M.S.

(Ophthalmology)

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 2 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Compiled By: Maulana Usaidul Haq Qadri

Edited & Dr. Amirul Haque

Translated by:

First Edition: 2010

Publisher: TAJUL FUHUL ACADEMY BUDAUN

Distributor: MAKTABA JAAM-E-NOOR

422, Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid, Delhi-6

For more information, please contact:

TAJUL FUHUL ACADEMY
Madarsa Alia Qadria, Maulvi Mahalla, Budaun-243601, (U.P.) India
Phone : 0091 9358563720

www.Qadri.in
 Understanding Islam: An introduction 3

Vx
01. Islam: The primordial religion .. 5
02. Role of Prophets .. 6
03. Islam: What does it mean? .. 7
04. Islam: The religion of peace .. 8
05. Components of Islam .. 9
06. Allah: the proper name of God .. 10
07. Islam rejects philosophy of .. 11
anthropomorphism
08. The concept of God in Islam .. 11
09. Islamic concept of worship .. 13
10. Ideology of Islam .. 14
11. Objectives of Islam .. 15
12. Message of Islam .. 16
13. Significance of acquiring knowledge in Islam .. 17
14. Islam: Easy approach .. 18
15. Islam: Easy by nature .. 19
16. Purpose of life: An Islamic perspective .. 20
17. Islam: A guideline for successful life .. 20
18. Islamic way of life: Do's and Don'ts .. 21
19. Human rights in Islam .. 23
20. Islam favours free will and choice .. 24
21. Freedom of thought and expression in Islam .. 25
22. Islam preaches universal brotherhood .. 26
23. Muhammedanism: a misnomer .. 27
24. Muslim: The believer .. 28
25. Life after death .. 29
26. Conclusion .. 31

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 4 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

\|t|
Say you, Come I will rehearse to you what your Lord has
forbidden to you, that you associate not anyone with
Him, and that you do good to parents, and that you kill not
your children because of poverty. We shall provide for
you and for them, and that you approach not shameful
deeds whichever in them is open and whichever is hidden;
and slay not unjustly the life which Allah has made
sacred. This has He ordered you that you may understand.

And do not approach the property of the orphans but in the

best way, until he reaches the maturity and fill up the
measure and weight with justice. We burden no soul but to
its capacity, and when you speak, then say just, even
though it be a matter of your relative, and fulfil the
covenant of Allah. This He has enjoined you strictly that
haply you may accept admonition.

And that, this is My straight path, then follow it and

follow not other paths for they will deviate you from His
path. This He has ordered you that haply you may be
selfrestrained.

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 6 Al-Anam, V. 151-153)

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 5

In the name of Allah, Extremely Compassionate, The Merciful

Islam is a voluntary relationship between an individual and his

Creator Allah the Gracious One, who is Absolute, All-
Powerful, the All-Wise, the All-Knowing, the All-Hearing, the
Most Merciful, the Sustainer, the Giver. Islam refuses to accept
any form of creation whatsoever as a deity worthy of worship.

And do not set another as an object of worship with Allah

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 51 Al Zriyt, Verse 514)

Allah wants every human being to choose to believe in

Him. He has placed in the Universe numerous pointers and
indicators testifying to His existence, oneness and overall
sovereignty in the Universe. These indicators and pointers are
sufficient to guide anyone who contemplates and thinks
logically to the ultimate conclusion of Allah's existence and
man's need to worship Him alone.

Islam: The primordial religion

Islam is not a new religion, but the continuation and

culmination of preceding monotheistic religions. The first
Prophet was Prophet Adam . Complete submission
before Almighty Lord is the one and only faith consistently
revealed by Allah from the very beginning through various
Prophets to humankind. Nooh, Sulaiman, Ibraheem, Ismail,
Ishaaq, Yaqoob, Moosa, Isa were a few of the many
prophets who appeared at different times and places all
propagated the same faith and conveyed the same message.
Islam is a re-presentation of the same message and guidance
that Allah revealed to all of His prophets. Allah says:

I have chosen Islam for you as a religion

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 5 Al Ma'idah, Verse 3)

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 6 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

This statement of Allah is not only for the followers of

Prophet Muhammad but all humanity. Many
people have the misconception that Islam is a new religion that
came into existence over 1400 years ago and that Prophet
Muhammad was the founder of the religion. In
fact, Islam has been here since man set foot on this earth and
Prophet Muhammad is not the founder of the
religion of Islam but is the last and final messenger of Allah
.

The Role of Prophets

then know that the duty of our messenger

is only to deliver the message clearly.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 5 Al Ma'idah, Verse 92)

The basic message of all the prophets from Allah was to

further the unity of mankind, along with guidance on how
human beings should live in this world in order to bring peace
and security, and hence ensure our survival and stability. They
demonstrated the Divine Administration's complete sense of
justice, and evaluated punishment in this world and
recompense in the Hereafter. They explained what the
individual's conduct should be; they put their people on the
right path for success in this life and the hereafter, and they
demonstrated how non-believers would meet their end. This
was the religion they brought, and it was the religion (course of
action) which the God wanted mankind to adopt.

nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only the Revelation

with which he is inspired.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 53 An-Najm, Verses 3-4)

Every prophet states clearly that what he receives is not from

him but from Almighty Allah for the well-being of
mankind. He also confirms what was revealed before him and
what may be revealed after him. A prophet does this to show

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 7

that he is simply conveying the message which is entrusted to

him by the One True Lord (Allah ) of all people in all ages.
Prophets are necessary for conveying Allah's
instructions and guidance to mankind.

We have no way of knowing why we were created. What will

happen to us after death? Is there any life after death? Are we
accountable for our actions? Is there any reward or punishment
for our deeds in this life? These and so many other questions
about Allah , angels, paradise, hell, etc. can not be
answered without revelation from the Creator and Knower of
the unseen.

It is not for a human being that Allah should speak to him

except as revelation
(The Holy Quran: Chapter 42 Al Shura, Verse 51)

The message revealed to Prophet Muhammad is

Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final form. Islam is
nothing but genuine acceptance of the teachings and guidance
of Allah as revealed to His Prophet, Muhammad
. A man must consciously and deliberately accept
what has been taught by the Prophet and act
accordingly. Whosoever does this is a Muslim.

Islam: What does it mean?

The Arabic word Islam means peace, submission, and

obedience. Every thing and every phenomenon in the world,
other than humans and jinns, is administered totally by Allahs
laws, they are obedient to Allah and submissive to His
laws, i.e. they are in the state of Islam. Man possesses the
quality of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to
the good Will of Allah and obey His law (i.e. become a
Muslim). Submission to the Will of Allah , together with
obedience to His beneficial law, is Islam. This submission, and
this only, is salvation according to the Holy Qur'n.

Whoever submits himself entirely to Allah and he is the doer of

good to others, he has his reward from the Lord...
(The Holy Quran: Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 112)

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 8 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

This submission requires a fully conscious and willing effort to

submit to the one Almighty God. One must consciously and
carefully give oneself to the service of Allah . This means to
act on what Allah enjoins all of us to do (in the Holy
Qur'n) and what His beloved Prophet Muhammad
encouraged us to do in his Sunnah (Hadith). Once we humble
ourselves, rid ourselves of our egoism and submit totally and
exclusively to Allah , both in faith and in deeds, we will
certainly feel peace in our hearts which in turn will bring about
peace in our external conduct as well. In short, Islam means
peace acquired by submitting your will to Allah .

One of the beautiful names of Allah is Al Salaam ( )

which means the Provider of Peace. It means more than that:
submission to the One God, and to live in peace with the
Creator, within one's self, with other people and with the
environment. Thus, Islam is a total system of living. A Muslim
is supposed to live in peace and harmony with all these
segments; hence, a Muslim is any person anywhere in the world
whose obedience, allegiance, and loyalty are to Allah , the
Lord of the Universe.

The Qur'n declares that those who follow and practice the
guidance of the Qur'n will be called Muslims and their way of
life will be Islam i.e. living in full peace and harmony with
people of the world and also with the environment. The
traditional use of the terms 'Islam' and 'Muslim' for the
followers of the Prophet Muhammad is a
contradiction with the Qur'n. Both these terms are universal
in connotation and are meant for entire humanity through all
the ages of the history. Thus, according to the Qur'n, Allah's
reward is not reserved for any particular group but is open to
anyone who consciously accepts the oneness of Allah ,
surrenders himself to his Will, and by living righteously gives
practical effect to this attitude.

Verily the most honoured among you in the sight of Allah is (he
who is) the most righteous of you..
(The Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Al Hujurt, Verse 13)

Islam: The religion of peace

Allah calls towards the abode of peace.

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 9

(The Holy Quran: Chapter 10 Yoonus, Verse 25)

Islam is the religion of peace: its meaning is peace; one of God's

names is peace (Al Salam); the daily greeting of Muslims and
angels is peace (As Salamo Aleikum, meaning peace be on
you); paradise is the house of peace (Dar Al Salam). Peace is the
nature, the meaning, the emblem and the objective of Islam.
Every being is entitled to enjoy the peace of Islam and the
kindness of the peaceful Muslims, regardless of religious or
geographical or racial considerations, as long as there is no
oppression against Islam or the Muslims. If non-Muslims are
peaceful with the Muslims or even indifferent to Islam, there
can be no justification to interfere in their affairs or declare war
on them. There is no religion or constitution that guarantees
peaceful freedom of religion and forbids compulsion in religion
except Islam.
There is no compulsion in religion.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 256)

Components of Islam

Islam consists of two components: beliefs and practices. The

beliefs have been stated in the Holy Qur'n while the practices
are embodied in both the Qur'n and the Sunnah (Hadith).

And We have sent down this Qur'n on you in which everything

is clearly explained and as guidance and mercy and good
tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah).
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 16 An-Nahl, Verse 89)

The Qur'n is a book to guide mankind to the way in which we

must live on this planet with the least possible conflict (i.e. with
balance and harmony) not only with the people of the world but
also with the natural world. The Qur'n is the Final Testament
of the Allah revealed to mankind. It is the only Divine
Book which exists today in its original language and form,
preserved word for word. The Holy Prophet taught
the Qur'n to his Companions . This Book has been
transferred from the Companions of the Holy Prophet
, uninterrupted, through successive generations of
Muslims. Hadith is mandatory to perceive the essence of Holy
Qur'n. The Qur'n and the Hadith hold a pivotal place as the
sources for understanding Islam. The Hadith and the Quran do
not abrogate each other. Hadith does not add to the content of

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 10 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

religion; it offers an explanation of the Holy Quran and dictates

sense and reason.

The Holy Quran is the collection of divine verses. The Holy

Quran is the last and final revelation until the end of human
existence on earth (i.e. final message to humanity) from Allah
. The words are in Arabic. A human being did not arrange
these words. The words of the Holy Quran have been revealed
by Allah and descended in verses. God's messages are not
conveyed by sound which is heard by the human ear, but can
only be received by the inner, spiritual senses possessed by
Prophets. An angel named Jibra'eel (Gabriel) recited the verses
with these words and letters to the Holy Prophet ,
who then recited the verses to his Companions. The Quran
began revelation on the Night of Power (Laylat Al Qadr, a night
in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan) and continued
to be revealed for 23 years (during the years 609-632 AD). The
Holy Prophet and a majority of Companions
memorised the whole Quran.

The Muslims of the early centuries of Islam were blessed with

great honour by Allah because they loved and applied the
Holy Quran. Because of this meaningful attachment with the
Holy Quran, they made great achievements in religious and
worldly spheres. Those who neglected the teachings of Islam
were disgraced and humiliated. May Allah guide and
enable us to re-establish our contact with the Quran so that we
can regain our past glory.

In literal terms, Sunnah means to pave the way or make a

path easy to walk on, so that it becomes a commonly followed
way by everyone afterwards. Thus, the Sunnah is the way of the
Prophet , a law that he brought and taught as an
explanation or further clarification of a divinely revealed book.
Normally, the prophetic way includes references to the
prophets sayings, actions, physical features and character
traits. From the Islamic standpoint, Sunnah refers to anything
narrated or related about the Prophet Muhammad ,
authentically traced to him regarding his speech, actions,
traits, and silent approvals, before and after the revelation.

Allah: the proper name of God

The word Allah is the common word used to refer to God in

Arabic. It is a unique term and has no plural or feminine forms.

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 11

Arabic speaking Jews and Christians refer to the Supreme

Being as Allah. It is interesting to note that the Aramaic word
El, which is the word for God in the language that Jesus
spoke, is certainly more similar in sound to the word Allah
than the English word God. This also holds true for the
various Hebrew words for God, which are El and Elah, and
the plural form Elohim. The reason for these similarities is that
Aramaic, Hebrew and Arabic are all Semitic languages with
common origins.

Islam rejects philosophy of

anthropomorphism

The Holy Quran speaks against all forms of

anthropomorphism. The Glorious Quran says in the following
verse:

There is nothing whatever like unto Him

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 42 Al Shura, Verse 11)

Many religions, directly or indirectly, embody the philosophy of

anthropomorphism i.e. God becoming a human being. Their
contention is that Almighty God is so pure and holy that He is
unaware of the hardships, shortcomings and feelings of human
beings. In order to set the rules for human beings, He came
down to earth as a human. Some may argue that God does not
become a human being but only takes a human form. If God
only takes a human form but does not become a human being,
He should not possess any human qualities. We know that all
the God-men have human qualities and failings. They have all
the human needs such as the need to eat, sleep, etc. This
deceptive logic has fooled countless millions through the ages.

The concept of God in Islam

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only. Allah, the Eternal, the
Absolute1. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none
like unto Him.

1
The Arabic word Samad has a deeper meaning than the closest
English word Absolute. It means absolute existence, which can be
attributed only to Allah , all other existence being temporal or

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 12 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 112 Al Ikhlas, Verses 1-4)

This four-line definition of Almighty God serves as the

touchstone of the study of the God. Any candidate to divinity
must be subjected to this acid test. Since the attributes of Allah
given in this chapter are unique, false gods and
pretenders to divinity can be easily dismissed using these
verses.

The concept of God as it appears in the Quran would mean a

being who is supreme but remains hidden from human eyes;
before whose dignity and grandeur human perceptions become
dazed; whose sovereignty extends over the entire Universe;
obedience to whom is obligatory. By accepting Him, one must
accept His sovereignty and obey His laws provided in the Holy
Quran.

No vision can grasp Him but His grasp is over all vision: He
is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 6 Al Anm, Verse 103)

God is different from anything that human senses can perceive

or the human mind can imagine. God according to Islam
encompasses all creation, but no mind can fully encompass or
grasp Him. Islam teaches the highest conception of God, and
does not accept any limitation to His power and knowledge. The
Islamic deity is not merely a god (Ilah) but the God (Allah). He
is not merely an object of ritualistic worship, but the possessor
of all the dimensions of highest excellence and of absolute
perfection. He is the Omnipotent (All-Powerful), the Omniscient
(All-knowing), the Infinite, and the Absolute One. He neither
incarnates (in human form) nor has He any partner or son or
peer. He is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Nourisher and the
Evolver of everything that constitutes the cosmos.

He is Allah besides Whom there is no God, the Knower of the

invisible and the visible. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is
Allah besides Whom there is no God; the Sovereign Lord, the
Holy One, the Architect of Peace, the Granter of Security,
Guardian Over All, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of
Greatness He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught,
the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in

conditional. It also means that Allah is not dependant on any

person or thing, but all persons and things are dependant on Him.

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 13

the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the
Mighty, the Wise.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 59 Al Hashr, Verses 22-24)

Islam rejects depicting God as favouring certain individuals or

nations on the basis of wealth, power, colour, race and creed.
He created human beings equal. They may distinguish
themselves and get His favour through virtue and piety only.

But those who obey Allah's orders and keep away from what He
has forbidden will be above them (disbelievers) on the Day of
Resurrection.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 212)

The unique usage of Allah as the personal name of God is

a reflection of Islams emphasis on the purity of the belief in
One God, the essence of the message of all the prophets.
Because of this, Islam considers associating any deity or
personality with Allah as a deadly sin that Allah will
never forgive, despite the fact that He may forgive all other sins.

Islamic concept of worship

Worship is an all inclusive term for all that Allah loves of

external and internal sayings and actions of a person. In other
words, worship is everything one says or does for the pleasure
of Allah . This, of course, includes rituals as well as beliefs,
social activities, and personal contributions to the welfare of
ones fellow human beings.

Islam does not teach or accept mere ritualism, but rather

emphasizes intention and action. To worship Allah is to
know and to love Him, to obey His law in every aspect of life, to
enjoin goodness and forbid wrong-doing and oppression, to
practice charity and justice, and to serve Him by serving
mankind. The Quran presents this concept in the following
sublime manner:

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the
West, but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last
Day and the angels and the Books and the prophets; and gives
his wealth for love of Him to kinsfolk and to orphans and the
needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask; and to set slaves

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 14 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

free; and observes proper worship and pays the Zakaat. And
those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient
in tribulation and adversity and time of stress, such are those
who are sincere. Such are the God fearing.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 177)

As a matter of fact, Islam does not think much of mere rituals

when they are performed mechanically and have no influence
on ones inner life.

The concept of worship in Islam is a comprehensive concept

that includes all the positive activities of the individual. This, of
course, is in agreement with the all-inclusive nature of Islam as
a way of life. It regulates human life on all levels: individual,
social, economic, political and spiritual. That is why Islam
provides guidance in the smallest details of ones life on all
these levels. Thus, following these details is following Islamic
instructions in that specific area. It is a very encouraging
element when one realises that all his activities are considered
by Allah as acts of worship. This should lead the
individual to seek Allahs pleasure in his actions and always try
to do them in the best possible manner.

Ideology of Islam

Islam has laid down some universal fundamental rights for

humankind as a whole, which are to be observed and respected
under all circumstances. Whatever leads to the welfare of the
individual or the society is morally good in Islam and whatever
is injurious is morally bad. This is the standard by which a
particular mode of conduct is judged and classified as good or
bad. Before laying down any moral injunctions, Islam seeks to
firmly implant in man's heart the conviction that his dealings
are with Allah , who sees him at all times and in all places;
that he may hide himself from the whole world, but not from
Him; that he may deceive everyone but cannot deceive Allah
; that he can flee from anyone else, but not from his
accountability to Allah . Thus, by setting Allah's
pleasure as the objective of man's life, Islam has furnished the
highest possible standard of ethics. It stipulates for mankind a
system of life that is based on all that is good and is free from
all that is evil. It encourages the people not only to practice
virtue, but also to establish virtue and eradicate wickedness.

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 15

To attain eternal happiness in the Hereafter by following the

ideology of Islam as revealed in the Holy Quran, it is necessary
to believe in it first, and then to follow it consciously and
intentionally.

Religion Islam: The objectives

So bring yourself to the upright natural religion of Allah, the one

which He created people upon (fitrah). There is no change (in the
laws of) Allah's creation, and that is the right religion, but most
people are not aware.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 30 Al Rum, Verse 30)

Every child is born with a natural belief in Allah and an

inclination to worship Him alone. In Arabic, this natural
inclination is called fitrah. If the child were left alone, he would
worship Allah in his own way, but his parents try to make
him follow their own way and the child is not strong enough in
the early stages of his life to resist or oppose the will of his
parents. The religion which an innocent child follows at this
stage at the behest of his parents is one of custom and
upbringing and Allah does not hold him to account or
punish him for this religion. Throughout man's life from
childhood until the time of death, signs are shown to him in all
regions of the earth, until it becomes clear that there is only
one true God (Allah ). Prophets were sent to every nation
and tribe to support mans natural belief in Allah and
mans inborn inclination to worship Him as well as to reinforce
the divine truth in the daily signs revealed by Allah .

We have made all the signs manifest unto people who are
endowed with inner certainty.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 118)

The fundamentals of Islam act as a reminder for human beings.

A reminder about things and concepts which, deep inside, he is
already aware of but tends to forget due to the influence of the
external world, his society and surroundings, the daily chaos of
a fast and busy life. Islam is a direction finder and influences
our way of thinking and steers us to the right path.

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 16 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

Have we not shown him the two ways [so that he could
understand the good and the evil]?
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 90 Al Balad, Verse 10)

The purpose of our life is to please Allah . To attain this we

need to develop purification. This includes positive
enhancement (conquest of the lower self) and moulding of the
good in our soul and shunning of the bad. The purpose of Islam
is to help us attain purification; both in our individual and
collective lives.

Message of Islam

Worship Allah alone and avoid the worship directed to any

person, place or thing other than Allah this is simple
and vital message of Islam. Since everything other than Allah
is Allahs creation; it may be said that Islam, in essence,
calls man away from the worship of creation and invites him to
worship only its Creator.

The message of Islam as brought by the prophets of Allah

is to worship only Allah and to avoid the worship of his
creation either directly or indirectly. It is the belief that the
essence of Allah is everywhere in His creation or that His
divine being is present in some aspects of His creation. This
belief provided the justification for the worship of creation;
however, such worship may be called the worship of Allah
through his creation (indirect worship). Allah rejects this
concept of indirect worship and says in the Holy Qur'n:

And verily, We have sent in every nation a messenger,

(proclaiming): Serve Allah and shun false gods.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 16 An-Nahl, Verse 36)

The next fundamental message of Islam is one of pursuing

knowledge. It was ignorance that Islam sought to end.

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 17

Significance of acquiring
knowledge

1. Knowledge of religion (i.e. Quran and Hadith)

Every Muslim must honour his obligation towards the

knowledge of Quran and the Hadith. A man can be a Brahmin
without having knowledge of Hinduism and remain a Brahmin.
But a sane and adult person cannot be a true Muslim without
acquiring the knowledge of Islam. This is because he does not
become a true Muslim just by being born in a Muslim family
but from acquiring the knowledge of Islam and practicing its
tenets. Unless he comes to know the teachings of Holy Prophet
Muhammad , he can not affirm faith in it and he
cannot act according to it. And if he has not affirmed faith
knowingly and after a complete understanding of it, how can he
become a true Muslim? Its clear that it is impossible to become
a true Muslim and remain a true Muslim while in a state of
ignorance. If someone is born in a Muslim home, has a Muslim
name, dresses like a Muslim, and calls himself a Muslim,
doesnt become a Muslim. A true Muslim is a person who
knows what Islam stands for and affirms faith in it with full
consciousness.

2. Knowledge of modern science

The pursuit of knowledge is a never ending journey and life-

long learning is a responsibility upon every Muslim. It is not a
coincidence that the first word revealed to Prophet Muhammad
was Read. Knowledge, ilm in Arabic, is praised in
over 300 verses in the Holy Quran and is the second most
common word in the book, after Allah . The Prophet
said Seeking knowledge is a (religious) duty on
every Muslim and advised his companions to seek knowledge
wherever it may be. Learning is obligatory for both men and
women. Moreover, education is not restricted to religious
issues; it includes all fields of knowledge, including Arts,
Commerce, Science and Technology.

There are important branches of knowledge and it is essential

that individuals in every Muslim community should specialise
in these and attain a standard of excellence in diverse
disciplines. To suggest, however, that religious sciences are the
only disciplines of knowledge required by Muslims is wrong. We
cannot achieve any degree of excellence in these branches of

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 18 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

knowledge unless we also acquire a standard of excellence in

other fields and, indeed, in all branches of knowledge. The
Qur'n invites people to look around them in the Universe and
to try to fathom its secrets. How can they do that unless they
acquire appropriate knowledge?

Moreover, Allah has made everything in the Universe

subservient to us. He wants us to use these in order to improve
human life. This is the task required of mankind. How could
they improve human life without knowledge? Moreover, Allah
calls on people to reflect on His signs all around them. For
them to appreciate these signs requires good knowledge of the
Universe around them. That again requires an in-depth study
of the world and everything relevant to it. If we were to abandon
all branches of knowledge under the pretext that we should
concentrate only on the Qur'n and the Hadith, then we shrink
into a little shell. An ignorant person can cause only harm to
himself and to his community. If the community is composed of
ignorant people, then they have no hope of a good future. The
task of the Muslim community is to provide a model of
everything good in life. That can only be achieved through
excellence in all fields of knowledge. This was how the early
Muslim generations understood their task. They were able, as a
result, to build a civilization which was unique in the history of
mankind. Islam opens all the horizons of knowledge for its
followers to excel in them, be they men or women.

Islam: An easy approach

The true religion must lend itself to universal understanding

and practice, not confined to any people, place or time.
Whenever man comes to the realisation that God is one and
distinct from His creation, and submits himself to the true one
God (Allah ), he becomes a Muslim. Thus, anyone at
anytime in the most remote region of the world can become a
Muslim, a follower of God's religion, Islam, by merely rejecting
the worship of creation and by turning to Allah alone. A
persons declaration of faith is sufficient evidence of conversion
to Islam and need not be confirmed by others or by religious
authorities.

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 19

Islam: Easy by nature

Allah intends for you ease; and He does not want to make things
difficult for you.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 185)

When we look carefully at the religion of Islam we find that care

has been taken by Allah to make it easy for men to follow,
without overstraining themselves. It takes into consideration
the different situations man finds himself in, and the conditions
he faces in different environments. The faith itself is based on
concepts which are easy to grasp; a single God; none like Him;
He has created everything; He has guided everything to realise
the purpose of its existence; He has also sent prophets to
remind people of their role in life and to call them back to their
Lord who has created them. All obligations imposed by this
faith fit in perfectly together; there are no conflicts, no
contradictions. People have to fulfill these obligations according
to their abilities: there need not be any overstraining or heavy
burdens. Prohibitions are also relaxed. The Holy Qur'n states:

..save under compulsion of necessity.

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 6, Verse119)

These basic principles provide the limits within which the

Islamic commandments and principles operate.

He has laid on you no hardships

in the observance of your religion.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 22 Al Hajj, Verse 78)

The aforementioned verse states one of the most fundamental

principles of faith and existence. It provides a link between the
nature of the Holy Prophet , the nature of Islam
and that of the whole Universe. It is a Universe created by Allah
with ease; it follows its appointed way with ease and
draws nearer to its final objective with ease. The message of
Islam is made easy for people to follow since it takes into
consideration the limitations of human abilities. It imposes no
burdens which are too heavy. The easy nature of the religion of
Islam is readily identifiable in its spirit as well as in its
commandments.

And We shall smooth your way to perfect ease.

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 87 Al A'la, Verse 8)

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 20 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

The Prophets traditions urging the adoption of an easy, gentle

and tolerant attitude in all matters, especially those which
concern religious duties are numerous. Whenever the Prophet
had a choice, he would always choose the easier
alternative. Abu Hurairah reported:

The Prophet said, The religion (of Islam) is easy,

and whoever makes the religion a rigour, it will overpower him.
So, follow a middle course (in worship); if you can't do this, do
something near to it and give glad tidings and seek help (of Allah
) at morning and at dusk and some part of the night.
(Al-Bukharee)

Purpose of life: An Islamic perspective

Did you then think that We had created you in vain and that you
shall not be returned to Us?
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 23 Al Mominoon, Verse 115)

I created the jinn and humankind only so that they worship Me.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 51 Az-Zariyat, Verse 56)

The purpose of our life is to worship Allah . Worshipping

Allah does not mean we spend our entire lives in constant
seclusion and meditation. To worship Allah is to live life
according to His commands, not to run away from it. To
worship Allah is to know Him, to love Him, to please Him,
to obey His commands, to apply His laws in every aspect of life,
to serve His cause by doing right and purging evil and to be just
to Him, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings. Thus, the
purpose of human life is spiritual development of the individual
which ultimately results in bringing order in human society.

Islam: A guideline for successful life

Islam provides specific guidelines for all people to follow in their

daily lives. Any human activity to please Allah is Islam.
Islams guidance is comprehensive and includes the social,
political, economic, moral, and spiritual aspects of life. The
Quran reminds man of the purpose of his life, of his duties and
obligations toward himself, his family and relatives, his

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 21

community, his fellow human beings, and his Creator. Man is

given fundamental guidelines about a purposeful life and then
confronted with the challenges of human existence so that he
may put these high ideals into practice.

Islam provides moral guidance in all walks of life. That is why

Islamic values are not for the ascetic who renounces the world,
but for him who actively participates in different spheres of life,
and works within them. When man decides to submit to the
Will of Allah , and accepts His law as the supreme law, and
organises his life in accordance with the wish of Allah as
revealed in the Holy Quran, the quality and character of his life
cannot be limited to the precincts of a mosque. It must extend
itself to every sphere of his life.

Islamic way of life: Do's and Don'ts

If we look carefully at the duties and prohibitions a Muslim is

required to observe, we find that they fall into three main
categories.

Related to basic beliefs, such as the duty of worshipping Allah

alone, and the prohibition of associating any partner
with Him.

The acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, etc. These are

meant to enhance the good character of a person. When we
think of prayer and how it provides a real and continuous
relationship with Allah , we are bound to recognise that
it sharpens a Muslim's sense of what is appropriate and what
is not. The Holy Prophet says: A faith which
does not require its followers to pray is devoid of goodness.
Fasting moulds the character of a Muslim to be able to
withstand any sacrifice which he may be called upon to
make.

Other duties and prohibitions of Islam are related either to

moral values or to day-to-day transactions between people.
They ensure that a Muslim does not take advantage of others
or usurp their right or property. Together, they provide
safeguards which ensure that every one of us receives what is
due to him or her. Allah does not benefit by restricting
our movements or our actions. The benefit of Islamic duties
and prohibitions is reaped by us only.

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 22 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

Islamic duties and prohibitions are not difficult to observe.

There is nothing in them which is included arbitrarily. They all
serve a common purpose of making human life easy, happy and
fair. It is true that we may at times yield to temptations that go
against Islamic teachings, but we can repent and pray to Allah
for forgiveness. He is the Most Merciful, the Most
Forgiving. He finds no pleasure in punishing us for our
mistakes. Indeed, He loves that we repent and express our
regret for having committed a sin. When we do that, He forgives
us. When we declare that we believe in Him, we must always try
as hard as we can to observe His teachings. When we make an
error, as we all do, we must try to rectify it. Furthermore, we
know that our observance of what He requires of us will earn
for us a great reward. The total sum of that reward is
admittance into Heaven.

Islam does not confine itself merely to purifying our spiritual

and moral life but its domain extends to the entire gamut of life.
It wants to mould individual life as well as the social order in
healthy patterns, so that universal brotherhood may be truly
established on earth and so that peace, happiness and well-
being may fill the world. The Islamic way of life is based on this
unique approach to life.

Islam does not allow living this life selfishly, with complete
disregard for the sovereign Lord and Creator; nor does it allow
neglecting the world and devote solely to ritual worship. God-
fearing people should be the best in morals and manners. Islam
forbids any action which infringes on the rights of others or
harms oneself. Forbidden to Muslims are dishonesty, theft,
murder, suicide, corruption, forgery, interest and usury,
gambling, lottery, consumption of alcohol or pork, backbiting,
maligning, destruction of property, cruelty to animals, adultery,
fornication, etc. While forbidding these things, Islam enjoins
upon mankind the use of all clean, healthy and useful things,
and asks us not to deprive our bodies of clean food and healthy
amusement. Islam also encourages marriage and stable family
life, modesty, generosity, hospitality, respect for parents,
honourable treatment of women, helping those in need, etc. The
law of Islam forbids public nudity and orders Muslims to dress
up in a decent and dignified manner. Islam enjoins mankind to
manage his sexual desire with responsibility and seek its
fulfillment only within the bonds of marriage. Divorce, while
frowned upon, is permitted in cases where the marital
relationship is irrevocably damaged. In dealing with non-

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 23

Muslims, Muslims are instructed not to be intolerant or

narrow-minded.

We must not abuse or speak ill of other religious leaders, nor

say anything insulting. Quran says:

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
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 16 An-Nahl, Verse 125)

Islam holds that all of creation must be respected and cared for
with love based on the sentiment that love the sinner but hate
the sin.

Human rights in Islam

When we speak of human rights in Islam we really mean that

these rights have been granted by God; they have not been
granted by any king or by any legislative assembly. Islam has
laid down some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a
whole, which are to be observed and respected under all
circumstances. These fundamental rights have been conferred
by Allah Himself. No legislative assembly in the world or
any government on earth has the right or authority to make any
amendment or change in the rights conferred by Allah . No
one has the right to withdraw them. Since Allah is the
absolute and the sole master of creatures and the Universe, He
is the sovereign Lord, and since He has given each man human
dignity and honour, men are substantially the same and no
distinction can be made among them on account of their
nationality, colour or race.

The Qur'n very clearly states:

O believers! Be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness

in equity; and let not the hatred of any people incite you that you
should become unjust. Always do justice as it is nearer to piety.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 5 Al Ma'idah, Verse 8)

It is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, the

sick or the wounded. Womens honour and chastity are to be
respected under all circumstances. The hungry person must be

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 24 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

fed, the naked clothed and the wounded or diseased treated

irrespective of whether they are Muslim or not.

Since its inception, Islam has placed a high value on human

rights. Privacy, freedom, dignity and equality are guaranteed in
Islam. The lives, property and privacy of all citizens in an
Islamic state are considered sacred, whether or not the person
is Muslim. Non-Muslims have freedom of worship and the
practice of their religions, including their own family law and
religious courts. They pay a different tax (jizyah) instead of the
Zakaat, and the state is obligated to provide both protection
and government services to them.

Islam favours free will and choice

Allah has granted man free will to choose between good

and evil.

In this way Allah lets go astray him that He wills (to go astray),
and guides aright him that He wills (to be guided).And none can
comprehend his Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is
but a reminder to mortal man.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 74 Al Mudaththir, Verse 31)

Allah wants every human being to choose to believe in

Him. He has placed in the Universe numerous pointers and
indicators testifying to His existence, oneness and overall
sovereignty in the Universe. These indicators and pointers are
sufficient to guide anyone who contemplates and thinks
logically to the ultimate conclusion of Allah's existence and
man's need to worship Him alone.

Islam specifically asks not to have blind faith, but rather use
God given gifts of reason and free will to study all of creation,
understand its glory and realise that it was not an accident. We
feel that by profoundly understanding any given discipline, one
could see the vast interconnectedness of our reality. The signs
of Allah are all around us. Think about it. If the Earth was
1% closer to the sun, we would all be burnt to a crisp and if we
were 1% farther would be freeze-dried. Our bodies are so
carefully calibrated that in every second, with every heartbeat
and every breath, all the systems of our anatomy work together
to keep us alive. Everything in this world is in balance;
everything exists in a perfectly delicate harmony. It is this

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 25

harmony and balance that we are called upon to imitate in our

own lives. Islam has always been about moderation, balance,
and taking the middle road.

There is no compulsion in religion

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 256)

It is up to each individual to investigate religion, and personally

make a decision as to its validity and their faith in it. Muslims
are not in a position to force anything on anyone; the job of
guidance belongs to Allah alone. Muslims are absolutely
forbidden from forcing their faith on others.

If it had been your Lord's Will, they would all have believed, all
who are on earth! Will you then compel mankind, against their
will, to believe?! No soul can believe, except by the Will of Allah.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 10 Yoonus, Verses 99-100)

A man is free to choose and follow his course of life. If man

follows the course of piety and Godliness he will succeed in this
world and in the next. In this world he will live a life of peace
and happiness, and in the Hereafter he will qualify himself for
the heaven of eternal bliss, Paradise (Jannah). And if he
chooses to follow the other course, that of Godlessness and evil,
his life will be one of corruption, disruption and frustration in
this world and he will meet misfortune in the life to come - that
abode of pain and misery which is called Hell (Jahannam).

And whoso desires another religion than Islam, it shall not be

accepted for him and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 3 Al Imran, Verse 85)

Freedom of thought and expression in

Islam

Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression on

the condition that it should be used for the propagation of
virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and wickedness.
Under no circumstances would Islam allow evil and wickedness
to be propagated. It also does not give anybody the right to use
abusive or offensive language in the name of criticism.

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 26 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

Islam preaches universal brotherhood

Mankind was one community

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 213)

The above verse makes the purpose of Islam very clear: it is to

gather human beings into one united nation. And this is only
possible under a true Islamic belief, based on the fundamental
guidance of the Qur'n.

The Believers are brothers, so make peace and reconciliation

between your two (contending) brothers
(The Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Al Hujurt, Verse 10)

Since Allah is the absolute and the sole master of

creatures and the Universe, He is the sovereign Lord, and since
He has given each man human dignity and honour, men are
substantially the same and no distinction can be made among
them, on account of their nationality, colour or race. Islam
rejects the idea that human beings have been created in castes
or in different levels.

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 each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily
the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the
most Righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well
acquainted (with all things).
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 49 Al Hujurt, Verse 13)

The Islamic teaching that all Muslims are equal before Allah
, provides the basis for a collective sense of loyalty to Allah
that transcends class, race, nationality, and even
differences in religious practice. Thus, all Muslims belong to
one community, the Ummah, irrespective of their ethnic or
national background.

Islam has prescribed a moral code in order to ensure that

universal brotherhood prevails in the world. If any person kills
an innocent human being whether it is a Muslim or a non-
Muslim (irrespective of the race, caste, colour or creed), it is as
though he has killed the whole of humanity. And if anyone
saves another human being, whether it be a Muslim or a non-
Muslim (irrespective of any race, caste, colour or creed), it is as
though he has saved the whole of humankind. Islam has a

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 27

system of paying alms called Zakaat. If every human being in

the whole world gives Zakaat, poverty will be eradicated from
this world and there will not be a single human being who dies
of hunger. A person should not steal, a person should give
charity, a person should provide neighbourly assistance, a
person should not squander wealth all these are moral
conducts prescribed by Islam. Islam commands humans to
abstain from intoxicants, alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc.
Intoxicants are one of the main causes for various evils in
society. It obstructs universal brotherhood from prevailing.

The best example of universal brotherhood is Hajj the

pilgrimage prescribed by Islam. Hajj is the biggest annual
gathering of the world. Two and a half million people gather
every year. Irrespective whether they are rich or poor, black or
white and no matter which part of the world they have come
from, all are dressed in the same attire. Men are dressed up in
two pieces of unsown cloth that is preferably white. One cannot
identify nor ascertain whether the person standing next to him
he is a king or a pauper.

Muslims demonstrate universal brotherhood five times a day in

their congregational prayer. When we offer congregational
prayer, we practically demonstrate universal brotherhood.
Irrespective of whether you are rich or poor, a king or a pauper,
when you stand for prayers, you stand shoulder to shoulder, so
that brotherhood increases and it is practically demonstrated
that all are equal and the differences of race, caste, ethnicity,
creed and wealth do not come between you.

Muhammadanism: a misnomer

Every religion of the world has been given a name either after
the name of its founder or after the territory in which that
religion originated from. For instance, Christianity takes its
designation from the name of its prophet Jesus Christ;
Buddhism from its founder Gautam Buddha, Hindu is referred
to those people who lived in the area watered by the river
Sindhu. Many non-Muslims call the Muslims Muhammadans,
which they think is synonymous. The religion of Islam cannot
be termed as Muhammadanism because it was not a religion
that was brought by Prophet Muhammad . Islam
was there since time immemorial. Prophet Muhammad
was not the first prophet but he was the last and

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final prophet. The word Muhammadan means a person who

worships Muhammad . Muslims revere him but do
not worship Prophet Muhammad ; it is not
permitted in Islam. So the words Muhammadan or
Muhammadanism are misnomers.

Muslim: The believer

O you who believe! Enter into Islam wholeheartedly

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, Verse 208)

A Muslim, who has real faith in Allah , makes every aspect

of his life subservient to the Will of Allah . His entire life is
one of obedience and surrender and he never behaves in an
arrogant or an autonomous way, except in a moment of
forgetfulness. In case of a lapse, as soon as he becomes
conscious of it, he re-addresses himself to his Lord and repents
for his error. Similarly, a society which consists of true Muslims
can never break away from the Law of their Lord. Its political,
social, cultural and economic policy, its legal system, and its
international strategy must all be in tune with the Code of
Guidance revealed by Allah and must not contravene it.
And if ever, through error or omission, any contravention is
committed, they must, on realising this, correct it immediately
and return forthwith to the state of subservience to the Law of
Allah .

He has named you Muslims

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 22 Al Hajj, Verse 78)

A person who is born in a Muslim family or community does

not automatically become a Muslim. He is a Muslim because of
accepting Islam, and if he renounces Islam, he ceases to be a
Muslim. The person who consciously believes in the oneness of
Allah , associating no partners with Him in any sense or
form, and also believes in the fact that Prophet Muhammad
is Allahs Prophet, that he is a Messenger
chosen by Him, and says this with the heart and believes that
he transmitted the information from Allah through
revelations (wahee) and pronounces the Islamic creed (kalimat-
e-shahadat) is a Muslim. In brief, a believer (momin) is one who
believes in six fundamental tenets (principles) of faith (imaan);
who admits to belong to the Islamic faith; his beliefs are firmly

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 29

entrenched in his heart and he gives practical credence to these

through his actions.

Every person is born Muslim. Every person is endowed by Allah

with the spiritual potential and intellectual inclination
that can make him a good Muslim. Every person's birth takes
place according to the Will of Allah in realisation of His
plans and in submission to His commands. Every person is
born free from sin. When the person reaches the age of
maturity and if he is sane, he becomes accountable for all his
deeds and intentions henceforth. Man is free from sin until he
commits sin. There is no inherited sin, and no original sin. Sin
means a trespass committed against Allah by means of
breaking the rules of Islam.

A Muslim is one who is an honest and serious-minded man. A

true Muslim always carries out the orders of Allah . It
would be a sin if we did not obey even one of the orders of Allah
. A Muslim tries to honour the rights a human has on him,
and also his debts to the state. He never resists the laws of his
state or nation. It would be a crime to violate the laws of ones
motherland. A Muslim commits neither sins nor crimes. He is a
good law-abiding citizen, loyal to his nation. He is kind and
generous to everyone. He advises those who act wrongly. Such
Muslims are loved both by Allah and by His Prophet
. They lead a happy and peaceful life.

Life after death

From it (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return

you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 20 T H, Verse 55)

Say (O Muhammad ): He will give life to them Who

created them the first time!
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 36 Y Seen, Verse 79)

(The unbelievers say) Is this not strange that we should be

brought back after dying and turning to dust? Such a return is
impossible. But We are fully aware of what the earth takes from
them and with Us is a Book preserved (i.e. the Book of Decrees).
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 50 Qf, Verses 3-5)

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 30 Understanding Islam: An Introduction

Does man (a disbeliever) think that We are not capable of

reassembling his decayed bones? We are able even to restore the
tips of his fingers to their previous state.
(The Holy Quran, Chapter 75 Al Qiymah, Verses 3-4)

Every living creature is destined to die. This is the natural law

i.e. law of Allah . Human beings are no exception. Death is
the cessation of ordinary human existence. Prevailing Islamic
doctrine conceives death as a disengagement of the soul from
the body, the outward sign of which is the cessation of
breathing. This event marks the end of the predetermined
period of mundane life that is to be accounted for on the Day of
Judgment (Qiyamah), when the body and soul will be reunited
and resurrected for consignment to the splendid gardens of
Paradise or the torturous fire of Hell. Thus death is a passing
state for human beings between earthly existence and immortal
life in the Hereafter (Aakhirah). Between death and
resurrection, individuals are subjected to a preliminary trial in
the grave by the angels Munkar and Nakeer and given a preview
of their destiny in the Hereafter.

The Qur'n reveals that this Universe, which was created in

accordance with physical laws, will be demolished in one
stroke. Allah will then resurrect all the human beings who
were born from the beginning of creation down to its end, and
will make them appear (resurrect) before Himself on the day of
Qiyamah. The records of all the deeds of individuals,
communities, and mankind at large, will be there without the
slightest error or omission. Also, there will be complete reports
of the effects and consequences of all human actions in the
material world. All of the generations of men affected by them
will be present in the witness box. Every particle affected, in
any way, by the deeds or words of men will tell its own story.
And the limbs, the ears, the eyes and all other parts of the
human body will stand witness as to how they were used or
abused in life. On the basis of this unimpeachable evidence and
those complete records, Allah will decide each case with perfect
justice and pronounce the reward or penalty as the case may
be. The reward, as well as the punishment, will be of a
magnitude that cannot even be estimated by the limited
standards of the material world. The virtues whose beneficent
effects extend over several centuries in this world will be fully
rewarded there, and neither death nor illness, nor old age, will
be able to cut short the enjoyment of the reward. On the other
hand, the evil deeds whose effects and consequences blight the
lives of millions in this world for hundreds of years will be

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 Understanding Islam: An introduction 31

punished fully, and neither death nor coma will be able to

relieve the pain and suffering of the guilty.

Conclusion

Islam is the way of life for mankind wherein the supreme

authority belongs to Allah , the Sustainer of the Universe.
Islam is a comprehensive institution which includes all the
guidelines necessary for all aspects of life. Therefore, the best
way to understand Islam is to look at it as more than a religion
to see it as a complete way of life. Islam is a system which
regulates every aspect of life, dealing with all issues social,
economic, educational, judicial, health, and even defense. Thus,
it is suitable for all human beings and for all times, since it is
the final religion.

Islam is careful to remind us that it is not a religion of mere lip

service; rather it must be practiced continuously. The Muslim
must practice the five pillars of the religion: the declaration of
faith in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of
Muhammad , prayer, fasting the month of
Ramadan, paying alms-tax, and the pilgrimage to Makkah; and
believe in the six articles of faith: belief in God, the Holy Books,
the prophets, the angels, the Day of Judgment and God's
decree, whether for good or ill. There are other injunctions and
commandments which concern virtually all facets of one's
personal, family and civic life. These include such matters as
diet, clothing, personal hygiene, interpersonal relations,
business ethics, responsibilities towards parents, spouse and
children, marriage, divorce and inheritance, civil and criminal
law, fighting in defense of Islam, relations with non-Muslims,
and so much more. The Prophet of Islam and his
companions developed and established a complete
model of Islam on this earth for mankind to follow.

Surely, the true Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam

(The Holy Quran, Chapter 3 Al Imran, Verse 19)

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