anger suppression and forgiveness.

Now let’s look at the great reward and absolute goodness of people with good manners:

* Having good manners and character is the heaviest good deed in your Balance according to what the Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) said: «Nothing will be placed in the Balance (in the Day of Resurrection) heavier than good conduct.» (Al-Tirmidhi no. 2003; al-Albany no. 5721, classified it as Hadith Sahih)

* Having good manners and character makes you the most beloved and closest to the Prophet (PBUH) in the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet (PBUH) said: «The most beloved of you to me and the closest of you to me in the Hereafter are those of you who have the best manners; the most hated of you to me and farthest from me in the Hereafter are those of you who have the worst manners, those who speak and do not even care about what they are saying» (Sahih al-Jami)

* Having good manners and character is the way to enter Paradise and reach the highest status in Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “I am a leader, in a house in the lowest place of Paradise, of the people who leave the argument even they were right. I am a leader, in a house in the middle of Paradise, of the people who leave the lies even though I was a joke. I am a leader, in a house in the highest place of Paradise, of the people who have high morals.” (Narrated by Abo Dawood, hadith no 4800, approved by Al Albany in Sahih Attargheeb, hadith no 2648)

* Having good manners and character will enable the Muslim to reach by them the rank of the person who always prays at night and fasts during the day. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: «The person of good manners will get the same reward as the person who prays during the night and fasts during the day» (Sahih Al-Jami)

* In another hadith the Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) mentions the reward for one who is a musaddat, the one who is always trying to fill in the gaps between other Muslims by being social, friendly, and having good manners. He (PBUH) said: «The Muslim who is musaddat reaches the darajat as-sawwam al-qawwam.» Sawwam is the one who continually fasts and the qawwam is the one who continually stands in prayer. So the Muslim who is very social, has good manners, and is fulfilling the rights of his brothers reaches the level of the one who continually fasts and prays just because of his good manners.

My dear Muslim brothers and sisters! How many good deeds have we missed by our heedlessness of the greatness of good manners? This is an invitation to get the highest rank in the present life and in the Hereafter by following the best conduct and praised attitude. We should lead and encourage ourselves to follow good manners and strive for having them. By this, we will be following the best human and greatest role model of humanity, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him). We should follow his example of how he treated his wives, his children, his neighbors, his companions, the Muslims and even disbelievers and infidels.

In this series “Our Morals following the Prophet’s Path,” we will talk about a number of the highest morals that Islam urges people to follow to get the highest reward and rank.

Spying On Muslims

Uthman Lateef

It is narrated in al-Saheehayn from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech. Do not eavesdrop; do not spy on one another; do not envy one another; do not forsake one another; do not hate one another. Be, O slaves of Allaah, brothers.” Al-Bukhaari, 5144; Muslim, 2563.

Scriptures Of Christianity And Islam: A Basic Comparison

Dr. Gary Miller
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 20 | Size: 1 MB

Christians and Muslims who learn something of one another’s religion find that a crucial issue is the nature of Jesus. The majority of Christians deify Jesus while Muslims say that he was no more than a prophet of God, a faultless human being. The doctrine of the Trinity avows that three distinct co-equals are God. In particular, Jesus is said to be God the Son or the Son of God. As the Muslim questions details of this theology the Christian characteristically forms a common explanation for our differences: He complains that Muslims do not understand the Trinity: that we are actually accusing Christians of Tritheism and other heresies.

So the Muslim seeks clarification of the teaching and asks at every step: “How could that be so?” For example, we insist that the term “Son of God” cannot have a literal interpretation. Sonship and divine nature would be necessary attributes of such an actuality, but these are incompatible. The first describes a recipient of life while the second describes One who received life from no one. These are mutually exclusive requirements then. To be a son is to be less than divine, and to be divine is to be no one’s son.

As a discussion proceeds, it is the Christian who will eventually take refuge in the response: “These are things that we cannot understand.” His assessment of the Muslim’s problem becomes his own confession. The Christian explanation becomes self-defeating so there is a change of tactic.

He complains that the Muslim refuses to accept what cannot be understood. But the modified approach is a diversion. Now the concepts of verification and understanding are confused. To illustrate: Chemical reactions may be verified but the atom is not thereby understood. Facts are catalogued but not always explained. This distinction is the key to our concise reply. It is the Muslim who must redirect the discussion. Our primary issue is more basic than resolving the incongruities of Trinitarian doctrine. Rather than ask how the Trinity can be so, we should ask why it must be so. “We ask, “Why must Jesus be divine? Can we verify the necessity of this belief?”

The Muslim Position

A few centuries ago, European philosophers commonly felt that a conjecture was proven if it could be shown to be equivalent to an assertion made by Aristotle. Unfortunately, such an approach stopped short of challenging Aristotle and discovering truth. Similarly, resting the Trinitarian case on what people have said about Jesus stops short of establishing the integrity of the authorities and the truth of the matter.

Our purpose here is no more than the illustration that belief in the Trinity can only be based on Church authority. Many Christians admit that this is the case while others insist that the teaching was elaborated by Jesus himself. “Let them produce their proof,” is the repeated admonition of the Qur’an, that is, ‘provide the documentation that Jesus himself claimed unqualified deity,’ (Qur’an 21:24). Unless this evidence can be produced, authorities are subject to challenge. Then the Christian may not evade the Muslim’s questions concerning understanding. The Christian will have no justification for maintaining an illogical position, unless he is content to rely on the opinions of men. If he will probe no deeper than this, the Christian-Muslim dialogue is finished.

For Christians, the only documents accepted as reporting the words of Jesus are the accounts given in the Bible. We leave the Muslim attitude toward the Bible for part II of this essay and find our motivation now in the Qur’anic verse, “Say: ’0 People of the Book! You have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord.’” (Qur’an 5:71). Christians are advised to support their claims by citing their books. Thus Muslims believe that no saying of Jesus can be produced which shows him grasping at equality with God. The primary issue is not whether Jesus is God. The first question is whether he said that he was equal to God.

Methodology

The Bible record of sayings credited to Jesus is quite meager. After allowance for duplication in the four gospel accounts, these sayings could be printed in two columns of a newspaper. None of this handful of texts is an explicit claim of deity. All quotations are implicit, that is, they require interpretation. We are told what Jesus said and then told what he meant. So our methodology takes an obvious form.

It is not our intention or obligation to reinterpret the Bible. We are satisfied to merely verify that Christian interpretations are insufficient, ambiguous, or impossible. We mean to argue: 1) that where the meaning of a quotation is clear, it is still insufficient to prove that Jesus claimed equality with God; 2) that other quotations cited are open to various interpretation, ambiguous; 3) and that still other quotations have been given interpretations that are impossible. This means the evidence is either inadequate, inconclusive, or unacceptable, respectively.

Insufficient Evidence

The virgin birth of Jesus and the miracles he demonstrated are cited by some as proof of his divinity. The insufficiency of the premise is obvious. We need only read the Biblical account of Adam’s creation, without father or mother, and the accounts of miracles associated with the prophet Elisha (Genesis and 2 Kings chapters 4, 5, 6). In the case of these two men, no Christian asserts their divinity, yet each has a qualification in common with Jesus.

Some maintain that Jesus was God because the Hebrew Scriptures predicted his coming. The inadequacy here is only slightly less apparent. The ancient Hebrew Scriptures are also cited as predicting the role of John the Baptist (Malachi chapter 4). These three arguments are mentioned to show that the ready claims of Christians betray a selective or forgetful recall of scripture. They know the fact of virgin birth as well as they know the account of Adam’s origins, yet they interpret the first and overlook the second.

Now to pursue our case indirectly. Does the Bible quote Jesus as claiming equality with God? Bible texts are produced to show that Jesus used the terms “son of man”, “son of God”, “Messiah”, and “saviour”. But each of these terms is applied to other individuals in the Bible. Ezekiel was addressed as “son of man” (Ezekiel chapter 3). Jesus himself speaks of the peacemakers as “sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Cyrus the Persian is called “Messiah” at Isaiah 45: 1. The duplicity of translators is manifested here, for they inevitably render only the meaning of the word “Messiah” which is “annointed”. Where other Bible verses seem to refer to Jesus, they prefer to transliterate “Messiah” or the Greek equivalent “Christ”. In this way they hope to give the impression that there is only one Messiah. As for “saviour”, the word is applied to other than Jesus (2 Kings 13:5). Christians choose to cite the forty-third chapter of Isaiah as proof that there is only one saviour. Again, translators have tried to obscure the fact that God is the only saviour in the same ultimate sense that He is our only nourisher and protector, though men also have these assigned tasks. By over specifying this pronouncement in Isaiah they hope to have us believe that God equals saviour and Jesus equals saviour therefore Jesus equals God. The conspiracy of modern translation is easily demonstrated. The King James Bible of 1611 is everywhere available. Compare it to a more recent translation, say the New American Bible of this century. In the earlier version we find 2 Kings 13:5 contains the word “saviour”, but in the newer version the synonomous word “deliverer” has been substituted. In fact,”saviours”, the plural, will be found at Obadiah 21 and Nehemiah 9:27. Here again, by substituting a different word, the connotation of divinity tied to the word “saviour” has been guarded in modern versions by less than honest translation.

Once more we have exhibited the insufficient warrant of arguments offered: Those terms said to connote divinity are used of individuals other than Jesus.

There is a quotation that should be mentioned here also. At John 8:58 it is reported that Jesus said, ‘Before Abraham was, I am.’ Even if Jesus meant to claim by these words that he was alive before Abraham was, is this sufficient ground to say that he was divine? If Jesus lived in heaven then came to earth it might mean something remarkable, but it would not be enough to establish him as God incarnate.

Additionally, it should be noted that these words are open to other interpretation. Christians do not imagine that the prophet Jeremiah had a pre-human existence and so they find a suitable way of interpreting the words of Jeremiah 1:5 which portray such a situation, if taken literally. Why not apply a similar understanding in the case of John 8:58?

50 Questions And Answers In Faith

A Dawah website Wathakker http://www.wathakker.net
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 28 | Size: 2.5 MB

Q1. What are the three basics that every Muslim should know?

A. The knowledge of the slave of his Lord and his religion and his Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

Q2. Who is your Lord?

A. My Lord is Allah who graced me and all the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists) by His bliss, He is my Lord and I have no other Lords but Him. The evidence is the words of Allah Almighty: {All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)}. [Al-Fatiha 1:2]

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

Transliteration: Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameena

And anything other than Allah, including me, is one of the ‘Alamin.

Q3. What is the meaning of the Lord?

A. The Owner, the deity, the Administrator, the worthy of worship.

Q4. How do you know your Lord?

A. I know Him through His Signs and His creatures. From His signs are night and day, sun and moon; and from His creatures are the seven heavens and the seven earths and all that which lie therein and between them. The evidence is the words of Allah Almighty: {And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate yourselves not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allâh Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.} [Surat Fussilat 41:37].

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلَّيۡلُ وَٱلنَّهَارُ وَٱلشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ‌ۚ لَا تَسۡجُدُواْ لِلشَّمۡسِ وَلَا لِلۡقَمَرِ وَٱسۡجُدُواْ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ إِيَّاهُ تَعۡبُدُونَ

Transliteration: Wamin ayatihi allaylu waalnnaharu waalshshamsu waalqamaru la tasjudoo lilshshamsi wala lilqamari waosjudoo lillahi alathee khalaqahunna in kuntum
iyyahu taAAbudoona

And His words: {Indeed your Lord is Allâh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!} [Surat Al-A‘râf 7:54].

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ يُغۡشِى ٱلَّيۡلَ ٱلنَّہَارَ يَطۡلُبُهُ ۥ حَثِيثً۬ا وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٲتِۭ بِأَمۡرِهِۦۤ‌ۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلۡخَلۡقُ وَٱلۡأَمۡرُ‌ۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

Transliteration: Inna rabbakumu Allahu allathee khalaqa alssamawati waalarda fee sittati ayyamin thumma istawa AAala alAAarshi yughshee allayla alnnahara yatlubuhu hatheethan waalshshamsa waalqamara waalnnujooma musakhkharatin biamrihi ala lahu alkhalqu waalamru tabaraka Allahu rabbu alAAalameena

Q5. What is your religion?

A. My religion is Islam: it is to surrender to Allah by believing in His oneness and by following only His orders in obedience. The evidence is the words of Allah Almighty: {Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm} [Surat Al-’Imran 3:19].

إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمُ‌ۗ

Transliteration: Inna alddeena AAinda Allahi alislamu

Another evidence is His words: {And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers} [Surat Al-’Imran 3:85]

وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ

Transliteration: Waman yabtaghi ghayra alislami deenan falan yuqbala minhu wahuwa fee alakhirati mina alkhasireena

Another evidence is the words of Allah almighty: {This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.} [Surat Al-Mâ‘idah 5:3]

ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬ا‌ۚ

Transliteration: alyawma akmaltu lakum deenakum waatmamtu AAalaykum niAAmatee waradeetu lakumu alislama deenan

Q6. on what basis is this religion established?

A. Islam is based on five principles: the first is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is His slave and Messenger; to offer the prayers dutifully and perfectly; to pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory alms-giving), to observe fast during the month of Ramadan, and to perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca) if you can afford it.

The Must-Know Duties

Abdullah Al-Qarawe
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 27 | Size: 1.5 MB

The must-know duties that every Muslim man and woman should perceive:

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The three basics that every Muslim man and Muslim woman should know are:

The knowledge of the slave: to his Lord and his religion and his Prophet Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

If you were asked: who is your Lord? Say: My Lord is Allah who graced me and all the ‘almîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists) by His bliss, He is my Lord and I have no other Lords but Him.

If you were told: what is your religion? Say: My religion is Islam: it is to surrender to Allah by believing in His oneness and by following His orders in obedience and by being innocent of polytheism and its people.

If you were told: who is your Prophet? Then say: Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abd Al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, and Hashim is from Quraish and Quraish is from the Arabs and the Arabs are the descendants of Ismâ’il (Ishmael), son of Ibrâhim (Abraham), the best prayers and peace of Allah be upon them and upon our Prophet.

The origin of religion and its base consist of two things:

The first: enjoining to worship Allah alone with no partners, and to incite doing so, persisting in doing so and to consider those who leave it as disbelievers.

The second: warn against taking partners to be worshipped with Allah; and to thicken punishment against it and to consider those who do this as disbelievers.

The Conditions of (there is no god but Allah)

The first: to literally realize its meaning in the negative and the affirmative.

The second: certainty: which is the complete unquestioned knowledge of it, opposed to doubt and distrust.

The third: sincerity which is contrary to polytheism.

The fourth: truth which is contrary to lying.

The fifth: the love for this word and to all that it indicates and to feel the pleasure in doing so.

The sixth: the compliance to its rights, namely: performing due obligations in devotion to Allah and asking for His satisfaction.

The seventh: the acceptance which is opposed to refutation.

The evidence of these conditions from the Book of Allah (the Quran) and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him:

The Evidence of Knowledge:

The words of Allah the Almighty:

{So know that there is no god but Allah,} [Muhammad 47:19]

فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ

Transliteration: FaiAAlam annahu la ilaha illa Allahu

Serious Naseeha I Emotional I Shaykh Haitham Al-Haddad

Shaykh Haitham Al-Haddad

This is an important advice from Shaykh Haitham Al-Haddad conerning reading, studying and memorizing the Noble Qur’an.

Love In Islam

Yusuf Estes

Shaikh Yusuf Estes talks on the topic of “Love In Islam” in which he explains the real meaning of Love and the relation between Love in Allah and Love in Islam, whatever we love for ourselves we should love for our brothers and sisters and we have to Love Allah the most and then the Love of Our Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him, and this is the real love in Islam.

Misconceptions About Islam

Zakir Naik

In this lecture Dr. Zakir Naik talks on the topic of “Misconceptions about Islam” and clarifies those Misconceptions held by non-Muslims about Muslims and at the end he answers the questions from audience.

Tips For Parents On Raising Children

Hatem Al-Haj Ali

Get some great advice on raising children with our guest Dr. Hatem Al-Haj.

The Ultimate Dawah Course

Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

This is a comprehensive course from A-Z on how to give dawah, from someone who has strong experience in this field and studied in the faculty of Dawah in the University of Madinah, and has some very practical experiences to share.

Thousands Of Danish Converts To Islam

After the caricature controversy more and more Danish have become interested in Islam and embrace it.

How The Bible Led Me To Islam?!

Joshua Evans

A very interesting video about the former Christian Youth Minister Joshua Evans who converted to Islam after studying a lot of religions as: Christianity and Buddhism. Evans shows issues made him leave Christianity and embrace Islam such as: the contradictions in the Bible, the pornographic phrases in it and verses which offend some of Allah’s Prophets considered the best creation. These verses make them in the worst images. Also, Evans mentions a proof that confirms Jesus isn’t a God. Finally he tells that in the beginning of his research, he excluded Islam from studying due to writings of an orientalist about Islam.

Why I Ask People To Become Muslims: A Few Of The Reasons

Yahya George Maxwell
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 19 | Size: 1 MB

Many people have asked me, to tell them how I became a Muslim, and the truth is, I really didn’t know. I know now that Allah gave me mercy and let me become a Muslim.

About three years after I became Muslim, I received a phone call from my father telling me my mother was dying from cancer. I was told that if I wanted to see her before she dies, I should hurry. Unfortunately, she died before I got there.

I made a decision not to tell my family that I have become Muslim until I learn enough about Islam to explain it to them. I have regretted ever since that my mother died before I could talk to her. My father however is a different story.

When my father picked me up, I told him I had become Muslim. He had a look on his face like he wasn’t happy; then, he asked me: “Why?” I don’t know why I said what I said then; I told him it was his fault. He looked at me and said: “My fault?!” I said: ‘Yes, it’s your fault’, and he asked: ‘How is it my fault?’

I began to explain: ‘When I was a child, you use to tell me not to listen to other people, and to make my own choices; not to look at the color of peoples’ skin; not to care how much money they have, to judge people for what they do, not for what they say. So, that’s what I did. Nobody asked me to become a Muslim; nobody gave me any books, I studied the religion on my own, and I found it to be the Truth, and it’s your fault!’ He said: ‘Yes it’s my fault’.

Although my father has chosen not to become a Muslim, he still respects my decision. He also made the comment that I have improved; I’m not as shy and afraid to talk to people anymore. I know since I have become a Muslim, I feel happier than I ever did before. There were some really good examples of Muslims that I met in my life before embracing Islam.

I have a Saudi friend who is paralyzed from the neck down. This man is confined to an electric wheelchair. At the time I met him, his wheelchair was broken and there was no one who knew how to fix it. I tried and got it fixed, and fixed it many times afterwards. He tried to pay me but I refused. One day, he gave me a gift of a pen set. The next time I went on vacation, I brought him back a gift which was a knife. We became good friends and he always called me his brother and treated me as one of his family members. He invited me to all of his daughters’ weddings and I always sat in the most honored spot.

One day while I was fixing his wheelchair, he told me he was going to Pilgrimage. He was going to use the wheelchair I was fixing. I was very amazed that a man in his condition would even try to make Pilgrimage but he did and came back in a good condition. I always noticed this man prayed even though he was confined to his wheelchair. He never missed a prayer that I saw. Whenever he went to prayer, he left me alone in his house and this showed me that he trusted me. The attitude and kindness that this man showed towards me, though non-Muslim, was one of the reasons why I became a Muslim; may Allah reward him. So you see all of us, Muslims, are preaching Islam, even if they don’t mean to, or want to. Muslims should think about what they are doing at all times, because the non-Muslims are watching and listening.

I arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1986. In 1991, I moved to Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia. Before I became a Muslim, no one ever asked me to become a Muslim, or told me something about Islam, or even gave me a book.

One day, a Saudi, who worked with me, owed me a favor and asked me if I needed anything, I asked him to buy me a Qur’an in English and he did. It laid on my desk at work all the time.

I used it to teach English to my trainees. I made them read the English translation of the meaning of the Holy Qur’an and when they didn’t understand, I made them read the Arabic Holy Qur’an, next to it. I also read it alone in my spare time. I actually waited for a long time for someone to ask me if I wanted to become a Muslim.

Eventually, I decided to leave Saudi Arabia for another job. I went to my Supervisor and said: “I want to go to Makkah before I leave.” He was surprised but he said: “You have to be a Muslim to go to Makkah.” I told him I was a Muslim, I believe in only One God and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of God.

He took me to the Da’wa Center to announce the Two Testimonies (Shahada) formally on April 16, 2000. I tell people I am a Y2K Muslim. When People ask me: ‘How old are you?’ My immediate answer in 2007 was: ‘Seven years.’ I changed my mind and stayed in Saudi Arabia. I wanted to learn more about Islam.

The following pages relates about the experiences that led me to start making Da’wa or asking people to become Muslims. It is my hope and reason for writing this book, to inspire others to do the same.

Human Rights In Islam And Common Misconceptions

Abdul-Rahman Bin Abdulkarim Al-Sheha
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 180 | Size: 1 MB

All Praise is due to Allah and may Allah exalt the mention of His Prophet and render him and his household, his Companions, and those who follow their way safe from every evil, and grant them security on the Day of Resurrection. Every society must ensure for its citizens the rights that guarantee for them their basic needs and security, and enable them to feel a sense of belonging and attachment to the larger social group. Individuals need to feel security and a sense of belonging in order to perform their tasks and duties in a satisfactory manner.

Presently, three distinct trends are discernable in our global society. The first trend exaggerates the right of the individual over the society. This trend gives the individual full freedom to do as he pleases with minimal restrictions. Unfortunately this leads to a chaotic social situation because when unlimited freedom is granted to the individual, selfish desires predominate and bring conflicting results. The entire society suffers immensely from greed and selfishness. This trend is found in the liberal democratic capitalist society.

The second trend, contrary to the above, advocates the rights of the society over the individual. The latter is stripped of his individual rights. Only rights that serve the ruling regime are granted to the individuals, according to the dominant ideology of the ruling class or group. This trend is prevalent in communist and totalitarian societies.

The third trend, ideally neither emphasizes the right of the society over the individual, nor the right of the individual over the society. Each is given its due right in life according to the given system. Rights and obligations are governed and controlled by strict rules and conditions. In this trend, the public interest is given priority over the interest of an individual only in case of a serious conflict.

In this booklet we shall address human rights in the light of perfectly balanced system of laws and principles of Islam. These rights are based on revelations from the Divine Book of Muslims, the Glorious Qur’an and from the Sunnah, the practice of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) the two main sources of Islamic life and jurisprudence. Both the Glorious Qur’an and the Sunnah aim to produce an ideal individual in an ideal society: all interact with each other to produce the harmony of the individuals with Allah their Lord and Creator, with themselves, others, the society in general, and other societies all over the globe.

We firmly believe that the application of the individual and social principles of the third trend, when guided by the perfect revealed law from Allah in the Qur’an and Sunnah, will definitely make humanity happier and more prosperous. The application of these principles will enable the society to achieve peace and security. These social rights and principles are not a result of previous experiences, social ideologies, temporary and immediate needs and/or political drives and motives: rather they are from the Beneficent and the Omniscient for man’s progress to happiness in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.

Our firm belief in the truth and justice of the Islamic rights and principles is due to the fact that Allah, the Most Merciful and only Creator of man, reveals them. He knows well what suits His creation at all times, what benefits or harms man, what makes him happy or sad, what makes him successful or miserable. By His knowledge and beneficence He has legislated what suits best and fulfills the essential needs of all His creatures on earth and makes their lives successful, secure and joyful.

The Glorious Qur’an, which was revealed and sent down unto Muhammad (PBUH) is the everlasting miracle that contains the basics of these essential rules. The Sunnah, the practices of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) which is the second source of Islamic law, contains the detailed revealed guidance. These rules and principles were set forth by Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) some fourteen hundred years ago in the best form and manner and will remain relevant forever. Both, the Glorious Qur’an and Sunnah (practices of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)) honor man and his individual rights in the society. These sources of Islamic law did not overlook the needs and rights of the society and the public interest. In fact, The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَلَقَدۡ كَرَّمۡنَا بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَرَزَقۡنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلۡنَـٰهُمۡ عَلَىٰ ڪَثِيرٍ۬ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَا تَفۡضِيل

{We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our Creation.} (The Noble Qur’an 17:70)

Man will only gain this honor and privileges when he fulfills his obligations and renders the rights due to their owners.

In order to execute the role of the special place on earth, there is a need for specific tasks to be performed by specific individuals. This concept is illustrated by the Almighty Allah in the Glorious Qur’an:

فَلَمَّا نَسُواْ مَا ذُڪِّرُواْ بِهِۦۤ أَنجَيۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ يَنۡہَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلسُّوٓءِ وَأَخَذۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ بِعَذَابِۭ بَـِٔيسِۭ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡسُقُونَ

{So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel against Allah’s command (disobey Allâh).} (The Noble Qur’an 7:165)

Some nations and international organizations, like the United Nations, call loudly to principles that seek to guarantee human rights. Islam established, within its enlightened Shari’ah (law and jurisprudence) many of these human rights some fourteen centuries ago. The rights enumerated by modern international organizations are characterized with deficiencies in conceptualization, flaws in formulation, and injustices in application. They are subject to political agendas, economic pressures and culturally biased viewpoints. They carry the residues of colonialism and imperialism. Such rights are often enumerated and established not for the interests of all humans, rather, to the benefit of certain governments, organizations and powerful special interest groups. This becomes more evident when, as we see all over the world, many of our fellow humans suffering from the worst atrocities, and yet, there is no organization to truly defend the poor and the weak. Glaring inequalities and abuses between nations and within nations are growing worse and worse even before our eyes, and the prescriptions for aid and development mire them deeper into misery as if they were meant to perpetuate their misery and servitude.

The Future Of Our Religion

Dr. Tariq Swaidan

Dr. Tariq Swaidan investigates the past dynasties and empires, their collapse and triumphs, their attrition and their return. This is an inspiring lecture which ends in the future of our Religion, where we are heading and what to expect.

Guide For Life

An Islamic centre of Qatar http://www.fanar.gov.qa

Guide for Life: This booklet aims to explain a little about our life and the guidance we receive from Allah (SWT) beginning from our birth till our death.