Islam for Life

8/6/2019 Islam for Life

1/33

ISLAM FOR LIFE


2/33

Dealing With Anger ~ An Islamic Perspective

Allah loves the good; those who spend freely of their wealth for the benefit of others in times of prosperityand adversity, who control their anger, and who pardon others.[Qur'an 3:134]

Human beings as Emotive beings

Human beings are emotive beings who experience feelings all the time. Some of these feelings are positive(love, joy) while others are negative (hatred, envy). Emotions such as fear, jealousy, despair and anger areamong the most challenging, most difficult, and potentially most destructive of human experiences; yet suchexperiences are inescapable. Some people learn to live with them, few ignore them, many magnify them,some die for them and others kill for them.

How we relate to our emotions, deal with them and how we utilize them have a tremendous impact on ...

y Our character and personality

y Our attitudes towards the world

y Our relationship

o

with otherso of others towards us

Emotional Wisdom

The bases of Emotional Wisdom are ...

y understanding our emotions and dealing with them effectively

y equanimity = the capacity to experience the inescapable ups and downs of life without being throwninto uncontrollable emotional states. The Qur'an (22:11)(89:15-16) emphasizes the importance ofmaintaining a balanced disposition in times of celebration and in times of tribulation. As we journeythrough life we find ourselves in basically one of two situations: moments of ease for which we oughtto be thankful, and moments of trials and tribulations through which we ought to patiently persevere.Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] said:

"How wonderful is the case of a Believer; If something good happens, he expresses gratitude; that isgood for him - If adversity befalls him, he is patient and that too is good for him."

Emotional wisdom is essential in dealing with all our sentiments, and is indispensable when dealing withamong the most powerful and difficult emotions ... anger.

Defining Anger

Anger could be defined as feeling of strong displeasure against a person/s (ourselves or others) or thing/s(eg. weather) which may be triggered ...

y when we are irritated or disturbed

y when we feel fearful or threatened

y when we believe that things around us are not going our way or things are out of control , or we feelfrustrated

y when we feel insecurity, uncertainty, inadequacy, self-doubt

y when we feel ashamed

y when we feel we are insulted or wronged

It is said that to be human is to be angry some of the time. Anyone or anything can make us angry and

everyone at some time does get angry. Depending on personality, temperament, and ability to manageemotions and control reactions; the intensity of anger varies dramatically from person to person.


3/33

Forms of Anger

Anger is basically divided into ...

1. Milder FormsThese include ...

o annoyance (e.g. when disturbed)o irritation (when bothered)o irk (when disgusted or embarrassed)

2. IndignationIndignation is a combination of anger and contempt that is aroused by witnessing or experiencinginjustice, wrongfulness or impropriety. This form of anger springs essentially from an innate sense ofwhat is right, fair and just. Those who violate what we truly cherish arouse our indignation and if wedo not express our indignation then we diminish the hopeful vision of justice and also open thepossibility of continued commissions of violations. No positive social change would thus ever beaccomplished. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) thus said ...Whosoever observes any wrong should rectify it physically, if unable to then speak out against it, ifunable then at least find it distasteful in the heart ...

3. Intense FormsThese include ...

o resentment (incorporating hate)

o fury (often expressed in ways that are wild/fierce)o rage (uncontrolled anger, inclining towards violence)

o wrath (tremendous anger accompanied by desire to punish)

Consequences of Anger

Anger is an extremely powerful emotion. If allowed to build up inside a person, it could be like pressurebuilding up in a pot of boiling water with a lid on. "Anger is a great force. If you control it, it can betransmuted into power"(Swami Sivananda).There is an ancient Indian saying that states ... hell has three gates; lust, anger and greed.Prophet Muhammad said: "Anger can spoil faith like vinegar spoils honey."An old African saying warns us about the fact that anger is often more damaging than the injury that causedit.What we do with our anger reveals a lot about ourselves. We could ...

1. use it to correct a wrong2. use it to speak out with resolve and build self-esteem3. turn it inwardly and destroy ourselves4. abuse it to lash out at others.

"Powerful is not the one who subdues others through physical strength, rather powerful is the onewho can control the self when angry."(Prophet Muhammad)

Inappropriate anger, which occurs when there is a more intense reaction than the situation merits, affects us

negatively in every way.

y Health - stress, heart attacks

"Consider how much more you suffer from your anger than from those very things for which you are

angry."(Roman orator, Marcus Antonius). Also remember the warning, "for every minute of anger,you give up 60 seconds of peace of mind."(19th century poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson)

y Social riskso physical abuse of others, criminality. Most crimes committed against loved ones are due to

jealousy and anger. "How much more grievous are the results of anger than the causes ofit." (Marcus Aurelius, leader in ancient Rome)

o damaging or destroying bonds of relationships. "When anger rises, think of theconsequences."(Confucius)


4/33

y Irrational/Irregular behaviorSay/do something hurtful/harmful in a fit of anger which you may later regret. "If you are patient inone moment of anger, you'll escape a hundred days of sorrow."(Chinese saying)

The Challenge of Anger

The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, summed up the challenge that anger poses to each one of us. He

said: "Anyone can become angry. That is easy. However, to be angry with the right person, to the rightdegree, at the right time, for the right purpose in the right manner... that is not so easy."

Strong is not the one who wrestles another down, rather strong is the one who is able to control the self

when angry[Prophet Muhammad pbuh]

Acknowledging Anger

y Anger is a normal human emotion and we've all felt it at some time: whether as a fleeting annoyanceor as fuming infuriation. Anger can be caused by bothexternal and internal events. You could beangry at a specific person (boss) or event (a traffic jam). Anger could be caused by worrying about

personal problems, or about memories of traumatic and enraging events that trigger angry feelings.y Anger is a chain of simultaneous body and mind reaction, which happens quickly as a response to

threat or perceived threat. It takes one thirtieth of a second from threat to reaction for the chain ofmind and body reactions to take place!

y The response of anger can serve many different functions because not all anger is misplaced; in factoften it's a healthy, natural response to challenges. Some people with low self-esteem automaticallysubstitute anger during threatening experiences (due to their fears of being seen as vulnerable).Often negative emotions serve to manipulate, control or intimidate others. Sometimes one evensubstitutes an inappropriate emotion for another response out of fear. When a person is wrong andwon't admit it, he tends to get angry. Getting angry when frightened or crying when frustrated, arealso examples of misguided emotion.

y Anger and frustration are at times caused by inescapable problems in our lives. The belief that everyproblem has a solution adds to our frustration when we find out that this isn't always the case. Thebest attitude to bring to such a situation, then, is not to focus anxiously only on finding the solution,

but also on how to handle and face the problem.y When anger gets out of control, it turns destructive and could lead to major problems - at work, in

personal relationships, and in the overall quality of one's life; making one feel as though one is at themercy of an unpredictable and uncontrollable emotion.

Aim of Anger Management

The goal of anger management is to reduce both your emotional feelings and the physiological arousal thatanger causes. You can't get rid of, or avoid, the things or the people that enrage you, nor can you totally

change them, but you can learn to control your reactions.

Understanding Anger

In order to deal effectively with anger, we have to understand it, analyze it, and evaluate ways of respondingto it.

y Stages of AngerThere is a progression of anger build up. Catch and interrupt your anger in the early stages. Theearlier one interrupts the emotion the easier it is to disrupt it from progressing to rage.Irritation --> Frustration --> Anger --> Rage --> Aggression

y Responding to & Expressing AngerAnger is a coping mechanism for dealing with some event that threatens our body, property, selfesteem, values and persons we hold dear.


5/33

o Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats; it inspires powerful, often aggressive,feelings and behaviors, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we areattacked. A certain amount of anger, therefore, is necessary to our survival. We can'tphysically lash out at every person or object that irritates us; and laws, social norms,religious sentiments and common sense place limits on how far we could express our anger.

o If the same mean thing happened to ten different people, they all would react differently.Some would get angry, some afraid, some saddened, some depressed and some would

ignore it. Different people react differently to the same event depending on their character,personal history and how they have learned to deal with threat, stress, insult, injury or loss.Adlai Stevens said that you can tell the size of a person by the size of the thing that makes

him mad. As early philosophers have said, it is not so much what happens to you, but howyou deal with what happens that matters most. Responding to problematic situations andexpressing emotions, is of great significance and since getting angry at times is human, it iswhat we do with our anger that is important. We could use ...

to lash out at others and harm them to speak out with firmness increase our self esteem to correct a situation that is wrong turning it inwards and damaging ourselves

y Processing AngerThe Event --> Thoughts of the Event --> Consequent Emotion --> Self-Talk

o Incident or issue that provokes fervent displeasureo

Meaning or Interpretation given to what happenedo Emotions evokedo Self-talk - hot thoughts or cool down.

(Negative self-talk inflames anger. Positive self-talk can help decrease anger.)

y Keys to Anger controlImam Ja'far as_Sadiq said: whoever is not able to control his anger is not in control of his cognitivefaculty either. When anger rises, it can overwhelm even the best of actions, and even when justified,anger can quickly become irrational thereby obliterating clear thinking; a condition referred to bypsychologists as cognitive incapacitation. To counter cognitive incapacitation, levelheaded responseor cognitive restructuring is required. Cognitive Restructuringmeans changing the way you think,moving from unreasonableness to structured sensible thought patterns. Logic defeats anger,because anger tends to lend itself to irrational behavior. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported tohave said: whosoever allows his intellect to supersede his emotions/desires surpasses the angels.Attempt the following:

1. Recognize the emotion2. Accept the fact that you've been angered and control your thinking3. Choose your reaction (pause --- cool down)

breathe deeply decrease inflammatory hot thoughts

be in control of the situation

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advised that when angry, if standing then sit down, if sitting thenlie down. He also suggested performing ablution. Change in thoughts or change in activity

deflects angry thoughts.

4. Choose a higher level of anger responseMonitor your level of arousal and check which other emotions accompany or substitute for

anger and what you tell yourself to keep yourself caught in anger

Watch your thoughts. Learn what angers you. What do you tell yourself to make yourself angry?What do you say to keep yourself angry? You turn your anger up or down by your thoughts. What

calming statements do you say to let go of inflaming thoughts?

Dealing with Angry Feelings People use a variety of both conscious and unconscious processes to deal with their angry feelings. Thethree main approaches are ... expressing, suppressing, and calming down.

0. Expressing angry feelings in an assertive - not aggressive - manner is the healthiest way toexpress anger


6/33

1. Suppressing anger and then redirecting it. This happens when you hold in your anger, stopthinking about it, and focus on something positive. The aim is to inhibit or suppress youranger and convert it into more constructive behavior.

The danger in this type of response is that if it isn't allowed outward expression,your anger can turn inward - on yourself. It can lead to pathological expressions ofanger, such as passive-aggressive behavior (getting back at people indirectly,without telling them why, rather than confronting them head-on) or a personality that

seems perpetually cynical and hostile. People who are constantly putting othersdown, criticizing everything, and making cynical comments haven't learned how toconstructively express their anger. Not surprisingly, they aren't likely to have many

successful relationships. Anger turned inward may cause hypertension, high bloodpressure, or depression.

2. Calming down. This means not just controlling your outward behavior, but also controllingyour internal responses, taking steps to lower your heart rate, and let the feelings subside.Hadrat 'Ali advised, "Anger could be a raging fire. Whoever subdues anger puts out the fire;whoever can not subdue anger gets burnt."

Avoid Getting Angry Unnecessarily0. Be mature enough to accept the fact that people do differ and that your opinion may seem

the best to you, but may not be seen as such by others and may just not really be the bestperspective. Learn the art of agreeing to disagree.

1. Do not argue over every issue and remember that some things are just not worth "fighting"

over, so pick your battles wisely.2. Regain your perspective before engaging others too deeply in issues or discussions3. Don't insult, ridicule, interrogate, preach, threaten or bring up old resentments when

engaging others. Stick to the discussion as far as is beneficial and do not engage otherswith the aim of undermining them for it also diminishes your own integrity.

4. Be clear in your expression and choose words wisely.5. Do not involve everyone in your "fight". If you are really right, you do not need everyone else

to label the other as wrong. This only widens the circle of hostility.6. If there is any problem, focus on solving it; do not fan the flames any further.

Conclusion

Remember, you can't eliminate anger - and it wouldn't be a good idea if you could. In spite of all efforts,things will happen that will cause anger; and sometimes it will be justifiable anger. Life will be filled with

frustration, pain, loss, and the unpredictable actions of others. You can't change all that; but you can changethe way you let such events affect you and you can control your angry responses and keep them frommaking you even more unhappy, more frustrated and angrier in the long run. Ensure that you control youranger and that it does not control you.

Remember, strong is not the one who wrestles another down, rather strong is the one who is able to control

the self when angry. [Prophet Muhammad pbuh]


7/33

Anger is the key to every type of wrong.[Prophet Muhammad pbuh]

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem

All issues, whether disturbances, problems, strife, turmoil or conflicts; can be handled by ...

1. understanding the root cause of the problem2. acknowledging the reality thereof3. dealing effectively with it by surviving (and hopefully conquering) it

All this can only be done if one is committed to being part of the solution rather than being part of the

problem. Part of the Problem in dealing with anger is ...

y Inappropriate AngerThis is generally of two types:

1. Over ReactionWhen there is a more intense reaction than the situation requires.

2. Past AngerWhen anger is fuelled by unresolved past hurt or pain, we are unable to let go of old

resentments. This historical component blocks our path and prevents us from traversingbeyond the past. Holding on to our anger holds us back.[Recall story of the monkey and the banana]

y Irrational People (External)Some dimensions of our relationships (as social beings) do not always accord with reason. Thereare people in situations who may evoke a negative feeling in us due to their irrationality. Suchirrationality may leave us hurt, disturbed, frightened or angry. A tremendous amount of moralmaturity and emotional wisdom is required to deal effectively with irrational people. [See Lesson 4]We should remember, however, that "everything that irritates us about others can lead to anunderstanding of ourselves."[Psychologist, Carl Jung]

y Irrational Thinking (Internal)One of the major setbacks in the lives of many people is living with the belief that our way ...

o is the only way

o is always the best way

This has a direct consequence on anger, since people who are prone to anger tend to have a setpattern of attitudes that predispose them to react in a hostile manner.Thinking in a particular pattern creates a mental path, the mental path affects our attitude and ourbehavior, and these reflect our personality and character. It must be remembered however, thatevery attitude and habit, whether good or bad, is acquired and therefore can be disowned. Thebrilliant Roman slave-philosopher who lived around the time of Prophet 'Isa /Jesus (pbuh) said: "Ifyou do not wish to be prone to anger then do not feed the habit; give it nothing which may cause itincrease."

Among the modes of irrational thinking are ...

o Revenge Thoughts / Grudge HoldingThis appears to be an attempt to 'control' negative attitudes by retaining angry feelings. Thismay create a pseudo self-esteem of feeling good about relishing ideas of harming / hatingothers. This tends to fan the flames of anger in a person without actually dealing with thereality of the issue.


8/33

o PiggybackingBringing up past issues during an argument thus diverting from the current issue to old,unresolved hurts / pains. The current issue remains unsolved.

o Close-minded, egocentric, entitlement, false consensus thinkingStubborn insistence on one own way of thinking, disregarding other people's perspectives,considering your self entitled to your view and demanding respect without according thesame rights to others, taking every criticism as a personal attack; and being under the wrong

assumption that "most others' think like you. The wise ones have said that only fools thinkthat the whole world holds their opinion. They also said that when a person is wrong andwon't admit it, he gets angry.

o Projectionist and blameful thinkingThe tendency to ignore one's own shortcomings and focusing on the faults of others.Whenever they are blameworthy, they project or transfer the focus of negativity on to others.

o Over-generalized and catastrophe thinkingGiving so much attention to minor issues that they are enlarged into major points ofcontention, generalizing solitary incidents and always thinking the worst of any situation.

Irrational thinking robs us of the opportunity to change those very aspects of ourselves that keeps usstuck in negative patterns of thought. We tend then to become emotionally explosive. The Lebanesepoet, Khalil Gibran asked poignantly; " If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to

bloom."


9/33

Increasing Number Of Germans Embracing Islam

BERLIN, October 25 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Thenumber of Germans who accept Islam "is rising each year" and they

"are getting younger and younger," confirmed the director of a

Muslim cultural center in the capital Berlin."Many are looking for new lifestyles and some sense of direction,"Herzog-turned Mohammed a former Protestant who worked in a

social welfare center for Turkish immigrants for many years, told

Agence France-Presse (AFP) Saturday, October 25.

To all appearances Herr Herzog is an average German, but onSunday, October 26, he will be one of a growing number of his

compatriots to observe the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, one of

the five pillars of their faith, according to AFP.

Herzog converted to Islam in 1979 when he realized that "the Qur'angathered together everything I had ever believed in."

Today he is the director of a Muslim cultural center in the capitalBerlin and he maintains that the number of Germans who embrace

Islam "is rising each year."

The central institute on Islam archives estimates that about 12,400 people born in Germany to

German parents are Muslims, with the total Muslim population set at around 3.5 millionpeople, most of them of Turkish origin.

Each year, the institute issues between 350 and 400 documents in German and Arabic,

complete with identity photograph, as proof people have converted.

"It would be an exaggeration to talk of a rash of conversions," the center director Salim

Abdullah told AFP.

Nevertheless, the document gives its owner the right to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, anotherof the five pillars of Islam which has to be performed at least once in a lifetime, provided thebeliever is both financially and physically able.

Norbert Mueller grew up with almost no exposure to religious instruction, but he says he has

found warmth and "the feeling that he belongs to a community" with his Turkish and Arabfriends in the northern city of Hamburg.

A 41-year-old practicing lawyer, Mueller embraced Islam in 1991 and has married a Muslimwoman from Iran.

When he was a student, he used to go to bars with other Germans, but some grew irritatedwhen he refused to drink a beer with them.

"I never realized that alcohol played such an important role in one's social life," says Mueller,

who now mainly frequents other Muslims.

"Impossible To Know How Many"

According to Monika Wohlrab-Sahr, a Leipzig University professor and author of a study onreligious conversions in Germany and the United States, it is impossible to know how many

people have become Muslims.

Professing one's faith before another Muslim is enough to convert, she says.

File photo of a German whoconverted to Islam reading in

the Qura'n


10/33

"The majority are people whose spouses are Muslims. Nothing obliges though to convert,"Wohlrab-Sahr says.

"Many of them have difficult pasts that pose them problems, they are looking for discipline intheir lives."

By becoming Muslims, though, they are confronted with other problems.

"The newest of converts have to deal with a new world which they have to assimilate," saysNorbert Mueller.

"They have to find their way and for that reason some give the impression they are observing

the rules 150 percent, but it's usually a passing phase."

Nor does Wohlrab-Sahr see this as a big issue.

"One could say that some new converts follow the rules in a particularly strict way. But that's atendency one finds with all converts, Catholics included," she says.


11/33

WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?

Question:

How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

Answer:

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all overthe world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear, that far frombeing spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the

rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace.

Islam comes from the root word salaam, which means peace. It also means submitting ones will to Allah(swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting ones will to the will of the Supreme

Creator, Allah (swt).

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.

Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There aremany, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintainpeace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and anti-socialelements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts itfollowers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use offorce. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion ofhistorian De Lacy OLeary.

The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian DeLacy OLeary in the book "Islam at the cross road" (Page 8):

"History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcingIslam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth thathistorians have ever repeated."

4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people toconvert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single

Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.

5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.

Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years theFrench ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs whoare Coptic Christians i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not

have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.


12/33

6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting eachand every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims.All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people inMalaysia are Muslims. May one ask, "Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?"

8. East Coast of Africa.

Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread bythe sword, "Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?"

9. Thomas Carlyle.

The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book "Heroes and Hero worship", refers to this misconceptionabout the spread of Islam: "The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at itsstarting is precisely in a minority of one. In one mans head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone ofthe whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate

with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can."

10. No compulsion in religion.

With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because

the Quran says in the following verse:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion:Truth stands out clear from error"

[Al-Quran 2:256]

11. Sword of the Intellect.

It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Quran says inSurah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:

"Invite (all) to the way of thy Lordwith wisdom and beautiful preaching;and argue with them in ways that are

best and most gracious."[Al-Quran 16:125]

12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.

An article in Readers Digest Almanac, year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage ofthe major religions of the world in half a century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in The PlainTruth magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam?


13/33

13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.

Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe in Islam. Which

sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?

14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.

Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, "People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in thehands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the dayMUHAMMED (pbuh) was born".

MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS

Question:

Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?

Answer:

This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion orworld affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by grossmisinformation about Islam and Muslims. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to

discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in theAmerican media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a Middle Easternconspiracy behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.

Let us analyze this allegation of fundamentalism and terrorism:

1. Definition of the word fundamentalist

A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine or theory he isfollowing. For a person to be a good doctor, he should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals ofmedicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a goodmathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a

fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow andpractise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.

2. Not all fundamentalists are the same

One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorize all fundamentalists aseither good or bad. Such a categorization of any fund amentalist will depend upon the field or activity inwhich he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is thereforeundesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits society and earns much respect.


14/33

3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist

I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practise thefundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be afundamentalist Muslim because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and thewhole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the

human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachingsof Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one criticallyanalyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the fact that Islam is full of benefitsboth at the individual and collective levels.

4. Dictionary meaning of the word fundamentalist

According to Websters dictionary fundamentalism was a movement in American Protestanism that arose inthe earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible,

not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bibleas the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who

believed that the Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.

According to the Oxford dictionary fundamentalismmeans strict maintenance of ancient or fundamentaldoctrines of any religion, especially Islam.

Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist.

5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist

Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees apoliceman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terroristfor the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-socialelement sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word terrorist is generally used for a personwho causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective

people i.e. anti-social elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be asource of peace for innocent people.

6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e. terroris t and patriot

Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of India who did not subscribeto non-violence were labeled as terrorists by the British government. The same individuals have been laudedby Indians for the same activities and hailed as patriots. Thus two different labels have been given to thesame people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot.Those who believed that Britain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those whowere of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and freedom fighters.

It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing. Both sides of the argumentshould be heard, the situation should be analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person should betaken into account, and then the person can be judged accordingly.

7. Islam means peace

Islam is derived from the word salaam which means peace. It is a religion of peace whose fundamentalsteach its followers to maintain and promote peace throughout the world.


15/33

Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the fundamentals of the Religion ofPeace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace andjustice in the society.

ALL RELIGIONS TEACH MEN TO BE RIGHTEOUS, THEN WHY

FOLLOW ONLY ISLAM?

Question

All religions basically teach followers to do good deeds. Why should a person only follow Islam? Can he notfollow any of the religions?

Answer

1. Major difference between Islam and most other religions

All religions basically exhort mankind to be righteous and eschew evil. But Islam goes beyond that. It guidesus towards practical ways of achieving righteousness and eliminating evil from our individual and collectivelives. Islam takes into account human nature and the complexities of human society. Islam is guidance from

the Creator Himself. Therefore, Islam is also called the Deen-ul-Fitrah (the natural religion of Man).

2. Example - Islam commands us to shun robbery and also prescribes method of eleminating

robbery

a. Islam prescribes method of eliminating robberyAll major religions teach that theft is an evil act. Islam teaches the same. So what is the differencebetween Islam and the other religions? The difference lies in the fact that Islam, besides teachingthat robbing is evil, shows a practical way of creating a social structure in which people will not rob.

b. Islam prescribes ZakaatIslam prescribes a system ofZakaat(obligatory annual charity). Islamic law prescribes that everyperson who has a saving that exceeds the nisaab level i.e. more than 85 grams of gold, should give2.5% of that saving every lunar year in charity. If every rich person in the world gave Zakaat

sincerely, poverty will be eradicated from this world. Not a single human being would die of hunger.

c. Chopping off the hands as punishment for robbery Islam prescribes chopping off the hands of the convicted robber. The Glorious Quran says in Surah

Maidah:"As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands:a punishment by wayof example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power, full of wisdom."

[ Al-Quran 5:38]The non-Muslim may say, "Chopping off the hands in this 20th century. Islam is a barbaric andruthless religion!"

d. Results achieved when Islamic Shariah ImplementedAmerica is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries in the world. Unfortunately it alsohas one of the highest rates of crime, theft, and robbery. Suppose the Islamic shariah is


16/33

implemented in America i.e. every rich person gives Zakaat( 2.5% of his savings in charity above 85grams of gold every lunar year), and every convicted robber has his or her hands chopped off as apunishment. Will the rate of theft and robbery in America increase, remain same or decrease?Naturally it will decrease. Moreover the existence of such a stringent law would discourage many apotential robber.

I agree that the amount of theft that takes place in the world today is so tremendous that if you chop

off the hands of all the thieves, there will be tens of thousands of people whose hands will bechopped off. The point here is that the moment you implement this law the rate of theft will declineimmediately. The potential robber would give it a serious thought before jeopardizing his limbs. Themere thought of the punishment itself will discourage majority of the robbers. There will barely be afew who would rob. Hence only a few persons hands would be chopped off but millions would livepeacefully without fear of being robbed.

Islamic Shariah is therefore practical, and achieves results.

3. Example: Islam prohibits the molestation and rape of women. It enjoins hijaab and prescribescapital punishment for a convicted rapist.

a. Islam prescribes meth

od of eliminating molestation and rapeAll the major religions declare the molestation and rape of women as grave sins. Islam teaches thesame. What then is the difference between Islam and the other religions? The difference lies in thefact that Islam does not merely preach respect for women, or abhor molestation and rape as seriouscrimes, but also gives clear guidance as to how society can eliminate such crimes.

b. Hijaab for menIslam has a system ofhijaab. The Glorious Quran first mentions hijaab for the men and then for thewomen. Hijaab for the men is mentioned in the following verse:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will makefor greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do."

[Al-Quran 24:30]

The moment a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind,

he should lower his gaze.

c. Hijaab for womenHijaab for women is mentioned in the following verse:

"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; thatthey should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof;that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to theirhusbands, their fathers, their husbands fathers, their sons...."

[Al-Quran 24:31]

The extent ofhijaab for a woman is that her complete body should be covered. The only part thatcan be seen, are the face and the hands up to the wrists. If they wish to cover, they can even coverthese parts of the body. However some Islamic scholars insist that even the face should be covered.

d. Hijaab prevents molestationThe reason why Allah has prescribed Hijaab for the women is given in the Quran in the folowing

verse of Surah Al-Ahzab:


17/33

"O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women,that they should cast their outergarments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (assuch) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful."

[Al-Quran 33:59]

The Quran says that Hijaab has been prescribed for the women so that they are recognized asmodest women this would prevent them from being molested.

e. Example of twin sistersSuppose two sisters who are twins and who are equally beautiful, walk down a street. One of them

is wearing the Islamic Hijaab i.e. the complete body is covered except for the face and the hands upto the wrists, and the other twin is wearing a mini skirt or shorts. Around the corner there is ahooligan who is waiting for an opportunity to tease a girl. Who will he tease? The girl wearing theIslamic Hijaab or the girl wearing the mini skirt or shorts? Dresses that expose more than theyconceal, are an indirect temptation to the opposite sex for teasing, molestation and rape. The Quran

rightly says that the hijaab prevents women from being molested.

f. Capital punishment for rapistThe Islamic shariah prescribes capital punishment for a convicted rapist. The non-Muslim may behorrified at such a stringent punishment in this age. Many accuse Islam of being ruthless andbarbaric. I have asked a common question to hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose God-forbid,some one rapes your wife, your mother or your sister and you are made the judge. The rapist isbrought in front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said, "we would put him todeath." Some went to the extent of saying, "we would torture him to death", If your wife or yourmother is raped you want the rapist to be put to death. But if someone elses wife or mother is raped,capital punishment is a barbaric law. Why the double standards?

g. U.S.A. has one of the highest rate ofRapeThe United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries of the world.An F.B.I report in the year 1990 says that 1,02,555 cases of rape were reported. It further says thatonly 16% of the cases of rapes are reported. Thus, in order to know the actual number of rapes thattook place in 1990, the reported figure should be multiplied by 6.25. We get a total of 6,40,968 rapecases that took place in the year 1990. If the total is divided by 365 the number of days in a year, we

get an average of 1,756 rape incidents everyday.

Later another report said that an average of 1900 cases of rape are committed in U.S.A every day.According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice Statistics (U. S. Dept. of Justice)in 1996 alone 3,07,000 cases of rape were reported. Only 31% of the actual cases of rape were

reported. Thus, 3,07,000 X 3.226 = 9,90,322 rapes took place in 1996. That is, an average of 2,713cases of rape took place everyday in America in 1996. Every 32 seconds one rape is taking place inAmerica. Maybe American rapists got bolder. The FBI report of 1990 continues and says that out ofthe rape cases that were reported only 10% of the rapist were arrested, that is only 1.6% of theactual rapes committed. Out of those arrested, 50% were let free before the trial. This would meanthat only 0.8% of the rapists faced a trial. In other words if a person commits 125 rapes the chancesthat he will get a punishment for rape is only once. Many would consider this a good gamble. Andthe report says that of those people who faced trial 50% received sentences of less than a yearsimprisonment though the American law says rape carries a seven year sentence of imprisonment.For a rapist, the judge is lenient to first time offenders. Imagine a person commits 125 rapes and the


18/33

chances of being convicted is only once, and 50% of the time the judge will grant leniency and givea sentence of less than a year!

h. Results achieved when Islamic Shariah ImplementedSuppose the Islamic shariah is implemented in America. Whenever a man looks at a woman and ifany brazen or unashamed thought comes to his mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears theIslamic Hijaab, that is the complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrists.

After this if any man commits rape, he gets capital punishment. The question is, will the rate of rapein America increase, will it remain the same or will it decrease? Naturally it will decrease. Islamic

Shariah gets results.

4. Islam has Practical Solutions for the Problems of Mankind

Islam is the best way of life because its teachings are not doctrinaire rhetoric but practical solutions for theproblems of mankind. Islam achieves results both at the individual and collective levels. Islam is the bestway of life because it is a practical, universal religion not confined to any ethnic group or nationality.


19/33

For People Who Think

The Final Book

Some people reject God because they can find no evidence for Him which satisfies both their hearts and minds

simultaneously. Then there are others who accept God on the basis of emotional or irrational reasons which satisfy theirhearts, but leave their minds unsure. These two groups of people have never found a satisfying answer to the question

of their relationship with God. Then there are yet others who have found the correct path which God intended for us: to

accept Him and His message to us using our minds first and foremost, and the heart follows easily and naturally as a

consequence.

Instead of searching for the answer, there are also some people who chose to simply brush the question aside and ignore

it unfortunately. This is the easy way out of what appears to be a very difficult, mysterious question which may seem tohave no final solution. Most of these people are unaware of a very powerful message which completely and

unequivocally establishes the correct path to God. This message squares with both the mind and the heart, and it has no

equal since it comes to us straight from God Himself.

The message comes in the form of a book. In fact, God has given us several Books of guidance through the years, but

each one was ultimately corrupted and changed by dishonest people. Each Book essentially contained the samefundamental message as the previous Books. Mankind was expected to guard these Books from harm, but unfortunately

failed to live up to this expectation. Slowly but surely, each Book was edited and tampered with, destroying its

authenticity. This is partly why God kept sending us more revelations.

However, almost 1400 years ago, God sent us another Book with the same basic message as the earlier ones, but with a

small but very important difference. This time, God decreed that this Book would be the last Book sent down to us

because God would protect it Himself. Regarding this Final Book, God said,

"Behold, it is We Ourselves who have bestowed from on high this reminder: and behold, it is We who shall truly

guard it" [Chapter 15, verse 9]

Today, if we compare the 114 chapters in every copy of this Final Book with each other, we will find they match

perfectly word for word - from the oldest copies made 1300-plus years ago to the ones printed just a few hours ago. No

human hand has changed it.

The rational person has every right to be doubtful, of course, if he or she has never read this book. For such people, here

is a small sample of what the Final Book contains. Suppose we wanted to ask God several questions about Him and

about ourselves. Short of Him speaking to us directly (such a privilege has been granted to only one person out of all

humanity), the Book has the best answers one can find. It is on the strength of these answers that an honest pe rson may

be struck with the conviction that the Final Book is from none other than God Almighty. Again, here is only a small

part of the information one might find.

1. On The Nature of GodWho is God? God explains in His Final Book that it is quite simpl y impossible for us to completely understand Him.

We cannot pinpoint a definition of the Creator,

"Glory to the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth - the Sustainer, in almightiness enthroned - from all that they

may attribute to Him by way of definition" [43:82]

Our inability to completely understand God does not mean that He is completely remote from us. In spite of our limited

understanding, we are all quite capable of turning to God, and He is not unaware of our efforts,


20/33

"...and unto thy Sustainer turn with love." [94:8]

"Behold, for those who stand in awe of God although He is beyond the reach of their perception, there is forgiveness

in store and a great reward" [67:12]

God has not left mankind entirely in the dark regarding His Nature. He refers to Himself by approximately 100 names

in various places throughout the Final Book. Each name is a descriptive attribute of God, and they are all meant to help

us understand the Creator. To gain this understanding involves simply thinking about God and reflecting on His names,

and this type of awareness is a central pillar of faith (i.e. when one actively remembers God and is conscious of Him).

A second benefit of these names is that some of them provide mankind with ideals to try to attain. For example, since

God is the Most Forgiving, Most Patient, and Most Knowledgeable, we should each strive to be forgiving, patient, and

knowledgeable (educated in our case).

Of all His attributes, God emphasizes a single one above all others in His Final Book: that HE IS ONE. God is not two,

three, four, or more beings. There is only one deity, and He is God,

"Say: `He is God, Unique

God the Eternal, the Independent.

He begets not, and neither is He begotten.

And there is nothing that could be compared to Him.'" [112:1-4]

In other places of the Final Book, God emphasizes His Greatness and the impossibility of fully grasping Him by using

the plural sense of pronouns for Himself - but He is strictly One and Unique with no other partners or deities.

After this aspect of Unity, God chose to emphasize two of His other names more often than the rest in the Final Book:

"the Most Merciful, the One who acts Mercifully." In fact, each chapter but one in the whole Book starts with, "In the

Name of God, the Most Merciful, the One who Acts Mercifully." These two names cannot be emphasized enough. They

are meant to stress we should not let our sins keep us from coming back to God and calling to Him at all time s, in joy or

sadness. The Creator is more aware of our imperfections than we are, and so when we stumble and feel bad, God is far

more likely to be kind than angry.

The Last Messenger and Prophet of God (i.e. the person whom God chose to deliver the Final Book to the rest of

mankind) commented on God's mercy by informing us that,

"When God decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: `My mercy

prevails over my wrath.'" - the Last Messenger

"God says: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with Him when He makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to

himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an

assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me a hand's span, I draw near to him an arm's length; and if he draws

near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him with

speed." - the Last Messenger

2. The Nature of Man

Who are we, and what makes us different from all other things? We are creations of God, along with the rest of the

universe. We are human beings, all descendants of a common ancestry well known to most of us: Adam and Eve.Humanity, however, is distinct from the rest of the universe in a very fundamental way according to the Final Book,

"Verily, We did offer the trust to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains: but they refused to bear it because

they were afraid of it. Yet man took it up - for verily he has always been prone to be most wicked, most foolish."

[33:72]

Over the years, many scholars of the Book have tried to understand exactly what God meant by "the trust". The most

convincing argument (based on other parts of the Book, and on certain statements of the Last Messenger) is that it


21/33

refers to our ability to make decisions both freely and intelligently. In other words, our uniqueness as human beings

stems from two gifts given to us by God:

* our ability to freely choose between actions (good and evil)

* our ability to intelligently weigh and make those choices

The price of these gifts is a tremendous amount of responsibility on our part; the responsibility not to abuse our gifts by

rejecting God or by hurting each other unnecessarily.

The blessings of these two gifts are immeasurable, especially when God reminds us that He could have decided things

otherwise by depriving us of either gift,

"Now had it been Our will [that men should not be able to discern between right and wrong], We could surely have

deprived them of their sight, so that they would stray forever from the [right] way: for how could they have had

insight [into what is true]? And had it been Our will [that they should not be free to choose between right and

wrong], We could surely have transformed them [rooted] in their places, so that they would not be able to move

forward, and could not turn back." [36:66-67]

However, God did NOT will this, and as a result we are blessed with will and reason. The Final Book clea rly warnsagainst abusing these blessings, either by neglecting ourselves when we don't think wisely, or by hurting others when

we deny them the right to choose,

"Verily, the vilest of all creatures in the sight of God are those deaf, those dumb ones who do not use their reason."

[8:22]

"There shall be no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from error: hence he who

rejects evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for

God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." [2:256]

In spite of mankind's free will and reason, God warns us in His Book always to remember that these gifts are limited

after all. The Final Word lies with Him in all matters. However, this is not to say that me n's destinies are arbitrary - not

at all. We are able to make decisions that affect our lives, but at the same time, God is also making decisions about usand for us,

"And had thy Sustainer so willed, all those who live on earth would surely have attained to faith, all of them: do you

then think that you could compel people to believe, notwithstanding that no human being can ever attain to faith

otherwise than by God's leave, and [that] it is He who lays the loathsome evil [of disbelief] upon those who wil l not

use their reason." [10:99-100]

"...Verily, God does not change men's condition unless they change their inner selves..." [13:11]

3. Free Will and Reason Applied

Has God given mankind a clear path to Him? In essence, every rational reader would like to know if they can trust the

authenticity of the Final Book. It is perfectly natural to feel that way; after all, this is the outcome of our God -given gift

of reason. However, our own skeptical minds are the keys here: the Final Book, according to God, is addressed to

people who think, pure and simple,

"...In this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think." [39:42]

"Thus clearly do We spell out these messages unto people who use their reason." [30:28]

No one but God can make a human being believe in the Truth of the Final Book, but that human being has to read it

with an open mind, applying his or her powers of reason. The price of limited free will is that we must choose to be


22/33

guided. Those people who do search for the Truth with an open mind and heart may find that the Final Book, while

vast, is surprisingly clear,

"Nay, but this [divine writ] consists of messages self-evident in the breasts of those who have been given knowledge -

and none could knowingly reject Our messages unless it be such as would do wrong [to themselves]." [29:49]

"This divine writ - let there be no doubt about it - is a guidance for all the God-conscious..." [2:2]

The guidance of the Final Book is available to anyone who goes in search of it,

"[O men!] We have now bestowed upon you from on high a divine writ containing all that you ought to bear in

mind: will you not, then, use your reason?" [21:10]

One of the most interesting aspects of the authenticity of the Final Book is the quantity of scientifically accurate

statements in it - on subjects not even dreamed of 1300 years ago. A sample of these includes the following:

y a large explosion marking the start of creation (Big Bang) [21:30]

y the initial smokey (nebulous) nature of the skies [41:11]

y the expansion of the universe [51:41]

y the presence of a huge amount of time before mankind appeared [76:1]

y the existence of sun and moon orbits [21;33]

y the finite sun and moon lifetimes [13:2]

y the final destination of the sun (Solar Apex) [36:38]

y the origin of all life based in water [21:30]

In fact, God states that the amazing beauty and intricacy of the natural world around us, as well as our own complex

biological makeup, will ultimately lead us to Him as we grow in understanding,

"In time, We shall make them fully understand Our messages [through what they perceive] in the utmost horizons

[of the universe] and within themselves, so that it will become clear unto them this [revelation] is indeed the truth. Is

it not enough that thy Sustainer is witness unto everything?" [41:53]

4. The Presence of Evil

Why does God allow men and women to be hurt? There are some people who use the presence of suffering and evil inthis world as grounds to lose hope and perhaps even to reject God. However, according to the Final Book, the limi ted

free will and reason of human beings destroys that argument. We are responsible for what we do, and must bear the

consequences - that is the liability or price of freedom. The evil that we do and suffer from is chosen by us and not by

God,

"...God wills no wrong to His creation." [3:108]

However, God also guarantees us that aside from our own evil actions and their effects, God Himself will put us

through some trials and tribulations here on earth - but the key is they will never be more than we can handle, and they

may even be good for us,

"If misfortune touches you [know that] similar misfortune has touched [other] people as well; for it is by turns that

We apportion unto men such days [of fortune and misfortune]: and [this] to the end that God might mark out thosewho have attained to faith, and choose from among you such as [with their lives] bear witness to the truth - since

God does not love evildoers - and that God might render pure of all dross those who have attained to faith, and bring

to nought those who deny the truth. Do you think that you could enter Paradise unless God takes cognizance of your

having striven hard [in His cause], and takes cognizance of your being patient in adversity?" [3:140-142]

"God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear: in his favour shall be whatever good

he does, and against him whatever evil he does..." [2:286]


23/33

An integral part of our being aware of God is hope and patience in times of hardship. In fact, the loss of hope is actually

one of the symptoms of rejection of God,

"[Prophet Abraham] exclaimed, `And who - other than those who have utterly lost their way - could ever abandon

the hope of his Sustainer's grace?'" [15:56]

The greatest source of hope is that God shall allow those people who accept Him to enter Paradise and, more

importantly, to be close to Him. The Final Book contains many references on Paradise, and also on Hell, the destination

of those people who knowingly reject God. Paradise is quite literally a place of indescribable joy, whereas Hell is its

indescribable opposite (both places are given only partial descriptions in the Book). While the inhabitants of Paradise

are permanent dwellers, the inmates of Hell are not necessarily imprisoned there forever; there are some who shall

ultimately be freed,

"[But] verily, as for those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds - the gardens of Paradise will be there to

welcome them; therein will they abide, [and] never will they desire any change therefrom." [18:107-108]

"And whoever rebels against God and His Apostle and transgresses His bounds, him will He commit unto fire,

therein to abide; and shameful suffering awaits him." [4:14]

"There shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said `There is no deity except God' and who has in his heart goodness

weighing a barley-corn; then there shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said `There is no deity except God' and who

has in his heart goodness weighing a grain of wheat; then there shall come out of Hell-fire he who has said `There is no

deity except God' and who has in his heart goodness weighing an atom." - the Last Messenger

5. This Life and the Next

What is the end to men's lives? There are two parts to men's lives: the part here on earth, and the part in the Hereafter.

The dividing line between the two is known as death, followed by the Day of Judgement or Resurrection. As far as

death is concerned, everyone must go through it, but on Judgement Day people will be sorted out from each other into

different categories,

"Every human being is bound to taste death: but only on the Day of Resurrection will you be requited in full [for

what you have done]..." [3:185]

Resurrection Day will actually be a huge period of time (not a regular 24-hour day) in which every single human will

be resurrected and judged by God on his or her beliefs and deeds. No human being - not even any Prophet - knows

when this Day will come, for this is knowledge known only to God. The Final Book does describe it in several passages

as a giant disaster on many scales (physical and ecological among others), and the Last Messenger was told of some of

its foreshadowing signs which he communicated to us.

6. Messengers and Prophets

Who delivered God's Message to mankind? God has sent us many `reminders' of Him and of our obligations to Him

over the centuries, culminating in the Final Book almost 1400 years ago. Every one of those `reminders' was delivered

to us via a selected human being, one who was strong enough to deliver God's message to his people. These human

beings are called the Prophets. They were not supernatural or immortal or different in any way from other human

beings except that they were entrusted by God to speak in His Name,

"For [even] before thy time, [O Prophet], we never sent [as Our messengers] any but [mortal] men, whom We

inspired - hence [tell the deniers of the truth] `If you do not know this, ask the followers of earlier revelation' - and

neither did We endow them with bodies that ate no food, nor were they immortal." [21:7-8]

Some of the Prophets were allowed to perform supernatural miracles but only with God's permission (i.e. if He willed

it). However, the Final Book stresses that every Prophet is no more than a s ervant of God - they do not have a share in

His Divinity.


24/33

There is also a small group of Prophets who were also Messengers. Every Prophet has called his people to the Truth,

but Messengers were additionally given a rejuvenated Message from God to convey. Every Messenger is a Prophet, but

not every Prophet is a Messenger. There have been many Prophets, of which here are the names of a few mentioned in

the Book: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Elijah, Elias, David, Solo mon,

Jonah, Job, Zacharias, John, Jesus, and, of course, the Last Messenger.

7. Eternal Salvation

Are certain people arbitrarily guaranteed the Favor of God, while others are excluded? The Mercy of God is notrestricted arbitrarily to any one peoples. Everyone and anyone is free to accept the path to God using their own free will

and reason,

"And they claim, `None shall ever enter Paradise unless he be a Jew' - or à Christian'. Such are their wishful

beliefs! Say [to them, O Prophet]: `Produce an evidence for what you are claiming, if what you say is true!' Yea,

indeed: everyone who surrenders his whole being unto God, and is a doer of good, shall have his reward with his

Sustainer, and all such need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve." [2:111-112]

The consequence of this is responsibility - everyone will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement. Some of us may

be uncomfortable with this, but it is simply the price of freedom,

"It may not accord with your wishful thinking - nor with the wishful thinking of the followers of earlier revelation -

[that] he who does evil shall be requited for it, and shall find none to protect him from God, and none to bring himsuccor, whereas anyone - be it man or woman - who does good deeds and is a believer, shall enter paradise, and

shall not be wronged by as much as [would fill] the groove of a date-stone." [4:123-124]

8. Forgiveness of God

If we sin, what should we expect from God? If we subsequently feel guilty and repent after doing something evil, God

wants us to expect Him to be forgiving, forgiving, and more forgiving. However, there is one sin which God will not

forgive: worshipping anything besides Him (unless the person realizes his or her error and returns to worshipping the

One God),

"Verily God does not forgive the ascribing of divinity to anything beside Him, although He forgives any lesser sin to

whomever He wills: for he who ascribes divinity to anything beside God has indeed contrived an awesome sin."

[4:48]

"Say, Ò you servants of Mine who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of God's Mercy: behold,

God forgives all sins - for verily, He alone is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.'" [39:53]

Again, the most common phrase in the Final Book is "In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the One who Acts

Mercifully."

The Last Messenger commented on God's forgiveness on many occasions as in the following case,

"God has said, Ò son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done,

and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness

of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you

then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it [i.e. the earth]'". - theLast Messenger

9. The Straight Way

What is the name for the way of life described in the Final Book? It is Islam, and it means "self -surrender [to God]".

Any man or woman who accepts Islam is a Muslim. The Final Book is called the Qur'an (meaning "the Recitation"),

and it is addressed to all of mankind in spite of being revealed in Arabic, the language of its Messenger and his people:

Muhammad bin Abd-Allah. The life of the Prophet serves as the other base of Islam (the first being the Qur'an), and it

is known as the Sunnah. Muhammad is the Last Prophet and Messenger of God as the Qur'an says,


25/33

"[And know, O believers, that] Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but is God's Apostle and the

Seal of all the Prophets..." [33:40]

And God has revealed to us His proper name, and it is ALLAH.

The Qur'an contains a great deal of guidance and information for anyone looking for final answers. The informationgiven in this small essay is only the tip of the tip of the iceberg. There is no substitute for reading the Qur'an itself in its

entirety - it is the closest we can come to having God speak to us directly and personally here on Earth. The Qur'ananswers many questions which are commonly asked by today's men and women. Its scope is wide: from fundamental

issues such as the nature of the Creator and mankind's limited free will and reason, to the more mundane such as

marriage laws and whom to give charity to. Islam as described in the Qur'an is vastly and almost completely different

than Islam as understood by most non-Muslims and even a few Muslims. The negative image of Islam today is an

incredibly misleading deception. It is based on the moral weakness of some people who claim to be Muslims, and also

on the unawareness of non-Muslims. Behind this image is the presence of a Truth which answers the fundamental

questions we have, and which can reunite us with God. It is there for us to listen to, or to ign ore.

And Allah Knows Best.

"And [know that] We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play..."

[21:16]

"Will they not, then, try to understand this Qur'an? Had it issued from any but God, they would surely have found

in it many an inner contradiction!" [4:82]

"We did not bestow the Qur'an on thee from on high to make thee unhappy." [20:2]

"[O men!] We have now bestowed upon you from on high a divine writ containing all that you ought to bear in

mind: will you not, then, use your reason?" [21:10]

"...so remember Me, and I shall remember you; and be grateful to Me, and deny Me not." [2:152]

"Verily, those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds will the Most Gracious endow with love." [19:96]

"Say [O Prophet]: `If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you and forgive you your sins; for God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.'" [3:31]

"Say: `If all the sea were ink for my Sustainer's words, the sea would indeed be exhausted ere my Sustainer's words

are exhausted! And [thus it would be] if we were to add to it sea upon sea.'" [18:109]


26/33

You Ask And The Quran Answers

1) Who is the creator?

(40:64) Allah, it is he Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky a s a canopy. and has given youshape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord: so

Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

(39:6) He created you (all) from a single person (Adam) ; then made from him his wife {Hawwa , (Eve)}. and He has

sent down for you of cattle eight pairs (of the sheep , two , male and female ; of the goats , two , male and female of the

oxen , two , male and female and of the camels, two, mal e and female). He creates you in the wombs of your mothers:

creation after creation in there veils of darkness. Such is Allah your Lord His is the Kingdom. La ilaha illa Huwa (none

has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turned away?

(7:54) Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the

Throne (really in 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 Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)! (10:32) Such is Allah, your Lord in truth.

So after the truth, what else can there be, save error. How then are you turned away?

2) Who is Allah?

(59:23-24)

23:He is Allah beside Whom La Ilaha Illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the King, the Holy, the

one Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All- Mighty, the Compeller, the

Supreme. Glory, be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him .

24:He is Allah, the creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is

in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All -Mighty, the All-Wise .

(20:14)

Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), So worship Me, and perform As -

Salat (Iqamat-as- Salat) for My Remembrance.

(2:255)

Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al -Hayyul-Qayyuum (the Ever Living the OneWho sustains and protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the

heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission?

He Knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And theywill never compass any thing of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the

earth and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (This Verse

2:225 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi) .

(35:13)

He merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night is added to the hours of the day), and He

merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day is added the hours of the night). And has

subjected the sun and the moon: each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the


27/33

Kingdom , And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over

the date-stone).

(3:18)

Allah bears winess that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those

having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in justice La ilaha illa Huwa (none has

the right to be worshipped but He), the All - Mighty, the All-Wise.

(3:51)

Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the straight Path.

3) Did you think that Allah created you only for play and without any purpose?

(3:115)

Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?

4) For what did Allah create mankind?

(51:56)

And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).

5) What did Allah command us to do?

(4:58)

Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge

between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching with He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is

Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.

(6:151)

Say (O Muhammad (PBUH)):Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: be Join not anything in

worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; Kill not your children because of poverty We provide

sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al -Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether

committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to

Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.

6) From where shall we seek guidance?

(1:1 6)


28/33

1: In the Name of Allah, the Most. Gracious, the Most Merciful.

2: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

3: The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful .

4: The Only Owner (and the only Ruling judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e the Day of Resurrection)

5: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).

6: Guide us to the Straight Way.

7) Who shall we invoke in time of disaster?

(29:65)

And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Only: but when He brings them

safely to land, behold they give a share of their worship to others .

(10:12)

And when harm touches man, he invokes Us, lying on his side, or sitting or standing. But when We have removed his

harm from him, he passes on as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him! Thus it is made fair -seeming

to the Musrifun that which they used to do.

8) What happened to the previous nations when they disobeyed Allah?

(29:40)

So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on whom We sent Hasib (a violent wind with shower of

stones) (as on the people of Lut (Lot) , and of them were some who were overtaken by As -saihah (torment awful cry.(as Thamud or Shuabs people), and of them were some whem We caused the earth to swallow (as Qarun (Korah), and

of them were some whom We drowned (as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Firaun (Pharaoh) and his people). It was not

Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.

9) Does Allah guard and save the Quran from corruption?

(15:9)

Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will gu ard it (from corruption).

10) Who should we worship?

(20:14)


29/33

Verily! I am Allah La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As -Salat

(Iqamat-assalat) for My Remembrance.

11) What is the religion of Allah?

(3:19)

Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except,

out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences,

verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.

12) What is the religion accepted by Allah?

(3:85)

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him and in the Hereafter he will be one of

the losers.

13) Where does the Quran come from?

(42:3)

Likewise Allah, the All-Mighty the All-Wise sends Revelation to you (O Muhammad (PBUH) ) as (He sent Revelation

to) those before you.

(6:114)

(Say (O Muhammad (PBUH)) Shall I seek a judge other than Allah while it is He Who has sent down unto you the

book (the Quran), explained in detail. Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel

(Gospel) know that it is revealed from your Lord in truth. So be not you of those who doubt.

14) Why did Allah send messengers?

(4:64)

We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allahs Leave.

15) Do we have to believe in all the messengers?

(2:285)

The Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH) _) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the

believers. Each one believes in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), We make no distinction


30/33

between one another of His Messengers and they say, We hear and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our

Lord, and to You is the return (of all).

16) What happened to the previous scriptures?

(4:46)

Among those who are jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: We hear your word

(O Muhammad (PBUH)) and disobey, and Hear and let you (O Muhammad (PBUH) _) hear nothing. And Raina

with a twist of there tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islam) And if only they had said: We hear and obey,

And Do make us understand, it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah has cursed them for

their disbelief, so they believe not except a few.

(5:13)

So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words

from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not ceaseto discover deceit in them, except a few of them. B ut forgive them and overlook (their misdeeds).

Verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (good-doers).

17) Who is the last messenger?

(3:144)

Muhammad (PBUH) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he

dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the

least harm will he do to Allah; and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.

18) To whom did Allah send the last messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

(34:28)

And We have not sent you (O Muhammad (PBUH)) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but

most of men know not.

19) What did Allah prepare for those among the Jews and Christians who believe?

(57:28)

O you who believe (in Musa (moses) (i.e. Jews) and Isa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)! Fear Allah, and believe in His

Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH) _), He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by

which you shall walk (straight). And He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.


31/33

20) What is the likeness of lsa (Jesus) before Allah?

(3:59)

Verily, the likeness of Isa (Jesus) bofore Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to

him: Be and he was.

21) What did Allah say about Mary?

(3:42 47)

42:And (remember) when the angels said: (O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from

polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the Alamin (mankind and jinn) (of her lifetime).

43:O Mary! Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah), by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate

yourself, and Irkai (bow down) along with ArRakiun (those who bow down).

44:This is apart of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past national of which you have no knowledge)

which We reveal to you (O Muhammad (PBUH) ) You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to

which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); n or were you with them when they disputed.

45:(Remember) when the angels said: O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word (Be -

and he was! I.e. Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary), from Him, his name will be the Messiah Isa (Jes us), the son of

Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.

46:He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood and he one of the righteous.

47:She said: O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me. He said: So (it will be) for Allah

creates what He wills.

When He has decreed something, He says to it only: Be! and it is.

22) Was Jesus crucified and died on the cross?

(4:157158)

157:And because of their saying (in boast), We killed Messiah Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of

Allah, But they killed him not, nor crucified him, but they resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and

they Killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow

nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not (i.e. Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) (PBUT)).

158:But Allah raised him (Isa (Jesus) up (with hi s body and soul) unto Himself (and he (PBUH) is in the heavens). And

Allah is Ever All- Powerful All-Wise.

23) Was Jesus the son of God ( Allah )?

(112:1 4):

1:Say (O Muhammad (PBUH)): He is Allah, (the) One.


32/33

2:(Allah the self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks).

3:He begets not, nor was He begotten.

4:And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.

24) How could you be secure?

(6:82)

It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with

Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others beside Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.

25) What is the life of this world?

(57:20)

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in

respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tille r;

afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes str aw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe

torment (for the disbelievers evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the

believers good-doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.

26) Whatever of blessings and good things you have , is it from Allah?

(16:53)

And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah.

Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.

27) How could you guarantee the blessings of Allah?

(14:7)

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: If give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I

will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily My punishment is indeed

sever.

Date post:	07-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	salvator82
View:	221 times
Download:	0 times

Islam for Life

Documents