I S L A M -What everyone should know about it.

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I S L A M -

What everyone should know about it.

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In the 11^th century, the Muslims created an

instrument called “the suck”. It revolutionized

the business. It could be written for any amount in

Spain and honored in India. That is how Muslims

became the greatest tradesmen, and today’s

“check” was born.
Foreword

In the Name of God, The Beneficent, The Merciful.

Translation of Verse 13 Chapter 49 of The Holy Qur’an reads:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you may despise each other). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you.”

And then in Verse 125 Chapter 16 of The Qur’an, God Almighty advises us:

“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.”

May the peace and blessings of God be upon everyone who made it possible for us to receive God’s Message, especially all of the Messengers and Prophets of God, their companions, and all others who followed them, and paved the way for us.

May God Almighty accept our miniscule efforts in compiling this Introduction to Islam. It is our hope and prayer that this may light the way as we go through the dark alleys of life. May God reward all those who have helped in this effort. Amen.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Islam and Allah ……………………………………… 4
Number of Muslims ………………………………….. 5
Islamic Greeting …………………………………….... 6
One Message of Islam ……………………………….. 7
Articles of Faith ……………………………………… 8
Creator and Creation ………………………………… 9
Holy Qur’an: The Actual Word of God ………………. 10
Holy Qur’an: The Book of Guidance ………………… 12
Creation of Universe …………………………….. 13
Prophet Muhammad: Biography …………………….. 14
The Concept of God …………………………………… 16
Closeness to God …………………………………….. 17
Jesus in Islam …………………………………….. 18
Original Sin and Personal Responsibility …………… 19
Responsibilities to God ……………………………… 20
Responsibilities to Family …………………………… 22
Responsibilities to Mankind ………………………… 23
Intention and Deeds ………………………………….. 24
Knowledge …………………………………………… 25
Patience ……………………………………………… 26

PAGE

Anger and Good Manners …………………………… 27
Charity ……………………………………………….. 28
Does God Need Our Good Deeds? ………………….. 30
Status of Women …………………………………….. 32
War and Peace ……………………………………….. 3 3
Jihad: The Holy Struggle …………………………….. 34
Terrorism: Prohibited by Islam ……………………… 36
Muslim Contributions to Humanity ………………….. 38
Islamic Civilization ………………………………….. 40
Islam: A Jewel to be Uncovered …………………….. 42

In the year 610 AD, in the city of Makkah, currently in Saudi Arabia, a 40-old man known as ‘Al-Amin,’ The Trustworthy, who had no formal education was commanded by God Almighty to pickup the mantle of earlier Prophets, and convey His guidance to mankind.

Arch Angel Gabriel, visited The Trustworthy in a cave outside Makkah, and conveyed the first verse of the Holy Qur’an. The translation of this verse reads: “Recite in the name of thy Lord who created you from a single drop of fluid.” This process in which ‘The Trustworthy’ received guidance from his Lord for a period of 23 years continued until the last verse of the Holy Qur’an was revealed in which God said, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you, Islam, as your religion.” During the said 23 years, this unlettered man with guidance from God Almighty converted a bunch of Pagan warring tribes into a moral society, and a nucleus for a worldwide empire for the ensuing centuries.

A person who accepts Islam is called a Muslim. Muslims use the word Allah to refer to God: Allah is an Arabic word meaning “The One God.” Christians in the Arabic world (and there are many) use the word ‘Allah’ to refer to God Almighty. So Allah is not a different deity and is the same one God to whom Christians and Jews pray as well. The Qur’an repeatedly refers to Christians, and Jews as the People of the Book who pray to the same God.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. There are over 1.2 billion Muslims. That is, one out of every five human beings that walk on this earth is a Muslim. Not all Muslims are Arab, and not all Arabs are Muslim. Only 18 percent of the Muslims are Arab.

Seven million Muslims live in the United States; approximately half of them immigrated to this country, and the remainder were born here. The Muslims now outnumber the Jews in this country. If you think about it, Islam is no more foreign to this country than Judaism or Christianity; all three of these religions have their roots in the Middle East.

There are 60 countries in the world where the majority of the people are Muslim. However, there is not a single country among them that can truly be called an ‘Islamic State’; where the government and the people conduct themselves truly in accordance with the message that was given to humanity in the 7^th century AD. The difference is only the degree to which each country and its inhabitants are adhering to the message and the spirit of Islam. That is why, we are reminded to strive and be righteous, and are told that God is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Have you ever noticed that when two Muslims meet, they exchange a certain greeting? Let me tell you what it is. The first one says: “As-Salaamu-Alaikum,” which is in Arabic, meaning “Peace Be Upon You.” The other person replies, “Wa-Alaikum-us-Salaam Wa-Rahmatullahe-Wa-Barakatu-Hu,” which means “And May The Peace And Blessings of God Be Upon You As Well.” What a beautiful way for human beings to greet each other. Its is like one offers a gift by wishing peace to the other, and the other responds with a better gift of prayers wishing for not only peace, but blessings of God as well.

Prophet Muhammad said, that a Muslim has five rights upon other Muslims. These are:

Muslims believe that God Almighty has provided the same guidance to all of humanity throughout history, i.e. starting with the first human being Adam, who was also a prophet of God, through the ages to prophets Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad – peace be upon them all. That message is Islam or submission to the Will of God.

Muslims believe, not only in the 10 Commandments, but also believe in the authentic teachings of all of the prophets. They, however, feel that history has not preserved the original teachings of some of the prophets. According to Muslims, the only scripture that has been totally preserved in its original form as revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad, is the Qur’an. The Qur’an refers to the Jews, and Christians as “People of the Book” – because each of them is the recipient of Guidance from God Almighty in the form of a book.

Muslims believe that God Almighty gave the ‘Torah’ to Prophet Moses; the ‘Zaboor’ to Prophet David, parts of which are available today as the ‘Psalms of David’; the ‘Injeel’ or the ‘Gospel’ to Prophet Jesus; and the ‘Qur’an’ to Prophet Muhammad.

Hadith: The Qur’an is the primary source of Islamic teachings, and the “Hadith” is the next. The Hadith refers to the authentic collection of actions and statements made by Prophet Muhammad.

Islamic teachings describe only two states of being: God the creator, and the Creation. God tells us in the Qur’an that He does not beget, nor is He begotten. Begetting offspring, eating, resting, sleeping are all characteristics of created things. God is All-Powerful and is able to do all things. He merely says to it “Be”, and it is. Such as the case of the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus, the creation of the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them.

Every human being has responsibilities to the Creator, and these are referred to as the 5 Pillars of Islam. Then there are responsibilities to one’s family, to one’s neighbors, to the community, to the nation, to humankind, and to all of God’s other creation, whether animate or inanimate. Muslims believe that each of us will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment, and will receive reward or punishment, based upon how well he carried out his responsibilities to the Creator, and to His creation in this life.

All beings in the heavens and on earth declare God’s glory; all bounties are in His hand; all faces shall be humbled before him; all good is from Him; all honor is with Him; He brings to light what is hidden; creates what He wills; He created all things in due proportions and truth; encompasses all things including unbelievers; enlarges the provision and restricts it; feeds but is not fed; gives life, sustenance, and wealth without measure; knows all that we reveal or conceal; knows the secrets of the heart; is the best of the planners; listens to the distress; listens to those who believe and do righteous deeds; loves those who believe, are kind, just, make themselves pure, and put their trust in Him.

In verse 152, Chapter 2 of the Holy Qur’an, God says to His creation: ”Then do ye remember me; I will remember you. Be grateful to me, and reject not Faith.”

Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the actual word of God as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the Arch Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. The Qur’an was revealed sometimes in the form of a single verse, and other times as several verses. Prophet Muhammad dictated these verses to several scribes who recorded them with the utmost care. The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, the language spoken by Prophet Muhammad and the people around him. The Qur’an that is available today everywhere in the world is exactly the same Qur’an in its entirety in the original language. It has been translated into every language and these translations are referred to as the “Translation of the Qur’an” and not the Qur’an itself.

Sometimes, the people ask, “How many books are there in the Islamic scripture, the Qur’an”?

The Qur’an is only one book. It has 114 chapters that vary in length. Each chapter is referred to as a ‘Surah’ and each has a name. The shortest chapter of the Qur’an has three verses and the longest one has 286 verses.

The first chapter of The Holy Qur’an is called the ‘Al-Fateha’ – The Opening. One could say that it is the essence of the Qur’an, and summarizes the relationship that Muslims believe they have with God Almighty. It is recited by Muslims several times in each of their daily obligatory prayers. It’s translation reads:

Muslims believe that the Qur’an is a miracle as it has guidance for humankind for all times to come. The Qur’an is not a book of history, but it describes historical events to remind humankind of God’s blessings to those who followed His commandments, and God’s punishment upon those who went astray.

The Qur’an is not a book of science, but it describes facts that were not known to humankind in the 7^th century, and were discovered, or let us say proven by humankind during the last 100 years or so. Let me give you an example:

The Qur’an gives detailed accounts of the states of a human embryo in its development including the sperm finding the egg, the clinging nature of the fertilized egg to the uterus, and the timing of the appearance of bones, muscles, and flesh. The Translation of Verses 13 and 14 of the 23^rd Chapter of the Qur’an reads:

“Then We made man as a small drop in a safe lodging, firmly established, then We made the drop into something which clings; then We made out of that chewed mass, bones; then flesh; and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed is God, the Best of creators.”

When Dr. Keith Moore, Professor Emeritus of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Toronto, saw the above-mentioned verses, he was most astonished. He wondered, how Muhammad, 1400 years ago and without a microscope or a laboratory, could have accurately described what scientists have only come to discover in the past half-century.

It was not a description by Prophet Muhammad, but it was God Almighty who was revealing this knowledge of man’s humble beginning to humankind.

Fourteen hundred years ago, in the 7^th Century AD, the Qur’an vividly described the creation of universe, and the creation of life on earth. The Qur’an revealed, that the heavens and the earth were one mass before God ripped them apart, and that the universe is expanding.

Translation of Verse 30 Chapter 21 of the Qur’an reads: “Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?”

The translation of Verse 47 Chapter 51 of the Qur’an reads: “We have built the heaven with might, and We it is who make the vast extent – thereof.”

The first reference is strikingly similar to the widely accepted “Big-Bang” theory, and Edwin Hubble confirmed the second in 1925.

Today we know that the sun, a massive star, travels more than 17 million kilometers a day, and the moon revolves around the earth. The translation of Verses 38 – 40 of Chapter 36 of the Qur’an describes the motions of the celestial’s bodies: “And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term appointed. That is the decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. And the moon, We have measured for it destinations, till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day; they each swim, each with its own motion.”

Verse 61 Chapter 25 of the Qur’an further describes the celestial bodies. The sun is described as a ‘lamp’ or ‘torch’, but the moon is simply described as a ‘borrower’ or ‘reflector’ of light. “Blessed be He Who hath placed in the heaven mansions of the stars, and hath placed therein a great lamp and a moon giving light.”

Muslims believe that there is no deity worthy of worship except the one God, and Muhammad is a servant and a messenger of God.

Muhammad was born in the city of Makkah, currently in Saudi Arabia in the year 571 A.D. His father died six months before Muhammad was born and his mother died when he was six years old. After his mother’s death, Muhammad’s grandfather took care of him, and upon his death, Muhammad’s uncle acted as his guardian. Muhammad became a merchant and used to travel with caravans to Syria and to other places. His nickname was Al-Amin or “The Trustworthy”. At age 25, he married a businesswoman, named Khadija, who was forty years old at the time. They had two sons and four daughters. Both of their sons died at a very early age.

At age 40, Muhammad received Prophethood, and preached the message of Islam, in and around Makkah, for 13 years with limited success. After suffering many hardships and persecution from the pagans of Makkah, Muhammad was ordered by God Almighty to migrate, along with his followers to Madinah. Prophet Muhammad mediated a peace between the warring tribes in Madinah, and established an Islamic State.

In order to destroy the Muslims, the Pagans of Makkah attacked Madinah several times, but failed. Nine years after the migration of Muslims from Makkah, Quraish, the most powerful pagan tribe of Makkah, in clear violation of the “Treaty of Hudaybiyya”, supplied men and arms in an effort to attack a Muslim-allied tribe that was slaughtered ruthlessly, some of them even inside the Holy Sanctuary of Ka’ba. Upon learning of the raid, Prophet Muhammad ordered Muslims, now much larger in number (10,000), to march on Makkah, and conquered it without any loss of life. In spite of the fact that the people of Makkah had earlier persecuted Muslims and robbed them of their properties, the Prophet instructed them not

to harm anyone who does not attack them. It is a documented fact of history that not a single human being was harmed, nor any property destroyed. About a year and a half later, in 632 A.D., Prophet Muhammad died at age 63, and is buried in Madinah. Prophet Muhammad did not have any formal schooling, could not read or write, but over a 23-year period, with the message of Islam that he received from God Almighty, changed humankind forever.

God Almighty addresses Prophet Muhammad in Chapter 21 Verse 107 of The Qur’an: “We sent thee not, but as a mercy to all the worlds.”

The Encyclopedia Britannica calls Prophet Muhammad "the most successful of all religious personalities of the world."

Sir Bernard Shaw said, "If Muhammad were alive today, he would succeed in solving all those problems which threaten to destroy human civilization in our times." He continued to say, “Muhammad was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth. He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms including women’s rights, established a powerful and dynamic society to practice and represent his teachings, and completely revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior for all times to come.”

Michael Hart ranked prophet Muhammad at the top of his list of 100 Most Influential Persons in History.(Hart, Michael H. 1992. The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Revised and Updated for the Nineties. New York: Citadel Press Book.) For a complete list, visit http://www.adherents.com/adh_influ.html.

Chapter 6 Verses 76-79 of the Qur’an, narrate the experience that Prophet Abraham had in his efforts to find God. The translation of these verses reads:

“When the night covered Abraham over, he saw a star, and said, ‘This is my Lord’. But when the star set, Abraham said, ‘I love not those that set’. When Abraham saw the moon rising in its splendor, he said, ‘This is my Lord’. But when the Moon set, Abraham said, ‘Unless my Lord Guides me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.’ When Abraham saw the Sun rising in its splendor, he said, ‘This is my Lord; This is the greatest of all.’ But when the sun set, he said: ‘O my people! I am indeed free from your guilt of giving partners to God. For me, I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I associate partners with God.’’

“Say: He is God, The One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him”.

“God is the First and the Last, The Evident and the Hidden, and He has full knowledge of all things.” (Chapter 57: Verse 3). Translation of the 4^th verse of the same chapter reads: “God knows whatever enters the earth or comes out of it; what comes down from the sky, and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wherever you may be. And God sees well wherever you may be. And God sees well all that you do.”

Translation of Chapter 24, Verse 35 of the Qur’an reads: “God is the light of the Heavens and the Earth. The parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp. The Lamp enclosed in Glass; the glass as it were a brilliant Star.”

Verse 16 Chapter 50 of The Qur’an reminds us that God Almighty created human beings, and gave them their limited free will. And that God is nearer to a human being than his jugular vein.

“God knows, of what may deceive the eyes or what the hearts may conceal. God’s perfect knowledge penetrates through all human tricks and deception.”(Qur’an Chapter 40, Verse 19)

“God is the protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.”(Qur’an Chapter 2, Verse 257)

Prophet Muhammad said: “Adhere to and safeguard the Commandments of God. He will watch over you, He will safeguard your rights, and will always be with you. When you beg, beg of Him alone; and when you stand in need of His assistance, supplicate to Him. Remember that if all the people desire to benefit you, they will be unable to bestow anything upon you except that which God has pre-ordained for you, but if all of them agree to do you harm, they will not be able to afflict you with anything except that what God has predestined against you.”

Prophet Mohammad also said: “God says: I am to my servant as he expects of me, I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers me in his heart, I remember him to myself, and if he remembers me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly better than his.” God also says, “When a servant of Mine advances towards me a foot, I advance towards him a yard, and when he advances towards me a yard, I advance towards him the length of his both arms spread out. When he comes to me walking, I turn to him running.”

Muslim believes that Jesus is one of the most prominent prophets of God Almighty. His mother Mary, is the most revered woman in Islam. Chapter 19 of the Qur’an is named Maryam (Mary).

“Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! God gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus. The son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in cradle in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.”

She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?” He said: “Even so: God createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith To it, ‘Be,’ and it is!” “And God will teach him The Book and Wisdom, The Law and the Gospel.”

Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but was raised to heaven by God Almighty. Translation of Chapter 4 verses 157-158 reads: “That they said (in boast), We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, The messenger of God” - But they killed him not, Nor crucified him, But so it was made to appear to them, And those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, But only conjecture to follow, For of a surety They killed him not. Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise”.

Muslims believe in all of the authentic teachings of Jesus. They believe that most of his teachings have not been preserved but have been altered by others throughout history. They also believes that Jesus will return to earth before the Last Day, will fight the Anti-Christ along side Muslims, and will preach the same message about the oneness of God, before life on this earth will be ended.
14. ORIGINAL SIN AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Muslims do not believe in the concept of Original Sin. They do not believe that the entire humanity is responsible for the sin committed by Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God, and ate fruit from the forbidden tree. Muslims believe, that when God admonished Adam and Eve for what they had done, both of them repented, and God forgave them. Then God sent Adam and Eve to earth, not as punishment, but for them to propagate and inhabit here. This was God’s plan.

Someone asked Prophet Muhammad, “O Messenger of God, ‘Tell me some thing about Islam which I will not ask anyone else after you.” The Prophet replied, “Say, God is my sustainer, and then be steadfast. Follow the right path of faith strictly, and be steadfast, and keep in mind that no person can achieve salvation through his good deeds.” At this point, another person asked, “not even you, O Messenger of God?” The Prophet replied, “Not even me, except, on whom God bestows His Mercy and Grace.”

In Verse 19, Chapter 41 of The Qur’an, God reminds us that on the Day of Judgment, our body parts will be a witness against us.

Prophet Muhammad said: “On the Day of Judgment, God will speak with everyone amongst you without an interpreter. Man would look to his right, and would find nothing but his deeds, which he had done before, and he would look to his left, and would find nothing but the deeds, which he had done before. He would look in front of him and would find nothing, but the fire just before his face. So protect yourselves from fire even if with half a date (fruit) given as charity, or even by saying a good word.”

Prophet Muhammad said: “None of you should desire death because of any misfortune which befalls him. If he cannot help doing so, he should say, O’ God, keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and cause me to die when death is better for me.”

A Muslim has five primary responsibilities to God Almighty, and these are referred to as the Five Pillars of Islam. These are:

but are required to make up for the lost days later on. The observance of the Ramdhan starts with sighting of the new moon for the 9^th month, and ends with sighting of new moon for the following month. Consequently, Ramadhan lasts for 29 or 30 days. Since a lunar year is 10 days shorter than the solar year, a Muslim gets to observe the month of Ramdhan at different times of the year in his/her life time. The conclusion of the Ramdhan is marked by a day of celebration or feast, Eid-ul-Fitr.

Islam places great emphasis on respect and responsibilities towards one’s family.

Verse 187 of the 2^nd Chapter of the Qur’an, refers to a wife as the man’s garment, and to the husband as the wife’s garment. Prophet Muhammad said, “The best among you is the one that treats his wife in the best manner.”

Someone asked Prophet Muhammad, “Who should I obey?” The prophet replied: “Your mother.” The questioner again asked the same question, and the Prophet again said, “Your mother.” The questioner asked again, and the Prophet gave the same answer, “your mother.”

The questioner asked the same question one more time, to which the Prophet replied, “Your father.”

Prophet Muhammad said, “The best gift a father can give to a child is the best education.” The Prophet also said that if someone has three daughters and raises them with kindness, and gives them good education, then he (the Prophet) would guaranty that the parents would go to paradise. Hearing this, one of the Muslims asked: “What if someone has only two daughters?” The Prophet replied, “He too.” Then another person asked: “What if someone has only one daughter?” The Prophet replied again, “He too.”

Prophet Muhammad also said, “Worship God alone, and do not associate anything with Him, and give up all that your ancestors said; and He commands us to establish prayer, to speak the truth, to be pious, and to strengthen the ties of kinship.”

Verse 36, Chapter 4 of the Holy Qur’an reminds mankind to “Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; And do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers or live far, the companions by your side, the wayfarer you meet, and the captives you take in war, for God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious.”

Prophet Muhammad said, “He will not enter paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his wrongful conduct.” And, “You are not a believer if your neighbor goes to bed hungry and you had eaten.”

The Prophet also said that the Arch Angel Gabriel reminded him so many times about the rights of neighbors that he thought, may be the neighbors would become participants in the heritance as well.” He also said, “The best among you is the one who gives the maximum benefits to others.”

Prophet Muhammad said: “God will question a person on the Day of Resurrection saying:

‘O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit me.’ The person will say: ‘O my Lord, how could I visit thee when Thou art the Lord of the worlds?’ Thereupon God will say: ‘Didn’t you know that a servant of mine was sick but you did not visit him, and were you not aware that if you had visited him, you would have found me by him?’

God will then say, ‘O son of Adam, I asked you for food but you did not feed me.’ The person will say: ‘My Lord, how could I feed Thee when Thou art the Lord of the Worlds?’ God will say: ‘Didn’t you know that a servant of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed him, and were you not aware that if you had fed him you would have found me by his side?’

Islam gives great importance to a person’s intentions when carrying out any deed, good or bad.

Prophet Muhammad said, “Verily the deeds are by the intentions, and for every person (there is in store for him) what he intended. God looks not to your figure, nor to your wealth, but He looks to your heart, and deeds.”

The Prophet also said: “When two Muslims fight each other with swords, the killed and the killer both are doomed to hell.” Then the Prophet was asked, O’ Messenger of God, as to the one who kills, it is understandable, but what about the “killed”? The Prophet replied, “The other longed to murder his opponent.”

“And whatsoever good you do, God is aware of it.” (Chapter 2, Verse 215).

“Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it.” (Chapter 99, Verse 7).

“If anyone does a righteous deed, it inures to the benefit of his own soul; if he does evil, it works against his own soul. In the end will ye all be brought back to your Lord.”

The Prophet also said: “Three things follow a dead body: The members of his family, his possessions, and his deeds. Two of them return back and only one accompanies him. The people and his wealth return back, but his deeds remain with him.”

Chapter 20 Verse 114 of The Holy Qur’an reminds us that God is above every human event or desire. His purpose is universal, but He is the Truth, the absolute Truth: and His kingdom is the true kingdom that can carry out His Will, that truth unfolds itself gradually, as it did in the gradual revelation of one Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad. But even after it was completed in a volume, its true meaning and purpose only gradually unfold themselves to any given individual or nation. No one should be impatient about it. On the contrary, one should always pray for an increase in one’s knowledge, which can never at any given moment be complete.

In Chapter 58, Verse 11 of the Qur’an, God Almighty says that faith makes all people equal in His Kingdom, as regards the essentials of citizenship in the Kingdom. But then are leadership, and rank, and degree, joined with greater or lesser responsibility, and that depends on true knowledge and insight.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Anyone who travels on a road in quest of knowledge, God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and the fish in the depth of water will seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned worshiper is like that of the full moon over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who leave no inheritance of wealth, but only of knowledge, and that who acquires it, acquires an abundant portion.”

The Prophet also said: “Learn from cradle to grave”, and travel to China if you have to for the sake of knowledge.”
20. PATIENCE

Several verses of the Qur’an, talk about patience. Let us share the translation of a few:

O’you who believe, be patient, and out do all others in endurance” (Chapter 2, Verse 200).

“Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure” (Chapter 39, Verse 10).

Be sure, We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits of your labor, but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere – who say when afflicted with calamity: To God we belong, and to Him is our return. They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance” (Chapter 2, Verse 155 thru 157).

“We will surely test you until we know the valiant and the steadfast among you” (Chapter 47 Verse 31).

God Almighty has said: “I have no reward other than paradise for a believing servant of mine who remains patient when I take away his loved one from among the denizens of the world.”

Prophet Muhammad said: “How excellent is the case of a faithful servant; there is good for him in everything. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to God, and that is good for him, and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently, and that is better for him.”

The Prophet also said: “Never a believer is stricken with discomfort, hardship or illness, grief or even with mental worry that his sins are not expiated for him. His sins drop away just as a tree sheds its leaves.”

Someone asked Prophet Mohammad for a simple advice that he could follow. His answer was, “Do not get angry.”

The Prophet also said: “The strongest among you is not the one with most power or the one in authority or the one with the most money. It is the one who can control his anger.”

The Prophet also gave some practical advice as how to control anger. He advised Muslims that when they are angry, to make ablution or wash their face, forearms, and feet with water. Also, that if they are standing, to sit down, and if they are sitting, to lie down.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Seven kinds of people will be sheltered under the shade of God on the Day of Judgment. They are:

The Prophet also said: “A believer, through his good manners, may achieve the status of the one who regularly fasts to please God during the day, and spends the night in prayer.”

Islam places great emphasis upon charity i.e. sharing one’s wealth with those who are less fortunate. The subject of charity is discussed at least 45 times in the Holy Qur’an.

Translation of Chapter 2 Verse 261 of the Holy Qur’an reads: “The parable of those who spend their sustenance in the way of God is that of a grain of corn: it growth seven ears, and each ear hath a hundred grains. God gives manifold increase to those He pleaseth: and God careth for all, and He knoweth all things.”

Translation of Verse 263 of the same Chapter 2 reads, “Kind words, and covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants and he is most forbearing.”

The Qur’an is setting a very high standard for charity: It must be in the way of God, with no expectation of reward in this world, and must not be followed by references or reminders about the act of charity.

Prophet Mohammad said, “Charity is due on every Muslim.” Someone asked the Prophet, “What if he does not have anything to give?” The Prophet said, “Let him work with both his hands, doing benefit to himself and giving charity at the same time.” The person asked again, “What if he does not have the means to do so?” the Prophet said, “Then let him assist the needy and the aggrieved.” The person asked again, “What if he cannot even do this?” The Prophet replied, “Then he should enjoin what is reputable or what is good.” The person asked one more time, “What if he cannot do that either?” The Prophet then replied, “He should do no evil, for verily that is a charity on his behalf.”

A man came to Prophet Muhammad and said, “O! Messenger of God, which charity is most rewardable?” The Prophet replied, “That you give charity in a state when you are healthy and close fisted and haunted by the fear of poverty, hoping to become rich.” You must not defer charity until that you are about to die and would be saying: This is for so and so.

The Prophet also said: “Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of seven things:

Greed : Prophet Muhammad said: “If the son of Adam, had a valley full of gold, he would desire two of them. Nothing can fill his mouth except the earth of his grave. God turns with mercy to the one who feels penitence.”

“My servants, I have made oppression unlawful for Me and unlawful for you, so do not commit oppression against one another. My servants, all of you are liable to err except the one whom I guide to the right path, so seek the right guidance from Me, so that I lead you to the right path. O’ My servants, all of you are hungry (needy) except the one whom I feed, so beg food from Me, so that I may give that to you. O’ My servants, all of you are naked (need clothes) except the one whom I provide garments, so beg clothes from Me, so that I may clothe you. O’ My servants, you commit error night and day, and I am there to pardon your sins, so beg pardon from Me so that I should grant you pardon. O’ my servants, you can neither do me any harm, nor can you do me any good. O’ my servants, even if the firsts among you and the lasts among you and even the whole of human race of yours, and that of the Jinn’s (ghosts) even, become (equal in) God conscience like the heart of a single person amongst you, nothing would add to my power. O’ my servants, even, if the first amongst you and the lasts amongst you and the whole human race of yours and that of the Jinn’s too and unison become the most wicked (all beating) like the heart of a single person, it would cause no loss to my power. O’ my servants, even if the first amongst you and the last amongst you and the whole human race of yours and that of Jinn’s also all stand in one plain ground, and you ask me and I confer upon every person what he asks for, it would not, in any way, cause any loss to me (even less) than that which is caused to the ocean by dipping the needle in it. My servants, these deeds of yours which I am recording for you I shall reward you for them, so that who finds good should praise, and that who encounters something else should blame only himself.”

Chapter 3, Verse 195 of the Qur’an reminds us, “So their Lord answers their prayers, saying: ‘I will not let the good deed of any worker among you, whether a male or female, be wasted. You are the offspring of one another.”

Prophet Muhammad also said, “If anyone summons others to follow the right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those of the people who follow him, without their reward decreased in any way. And if anyone invites others to follow the error, his sin will be equivalent to those people who follow him, without their sins being decreased in any way.”

Huston Smith, the distinguished Professor of Religion at the University of California, Berkley Campus, while discussing the existence and presence of God with Bill Moyers in the Television Program Series, Wisdom of Faith, says:

Let us say, that a bunch of dogs decide that they are going to prove the existence of mathematics. So they take some papers on which some math problems have been solved, and give them a “Sniff Test”. What answer would they come up?

Huston gives another example from the Muslim scholar Rumi, who says that there are 3 ways to learn about fire:

At this point, Bill Moyers asks Huston, “Have you been burnt by it?” Houston replies, “Yes”, and he ads, “Those are the moments of bliss that don’t last for ever, but show you another world, and give you hope”.

Contrary to the customs practiced in most of the Muslim world today, Islam granted equal but not the same status to men and women, 1400 years ago.

The Qur’an specifically declares that the souls of men and women are equal, and that obligations and rewards are equally bestowed upon both. In Verse 124 Chapter 4 of The Holy Qur’an, God Almighty says:

“If any do deeds of righteousness – Be they male or female – and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.”

Although, men and women are equal in the eyes of God, Islam acknowledges that they are physically, biologically, and emotionally different. It is for this reason that some lifestyle details are different. A woman is made to be a mate or companion for man, and is not to be considered a source of all evil, but a blessing from God.

Islam granted women complete economic independence, before and after marriage. A Muslim women is under no obligation to provide for or supplement the family income. The husband has the entire responsibility.

Islamic law gives women the right to choose their husbands and to initiate a divorce. Muslim women have always had the right to vote, a right achieved by the women in the West only recently.

The word “Islam” is related to the word “salam”, which means “Peace”.

A Muslim is not allowed to initiate a war. “Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! God loveth not aggressors.” (Chapter 2, Verse 190 of The Qur’an).

The only time in which Muslims are allowed to take up arms are when they need to defend their own lives, the lives of their people, when they see the weak being oppressed, and when they are prohibited from practicing their religion.

Islam makes a clear distinction between combatants and non-combatants. Soldiers are not allowed to hurt or harm the civilians, cut down trees, destroy livestock, wells, homes, or land of the enemy. Mutilation of the enemy bodies is also strictly forbidden.

Prisoners of war are to be treated with kindness. They are to be fed the same food that is consumed by their captors.

Muslims are forbidden to breach any treaty to which they have agreed. However, they are not expected to tolerate treachery.

“And if thou fearest treachery from any folk, then throw back to them (their treaty) fairly. Lo! God loveth not the treacherous.” (Chapter 8, Verse 58 of The Qur’an)

Translation of Verse 69 of the 29^th Chapter of the Qur’an reads: “And those who strive in God’s cause, God will certainly guide them to His path: For Verily, God is with those who do right.”

God also says that whatever good you send forth for your souls, you will surely find it with God, better and greater in recompense.

The biggest Jihad or struggle that a human being experiences is against himself or herself, in striving to lead his or her life in accordance with the guidance provided by God Almighty.

In spite of the fact that the consumption of alcohol, and pork is strictly forbidden by the Islamic teachings, Prophet Muhammad said, that if a Muslim breaks the bottle of wine of a Non-Muslim, or kills a pig belonging to a Non-Muslim, then on the Day of Judgment, he, the Prophet will take the side of the Non-Muslim. Then the Prophet reminded all of us that on the Day of Judgment, God Almighty will dispense justice even between two rams that may have locked horns in a fight.

Prophet Muhammad also said, “The biggest Jihad is to speak a word of justice to an oppressive ruler.” Translation of Chapter 5 Verse 32 of the Qur’an reads: “That if anyone slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – It would be as if he slew the whole humanity. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the entire humanity.”

Even during a war of self-defense, a Muslim is not allowed to hurt or kill non-combatants, women, children, or old people. He is not allowed to destroy crops or event cut down a single tree.

In the conquest of Makkah in 632 A.D., Prophet Muhammad left a tremendous example of behavior for a victorious party in a conflict. Prophet Muhammad preached the message of Islam, in and around Makkah, for 13 years with limited success. After suffering many hardships and persecution from the pagans of Makkah, The Prophet was ordered by God Almighty to migrate, along with his followers to Madinah. Prophet Muhammad mediated a peace between the warring tribes in Madinah, and established an Islamic State.

In order to destroy the Muslims, the Pagans of Makkah attacked Madinah several times, but failed. Nine years after the migration of Muslims from Makkah, Quraish, the most powerful pagan tribe of Makkah, in clear violation of the “Treaty of Hudaybiyya”, supplied men and arms in an effort to attack a Muslim-allied tribe that was slaughtered ruthlessly, some of them even inside the Holy Sanctuary of Ka’ba. Upon learning of the raid, Prophet Muhammad ordered Muslims, now much larger in number (10,000), to march on Makkah, and conquered it without any loss of life. In spite of the fact that the people of Makkah had earlier persecuted the Muslims and had robbed them of their properties, the Prophet instructed them not to harm anyone who does not attack them. It is a documented fact of history that not a single human being was harmed, nor any property destroyed.

Therefore, under no circumstances, no matter what the cause, Islam does not allow killing or injuring of innocent human beings or damage to their property, or suicide bombings.

The Qur’an specifically states, “Do not kill yourselves. God is Merciful to you, but he that does that through wickedness and injustice shall be burned in fire.”

Question: How come that some of the most horrible acts are sometimes committed by individuals who call themselves Muslims?

Answer: Evil acts are committed not by Muslims, Christians, Jews, or followers of any other faith as no religion sanctions the killing or hurting of innocent human beings.

The Holocaust by the Nazis, the Ethnic Cleansing by the Serbians, and the other similar heinous crimes in human history were not in accordance with the teachings of the great prophets of God whom we a people of faith revere, but were the actions of sick minds.

Hitler and his followers were evil, not because they believed in Christianity, but in spite of it. That does not mean that Christianity is evil. Had they understood Christianity they would never have committed the horrible acts they did. Likewise, let us hold every terrorist accountable for his action regardless of what faith he may profess to follow. Let us judge every faith by its tenants.

Islam rejects the notion of certain individuals or nations being favored over another because of their wealth, power, or race. God created human beings as equals, and they are to be distinguished from each other only on the basis of their faith and piety.

Prophet Muhammad said: “O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab, and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red person is not better than a black person, and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety.”

One of the major problems facing humanity in the 21^st century is racism. We sent man to the moon, are attempting to inhabit the space, but have not learnt to live with each other in peace.

Timothy McVeigh, an American, was responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing. That does not mean that all Americans supported, condoned or even understood the reasoning behind his terrorist actions. He may have professed to be a Christian, but his terrorist actions are no more sanctioned by the Christian teachings than any of the evil acts of those who may call themselves Muslims, is sanctioned by the teachings of Islam. In fact, Islam strictly prohibits any act of terrorism against innocent victims.

Whenever an evil act to intentionally harm innocent human beings takes place, and the perpetrator calls himself a Muslim, the Muslims suffer three ways: firstly, as human beings they share the pain experienced by the innocent victims; secondly, they feel pain because the perpetrator has brought shame to Islam and Muslims; and thirdly, the Muslims, their families, their homes, and their places of worship become targets of those whose sensibilities have been hurt by the evil act.

There are over 1.2 Billion Muslims in the world, i.e. one out of every five human beings on our planet calls himself a Muslim. A vast majority of these Muslims are decent, God conscious, and law abiding citizens. Then there are those who have legitimate or not so legitimate grievances for which they want to seek help or revenge. Instead of staying within the limits of the law, they resort to violence thinking that that their cause justifies the means.

Islam does not allow killing or hurting of innocent human beings, or causing damage to their property under any circumstances, and for any cause whatsoever.

1. Election of A Leader: After the death of Prophet Muhammad, in 632 AD, Muslims elected Abu Bakr to be their leader and the Head of the Islamic State. Except for the Roman Empire, no one in the world had, at that time heard of electing a Head of State. That was democracy.

2. Water Purification & Distribution: Tunisia, North Africa – Muslims designed an ingenious water purification system using two water basins and gravity to filter clean water from one basin to the other. They built a distribution system so that the cities had clean running water. This was hundreds of years before anyone in Europe thought of having running water in the cities.

3. Baghdad: 200 years after Prophet Muhammad’s death, the borders of the Islamic empire stretched from Spain to India. It took nearly a year to travel from one end of its borders to the other. At its heart was the fabled city of Baghdad. It had exquisite neighbor- hoods filled with parks on both sides of the river. It was a city of learning, filled with the best scholars, the best thinkers, and the best artists. People from all over the empire came there looking for solutions to their staggering scientific and engineering problems. Baghdad’s renowned House of Wisdom and its public libraries attracted Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars from all over the world. Muslim scholars embraced the ideas of Aristotle and Plato, writers that Christian world considered blasphemous. Renaissance had its true beginning during this period. It was during this period that Muslims began to challenge the earlier knowledge. Spirit of scientific investigation and search to develop new solutions was everywhere. System of Arabic numerals, Algebra, Trigonometry, engineering, Astronomy, and countless other disciplines trace their roots to this era.

4. At the time when Europeans were praying to the bones of their saints to cure their illnesses, Muslims determined that tiny organisms transmitted disease from one person to another. They concluded that a sick person should be quarantined to protect the rest of the community from germs. This is the beginning of the modern hospital. Separate wards for patients suffering from different diseases were established. They even studied mental illness. Their study of anatomy was so advanced that their discoveries remained unchallenged for the next 600 years.

5. The father of optics was a Muslim named Ibn Al-Hatem. He produced the first treatise as to how the eye sees. A thousand years before the European doctors attempted, Muslim doctors were surgically removing the cataracts.

6. For all this knowledge to be copied and communicated throughout the vast empire, there was a new invention, paper. Around 750 AD, when Muslims reached Central Asia, they found paper. Within 50 years, it was all over their empire, including Spain. From there, Europeans learned to make paper. Scribes were writing books on paper. Baghdad had streets of booksellers, some with as many as a hundred shops selling books. This was at a time when in Europe, a monastery would be lucky if it had five or ten books.

7. During the dark ages, Cordoba in Spain was the most sophisticated metropolis in Europe. It had roads, lights, libraries, hospitals, palaces, running water, and people lived in big houses. The Great Mosque of Cordoba is now the famous Roman Catholic Cathedral. What is now its steeple was once a minaret. A Christian nun in the 10^th century called this mosque the “Ornament of The World”. Al-Hambra is the best remaining example of what a Muslim palace looked like. In the 10^th century, here the Muslim elite enjoyed the good life, while Europeans struggled thru the “Dark Ages”.

On September 26, 2001, Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett Packard delivered a speech in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The speech was titled, Technology, Business and Our Way of Life: What’s Next?

It was able to create a continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, and from northern climes to tropics and deserts. Within its dominion lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and ethnic origins.

One of its languages became the universal language of much of the world, the bridge between the peoples of a hundred lands. Its armies were made up of people of many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree of peace and prosperity that had never been known. The reach of this civilization’s commerce extended from Latin America to China, and everywhere in between.

And this civilization was driven more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for diseases. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.

Its writers created thousands of stories. Stories of courage romance and magic. Its poets wrote of love, when others before them were too steeped in fear to think of such things.

When other nations were afraid of ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others.

While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization I’m talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent.

Although we are often unaware of our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians. Sufi poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and truth. Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of tolerance and civic leadership.

And perhaps we can learn a lesson from his example: It was leadership based on meritocracy, not inheritance. It was leadership that harnessed the full capabilities of a very diverse population–that included Christianity, Islamic, and Jewish traditions.

This kind of enlightened leadership — leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability, diversity and courage — led to 800 years of invention and prosperity.”

Islam is a jewel that has, over the centuries, gotten covered with layers of ignorance and prejudice. It teaches human beings to be peaceful, caring, humble, and God conscious.

Prophet Muhammad said that a person is not a Muslim unless he wishes for another human being what he wishes for himself. He also said that a person is not a Muslim if his neighbor goes to bed hungry, while he himself has eaten a meal.

A Muslim is not allowed to start a war, but is obligated to defend himself and others when attacked. Even when defending himself, he must not harm or attack non-combatants, elderly, women, and children. He is not allowed to cut even a single tree, damage the water supply, or do any other harm to the environment.

Chapter 5, Verse 32 of The Qur’an, translated reads; “…That if anyone slew a person – unless it be (after due process) for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”

Chapter 2, Verse 256 of The Qur’an, translated reads; “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” Chapter 109, Verse 6 of The Qur’an translated reads; “ To you be your way, and to me mine.”

As Muslims, Christians, Jews, and followers of many other faiths, we believe that we all had a common father and a mother, i.e. Prophet Adam and Eve. We all have love and affection for our immediate biological brothers and sisters. Why not remind us that every human being is our biological brother or sister, though somewhat removed. We all carry the same genes that we inherited from our parents, Prophet Adam and Eve. We should never allow ourselves to get so angry that we forget our blood relationship, and cause pain to each other.

We need to be God conscious. Islam teaches us that there are only two states of beings; the Creator, and the Creation. In other words, we as human beings need to be conscious of our kinship with everything around us. Our Creator had a reason and a purpose for creating each and every one of us, and every thing around us, animate as well as inanimate. We as humans, are allowed to use and consume some of these things to take care of our needs, but we are not allowed to waste or destroy. We must constantly remind ourselves that each of us will be held accountable for what we do, and will face the consequences.

It is our hope and prayer that God Almighty will guide us all to the right path, and help us become better human beings. Amen.

“Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the torment of the (Hell) fire.” (The Qur’an, 2:201)

“Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If Though forgive us not And bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” (The Qur’an, 7:23)