Islamic Values vs. Muslim Values

The misconceptions that surround Islam in this day and age are too great to number.
A repeated scene is that of a Muslim having a discussion with a non-Muslim and trying to explain that Muslims are not terrorists, Muslims are not wife-beaters, that these actions are the deeds of a few which are then unjustly imposed on the whole Muslim population. But if the whole Muslim population had presented themselves in an Islamic manner in the first place, the reputation of a Muslim would be far too virtuous to allow the misdeeds of a few to tarnish the image of the whole Muslim world. But Muslims generally do not present Islamic values, they present Muslim values; and the difference between these two can sometimes be as vivid as night and day.

What do I mean by Islamic values and Muslim values? Islamic values are those that are set out in the Quran and the practice of the noble Messenger, Muhammad (S). Muslim values are those that are created as part of the culture of the Muslim communities. These include the day-to-day interaction between the Muslims and their outlook on Islam's rules and regulations. The difference is that Islam is perfect and pure, while the values formulated by the Muslims may or may not be in accordance with Islam. The detriment that arises from this is that many times precedence is given to the Muslim values over the Islamic values.

This is not to say that Muslims do not care about Islam, they care for and love Islam deeply, they have concern for their children's Islamic upbringing and the welfare of the Muslims all over the world. But what happens is that certain practices become common among them and their mentalities are set on justifying these practices instead of accepting the Islamic rulings on such things. They become a part of the Muslim culture and mentality, and so it becomes difficult to try to explain to them that Islam forbids such things. Because of this transformation in mentality, the average person in such a community will be hostile to someone bringing Islamic rulings forbidding things such as music and dancing and enforcing things like hijab and modest conduct. Having gatherings and parties that center around music and dancing, and removal of the hijab and modest conduct have become common among many Muslims, and so they constitute what we have called Muslim values, as opposed to the Islamic values.
The Muslim values are caused by a relaxation on the enforcement of Islamic laws. The Islamic values, principles, and priorities are contained within these laws. Prayer, fasting, charity, hajj, hijab, modesty, being kind to others, giving parents their due rights, emphasizing the importance of marriage, attending the Islamic centers and masjids, gaining knowledge, all of these are designed to build spiritually healthy individuals and a spiritually healthy society. When the performance of these actions is relaxed then a void is created that is receptive for outside and often unIslamic ideals.
When there is relaxation then a distorted concept of freedom is adopted, it gives the Muslims the courage to challenge the Islamic laws and present their own philosophy as to why following the laws is not necessary. They make excuses to oppose the laws and create their own, when the Quran has clearly said,

And it behoves not a believing man and a believing woman that they should have any choice in their matter when Allah and His Apostle have decided a matter; and whoever disobeys Allah and His Apostle, he surely strays off a manifest straying. (Al-Ahzab, 33:36)

An understanding has to be conveyed that the Muslim communities will only thrive if they adhere to the principles of Islam. The concept of Islam that the non-Muslims have is directly related to the actions of the Muslim communities, because the majority of them will not go out and research about Islam, they will make their judgments based on what they see the Muslims doing. So it is not surprising for them to think that Muslims drink alcohol, that they eat pork and haram food, they listen to music, dance, go to discos and nightclubs, engage in promiscuous relationships, and many other things that a Muslim should not be doing. On the flip side, it is not surprising for them to be ignorant of the fact that a Muslim is supposed to pray at least five times a day, he/she has to fast during Ramadhan, go to Hajj once in a lifetime, abstain from cursing and abusive language, abstain from backbiting, go to masjid on Fridays for jum'a prayer, read Quran, and other basic obligations that a Muslim has.
The result is that a distorted image of Islam, the pure and perfect religion, is presented to them, and in response the Muslims try to say that it is a few Muslims ruining it for the rest of them. But this is not the case, the responsibility lies with the majority of the Muslims who themselves are not acting Islamically. Yes, it is true that the terrorists are few, and that the equation of a Muslim with a terrorist is wrong and unjust. But this is an isolated incident, and in general it is the majority of the Muslims ruining things for themselves. This can only be corrected by starting at the root of the problem, the Muslim family and attendance in the Islamic centers. If the parents are consistent in teaching their children and are themselves consistent in practicing Islam, and if the entire family attends the Islamic centers on a regular basis, then we will see an amazing transformation in the conduct of the Muslims, as individuals and as communities. Then when the non-Muslims look to the actions of the Muslims they will actually learn about Islam, and will not have to worry about whether or not what they are seeing is Islam.
As Muslims, we have to strive to make our Muslim values the same as our Islamic values. Only then can we truly be considered believers

An Article written by : Atiq Ebady

"A wonderful Story"

Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????

This is beautiful story, pls read till end and forward to all you knows...

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky
with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the
kitchen table
reading his Qur'an. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to
imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Qur'an just like you
but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I
close the book. What
good does reading the Qur'an do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal
in the stove and replied,
"Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of
water."

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back
to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a
little faster next time,"
and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the
boy ran faster, but again the

basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his
grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went
to get a bucket instead. The

old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.
You're just not trying hard enough,"

and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his
grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would Leak
out before he got back to the house.

The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached
his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See
Grandpa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the
basket
was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was
now clean, inside and out.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand
or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be Changed, inside
and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives."

Proof God exist and Quran is His true book?

Dear brother, it is very good to have this opportunity to having debate. I have to existence of God (The creator). Well in the topic I will only stick with Islamic point of view that what Islam is offering us or in simple words how Muslim think about their God and How they find their God as true God.

In modern days, the measures of judging anything with true or false we use the method of Science. It is as similar as at the time of Moses (PBUH) the criteria of good or bad were judge upon magic.

Proof 1 (Creation of Universe/ Big Bang):

In 20th century science told us that how universe was started. Many research were done on that topic. In 1922 first theory of “Hubble's law and the expansion of space” was posed and in the year of 2000 it was fully conformed and Hubble’s theory became the law.

However, it is astonishing to find same research in a book which was written 1500 hundred years ago. The following is the quoted verses from that book, Chapter 21, verse 30.

“Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”

Proof 2 (Creation of Human/ Embryology):

The creation of a baby in a mother womb was very complicated studies and until 20th century no one properly knows the basic steps or phases of fetus in a mother womb. Dr. Keith Moore was among one of most noble researcher on the topic of embryology. He completed his research in 1981 and on the same year at Seventh Medical Conference inDammam, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Moore said,

“It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Quran about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God or Allah, because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God or Allah”.

Following were the verse which made him to knew the true God, Chapter 23: Verse 13-14

“Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;

Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!”

Similarly, Quran also tell us about various of other scientific facts which science recently discovered for example,

1) Movement of earth and moon in their orbit (Discovered in 16th century)

2) Movement of Sun in a greater orbit (Discovered in 20th century)

3) Difference of fingerprints (Discovered in 20th century)

4) Every creation is based upon water or made by water (Discovered in 19 century)

5) Layer formation between 2 waters (Discovered in 20th century)

6) Mountains as support of earth (Discovered in 20th century)

7) Seven ozone layers (Discovered in mid of 20th century)…100 more etc

The things which are mentioned above are the base of our discussion about God (The Creator). Now one thing we have to keep in mind that we are human, we are created beings. We don’t know what is God, How is God, What is His length, width, color. We also have to keep in mind that humans are ordinary being. In contras the God is supernatural or far more then supernatural.

We don’t know how to judge the God. However, God himself give us some criteria to find him. It’s an easy method; find the God with His signs. Those signs He gave us in His book. Scientific, mathematical, Geological any of your field his book will guide you in any way you want.

The Quran is alive miracle of God. Its 6000 verses talk on every aspect of life. It provides you with all answers.

So when a book of almost 1500 year old provides you accurate scientific facts that mean its creator is someone all knowing and wise and that all knowing and wise is Allah the creator of heaven and earth. As mentioned in Quran,

“Allah knows all that is in the heavens and on earth: He has full knowledge of all things.”

"Love Of Prophet Muhammad SAW"

Quranic Ayahs:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
1) "And Thou (standest) on an exalted standerd of character." [Surah Qalam 68:4]


وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
2) "We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures." [Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107]

مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا
3) "He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah: But if any turn aways, We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds)." [Surah Nisa 4:80]

النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ
4) "The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves,....." [Surah Al-Ahzab 33:6]


Hadiths:


Volume 1, Book 2, Number 13:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
"Allah's Apostle said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father and his children."


Volume 1, Book 2, Number 14:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said "None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind."


Volume 1, Book 2, Number 15:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said, "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:
1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else.
2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake.
3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire."
> Same matter also in (Volume 1, Book 2, Number 20)

Jihad--In Islam (Al-Quran)

Allah Subhanahu Wa Talah has created man on the nature of lust that he always think of its own welfare. Similarly Allah call us toward right path by showing us our profit. As mention in surah Asar chapter 103.
“ By Time (through the Ages), Verily, Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, And do righteous deeds, And (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy”.(1-3)

Now to control that lust of human nature Allah said in surah Al-Imran chapter 3,
“ By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love; and whatever ye give, of a truth Allah knoweth it well”.(92)

As if you like wealth so also share it with needy, if you like cars so give among the best of your car to needy. If you like houses so share the best of your house with poor and needy in the way of Allah. One thing that everyone likes and no one can deny that its no favorite is your own life and now your Allah and your faith is asking to give among the best of things which you like most. Now it the time to make a deal and sell this life to Allah. As Allah said in surah Saff chapter 61,
“ O you who have believed, shall I tell yopu of a bargain that will save you from painful torment? It is that you should believe in Allah and His Messenger, and should exert your utmost in Allah’s way with your wealth and yourself. This would be best for you if you only knew.(10-11)

Now we understand that bargain of surah asar in which man was in lost. Mean that we reach to the righteousness when we did bargain of our wealth and life with Allah. Similaly Allah said in Quran surah Tauba chapter 9,
“ Allah hath purchased of the Believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise): They fight in His Cause, and slay and are slain: A promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, The Gospel, and The Quran: And who is more faithful to his Covenant than Allah? (111)

What a beautiful bargain is it. The seller sold his life and buyer bought the life. The buyer give heaven and seller got that heaven. The buyer made seller happy and seller made buyer happy. As mention in Quran surah Tauba chapter 9 ,
“ Well-pleased is Allah with them, As are they with Him.” (100)

So what to say about the people who have attain the righteousness and made their creator happy with their character because the base of faith is to make the creator happy. Now who every did the Jihad from his wealth and life did the bargain with Allah. And where my mind goes I can see that jihad is the only way by which we can fulfill the verse of Quran which say “By no means shall ye attain righteousness” because in jihad we have to spend our wealth, our home, our life even every thing which make us comfort we left that every thing for Allah and that is the meaning of “By no means shall ye attain righteousness”. Allah once again say in Quran surah Nisa 4
“Let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. In cause of Allah whether he is slain or get victory.” (74)

Now this thing is clear that any person who want to make creator happy, and those who want to enter in heaven. Should to jihad in the cause of Allah. But if any doubts about jihad remain in mind so lets us clear them also. Allah said in surah Maidah chapter 5,
“ O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive with might and main in his Cause: that ye may prosper.” (35)

On above ayah Creator clear on us that if we want to be His loved one, and want to approach to Him, and want to be blessed one. So, no need of doing anything just to do jihad in His cause and this is the only way Creator told us to reach Him and no other way goes to Him. and also mention in surah Hujrat chapter 49,
“Only those are believer who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: Such are the sincere ones.” (15)

The word for sincere in Arabic is Sadiqeen, this show us that after the Prophecy the two top most ranks Sadiqeen and Shuhada belong to those person who do jihad in the way of Allah. Now the reward of giving life in the way of Allah is only could give by Allah because a man don’t have that much power to give reward of his jihad and what a man can give reward of giving life. That will give only Creator to that man by make him happy who do bargain with Him. That’s why Allah said in surah Al-Imran chapter 3,
“Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their substance in the Presence of their Lord; They rejoice in the Bounty provided by Allah: And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), The (Martyrs) glory in the face that on them is no fear, Nor have they (cause to) grieve. They glory in the Grace and the bounty from Allah, and in the fact that Allah suffereth not the reward of the faithful to be lost (in the least).” (169-171)

Who do bargain with Allah and gave their lives to Allah now they started to receiving the rewards. First those who got slain, got the life of forever. They are happy on food and reward of Creator but those who took put in jihad but came alive they also got the happiness of Creator and got reward form Creator.
Now a days, some people say that these ayah of jihad are from just small period of time are now they are not valid. Now let me clear their doubts also. Allah said in Quran surah Nisa chapter 4,
“And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)?—Men, women and children, whose cry is: “our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from Thee one who will protect; and rise for us from Thee one who will help!” (75)

In this ayah Allah made jihad obligatory on all time. When ever Muslims of any part of world need help jihad will become duty of every muslim. Prophet said after me there is no prophet so any peoson who preach this religion is same like messenger in the land of Israel. So now this verse of Quran is for us also. Allah said in Surah Anfal chapter 8,
"It is not fitting for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until He hath thoroughly subdued the land. Ye look for the temporal goods of this world; but Allah looketh to the Hereafter: And Allah is exalted in might Wise". (67)

It is proved in that verse that the jihad is not only mention in islam but it also mention in old books also. Now islam is last religion and Prophet Muhammad SAW is last Messenger so now its the duty of this ummah to do jihad in the cause of Allah on the land of Allah. It is the duty of muslim to regulate the conditons of world and any one who mischief on earth to give him right lesson so humanity can flourish in a good manner.
Now those people reject the verses of jihad those have rebellious in their heart. When ever the name of jihad anem they run away and try to save their wealth and life from the cause of Allah. these are those who find Hujjah (to find their ways to save their salves from orders). They sold the verses of Allah and accept small amout of wealth against it. Allah said in Quran Shurah Alaq chapter 96,
" Seest thou one Who forbids-- A votray when he (turn) to pray?". (9-10)

In this verse its clear that in this ummah there are also black sheep. When a person want to walk on the way of Allah they make him stop and give hujjah (to find their ways to save their salves from orders) to make him stop. Now those have disease in their hearts for thim Allah said in Quran Surah Muhammad chapter 47,
" Those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon at the approach of death". (20)

Now those have disease in their hearts to save their wealth and lives, when they listen the name of jihad their faces are like dead once. They find the way to left behind and give their hujjah (to find their ways to save their salves from orders) to other people. And when mujahideen went on in cause of Allah, so they made their fun. For that tpye of people Allah say in Quran Suarh Ahqaf chapter 46,
"Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) Messengers of inflexible purpose; and bein no haste about the (unbelievers). On the Day that they see the (punishment) promised them, (it will be) as if they had not tarried more than an hour in a single day. (Thine But) to proclaim the Message: But shall any be destroyed except those who transgress?". (35)

Allah has given time to those hearts those have disease in it to control their disease and if they not control it and going against jihad so shall they be punished even they are muslims. They rejected the words of Allah, His messanger and Quran. I think my these all speech on verses of jihad in Quran is enough to prove Jihad in Islam. In my next article I will use Hadith to prove Jihad in Islam.

May Allah give me power to Explain and you to understand and we all to work on it. (Ameen)

The Virtues of Jumuah

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barkatuh!

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.


Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

The Virtues of Jumuah

Friday (Jumuah) is the best day of the week.

Abu Huraira reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created. on it he was made to enter Paradise , on it he was expelled from it. And the last hour will take place on no day other than Friday.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 004, Number 1857]
Supplications during Friday

One should do ones best to make supplications especially during the last moments (or hours) of Jumuah.

It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Seek the hour in which there is hope that prayers will be answered, on Friday after Asr (mid-afternoon) prayer, until the sun goes down.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, no. 700).

Recitation of Surah al-Kahf

It is preferred to recite surah al-Kahf during the day and night of Jumuah.
Abu Said al-Khudri reports that the Prophet said: "Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on Jumu'ah will have illumination from the light from one Jumu'ah to the next." (Narrated by al-Haakim, 2/399; al-Bayhaqi, 3/249. Ibn Hajar said in Takhreej al-Adhkaar that this is a hasan hadeeth, and he said, this is the strongest report that has been narrated concerning reading Soorat al-Kahf. See: Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/198. It was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6470).

Performing ghusl, beautifying ones self, using the miswak, and using perfume for any gathering and especially for Salatul Jumu'ah

It is preferred for anyone - man or woman, an elderly or young person, a traveler or a resident - who desires to attend the salatul Jumuah or any gathering of the people, to cleanse and to wear best attire. One should perform ghusl, put on one's finest clothing, apply perfume, and to brush one's teeth. The following hadith are recorded on this matter:

It was narrated in a hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever makes his wife do ghusl and does ghusl himself on Friday and goes out early, walking not riding, and comes close to the imaam and listens [to the sermon] without interrupting, will have for each step he takes a reward equal to that of fasting and praying at night for one year.” (Narrated by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, no. 687)

Narrated Salman-Al-Farsi: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven." [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 8]

Going early to Salatul Jumuah

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba." [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 51]
Performing Tahayyatul Masjid before salatul Jumuah


It is a sunnah to offer supererogatory prayers before al-Jumuah until the imam arrives. After the imams arrival, one should no longer offer any salah, except for the prayer of greeting the mosque (tahayyatul masjid) which may be performed quickly during the khutbah unless one comes at the end of the khutbah and would not have the time [i.e., before the actual salah begins] to perform tahayyatul masjid.

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: A person entered the mosque while the Prophet was delivering the Khutba on a Friday. The Prophet said to him, "Have you prayed?" The man replied in the negative. The Prophet said, "Get up and pray two Rakat." [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 52]

Nawafl after al-Jumuah


It is a sunnah to pray four rakat or two rakat after al-Jumuah:

Abu Huraira reported Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When any one amongst you observes prayer after Jumua, he should observe four rakahs. (In the hadith transmitted by Jarir the word minkum is not recorded.) [Sahih Muslim, Book 004, Number 1917]

Nafi reported that when Abdullah (b. Umar) observed the Friday prayer and came back he observed two rakahs in his house, and then said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be updn him) used to do this. [Sahih Muslim, Book 004, Number 1918]

Our sheikh Ibn Taimiyyah says: 'When he prayed in the mosque, he would pray four [rakat], and when he prayed in his house, he would pray two rakat.' I say: this is what the hadith is pointing to. Abu Dawud records from ibn 'Umar that when he prayed in the mosque, he would pray four rak'at, and when he prayed in his house, he would pray two rak'at. Also, in the two Sahihs it is reported from ibn 'Umar that the Prophet would pray two rak'at in his house after the Friday salah."

If one prays four rakat, then, according to some, he is to pray them all connected, while majority others hold that he is to pray two rakat, make the taslim, followed by another two rakat. It is preferred to pray them in ones house. If one prays them in the mosque, he should change his place of prayer after the Friday salah.
The Friday prayer as an obligation


The scholars are in agreement that salatul Jumu'ah is an individual obligation and it is two rak'at. Allah says in the Qur'an:- “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!” (Al-Jumu'ah 62:9)

Upon whom salatul Jumuah is obligatory

Salatul Jumuah is an obligation upon every free, adult, sane, resident Muslim who has the ability to attend the salah and does not have a valid excuse to miss it. Salatul Jumu'ah, however, is not obligatory on the following:

1.Women and children. Concerning this category there is no difference of opinion.
The evidence for that is the hadeeth of Taariq ibn Shihaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Jumu’ah is a duty that is required of every Muslim in congregation, except four: a slave, a woman, a child or one who is sick.” Narrated by Abu Dawood 91067). Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’ (4/482): its isnaad is saheeh according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs (al-Bukhaari and Muslim). Ibn Rajab said in Fath al-Baari (5/327): its isnaad is saheeh. Ibn Katheer said in Irshaad al-Faqeeh (1/190): its isnaad is jayyid. It was also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (3111).

2.The person who is ill and faces hardship if he goes to the mosque, or who fears that his illness will be increased by going to the mosque, or whose recovery will be delayed. This also includes the person who is nursing a very ill person if, especiallay, the ill person cannot manage in the absence of the nursing person.

3.For the traveller, even if he is staying at a certain place during the time of the beginning of salatul Jumuah, it is not obligatory.

Salaat al-Jumuah (Friday prayer) is not obligatory on the traveller. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, including the followers of the four schools of Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and Ahmad… Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Fataawa (24/178): “The correct opinion, without a doubt… is that this (Jumu’ah and Eid prayers) are not obligatory for the traveller. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to travel frequently: he performed ‘Umrah three times, besides the ‘Umrah he performed along with Hajj. He performed his Farewell Pilgrimage accompanied by thousands upon thousands of people, and he went on more than twenty military campaigns, but there are no reports at all that say he prayed Jumu’ah or Eid prayers when travelling; he just prayed two rak’ahs [i.e., shortened prayers] as on all the other days…”

[For a more comprehensive list, refer to fiqh us sunnah, by sayyid sabbiq]

All of these people are not obliged to pray the Friday salah although they are obliged to pray the zuhr. Should one of them pray salatul Jumu'ah, it will still be valid for him or her and he will no longer be obliged to pray the zuhr. And the women during the time of the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam, attended the mosque and used to pray al-Jumu'ah with him.

It is forbidden to speak during the khutbah.

The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that it is obligatory to be silent during the khutbah, and one is not to indulge in conversation during the khutbah, not even if it is to order one to do some good or to stop some evil, and this rule applies whether or not the person sitting in the mosque can actually hear the khutbah.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: If you (even) ask your companion to be quiet on Friday while the Imam is delivering the sermon, you have in fact talked irrelevance [ie. engaged in idle talk]. [Sahih Muslim, Book 004, Number 1846]

It was narrated that Abu’l-Darda’ said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat on the minbar and addressed the people, and he recited a verse. Ubayy ibn Ka’b was next to me, so I said to him: “O Ubayy, when was this verse revealed?” But he refused to speak to me, so I asked him again and he refused to speak to me, until the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came down (from the minbar). Then Ubayy said to me: “You have gained nothing from your Jumu’ah except idle talk.” When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had finished (the prayer), I went to him and told him (what had happened). He said: “Ubayy was right. When you hear your imam speaking, then keep quiet and listen attentively until he has finished.” [Narrated by Ahmad, 20780; Ibn Maajah, 1111; classed as saheeh by al-Busayri and al-Albaani in Tamaam al-Mannah, p. 338]

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (8/242):
It is not permissible to say Yarhamuk-Allaah (may Allaah have mercy on you) to one who sneezes or to return salaams whilst the imam is delivering the khutbah, according to the correct scholarly opinion, because both of them involve speaking, which is forbidden when the imam is delivering the khutbah, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth.

It also says (8/243):
It is not permissible for the one who enters whilst the imam is delivering the khutbah on Friday, if he can hear the khutbah, to greet the people in the mosque, and those in the mosque should not return his greeting whilst the imam is delivering the khutbah.

And it says (8/244):
It is not permissible to speak whilst the khateeb is delivering the Friday sermon except for one who speaks to the imam for an important reason.

Sunnah to turn ones face towards the khateeb and look at him

Sheikh Al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) compiled these ahaadeeth in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, no. 2080, and commented on them.

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat on the minbar and we sat around him.” [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 44]

Al-Bukhaari narrated the hadeeth in “Chapter: The imaam facing the people, and the people turning their faces towards the imaam when he delivers the khutbah, and Ibn ‘Umar and Anas (may Allaah be pleased with them) turning their faces towards the imaam.

May Allah gude to us on right path ..............Ameen Ya rob Alameen.

RULING ON APRIL FOOL

May ALLAH guide us towards right path Ameen

Praise be to Allaah, we praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from the evil of our own selves and from our evil deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides, none can lead astray, and whomsoever He sends astray, none can guide.
One of the things that have become widespread among the common people is the so called “April Fool’s Day”, where they claim that the first day of the fourth solar month is a day when lying is permitted without being subject to any shar’i guidelines.

The prohibition of lying:

1. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is only those who believe not in the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allaah, who fabricate falsehood, and it is they who are liars”.

[al-Nahl 16:105]

2. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.” [Bukhaari, Muslim]




The most evil kinds of lies are:

1. Lies told about Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

This is the most serious kind of lie, and the one who does this is subject to a severe warning. Some of the scholars said that the one who does this is to be denounced as a kaafir. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Say: ‘Verily, those who invent a lie against Allaah will never be successful’” [Yoonus 10:69]

It was narrated that ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:‘Do not tell lies about me. Whoever tells lies about me, let him enter the Fire.’” [Bukhaari].

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever tells lies about me, let him take his place in Hell.” [Bukhaari, Muslim]

2. Lying in buying and selling.

It was narrated from Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three to whom Allaah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection and He will not look at them or praise them, and they will have a painful torment.”

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) repeated this three times. Abu Dharr said: “May they be doomed and lost, who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said,“The one who lets his garment hang below his ankles, the one who reminds others of his favours, and the one who disposes of his goods by swearing a false oath.” [Narrated by Muslim]

3. The prohibition on lying about visions and dreams.

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever tells of a dream that he did not see will be commanded [on the Day of Resurrection] to tie two grains of barley together, but he will never be able to do it…….” [Bukhaari]

4. The prohibition of speaking about everything that one hears.

It was narrated that Hafs ibn ‘Aasim said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears.’” [Muslim].




5. Lying in jest (joke)

Some people think that it is permissible to tell lies if it is in jest. This is the excuse that they use for telling lies on April 1stor on other days. This is wrong. There is no basis for this in the pure sharee’ah. Lying is haraam whether the one who does it is joking or is serious.

Lying in jest is haraam just like other kinds of lies.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘I joke, but I speak nothing but the truth.’” [Tabaraani in al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer]

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “They said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, you joke with us.’ He said, ‘But I only speak the truth.’” [al-Tirmidhi]

‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abi Laylaa said: the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that they were travelling with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). A man among them fell asleep and some of them went and took his arrows. When the man woke up, he got alarmed (because his arrows were missing) and the people laughed. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “What are you laughing at?” They said, “Nothing, except that we took the arrows and he got alarmed.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to frighten another Muslim.” [Abu Dawood & Ahmad – this version narrated by Ahmad].


6. Lying when playing with children

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against doing that. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “My mother called me one day when the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sitting in our house. She said, ‘Come here, and I will give you (something).’

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘What do you want to give him?’

She said, ‘I will give him a date.’

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘If you had not given him something, you would have been lying.’”



7. Lying to make people laugh

It was narrated that Mu’aawiyah ibn Haydah said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say:‘Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him.’” [Tirmidhi. He said: this is a hasan hadeeth. Abu Dawood]




The punishment for lying:

The liar is warned of destructive punishment in this world, and humiliating punishment in the Hereafter. These include:

1. Hypocrisy in the heart.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet Him, because they broke that (covenant with Allaah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies”[al-Tawbah 9:77]

2. Guidance to evildoing and to the Fire

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said:“The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Truthfulness is righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A person will continue to tell the truth until he is written with Allaah as one who tells the truth. Lying is evildoing, and evildoing leads to Hell. A person will keep on telling lies until he is written as a liar.’”[Bukhaari, Muslim]

3. His testimony will be rejected

4. Blackening of the face in this world and in the Hereafter


5. The liar will have the flesh of his cheeks torn to the back of his head
(as narrated in a long hadeeth by al-Bukhaari)


Permissible kinds of lies

Lying is permissible in three cases: war; reconciling between two disputing parties; and a husband lying to his wife or vice versa for the sake of love and harmony.

It was narrated from Umm Kalthoom bint ‘Uqbah that she heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “He is not a liar who reconciles between people and narrates something good or says something good.” [Bukhaari, Muslim]

It was narrated that Asmaa’ bint Yazeed said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:‘It is not permissible to tell lies except in three (cases): when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.’” [Tirmidhi]




April fool

But with regard to “April Fool”, (in Arabic, Kidhbat Neesaan or the lies of April), the origin of this lying is not known for sure. There are differing opinions concerning that.

I say: it does not matter what the origins of April fool are. What matters more is knowing the ruling on lying on this day, which we are sure did not exist during the first and best generations of Islam. It did not come from the Muslims, but rather from their enemies.

The things that happen on April fools’ day are many. Some people have been told that their child or spouse or someone who is dear to them has died, and unable to bear this shock, they have died. Some have been told that they are being laid off, or that there has been a fire or an accident in which their family has been killed, so they suffer paralysis or heart attacks, or similar diseases. Some people have been told about their wives, that they have been seen with other men, and this has led them to kill or divorce their wives.

These are the endless stories and incidents that we hear of, all of which are lies which are forbidden in Islam and unacceptable to common sense or honest chivalry.

We have seen how Islam forbids lying even in jest, and it forbids frightening a Muslim whether in seriousness or in jest, in words or in actions.

This is the law of Allaah in which is wisdom and care for people’s circumstances.

And Allaah is the Source of Strength.

Astronomy in The Qur'an (part IV:Conclusion)

Some may say that the presence of astronomical
facts in the Qur’an is not surprising since the Arabs
were advanced in the field of astronomy. They are
correct in acknowledging the advancement of the
Arabs in the field of astronomy. However they fail
to realize that the Qur’an was revealed centuries
before the Arabs excelled in astronomy. Moreover
many of the scientific facts mentioned here, such
as the origin of the universe with a Big Bang, were
not known to the Arabs even at the peak of their
scientific advancement. The scientific facts
mentioned in the Qur’an are therefore not due to the
Arabs’ advancement in astronomy. Indeed, the
reverse is true: they advanced in astronomy,
because astronomy occupies a place in the Qur’an.

Astronomy in The Qur'an (part III)

INTERSTELLAR MATTER
Space outside organized astronomical systems was
earlier assumed to be a vacuum. Astrophysicists
later discovered the presence of bridges of matter
in this interstellar space. These bridges of matter
are called plasma, and consist of completely ionized
gas containing equal number of free electrons and
positive ions. Plasma is sometimes called the fourth
state of matter (besides the three known states
viz. solid, liquid and gas). The Qur’an refers to
the presence of this interstellar material in the
following verse:
“He Who created the heavens
and the earth and all
that is between.”
[Al-Qur’an 25:59]
It would be ridiculous for anyone to even suggest
that the presence of interstellar galactic material
was known 1400 years ago!

THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE
In 1925, American astronomer Edwin Hubble,
provided observational evidence that all galaxies
are moving away from one another, which implies
that the universe is expanding. The expansion of the
universe is now an established scientific fact. This is
what the Qur’an says regarding the nature of the
universe:
“With power and skill
did We construct
the Firmament:
For it is We Who create
the vastness of Space.”
[Al-Qur’an 51:47]
The Arabic word musioon is correctly translated as
‘expanding it’, and it refers to the creation of the
expanding vastness of the universe.
One of the greatest astrophysicist Stephen
Hawking, in his book, ‘A Brief History of Time’,
says, “The discovery that the universe is expanding
was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the
20th century.” The Qur’an mentioned the expansion
of the universe, before man even learnt to build a
telescope!

Astronomy in The Qur'an (part II)

MOONLIGHT IS REFLECTED LIGHT:

It was believed by earlier civilizations that the moon
emanates its own light. Science now tells us
that the light of the moon is reflected light. However
this fact was mentioned in the Qur’an 1,400 years
ago in the following verse:
“Blessed is He Who made
Constellations in the skies,
and placed therein a Lamp
and a Moon giving light.”
[Al-Qur’an 25:61]
The Arabic word for the sun in the Qur’an, is shams.
It is also referred to as siraaj which means a ‘torch’
or as wahhaaj meaning ‘a blazing lamp’ or as diya
which means ‘shining glory’. All three descriptions
are appropriate to the sun, since it generates
intense heat and light by its internal combustion.
The Arabic word for the moon is qamar and it
is described in the Qur’an as muneer which is a
body that gives noor i.e. reflected light. Again, the
Qur’anic description matches perfectly with the true
nature of the moon which does not give off light by
itself and is an inactive body that reflects the light
of the sun. Not once in the Qur’an, is the moon
mentioned as siraaj, wahhaaj or diya nor the sun as
noor or muneer. This implies that the Qur’an
recognizes the difference between the nature of
sunlight and moonlight.
The following verses relate to the nature of light
from the sun and the moon:
“It is He who made the sun
to be a shining glory
and the moon to be a light
(of beauty).”
[Al-Qur’an 10:5]
“See ye not
how Allah has created
the seven heavens
one above another,
“And made the moon
a light in their midst,
and made the sun
as a (Glorious) Lamp?”
[Al-Qur’an 71:15-16]
The Glorious Qur'an and modern science, are thus
in perfect agreement about the differences in the
nature of sunlight and moonlight.

THE SUN ROTATES:

For a long time European philosophers and scientists
believed that the earth stood still in the centre of the
universe and every other body including the sun
moved around it. In the West, this geocentric concept
of the universe was prevalent right from the time of
Ptolemy in the second century B.C. In 1512, Nicholas
Copernicus put forward his Heliocentric Theory of
Planetary Motion, which asserted that the sun is
motionless at the centre of the solar system with the
planets revolving around it.
In 1609, the German scientist Yohannus Keppler
published the ‘Astronomia Nova’. In this he
concluded that not only do the planets move in
elliptical orbits around the sun, they also rotate
upon their axes at irregular speeds. With this
knowledge it became possible for European scientists
to explain correctly many of the mechanisms of the
solar system, including the sequence of night and
day.
After these discoveries, it was thought that the Sun
was stationary and did not rotate about its axis like
the Earth. I remember having studied this fallacy
from Geography books during my school days.
Consider the following Qur’anic verse:
“It is He Who created
the Night and the Day,
and the sun and the moon:
All (the celestial bodies)
swim along, each in its
rounded course.”
[Al-Qur’an 21:33]
The Arabic word used in the above verse is
yasbahoon . This word is derived from the word
sabaha. It carries with it the idea of motion that
comes from any moving body. If you use this word
for a person on the ground, it would not mean that
he is rolling but would imply that he is walking or
running. If you use this word for a person in water,
it would not mean that he is floating but would
imply that he is swimming.
Similarly, if you use the word yasbah for a celestial
body such as the sun, it would not only mean that it
is flying through space but would also mean that it
is rotating as it goes through space. Most school
textbooks have now incorporated the fact that the
sun rotates about its axis. The rotation of the sun
about its own axis can be proved with the help of an
equipment that projects the image of the sun on the
top of a table, so that one can examine the image of
the sun without being blinded. It is noticed that the
sun has spots which complete a circular motion once
every 25 days i.e. the sun takes approximately 25
days to rotate round its axis.
The sun travels through space at roughly 240 km
per second, and takes about 200 million years to
complete one revolution around the centre of our
Milky Way Galaxy.
“It is not permitted
to the Sun to catch up the Moon,
nor can the Night outstrip the Day:
Each (just) swims along
in (its own) orbit
(according to Law).”
[Al-Qur’an 36:40]
This verse mentions an essential fact discovered
only recently by modern astronomy, i.e. the
existence of the individual orbits of the Sun and the
Moon, and their journey through space with their
own motion.
The ‘fixed place’ towards which the sun travels,
carrying with it the solar system, has been located
preirsely by modern astronomy. It has been given a
name, the Solar Apex. The solar system is indeed
moving in space towards a point situated in the
constellation of Hercules (alpha Lyrae) whose exact
location is now firmly established.
The moon rotates around its axis in the same
duration that it takes to revolve around the earth.
It takes approximately 29½ days to complete one
rotation.
One cannot help but be amazed at the scientific
accuracy of the Qur’anic verses. Should we not
ponder over the question: “What is the source of
knowledge contained in the Qur’an?”

THE SUN WILL EXTINGUISH:

The light of the sun is due to a chemical process on
its surface that has been taking place continuously
for the past five billion years. It will come to an end
at some point of time in the future, when the sun
will be totally extinguished, leading to extinction of
all life on earth. Regarding the impermanence of the
sun’s existence, the Qur’an says:
“And the Sun runs its course
for a period determined
for it; that is
the decree of (Him)
the exalted in Might,
the All-Knowing.”
[Al-Qur’an 36:38]1
The Arabic word used here is mustaqarr, which
means a place or time that is determined. Thus the
Qur’an says that the sun runs towards a determined
place, and will do so only up to a pre-determined
period of time – meaning that it will end or
extinguish.

Astronomy in The Qur'an (part I)

CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE:


‘THE BIG BANG’
The creation of the universe is explained by
astrophysicists as a widely accepted phenomenon,
popularly known as ‘The Big Bang’. It is supported
by observational and experimental data gathered by
astronomers and astrophysicists for decades.
According to ‘The Big Bang’, the whole universe was
initially one big mass (Primary Nebula). Then there
was a ‘Big Bang’ (Secondary Separation) which
resulted in the formation of Galaxies. These then
divided to form stars, planets, the sun, the moon,
etc. The origin of the universe was unique and the
probability of it happening by ‘chance’ is nil.
The Qur’an contains the following verse regarding
the origin of the universe:
“Do not the Unbelievers see
that the heavens and the earth
were joined together (as one
unit of Creation), before
We clove them asunder?”
[Al-Qu’ran 21:30]
The striking similarity between the Qur’anic verse
and ‘The Big Bang’ is inescapable! How could a book,
which first appeared in the deserts of Arabia 1400
years ago, contain this profound scientific truth?

INITIAL GASEOUS MASS BEFORE
CREATION OF GALAXIES
Scientists agree that before the galaxies in the
universe were formed, celestial matter was
initially in the form of gaseous matter. In short,
huge gaseous matter or clouds were present
before the formation of the galaxies. To describe
initial celestial matter, the word ‘smoke’ is more
appropriate than gas. The following Qur’anic verse
refers to this state of the universe by the word
dukhaan which means smoke.
“Moreover, He Comprehended
in His design the sky,
and it had been (as) smoke:
He said to it and to the earth:
‘Come ye together,
willingly or unwillingly.’
They said: ‘We do come (together),
in willing obedience.’”
[Al-Qur’an 41:11]
Again, this fact is a corollary to the ‘Big Bang’ and
was not known to anyone before the prophetehood of
Muhammad (Peace be upon him)1. What then, could
have been the source of this knowledge?

SHAPE OF THE EARTH IS SPHERICAL
In early times, people believed that the earth was
flat. For centuries, men were afraid to venture out
too far, for fear of falling off the edge! Sir Francis
Drake was the first person who proved that the
earth is spherical when he sailed around it in 1597.
Consider the following Qur’anic verse regarding the
alternation of day and night:
“Seest thou not that Allah
merges Night into Day
and He merges Day into Night?”
[Al-Qur’an 31:29]
Merging here means that the night slowly and
gradually changes to day and vice versa. This
phenomenon can only take place if the earth is
spherical. If the earth was flat, there would have
been a sudden change from night to day and from
day to night.
The following verse also alludes to the spherical
shape of the earth:
“He created the heavens and
the earth in true (proportions):
He makes the Night
overlap the Day,
and the Day
overlap the Night.”
[Al-Qur’an 39:5]
The Arabic word used here is Kawwara meaning
‘to overlap’ or ‘to coil’– the way a turban is wound
around the head. The overlapping or coiling of the
day and night can only take place if the earth is
spherical.
The earth is not exactly round like a ball, but
geo-spherical, i.e. it is flattened at the poles. The
following verse contains a description of the earth’s
shape:
“And the earth, moreover,
hath He made egg shaped.”
[Al-Qur’an 79:30]
The Arabic word for egg here is dahaahaa1 which
means an ostrich-egg. The shape of an ostrich-egg
resembles the geo-spherical shape of the earth.
Thus the Qur’an correctly describes the shape of the
earth, though the prevalent notion when the Qur’an
was revealed was that the earth was flat.

HIJAB (VEIL)

Question:
Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil?

Answer:
The status of women in Islam is often the target of attacks in the secular media.
The ‘hijab’ or the Islamic dress is cited by many as an example of the
‘subjugation’ of women under Islamic law. Before we analyze the reasoning
behind the religiously mandated ‘hijab’, let us first study the status of women in
societies before the advent of Islam

1. In the past women were degraded and used as objects of lust
The following examples from history amply illustrate the fact that the status of
women in earlier civilizations was very low to the extent that they were denied
basic human dignity:
a. Babylonian Civilization:
The women were degraded and were denied all rights under the Babylonian
law. If a man murdered a woman, instead of him being punished, his wife
was put to death.
b. Greek Civilization:
Greek Civilization is considered the most glorious of all ancient civilizations.
Under this very ‘glorious’ system, women were deprived of all rights and
were looked down upon. In Greek mythology, an ‘imaginary woman’ called
‘Pandora’ is the root cause of misfortune of human beings. The Greeks
considered women to be subhuman and inferior to men. Though chastity of
women was precious, and women were held in high esteem, the Greeks
were later overwhelmed by ego and sexual perversions. Prostitution
became a regular practice amongst all classes of Greek society.
c. Roman Civilization:
When Roman Civilization was at the zenith of its ‘glory’, a man even had the
right to take the life of his wife. Prostitution and nudity were common
amongst the Romans.
d. Egyptian Civilization:
The Egyptian considered women evil and as a sign of a devil.
e. Pre-Islamic Arabia:
Before Islam spread in Arabia, the Arabs looked down upon women and
very often when a female child was born, she was buried alive.

2. Islam uplifted women and gave them equality and expects them
to maintain their status.
Islam uplifted the status of women and granted them their just rights 1400 years
ago. Islam expects women to maintain their status.
Hijab for men
People usually only discuss ‘hijab’ in the context of women. However, in the
Glorious Qur’an, Allah (swt) first mentions ‘hijab’ for men before ‘hijab’ for the
women. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Noor:
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is
well acquainted with all that they do.”
[Al-Qur’an 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.
Hijab for women.
The next verse of Surah Noor, says:
“ And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and
guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and
ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they
should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty
except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their
sons...”
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]

3. Six criteria for Hijab.
According to Qur’an and Sunnah there are basically six criteria for observing
hijab:
1. Extent:
The first criterion is the extent of the body that should be covered. This is
different for men and women. The extent of covering obligatory on the male
is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the
extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the face
and the hands upto the wrist. If they wish to, they can cover even these
parts of the body. Some scholars of Islam insist that the face and the hands
are part of the obligatory extent of ‘hijab’.
All the remaining five criteria are the same for men and women.

2. The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.
3. The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through
them.
4. The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.
5. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex.
6. The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers i.e. they
should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the
unbelievers’ religions.

4. Hijab includes conduct and behaviour among other things
Complete ‘hijab’, besides the six criteria of clothing, also includes the moral
conduct, behaviour, attitude and intention of the individual. A person only
fulfilling the criteria of ‘hijab’ of the clothes is observing ‘hijab’ in a limited sense.
‘Hijab’ of the clothes should be accompanied by ‘hijab’ of the eyes, ‘hijab’ of the
heart, ‘hijab’ of thought and ‘hijab’ of intention. It also includes the way a person
walks, the way a person talks, the way he behaves, etc.

5. Hijab prevents molestation
The reason why Hijab is prescribed for women is mentioned in the Qur’an in the
following verses of Surah Al-Ahzab:
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women
that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when
abroad); that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such)
and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
[Al-Qur’an 33:59]
The Qur’an says that Hijab has been prescribed for the women so that they are
recognized as modest women and this will also prevent them from being
molested.

6. Example of twin sisters
Suppose two sisters who are twins, and who are equally beautiful, walk down
the street. One of them is attired in the Islamic hijab i.e. the complete body is
covered, except for the face and the hands up to the wrists. The other sister is
wearing western clothes, a mini skirt or shorts. Just around the corner there is
a hooligan or ruffian who is waiting for a catch, to tease a girl. Whom will he
tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijab or the girl wearing the skirt or the mini?
Naturally he will tease the girl wearing the skirt or the mini. Such dresses are an
indirect invitation to the opposite sex for teasing and molestation. The Qur’an
rightly says that hijab prevents women from being molested.

7. Capital punishment for the rapists
Under the Islamic shariah, a man convicted of having raped a woman, is given
capital punishment. Many are astonished at this ‘harsh’ sentence. Some even
say that Islam is a ruthless, barbaric religion! I have asked a simple question to
hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose, God forbid, someone rapes your wife,
your mother or your sister. You are made the judge and the rapist is brought in
front of you. What punishment would you give him? All of them said they would
put him to death. Some went to the extent of saying they would torture him to
death. To them I ask, if someone rapes your wife or your mother you want to put
him to death. But if the same crime is committed on somebody else’s wife or
daughter you say capital punishment is barbaric. Why should there be double
standards?

8. Western society falsely claims to have uplifted women
Western talk of women’s liberalization is nothing but a disguised form of
exploitation of her body, degradation of her soul, and deprivation of her honour.
Western society claims to have ‘uplifted’ women. On the contrary it has actually
degraded them to the status of concubines, mistresses and society butterflies
who are mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketeers,
hidden behind the colourful screen of ‘art’ and ‘culture’.

9. USA has one of the highest rates of rape
United States of America is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries
of the world. It also has one of the highest rates of rape in any country in the
world. According to a FBI report, in the year 1990, every day on an average
1756 cases of rape were committed in U.S.A alone. Later another report said
that on an average everyday 1900 cases of rapes are committed in USA. The
year was not mentioned. May be it was 1992 or 1993. May be the Americans
got ‘bolder’ in the following years.
Consider a scenario where the Islamic hijab is followed in America. Whenever
a man looks at a woman and any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his
mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic hijab, that is the
complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto the wrist. After
this if any man commits rape he is given capital punishment. I ask you, in such
a scenario, will the rate of rape in America increase, will it remain the same, or
will it decrease?

10. Implementation of Islamic Shariah will reduce the rate of rapes
Naturally as soon as Islamic Shariah is implemented positive results will be
inevitable. If Islamic Shariah is implemented in any part of the world, whether it
is America or Europe, society will breathe easier. Hijab does not degrade a
woman but uplifts a woman and protects her modesty and chastity.

POLYGAMY

Question: Why is a man allowed to have more than one wife in Islam? i.e. why is
polygamy allowed in Islam?

Answer:
1. Definition of Polygamy
Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one
spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries
more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries
more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry
is completely prohibited.
Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than
one wife?

2. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says,
“marry only one”.
The Qur’an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the
phrase ‘marry only one’. There is no other religious book that instructs men to
have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the
Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does
one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one
can marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and
the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.
Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple
wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had
several wives.
In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished,
since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few
centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.
Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had
three wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygyny
continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an
edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries
continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of
Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife.

{*Interesting Note:- As per the 1975 census of India Hindus are more
polygynous than Muslims. The report of the ‘Committee of The Status of
Woman in Islam’, published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that
the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961
was 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According
to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is
illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife. Despite it being
illegal, Hindus have more multiple wives as compared to Muslims. Earlier, there
was no restriction even on Hindu men with respect to the number of wives
allowed. It was only in 1954, when the Hindu Marriage Act was passed that it
became illegal for a Hindu to have more than one wife. At present it is the Indian
Law that restricts a Hindu man from having more than one wife and not the
Hindu scriptures.}

Let us now analyse why Islam allows a man to have more than one wife.
3. Qur’an permits limited polygyny
As I mentioned earlier, Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth
that says ‘marry only one’. The context of this phrase is the following verse from
Surah Nisa of the Glorious Qur’an:
“Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that
ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one.”
[Al-Qur’an 4:3]
Before the Qur’an was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygyny and
many men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Islam put an upper limit
of four wives. Islam gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women,
only on the condition that he deals justly with them.
In the same chapter i.e. Surah Nisa verse 129 says:
“Ye are never able to be fair and just as between women....”
[Al-Qur’an 4:129]
Therefore polygyny is not a rule but an exception. Many people are under the
misconception that it is compulsory for a Muslim man to have more than one wife.
Broadly, Islam has five categories of Do’s and Don’ts:
(i) ‘Fard’ i.e. compulsory or obligatory
(ii) ‘Mustahab’ i.e. recommended or encouraged
(iii) ‘Mubah’ i.e. permissible or allowed
(iv) ‘Makruh’ i.e. not recommended or discouraged
(v) ‘Haraam’ i.e. prohibited or forbidden
Polygyny falls in the middle category of things that are permissible. It cannot be
said that a Muslim who has two, three or four wives is a better Muslim as
compared to a Muslim who has only one wife.

4. Average life span of females is more than that of males
By nature males and females are born in approximately the same ratio. A
female child has more immunity than a male child. A female child can fight the
germs and diseases better than the male child. For this reason, during the
pediatric age itself there are more deaths among males as compared to the
females.
During wars, there are more men killed as compared to women. More men die
due to accidents and diseases than women. The average life span of females
is more than that of males, and at any given time one finds more widows in the
world than widowers.

5. India has more male population than female due to female
foeticide and infanticide
India is one of the few countries, along with the other neighbouring countries, in
which the female population is less than the male population. The reason lies in
the high rate of female infanticide in India, and the fact that more than one
million female foetuses are aborted every year in this country, after they are
identified as females. If this evil practice is stopped, then India too will have
more females as compared to males.

6. World female population is more than male population
In the USA, women outnumber men by 7.8 million. New York alone has one
million more females as compared to the number of males, and of the male
population of New York one-third are gays i.e sodomites. The U.S.A as a whole
has more than twenty-five million gays. This means that these people do not
wish to marry women. Great Britain has four million more females as compared
to males. Germany has five million more females as compared to males. Russia
has nine million more females than males. God alone knows how many million
more females there are in the whole world as compared to males.

7. Restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not
practical
Even if every man got married to one woman, there would still be more than
thirty million females in U.S.A who would not be able to get husbands
(considering that America has twenty five million gays). There would be more
than four million females in Great Britain, 5 million females in Germany and nine
million females in Russia alone who would not be able to find a husband.
Suppose my sister happens to be one of the unmarried women living in USA, or
suppose your sister happens to be one of the unmarried women in USA. The
only two options remaining for her are that she either marries a man who
already has a wife or becomes 'public property'. There is no other option. All
those who are modest will opt for the first.
Most women would nto like to share their husband with other women. But in
Islam when the situation deems it really neccessary Muslim women in due faith
could bear a small personal loss to prevent a greater loss of letting other Muslim
sisters becoming 'public properties'.

8. Marring a married man preferable to becoming 'public property'
In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/or multiple
extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a disgraceful, unprotected
life. The same society, however, cannot accept a man having more than one
wife, in which women retain their honourable, dignified position in society and
lead a protected life.
Thus the only two options before a woman who cannot find a husband is to
marry a married man or to become 'public property'. Islam prefers giving
women the honourable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the
second.

There are several other reasons, why Islam has permitted limited polygyny, but
it is mainly to protect the modesty of women.

Islamic Principles Enjoin Mercy and Condemn Aggression

The Divine religion of Islam is a religion of peace, mercy, tolerance, kindness and benevolence. It stands upright against all brutality, wanton violence, and viciousness in order to promote and protect justice and peace. Allah, the Most Benevolent urged all Muslims to follow the pattern of Allah's Messenger (r) as follows:-

(It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you. So pass over their faults, and ask for Allah's forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then, when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.) (3:159)

Allah the Wise and Sublime characterizes the mission of Muhammad (r) as a mercy to all, when He said Most Exalted: (We have not sent you but as a Mercy for all creation.) (21:108)

The teachings of Islam call all Muslims to show mercy and kindness to every innocent and poor person. The Prophet of Allah (r) said:

“The merciful and kind people will receive the Mercy of the Merciful Lord, Allah, the Almighty. Be merciful to people on earth, and Allah, the Almighty, Who is in Heaven, will grant you His Mercy.” (Tirmidthi)

and in another version he said:
“Allah, the Almighty, would be Merciful to the merciful people. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One in Heaven would be Merciful to you.” (Tirmidthi & Abu Dawood)

Allah's Messenger (s) said:
“Being kind to others is good in every matter, and if kindness is removed (from the hearts of people) the situation becomes bad and worst” (Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him said: "He who is deprived of forbearance and gentleness is, in fact, deprived of all good." [Reported by Muslim].

The Prophet (s) said:
"Whenever forbearance is added to something, it adorns it; and whenever it is withdrawn from something, it leaves it defective."

The Messenger of Allah (s) said to Ashaj Abdul-Qais, may Allah be pleased with him:
"You possess two qualities that Allah loves: clemency and tolerance." (Muslim)

Furthermore, Islam requires that mercy and kind treatment should be meted out to all people, even to the enemies of the Muslims captured during the jihad, as in the command of the Prophet of Allah's Messenger (r) when he said: “Be kind and merciful to the captives” [see Al-Mu'jammal-Kabeer, The Grand Dictionary of Hadith. 22/393].

If the Prophet (s) commanded this command to Muslims concerning the hostile enemies who are fighting against them, then the treatment towards the peaceful people would naturally be even better. Never is any life to be taken unjustly. As Allah said:
(Nor take life, -which Allah has made sacred-, except for just cause. And, if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law).) (17:33)

More on this topic will be presented below, but here let us note that Islamic mercy and kindness, not to mention the prohibition of taking life unjustly, is not limited to human beings but includes animals and all living creatures as well.

The Prophet of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, noticed someone shooting a little bird for fun and then leaving it to die for no reason, whereupon he said:

“This little bird would supplicate its case before Allah the Almighty on the Day of Judgment, saying ‘O My Lord! This man killed me for no reason to benefit by my death (like hunting for food which is allowed).’” (Ahmed & Nasa’ee)

The companion Abdullah ibn Omar (t) is reported to have passed by a group of young men from the tribe of Quraish who had captured a bird and set it up as a shooting target. He said: 'Who placed this bird as a shooting target? May Allah's Curse descend on the person who did this! The Messenger of Allah (s) said:
“Allah the Almighty curses the person who captures and sets any living creature as a shooting target” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Allah's Messenger (s) commanded Muslims to show kindness in every action, even when slaughtering an animal, by the words:

“Allah, the Almighty, prescribes perfection in every action. If you kill, be perfect in your killing. If you slaughter an animal for meat, perfect your act of slaughtering. Sharpen your knife and be good, kind, and merciful to the animal you are about to slaughter. Give the slaughtered animal the best comfort you can while being slaughtered.” (Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah (s) said:
“While a man was on a trip in the wilderness he became extremely thirsty. He searched for water and found a well and managed to go to the bottom of the well to get to the water. Since he had nothing to reach the bottom from the top where the water was he suffered a great deal to reach down but eventually managed to quench his thirst and came out of the well. Upon reaching the surface he found a dog with his tongue stretched out from severe thirst. The man thought to himself: ‘This dog is certainly suffering the same hardship I suffered from his severe thirst.’ Therefore the man went down the well again, holding one of his shoes by his teeth, filled the shoe with water and brought it back up to the thirsty dog. The dog drank and went away. Allah, the Almighty, appreciated the action of this man and forgave his previous sins.”

One of the audience, who heard the statement of the Prophet (s) enquired, O Messenger of Allah! Would we be rewarded for being kind and merciful to animals? Allah's Messenger (r) asserted:
“Truly there is a blessed reward for being kind and merciful to every living creature that has a moist liver.” (Bukhari)

Conversely a woman deserved the penalty and the wrath of Allah, the Almighty, and was to become one of the dwellers of the Fire of Hell, as a result of her cruelty to a cat. Allah's Messenger (s) is reported to have said:
“A certain woman would become a dweller of the Fire of Hell as a result of cruel treatment of a cat. She tied the cat up and did not offer it food nor let it hunt for it from the top from the top s own food in the surroundings” (Bukhari & Muslim)

The list of the Prophet's (s) commands to Muslims to be kind, merciful, and kindhearted even to animals is endless. We only cited above few examples. Some other examples are as under Allah's Messenger (s) said while passing by a donkey that had been tattooed on its face:
“May Allah's Curse descend on the person who placed this tattoo on the face of the donkey.” (Muslim)

Allah's Messenger (s) is reported to have said while passing by a camel that appeared extremely thin from hunger:
“Be mindful and honor the Commandments of Allah concerning these animals, which can't express their needs by speech. Ride them while you keep them in good shape, and slaughter and eat them while you keep them in good shape.” (Abu Da`ood)

If such was the mercy and kindness to animals and living creatures, what about the human being, who is given preference, honor and respect over all other creatures of Allah’s creation? The Omniscient and Almighty Allah honored man above all others, and enumerated His bounties to mankind:
(We have honored the sons of Adam and provided them with transport on land and sea, given them for sustenance things good and pure, and conferred on them special favors, making them to be above a greater part of Our Creation.) (17:70)

Indeed by obedience to Allah and the guidance revealed to His Messengers, man is honored, but by disobedience he falls into disgrace and dishonors himself by shameful and obnoxious deeds.

I just Quoted some hadith or verses 100 of hadith still reamaining.
May Allah Guide to us on right path Ameen ya Rab Alameen.

"The background of the name of God called Yahweh or Jehovah"

Mostly Jews and Christians who know hebrew they use to call the God as Yehweh or Jehovah. This word is drived from Exodus 3:14 which says; ..

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

I am in hebrew called Yahweh. So according to this verse Jews assume that Yahweh (I am) is God's characteristic name. Another possible meaning of this verse is "HE". As encyclopedia say;

"The most likely meaning of the name may be “He Brings Into Existence Whatever Exists," but there are many theories and none is regarded as conclusive by scholars."

Now if we look Jehovah in arabic we got the word Ya HUWA possible meaning is "Oh! He". It is the same with Yahweh. Ya HUWA can be use for any one it is not the specific.

Now in the bible there is a story of a begger who was blind and then Jesus gave him eyes. When people know about this incident they started to search him. When people find him they were in doubt that he is the same or not; here the begger use the same word I am Jehovah (I am).

"8:The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9:Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.[John 9:8-9] "

Similarly when first time Moses A.S went on Mount of Tur and saw the fire. And God said to him Moses, Moses amd he also replied with the word Jehovah (I am)
in Exodus 3:4;

"And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I."

So Jehovah is God's characteristic name not His personal name.

Now if we analyse another name of God mentioned in bibele, Metthew 27:46;
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

The word for God used by Jesus was Eli;
If we just analyse is that Eli is seems like God the answer is NO but;
This Eli is similar with arabic word Allah. When Allah converted in hebrew it become Eli.

So this prove that the personal name of God (the creator) is Allah.


May Allah Increase our Knowledge and forgive my mistakes in this answer and enter us all in His Kingdom of Heaven. (ameen)

WHY ARE MUSLIMS DIVIDED

Question:

When all the Muslim follow one and the same Qur’an then why are there so many sects and different schools of thoughts among Muslims?

Answer:

1. Muslims Should be United

It is a fact that Muslims today, are divided amongst themselves. The tragedy is that such divisions are not endorsed by Islam at all. Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers.

The Glorious Qur’an says:

"And hold fast,
All together, by the rope
Which Allah (stretches out for you),
and be not divided among yourselves;"
[Al-Qur’an 3:103]

Which is the rope of Allah that is being referred to in this verse? It is the Glorious Qur’an. The Glorious Qur’an is the rope of Allah which all Muslims should hold fast together. There is double emphasis in this verse. Besides saying ‘hold fast all together’ it also says, ‘be not divided’.

Qur’an further says,

"Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger"
[Al-Qur’an 4:59]

All the Muslim should follow the Qur’an and authentic Ahadith and be not divided among themselves.


2. It is Prohibited to make sects and divisions in Islam

The Glorious Qur’an says:

"As for those who divide
Their religion and break up
Into sects, thou hast
No part in them in the least:
Their affair is with Allah:
He will in the end
Tell them the truth
Of all that they did."
[Al-Qur’an 6:159]

In this verse Allah (swt) says that one should disassociate oneself from those who divide their religion and break it up into sects.

But when one asks a Muslim, "who are you?", the common answer is either ‘I am a Sunni, or ‘I am a Shia’. Some call themselves Hanafi, or Shafi or Maliki or Humbali. Some say ‘I am a Deobandi’, while some others say ‘I am a Barelvi’.


3. Our Prophet was a Muslim

One may ask such Muslims, "Who was our beloved prophet (pbuh)? Was he a Hanafi or a Shafi, or a Humbali or a Maliki?" No! He was a Muslim, like all the other prophets and messengers of Allah before him.

It is mentioned in chapter 3 verse 52 of Al-Qur’an that Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim.

Further, in chapter 3 verse 67, Al-Qur’an says that Ibrahim (pbuh) was not a Jew or a Christian but was a Muslim.


4. Qur’an says call yourselves Muslim

a. If anyone poses a Muslim the question who are you, he should say "I am a MUSLIM, not a Hanafi or a Shafi". Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verse 33 says
"Who is better in speech
Than one who calls (men)
To Allah, works righteousness,
And says, ‘I am of those
Who bow in Islam (Muslim)?’ "
[Al-Qur’an 41:33]

The Qur’an says "Say I am of those who bow in Islam". In other words, say, "I am a Muslim".

b. The Prophet (pbuh) dictated letters to non-Muslim kings and rulers inviting them to accept Islam. In these letters he mentioned the verse of the Qur’an from Surah Ali Imran chapter 3 verse 64:
Say ye: "Bear witness
That we (at least)
Are Muslims (bowing
To Allah’s Will)."
[Al-Qur’an 3:64]


5. Respect all the Great Scholars of Islam

We must respect all the great scholars of Islam, including the four Imaams, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Humbal and Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with them all). They were great scholars and may Allah reward them for their research and hardwork. One can have no objection if someone agrees with the views and research of Imam Abu Hanifa or Imam Shafi, etc. But when posed a question, ‘who are you?’, the reply should only be ‘I am a Muslim’.

Some may argue by quoting the hadith of our beloved Prophet from Sunan Abu Dawood Hadith No. 4579. In this hadith the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, "My community will be split up into seventy-three sects."

This hadith reports that the prophet predicted the emergence of seventy-three sects. He did not say that Muslims should be active in dividing themselves into sects. The Glorious Qur’an commands us not to create sects. Those who follow the teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, and do not create sects are the people who are on the true path.

According to Tirmidhi Hadith No. 171, the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, "My Ummah will be fragmented into seventy-three sects, and all of them will be in Hell fire except one sect." The companions asked Allah’s messenger which group that would be. Where upon he replied, "It is the one to which I and my companions belong."

The Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses, "Obey Allah and obey His Messenger". A true Muslim should only follow the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. He can agree with the views of any scholar as long as they conform to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith. If such views go against the Word of Allah, or the Sunnah of His Prophet, then they carry no weight, regardless of how learned the scholar might be.

If only all Muslims read the Qur’an with understanding and adhere to Sahih Hadith, Inshallah most of these differences would be solved and we could be one united Muslim Ummah