Dr. Asra Rasheed
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 51 | Size: 1 MB
Dr. Asra Rasheed presents the essence of Islamic thought on the unique oneness of God from a variety of aspects in simple language. It is the summation of a series of lectures between Dr. Azra and a classmate who eventually accepted Islam. Continue reading
From The Best Adhan In The World – Muslim Call To Prayer
Azan – The Call For Prayers
In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Adhan is the first call to prayer. The Adhan is uttered in a loud, albeit sweet melodious, voice to announce to the faithful that it is time for the Obligatory Prayer and to invite them to offer the prayers. Those who perform Adhan are known as ‘Muedhin.’ The honour of being the first Muedhin goes to Bilal, a black slave who converted to Islam. He had a very sweet, resonant and musical voice. He was appointed as Muedhin by the Prophet of Islam. The appointment of a black slave as the first person to call Muslims for prayers, shows that in Islam all human beings are treated as equals. Rich or poor, black or white, short or tall – all are equal in the eyes of Allah. It is the piety of each individual that makes the difference.
Adhan is recited in a loud voice by the Muezzin facing the direction of the Ka’ba in the following words, which are said in the order mentioned:
“Allahu Akbar” – recited FOUR times.
Meaning, “Allah is Most Great.”(four times)
“Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah” – recited TWO times.
Meaning, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah.”(twice)
“Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah” – recited TWO times.
Meaning, “I bear witness that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah.”(recited twice)
“Hayya ‘alas-Salah” – recited TWO times.
Meaning, “Come to prayer.”(turning the face alone to the right and saying it twice)
“Hayya ‘alal-falah” – recited TWO times.
Meaning, “Come to Success.”(turning the face alone to the left and saying it twice)
“Allahu Akbar” – recited TWO times.
Meaning, “Allah is Most Great” (face back to front and saying it two times).
Morning (Fajr) Prayers
The following phrase is added after “Hayya ‘alal-falah” in the Azan of the early morning prayers:
“As-salatu khairum minannaum” – recited Two times.
Meaning, “Prayer is better than sleep” (recited two times).
”La ilaha illallah” There is no deity except for Allah.
ALLAH IS THE GREATEST
Quran(2.87) We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of messengers; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!
Quran (16.90) Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and given to kith and kin, and He forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.
Quran (2.62) Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Quran (2.263) Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.
Quran (29.46) And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except in the best way, unless it be with those of them who do wrong: but say, “We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you. Our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we submit.
Quran (28.77) “But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief.”
Quran (60.8) Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.
Quran (5.8) O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
(2.136) Say ye: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we submit to Allah (in Islam).
Quran (3.70) Ye People of the Book! Why reject ye the Signs of Allah, of which ye are (yourselves) witnesses?
Quran (3.71) Ye People of the Book! Why do ye clothe truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, while ye have knowledge. Continue reading
Dr. Saleh As-Saleh
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 31 | Size: 1 MB
We hear nowadays a strange call by organized groups involving some Christians, Jews, and “Muslim” intellectuals calling for “wihdatul adyaan”. They claim that these three religions stand for the same belief that there is One God and should unite in their call for the implementation of great moral values. Some of those involved call for the establishment of centers containing churches, synagogues, and massaajid side by side, and printing the Qur’an, the Bible, and the Torah in one binding, etc.
In the name of defending Islam against political and media distortions in the West, some organizations are compromising the basics of the Islamic creed through what is called “Bridging the Faiths.” [1] This is a very dangerous call because it mixes the truth with falsehood and thus practically implies the elimination of the truth perfected in the deen of Islam. The Christians and Jews want the Muslims to be like them. That is why they support this deceptive call for “unity”. Allah spoke of their attempts and called the Muslims to be aware of them:
وَدُّواْ لَوۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءً۬ۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنۡہُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ حَتَّىٰ يُہَاجِرُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَخُذُوهُمۡ وَٱقۡتُلُوهُمۡ حَيۡثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمۡۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنۡہُمۡ وَلِيًّ۬ا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another). So take not Auliyâ’ (protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the Way of Allâh (to Muhammad SAW). But if they turn back (from Islâm), take (hold of) them and kill them wherever you find them, and take neither Auliyâ’ (protectors or friends) nor helpers from them. [Qur’an, Surat an-Nisaa’ 4:89]
One of the fundamental beliefs in Islam is the kufr (unbelief) of the Christians and Jews because they reject the Qur’an and the Message of Muhammad (PBUH) to them. They have also altered their books in such a way that it permits or even enjoins worship of other than Allah and (or) the association of partners with Him in worship. Any Muslim who doubts their kufr is a kaafir himself.
Some Muslims who do not understand certain texts from the Qur’an and (or) authentic Sunnah and may be easily deceived by the call for “unity of religions”. It is important to know that if certain texts are not clear to some, they are clear to others from those who are firm in the knowledge of the deen. [2] Consequently, nothing stays unclear for those who are seeking the truth and not just following vain desires.
For example, some may understand that the following text is evidence that the Jews and Christians are not kuffaar:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ
Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [Qur’an, Soorat Al-Baqarah (2:62)].
Ibn Taymeeyah said: “The aayah (above) tells about the followers of these four unaltered milal (Paths) before abrogation [by the advent of Prophet Muhammad’(PBUH) complete message].” [4] It, therefore, addresses those who believed in tawheed and followed the Path of Allah as was known to them. Those who continued on this belief and did not alter the Scriptures must follow the Qur’an and the Message of Islam as explained by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Furthermore, the order of the above ayah, as Ibn ‘Abbaas explained, was canceled by ayah 3:85, which states:
وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ
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. [Qur’an, Surat Aal-’Imraan 3: 85]
Following the alterations in their religion, most of the People of the Book turned kuffaar and few remained on the original teachings of the Torah and the Gospel. This is clear in the Qur’anic texts where Allah, the Most High, says:
كُنتُمۡ خَيۡرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخۡرِجَتۡ لِلنَّاسِ تَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَتَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنڪَرِ وَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِۗ وَلَوۡ ءَامَنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ لَكَانَ خَيۡرً۬ا لَّهُمۚ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَأَڪۡثَرُهُمُ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقُونَ
You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe in Allâh. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fâsiqûn (disobedient to Allâh – and rebellious against Allâh’s Command). [Qur’aan, Soorat Aal-’Imraan 3:110]
Following the above description, Allah (SWT) said:
لَيۡسُواْ سَوَآءً۬ۗ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ أُمَّةٌ۬ قَآٮِٕمَةٌ۬ يَتۡلُونَ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَهُمۡ يَسۡجُدُونَ – يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَيَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَيُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Not all of them are alike; a party of the people of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Verses of Allâh during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer. (113) They believe in Allâh and the Last Day; they enjoin Al-Ma’rûf (Islâmic Monotheism, and following Prophet Muhammad SAW) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and opposing Prophet Muhammad SAW); and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous. (114) [Qur’an, Surat Aal-’Imraan 3:113-114]
This party includes those who held to the original Scriptures before they were abrogated by Qur’an and Sunnah. They were on the right religion enjoining tawheed and forbidding shirk, just as Allah described the believing followers of Musa:
وَمِن قَوۡمِ مُوسَىٰٓ أُمَّةٌ۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَبِهِۦ يَعۡدِلُونَ
And of the people of Mûsa (Moses) there is a community who lead (the men) with truth and establish justice therewith (i.e. judge among men with truth and justice). [Qur’an, Surat Al-A’raaf 7:159].
Whoever held to these qualities amongst them (i.e. to the true revelations), prior to the advent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a believer. The believers from the People of the Book who accepted the Prophet’s (PBUH) Message of Islam will receive a double reward:
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبۡلِكَ وَبِٱلۡأَخِرَةِ هُمۡ يُوقِنُونَ
And who believe in (the Qurân and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad Peace be upon him ) and in that which we sent down before [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell,) [Qur’an, Soorat Al-Baqarah 2:4]
وَإِنَّ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ لَمَن يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكُمۡ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡہِمۡ خَـٰشِعِينَ لِلَّهِ لَا يَشۡتَرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاًۗ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ
And there are, certainly, among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), those who believe in Allâh and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before Allâh. They do not sell the Verses of Allâh for a little price, for them is a reward with their Lord. Surely, Allâh is Swift in account. [Qur’an, Soorat Aal-’Imraan 3:199] Continue reading
Dr. Mustafa As-Sibaa’ie
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 197 | Size: 7.5 MB
It is very important for anyone who wants to spread the message of Islam to study the life of the Prophet and discover how he undertook the mission of da` wah (Call to Islam). By studying his seerah (biography), we learn the lessons of patience in the face of adversity and opposition, and the readiness to sacrifice everything for the cause of Islam. In this book, Dr. as-Sibaa` ie shows us how the Prophet’s approach was gentle, yet determined and clear-cut, with no compromise on basic issues.
Mustafa as-Sibaa` ie, in the cause of Allah, was a lecturer in the University of Damascus, where he taught seerah (the Prophet’s biography). In this book, he draws on his experience in the field and combines it with his knowledge of the seerah. He takes the most important events of the seerah, summarizes them in order to offer a brief overview, then outlines the lessons to be learnt from these events.
This is an excellent introduction to both, the seerah and the principles of da` wah. It should be on the bookshelf of every Muslim who wants to call others to Allah (the Almighty). Continue reading
Sheikh Riyadul Haqq
“Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I warn you only by ‘wahy’. But the deaf hear not the call when they are warned.” (21:45). Continue reading
Soliman H. Albuthi
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 10 | Size: 1 MB
This is an invitation to observe, to ponder and to be with us, aware and certain that it is our duty and moral obligation to convey the message of our Creator. In the search for truth, it is indispensable that we take some time and effort to know the basis of our faith, and as true believers, we must follow the purest essence of our belief as exemplified by the messengers of God. Who else can give us the guidance but those whom God chose and entrusted with the mission of proclaiming glad tidings to the believers and warnings to those who deviate from the way of our Creator and refuse to believe?
Religion for some may simply be a field of academics, to others it’s a medium solely for spiritual enrichment, and to a lot more various aspects or views people may find fitting on their level of desires or caprices. But for us, our religion is a complete way of life as shown by all the prophets of God (Peace and blessing be upon them all) and as epitomized by the last Prophet (Peace and blessing be upon him) in orders to attain salvation.
There is no doubt that this temporary life is only a probationary period, a transitory phase to the next and final one. As such, it should offer everyone the necessary requirements instrumental in paving the way for our last destination, where belief in the lone Creator and obedience to His command (doing what is right and forbidding what is wrong) will be the only acceptable means to merit salvation.
Thus, knowing the true teachings of God is tantamount to knowing life! That’s how important it is!
With due respect and love to Jesus (Peace and blessing be upon him) as one of God’s mightiest prophets who was sent to the lost sheep of Israel, we cannot discount the teachings he brought to establish the way, the truth and the life.
We regard and accept him as a real messenger of God whose ways and belief inevitably coincide with ours as illustrated by the last Prophet including all the Prophets before him (Peace and blessing be upon them all).
Yes, Prophet Jesus (Peace and blessing be upon him) was not a Christian for he did not introduce Christianity to the world, as evidenced by what he said in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the prophets. I have come not to destroy, but to fulfill.”
Instead, he confirmed the teachings preceding him, which was the Law set by Prophet Moses (Peace and blessing be upon him). A guidance that is sanctioned by and is also analogous with that of Islam, having been anchored upon monotheism, its inherent bedrock which happens to be every other prophet’s battlecry and message.
Moreover, Jesus (Peace and blessing be upon him) further uttered words which prove that his mission was not yet complete and that another Prophet was to come after him to finalize the message, the guidance or the revelation itself, when he prophesied in John 16:7-14.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you, and when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in me; of righteousness, because I go to my father and you see me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of the world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak of his own authority; but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify me. He will take what is of mine and declare it to you.” Continue reading
Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 68 | Size: 1.5 MB
There are many teaching methods with different means and aids. Correcting mistakes is one of these teaching methods and educationalists call is the “remedial method.” Correcting people’s mistakes is essential if teaching people is the aim. Correcting mistakes is a divine method the Prophet (pbuh) practiced as the Qur’an was sometimes revealed to correct some mistakes of the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet). The Prophet (pbuh) was divinely guided in correcting the mistakes of people. So his methods are the best mankind has ever known. Following the example of the Prophet (pbuh) is therefore the best approach if one is really keen to teach Islamic knowledge and all the other branches of knowledge. The author has in this book compiled many methods of the Prophet (pbuh) for teaching people and correcting their mistakes. This book, as such, is indispensable for everyone who is concerned with education in general, and Islamic knowledge in particular. Continue reading
Shaykh ‘Abd al‐‘Azīz bin Sālih al‐Jarbū’
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 66 | Size: 1 MB
The believers have had a recent taste of the calls of the delinquents in our societies – those who seek to deceive their religion and Ummah – for the Muslims to gather and live with the disbelievers, and that we must fear for ourselves from ourselves – not from the West, and not from the disbelieving, apostate governments – and that there is no problem whatsoever for us in living with the Jews and Christians, or with the regimes that serve them, and that the problem with the West and the apostate regimes is in living with us. These deceivers are confused between the mercy and freedom given by Islām to the People of the Book – a very narrow, specific freedom – versus taking them as allies, and between the delaying of implementing the rulings of apostasy upon the apostates due to the lack of ability to do so versus loving to live with them, since they have never been exposed to the true nature of this religion. They lack deep faith in this belief, and they do not realize the nature of the battle between us and the enemies of Allāh, who are of various beliefs, some even being from those who ascribe themselves to Islām. Continue reading
Imaam Al- Albaanee
Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 21 | Size: 1 MB
This is a translated transcription of a lecture delivered by Imaam Al- Albaanee (rahimahullaah) that was recorded and distributed under the title “Hadhihi Da’watunaa” (This is Our Call). The present translation was translated directly from the Arabic audio. In this lecture, Imaam Al-Albaanee explains the basis of the Salafee Manhaj, which is following the way, understanding and practical application of the Salaf, who were namely the first three generations of Muslims: The Sahaabah, Taabi’een and Atbaa’ at-Taabi’een. They are the ones referred to in the Prophet’s saying: “The best of mankind is my generation, then those that come after them, then those that come after them.” This is the basis that distinguishes the true call to Islaam from all other false and erroneous calls, regardless if they claim to be “upon the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.” Al- Albaanee goes into depth discussing this fact, that one cannot truly understand and apply the Qur’aan and Sunnah unless he follows the understanding and application of the Salaf. We ask Allaah to accept this effort and benefit the Muslims with it. Continue reading
Islam Future → The Future For Islam 