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What is Islam
Whilt

By
Jamaal
Jamaal aI-Din Zaraboz,o
al-Din M. Zarabozo

©2006,
02006, Jamaal
JamaalaI-Din Zarabozo
al-Din M. Zarabozo
©
@ Ministry
*tintstry ofIslamic
of Islamic Affairs
Affairs & Endowments,
Endowments, 2007
King Fahd
F ahd National
N utional Library
Lihr ary Cataloging-in-Publication
Cataloging-in-P ublicatio n Data
D ata
Zarabozo,
Zarubozo,Jamaal
JamaalaI-Din
al-Din
What
What is
is Islam:
Islam : Abridged
Abridged Version.!
Version.lJamaal
lamaal aI-Din
al-Din Zarabozo,
Zarabozo,
- Riyadh,
Riyadh, 2007
2007
68
6 8PP ; 1144 x 220
0 cem
m
9 6 0-- 29
I S B N : 99960
ISBN: 2 9 -- 601
6 0 1-- 6
11 - IIslam
slam Title
1 -T itle
210 de
210 dc 1428/2295
1428i 2295

L.D. no.
L.D. no. 1428/2295
1428I 2295
9960-- 29
ISBN : 9960
ISBN: 29 -- 601
601-- 6

Ministry
Ministryof Islamic
of Islamic Affairs,Endowments,
Affairs, Endowments,
Da'wah,and
Da'wah, andGuidance
Guidance
Kingdom
Kingdom of Saudi
of SaudiArabia
Arabia

First Edition
First Edition
1428H -- 2007
1428 2007 G
 Preface
Preface
In the
In the name
name of of Allah,
Allah, Most Compassionate, Most
Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Merciful.
All praises
All praises areare due
due toto Allah;
Allah; wewe praise
praise Him;Him; we seek His
we seek His help;
help; we we
seek His
seek His forgiveness;
forgiveness; and and we
we seek
seek His guidance. II bear
His guidance. bear witness
witness that that
there is
there is none
none worthy
worthy of of worship
worship except
except Allah, for whom
Allah, for whom therethere is is no
no
partner. And
partner. And II bearbear witness Muhammad is His
witness that Muhammad servant and
His servant
Messenger.
Messenger.
II would like to take take this opportunity express praise
opportunity to express and to
praise and
Allah for
thank Allah for giving
giving me the opportunity to write write an important work
work
of this nature.
of nature. May Allah Allah forgive me for my shortcomings shortcomings in
presenting His religion. II would also
presenting express my heartfelt
also like to express heartfelt
thanks
thanks to the noble Shaikh
the noble Shaikh Muhammad
Muhammad al-Turki of
of the Ministry
Ministry of
of
Islamic Affairs, Endowments,
Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah and
and Guidance
Guidance for his support.
support. II
would also
also like to express
express my thanks Ba-Rasheed for his
thanks to Ahmad Ba-Rasheed his
continual efforts
continual efforts asas well. These
These two devoted
devoted men men rvere instrumental in
were instrumental
producing this abridgement
producingthis abridgementas as well as
as the
the original
original work that this work
that this
is based
based on. There
on. There are are many
many people
people that
that I would like to thank
thank for their
help
help in this
this particular
particular work. First,
First, I must
must express
express my thanks
thanks to my
to
beloved
beloved wife who
who is
is always
always a
a source
source of assistance
assistance and
and help.
help. Special
Special
thanks
thanksmust
must alsoalsogogo to
to Dr.
Dr. Abdulkarim
Abdulkarim aI-Saeed,
al-Saeed,Br. Br. Nahar al-Rashid,
Nahar aI-Rashid,
Dr.
Dr. Mohammad
Mohamrnad al-Osimi,al-Osimi, Dr. Dr. Ahmad
Ahmad al-Teraiqi
al-Teraiqi and and Br. Jalaal
Br. Jalaal
Abdullah.
Abdullah. I can can only
only pray
pray that
that Allah
Allah rewards
rewardsthemthem and blessesthem
and blesses them
greatly.
greatly.
It
It should
should be be noted
noted that
that this
this work
work is is an
an abridgement
abridgementof the the
author'sWhat
author's Whatis is Islam.
Islam.Many
Many details,
details,further
furtherreferences
references and additional
andadditional
quotes
quotes fromfrom authoritative
authoritative sources
sources have have been deleted in
been deleted in this
this
abridgement.
abridgement.Any reader readerinterested
interestedin in additional referencesshould
additionalreferences should
consult
consultthe
the original,
original,unabridged
unabridgedversion
versionof of this
thiswork. pray that
work. II pray thatAllah
Allah
accepts
acceptsthis
this work
work from
from meme asas being
being solely
solely for
for His sake.As
His sake. with all
As with all
such
suchwork,
work, the the responsibility
responsibilityfor for any
any mistakes
mistakeslies with the
lies with author' II
the author.
ask
ask Allah
Allah to to forgive
forgive meme for
for my
my shortcomings
shortcomingsand andto guide me
to guide me to to the
the
Straight
StraightPath.
Path.

Zarubozo
JamaalZarabozo
Jamaal
Boulder,
Boulder, CO
CO
May 15,2006
M a y15,2006

33
 Introduction
Introduction
The
The Goal
Goal and and Motivation
Motivation for Writing Writing this this Book
This
This is
is aa very
very important
importanttime time for publishing
publishingclear clear and concise
and concise
material
materialabout
about Islam.
Islam. Today,
Today, for many
many reasons,
reasons,Islam Islam is often pictured
often pictured
in aa very
very unflattering manner in many
unflattering manner many parts
parts of of the
the world. Since many
Since many
people
people areare unfamiliar
unfamiliar with Islam Islam beyond
beyond what what theythey see
see in the the mass
mass
media,it is
media, is not
not surprising
surprisingthat that such
such misrepresentations
misrepresentations of Islam have
of Islam have
influenced
influenced public
public opinion.
opinion. The Th* easiest
easiest and
and probably
probably the
the most
most
productive
productivecure cure forfor this
this situatIon
situationis is by reaching
reachingout to those those people
people
and
and allowing
allowing them
them to hearhear what
what Islam
Islam is is truly all about.
about.OneOne must must go
beyond
beyond thethe hype
hype andand get
get to the
the true
true authentic teachingsof
authenticteachings the religion.
of the religion.
The goal here
The goal here isis not
not to deal
deal with the the wrong information
information that that
is
is spread
spreadabout
about Islam.
Islanr. The
The goal
goal here
here is is simply
sirnply to present
present what Islam Islam
truly is,
is, based
based on on thethe original
original and
and universally
universally recognized
recognizedsourcessourcesof of
Islam:
Islam: The
The Quran-or,
Quran-or, in other other words,
words, the the book
book revealed
revealedfrom from Allah
(God) to
(God) to the
the Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammad (peace (peaceand blessingsof
and blessings of Allah be be
upon him)-as
upon him)-as well as as the
the words
words and guidanceof
and guidance of the
the Prophet himself.
Prophethimself.
The
The Foundation
Foundation and and Sources
Sourcesof Islam
Before
Before discussing
discussing Islam, it is
Islam, is important
important to understand
understand
something
something about
about the
the basic
basic sources
sources of Islam.
Islam. There
There are
are only two
authoritative
authoritative sources
sources of
of Islam:
Islam: the
the Quran and the
Quran and the Sunnah of Sunnah of the
the
1
Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammadr These
Thesetwo are are the
the ultimate
ultimate authorities
authorities in Islam
Islam
because
becausethey constitutethe
they constitute the revelation
revelationreceived
receivedby the Prophet(peace
the Prophet (peace
and blessingsof Allah be
and blessings be upon
upon him)
him) fromfrom God. God. God inspired the
God inspired the
Prophet
Prophetwith both both thethe Quran
Quran and
and the
the Sunnah.
Sunnah. Hence,
Hence, all beliefs
beliefs and
and
practices are
practices subservient to these
are subservient these foundations:
foundations: if if something
something is is
consistent
consistentwith them, them, it may may be be accepted;
accepted;if if something contradicts
somethingcontradicts
them,
them,it isis unacceptable.
unacceptable.
The Quran
The Quran is very different
is very different from the the Bible.
Bible. The
The Quran
Quran doesdoes
not consist
not consistof stories
storiestold humansabout
told by humans different prophets,
about different prophets, every every
so often
so often actually quoting aa prophet.
actually quoting prophet.The The Quran
Quran is is actually
actually the the word of of
God. was revealed
God. It was revealedby God, God, via the the angel
angel Gabriel,
Gabriel, directly
directly to the the
Prophet Muhammad(peace
ProphetMuhammad (peaceand blessingsof
and blessings of Allah be be upon him). Tlre
upon him). The

tThe (peaceand
1 statements
The statements and actions
and the Prophet
actionsof the Proplret(peace and blessings of Allah be
blessingsof be upon
upon him)
him)
are known
are known as his sunnah
as his sunnah and
and hadith.
hadith. Upon reading further
Upon reading further about
about Islam, one will
Islam, one will conre
come
acrossthese
across theseteons quite often.
terms quite often. For the
the sake
sake of
of familiarity,
familiarity, "example" and "statemeuts"
and "statements"
the Prophet
of the Prophetwill bebe most
mostoften usedthroughout
often used throughoutthis work.
this work.

4
Prophet received
Prophet received the the exact
exact wording
wording and and passed
passed it on to his followers.
followers.
revelation, with its
This revelation, its exact
exact wording,
wording, was was memorized,
memorized, recorded
recorded and and
passed on as
passed as is.
is. Hence,
Hence, again,again, it is God
God andand only God God speaking
speaking in the the
Quran. There
Quran. There are comments, passages
are no comments, passages or quotes quotes from humans humans
whatsoever in the
whatsoever the Quran.
Quran.
The style
style of of the
the Quran
Quran is therefore unique. It
therefore unique. It is Allah's
words to the
words the heart,
heart, mind and and soul
soul ofof humans.
humans. In its original language
language
of
of Arabic, it is extremely
extremely moving and
and beautiful.
beautiful. (Today,
(Today, the
the
"meaning" of of the
the Quran
Quran has has been
been translated
translated into numerous
numerous languages.
languages.
However, none
However, none of of these
these translations
translations is is ever
ever considered
considered the the Quran.
Quran. TheThe
Quran
Quran is only the
the Arabic original.
original. Hence,
Hence, in the
the prayers
prayers and
and rituals,
rituals,
only the
the true,
true, original Arabic Quran Quran is used.)
used.)
In addition
addition to the the Quran,
Quran, there
there are the sayings
are the sayings and and example
example
of
of the
the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad (peace (peace and blessings of
and blessings of Allah be upon
be upon
him). The authority of
The authority of the
the Sunnah
Sunnah of of the
the Messenger
Messengerof of Allah is is not
because he
because he isis some
somekind of of demigod.
demigod.He was was a human being, just like
humanbeing,
all of
of the otherprophets.
the other prophets. The The prophet's
prophet's authority
authorityis relatedto the
is related the issue
issue
of
of submission
submissionto Allah: Allah: It is is Allah in thethe Quran
Quran who establishes
establishes the
the
authority of
authority of the
the Prophet.
Prophet.Hence,Hence, following
following the the way of of the Prophetis
the Prophet is
nothing
nothing but acting
acting in obedience
obedienceand and submission
submissionto to Allah.
Allah. Allah has has
virtually
virtually said
said such
such whenwhen He said, "He who
He said, who obeys
obeysthe the Messenger
Messengerhas has
indeed
indeedobeyed
obeyedAllah, Allah, but but hehe who
who turns
turns away,
away, thenthen we have not sent
have not sent
you (0
you (O Muhammad)
Muhammad)as as aa watcher
watcheroverover them" (4:80).
them" (4:80).
There is
There is aa very
very important
inrportantrelationship
relationshipbetween
betweenthe the Quran
Quran and and
the
the Sunnah.
Sunnah. The The Sunnah
Sunnah demonstrates
demonstrateshow the Quran is
the Quran is to
to be be
implemented.It is
implemented. is aa practical
practical explanation
explanation of what what the the Quran
Quran is is
teaching.
teaching.This This complete,
complete,human embodimentof the
human embodiment the teachings
teachingsof the the
Quran
Quran is is aa great
great blessing
blessing and and mercy
mercy for Muslims. It makes
for Muslims. makes the the
guidance
guidancefrom from God God moremorecomplete
completeand accessibleto
andaccessible to all.
all.
Thus,
Thus, the the Quran
Quran and and the
the Sunnah
Sunnah form form one one united
united unit that that
offer
offer all
all the principlesof guidance
the principles guidancethat that humankind
humankindwill need until the
needuntil the
Day of
Day of Judgment.
Judgment.
Therefore,
Therefore,any atry reliable
reliable book
book on on Islam
Islam must
must be be based
basedon on the
the
Quran
Quranr I and
and the
the statements
statementsand and guidance
guidanceof the the Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammad

'
I The
The reader
reader should
should note
note how the
the verses
verses of the
the Quran
Quran are
are referred
refened to: sooralr or
to: soorah
"chapter"
"chapter"number
numberfollowed
followed by
by verse
versenumber,
number,e.g., 2: 166 would
e.g.,2;l would mean
mcanthe
the sixteenth verse
sixteenthverse
of the second
ofthe secondchapter.
chapter.

5
(peace and blessings
(peaceand blessings of of Allah be be upou
UpOll him).
him). Although
Although the the original
original
Arabic texts
Arabic texts ofof both
both thethe Quran
Quran and and thethe Prophet's
Prophet's sayings
sayings are
are
available, one has
available, one has to resort
resort to modest
modest translations
translations to convey
convey their
their
meanings
meaningsto non-Arabic
non-Arabic speakers.
speakers.With respect respect to the
the Quran,
Quran, two
translations
translationsinto
into English
English cancan bebe recontnlended
recommended and and will
will be used
used
throughout
throughout this work. They
this work. They are The Noble
are The Noble Quran:
Quran: Ertglish
English
Translation
Translatiort ofaf the Meanings and Contmentary,
the Meanings Commentary, translated
translated by
Muhammad
Muharnmad al-Hilali and Muhammad
and Muhammad Muhsin Khan, and
Khan, an'JThe The Quran:
Quran:
Arabic Text
Text with Corresponding
Covespottding EnglislzEnglish Meaning, translated
translated by
"Saheeh
"S aheehInternational."
International."
As for collections
collections of of thethe statements
statements andand actions
actions of of the
the
Prophet,
Prophet, two important collections are available
important collections are available complete in complete form in
English.
English. They are
are known as Sahih
as Sahih al-Bukhari (translated
(translated by
Muhammad
Muhammad Muhsin Khan) Khan) and Sahih Muslim (translated
and Sahih (translated by Abdul
Hamid Siddiqi).
Hamid Siddiqi).
The Intended
Intended Audience
Audience for This Work Work
The
The work is is addressed
addressedto anyone interested in a basic
anyone who is interested basic
introduction
introduction to to the
the fundamental
fundamental beliefsbeliefs andand practices
practices of of Islam.
Islam.
Everything
Everythinghashas been
beenkept
kept basic, but with the
basic,but the hope
hope that the reader
that the reader will
will
be
be encouraged
encouragedto to study Islam in more
study Islam rnoredepth.
depth.For the purpose
For the purpose of of more
more
in-depth
in-depthstudy,
study, many
many other
other important
importantbooksbooks will be recommended at
be recommended at
the
the end
end of this
this book.
book.
Before
Before proceeding,
proceeding,one one should
should also
also note
note the usage of
the usage of the
the
words
words Allah andand God.
God. Allah is is the "personalname"
the "personal name" of God, much
of God, much like
Yahweh (later interpreted
Yahweh (later interpretedas as Jehovah).
Jehovah).Thus,Thus, Allah and and GodGod will bebe
used
usedinterchangeably.
interchangeably.

6
 The Belief
The Belief in God (Allah)
in God (Allah)
In reality,
In reality, belief
belief in in Allah
Allah isis the
the cornerstone
cornerstone of of the entire faith
the entire faith
of Islam.
of Islam. AllAll of
of the
the other
other Islamic
Islamic beliefs
beliefs and and all Islamic practices
all Islamic practices
revolve around
revolve around the the proper
proper belief
belief inin God.
God. ForFor this reason, perhaps
this reason, perhaps
more than
more than any otherother religious
religious community
community in the the world,
world, the belief
belief
about God in Islam
about Islam hashas been
been explained
explained in great great detail.
detail.
How Can One Know Know About God? God?
Islamic religion
The Islamic religion does
does not deny that humans
deny that humans have have beenbeen
given by God great
given reasoning power and
great reasoning natural instincts-
and natural instincts.
Furthermore, Islam
Furtherrnore, Islam recognizes
recognizes that that God has has created humans with an
created humans an
innate ability to recognize
innate recognize and and understand
understand the the truth that there there is a
Creator and
Creator and a God.God. Most people, people, including
including the the greatest
greatest thinkers,
thinkers,
never deny
would never deny thethe various
various signs that point to the
signs that the existence
existence of of the
the
Creator. Hence,
Creator. Hence, they they wholeheartedly
wholeheartedly accept accept the the notion
notion of of thethe
existence of
existence of God.
God. WhatWhat has has led
led some
some people
people astray
astray and and has
has confused
confused
them is that
them that they
they do not know about about God properlyproperly and they do not
and they
have
have access
access to a true true and and preserved revelation from God.
preserved revelation God. These
These
sources
sourcesof of error
error show
show that beyond believing
that beyond believing in God, God, a person
person also has
also has
to have
have the
the right information
information to know the the truth
truth about
about God.
God.
However,
However, God, God, the the Creator,
Creator, obviously,
obviously, is is aa distinct
distinct andand
separate
separatebeing
being from
from His His creation.
creation.Hence,
Hence,God God is not something
is not somethingwithin within
the
the realm
realm of humanhuman experience,
experience,human human thought
thought or human human testing.
testing.
Therefore,
Therefore, to to know the details
the details aboutabout God
God and,
and, in particular,
particular, to know
what one's
what one's relationship
relationship with God
God should
should be,
be, one
one can
can only
only turn
tum to
to God
God
Himself andand to
to His
His revelation.
revelation. There
There is
is no
no other
other possible
possible way.
way. No one
one
except God has
exceptGod has that that knowledge.
knowledge.
The
The revelation
revelationfrom from GodGod as as embodied
embodiedin in the
the Quran
Quran andand thethe
inspired
inspired words
words of the
the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad (peace
(peace and
and blessings
blessings of
Allah
Allah be be upon
upon him)
him) have
have thus
thus provided
provided aa clear
clear presentation
presentation
concerning
concerningGod. God.It It removes
removesall all doubts
doubtsabout aboutHisHis existence,
existence,His power
His power
and
and His
His knowledge.
knowledge. It
It also
also answers
answers all
all the
the questions
questions surrounding
surrounding how
how
one
one should
should behave
behave toward
toward the
the Almighty.
Almighty. In
In addition
addition to
to that,
that, by
by God's
God's
mercy,
mercy, God God has has provided
provided extensive
extensive information
information about Hirnself,
about Himself,
through
through HisHis names
namesand and attributes,
attributes,such
suchthat that He
He does
doestruly beconrethe
truly become the
beloved,
beloved,the the sole
soleobject
objectof of worship
worshipand andthe the main inspirationfor
nraininspiration for one's
one's
life.
life.

7
 The Belief that God is the Sole Sole Creator and SustainerSustainer of of all
Creation
Creation
There is one
There one thing
thing that
that definitively
definitively stands
stands out when when one one reads
reads
the Quran:
the Quran: Allah instructs
instructs humankind
humankind to ponderponder over
over the creation with
the creation
its magnificence.
all its magnificence. At At nono time
time do the the teachings
teachings of of the
the Quran
Quran shy shy
away from reflection
away reflection andand rational
rational thought.
thought. Indeed,
Indeed, these
these foundations
foundations
of knowledge
of knowledge have have been
been invoked
invoked over
over andand over
over in thethe Quran
Quran as as a path
path
that will
that will lead
lead to only one one conclusion:
conclusion: There
There is no way that that this
this
creation as
creation as one
one cancan witness
witness andand appreciate
appreciate it today today could have have
possibly come
possibly come intointo being
being except
except through
through the the intent
intent andand creation
creation of of a
great, divine and
great, and masterful
masterful creator.l
creator. I
In fact,
fact, in oneone verse,
verse, Allah has given a powerful argument
has given argument
that
that was
was convincing
convincingto humankind
humankindfor hundredshundredsof of years: "Were they
years:"Were they
[that
[that is,
is, humans]
humans] created
created by nothing,
nothingo or were were theythey themselves
themselvesthe the
creators?
creators?Or did they they create
createthe the heavens
heavensand and the
the earth?" (52:35-36).
earth?" (52:35-36).
The point of
The point of these
these verses
verses has been clear
has been clear toto many,
many, many many people:
people:
Humans
Humans obviously
obviously did not come come here
here by meansmeansof of nothing
nothing nor did
they
they create
create themselves.
themselves.Hence, Hence, they
they areare the result of
the result of the
the act
act ofof a
Creator.
Creator.
In addition
addition to to the
the realization
realizationthat that this
this existence
existencemust nust havehave
had
had aa creator,
creator,oneone cancan also
also notice
notice thethe beauty
beautyand and balance
balancethat that exists
exists
throughout
throughoutthe the universe.
universe.The The order
order isis so
so precise
precisethat that it isis sometimes
sometimes
referred
referredto as as "the delicate
delicatebalance
balanceof of nature."
nature." It is is truly amazing
amazinghow
everything
everything works
works together-even
together-even within one's oue's ownown body.
body. Without
Without
such
such cooperation
cooperation between
between the the different
different organs
organs of the the body,
body, for
example, there would
example, there would be no be no possibility
possibility of sustaining
sustaining life.
life. This
This
observed
observed phenomenon
phenomenon leads leads to to aa number
number of other other important
important
conclusions.
conclusions.
First,
First, thethe order
order and and cooperation
cooperation betweenbetween the various
the various
inanimate
inanimate elements
elenrentsof the the universe-which
universe-which have have notnot been
been trained
trained or
taught-is
taught-is aa signsign that
that they
they are
are still under
under the
the control
control and guidanceof
and guidance of
the
the creator.
creator.Their
Their level
level of inter-working
inter-workingand and cooperation
cooperationis is such
suchthatthat it

t
I Umar
Umar al-Ashqar
al-Ashqarprovides
providesanother
anotherexample:
example:After finding finding the the remnants
renrnantsof aa city city under
under
desert
desertsand,
sand, "Nobody among among the the archaeologists
archaeologistsor others others even even suggested
suggestedthat that this
this city
could
could havehave appeared
appearedas as aa result
result of the the natural
natural actions
actions of the the wind,
wind, rain,
rain, heat
heat and
and cold,
cold,
and
and not
not byby the
the actions
actionsof man. man. If anyone
anyonehad had suggested
suggested such
suchaa thing, peoplewould
thing,people would havehave
regarded
r e g a r d e dhim
h i mas
a scrazy."
$ a z y ; ' Umar
U n r a ral-Ashqar,
a l - A s h q a rBelief
, B e l i ein Allah
i fn A l l a h i in
n t hthe
e LLight
i g h t o of t h e QlIrall
f the Q u r a n and
and
Sunnah(Riyadh:
Sunnah (Riyadh:International
lntemationalIslamicIslamicPublishing
PublishingHouse, House,2000), 2000),p. p. 125.
125.

8
points to their
points their being
being all under
under thethe authority
authority of of one Being, who must
one Being, must
have both
have both full knowledge
knowledge and and conrplete
complete powerpower to sustain
sustain andand guide
guide
them. If
them. If this
this were
were not the the case,
case, only chaos chaos couldcould be be rationally
rationally
expected, especially
expected, especially given given the the large
large number
number of of atoms
atoms and and other
other
particles that
particles that make
make up everything
everything thatthat is in thethe universe.
universe.
Second,
Second,this this is
is a clear
clear sign
sign that
that the
the Creator
Creator and and Master
Master of of the
the
Universe is one
Universe one and
and only
only one-there
one-there cannot cannot possibly
possibly be be more
more thanthan
one Creator
one Creator of of this
this balanced
balanced and and unified
unified universe.
universe. ThisThis follows
follows from
from
the previous
the previous point.
point. If If there
there were
were more
more than
than oneone creator,
creator, eacheach having
having a
and power,
will and power, thenthen it would not be be expected
expected that that the
the creation
creation would
have the
have the unity,
unity, balance
balance and and equilibrium
equilibrium that that it currently
currently exhibits.
exhibits.
Thus,
Thus, the the starting
starting point that that there
there is is only one one Creator,
Creator,
Sustainer
Sustainerand Ultimate Power
and Ultimate Power over over this universe is
this universe is something
somethingthat that is
is
both natural
both naturalin humans
humansand and concluded
concludedeasilyeasilyandand logically.
logically.
Once
Once thatthat it isis concluded
concludedthat that Allah is is the
the only Creator
Creatorand and
Sustainer of
Sustainer of thethe universe,
universe, other other important
important issuesissues comecome up. up. In
particular, perhaps
particular, perhaps the the most
most important question a person
important question person can can ask
ask
himself is: is: What
What should
shouldbe be my relationship
relationshipwith that that one
one creator?
creator?This
This
leads
leads directly
directly into
into the
the next topic of
next topic of Allah beingbeing thethe only one one worthy
worthy
and deserving of
and deservingof worship. worship.
The Belief
Belief that Allah Must Be Be the
the Only Object
Object of \Vorship
Worship
It is
is of
of extreme
extreme importance
importanceto to realize
realize that
that believing
believing in the the
existence
existenceof of only one one Creator
Creatorand and Sustainer
Sustaineris is not
not all there
there isis when
when it
comes
comesto to the
the Islamic
Islamic concept
conceptof of "belief in God."
God." Actually,
Actually, recognizing
recognizing
that
that fact
fact is
is something
somethingthat that should
should be be beyond
beyondquestion
questionand and clear
clear to
to all
as,
as, again,
again, it is is something
something naturalnatural in human human souls.
souls. The The farfar more
more
important
important and and subtler
subtler issue
issue isis what
what oneone then
then does
does concerning
concerningone's one's
belief in only one one Creator
Creatorand and Sustainer.
Sustainer.
Perhaps
Perhapsaa couplecouple of examples
exampleswill make make this point clearer.
this point clearer.
First,
First, Allah's creation
creationpointspoints to to His
His greatness
greatnessas as well as as His
His great
great
knowledge.
knowledge.In general, general,aa person's
person'sattitude
attitudetoward
toward thatthat which
which theythey find
find
to
to be
be perfect,
perfect,great
greatand and marvelous
marvelousis is usually
usually oneone of awe, awe, respect
respectand and
honor.
honor. Furthermore,
Furthermore,the the greatness
greatnessof the the Creator
Creator cannot
cannot be be compared
compared
to
to the
the inability
inability of one one who
who cannot
cannotcreate.
create.On On this point, God
this point, God says,
says,"Do
they
they attribute
attribute asas partners
partnersto Allah those those who created
creatednothing
nothing but but they
they
themselves
themselvesare are created?"
created?"(7: 191). God
(7:l9l). God also
also says,
says,"Can"Can the the One
One whowho
creates
createsand and thethe one
one who
who cannot
cannotcreate
createbe be equal?
equal?Don't you you learn
learn the
the
lesson?"
l e s s o n ?(16:
("1 6 17).
:17).

9
 addition, though,
In addition, though, Allah is the source of
the source of all of of one's
one's
bounties and
bounties and blessings.
blessings. Indeed,
Indeed, He is the the source
source of one's life and
of one's and
everything that has
everything has been
been prepared
prepared in this creationcreation for him. Thus, Thus, Allah
Allah
says in the
says the Quran,
Quran, "If "If you countcount thethe Blessings
Blessings of of Allah, never will you
never will
able to count
be able count thetn"
them" (la:34).
(14:34). Can Can humans actually bring about
humans actually about
these bounties
these bounties for themselves
themselves without without the the aid andand help
help of Allah? Allah
of Allah?
'Tell
gives another
gives another example
example when when He says, says, "Say (to the the disbelievers),
disbelievers), 'Tell
me, ifif Allah
me, Allah took away away your hearing hearing and and your sight, sight, and sealed up
and sealed
hearts, who is there
your hearts, there -a
-a god otherother than Allah-who could restore
than Allah-who restore
them to you?'
them you?' See See how variously
variously We explain explain the lessons, yet they
the lessons, they turn
turn
aside" (6:46).
aside" (6:46).
logical for one
Is it logical one then
then to be disrespectful, neglectful
be disrespectful, neglectful and and
arrogant towards
arrogant towards the the OneOne and and Only God? God? Indeed,
Indeed, cart can the
the attifude
attitude
toward that
toward that One One great
great and and marvelous
marvelous being being who bestowed bestowed such such
bounties be
bountiesbe anything anything but humility,
humility, humbleness,
humbleness, gratefulness,
gratefulness, love
love and
and
devotion?
devotion?
These
These two examples, examples, of of Allah's creative creative powerpower and and
knowledge
knowledgeand of and of Allah's solitarily bestowing
solitarily bestowing of
of bounties,
bounties, should
should be
be
sufficient to demonstrate
sufficient demonstratethe the point that
that Allah alone
alone has
has the
the right to be
loved,
loved, honored
honored and and worshipped.
worshipped. This is is aa point that that Allah makes makes
numerous
numeroustimes times in the
the Quran
Quran in various
various ways
ways while speaking
speaking to those
those
who recognize that
recognizethat there there could
could be
be only one
one creator
creator and
and yet at
at the
the same
same
time they
time they ignore
ignore Him and
and worship
worship false
false gods
gods and
and false
false objects
objects of
worship.
worship. Thus,
Thus, for example,
example, Allah says,
says, "Say
"Say [to
[to the
the polytheists],
polytheists],
'Whose is
'Whose is the
the earth
earthand and whosoever
whososveris is therein?
therein?If you know!'
If you know!'They They
'It is 'Will you
say, 'It
will say, is Allah's!' Say Say [then
[then to
to them],
them], 'Will you not
not then
then receive
receive
admonition?'"
admonition?"' (23:84-85).
(23:84-85).
Just
Just as as important,
important, it is is Allah alonealone whowho has has the
the knowledge
knowledge
needed
neededto to provide
provide guidance.
guidance.The The false worship cannot
objects of worship
false objects cannot do do
this 'Is there
"Say: 'Is (so-called)
your (so-called)
this in
in the
the least.
least.Thus,
Thus, Allah says, says,"Say: thereof your
partners 'It is
Say: 'It guidesto
Who guides to
partnersone one that
that guides
guidesto to the
the truth?'
truth?' Say: is Allah Who
the
the truth.
truth. Is Is then
then He,
He, Who Who gives
gives guidance
guidanceto to the
the truth,
truth, more
more worthy to to
be
be followed,
followed, or he he who who finds
finds notnot guidance (himself) unless
guidance(himself) unless he he isis
guided?
guided?Then, Then, what what is is the
the matter
matter with with you?
you? How judge judge you?'
you?' And
mostof them
most them follow
follow nothing
nothingbut but conjecture.
conjecture.Certainly,
Certainly,conjecture
conjecturecan can
be of
be of no
no avail
avail against
againstthe the truth.
truth. Surely,
Surely,AllahAllah is is All-Aware
All-Aware of what
of what
they
th e ydo"
do" (10:35-36).
( 10: 35- 36 ).

10
10
 From
From thethe above-and
above-and from from numerous
numerous other
other arguments
argumentsand and
proofs scattered
proofs scatteredthroughout
throughout the the Quran-one
Quran-one should should conclude
conclude that that
there
there is is nothing
nothing worthy
worthy of of worship
worship exceptexcept Allah.
Allah. Consequently,
Consequently,if if
there
there isis nothing
nothing worthy of of worship
worship except
except Allah, it is rational
rational for thethe
individual
individual to to insist
insist that
that hehe worships
worshipsno no one
one other
other than
than Allah.
Allah. This
This is is
actually
acruallythe the key
key message
messageof of all
all of
of Islam
Islam andand the
the message
messagethat that all of the
the
prophetspreached.
prophets preached.
At this
this point,
point, though,
though,it is is important
importantto to clarify
clarify the
the meaning
meaningof
this
this term
term "worship" from an an Islamic
Islamic perspective.
perspective.The The word translated
translated
as
as "worship" here here is thethe Quranic
Quranic andand Arabic term term ibaadah.
ibaadah. This term term
has
has very different
different connotations
connotationsfrom the English word "worship."
the English
The
The root
root of
of the
the word "worship" in English
word "worship" means"to honor"
English means honor"
and,
and, thus,
thus, it cancan be
be further
further defined
defined in English
English as, performance
as, "the performance
of devotional
devotionalacts actsin honor
honor of of aa deity.,,1
deity."r But,
But, as
as Bilal Philips
Philipsnotes,
notes,
However,
However, the in the language
language of the
of the final revelation,
revelation, Arabic,
Arabic,
worship
worship is is called 'ibqadah which
called 'ibaadah which is is derived
derivedfrom from the
the
noun 'abd meaning
noun 'abd meaning "a slave."slave." A slaveslave isis one
one who is is
expected
expected to do
do whatever
whatever his
his master
master wills.
wills. Consequently,
Consequently,
worship
worship according
accordingto to the
the final
final revelation
revelationmeans "obedient
means"obedient
submission
submissionto the will of
to the of God."
God." This
This was
was the
the essence
esseuceof
the
the message
message of all the the prophets
prophets sent sent by God God to to
humankind.
humankind.For For example,
example,this this understanding
understandingof worship
of worship
was
was emphatically
emphaticallyexpressed
expressedby Prophet Prophet Jesus
Jesus in the the
Gospel
Gospelaccording
accordingto to Matthew,
Matthew, 7:21, "None of
T:21, "None of those
thosewho
who
call 'Lord' will enter
call me
me 'Lord' enter thethe kingdom
kingdom of of God,
God, but onlyonly
the
the one
one who
who doesdoesthethe will of my Father
Fatherin heaven.,,2
heaven."2
Thus,
Thus, this
this aspect
aspectof of monotheism-the
monotheisnr-the belief in Allah as as the
the
only object
object of of worship-goes
worship-goes well beyond beyond the the concept
conceptof of worship
worship as as
understood
understoodby many many in the the West, particular.
West, in particular.
This
This aspect
aspect of Islamic
Islanric monotheism
monotheismcomprises
comprisesritualritual acts
acts ofof
devotion
devotion as as well as as the
the feelings
feelings in the the heart
heart and
and the
the deeds
deeds of the the
physical
physical body.
body. The
The feelings
feelingsin the the heart
heart include putting all of one's
include putting one's
trust
trust and
and reliance
reliance in Him alone, alone, having
having utmost
utmost fear
fear ofof Him alone,
alone,
having
having utmost
utmost hope
hope in Him alone, alone, having
having contentment
contentmentwith Him as as
God andand Creator
Creatorandand so so forth.
forth.

'
1 Bilal enitip s, The
ThePurpose
Purpose ofCreation (Sharjah,UAE: Dar al p. 40.
40.
eilal Philips, of Creation (Sharjah, al Fatah,
Fatah, 1995),
1995),p.
t2 Bilal Philips,
Philips,The
ThePUlpose,
Purpose,pp.
pp. 41-42.
4l-42.

11
1l
 In fact,
fact, there
there are
are two aspectsaspects in particular
particular that that must
must be be
combinedin the
combined the worship
worshipof of Allah.
Allah. AI-Saadi
Al-Saadistated,stated,
The
The spirit and actuality of
and actuality of worship
worship is is by the
the realization
realizationof of
love
love andand submission
submission to Allah. Complete Complete love love and and full
submission
submissionto Allah is the the reality
reality ofof worship.
worship. If If the
the act
act ofof
worship
worship is is missing
missing bothboth or one one ofof those
those components,
components,it is is
not truly an an act
act of
of worship,
worship, for the the reality
reality of of worship
worship is is
found
found in submission
submissionand yielding to
and yielding to Allah.
Allah. And that that will
occur if
only occur if there
there is is complete
complete and and full love love [for
[for Allah]
which
which dominates
dominatesall all other
otherexpressions
expressions of
of love.
love.r 1
From thethe above,
above, it is is clear
clear that
that the
the belief in Allah as as the
the only
object
object of
of worship
worship has has many
many meanings
meaningsto it. particular, there
it. In particular, there areare aa
number
number of of aspects
aspectsof of life that
that must
must be be solely "dedicated to" Allah.
solely "dedicated
Without an an understanding
understandingof of this
this fact,
fact, one
one has has failed
failed to graspgrasp thethe
reality of
of the
the statement,
statement,"There"There is is none
none worthy of of worship
worship except except
Allah." A brief explanation
explanationof of these
theseaspects
aspectsshouldshould makemake thisthis concept
concept
clearer.
clearer.
First, acts of
First, all ritual acts of worship
worship must must be be directed
directedsolelysolely to Allah
alone. Prayers, fasting,
alone. Prayers, fasting, pilgrimage,
pilgrimage, alms
alms and
and so
so forth
forth must
must be be done
done
solely
solely with the intent
the intent ofof pleasing
pleasing Allah and
and as as acts
acts of
of worship
worship towards
towards
Him alone.
alone. Thus, example, if
Thus, for example, if anyone
anyone praysprays to anyone
anyone other other than
than
Allah, hehe is
is actually
actually violating the principles of
the principles of worshipping
worshipping no one one
other
other than
than Allah.
Second,
Second, ultimate
ultimate authority
authority in life rests rests with Allah. In other other
words,
words, one
one must
must submit
submit oneself
oneself only to the the commands
commandsand and revelation
revelation
coming from Allah. He is
coming is the
the Creator
Creatorand and He has has the
the right to lay down
legislation
legislation andand laws
laws for the the guidance
guidance of of humankind.
humankind. Intentionally
Intentionally
ignoring
ignoring or arrogantly
arrogantly superseding
supersedingthe the laws
laws from God God means
meansthat that one
one
is
is not truly submitting
submitting to God God and,
and, thus,
thus, one
one is is not taking
taking Him as as the
the
only object
objectof of worship
worship andand submission.
submission.
Third,
Third, one's
one's loves,
loves, loyalties,
loyalties, likes
likes and and dislikes
dislikes must must be be in
accord
accord with what Allah has has revealed.
revealed.This aspect aspectflows from the the heart
heart
when
when it is is truly filled with the the belief in, love love of of and
and adoration
adoration for
alone. This is
Allah alone. is aa simple
simple concept
concept but it has has far-reaching
far-reaching
implications.
implications. The completenessof
The completeness of faith
faith requires
requiresthat that Allah is the the most
most

I Quoted in Muhammad
I al-Hamnrad,Tauheed
Muhammad al-Hammad, Tauheedal-Uloohiyah
al-Uloohiyafi (Dar ibn Khuzaima, 1414
Khuzaima,l4l4
Quoted
A.H.), p . 26.
A . H . ) ,p. 26.

t2
12
beloved thing
beloved thing in in one's
one's heart-He
heart-He is is the
the beloved
beloved of soul. When
of soul. When this this
fact permeates
fact permeates the the human,
human, he he begins
begins to to love
love what
what his beloved loves
his beloved loves
and dislike
and dislike whatwhat hishis beloved
beloved dislikes. Allah is
Thus, ifif Allah
dislikes. Thus, is found
found to to love
love
something, the devoted
something, devoted worshipper
worshipper and servant servant also also loves that thing.
Conversely, ifif Allah
Conversely, Allah is found to detest something-although He has
detest something-although has
created itit and put
created put itit in this world as as a test humans and made
test for humans made itit
available them-the devoted
available to them-the devoted worshipper
worshipper and servant will
and servant will alsoalso
detest that thing.
detest
accepting Allah
Although accepting Allah as as the
the only object of of worship is the the
essential aspect
essential aspect of of true
true monotheism,
monotheism, it is a concept concept that that is not alwaysalways
understood or practiced
understood practiced properly.
properly. This is a real loss for humans
real loss humans
because it is this aspect
because aspect of of monotheism
monotheism that that is the key to a "real life", a
the key
sound and
life that is sound and proper.
proper. Ibn Taimiya wrote, wrote,
You must must know that that a human's
human's need need for AllaF- Allah- that that hehe
worship Him and
worship and not associate
associate any any partner Him-is
partner with Hirn--is
an incomparable
an incomparable need need unlike any any other.
other. In some ways, it
some ways,
resembles
resembles the the need
need of of the
the body for food food and drink.
and drink.
However,
However, there there are
are many
many differences
differences betweenbetween the two.
the two.
The reality
The reality of of a human
human beingbeing is
is in his
his heart
heart and
and soul.
soul.
These
These cannot cannot be be prosperous
prosperous except except throughthrough [their
relation]
relation] with Allah, concerning
Allah, conceming whom there
there is
is no other
no other
god... If someone
If someon€ worships worships anything
anything other
other than
than
Allab--even
Allalr-ven if he loves
if he loves and it and attains
attains some
some love
love in this
this
world and and some some form of pleasure
pleasurefrom that-[thatthat{that false false
worship]
worship] will destroy destroythe the person
personin aa way greater greaterthanthan thethe
harmful
harmful displeasure
displeasurethat comes to
that comes person
to aa person who tookwho took
n . .r.
. I
pOlson
p o i s o ...
Again,
Again, it cannotcannotbe be emphasized
emphasized enough
enoughthat that the
the belief
belief in in only
only
one Creator and
one Creator and SustainerSustainer of the
the universe
universe is
is not
not all
all there
there is
is to
to a
a proper
proper
belief
belief inin God.
God. Throughout
Throughouthistory, history, itit has
has been
been the casethat
the case some
that some
people stopped at
people stopped at this clear this clear premise
premise and
and thought
thought that
that such
such was
was all
all
there was
there was to to the
the belief in
in God.
God. Nothing
Nothing could
could be
be further
further from
from the
the
truth.
truth. That belief is
That belief is definitely
definitely necessary
necessarybut is not
but itit is not sufficient.
sufficient. That That
belief
belief must
must be
be followed
followed up
up with
with the
the proper
proper relations,
relations, emotions
emotions of
of the
the

1I Ahmad
Ahmad Ibn Taimiya, Majmoo
lbn Taimiya, Majmoo Fatawaa
Fatawaa Shaikh
Shaikhal-Islaam
al-Islaam ibn
ibn Taimiya (Collected by
Taimiya (Collected by
Abdul
Abdul Rahmaan
RahmaanQaasim
Qaasimand
and his
his son
son Muhammad.
Muhammad.No publication infonnation
No publication given),
information given),
vol.
vol. I,l, pp. 24-29.
pp.24-29.

13
13
heart
heart and
and acts respectto Allah. It is
acts with respect is by these
these acts
acts that
that oneone truly
takes
takes thethe Creator
Creator as as his
his only "God,"
"Cod," meaning
meaning his only object object of of
extreme
extremelove,love, adoration
adorationand and submission.
submission.In so so doing,
doing, hehe denies that
deniesthat
anyone
anyoneotherother than
than Allah deserves
deservesto be be worshipped
worshipped in any any way.way. Then,
Then,
and
and only then,then, hehe will
will be
be fulfilling what it truly means
fulfilling what means to believe
believe in
God.
God.
In sum,
sum, based
basedon on the preceding:(1)
the preceding: (1) the
the human
human should
shoulddesire
desire
to worship
worship Allah due greatnessand
due to His greatness perfection and
and perfection and the fact that
the fact that
He isis the
the only Creator,
Creator, Bestower
Bestower and and Sustainer;
Sustainer; (2) Allah alone alone has
has
these attributesjust described
these attributes describedand and hence
hence He He alone
alone deserves
deservesto to be
be
worshipped;
worshipped; and and (3) (3) the
the human
human should
should refrain
refrain from worshipping
worshipping
anything
anything other than Allah in any
other than any shape
shapeor form.
form.
There
There is is one
one final but important
important point that needsto be
that needs be added
added
at
at the end of
the end of these
thesetwo sections:
sections:Since
Since the
the signs
signs for the
the true
true belief in
God areare so
so strong
strong (in human
human nature,
nature, in the physical surroundings,
the physical surroundings,in
the
the messages
messagestaught taught by the prophets throughout
the prophets throughout the the ages)ages) it isis
completely
completely unacceptable
unacceptablerationally
rationally and
and religiously
religiously to worship
worship anyone
anyone
l
other
other than
than God.
God. Therefore,
Therefore,associating partnerswith God
associatingpartners Godr or refusing
refusing
to worship
worship God God is is aa sin
sin whose
whose enormity
enormity andand arrogance
arroganceis is so great that
so great that
if
if one
one dies
dies in such
such aa state,
state,Allah will not forgive that
not forgive that sin.
sin. Allah has has
clearly
clearly stated,
stated,"Verily, Allah forgives forgives not that partnersshould
that partners should be be set
set
up
up with him in worship,
worship, but He forgives except
He forgives except that (anything else)
that (anything else) to
whom He pleases, pleases, and whoever sets
and whoever sets up partners with Allah in
up partners
worship,
worship,he he has
has indeed
indeedinvented
inventedaa tremendous
tremendoussin" (4:48).(4:a8).
Belief in Allah's Names
Belief Namesand and Attributes
Attributes
To truly be be devoted
devotedto Allah and and to love
love Allah above
above all elseelse
imaginable
imaginable one one needs
needs to have knowledge about
have knowledge about Allah that goes
that goes
beyond
beyondthe the basic aspectsof
basic aspects of Him being
being the
the sole
sole Creator
Creatorand and Sustainer.
Sustainer.
Through
Through His revelation
revelation and and by His grace grace and and mercy,
mercy, Allah has has
revealed
revealedaa great deal of
great deal of information
information about
about Himself,
Himself, such
such that
that any
any truth
truth
seeker
seekercan can know and and worship
worship hishis Lord based
basedon accurate
accurateknowledge.
knowledge.
Muslims
Muslims are are blessed
blessedto to find Allah's names names and and attributes
attributes
mentioned
mentioned throughout
throughout the the Quran.
Quran. For example,
example, Allah says,
says, "He is is

rAssociating
Associating partners
partnerswith Allah
I Allah means
n^reanscoupling the worship
couplingthe worship of God
Cod with the worship
theworslrip
of
of idols,
idols, trees,
trees, animals,
animals, graves,
graves, heavenly
heavenly bodies,
bodies, natural
natural powers,
powers, and
and so
so on.
on. It also
also
means
meansthe
the acceptance
acceptanceofof individuals prophetsas
individuals or prophets as gods,
gods, or the pretencethat
the pretence that Almighty
God
Cod has
has sons
sonsand
and daughters.
daughters.See
SeeTabbarah,
Tabbarah,p.
p. 47.
47.

14
t4
Allah other
Allah other than
than WhomWhom there there isis none
none who who has has the right to
the right to bebe
worshipped, the King,
worshipped, the King, the Holy, the Holy, the
the One Free
Free from
from all
all defects,
defects, the
the
Giver ofof security,
security, the the Watcher
Watcher over over His
His creafures,
creatures, the All-Mighty, the
the All-Mighty, the
Compeller, the Supreme.
Compeller,the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above
above all
that they associate
that they associateas as partners
partners with Him. He is Allah, the
the Creator,
Creator, the
the
Inventor of
Inventor of all things,
things, thethe Bestower
Bestower of of forms.
forms. To Him belong belong the the Best
Best
Names.
Names. All
All that
that is in the
the heavens
heavens and
and the
the earth
earth glorify Him. And He is
All-Mighty, the All-Wise"
the All-Mighty, All-Wise" (59:23-24).
(59:23-24).
From the the Quran
Quran and and statements
statements of of the Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace andand
blessings of
blessings of Allah be upon upon him) one one cancan learn
learn thethe following about about
Allah: Allah is the the Most Compassionate,
Compassionate, Ever Mercifulr, Merciful!, Ever
Forgiving, Ever
Forgiving, Ever accepting
accepting of of repentance,
repentance, Ever Ever Patient, Pardoning and
Patient, Pardoning and
Generous, the Magnanimous,
Loving. He is the Generous, Magnanimous, the Bestower and
the Bestower and the
the
Clement. He responds
Clement. responds to those those who call call upon
upon Him and and He is is the
the
Rescuer. He is the
Rescuer. the Glorious,
Glorious, the the Great,
Great, thethe deserver
deserver of of all Praise,
Praise, Lord
of all creation,
of creation, Master
Master of of the
the Day of of Judgment
Judgment and and the Judge of
the Judge of the
the
Final
Final reckoning.
reckoning. He He is is the
the All-Hearing,
All-Hearing, the the All-Seeing,
All-Seeing, the the All-
Knowing and and thethe All-Wise.
All-Wise. He is is the
the Ever
Ever Strong,
Strong, EverEver Capable,
Capable,
Almighty. He is
Almighty. is the
the Self-Sufficient,
Self-Sufficient,free free of
of any
any need
needand and provider
provider of of
all
all sustenance.
sustenance.He is is the
the Exalted
Exalted and and thethe Most
Most High.
High. He He is is the
the
Watcher
Watcher overover all affairs
affairs andand the Protector. He is
the Protector. is administering
administering the the
affairs of His
affairs His creation,
creation,commanding,
commanding,forbidding,
forbidding,being pleased,being
being pleased, being
angered,
angered, rewarding,
rewarding, punishing,
punishing, giving, giving, withholding,
withholding, honoring, honoring,
debasing.
debasing.He He does
does whatever
whatever He He wills.
wills. HeHe is is attributed
attributedwith every every
attribute of perfection
attribute perfection and and free
free of even even the the tiniest
tiniest amount
amount of
imperfection
irnperfectionor shortcoming.
shortcoming.Greatly Greatly exalted
exaltedand perfect is
and perfect is He above
He above
all
all that
that they
they associate
associatewith with Him.
Him. Not even evenan an atom
atommoves
movessave saveby His His
will and
andpermission.
permission.
This
This wonderful
wonderful information
informationabout about Allah Himself Himself is great
is aa great
blessing
blessing for for humankind.
hurnankind. God God Himself
Himself has has revealed
revealed sufficient
sufficient
information
information about
about Himself that that humankind
humankind need need not stray or
not stray or be be
confused.
confused.
On
On this
this point,
point, though,
though,therethere is is something
somethingvery clear in
very clear in the
the
Quran: There is absolutely no
Quran: There is absolutelyno hint of any hint of any trace
trace of
of anthropomorphism
anthropomorphism

I
I Muslims namesin particular.
in particular.
Muslimsremain
remainconstantly
constantlyaware
awareof of Allah
Allah and
andof
of these
thesetwo
two of
of His
His names
Before
Beforebeginning
beginningvirtually
virtually any
any act,
act,aa Muslim
Muslim states. "ln the
states,"In nanreof
the name of Allah,
Allah, the Most
the Most
Compassionate,
Compassionate,the
theEver
EverMerciful."
Merci ful."

l5
15
in the
the Islamic
Islamic beliefs
beliefs about
about God.
God. This
This isis aa point
point concerning
concerningwhich which
many
many earlier
earlier peoples
peoples have have strayed.
strayed. The
The Creator
Creator and and the the created
created are are
separate
separateand and distinct.
distinct. TheThe attributes
attributesofof Allah are are perfect
perfect attributes
attributesthatthat
are
are becoming
becoming of of His holiness
holinessand greatness.Even
and greatness. Even when
when there there is some
some
"common
"common concept"concept" between
between an an attribute
attribute ofof Allah and and an an attribute
attribute of of
humans,
humans,there there is actually
actually no no similarity
similarity in thethe quality
quality ofof thethe two.
two. Thus,
Thus,
Allah Himself says saysin the the Quran, "There is
Quran,"There is nothing
nothing likelike unto
unto Him, and and
He is is thethe All-Hearer,
All-Hearer, the the All-Seeing"
All-Seeing" (42: (42:ll).
11). Here,
Here, there there is is aa
complete
complete denial denial of of anthropomorphism
anthropomorphism while at at thethe samesame time time
affirming
affirming that that Allah hears hearsandand sees.
sees.Muslims
Muslims always
always realize
realize Allah's
perfection
perfection while while nevernever belittling
belittling Him by describing describing Him in
unbecoming
unbecomingmanners. manners.God God does
doesnotnot have
havehuman-like
human-likeattributes
attributesnor nor do
do
humans
humanshave have Divine
Divine attributes. violation of this
attributes.Any violation this latter
latterprinciple
principle is is
clear
cleardisbelief
disbeliefand and associating
associatingof partners
partnerswith Allah.
Allah.
From thethe history
history of of humankind,
humankind, it can can be
be argued
argued that that it isis
natural humansto
natural for humans to worship.
worship. TheyThey want
want to havehave aa god
god thatthat they
they can
can
worship
worship and and adore.
adore. They
They know that that there
there must
must be be something
something special special
and great about
and great about thatthat thing which they they humble
hurnble themselves
themselves to. to.
However,
However, so so many
many of of them
them put their hopes, hopes, trust,
trust, dreams
dreams and and
aspirations
aspirationsin things things that
that are
are simply deservingof
sin-rplynot deserving of such
such respect
respector
worship-whether it be
worship-whether be forces
forces of of nature,
nature, inanimate
inanimeiteobjects,
objects, other
other
humans,
humans,materialism,
materialism,nations,
nations, race, whatever. They
race, whatever. They force
force themselves
themselves
to believe
believe that that these
these false
false objects
objects of of worship
worship can can bring about about what
they
they hope
hope for and and what they they areare dreaming
dreaming of. of. In other
other words,
words, theythey
begin
begin to to give
give their
their false
false objects
objects of worship
worship the the attributes
attributesof God. God.
Instead
Instead of of turning
rurning to God God andand knowing God God by His attributes-and
attributes-and
then
then realizing
realizing thatthat He
He is is the
the One
One they
they are
are truly looking for-theyfor-they turn
to other
to other objects
objects of worship,
of worship, love
love and
and adoration.Due this, they
adoration. Due to this, they stray
stray
very far from the the straight path and
straightpath and from their true true God.
God.
In numerous
numerousplaces, places,Allah speaksspeaksaboutabout such
such grossgross errors.
errors.
The
The source
sourceof of these
theseerrors
errorsis is an
an incorrect
incorrectbelief about aboutthe the attributes
attributesof of
those
those that
that they
they turn
turn to while ignoring
ignoring thethe attributes
attributes thatthat reside
reside with
Allah.
Allah. For example,
example,Allah says, "Say [0
says,"Say [O Muhammad
Muhammad to mankind], mankind],
'How do
'How do youyou worship
worship besides
besidesAllah something
somethingwhich which has has no
no power
power
either
either to to harm
harm or to to benefit
benefit you?
you? But it is is Allah Who is is the
the All-
Hearer,
Hearer, All-Knower'"
All-Knower"' (5:76). (5:76). Allah also also says,
says, "And who is is more
more
astray
astray than
than oneone whowho calls (invokes) besides
calls (invokes) besidesAllah,
Allah, such
such as as will notnot
answer
answerhim till the the Day
Day of of Resurrection,
Resurrection,and and who are (even)unaware
are (even) unaware

16
16
of
of their
their calls (invocations)to
calls (invocations) to them?
them? And when when mankind
mankind are gathered
are gathered
(on the
(on the Day of Resurrection),
Resurrection), they (falsedeities)
they (false deities)will become
becomeenemies
enemies
for them
them and
and will deny
denytheir
their worshipping" (46:5-6).
worshipping"(46:5-6).
In sum,
sum, ifif one
one truly knows
knows thethe names
namesand and attributes
attributesof
of Allah,
one
one would
would never
never tumturn to
to worship
worship anyone
anyoneor anything
anythingbutbut Him. None
None
of
of those
those false
false objects
objects of of worship
worship are are deserving
deserving of of worship.
worship. By
worshipping
worshipping them them andand seeking
seeking them,
them, humans
humans are are doing
doing nothing
nothirrg but
debasing
debasingthemselves.
themselves.WorseWorse of all,all, they
they are
are ignoring
ignoring Allah, equating
equating
partnerswith Him, earning
partners earningHis wrathwrath and preparingfor themselves
and preparing themselvesan an
evil end.
end.
Summary
Summary
The
The proper
proper belief in Allah is the the essence
essenceandand cornerstone
cornerstoneof
the
the Islamic
Islamic faith.
faith. It is
is the
the key-the
key-the key to blessedblessed life, the
the key to
proper living, the
proper the key to understanding
understandingreality,
reality, the
the key to happiness
happiness
and
and peace.
peace.When
When the the person.
persontruly knows
knows Allah, he he will
will recognize
recognizethat
that
it does
does not
not make
make anyany sense
senseto to worship
worship anything
anythingother
other than
than Him.
Him. He
will realize
realizethat
that this
this is
is what
what his
his soul
soul has
has been
been created
createdfor and this is
and this is
what it has
has been
been seeking.
seeking.Once
Once he he realizes
realizesthe
the beauty
beauty ofof worshipping
worshipping
Allah alone,
alone,hehe will never
neverdesire
desireor wish
wish to
to worship
worship anyone
anyoneother
otherthan
than
Him. His soul
soul will bebe aa rest
restand
and his heartwill be
his heart be tranquil.
tranquil.

t7
17
 Universe and Humans
The Universe Humans
The Creation of of the Universe
Universe and How How itit Points
Points to Allah's
Allah's
Existence
Existence
universe is made
The universe made up of various parts.
of various parts. There
There are are the
the
galaxies and
galaxies and solar
solar systems
systems that that are
are above
above earth.
earth. On earth,
earth, there
there are
are
inanimate objects,
inanimate objects, such
such as as the
the mountains,
mountains, oceansoceans and and land.
land. There
There is
also the
also the animal
animal kingdom with all its its great
great varieties.
varieties. There
There are
are aspects
aspects
of creation
of creation that that humans
humans are are still discovering
discovering and and coming
coming across
across today.
today.
All of
All of these
these are are actually
actually part part ofof thethe creative
creative work of of God.
God. In the the
Quran,
Quran, it is clear
clear that
that it was
was Allah Who created
created the
the heavens
heavens and
and the
the
earth.
earth.
In numerous
numerous versesverses of of the
the Quran,
Quran, Allah points points to different
different
aspects
aspectsof of the
the creation
creation and and describes
describesthem them asas signs
signs for those people
those people
who reflect.
reflect. For example,
example,Allah says, says,"Verily! In the creationof
the creation of the
the
heavens
heavensand and thethe earth,
earth, and
and in the alternationof
the alternation of night andand day,
day, and
and the
the
ships
shipswhich
which sail sail through
throughthe the sea
seawith that which is of
that which of use
use to mankind,
mankind,
and
and the
the water (rain) which Allah sends
water (rain) sendsdown from the the sky andand makes
makes
the
the earth
earth alive alive therewith
therewith after after itsits death,
death, andand thethe moving (living)
creaturesof
creatures of all kinds
kinds that
that He has has scattered
scatteredtherein,
therein, andand in the
the veering
veering
of
of winds
winds and and clouds
clouds which are are held
held between
betweenthe the sky andand the
the earth,
earth,are
are
indeed
indeedsignssignsfor peoplepeopleof understanding"
understanding"(2:164). (Z:ftfl.
In thethe hustle
hustle and and bustle
bustle of of today's
today's world, many many find little
time
time to to reflect
reflect upon
upon thisthis creation,
creation,their their presence
presencein this this creation
creationand and
any
any purpose
purposebehind behind it all. However, it is
all. However, is important
importantthat people take
that people take the
the
time to reflect
reflect andand think.
think. When
When they they do do so,
so, they
they will find signssigns andand
lessons
lessonsthat that will
will bring themthem straight
straight backback to God-a
God-a most most important
important
step in
step in their
their lives.
lives. TheThe signs
signs are
are actually
actually allall around
around them,
them, if if they
they
would
would only only reflect
reflect upon
upon them.
them. Thus,
Thus, God God says,
says,"We will show show themthem
Our Signs
Signs in in the
the universe,
universe,and and in theirtheir own
own selves, until it becomes
selves,until becomes
manifest to them that this
manifestto them that this is the trutlt"is the truth" (41:53).
(41 :53).
Reflecting
Reflecting upon upon the the intricacy
intricacy and and order
order of this this creation
creation
makes
makesone one realize
realize that
that not only must must there
there bebe aa wise
wise Creator
Creatorbut also also
that
that there
there must nrust bebe somesome purpose
purpose behind behind this creation. It is
this creation. is
unimaginable
unimaginable that that anyany being
being would
would make make something
something with such such
precision
precisionand and perfection
perfectionand and yet
yet there
therewould be be nono rhyme
rhyme or reason
reasonto to
the
the whole
whole creation.
creation.This This is is aa point
point thatthat Allah
Allah makes
makes in in numerous
numerous
placesin
places in thethe Quran.
Quran. For For example,
example,Allah Allah says, "'We created
says,'''We creatednot not the
the

18
l8
heavens and
heavens and the
the earth
earth andand all that
that is between
between them (mere) play"
them for a (mere)
((21:
2 1: l16).
6).
The Quranic
The Quranic argument
argument is that logically possible
that it is not logically possible to
come to any
come any other
other conclusion.
conclusion. Indeed,Indeed, if if a person
person believes
believes in God God as as
the Creator,
the Creator, by definition it is unbecoming unbecoming of of such
such a noble
noble andand great
great
Being to create
Being create all of of this
this order
order andand beauty
beauty andand yet have no purpose
yet have purpose
behind that
behind that creation.
creation. A A person
person who believesbelieves in a creator
creator yet
yet believes
believes
that this creator
that creator hadhad no purpose
purpose or thoughtthought behind
behind his creation
creation is
describing a creator
describing creator that
that is childlike
childlike and unintelligent. It is hard
and unintelligent. hard to
believe that
believe that a creator
creator like
like that
that could
could possibly
possibly come
come up with a creationcreation
like thethe one
one that
that everyone
everyone witnesses
witnesses today.today. No, indeed,
indeed, the
the creation
creation
points to certain
points certain attributes
attributesof of the
the Creator
Creator and and it points
points to there being
there being
an
an important
important and and great purpose behind
great purpose behind thisthis entire
entire creation.
creation.The The whole
whole
nature
nature of of the
the existence
existencepointspoints to the the Creator being one
Creator being one ofof very special
special
character
character who would not create create anything
anything of of this
this nature
nature for fun or
without
without reason.
reason.
A second
second very important
important conclusion
conclusion thatthat one
one can
can derive
derive by
simply pondering over
simply pondering over this
this creation
creationis is that
that the
the one
one whowho created
createdtlIis this
from nothing
nothing can can easily
easily recreate
recreateit. it. If
If He hashas the re-create
the ability to re-create
things
things eveneven after
after their demise,
demise,this this also
also means
meansthatthat He hashas the
the ability
to resurrect
resuruectthem them and and bring
bring them
them all all in front
front of Him. This This thought,
thought,
obviously,
obviously, has has very
very ominous
ominous repercussions
repercussionsfor humans humans and and their
their
behavior
behavior in this this world.
world. Thus,
Thus, Allah points points out
out this
this fact
fact and
and reminds
reminds
humans
humansof its its meaning
meaningthroughout
throughoutthe the Quran.
Quran. For
For example,
example,
Allah says,says, "And he he [the
fthe human]
human] puts puts forth
forth for Us parable,and
Us aa parable, and
forgets 'Who will give give life to these
forgetshis his own creation.
creation.He He says,
says,'Who thesebones
bones
when
when they they have
have rotted
rotted awayaway and and became
became dust?'
dust?' Say (to them
Say (to them 0 O
Muhammad), 'He will give
'He give life to
to them
them Who
Who created
created them
them for
for the
the first
hrst
Muhammad),
time!
time! And He FIe isis the
the All-Knower of of every
every creation!
creation! He, He, WhoWho
produces
producesfor you you fire
fire out
out of the
the green
greentree,tree,when
when behold,
behold,You kindle kindle
therewith.
therewith. Is Is not
not He,
He. Who createdcreatedthe the heavens
heavensand and the
the earth
earth Able to to
create
createthe the like
like of them?
them?Yes, Yes, indeed!
indeed!He He isis the
the All-Knowing Supreme Supreme
Creator."
Creator."(36:78-83).
(36:78-83).
Thus,
Thus, this
this creation
creation is is aa clear
clear sign-when
sign-when added added to the the fact
fact
that
that there
there mustmust be be aa purpose
purpose behind behind this this creation-of
creation-of the the
Resurrection.
Resurrection.The The concept
conceptof the the Resurrection
Resurrectionis is not
not something
somethingthat that
violates
violatesnature
naturebutbut it is
is completely
completelyconsistent
consistentwith nature.
nature.

r9
19
 In reality, the one who negatesthe resurrectionis expecting
that Allah will treat the wrongdoerslike the pious people. This is an
unbecomingexpectationof Allah. Allah makesit clear that such will
never be the case,highlighting that such thoughts can only come from
those who disbelievein God. Allah says, "And We creatednot the
heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose!
That is the considerationof those who disbelieve! Then woe to those
who disbelievefrom the Fire! Shall We treat those who believe and
do righteousgood deedslike the evildoers on earth?Or shall We treat
the pious like the wicked?" (38:27-28).
After so many signs in the creation and so many reminders
and lessonsin the revelationone must ask: What will be the human's
excuseif he does not respondin the proper manner to the evidenceall
aroundhim?
Humans and the Creation
There is somethingdistinct and special about this creation
known as humans.However, the original, physical creation of the first
human was not greatly different from the creation of the other
creaturesof this world. According to the Quran, the physical make-up
of the first human, Adam, was from clay and water, two of the already
created substancesof this cosmos. It is in the next stage of the
creation of the first human, Adam, in which the real distinction
occurred. At this point, hununs are made a very separateand unique
creature,combining a physical aspectand a special spiritual aspect
that God bestowed on them. In fact, this is what makes them very
different from the other living creafureson this sameplanet.
Among the most prominent distinguishing featuresof human
beingsare the following:
(1) A sound,natural dispositionthat is ready and capableto
be directedto the belief in Allah alone as tlre object of worship;
(2) An ability to comprehendand understandmattersvia the
intelligenceand mind that Allah hasbestowedon humans;
(3) A free will to decidebetweenthe path of goodnessor the
path of evil, as well as a limited free will to enact that choice that he
has made;
(4) A responsibilityfor the choiceshe has made,which is a
necessaryresultof being given free will and ability;

20
20
 These are
(5) These are all in addition
addition to the the fact
fact mentioned
mentioned in the the
Quran that
Quran that all ofof the
the resources
resources of of the
the creation
creation have
have beenbeen subjugated
subjugated to
his use.
use.
Given all of
Given of these
these special
special characteristics,
characteristics, the the human
human should
should
realize that
realize that he
he has
has a special
special and
and noble
noble purpose
purpose and
and goal
goal in this
this life.
creation of
The creation of humans
humans and and thethe special
special characteristics
characteristics that that humans
humans
possess should
possess should make
make eacheach human
human realize
realize that
that the
the Creator
Creator is is too
too wise
wise
and lofty to create
and create him simply for sport. "Did you think that
sport. "Did that We had had
created you in play (without any
created any purpose),
purpose), and and that
that you would not be be
brought back
brought back to Us?"
Us?" (23:
(23:115).
I l5).
Indeed, even
Indeed, even moremore than
than that,
that, the
the great
great Creator
Creator who createdcreated
all the
the creatures
creaturesand and the humans would not leave
the humans humans without
leave humans
guidance
guidanceand and without showing
showing them them what to do do and
and what not to do- do-
He hashas even
even guided
guided animals
animals to the the means
means of of their
their survival.
survival. Thus,
Thus,
rhetorically,
rhetorically,Allah says, "Does man
says,"Does man think
think that
that hehe will be be left neglected
neglected
[without
[without being
being commanded
commanded and
and also
also punished
punished or rewarded
rewarded for the
the
obligatory
obligatorydutiesdutiesenjoined
enjoinedby his (Allah) on
his Lord (Allah) on him]?" (75:36).
himl?" (75:36).
Hence,
Hence, thethe human
human should
should realize
realize that
that his actions
actions in thisthis life
have
have a real
real ramification
ramificationto them. them. In this this sense,
sense,nothing
nothing that that hehe does
doesis is
meaningless
meaninglessor without without consequences.
consequences. His life has has purpose
purposehere here and
and
the
the Creator
Creator is is ever
ever aware
aware of every every action,
action, thought,
thought, intention
intention and and
movement
movementthat that he
he makes.
makes.
It is
is extremely
extremely important
important for the the human
human to realizerealize this point,
this point,
that
that he
he has pu{posein this
has aa purpose this life.
life. Indeed,
Indeed,this this realization
realizationmay may bebe the
the
first
first step
step along
along aa change
changeof of life in which
which one one turns
turns to to his
his Great
Great and
and
Wonderful
Wonderful Creator,
Creator,to to submit
submit to to Him willfully. Without Without realizing
realizingthisthis
fact,
fact, there
there maymay be be no
no need,
need, meaning
meaning or purpose purposeto to behaving
behaving in in aa
specific manner. If
specific manner. If nothing
nothing truly mattersmatters and and if if nothing
nothing is is morally
nrorally
wrong
wrong or right,
right, since
sincethere
thereis is no
no God
God or realreal purpose
purposoto to existence,
existence,it is is
expected
expectedthat that people
people will behavebehave in in any
any fashion
fashion they they wish. There
wish. There
should
should be be aa great
great and
and profound
profound effect
effect whenwhen aa person's
person's eyes eyes are
are open
open
to
to the
the reality
reality of this
this creation,
creation,hishis purpose
purposeand and role
role in in it.
it.
This
This author
author hashas had
had personal
personalexperience
experienceworking working in prisons
prisons
in the United States. Upon
the United States. Upon asking asking numerous
numerous inmates
inmates why they
they
committed their crimes,
committedtheir crimes,the the response
response was
was invariably,
invariably, "Why not?"
not?" The
The
only question
question to them
to them was was whether
whether they
they could
could get
get away
away with an
an act
act
and
and notnot get
get caught.
caught. There
There was
was no
no question
question of any
any responsibility
responsibility
towards
towards aa Creator
Creator or or any
any sense
senseof purposepurposein this this life.
life. Indeed,
Indeed,one one

2l
21
 cannot argue
cannot argue much against against their way of of thinking ifif one one is foolish
enough to believe
enough existence is purposeless
believe that this existence purposeless and and by mere mere
chance.
chance.
opposed to the
As opposed the Islamic
Islamic beliefs, some people
beliefs, some today believe
people today believe
humans are
that humans are simply descended
descended from animalsanimals in some some evolutionary
evolutionary
sense. In this way of
sense. of thinking, humans
humans are are doubly a process
process of of mere
mere
materialist elements
materialist elements as as well descended from animals,
as being directly descended
well as animals,
apes being the
apes the closest
closest relative.
relative. Ignoring the the fact
fact that
that there
there are
are many
many
"missing links" and and scientific
scientific doubts
doubts raised
raised against
against the the theory
theory of of
evolution, could this possibly
evolution, possibly be be what thisthis great and grandeur
great and grandeur cosmos
cosmos
about? Could humans,
is all about? humans, who have have beenbeen given so so many
many
capabilities above
capabilities above and and beyond
beyond thethe animals,
animals, be nothingnothing moremore than than
animals without any
animals any noble
noble purpose
purpose or Creator
Creator to answer
answer to? to? In reality,
reality,
can be concluded
it can concluded that that this view seems
seems to be completely
completely illogical and and
potentially
potentially very harmful.
harmful.
Some people also
Some people believe that
also believe that the human soul
the human inherently
soul is inherently
evil. On the contrary, the
the contrary,the ProphetProphet Muhammad
Muhammad (peace
(peace and
and blessings
blessings of
of
Allah be upon upon him) himself said, said, "Every child is
is born on the
the fitrah
fitrah
(the
(the natural
natural way,way, the the religion
religion of of Islam).
Islam). It is is his parents who then
his parents then
make
make him into a Jew,
Jew, Christian
Christian or Magian."1
Magian."r That
That is,
is, far from the
the
child being
being bornborn inherently
inherently evil, every every child is is born
born upon
upon the the true
true
religion.
religion. It is is only afterwards,
afterwards,via the the influence
influence of of family, society
society and and
environment,
environment, that that anan individual
individual becomes
becomesinfluenced
influenced to to follow pathspaths
that
that are
are not pure.
pure.
Many
Many Christians
Christiansbelieve
believein the conceptof the
the concept "original sin."
the "original sin."
This
This isis the
the belief that that the
the sin
sin that
that Adam,
Adam, the the first man,
man, committed
committed is is
passed
passedon on through
through all all of his
his progeny.
progeny.Hence,
Hence,it is is on
on the
the neck
neck of every
of every
individual,
individual, even even thethe newborn
newborn baby.baby. The The only way it could could be be
removed-they
removed-they claim-is claim-is by God God sending
sending His son son as as aa sacrifice
sacrifice to to
remove
remove thisthis sin.
sin. This
This belief,
belief, especially
especiallythe the last part of it, is
last part is obviously
obviously
completely
completely inconsistent
inconsistentwith Islamic
Islamic monotheism.
monotheism.God God doesdoesnotnot have
have
aa son.
son.HeHe hashasnono equals
equalsor or anyone
anyonewho who isis in
in any
any fashion
fashion similar
similar to to or
"related" to
"related" to Him.
The
The Islamic
Islamic belief is is that
that Adam
Adam and and Eve
Eve together
togetherdid commit
did commit
aa sin,
sin, by allowing
allowing themselves
themselvesto to be
be deceived
deceivedby Satan. Satan.However,
However, they they
both
both repented
repentedto to God
God andand God
God accepted
acceptedtheirtheir repentance.
repentance.That That waswas thethe

t Recorded by
1 Recordedby al-Bukhari
al-Bukhariand
andMuslim.
Muslim.

22
22
end
end of
of their
their sin.
sin. There
There was
was no
no means
meansfor that
that sin
sin to
to be passedon
be passed on to
to
others.
others. Furthermore,
Furthermore,it would be be the
the height
height of
of injustice
injustice on the part of
the part of
Allah to
to hold
hold innocent
innocentindividuals
individualsresponsible
responsiblefor the the sins
sins of
of others.
others.
Thus,
Thus, Allah says,
says, "No person
person earns
earns any (sin) except
any (sin) except against
against himself
(only), and
(only), and no
no bearer
bearer of
of burdens
burdens shall
shall bear
bear the
the burden
burden ofof another"
another"
( 6 :164).
(6: 164).
Therefore,
Therefore, from an an Islamic
Islamic perspective,
perspective,the the concept
concept of of the
the
original
original sinsin seems
seemsclearly
clearly false
false and
and isis also potentially harmful.
also potentially gives
harmful. It gives
aa very wrong impression
impressionabout about God
God and and His justice.
justice. It also
also taints
taints the
the
human
humanwith the the belief that
that his
his soul
soul isis inherently
inherentlyevil.evil.
The
The Islamic
Islamic concept
concept of of the
the soul
soul is
is free
free from the the errors
errors of
of
previous
previousthinkers
thinkersand and incorrect
incorrectreligious
religiousbeliefs. placesthe
beliefs.It places the human
human
in its
its proper
proper rolerole and
and isis completely
completely consistent
consistentwith one's one's nature,
nature,logic
and
and remainder
remainderof of creation.
creation.
The
The Nobility of Humans Humans
Humans
Humans are areaa creation
creationof of God.
God. Humans
Humans are are not divine in any any
way whatsoever.
whatsoever.They They do do not
not share
share any any divine
divine qualities
qualities with God. God.
This is truetrue for humankind
humankind as as aa whole
whole as as well as as for each
each individual
individual
human.
human. No human human is is aa literal
literal son
son or daughter
daughterof of God.
God. In fact,
fact, humans
humans
should realize that they
slrould rcalize that they are are not
not the
the greatest
greatest or most
most magnificent
magnificent of
of
what Allah has has created.
created. Allah says,
says, "The creation
creation of the
of the heavens
heavens and
and
the
the earth
earth isis indeed
indeed greater
greaterthan than the
the creation
creation ofof mankind,
mankind, yet yet most
most ofof
mankind
mankind know not" (40:57). (40:57). It should
should be be humbling
humbling for aa human human to
reflect
reflect upon
upon whatwhat aa small
small speck
speck in the massof
the mass of God's
God's creation
creationhe he truly
is.
is. At thethe same
same time,
time, though,
though, as previously mentioned,
as previously mentioned, Allah has has
blessed
blessed mankind
mankind in many rnany ways ways and given them
and given them virtues
virtues above
above andand
beyond
beyondmuch much of Allah's creation.creation.
In reality,
reality, every
every humanhuman has has two very different possible
different possible
potentials
potentials awaiting
awaiting him.
him. This has has been
been thethe case
case since
since the
the creation
creation of
the
the first human.
human. When When Adam was was created,
created,the the angels
angelswere
were ordered
orderedto
bow down to him. These These angels
angels are
are spiritual
spiritual forces
forces that
that are
are always
always
ready
ready to to be
be atat the
the side
side ofof humans
humanswhen when theythey wish
wish to do good deeds.
do good deeds.
1
At the the same
same time,
time, there
there waswas Satan
Satanl who vowed vowed to be be humankind's
humankind's
enemy
enemy and and to to mislead
mislead as as many
many humans
humans as possible. Thus,
as possible. Thus, the the two

' Satan,according to
1 Satan, according to Islamic
Islamic beliefs,
beliefs, was
was not
uot a "faIlen
"fallen angeL"
angel." Angels
Angels would
would never
never
"fall" or become
"faIl" become anything
anything like Satan.
Satan.Such goes against
Such goes against the
the very nature
nature of
of the angels.
the angels.
Satan
Satanis from another classof
anotherclass creatures known
ofcreatures known as
as the
the linn.
Jinn.

23
23
potentials were established.
potentials established. Humans Humans are are free ascend to the highest
free to ascend highest
of heights
of heights or to descent
descent to the the lowest
lowest of of lows.
lows.
Indeed, the
Indeed, the goal of of life is to worship and and please
please Allah--thus,
Allah--thus,
to receive
receive His pleasure
pleasure in return.return. To be a true true servant
servant of of God is the the
ultimate
ultimate goal
goal for humankind.
humankind. There
There can
can be no greater
greater goal.
goal. In fact,
fact,
this is thethe only goalgoal that can can bring true true solace
solace to the the soul of humans
soul of humans
because
because this
this is the
the goal
goal that
that is recognized
recognized deep
deep within the
the person's
person's
soul.
soul.
Furthermore, the
Furthermore, the most
most exalted,
exalted, noble,
noble, and honored a human
and honored human
can be
can be is by worshipping
worshipping Allah. Allah. There nothing greater
There is nothing greater or nobler
nobler
than that.
than that. That is the maximum potential.
the maximum potential. This is somethingsomething that that
should be clear
should clear to every
every human.
human. The more more he he moves
moves to that that goal,
goal, thethe
happier he
happier he should
should becomebecome and and the
the more
more honor
honor he should feel
he should feel by
submitting himself to the
submitting the only truetrue God and and Lord. When When he he realizes
realizes
fact, his efforts
this fact, efforts should
should be be exerted maximize this
exerted to maximize this potential.
potential.
Actually,
Actually, when when a person
personrealizes
realizesthatthat he has only one,
he has clear
one, clear
goal,
goal, thethe effects
effects upon
upon his his soul
soul are
are profound.
profound. He need chaseafter
need not chase after
an
an endless
endlessarrayaffay of of goals,
goals, never being able
never being able to satisfy achieveany
satisfy or achieve any of of
them
them completely.
completely. (Indeed, (lndeed, many many times times people's
people's goals goals are are
contradictory
contradictoryand and they
they can
can never
neverachieve
achieveall all of them.)
them.)
Note that that although
although this this is is thethe ultimate pu{pose for
ultimate purpose
humankind,
humankind,Allah is is actually
actually notnot in needneed of human worship. If
human worship. If so,
so,
who
who thenthen actually
actually benefits
benefits from from the
the worship
worship of Allah? Allah? It is is actually
actually
the
the human
human who chooses chooses to to worship
worship who who benefits
benefits from the act of
the act
worship.
worship. He He has
has benefited
benefitedby purifying
purifying his his soul,
soul, bringing
bringing tranquility
tranquility
to his
his heart
heart and,
and, most
most importantly,
importantly, by having having the the correct relationship
correct relationship
with God.
God. Allah reminds humankindof this
remindshumankind point in
this point in numerous
numerousplacesplaces
in the o'Who guidance,
the Quran.
Quran. For For example,
example, AllahAllah says,
says, "Who receives receivesguidance,
receives
receivesit for for his
his own
own benefit:
benefit: whowho goesgoes astray
astraydoesdoes so so to his own
to his own
loss" (17: 15).
l o s s "( 17:l5) .
The
The Essential
EssentialEquality
Equality of All Humans Humans in in Islam
Islam
The teachingsof Islam
The teachings Islam areare emphatic
emphaticon point that
on aa point that modem
modern
societies
societiesare are still
still trying
trying to
to grapple
grapple with.
with. This
This is
is the
the essential
essential equality
equality
of allall humans.
humans. All humans humans are are creatures
creaturesof Allah and each and
and each and
everyone
everyone of
of them
them has
has the
the ability
ability to
to soar
soar to
to the
the greatest
greatest heights
heights of
of
being
being a a human
human by
by worshipping
worshipping and
and submitting
submitting to
to Allah.
Allah. As
As such,
such,
there
thereis is no
no distinction
distinctionbetween
betweenany any of of them
them as ashumans-it
humans-it is only the
is only the
choices
choicesthat that humans
humansmake make that that will distinguish
distinguish them them in in the
the sight
sight ofof

24
Allah, the
Allah, the Law
Law and and other
other members
members of of the
the community. However, race,
community. However, race,
color or nationality have no
color or nationalityhaveno role to role to play
play in
in this
this whatsoever.
whatsoever.
Allah says,
Allah says, "O"0 mankind!
mankind! We We havehave created
created you from aa male
you from male
and a female,
female, and and made
made you into nations nations and tribes,tribes, that you may
know oneone another.
another. Verily, the the most
most honorable
honorable of of you with Allah is
that (believer)
(believer) who has has piety.
piety. Verily,
Verily, Allah All-Knowing, All-
Allah is All-Knowing, All-
(49: 13). The Prophet
Aware" (a9:13). Prophet (peace
(peace andand blessings
blessings of of Allah be upon upon
made that
him) made that Quranic
Quranic teaching
teaching most explicit when
most explicit stated in front
when he stated
of one
of one of
of the
the largest
largest gatherings
gatherings he
he had
had ever
ever assembled,
assembled, "O
"0 people,
people,
verily your Lord is One One andand your [original]
[original] father
father is one.
one. Certainly,
Certainly,
there is no virtue in an
there an Arab over a non-Arabnon-Arab or a non-Arabnon-Arab over an
Arab. Similarly,
Arab. Similarly, there
there is no virtue light-skinned person
virtue in a light-skinned person overover a
dark-skinned person
dark-skinned dark-skinned person
person or a dark-skinned person over a light-skinned
light-skinned
person. Only by piety
person. piety [does
[does oneone become
become more more virtuous over another].
virtuous over another].
Have I indeed
Have indeed conveyed
conveyed to you the the message?"'
message?,,1
Instead of
Instead of being
being causes
causes of of division
division among humankind, the
among humankind, the
variations
variations in people
people are are meant
meant to be be signs
signs of of the greatnessof
the greatness of the
the
Creator.
Creator. Allah says, says, "And among among His Signs Signs is is the
the creation
creation of the the
heavens
heavens and and the
the earth,
earth, and
and thethe difference
difference of languages and
of your languages and
colors.
colors. Verily, in that that are
are indeed
indeed signs
signs for men men of of sound knowledge"
sound knowledge"
(30:22).
(30:22).
Thus,
Thus, thethe door
door toto be
be aa true
true worshipper
worshipperof Allah is open to
is open to
everyone, regardlessof race,
everyone,regardless race,nationality
nationalityand and so forth. In fact,
so forth. is only
fact, it is only
via such worship of Allah
such worship Allah that
that one
one becomes
becomesdeserving
deservingof honor honor andand
dignity
dignity and
and one
one becomes
becotnesfull of virtues.virtues.ThisThis is is aa tenet
tenetof Islam that
Islam that
has
hasbeen
beenpracticed
practicedthroughout
throughoutits its history.
history.
This
This essential
essentialequality
equality of humans humans covers covers both males and
both males and
females-regardless
females-regardless of what what propaganda
propagandaone one maymay hear
hear about Islam.
about Islam.
As
As aa spiritual
spiritualbeing
being andand one worthy of worshipping
oue worthy worshippingAllah, thereis
Allah, there is no
no
2
difference
differencebetween
betweenaa man man and and aa woman.
*oman.t Both Both of of them
them are equal
are equal
before
beforeGod.
God.
Allah
Allah says,
says, for
for example,
exanrple,"Whoever
"Whoever works righteousness,
works righteousness,
whether
whethermalemaleor or female,
female,while
rvhilehe he (or
(or she)
she)is is aa true
truebeliever verily, to
believer verily, to
him
him (or
(or her)
her)We We will
will give
giveaa good
goodlife,
life, and
andWe We shall pay certainly
shallpay them certainly
them

1' Recorded
Recordedby
by Ahmad.
Ahmad.
22 Infact,
Infact,in
in Islamic
Islamicbelief,
belief,itit was
wasboth
both Adam
Adam and
and Eve
Eve who
who committed
committedthe
the original sin
originalsin
together,
together,both
bothrepented
repentedto
to Allah
Allah and
andboth
both were
wereforgiven
forgivenby
by Allah.
Allah.

25
25
aa reward proportion to
reward in proportion to the
the best
best of whatwhat they
they used
used to do do [i.e.,
[i.e.,
Paradise
Paradisein the the Hereafter]" (16:97).The
Hereafter]"(16:97). The meaning
meaningfoundfound in this verseis
this verse is
repeated
repeatedin other placesin the
otherplaces the Quran.
Quran.
It is
is well-known that Islam gave
that Islam gave women
women many many rights
rights that
that
women did
women did not
not achieve
achievein the the West
West until
until recently,
recently,such
such asas the
the right
right to
property and
own property handle their own business
and handle businessaffairs.
affairs. However,
However, therethere
are
are actually
actually much
much moremore important issues.Every
important issues. Every ideology,
ideology, religion
religion or
culture values some
culture values some matters
matters above
above andand beyond
beyond others.
others. The
The mostmost
important quality in Islam
important Islam isis piety and dutifulness
and dutifulness to Allah. Perhaps
Perhaps
the
the second
secondmostmost valued quality in Islam
valuedquality Islam is knowledgeof
is knowledge of the
the religion.
religion.
both of
On both of these
these issues,
issues, women
women are are completely
completely equal
equal to men. men.
Throughout
Throughout the history of
the history of Islam,
Islam, women
women have have been
been known and and
respected
respectedfor their their piety andand their
their knowledge.
knowledge. On On the
the other
other hand,
hand,
Islam
Islam does
doesnotnot say
say that person'svalue
that aa person's value is measuredby how beautiful
is measured beautiful
one's
one's face
face is,
is, how sexysexy one's
one's body
body cancan be,
be, how
how fast
fast one
one can
can run
run in
sports,
sports, how well one one cancan sing, dance or act.
sing, dance act. These
These areare ludicrous
ludicrous
criteria of
criteria person's worth from the
of aa person's the Islamic
Islamic perspective-although it
seemsto be
seems be much
much of of what "modorn civilization"
what "'modern civilization" cares
caresabout.
about.In sum, sunl
according
according to the the things
things that
that have
have the greatestvalue
the greatest this life-piety
value in this life-piety
and
and religious
religious knowledge-women
knowledge-women are areexactly
exactly equal
equal to men
men and
and this
this is
is
the most important
the most importantstatement
statementof equality given the
equalitygiven the Islamic
Islamic criteria.
criteria.

26
26
 Religion
Religion
Now that
Now that the
the creation
creation and and humans
humans havehave been
been discussed
discussed in
detail, it is time to discuss
detail, discuss the the need
need for religion itself.
itself. In addition,
addition, thethe
basis on which a religion
basis religion is to be be accepted
accepted willwill also
also be
be discussed.
discussed.
Human's Need Need for Religion
Religion
The world has has entered
entered into a very materialistic stage. It
materialistic stage.
seemed that
seemed that science
science had had conquered
conquered nafurenature and there was
and there was no needneed for
religion, myths
religion, myths and and superstitions
superstitions of of earlier
earlier times. However, religion
times. However, religion
has not gone
has gone away.
away. Not only has has religion not gone away but in recent
gone away recent
times there
times there has
has been
been a resurgence
resurgence in religion
religion throughout
throughout the the world.
From the the texts
texts of of the
the Quran
Quran and Sunnah, it is clear
and Sunnah, clear that
that
"religion"
"religion" is something
somethingnatural natural in humans.
humans.Allah created
createdhumans
humanswith
a natural
naturaldisposition
dispositionthat that longs
longsto know God God and
and worship
worship Him.
The
The Prophet
Prophet(peace(peaceand blessings of
and blessings of Allah bebe upon
upon him) also also
said,
said, "Behold, my Lord commanded commandedme me that should teach
that I should teach you that that
which
which you do do not
not know and and which
which He has has taught
taught me me today ... [God
today... [God
has 'I have
stated] '1
has stated] have created
createdMy My servants
servantsall having
having a natural
natural inclination
inclination
the worship of
to the worship of Allah. But the the devils
devils come
come to themthem andand tum
turn them
them
away
away from their [true] [true] religion.
religion. And he
he makes
makes unlawful what I
declared
declared lawful for them them and and hehe commands
commandsthem them to ascribe partners
ascribe partners
with Me for whichwhich no no authority
authorityhas hasbeen
beensent
sentdown. ",1
down."'r
This quote
quote clarifies
clarifies thatthat there
there are
are evil forces
forces that
that may
may try to
hide,
hide, conceal
concealor distort
distort this
this natural
naturalinclination
inclinationin humans
humansbut they they can
can
never
never truly
truly kill what what is is soso deeply person's soul.
rooted in aa person's
deeply rooted soul.
Furthermore, if
Furthermore, if they
they can
can kill
kill this
this natural
natural tendency
tendency in some humans,
some humans,
they
they will
will not
not bebe able
able to to kill it in all humans.
humans.Hence,
Hence, at at least
least some
some
humans,if
humans, if not
not thethe majority,
majority, will always recognizeGod
always recognize God and and that
that with
God comesaa religion-a
God comes religio set
set of beliefs
beliefs and practicesrelated
and practices relatedto to God.
God.
Thus,
Thus, it is is not by coincidence
coincidencethat that virtually every people have
every people have hadhad
some
someformform of religion
religion and and some
someconcrete
concretebelief in in the
the Ultimate
Ultimate BeingBeing
or God.
God.
What
What the materialistsof this
the materialists this world neverbe
world will never be able to deny
able to deny
is
is that
that humans
humansare are made
madeup up of physical component
of aa physical componentas as well asas aa non-
non-
physical
physical component,
component,called called the the soul
soul or spiritual
spirifual side humans.
side of humans.
Materialists-and
Materialists-and material material comforts-can
comforts-can only touch touch uponupon the the
physical
physical sideside of aa human.
human. They They can can do
do nothing
nothing to to assist
assistthe
the vast
vast

I Recorded
I Recordedby
by Muslim.
Muslim.

27
27
spiritual side
spiritual side of of humans, leaving a great
humans, leaving great void in the the psyche
psyche of of a
human. When humans
human. humans experience
experience this vacuum, they realize
this vacuum, realize thatthat
something is wrong.
something wrong. TheyThey seekseek something
something to fill fill this
this void.
void. Although
Although
they may turn to more
they more material
material things
things or different
different typestypes of of material
material
things (alcoholism,
things (alcoholism, drugs),
drugs), suchsuch things
things will
will never
never truly fill that that void in
their lives.
their lives.
If they
If can get
they can get above
above all of of the materialistic propaganda
the materialistic propaganda
around them
around them today,today, they
they realize
realize thatthat it is God and and religion that that is
missing from
missing from their
their lives
lives and
and from
from their
their hearts.
hearts.
famed Islamic
The famed Islamic scholar
scholar Ibn Taimiyyah
Taimiyyah once once wrote,
wrote,
The heart
The heart can
can only become
become sound,
sound, achieve
achieve success,
success, take take
pleasure, be
pleasure, be satisfied,
satisfied, experience
experience enjoyment,
enjoyment, become become
pleased, attain
pleased, attain serenity
serenity and and calmness
calmness through through the the
'ibaadah [worship] of its Lord, having
'ibaadah [worship] of having love love of of Him and and
turning
turning to Him (in repentance).
repentance).Even Even if were to attain
if it were attain
every
every type of pleasure
type of pleasure from creation,
creation, it will will not acquireacquire
serenity
serenity and and tranquility.
tranquility. This This is is because
because the heart
the heart
possesses
possessesan an intrinsic
intrinsic need
need for its its Lord,
Lord, since
since He is is its
its
deity,
deify, love
Iove and pursuit and
and pursuit and with Allah the the heart
heart achieves
aclrieves
joy, pleasure,
pleasure,delight,
delight,amenity,
amenity,serenity
serenityand and tranquility.l
tranquility.t
Ibn
lbn Taimiyyah's
Taimiyyah's statement
statementis supportedby verses
is supported verses of of the
the
Quran.
Quran. For
For example,
example, Allah says, "Those who
says, "Those who believe,
believe, and whose
and whose
hearts
hearts find rest rest in the remembrance of
the remembrance of Allah, verily, in the the
remembrance
remembrance of Allah do hearts
do heartsfind find rest"
rest" (13:28).
(13:28). Allah also
also says,
says,
"0
"O you
you who believe!
believe! Answer
Answer Allah and (His) Messenger
and (His) Messengerwhen when he he
calls you to that
calls you to that whichwhich will give
give you
you life" (8:2a).
(8:24). It is
is the
the real
real life-
life-
the
the only life thatthat is
is worthy
worthy of living-that
living-that Allah and and His Messenger
Messenger
are
arecalling
calling each
eachandand every
everyindividual
individualto. to. It is
is the
the real
real life andand salvation
salvation
for the
the heart
heart as as it frees
frees it from being being enslaved
enslaved to desires, lusts,
desires, lusts,
superstitions
superstitionsand myths. It is
and myths. is the
the real
real life for thethe mind
mind andand it rescues
rescuesit
from ignorance,
ignorance,doubt doubt and confusion.It is
and confusion. is the real life for the
the real the human
human
himself as
as it frees
freeshim from from servitude
servitudeand and slavery
slaveryto other humansand
other humans and
ideologies.
ideologies.It freesfreeshim to to worship
worship and and serve
serveAllah alone, alone,the the ultimate
ultimate
goal
goal that
that his own self recognizes
his own recognizesand yearnsfor.
and yearns This is
for. This is the
the source
sourceof
his
his honor
honor and and dignity,
dignity, the
the purpose
purposefor which which he he hashas been created.In
beencreated.

1
1 [Ahmad lbn Taymiyyah's
Taimiyyah,l Ibn Taymiyyah'sEssay on Sen'itude
Essayon (Birnringham, United
United
lAhmad ibn
ibn Taimiyyah,] Senitude (Bimlingham,
Kingdom:
Kingdom:al-Hidaayah
al-HidaayahPublishing
Publishingand
and Distribution,
Distribution,1999), p. 121.
1999),p. l2l.

28
28
the
the end,
end, it is
is the
the real
real life
life of eternal
eternalbliss
bliss and
and happiness,
happiness,in Paradise,
Paradise,
being
being pleased
pleasedwith the the Lord and and thethe Lord beingbeing pleased
pleasedwith the the
servant.
servant.
The Tests
Tests of aa True Religion
Religion
Mere
Mere reflection
reflection on the the history
history ofof humans
humans demonstrates
demonstratesthat that
humans
humanshave have aa desire
desireto to have
have religion.
religion. Yet there
there areare many
many religions
religions
and
and each
each is presentingitself as
is presenting as the
the "true
"true religion"
religion" that that will bring
bring
solace
solaceto to the
the individual.
individual.Thus,Thus, in this
this section,
section,thethe author
authorwould like like to
to
present
presentwhat
what he he feels
feels are
are the
the four tests
testsby which one one maymay distinguish
distinguish
the
the true
true religion.
religion.
The
The first testtest is
is that
that the
the religion
religion must
must have
have God as as its
its original
original
source.
source.As statedstated earlier,
earlier, nono one
one cancan know the the details
details about
about God God
except
except God.
God. Most importantly,
importantly, no no one
one knows
knows how how He He should
should be be
worshipped
worshippedexceptexceptHim. AlthoughAlthough humans
humansare are able
able to to come
come to to many
many
sound
soundconclusions
conclusionsabout aboutGod,
God, nono human
humancouldcould logically
logically claim
claim that
that hehe
has
has somehoW-independent
somehow-independent of of revelation
revelation from God-discovered
God-discovered the the
way
way in which
which God God should
shouldbe be worshipped.
worshipped.Thus, Thus,if if the
the ultimate
ultimategoalgoal in
one's
one's heart
heart isis to please and
to truly please and worship
worship God God as as HeHe should
should be be
worshipped,
worshipped, then then oneone hashas no
no alternative
alternative but to tum turn to Him for
guidance
guidanceand and direction.
direction.
Thus,
Thus, based
based on on this premise, any
this first premise, any man-made
man-madereligionreligion is
not aa logical
logical alternative.
alternative.No matter matter how hard hard humans
humans may may try, theythey
cannot
cannot authoritatively
authoritatively speak speak about
about how God God is is supposed
supposed to to bebe
worshipped.
worshipped.
This
This testtest does
does not mean
mean thatthat one
one time
time God played aa role
God played role in
the
the formation
formation of of the
the religion.
religion. No, thisthis test
test means
meansthat that the
the entire
entire scope
scope
of the
the religious
religious teachings
teachingscome come from
from God.
God. There
There are are some
some religions
religions
that
that may
may have
have originated
originated from God God but,
but, afterwards,
afterwards, their adherents
adherents
felt free
free to rely uponupon human
human reasoning
reasoningto adjust,
adjust, modify or alter alter the
the
religion.
religion. In the process,they
the process, they have
have actually
actually created
createda new new religion,
religion,
different
different from that that which God God had had revealed.
revealed. This,This, once
once again,
again,
completely
completelydefeats
defeatsthe the purpose.
purpose.WhatWhat GodGod revealed
revealeddoes doesnotnot need
needany any
improvement
improvement or changes changes from humankind.
humankind. Any such such change
change or
alteration
alterationmeans
meansaa deviation
deviation away
away from what what God revealed.
revealed.Thus,Thus, anyany
change
changeor alteration
alterationwill only take take humankind
humankind away away from the the true
true and
and
proper
properwayway of worshipping
worshippingGod. God.
Thus,
Thus, the the first
first test
test states
statesthat
that the
the religion
religion originates
originateswith
God.
God. However,
However, this this isis not
not sufficient.
sufficient. The The second
second test test is
is that
that thethe

29
29
 teachings from
teachings from GodGod must must be be preserved
preserved in in their original form.
their original form. TheThe
logic
logic behind
behind this
this point
point should
should be
be obvious.
obvious. If
If the
the original
original revelation
revelation
came from
came from God God but
but was
was thenthen later
later tampered
tampered and distorted by
and distorted by humans,
humans,
one
One now has
has a mixture
mixture of
of God's
God's religion
religion and
and human
human interpolation.
interpolation.
longer God's pure
This is no longer pure religion.
religion. Although
Although this may seem seem like an
obvious
obvious premise,
premise, it is amazing
amazing to see
see many
many people
people who have
have not even
even
considered this
considered this point blindly following scriptures teachings that
scriptures or teachings that
cannot be historically
cannot historically authenticated.
authenticated.
The third test test is that the religion is not abrogated abrogated or
superseded by a later forrn
superseded form of of the
the religion.
religion. In other words, God may
other words,
reveal more
reveal more thanthan one
one revelation
revelation or send send more
more thanthan oneone prophet,
prophet, withwith
the latter
the latter repealing
repealing or superseding superseding the the earlier. Under such
earlier. Under such
circumstances, ifif one
circumstances, one is truly submitting
submitting to God, God, one does not have
one does have the
the
right to choosechoose to follow an an abrogated
abrogated teaching
teaching and neglect the
and neglect the
teaching that
teaching that God
God is now demanding demanding to be followed. Again,
be followed. Again, this
this
violate the
would violate the principle
principle of of submitting
submitting to God God and and would arrogate
arrogate
to the
the individual
individual the the right to choose choosewhat what hehe willed to follow instead instead
of
of what
what Allah has has decreed.
decreed.
The above
above three
three test
test are
are straightforward
straightforwardand obvious. In this
and obvious. this
author's
author's opinion,
opinion, though,
though, there there is is also
also aa fourth parameter.The
fourth parameter. fourth
The fourth
test
test is
is that
that thethe basic
basic beliefs
beliefs of the the religion
religion havehave to be something
to be something
fathomable
fathomable by humans humans and and not not repugnant
repugnant to human nature. It is
human nature. is
inconceivable
inconceivablethat that the
the same
same God God who who created
createdsuch such order
order and gave
and gave
humans
hunrans the the ability to to understand
understandand and derive lessons from
derive lessons from whatwhat is is
around
around them them would then then ask ask themthem to to believe
believe in matters that
matters that are are
completely
cornpletelyunfathomable
unfathomableto to them
them and and inconsistent
inconsistentwith what what thethe soul
soul
can
can accept
acceptas astruth.
truth.
Islam
Islam in the the Light of These TheseTests Tests
Due to space limitations,
Due to spacelimitations, it is
is not
not possible
possible here to
here to compare
conrpare
different religions and
differentreligionsand how they how they fare
fare with
with respect
respect to
to these
these tests.'
tests. Here,
I Here,
only Islam
only Islam will be discussed.
be discussed.
The
The first
first test
testis is that
that thethe religion
religion mustmust havehave itsits original source
original source
with God.
with God. Again,
Again, this
this means
means that
that the
the beliefs
beliefs and
and teachings
teachings of the
of the
religion
religionmustmustoriginate
originatewith with God,God,without
without any anyclaim
claimthat humanshave
thathumans have
aa right
right to to change
changeor or alter
alter them
them in in any
any way.
way. In Islam, as
In Islam, opposedto
as opposed to
many other
many other religions,
religions, there
there is
is no
no priesthood.
priesthood. Every
Every scholar,
scholar, no
no matter
matter

I In
1 In the
theunabridged
unabridgedversion,
version,Islam
Islamisiscompared with Judaism
comparedwith andChristianity.
Judaismand Christianity.

30
30
 how great,
how great, is
is simply
simply aa human
human who who is is prone
prone to to error. Hence, any
error. Hence, any ruling
ruling
made
made by
by anyone
anyone must
must be
be judged
judged in
in the
the light
light of
of the
the revelation
revelation from
from
God.
God. The
The Quran
Quran and
and Sunnah
Sunnah have
have remained
remained the
the ultimate
ultimate authority,
authority, no
no
one
one having
having the
the right
right to
to violate
violate them.
thern. This
This is
is an
an agreed
agreed upon
upon principle
principle
in lslan'r.
in Islam. The
The Muslim
Muslim scholars
scholars understood
understood that that the religion is
the religion is God's
God's
religion and
religion and itit isis the
the role
role ofof humatrs
humans to to convey faithfully and
convey faithfully and attempt
attempt
to understand-but never
to understand-but never to to distort
distort or or alter.
alter.
second test
The second test discussed
discussed earlier
earlier hashas to do with with the historical
historical
preservation of
preservation of thethe revelation
revelation from God. essential in order
God. This is essential order to
verify that one is accepting
verify accepting the truth. truth. The history of of Islam presents
presents a
different scenario
different scenario than than that
that of of Judaism
Judaism and Christianity. The Prophet
and Christianity. Prophet
Muhammad (peace
Muhammad (peace and and blessings
blessings of Allah be upon him) lived just
of Allah just
over 1400
over 1400 years
years ago. ago. He is definitely
definitely the the mostmost "historical"
"historical" of of the
the
various prophets.
various prophets.
Both the the Quran
Quran and and the
the statements
statements of of the Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace andand
blessings of
blessings of Allah be be upon
upon him) were preserved with meticulous
were preserved meticulous care.care.
The Quran,
The Quran, which is not a large large book,
book, was was preserved
preserved in memory memory as as
well as as written form from the the time of of the
the Prophet
ProphetMuhammadMuhammad himself. himself.
Many of of the
the Companions
Companions of of the
the Prophet
Prophet had had memorized
memorized the entire
the entire
Quran
Quran and, and, fearing
fearing what what had had happened
happened to to earlier religious
earlier religious
communities,
communities,they they took the the necessary
necessarysteps protect it from any
stepsto protect form
any form
of adulteration.
adulteration.Soon Soon after
after thethe death
death of the the Prophet (peace
Prophet (peace and and
blessings
blessingsof Allah be be upon
upon him),
him), thethe Quran
Quranwas was allall compiled together
compiledtogether
and
and shortly
shortlyafterwards
afterwardsofficialofficial copies
copieswere were sentsentto to the
the distant landsto
distantlands to
ensure
ensurethat
that the
the text
text was
was pure.
pure. To this this day,
day, one
one can to any
can travel to any part
travel part of
the
the world and and pick up up aa copycopy Quran
Quran and and find find that
that it is is the same
the same
throughout the
throughoutthe world. world.
Beyond
Beyondthe the Quran,
Quran,the the statements
statements of
of the
the Prophet (peaceand
Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allah
blessings of Allah be upon be upon him)
him) were
were also
also preserved
preserved with
with great
great
diligence.
diligence.TheyThey were were recorded,
recorded,studied
studiedand and passed
passedon carefullyfrom
on carefully fronr
the earliest years
the earliestyears of of Islam.
Islam. Even
Even the
the language
language of
of the
the Quran
Quran and
and the
the
language of the Prophet
languageof the Prophet has has been
been preserved.
preserved. Such
Such cannot
cannot be
be said
said for
for
earlier prophets
earlierprophetssuch such as
as Moses
Moses and
and Jesus,
Jesus, whose
whose Hebrew
Hebrew and
and Aramaic
Aramaic
no
no longer
longerexist.
exist.
Thus,
Thus, the the revelation
revelationfrom from God God as as received
receivedby by the Prophet
the Prophet
Muhammad
Muhammad (peace
(peace and
and blessings
blessings of
of Allah
Allah be
be upon
upon him)
him) has
has been
been
preserved
preservedin in tact
tactand andisisavailable
availableto to the
thetruthseeker
truthseeker today.
today.

3l
31
 The
The third test test was
was related
related to the the revelation
revelation not being being
superseded
supersededor abrogated.
abrogated.The that if
The point is that if it can
can bebe shown
shown thatthat God
is now demanding
demandingthat that aa new messageis to
new message to be
be followed,
followed, then,
then, ifif one
one is
is
truthful to God,
God, oneone has
has no choice
choice but to follow the the new
new message.
message.
This point will
will be discussed in more
be discussed more detail
detail when
when discussing
discussing the the
conceptof
concept of prophethood,
prophethood,as as the
the Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammadexplicitly claimed claimed
to be
be the
the final prophet.
prophet.
The
The last parameter
last parameter offered
offered by thisthis author
author has
has to do do with
whether the
whether the belief can be fathomed.
can be fathomed. Earlier Earlier in this
this work, brief
refutations
refutations were
were made
made for materialists
materialistsandand Darwinians.
Darwinians. Their claims
claims
are
are simply untenable.
untenable.Similarly,
Similarly, thethe Christian
Christian belief about
about the
the Trinity
is something
something that
that they
they themselves
themselves fought
fought over
over for years
years andand had had
council
council after
after council
council to try to determine
determine what
what it truly meant.
meant. Some Some
have
have simply declared
declared it a "mystery."
"mystery." Religion
Religion should
should not be be simply
"faith-based"-a
"faith-bassd't-4 leapleap of
of faith,
faith, as
as such.
such.Actually,
Actually, it should
should bebe first
first as
as
well "knowledge-based,"
"knowledge-based,"so so that
that both
both the
the heart
heart and
and the
the mind find
solace
solace in it and
and submit
submit to it with aa firm resolution.
resolution. SuchSuch isis the
the case
case
with the
the Islamic
Islamic beliefs,
beliefs, such
such asas the
the beliefs
beliefs about
about God,
God, which
which are are
completely
completelyconsistent
consistentwith humanhumannature,
nafure,logic
logic and
and reality.
reality.

32
32
 Prophethood
Prophethood
Jews and
Jews and Christians
Christians are are familiar
familiar with with the concept of
the concept of
prophethood. Indeed,
prophethood. Indeed, the the Muslim
Muslim claim claim is is that
that thethe Prophet
Prophet
Muhammad (peace
Muhammad (peace andand blessings
blessings of of Allah be be upon
upon hirn) the final in
him) is the
a long line of of prophets
prophets that included,
included, among among others, Abraham, Moses
others, Abraham, Moses
and Jesus.
and Jesus.
The Reality of of Prophethood
Prophethood
Messengers and
Messengers and prophets
prophets are are specific individuals whom
specific individuals
Allah hashas chosen
chosen to convey
convey His message humankind. He reveals
message to humankind. reveals to
them and and they in turn convey convey that message. message. The messengermessenger must must
convey the message
convey message faithfully and and has
has no right to change change it or distort it
manner. At
any manner. At the
the same
same time,
time, after
after conveying,
conveying, they are to be obeyed
they are obeyed
those whom they
by those they are
are sent
sent to.to. Allah says,says, "We sent sent no Messenger,
Messenger,
obeyed by Allah's Leave" (a:6a).
but to be obeyed (4:64).
Allah chooses
chooses whom He wills to be messenger. This
be a messenger' This
choosing of messengers
choosing of messengers certainly is certainly not a random
random choice.
choice. Instead,
Instead,
"Allah knows
knows best best with whom to place place His Message"
Message"(6: (6:124). Thus,
124). Thus,
Allah chose
Atlah chose from among
among humankind
humankind men
men of
of specific
specific character.
character.
Allah alsoalso says,
says, "And We sent sent notnot [as Messengers]
[as Our Messengers]
before
before youyou [0 [O Muhammad]
Muhammad] any
any but men,
men, whom We inspired.
inspired. So ask
So ask
of those
of those who
who know the
the Scripture
Scripture if
if you
you know
know not" (16:43).
(16:43). This
This verse
verse
and
and others
others makes
makes it clear clear that
that the
the messengers
messengerswere humans. They
were humans. They
were
were notnot semi-divine
semi-divinein itr any
any way
rvaywhatsoever.
whatsoever.
Allah specifically
specificallychosechosehumans
humansto to be
be His His messengers.
messengers. The
The
purpose
purposeof the the messengers
messengers is
is to
to spread
spreadthe the truth
truth from
from God. They make
God. They rnake
this
this truth
truth clear
clear and
and leave
leavehumans
humansno no excuse
excusefor for not following it.
not following The
it. The
goal
goal of the the messengers
messengers was
was to to present
presentthe the reality-the
reality-the reality
reality that is
that is
recognizable
recognizableto to the
the souls
soulsof mankind-in
mankind-in aa clear clear and
and unquestionable
unquestionable
fashion.
fashion.In this this way,
way, those
thosewho who are are willing to to accept
acceptthe truth will
the truth
accept
acceptitit while
while those
thosewhowho do do notnot wish
wish to to accept
acceptthe the truth
truth will then then
reject
rejectit.it. This
This fulfills
fulfills the
thepurpose
purposeof of distinguishing
distinguishingbetween betweenthosethosewho who
are deservingof
are deserving of Allah's
Allah's love
love andandmercy
mercyand and those
thosewho who are
aredeserving
deserving
of
of Allah's
Allah's wrath
wrath and andpunishment.
punishment.
Thus,
Thus,the the messengers
messengers came
camewith with clear guidance,glad
clearguidance, glad tidings
tidings
and
and stem warning. If
sternwarning. If Allah
Allah had had notnot sent
sentsuch
such messengers
messengersconveying
conveying
the
the truth,
truth, humankind
humankindwould would have havecried
cried and
and claimed
claimedthat that they would
they would
have
havefollowed
followed the the messenger
messengerhad had hehe come
cotneto to them.
them.Allah, who knows
Allah, who knows
what
what happened,
happened,what what will
will happen
happenand and what possiblycould
what possibly happen,
could happen,

33
has said,
has "And if
said, "And if We
We hadhad destroyed
destroyedthem them withwith aa torment
torment before
before this
this
[Messenger 'Our Lord!
[MessengerMuhammad],
Muhammad],they they would
would surely
surely have
have said,
said, 'Our Lord! Iftf
only You
only You had
had sent
sentusus aa Messenger,
Messenger,we we should
shouldcertainly
certainlyhavehavefollowed
followed
Your revelations,
revelationso before
before we we were
were humiliated
humiliated and and disgraced'"
disgraced"'
(20:134).Once
(20:134). Once thethe messengers
messengers are
are sent
sentwithwith the
the clear
clearsigns, thereis
signs,there is
no longer
no longer any
any excuse
excusefor for humankind:
humankind:"Messengers
"Messengersas asbearers
bearersof of good
good
news as
news aswell as as of
of warning
warning in in order
order that
that mankind
mankind should
should have
haveno no plea
plea
againstAllah after
against after the
the Messengers.
Messengers. And AllahAllah isis Ever
Ever All-Powerful,
All-Powerful,
(4:165). To
All-Wise" (4:165). To the the astute,
astute, this verse is
this verse is aa grave
grave warning
warning
1
indeed.r
indeed.
The SignSign of Prophethood
Prophethood
From aa study
From study of the prophets of the
the prophets the past,
past, one
one can
can deduce
deduce
certain "indirect" signs
certain prophethood.First,
signs of prophethood. First, the
the individual
individual chosen
chosen
by God
God must
must have
have been person of
been aa person good and
of good and respected
respectedcharacter
character
before Allah first
before first revealed
revealedanything
anythingto him. It would be
to him. be inconceivable,
inconceivable,
for example,
example, that
that someone
someonewho never never liedlied about
about thethe matters
matters of of this
this
world would all all of aa sudden
suddenbegin begin to to propagate
propagatelies lies about
about GodGod and
and
claim to be
claim to be receiving
receivingrevelation.
revelation.Second,
Second,there thereis
is excellence
excellenceand and virtue
virtue
in what
what hehe is preaching.Similarly,
is preaching. Similarly, thethe basic
basic core
core of hishis message
messageis is
consistentwith earlier
consistent earlier individuals
individuals recognized
recognizedto be be prophets.
prophets. God's
God's
basic message
basic messageconcerning
concerning the the reality
reality of of the
the universe
universe and and life is not
going to change
going change from one prophet to another.
one prophet another. Additionally, the the
individual does
individual does not seekseek any personal benefit
any personal benefit or payment
payment for his his
conveying of
conveying of the
the message.
message.His goal goal is is not
not a worldly one. one. He is is
conveying the
conveying the message
messageonly to obey obey and please God.
and please God. Finally, one one
finds that
finds the prophet
that the prophet always
always enjoys
enjoys a spiritual
spiritual victory, eveneven ifhe
if he does
does
experiencea political victory. That is,
not experience is, he
he is always
always content
content with
his message, abandons his purpose
never abandons
message, never purpose and and demonstrates
demonstrates his his resolve
resolve
until his death.
death. No one one recognized
recognized as as a truetrue prophet
prophet of of God
God hashas ever
ever
been
been known to abandon
abandon his message
message andand beliefs.
beliefs.
addition to all of
In addition of that,
that, Allah provides
provides His messengers
messengers with
special
special signs-something
signs-something out of of the
the ordinary
ordinary to demonstrate
demonstrate that that the
the

I Although
1 the truth ofof monotheism
monotheism is ingrained
ingrained in human
human nature,
nature, by Allah's
Allah's mercy
though,
though, He never never punishes
punishes until after He sends
sends a messenger
messenger and thethe message
message is made
made
clear: "Whoever goes
clear: goes right, then
then he goes
goes right only for the
the benefit of
of his ownself.
ownself. And
And
whoever goes goes astray, then he goes
astray, then goes astray
astray to his own loss.
loss. No one laden
laden with burdens
burdens can
bear
bear another's
another's burden.burden. And never punish
And We never punish until We have
have sent
sent a Messenger
Messenger (to give
w a r n i n g ) "((17:
warning)" 1 7 :15).
15).

34
34
 individual is
individual is truly
truly being
being sent
sent byby thethe Lord.
Lord. ThisThis isis all due to
all due to Allah's
Allah's
complete justice,
complete justice, mercy mercy and and goodness.
goodness. He chooses and sends
He chooses and sends
messengers in
messengers in such
such aa way
way that
that only
only thethe obstinate
obstinate will refuse to
will refuse to accept
accept
the truth
the truth of
ofthe
the message.
message. Hence,
Hence, not not only
only is is the content of
the content ofthe
the message
message
completely in
completely in accord
accord withwith human
human nature,
nature, thethe messengers who
messengers who comecome
with the
with the message
message are are sent
sent inin such
such aa way
way that there is
that there again no
is again no excuse
excuse
for humans
for humans not not to to accept
accept them
them as as messengers
messengers of God. As
of God. Allah says,
As Allah says,
"Indeed We have sent Our
"Indeed We have sent Our Messengers Messengers with
with clear
clear proofs"
proofs" (57:25).
(57:25).
These special
These special signs
signs that
that God
God bestows
bestows on on the messengers are
the messengers are
referred to
referredto as as "miracles."
"miracles." In
In this
this age
age of
of "scienceo"
"science," people
people today
today tend
tend
to be skeptical
skeptical about
about the recorded miracles in the past.
recorded miracles However, there
past. However' there
is nothing
nothing inherently
inherently illogical
illogical about
about such such occurrences. Starting with
occurrences. Starting
the premise
premise that God has has created universe, a very defensible
created this univefse, defensible
premise
premise (as
(as discussed
discussed earlier),
earlier), it can
can also
also be understood
understood that
that God has has
complete control
completecontrol over
over the
the workings
workings of
of this
this universe
universe and
and may alter
alter its
its
workings at whatever
whatever time for whomever whomever He wills. To this day one one
still repeatedly
repeatedly hears hears of of medical
medical miracles miraculous recoveries
miracles or miraculous recoveries
from disease-things that that simply cannotcannotbe explained".No
be "rationally explained".
one
one can
can deny
deny these
these"inexplicable"
"inexplicable"events. events.
In the
the past,
past, there
there werewere such
such things
things as as the parting of the
the parting Red
the Red
Sea
Sea for Moses
Moses and and the healingof
the healing of the
the sick
sick and
and blind Jesus.These
blind by Jesus. These
were
were all signs
signs thatthat further
further supported
supportedthe the claims
claims of those prophetsthat
those prophets that
they
they were
were being
being supported
supportedand and guided
guidedby God. God. All of those, though,
those,though,
were
were signs
signs thatthat onlyonly those
those present
present could completely and
could completely and trulytruly
appreciate.
appreciate.Thus,
Thus,over over time,
time, people
peopleeither
eitherbegan
beganto to doubt
doubtthose stories
thosestories
and
and claims
claims or or thethe affects
affects of of those
those miracles
miracles began began to to wearwear off.off.
However, as
However, as long
long as as there
there were
were yet yet other
other prophets
prophetsto to come
come to revive
to revive
the
themessage,
message, this
thiswaswasnotnot aa major
majorissue.
issue.
Thus,
Thus, when when Allah
Allah sentsentHisHis last prophetfor
lastprophet all of
for all humankind
of humankind
until
until the Day of
the Day of Judgment,
Judgment,He He sent
senthimhint with
with aa very different kind
very different kind of of
miracle-a
miracle-a miracle
miracle with with everlasting
everlastingappeal. Prophet
appeal.The Prophet Muhammad
The Muhammad
(peace
(peaceand blessilgs of
and blessings of Allah
Allah be be upon
upon him)him) said, "There was
said, "There was no no
Prophet
Prophetamong
amongthe the Prophets
Prophetsbut but was
wasgiven because
miraclesbecause of which
givenmiracles of which
people
people hadhad hadhad belief,
belief, but
but what
what II havehave been given isis the
been given Divine
the Divine
Revelation which Allah
Revelation which Allah has revealed has revealed to
to me.
me. So
So II hope
hope that
that my
my
followers will be more than
followers will be more than those of any those of any other
other Prophet
Prophet on
on the
the Day
Day of
of

3s
35
Resurrection.,,1
Resurrection."rIn In other
other words,
words, the the Prophet
ProphetMuhammad's
Muhammad's great great sign
sign
andmiracle
and miraclewas wasthe the Quran.
Quran.
Thus, the
Thus, greatestsign
the greatest sign that
that the
the Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammadreceived received
is still
is being witnessed
still being witnessedand and experienced
experiencedtoday? today.2TheThe Quran
Quranhas hasissued
issued
an eternal
an eternalchallenge
challengefor for anyone
anyoneto producesomething
to produce somethingsimilar
similar to to it.
it. For
example,Allah says,
example, says,"And"And if if you
you are in
in doubt concerning
are doubt concerningthat which that which
We have
We have sentsent down
down [i.e.,[i.e., the
the Quran]
Quran] to Our servant
to OUf servant [Muhammad],
[Muhammad],
then produceaa chapter
then produce chapterof the the like thereof
thereofand and call your supporters
call supportersand and
helpersbesides
helpers besidesAllah,
Allah, if if you
you arearetruthful" (2:23).(2:23).
The Quran
The Quran is miraculous in
is miraculous in many
many ways.
ways. For For example,
example, the the
Arabs at
Arabs at the
the time
time of the the Prophet
Prophetexcelled
excelledin language.
language.However,
However, even even
though they
though greatly opposed
they greatly opposedthe the Prophet
Prophetfor many many years,
years,theythey realized
realized
that they
that they could
could not
not meet
meet the the literary eloquenceof the
literary eloquence the Quran.
Quran. But the the
Quran
Quran is
is much
much more
more than
than simply
simply a
a "literary miracle."
miracle." It is
is miraculous
miraculous
as well with respect
as respect to to itsits fulfilled propheciesof future
fulfillod prophecies future events,
events, its its
scientific accuracy,
scientific accuracy,its its historical
historical accuracy,
accuracy,its its precise
precisepreservation,
preservation,its its
magnanimousand
magnanimous and wise
wise laws,laws, its its affect
affect that
that it had
had andand still hashas in
reforming and
reforming and changing
changinghumans humansand and so so forth.
forth.
The Prophet
The Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad himself himself was was illiterate.
illiterate. Still
Still Allah
chosehim to
chose to be messenger,as
be His messenger, as his
his illiteracy
illiteracy was
was not
not aa deficiency
deficiency
his case.
in his case. In fact,
fact, it was was further
further evidence
evidence that
that this
this illiterate
illiterate Arab
living just six six centuries
centuriesafter after Jesus
Jesuscouldcould not have
haveproduced
producedthis this book.
book.
example,Allah revealed
For example, revealedto the the Prophet
Prophet(peace
(peaceand blessingsof
and blessings of
Allah be upon him) the
be upon the stories
stories of of the
the earlier prophets. The
earlier prophets. The Prophet
Prophet
was not living in an
was an environment
environment wherein wherein he he would have have had had much
much
accessto the
access the teachings
teachingsof of the
the Jews
Jews or Christians.
Christians.However,
However, the the stories
stories
of the prophets
of the prophets of of old are given with precise
are given precise accuracy.
accuracy.Actually, the the
case
case is even
even more
more astonishing.
astonishing. Today, Today, many many people
people recognize
recognize that that the
the
current
current Bible contains
contains statements
statements that that are
are historically
historically impossible
impossible or
that
that areare anachronisms.
anachronisms. The Quran, Quran, though,
though, is free free of of all suchsuch
problematic
problematic material-another
material-another sign sign that
that it is not the
the product
product of of a mere
mere
mortal.
mortal. In an an extensive
extensive work, Fatoohi Fatoohi and and al-Dargazelli
al-Dargazelli produce
produce many many

I
I Recorded
Recorded by al-Bukhari
al-Bukhari and
and Muslim.
Muslim.
2 Indeed,
as shall
2 Indeed, as shall be denronstrated
demonstrated later,
later, new aspects
aspects of
of its miraculous
miraculous nature
nature are
are
continually
continually being
being discovered.
discovered.

3
366
examples of
examples of Biblical errors
errors of of a historical
historical nature
nature not found
found in the the
Quran,
Quran, although
although the
the same
same stories
stories and
and incidents
incidents are
are touched
touched upon.\
upon.t
Humans' Need for Messengers
Humans'Need Messengers from God
The sending
The sending of of messengers
messengers to humankind
humankind is one one ofof Allah's
greatest blessings.
greatest describing the
blessings. In describing the sending
sending of of the
the Prophet
Prophet
Muhammad, Allah says,
Muhammad, says, "And
"And We have have not sentsent you [0 [O Muhammad]
Muhammad]
except as
except as a mercy
mercy for all thatthat exists"
exists" ((12:
l2: 107).
107).
Humans are
Humans are actually
actually in greatgreat need
need ofof this
this blessing
blessing from
Allah. They are are in need
need of of a practical
practical example
example to show show how one one
should lead
should lead one's
one's life to please
please Allah. They are are desperately
desperately alsoalso in
need of
need of the
the knowledge
knowledge that that these
these messengers
messengers brought.
brought.
Had
Had Allah willed,
willed, Allah could could have
have simply
simply revealed
revealed His
message
messagein written form on mountainsides, mountainsides,for example.
example. However,
However,
there is
there is a great
great blessing
blessing and and wisdom
wisdorn in His sending sending of of human
human
messengers
messengersinstead.
instead.The benefit of
The benefit of these
these messengers
messengersare are twofold: (I) (1)
By sending
sending human human messengers
messengersinstead
instead of of simply communicated
communicated or
written word, Allah has has transformed
transformedHis message messagefrom the realm of
the realm of
the
the abstract
abstractto the the realm
realm of of the practical. The
the practical. The implementation
implementationof of the
the
message
messageby the the messenger
messengergivesgives humans
humansa practical implementationof
practical implementation of
the
the guidance.
guidance. The The guidance
guidance is is not simply
simply vague,
vague, general
general principles
principles
that
that anyone
anyone couldcould understand
understandin a varietyvariety of ways.
ways. No, the the message
message
has
has been
been given
given in aa concrete
concrete and and practical
practical format
format with detailed
detailed
examples
examples for humans humans to follow. (2) (2) Although messengers
messengerswere were
humansof
humans of excellent
excellentcharacter,
character,theythey were
were still mere
mere humans.
humans.In fact, fact,
they
they were
were humans
humanswho were were meant
meant to be be examples
examplesfor others.
others.Hence,
Hence,
by their implernentationof
their implementation of the
the divine
divine teachings,
teachings,it demonstrates
demonstratesthat that
these
these teachings
teachingsare are practicable
practicableand and within the the means
meansof of humans.
humans.No
one
one should
should think of righteousness
righteousnessas as something
something beyondbeyond human
human
capacity.
capacity.It is is within human
human capacity
capacity andand the
the actions
actions of of the prophets
the prophets
are
are aa proof of of that.
that.
As noted
noted above,
above, humans
humans are are also
also in desperate
desperateneed need for thethe
knowledge
knowledge that
that the
the messengers
messengers convey.
convey. This
This knowledge
knowledge can
can be
be
divided
divided into
into two types,
tJryes, both
both being
being essential
essential for humans.
humans.

' See Louay Fatoohi and Shetha al-Dargazelli, History

Flistory Testifies
Testifiesto
to the
the Infallibility
Infallibility ofthe
I See Fatoohi and Shethaal-Dargazelli, of the
Quran:
Quran: Early History
History of
of the
the Children
Children of
of Israel (Delhi, India:
Israel (Delhi, lndia: Adam
Adam Publishers
Publishers &
Distributors,
Distributors, 1999),
1999),pp. 247-248.
pp. 247-248.

37
37
 The
The first typetype of of knowledge
knowledge is is that
that ofof the
the supernatural,
supernatural,or
what the
the Islamic
Islamic texts
texts call the the "unseen."
"unseen."These Theseareare matters
mattersbeyond
beyond thethe
realm
realm of of human
human experience.
experience.Humans Humans can can know about about these
these issues
issues
only via revelation
revelation from from Allah.
Allah. This This realm
realm includes
includes detailed
detailed
knowledge
knowledge about about Allah and and His attributes,
attributes, the purpose of
the purpose of creation,
creation,
how cancan one one distinguish
distinguish betweenbetween good good and and evil,
evil, what
what occurs
occurs to to
humankind
humankind after after death
deathand and in thethe hereafter
hereafterand and soso forth.
forth.
However,
However, Allah's guidance guidanceis is not
not concerned
concernedonly with those those
issues.
issues.Allah's guidance
guidancethat that HeHe revealed
revealedto to His human
human messengers
messengers
also
also guides
guides humanshumans in worldly or mundane mundane affairs.
affairs. Except
Except for
technological
technologicalmatters matters thatthat Allah has has easily
easily putput within
within the the reach
reach of
humans,
humans, humans
humans are are just as as much
much in need need of Allah's guidanceguidanceon on
these issues.It is
theseissues. is Allah,
Allah, the the Creator,
Creator,the the Fashioner,
Fashioner,alonealonewho who knows
knows
what
what is is best
best for humans.
humans.Allah has has said, "Should not He
said, "Should He Who has has
created
created know?
know? And He is is the
the Most Kind and and Courteous
Courteous (to His
servants),
servants), All-Aware (of everything)" (67:1$. This
everything)" (67:14). point needs
This point needs
further
further elaboration
elaborationbecausebecauseit strikesstrikes atat the
the root ofof secularism,
secularism.which
is
is dominating
dominatingthe the world's
world's thinking
thinking today.
today.
Humans
Humans have have attempted
attempted to construct
construct their own economic economic
systems,
systems,political
political systems,
systems,international
internationallaws laws and
and soso on.
on. When
When doing
doing
so,
so, though,
though, theythey have
have to to admit
admit thatthat they
they are
are attempting
attemptingsomething
somethingthat that
is
is beyond
beyond their means. means.Thus, Thus, the the ham1s
harms of of what
what they produce many
they produce many
times
times outweigh
outweigh the the good,
good, eveneven with the the best
best of intentions.
intentions. For
example,
example, in the realm of
the realm of economics,
economics,the the first thing
thing that
that may
may come
come to
mind
mind isis the
the collapse
collapseof the the theories
theoriesof socialism
socialismand and communism.
communism.One One
should,
should, though,
though, alsoalso take
take aa closer
closer look at at capitalism
capitalismand and howhow far
far its
its
reality
reality isis from
from whatwhat it is is supposed
supposedto to be,
be, resulting
resulting in exploitation,
exploitation,
wherein
wherein the the rich getget richer
richer andand thethe poor getget poorer.
poorer.
In general,
general, man-made
man-made laws, laws, asas opposed
opposed to revelation
revelation from
God,
God, are
are susceptible
susceptibleto to aa number
number of distinct
distinct problems.
problems.First,
First, humans
humaus
are
are repeatedly
repeatedly influenced
influenced by desires. desires.However,
However, even even if if humans
humans are are
able
able to
to raise
raisethemselves
themselvesabove aboveany passionsand
any passions and desires
desireson on their
their part,
part,
they
they have
have to realize
realize that
that there
there is great deal
is aa great deal of
of difference
differencebetween
betweenthe the
physical
physical sciences
sciencesand and social
social sciences.
sciences.SocialSocial scientists
scientistscannot
cannot test
test
humans
humans to to see
see how
how theythey behave
behave underunder all different
different circumstances.
circumstances.
They
They are
are doing
doing nothing
nothing too
too much
much more
more than
than guessing
guessing about
about reality.
reality.In
the
the Quran,
Quran, Allah speaks
speaks about
about such
such limited ability on the
the part of
part of
humankind:
humankind:"They know only the the outside
outsideappearance
appearance of the
the life of the
the

38
38
 (30:7). If
world" (30:7). If such
such is admitted,
admitted, it demonstrates
demonstrates that that humans
humans are are in
need of
need of guidance
guidance and and knowledge
knowledge from their Creator, Creator, who had
graciously sent
graciously sent such
such guidance
guidance through
through his prophets.
prophets. Finally,
Finally, secular
secular
cannot inspire
laws cannot inspire humans
humans like divine revelation revelation can. can. There
There can can be
effective moral influence
no effective influence in such such laws. other words,
laws. In other except for
words, except
use of
the use of force,
force, there
there is nothing in man-made man-made laws to drive a person person
to comply with with suchsuch laws.
laws. However, adherence to the laws
However, adherence laws
promulgated by the
promulgated the prophets
prophets is driven by a desire desire to please
please God and and
avoid His wrath.
to avoid wrath.
sum, there
In sum, there is no escaping
escaping the the fact
fact that humans are
that humans are gravely
gravely
need of
in need of the
the knowledge
knowledge vouchsafed
vouchsafed via the the prophets
prophets and they are
and they are
also in need
also need of of the
the exarnple
example that that the
the prophets
prophets established.
established.
Principles of the
The Principles the Messengers'
Messengers' Call
It has
has been
been narrated
narrated that that the Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace and blessings of
and blessings of
Allah bebe upon
upon him) said said that
that Allah had had sent
sent 124,000 prophets.] Allah
124,Q00prophets.r
stated
statedthat
that HeHe sent
senta messenger
messenger to every
every nation (Quran 16:36).
nation(Quran 16:36).
Even
Even though
though so so many prophets and
many prophets and messengers
messengerswere were sent,
sent,
they
they were
were actually
actually all alongalong the the same path. Indeed,
same path. Indeed, Allah tells the
tells the
Prophet
Prophet(peace
(peaceand blessings of
and blessings of Allah be be upon
upon him)
him) thatthat He is guiding
is guiding
the
the Prophet
Prophetto the the same
samereligion
religion as as his
his predecessors.
predecessors. says,"He
Allah says,
(Allah) has ordained
(Allah) has ordained for you the same religion
you the samereligion which which He
He ordained
ordainedfor
Noah,
Noah, andand that
that which
which We We have you (O
inspiredin you (0 Muhammad),
have inspired Muhammad),and and
that which
that wlrich We ordained for Abraham,
ordained Abraham,Mosesand Jesus. Moses and Jesus ...
.."" (42:13).
(42:13).
Thus,
Thus,aa Muslim
Muslim believes
believesin all all of those
thosedifferent prophetsand
differentprophets and
messengers
messengersand, and, with respect
respect to
to belief in
in them
them and
and honoring
honoring them,
them,
does
doesnotnot differentiate
differentiatebetween
betweenany any among
amongthem. them.God God sent
sentall all of them.
them.
They were
They were all all believing
believing in
in the
the same
same essential
essential truths
truths and
and calling
calling to
to
similar
similar paths.
paths.Hence,
Hence,one one hashas no no right
right to to say
say that
that he he will believe
believeandand
respect someof them
respectsome them andand reject,
reject,belie
belie or disrespect
disrespectothers.others.In the the first
place,
place,this
this would
would be be disrespectful
disrespectfulto to God,
God, who who sent sent each
each and and every
every
one of them.
one them. It lt would also also be be illogical
illogical since
since they they all came came with
essentially
essentiallythe the same
same message
messageand and were,
were, as as the
the Prophet described,
Prophet described,
brothers
brothersto to one
one another.
another.
Hence,
Hence, they they all
all must
must be be believed
believed in in and given the
and given proper
the proper
respect. (O Muslims), 'We believe in Allah
Allah
respect.Thus,
Thus, Allah
Allah says,
says,"Say"Say (0 Muslims), 'We believe in
and
andthat
thatwhich
which has hasbeen
beensentsentdown
down to to us
us and
andthat
thatwhich
which has hasbeen sent
beensent

II Recorded by
Recorded bv Ahmad.
Ahnrad.

39
39
down
down to Abraham,
Abraham, Ishmael,
Ishmael, Isaac,
Isaac, Jacob,
Jacob, and and to thethe twelve
twelve sons
sons of
of
Jacob,
Jacob, and
and that
that which has has been
been given
given to Moses Moses and and Jesus,
Jesus,andand that
that
which has
has been
been given
given to thethe Prophets
Prophetsfrom their their Lord.
Lord. We make make nono
distinction
distinction between
between any any ofof them,
them, and and to Him we have have submitted
submitted (in
(2:136).In
Islam)"' (2:
Islam)'" 136). In sum,
sum, since
sincethey
they were
were all sentsentby the the one
one and
and only
God
God and
and since
since the truth of
the truth of this
this existence
existenceis is one
one and
and not changing,
changing,it is is
the
the case
casethat
that their
their messages
messageswerewere essential
essentialone one and
and the
the same.
same.
Studying
Studying the the Quran,
Quran, oneone cancan see
seethe
the basic principles of
basic principles of all of
of
the
the messengers'
messengers'call. call. Their message
messagerevolved
revolved around
around the the following
three
threepoints:
points:
(l) Calling
(I) Calling people
people to to God,
God, explaining
explainingwith clear proofs that
clear proofs that
there is
there is none
none worthy of of worship
worship exceptexcept Him and and inviting them them to
submit
submit toto Him alonealone and
and toto renounce
renounceany any andand all false gods: Allah
false gods:
says, "And verily, We have
says, "And have sent
sent among
among everyevery nation
nation aa Messenger
Messenger
(proclaiming): 'Worship Allah (Alone),
(proclaiming):'Worship (Alone), and and avoid
avoid all false
false deities'"
deities"'
(16:36).
(16:36).
(2) Showing
Showing thatthat there
there isis aa specific
specific path
path ofof conduct
conduct leading
leading to
God's
God's pleasure
pleasureand the purifying of
and the of one's
one's soul
soul that
that each
each individual
individual is
obliged
obliged to adhere
adhere to: people were
to: Every people guided to aa straight
were guided path.
straight path.
Allah says,
says, "To each each among
among you, you, We have prescribed aa law and
have prescribed and aa
clear (5:a8). However,
clear way" (5:48). However, all of of the
the prophets
prophets brought
brought the the same
same
basic
basic path
path containing
containingthe the same
samegeneral
generallaws,laws, such
such asas commandment
cornmandmentto
pray, prohibition of
pray, polytheism,prohibition
of polytheism, prohibition of of adultery,
adultery,prohibition of of
murder
murder and
and so
so forth.
forth. This does
does not mean
mean that
that there
there were
were no no
differences
differences whatsoever
whatsoever concerning
concerning their particular particular practices.
practices. In
general,
general, their practices
practices were
were similar
similar but God
God sent
sent many
many prophets to
prophets
specific
specific peoples
peoples with specific
specific laws
laws for their
their time
time and
and place.
place. This
This isis
part
part of Allah's
Allah's mercy
mercy andand wisdom.
wisdom.However,
However,this this variation
variationin somesomeof of
their
their practices
practicesdoesdoesnot imply any any contradiction
contradictionconcerning
concerningtheir basic basic
message
messageor eveneven thethe basic
basic nature
natureof paths.
of their paths.
(3) Explaining
Explaining the fates of
the fates of individuals
individuals when when theythey decide
decide to
to
accept
acceptand
and worship
worship Allah and and when
when theythey decide
decide to to refuse
refuse to submit
submit to
or worship
worship Allah: On this point, the
this point, the messengers
messengerstaught taught humankind
humankind
about
about life after
after death, resurrection, final judgment
death, resurrection, judgment and and reward
reward or
punishment
punishment from Allah. The The details
details of of these
these matters
matters can can only be be
known
known from Allah and and Allah nevernever punished
punished any any people
people until the the
messenger
messenger had had made
made these
these points
points clearclear to them.them. Thus,
Thus, all the the
messengers
messengersactually
actually came
came with glad glad tidings
tidings for thosethose who wish wish to
to

40
40
accept faith and
accept and stern
stem warnings
warnings of of a ominous
ominous end end for those
those who wisltwish
reject it. Allah
to reject Allah says,
says, "And
"And We send Messengers but as
send not the Messengers as
givers of glad
givers of glad tidings
tidings andand as as warners.
warners. So So whosoever
whosoever believes and does
believes and does
righteous good deeds,
righteous deeds, uponupon suchsuch shall
shall ceme
come no fear, fear, nor shall
shall they
grieve. But those
grieve. those who reject reject Our proofs,
proofs, the the torment
torment willwill touch
touch them
them
(6:48-49).
for their disbelief' (6:48-a9).
above are
The above are the
the three
three basic
basic points around which all the
points around the
messages revolved.
messages revolved. The prophets prophets strove
strove to conveyconvey their messages,
messages,
fulfilled their trusts
fulfilled trusts andand conveyed
conveyed the the messages
messages clearly. After their
clearly. After
coming, there
coming, there is no longerlonger any room left for debate excuse. The
debate or excuse.
prophets fulfilled their missions
prophets missions and and now the matter is left to the
the matter
individual.
individual.
Foretelling of
The Foretelling of the Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad in Earlier Earlier Scriptures
Scriptures
previous section
The previous section showed
showed thatthat the
the basic message of
basic message of all ofof
the prophets
the prophets werewere the the same.
same. In addition,
addition, it was was definitely the the role
role ofof
some,
some, ifif not all, of of the
the earlier prophets to foretell
earlier prophets foretell the
the coming
coming of the
of the
Prophet
Prophet Muhammad.
Muhammad. For example, example, Allah says says in thethe Quran, "Those
Quran, "Those
who follow the the Messenger,
Messenger,the the Prophet
Prophetwho can can neither
neither read
read nor write
(i.e.,
(i.e.,Muhammad)
Muhammad)whom whom they they find written
written with them them in the the Torah
Torah andand
the
the Gospel..."
Gospel..."(7: 157).
(7:157).
Based
Based on on these
these and and other
other verses
verses of of the
the Quran,
Quran, Muslim
scholars realized that there must exist
scholarsrealizedthat theremust exist someevidence thesome evidence of the coming
coming of of
the Prophet
the Prophet (peace
(peace and blessings
and blessingsof of Allah be upon
upon him) in what is left
of the
the original
original scriptures
scripturesof the the Jews
Jews andand Christians.
Christians.Indeed, Muslim
Indeed,Muslim
scholars argue
scholars argue that
that many
many verses
verses can
can be
be found
found that
that seem
seem to
to point
directly
directly toto the
the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad.
Muhammad. (Actually,
(Actually, a
a number
number of
of books
books
have
havebeen
beenwritten
written on on this
this topic.)
topic.)
For
For the sake of brevity,
the sake brevity, only aa couplecouple of examples
exampleswill will bebe
discussed.
discussed.The first of these
The first thesepassages
passages comes
comesfrom from thethe Old Testament.
Old Testament.
Moses
Mosesis is speaking
speakingand andsays,
says,
And the the LORD said saidunto
unto me,
me, They
They have
have well spoken
spokenthatthat
which
which they they have
have spoken.
spoken.I will raise raise them
them up Prophet
up aa Prophet
from amongamong theirtheir brethren,
brethren, like
like unto
unto thee,
thee, and
and will put
will put
my words
words in his his mouth;
mouth;andand he he shall
shall speak
speakuntounto them
them allall
that
that I shall
shall command
commandhim. him. And it it shall
shall come
cometo pass,that
to pass, that
whosoever
whosoeverwill not not hearken
hearkenunto unto my my words which he
words which he
shall speak in
shall speak in my my name,
name, II will require require itit of him
of him
(Deuteronomy
(Deuteronomy18:17-19, l8: l7-19, King JamesJamesVersion).
Version).

4l
41
Perhaps
Perhapsthe the first question that
first question that needs
needsto to be
be answered
answeredis is who
who are
are the
the
brethrenof the
brethren the Israelites.
Israelites.According
According to the Hebrew
to the Hebrew Dictionary of of the
the
Bible,
Bible, thethe term
term brethren
brethren refers refers to to aa "personification
"personification of aa group group of
tribes
tribes who werewere regarded
regardedas asnear
nearkinsmen
kinsmenof Israelites."!
Israelites."rA group
group that
that
fits
fits that
that description
description very very well were were the descendantsof Ishmael,
the descendants Ishrnael,thethe
son
son of Abraham
Abraham and and the
the half-brother
half-brother of Isaac. Isaac.It is is from
from Ishmael
Ishmael that
that
the Arabs, and
the Arabs, and Muhammad
Muhammadin particular,are
in particular, aredescended.
descended.
Secondly,
Secondly,the the coming
coming prophet prophet is is described
describedas as being
being "like
thee," that
unto thee,"
unto that is,is, similar
similar to to Moses.
Moses. Now there there are
are Christians
Christians who
who
claim
claim that
that this passageis
this passage is aa reference
referenceto to Jesus.
Jesus.Given
Given that
that Christians
Christiansdo do
not
not consider
consider Jesus Jesus simply
simply aa prophet, prophet, this this isis highly
highly unlikely.
unlikely.
Nevertheless,
Nevertheless,Jamal Badawi has
JamalBadawi has constructed
constructedaa table table that
that demonstrates
demonstrates
how
how similar
similar MosesMoses and and Muhammad
Muhammadwere (and how
were (and how dissimilar
dissimilarJesus
Jesus
was
was to them).
them). It demonstrates
demonstratesthat that with respect
respectto to birth,
birth, family life,
nature
nature of death,
death,career,
career,forced
forced emigration,
emigration, results
results ofof encounters
encounterswith
enemies,
enemies,naturenature of teachings
teachingsand and acceptance
acceptanceof leadership
leadershipby his his own
people, the
people, Prophet Muhammad
the Prophet Muhammad (peace (peaceand and blessings
blessingsof Allah be be
upon him) was
upon was much much moremore similar
similar to to Moses
Moses than than Jesus ever was-
Jesusever was-
2
peacebe
may peace
may be upon
upon all all of them.
them.2
The
The verses
verses aboveabove then then continue
continue by saying,saying, "and willwill put my
words
words in his his mouth;
mouth; and and he he shall
shall speak
speak unto
unto them
them all that
that I shall
shall
command
command him." This This is is anan absolutely
absolutely accurate
accuratedescription
description of of the
the
Prophet Muhammad in relation
ProphetMuhammad relation to the the Quran.
Quran. TheThe words
words were
were put into
into
his
his mouth
mouth via direct direct revelation
revelation from from Gabriel,
Gabriel, wherein
wherein Muhammad
Muhammad
repeated verbatim what was
repeatedverbatim was revealed
revealedto him and and hehe commanded
commandedall
that
that the revelationcontained.
the revelation contained.
In the
the New Testament,
Testament,one one cancan find the passages in
the following passages
the Gospel
the Gospel of John, "If
of John, "If yeye love me, me, keep
keep my commandments.
commandments.And I
will pray the
will Father,and
the Father, and he he shall
shall give you another
anotherComforter,
Comforter, that
that hehe
may
may abide
abidewith you you for ever"ever" (John(John 14:15-16).
14:15-16).JohnJohn 16:7-8
16:7-8and
and John
John
16:12-13
16: 12-13 also
also speak
speak about
about a future future Comforter
Comforter and and the
the Spirit of
of Truth
come who
to come who could
could not come come while while Jesus
Jesuswaswas present.
present.
Who is
Who is this
this who
who is is to comecome afterafter Christ
Christ andand that
that cannot
cannotcome
come
while
while Christ
Christ is is present?
present? The The Christians
Christiansinterpret
interpret these passages as
these passages as

II Quoted in Jamal Muhammad in the

Badawi, Muhammad
Jamal Badawi, the Bible (Halifax, Canada:
Canada: Islamic
Islamic
Quoted
Information
Information Foundation, n.d.), p.
Foundation, n.d.), p. 40.
40.
2
2B a d a w ip
Badawi, , . 441.
p. 1.

42
42
referring to
referring to the
the Holy
Holy Ghost.
Ghost. ButBut Christian
Christian theology states that
theology states that the
the
Father, the
Father, the Son
Son andand the
the Holy
Holy Ghost
Ghost areare all
all part
part of
of the trinity, together
the trinity, together
as one
as one being.
being. IfIf this
this is
is the
the case,
case, how
how isis the
the one
one present
present and
and the other is
the other is
present? Such
not present? Such is completely
completely incompatible
incompatible with Christian
Christian theology.
theology.
Furthermore, a portion
Furthermore, portion in JohnJohn 16:12-13 states, "he will
16:12-13 which states, will guide
guide
you into all truth:
you truth: for he he shall
shall not speak
speak ofof himself;
himself; but whatsoever he
but whatsoever
shall hear,
shall hear, that
that shall
shall he speak:
speak: and
and he
he will
will show things to come,"
show you things come,"
another beautiful description
is nothing but another description of Prophet (peace
of the Prophet (peace andand
blessings of
blessings of Allah be upon upon him) and and how he received
received and and passed
passed on
the revelation
the revelation from God. God.
One last
One last set
set of
of verses
verses will
will be presented
presented that this author
that this author believes
believes
require virtually no comment
require comment otherother than
than saying
saying that great prophet
that a great prophet
was still expected:
was expected: "Attd"And this
this is the
the record
record ofof John,
John, when
when the the Jews
Jews sent
sent
priests and
priests and Levites
Levites from Jerusalem
Jerusalem to ask ask him,
him, Who art thou? And he
art thou? he
confessed, and
confessed, and denied
denied not;not; but confessed,
confessed, I am am notnot the Christ. And
the Christ.
they asked
they asked him,
him, What
What then?
then? Art thou
thou Elias?r
Elias?l And he he saith,
saith, I amam not.
not.
Art thou
thou that prophet? And he
that prophet? he answered,
answered,No" (John (John Il:19-21,
:19-21, King
Version). Who was
James Version).
James was that
that Prophet
Prophet that
that John
John and
and thethe Jews were
Jews were
expecting?
expecting?
These
These brief examples
exampleswill rvill have
have to to suffice
suffice and
and thethe interested
interested
reader
readermay
may consult
consultmoremore in-depth
in-depthworks. However, if
works. However, if these
thesesigns
signs dodo
point
point to
to the
the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad (peace (peaceand and blessings
blessingsof of Allah be be
upon
upon him) as as Muslim scholars
scholars maintain,
maintain, then,
then, in sincerity
sincerity to the
to the
Prophet
Prophet who originally made made the the statement,
statement,one one has
has to to follow the the
prophet
prophethe he pointed
pointedto. to.

The Final Message

The Final Message
After so so many
many prophets
prophetssentsentby Allah, Allah sent sentthe Prophet
the Prophet
Muhammad. Muhammad
Muhammad. Muhammad was bom was born around
around 570
570 years
years after
after the
the birth of
birth
Jesus Christ.
JesusChrist. He He was
was born
born in
in Mecca,
Mecca, in
in the
the Arabian
Arabian Peninsula.
Peninsula. The
The
people
peopleofof Mecca
Mecca were
were devoted
devoted to
to idol-worship.
idol-worship. In
In Mecca,
Mecca, there
there was
was aa
building
building built by the
by the prophets
prophets Abraham
Abraham and
and Ishmael.
lshmael. This
This structure,
structure,
known
known asasthe
the Kabah,
Kabah,was
wasdedicated
dedicatedto to the
the worship
worshipof of Allah, the only
Allah, the only
true God. The
true God. The Arab Arab polytheists,
polytheists, though,
though, filled
filled it
it with
with their
their idols.
idols.
Muhammad
Muhammadlived lived among
amongthem
thembutbut never
nevertooktook part
partinin idol-worship.
idol-worship.He He
was known for
was known for his his honesty
honestyand
and had
had the
the nickname,
nickname, "the
"the trustworthy."
trustworthy."

I I In
In Matthew
Matthew 17: 12 Jesus
l7:12 Jesusisisrecorded
recordedas
asstating
statingthat
thatElias
Eliashad
hadalready
alreadycome.
come.

43
43
 At
At the
the age
age of
of forty,
forty, Muhammad
Muhammad received
receivedhis his first revelation.
revelation.
Although this was
this was at at first startling to
startling to him, he
he then
then understood
understood thethe
mission
mission hehe had
had from God.
God. TheThe polytheistic
polytheistic Arabs
Arabs quickly rejected
rejectedhis
his
message
messagethatthat none
none is
is to be
be worshipped
worshippedexcept
except God.
God. Although he he was
was
known
known as as "the trustworthy,"
trustworthy," theythey belied
belied him andand soon
soon after
after started
startedaa
massive campaign
massive campaign to persecute
persecute those
those who believed
believed in Muhammad.
Muhammad.
After thirteen years of
thirteen years of preaching
preaching in Mecca,
Mecca, the the Prophet
Prophet himself was was
forced
forced to leave the city of
leave to the of Madinah,
Madinah, where
where he
he already
already had
had some
some
followers.
followers.
The people of
The people of Madinah
Madinah mademade him the the leader
leaderofof the
the city. The
The
disbelieversof
disbelievers of Mecca
Mecca did not rest rest and
and attempted
attemptedto militantly squash squash
the
the new
new faith.
faith. However,
However, what was was originally aa small band of
small band of Muslims
grew
grew in number
number and and were
were able
able to withstand
withstand the the onslaught
onslaught of of the
the
disbelievers.
disbelievers.Within ten ten years,
years, the
the Prophet
Prophet himself led led an
an army
army back
back
to Mecca
Mecca andand conquered
conqueredit in aa bloodless
bloodlessvictory.
victory. Thus,
Thus, Islam
Islam became
became
victorious
victorious in Arabia and and began
began spreading
spreading throughout
throughout the the world.

Allah hadhad sent

sent numerous prophets throughout
numerousprophets throughout the the centuries.
centuries.
However,
However, He He had had determined
determined thatthat He shouldshould send send this
this final
messenger,
messenger,Muhammad,
Muhammad, with aa final message. message.This final messenger messenger
would bebe the
the messenger
messengerfor all of of humankind
humankind from his his time
time until thethe
Day ofof Reckoning.
Reckoning. There There was
was to be be no
no later
later revelation
revelation and and no later
later
prophet
prophet to bring any any changes
changesto this
this revelation.
revelation.Hence,Hence,this
this one
one had
had to
to
differ from the
the previous
previous in some
someways.ways.
First,
First, since
since nono one
one could
could come
come later
later to correct
correct any
any mistakes
rnistakes
or distortions,
distortions, the
the revelation
revelation received
received by the the last prophet had
last prophet had to be be
preservedin its
preserved its pristine
pristine purity.
purity.
Second,
Second, the nature of
the nature of the
the "sign" of of the
the last prophet would
last prophet
have
have to be different as
be different as well. This is is because
becausethis this sign
sign would havehave to
affect
affect not only the the people
people who were were alive
alive during
during thethe time
time of
of the
the
prophet
prophet but also
also all those
thosewho would come come later.
later.
Third, this prophet could
this final prophet could not simply be be sent
sent for one
one
community
community amongamong humankind-each
humankind-each then then having
having their
their own final
prophet
prophet and
and then
then differing with one one another.
another.This prophet had
This final prophet had toto
be sent
be sent for all of humankind,
of humankind, putting
putting an end
an end to the
the successionof
succession of
prophets
prophetsandand being
being suitable
suitablefor the
the world as as a whole.
whole.
Fourth, the laws
Fourth, the laws and and teachings
teachings of
of this
this message
messagehad had to be be
fixed
fixed in matters that need
matters that need to be to be fixed for all of
of humankind
humankind until the
the

44
44
 Day of
Day ofJudgment
Judgment and and guiding
guiding yet flexible or
yet flexible accommodating in
or accommodating in those
those
matters that
matters that need
need to to be be open
open to change due
to change due to the changing
to the changing
circumstances of
circumstances ofhumankind.
humankind.
On all
On all of
of these
these points,
points, oneone sees that itit is
sees that is the message of
the message of the
the
Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad (peace (peace and and blessings
blessings of Allah be
ofAllah upon him)
be upon him) who who
fits all
fits all of
of these
these criteria.
criteria. The exacting preservation
The exacting preservation of of the Quran and
the Quran and
the Sunnah
the Sunnah was was already
already discussed. Similarly, the
discussed. Similarly, nature of
the nature his "sign,"
of his "sign,"
the Quran,
the Quran, the the ultimate
ultimate miracle
miracle thatthat can still be
can still experienced today,
be experienced today,
was also
was also discussed
discussed earlier.
earlier.
As forfor the third issue, issue, the Prophet Muhammad (peace
Prophet Muhammad (peace and and
blessings of
blessings of Allah
Allah be be upon him) was the only prophet prophet to make make itit
known that he was not sent sent only for a certain people but he was sent
certain people sent
for all the the various
various peoples
peoples of of the world. Allah says'
the world- says, "Say (O (0
Muhammad to the
Muhammad people), 'O
the people), '0 mankind! Verily, II am sent
mankind! Verily, sent to you all
as the
as the Messenger
Messenger of of Allah' (7:158). Another verse
(7: 158). Another reads, "And
verse reads, "And We
have not sent
have sent you (O (0 Muhammad)
Muhammad) except except as as a giver of glad tidings
of glad tidings
and a warner
and warner to all mankind"mankind" (3a:2S).
(34:28). The Prophet Muhammad also
Prophet Muhammad also
stated
stated thatthat hehe was
was distinguished
distinguished from the the earlier prophets by five
earlier prophets
matters.
matters.The The last
last he
he mentioned
mentionedwas, prophet would be
was, "The prophet sent to his
be sent his
people
people only while
while haveI have been
been sent
sent to
to all of
of mankind.,,1
mankind."r
Finally,
Finally, whenwhen one one studies
sfudies the promulgated by the
the law promulgated the
Prophet Muhammad
ProphetMuhammad (peace
(peace and
and blessings
blessings of Allah be
be upon
upon him)
him) one
one
finds
finds that
that it has
has the
the needed elementsof flexibility that
neededelements that allow it to be
to be
just as practicable
as practicable today today as
as it was
was during
during the
the time
time of the
the Prophet.
Prophet.
What
What needs
needsto to be
be fixed
fixed forever
forever is is fixed Islamic law.
fixed in Islamic law. What needsto
What needs to
be
be left
left flexible
flexible is
is left
left flexible.
flexible. For
For example,
example, in
in business
business dealings,
dealings,
interest
interest is is prohibited
prohibited forever.
forever. In In addition
addition to to that,
that, general guidelines
generalguidelines
are
are given.
given. However,
However, the
the guidance
guidance is
is such
such that
that when
when new
new forms of
forms of
business
business dealings
dealings are are developed,
developed, as as inin modern
modern times, times, one one can can
determine
determinewhich which are are acceptable
acceptableaccording
accordingto guidelinesand
Islamic guidelines
to Islamic and
which
which are are not.
not. Thus,
Thus, Islamic
Islamic Law Law has hasbeen proven to
beenproven be feasible
to be feasiblefor for
over 1400
over 1400years
yearsand,and,according
accordingto to Islamic beliefs,will
Islamicbeliefs, continueto
will continue be
to be
feasible
feasibleuntil
until the Day of
theDay of Judgment.
Judgment.
Allah
Allah decreed
decreed that
that this
this Prophet
Prophet Muhammad (peace and
Muhammad (peace and
blessingsof
blessings of Allah
Allah be
beupon
uponhim)
him) should
shouldbe
beHis finalmessenger.
His final messenger. Allah
Allah
says, "Muhammad isis not
Says,"Muhammad not the
the father
fatherof
of any
anyman you, but
amongyou,
manamong he isis
but he

IIRecordedby
Recorded byal-Bukhari
al-Bukhariand
andMuslim.
Muslim.

45
45
the Messengerof
the Messenger Allah and
of Allah and thethe seal
sealof of the
the Prophets.
Prophets.And And AllahAllah isis
Ever All-Aware
Ever All-Aware of of everything" (33:40). The
everything" (33:40). The Prophet
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
(peaceand
(peace andblessings
blessingsof of Allah
Allah be beupon
uponhim)him) himself
himselfsaid, said,"I"I have
havebeenbeen
sentto
sent all of
to all of the
the creation
creationandandthe prophetshave
theprophets havebeen beensealed
sealedby by me."]
me."l
Again, he
Again, he said, "The Children
said, "The Children of of Israel
Israel were
were led led byby the
the prophets;
prophets;
wheneveraa prophet
whenever prophetdied, prophetsucceeded
died,aa prophet succeeded (him). Lo!
(him). Lo! There
Therewill will
be no
be prophetafter
no prophet afterme"z
me"Z
Thus, there
Thus, therefinally
finally came
camethe the Prophet
Prophetwho who explicitly
explicitly declared
declared
that he is
thathe is the final prophet.
the final prophet.No No prophet
prophetshall
shall come
comeafterafterhim.
him. TheThe truth
truth
of his message
of his messageand andhishis own
own honesty
honestyare arewell established.
established.If If one
one comes
comes
to the
to conclusion that
the conclusion that he
he is
is to
to be
be believed
believed or or that
that the
the Quran
Quran is is true,
true,
thenit is
then is also
alsoto to be
be believed
believedon on this point of finality
thispoint finality as aswell.
well.
Furthermore, no
Furthermore, no oneone hashas thethe right to to accept
accept the the other
other
prophetswhile
prophets while rejecting
rejectingthethe Prophet
ProphetMuhammad.
Muhammad.No one one has
hasthethe right
to say
to say that
that Muhammad
Muhammadwas was truthful
truthful but,
but, "I choose
chooseto to still follow Jesus
Jesus
Mosesinstead."
or Moses instead."Logically
Logically speaking,
speaking,one one should
shouldnot not expect
expectthis this to
to
be acceptable
be acceptableto to Allah.
Allah. Allah has has sent
sent His
His final
final messenger
messengerto to bebe
believedin and
believed and followed,
followed, superseding
superseding and
and canceling
cancelingwhat what is left of the
is left the
teachingsof
teachings of earlier prophets.In the
earlier prophets. the Quran,
Quran, Allah describes
describessuch such an an
attitude:"And when
attitude: when it is is said
saidto to them, 'Believe in what
them, 'Believe what Allah
Allatr has
has sent
sent
down,' they
down,' they say, 'We believe
say, 'We believein what what was
was sent
sentdown
down to us.' us.' And theythey
disbelieve
disbelieve in that which came
that after it, while it is
came after is the
the truth
truth confirming
what is
what is with them" (2:91).
them" (2:91).
The Prophet
The Prophet said, "[I swear]
said, "[I swear] by [God],
[God], the the One
One in whose whose
hand
hand is my soul, soul, there
there will be be none
none of of my addressed
addressed people,
people, be be hehe Jerv
Jew
or Christian,
Christian, who hears hears ofof me
me and
and dies
dies without
without believing
believing in that that with
which I was was sent
sent except
except that
that hehe will
will be from the the inhabitants
inhabitants of of the
the
Hell-fire."3
Hell-fire.") The The Prophet
Prophet even
even told one one ofof his
his companions,
companions, "If "If my
brother
brother Moses
Moses were were alive today,
today, he he would have have no optionoption but to
me.,,4
follow me."4
In sum,
sum, the signs pointing to the
the signs the Prophet
Prophet beforehand
beforehand are are
there.
there. The Prophet's
Prophet's own honestyhonesty is unquestionable.
unquestionable. The preservation
preservation
of
of his scripture
scripture is established.
established. All All the
the indicators
indicators point to his

I
I Recorded
Recorded by
by Muslinr.
Muslim.
2Recorded
2Recorded by
by al-Bukhari
al-Bukhari and
and Muslim.
Muslim.
3
3 Recorded by Muslim.
Recorded by Muslim.
a
4 Recorded
Recorded by
by Ahmad
Ahmad and
and al-Daarimi.
al-Daarimi.

46
46
prophethood. As
prophethood. As aa prophet,
prophet, his
his word
word must
must be
be believed in. He
believed in. He has
has
declared himself
declared himself thethe last
last prophet
prophet and
and said
said that
that all
all of humankind must
of humankind must
now choose
now choose to
to follow
follow him.
him. This
This is
is the
the choice
choice facing one of
every one
facing every of
humankind and
humankind and itit is
is hoped
hoped that
that they
they will
will make
make thethe correct and logical
correct and logical
decision.
decision.

47
47
 Islam
Islam and T'Faith"
and "Faith"
The
The Definition
Definition of of Islam
Islam
The word
The word islam
islam comes
comes from from thethe verb
verb which
which means,
means, "He "He
resigned, or
resigned, or submitted,
submitted, himself."
himself."rI So, ls/aru is
So, islam is the
the wayway or or act
act ofof
submitting and
submitting resigning oneself.
and resigning oneself. Hence,
Hence, aa "muslim"
"muslim" is is one one who
who
submits.
submits.
As aa technical
technical term, term, the the word Islam Islam has has at at least
least two
two
distinguishableusages:
distinguishable usages:(1) (l) It It is
is aa term
term used
used forfor the
the true
true religion
religion of
God since
God sincethethe time
time of thethe creation
creationof humans;
humans;and and (2)(2) it isis aa term
term used
used
today for
today for the the religion
religion brought
brought by the the lastlast prophet,
prophet, Prophet Prophet
Muhammad.
Muhammad.
fslam: The
Islam: The Religion
Religion of All of the the Prophets
Prophets
In aa religious
religious sense,
sense, islamislam is is used
used to to mean,
mean, "the true true
submissionand
submission and obedience
obedienceto to God
God alone."
alone." In this this sense,
sense,then,
then, it was was
the religion of
the religion all of the
of all the true prophets of God.
true prophets God. In fact, fact, it was was the
the
religion of
religion of all ofof their
their followers
followers as as well.
well. In other
other words,
words, everyevery true
true
believer from the
believer from the time
time of of Adam
Adam to to the
the last
last believer
believer on on earth
earth practices
practices
Islam and
Islam and isis aa Muslim.
Muslim. Furthermore,
Furthermore,it is is the
the only religion
religion that that Allah
ever commanded
ever coffrmandedhumankind
humankind to to follow. Islam,
Islam, therefore,
therefore, is is the
the only
religion that
religion that has
has ever
ever been
been acceptable
acceptableto Allah. Allah says, says,"Truly, the the
religion with Allah is
religion is Islam (submissionto
Islam (submission to Him)" (3: 19). Allah also
(3:19). also
says,"And whoever
says, whoeverseeksseeksa religion
religion other
otherthanthan Islam,
Islam, it will never neverbe be
acceptedof
accepted of him, and and in thethe Hereafter
Hereafter he he will be be one
one of of the
the losers"
losers"
(3:85).
(3:85).
Throughout the
Throughout the Quran,
Quran, Allah makes makes it clearclear that
that thethe religion
practice
and practice of
and the prophets
of all the prophets was was that
that of
of Islam.
Islam. For example,
example,Allah
quotesNoah
quotes Noah as as saying,
saying, after
after explaining
explaining the faith to the
the faith people, "But
the people, "But ifif
you turn
tum away
away [from accepting
accepting my doctrine doctrine to worshipworship none none but
Allah], then
then no reward
reward havehave I askedasked of of you,
you, my reward
reward is only from
Allah, andand I havehave been
been commanded
commanded to be be one
one of of thethe Muslims"
((10:71).
10:71).
Abraham
Abraham was was alsoalso a Muslim. Abraham Abraham is often often called
called in the the
West, "the father
West, father of
of monotheism."
monotheism." Without any any doubt
doubt Abraham
Abraham was was a
pure
pure monotheist
monotheist and and oneone who truly submittedsubmitted to God (that (that is, is, a true
true
Muslirn).
Muslim). However,
However, he he was
was in no way the the originator
originator of of monotheism.
monotheism.

'
E. W. Lane,
I E, Lexicon (Cambridge,
Lane, Arabic-English Lexicon (Cambridge, England:
England: The Islamic Texts Society,
Society,
1
1984), , o l . l , pp.. 1
9 8 4 )vvol.1, 413.
1413.

48
48
Monotheism was
Monotheism was the
the religion
religion of
ofAdam
Adam andand was
was the
the religion
religion of all true
ofall true
believers, such
believers, such asas Noah,
Noah, between
between thethe time
time of
of Adam
Adam andand Abraham.
Abraham.
Belief in
Belief in Allah
Allah alone
alone asas God
God and
and submission
submission to to Him
Him has always been
has always been
the pillar
the pillar of
of the
the true
true religion
religion of
of God.
God.
Moses was
Moses was also
also aa Muslim,
Muslim, receiving
receiving the
the revelation from Allah,
revelation from Allah,
submitting completely
submitting completely to to Hirn
Him alone
alone and
and commanding
commanding his his people
people toto do
do
the same.
the same. Moses,
Moses, for example,
example, would
would have
have never rejected the
never rejected the
prophethood of
prophethood of one
one ofof his fellow prophets,
prophets, Jesus,
Jesus, as
as the Jews have
the Jews have
done.
done.
Jesus was
Jesus was another
another prophet
prophet of of God who followed the religion religion of of
Islam or submitting
Islam submitting to Allah alone. alone. He taught taught this religion to
this religion to his
his
disciples. Jesus
disciples. Jesus waswas human,
human, like all the other other prophets.
prophets, and and never
never
claimed for himself any
claimed any divine
divine or semi-divine
semi-divine status. fact, Allah
status. In fact,
makes
makes it clear the Quran
clear in the Quran that Jesus Jesus never
never asked anyone to worship
asked anyone
him
h i m (see
( s e eQuran
Q u r a n5:116-118).
5:116-118).
Thus,
Thus, thethe brotherhood
brotherhood of of Islam and and thethe bond of true faith
of true
stretches
stretchesall the the way from from Adam until the end of
the end of time, spanning all
time, spanning
localities
localitiesandand peoples.
peoples.The The true
true believers
believerslove one another and
one another and support
support
one another.It is truly aa blessed
one another. blessedand and unique
unique brotherhood.
brotherhood.
In particular,
particular, thethe true
true Muslims
Muslims throughout
throughout all the ages believe
the ages believe
in all of the prophets. They
the prophets.They support support all of
of them
them and
and defend
defend their honor
honor
as well. This
as well. This role role of defending
defending the
the honor
honor of
of the
the prophets
prophets has
has truly
fallen upon the shoulders
fallen upon the shoulders of
of the
the followers
followers of
of the
the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
in
in particular
particular today.
today. The peoples of other
The peoples other faiths seem to
faiths seem have no
to have no
qualms speaking
qualms speaking badly badly about
about or even
even ridiculing their
their own prophets,
prophets,
not
not toto speak
speakof of prophets
prophetsthat that they reject.It
they reject. seemsas
It seems though it is
as though is only
the followers
the followers of of Muhammad
Muhammad today
today who
who are
are willing to
to stand
stand and
and
defend the honor
defend the honor of of those
those noble
noble prophets
prophets and
and believers.
believers. One
One would
never
never hearhear aa pious
pious Muslim
Muslim ever ever speak
speakbadlybadly about Abraham,Isaac,
about Abraham, Isaac,
Moses, Jesus
Moses, Jesus or
or any
any of
of the
the prophets.
prophets. Instead,
Instead, the
the Muslim
Muslim respects,
respects,
honors
honorsand andloves
lovesthem
themall all in
in the
themanner
mannerthey deserve,
they deserve.
Islam: The
Islam: The Religion
Religionof of the
the Prophet Muhammad
ProphetMuhammad
Before
Before thethe time
tinreof of the
the Prophet
Prophet(peace(peaceand blessingsof
andblessings Allah
of Allah
be
be upon
uponhim),
him), oneonecould
couldsay saythat therewere
thatthere weremany "Islams."That
many "Islams." That is,is'
each
each people
people had
had their
their prophets,
prophets, followed
followed their
their teachings
teachings and
and were
were on
on
the pathof
thepath of Islam.
Islan-r.At
At the
thesame
sametime,time, ifif aa new prophetin
new prophet in the
the same
samelineline
of
of prophets
prophetscame cameto to them,
them,they they hadhad nono choice
choicebut follow that
to follow
but to that new
new
prophet.
prophet. As As was
was discussed
discussedearlier,
earlier, thethe oneone who refusesto
who refuses accept
to accept

49
49
Allah's later prophet is
later prophet is not truly submitting
submitting to Allah. If If he
he isis not truly
submitting
submitting to Allah, then then hehe isis not
not aa "Muslim."
"Muslim."
Therefore,
Therefore, after
after the time of
the time of the
the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad (peace (peace
and blessingsof Allah be
and blessings be upon
upon him)him) there
there is is only oneone acceptable
acceptable
manner of
manner of worshipping
worshipping and and submitting
submitting to God: God: TheThe pathpath of of the
the
Prophet
Prophet Muhammad.
Muhammad. That That is is the
the only pathpath thatthat today
today can can truly be be
called
called "submitting
"submitting oneselfoneself to the will of
to the of Allah." Anyone Anyone who who
knowingly rejectsrejects the
the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad (peace (peace andand blessings
blessings of of
Allah be be upon
upon him), no no matter
matter how many many other
other prophets
prophets he he believes
believes
in, is
in, is no
no longer
longersubmitting
submittingto God God andand isis not
not aa Muslim.
Muslirn.
It is
is interesting
interestingto note note that
that the
the only religion
religion that
that has
has kept
kept the
the
name "submission to
name "submission to Allah" or Islam Islam is is that
that of of the
the final
final Prophet
Prophet
Muhammad
Muhammad (peace (peaceand and blessings
blessingsof of Allah be be upon
upon him).
him). The The other
other
well-known
well-known religionsreligions areare all namednamed afterafter individuals,
individuals, peoples
peoples or
places.
places. According
According to Microsoft Encarta, the
Microsoft Encarta, the term
term Judaism
Judaism did not
even
even exist pre-modern Hebrew.
exist in pre-modern Hebrew. It is is in reference
reference to Judah. Judah.
Christianity
Christianityis, is, of course,
course,namednamed afterafter Christ
Christ as as Buddhism
Buddhism is is named
named
after
after Buddha.
Buddha.Hinduism
Hinduism has has toto do
do with thethe place,
place,Hindustan.
Hindustan.But, But, by
Allah's wisdom
wisdom and and mercy,
mercy, the the name
name of the the only true true religion
religion of
submission
submission to to Allah-the
Allah-the religion
religion of of all the the prophets-has
prophets-has been been
preservedand
preserved and kept
kept only in reference
referenceto to the
the mission
mission of of the
the final
final
prophet
prophet who was sent for all of
was sent of humanity.
humanity.
In sum,
sum, today,
today, thethe only option
option left to be be on
on the
the path
path of of Islam
lslam
and
and follow the the way
way of all of of the
the earlier
earlier prophets
prophetsis is by following
following the the
Prophet
Prophet Muhammad.
Muhammad. The The Prophet
Prophet said said regarding
regarding Moses,Moses, "If "If my
brother
brother Moses
Moses were were alive
alive today,
today, he he would have have no option
option but to
follow me."me."lI
The
The invitation
invitation is is open
open for everyone
everyoneto to follow the the way of of the
the
Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammad(peace (peaceand blessingsof
and blessings of Allah be be upon
upon him).
him). In aa
beautiful
beautiful statement,
statement,the the Prophet
Prophet explained
explained in aa parable
parable the the nature
nature of of
his
his call
call to
to all
all ofof humankind.
humankind.The The Prophet
Prophetexplained
explainedthat that some
someangels
angels
came
came to to him while he he was
was sleeping.
sleeping.Some Some of of the
the angels
angelssaid,said, "He is is
sleeping
sleeping[therefore
[therefore leave
leave him]." The
The others
others answered,
answered, "His eyes
eyes sleep
sleep
but his heart is
his heart is alert."
alert." They
They said,
said,"Your companion
companionis is like
like this"
this" and
and
they propoundedaa similitude.
they propounded similitude. They They said,
said, "His similitude
similitude is is like aa
person
person who who builds
builds aa house
house and and provides
provides aa tabletable spread
spreadfilled
filled with

I Recorded
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Ahmad and
I and al-Daarimi.
al-Daarimi.

50
50
provisions and
provisions and calls
calls the
the other
other people
people to it. Those Those who respondrespond to to his
his
call enter
enter the the house
house and and eateat from the the table
table spread.
spread. Those
Those who do not not
respond to his call do not enter
respond enter the house house nor do they eat frorn from the
the
table spread." Some of
table spread."Some of the angelssaid,the angels said, "Give him its interpretation."
interpretation."
Others replied, "He is sleeping."
Others replied, sleeping." They were were answered
answered by others others who
said,
said, "His eyes sleep
eyes sleep but his heart is alert."
his heart alert." So So they explained
explainedthe
parable to him,
parable him, saying, saying, "The house is Paradise and the
house Paradiseand the one inviting is one
Muhammad (peace
Muhammad (peacebe upon be upon him). Whoever obeys
Whoever Muhammad (peace
obeys Muhammad (peace
be upon
be upon him) has
has verily obeyed Allah. Whoever
obeyedAllah. Whoeverdisobeys disobeys Muhammad
Muhammad
(peace
(peacebe be upon
upon him) has has verily disobeyed
disobeyed Allah. Allah. And Muhammad
Muhammad
(peace
(peacebe be upon
upon him) is is a separator
separator of of humanity."'
humanity." I
It is as as simple
simple as this: The invitation is out there
as this: there andand each
each
individual will
individual will face face the
the consequence
consequence of
of his
his decision
decision of
of accepting
accepting or
rejecting
rejecting the the invitation.
invitation.
The Islamic Concept of "Faith"
Islamic Concept "Faith"
In addition
addition to
to outward
outward submission
submission to Allah, one one tnust
must also
also
have
have faith
faith in one's
one's heart.
heart. One
One issue
issue concerning
concerning faith
faith is what
what one
one is
supposed
supposed to believe
believe in or,
or, in other
other terms,
terms, the
the articles
articles of
of faith.
faith. The
The
Prophet
Prophetonce once explained
explainedfaith faith by saying,
saying,"It "It is believe in Allah, His
is to believe
angels,
angels,His His books,
books,His His messengers,
messengers, the
the Last
Last Day and believe in the
and to believe the
divine
divine decree,
decree,[both] [both] the
the good
good and
and the
the evil thereof."
thereof." Here
Here the
the Prophet
Prophet
mentioned
mentioned the the primary
primary articles
articles of of faith.
faith. These
These articles
articles are six in
are six
number
numberas asfollows:
follows:
(1)
(1) Belief in Allah: Allah: Belief in Allah is is the
the cornerstone
cornerstoneof of
Islamic
Islamic faith.
faith. ThisThis article
articleof faith faith has
has been
been explained
explainedthroughout
throughoutthis this
work andand needs
needsno no further
further elaboration
elaborationhere. here.
(2)
(2) Belief in the the Angels:
Angels: Angels
Angels are are aa type creation of
type of creation of
Allah
Allah that
that is,is, in
in general,
general,unseen
unseenby man. man.They havebeen
They have beencreated from
createdfrom
light
light but
but theythey do do have
have forms
forms andand bodies.
bodies.They They are are servants
servantsof of Allah
and
and have
have no no aspect
aspectof divinity
divinity to to them whatsoever.They
them whatsoever. submit to
They submit to
His
His command
commandcompletely completelyand and never
never stray
stray from
from fulfilling His orders. orders.
The
The fact
fact thatthat there
there areare some
some types
types of beings beyond the
beings beyond realm of
the realm of
human
human experience
experienceshould should not not bebe shocking
shocking as as even today on
even today on earth
earth
humans
humansare arestill
still finding
finding previously
previouslyunknown
unknownspecies speciesof animals.
animals.
(3) Belief
(3) Belief in in the
the Books revealedby Allah:
Books revealed Allah: Belief in Allah's
in Allah's
books
booksrefers
refersto to the
therevelations
revelationsthat Allah sent
thatAllah down to
sentdown to His messengers
His messengers

I Recorded by
I Rccordedby al-Bukhari.
al-Bukhari,

51
51
as
as aa mercy
mercy and and guidance
guidance to lead lead mankind
mankind to success
successin this this life and
and
happiness
happiness in the
the Hereafter.
Hereafter. The Quran
The Quran refers refers to a number
number of such
of such
books:
books: the scrolls of Abraham,
the scrolls Abraham, the the Torah
Torah of of Moses,
Moses, the the Psalms
Psalms of of
David and and the
the Gospel
Gospel of of Jesus.
Jesus.(It must
must be be recalled that the
recalled that the original
revelations
revelationsthatthat these
theseprophets
prophetsreceived
receivedare are not the
the same
same as the books
as the books
that
that go
go under
under such
such names
names today.
today. They were were not preserved
preserved properly.)
properly.)
Belief in the the books
books also also includes
includes belief in the the Quran
Quran as as the
the final
revelation.
revelation. It is is very important
important to realize
realize that
that it is considered
considered the the
height of
height of arrogance
arroganceand and aa form of of disbelief
disbelief for an an individual to declare
declare
for himself the the right to to believe portions of
believe in portions of what
what Allah revealed
revealed and and
reject
reject other
other portions
portions of of it. Thus,
Thus, Allah says,says,"Then do believe in a
do you believe
part
part ofof the
the Scripture
Scriptureand and reject
reject the
the rest?
rest? Then
Then what is the recompense
is the recompense
of those
those who do do soso among
among you,you, except
except disgrace
disgrace in the the life of of this
this
world,
world, andand on the the Day of of Resurrection
Resurrectionthey they shall
shall bebe consigned
consignedto the the
most grievous torment.
most grievous torment. And Allah is unaware of
is not unaware of what you do"
(2:85).
(2 :85) .
(4) Belief in the the Messengers:
Messengers:This concept concept has has also been
also been
discussed
discussedin detaildetailearlier
earlierandand needs
needsno no further
furtherelaboration.
elaboration.
(5) Belief in the the Last
Last Day and and the
the Resurrection:
Resurrection:"The Last
Day" is is called
called such
such because
becausetherethere will
will bebe no new
new dayday after
after it, asas the
the
peopleof
people of Paradise
Paradiseshall shall bebe in their
their abode
abodeas the people
as will the people of of Hell.
Its
Its other
other names include "The Day of
namesinclude of Resurrection,"
Resurrection,"and and "The Day of of
Judgment."
Judgment," This This is is the greatest day
the greatest day thatthat humankind
humankind shall shall pass
pass
through.
through. Indeed,
Indeed, it will will be
be the gravest and
the gravest and most
most fearful day. A
fearful day. A
person's
person's new new life will be be decided
decided on on that day. It will
that day. mark a new
will mark new
beginning
beginning for each each soul.
soul. This new new step
step maymay lead
lead to eternal
eternal bliss
bliss or
eternal damnation.Belief in the
eternaldamnation. Last Day implies
the Last implies belief in everything
everything
that
that the
the Quran
Quran or the the Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace be upon
upon him) has has stated about the
statedabout the
events
events of thatthat Day and and thereafter. There are
thereafter. There are some general aspects
some general aspects
(resurrection, judgment and
(resurrection,judgment and reward, Paradise and
reward, Paradise and Hell) as as well as as
more detailedaspects
more detailed aspectsthat that the
the Quran
Quran or the the Messenger
Messengerof of Allah (peace
(peace
be upon him)
be upon mentioned.The
hinr) mentioned. The more
more one one has
has knowledge
knowledge of of that
that Day
and its
and its surrounding
surrounding events,events,the greaterthe
the greater the affect
affect this will have
this belief will have
on him.
on Hence, the
him. Hence, the Quran
Quran and and Sunnah provide great
Sunnahprovide great detail
detail asas to thethe
eventsof
events of that
that Day and and time.
time.

52
52
 important to realize
It is important
It realize that no one one can
can saysay for certain
certain who
who
will be
will be in Paradise
Paradise or Hell.'
Hell. I Nobody
Nobody knows knows what will will happen
happen to any
individual. A
individual. A righteous
righteous person
person today
today may change change and and become
become impious
impious
tomorrow, leading
tomorrow, leading himself to Hell. The greatest greatest enemy
enemy of of Islam and
disbeliever may repent
disbeliever repent in thethe future
future andand become
become the most pious of of
people, leading
people, leading himself to Heaven. Heaven. In fact, fact, there
there areare some
some who may
never hear
never hear about
about Islam or have have only been been offered
offered a very distorted
distorted
picture of
picture Islam. Only God
of Islam. God knows
knows whatwhat willwill happen
happen to such such people
people in
the
the Hereafter. However, some
Hereafter. However, some things
things are are certain:
certain: God alone alone will
will be
the
the judge on the
the Day of Judgment,
of Judgment, God will
will never
never wrong any soul
soul
even the slightest amount
even the slightest amount and if and if a person
person is a true
true Muslim
Muslim and
believer,
believer, Allah will be
be pleased
pleased with him.
him.
(6) Belief in the the Divine Decree (al-Qadar): This refers
Decree (al-Qadar): refers to
belief in the fact
the fact thatthat nothing
nothing can
can occur
occur in this creation
creation except
except the
by the
will and permission
and permissionof Allah. of Allah. There
There is no power
power that
that can
can go against
against
His
His will.
witl. HeHe hashas control
control over
over all things.
things.This does not mean,
This does mean, though,
though,
that Islam
that Islam is is fatalistic.
fatalistic. Humans
Humans have
have been
been given
given a type
type of
of free
free will.
However,
However, Allah, with His perfect
perfect knowledge,
knowledge, has
has foreknowledge
foreknowledge of
of
what
what humans
humanswill do. do. He has
has knowledge
knowledgeof what they
of what will do and
they will and He
wills it and
and decrees
decreesit but but He
He does
doesnot not cause
causethem them to make make their
their life
choices.
choices.
The
The above
above are
are the
the six articlesof
six articles of faith the Muslim religion.
faith in the religion.
There is
There is an an important
important second
second issue related to "faith": What does
issue related does
o'faith" really
"faith" really meanmean for aa person
person and and what are are its
its implications? First,
implications? First,
faith,
faith, meaning
meaningtrue true and
and definitive
definitive belief in something,
something,should lead to a
should lead
corresponding
correspondingsubmission submissionto to what
what one one believes
believesin. in. Otherwise,
Otherwise,it is is
simply
simply an an acceptance
acceptanceof aa fact fact but
but it is is not
not the Islamic concept
the Islamic concept of of
"faith"
"faith"
A person's
person'sbeliefs
beliefsarearethe
the most importantaspect
mostimportant aspectof his being.
of his being.
They
They are,are, in in general,
general,the forces behind
the driving forces behind his his way of and
of life and
personal
personalchoices.
choices.The The true
true and
and effective
effectivebeliefs never remain
beliefs never remain at at an
an
abstract
abstract levellevel but but their
their influence
influence is is manifested
manifested on day-to-day
on aa day-to-day
practical
practical level.
level. In In other
other words, there is
words, there is no true "faith" without that
no true that
having
having aa strongstrong influence
influence upon person's acts.
upon aa person's person cannot
acts. A person cannot
claim,
claim, "I"I have
have belief
belief in
in my
my heart," yet, at
heart," yet, at the sametime,
the same time, that person
that person
never
neveractually
actually does doesdeeds
deedscorresponding
colTespondingto to what
what he he claims believe
claims to believe

I Unless,
1 Unless,of
of course,
course,such
suchhas
hasbeen
beenexplicitly statedin
explicitly stated in the
the Quran or the
Quranor the Sunnah.
Sunnah-

53
53
 in. This
in. person'sactions
This person's actionsare
arebelying
belying hishis claim
claim of
of "faith
"faith in
in the
the heart."
heart."
Thus, from
Thus, from an
an Islamic perspective,true
Islamic perspective, faith in the heart demandsthat
true faith in the heart demands that
the individual
the individualsubmits
submitstoto God
God in
in his
his actions.
actions.

54
54
 Ritual Acts of
The Ritual of Worship
Worship in Islam
Scope of
The Scope of Worship
The Islamic term for worship implies "servitude" "servitude" to the Lord.
worship God is actually
To worship actually thethe only goal
goal for which all of of humankind
humankind
has been
has been created.
created. Indeed,
Indeed, thethe noblest
noblest andand greatest
greatest that
that anyone
anyone could
could
ever be is being
ever being a true
true servant
servant and and worshipper
worshipper of of God.
God.
AI-Miqreezee notes
Al-Miqreezee notes that the the proper
proper form of of worship entails
entails
aspects:
four aspects:
"Worship" restricted to the
"Worship" is not restricted the ritual actsacts of
of worship
worship or
acts that
acts that one
one may
may consider "religious" or "spiritual."
consider "religious" "spiritual." TheThe goal
goal is to
become as
become as complete
complete a servant
servant of of Allah as as one
one can.
can. The
The correct
correct
concept of
concept of servitude comprehensive. "Worship"
servitude is very comprehensive. ibaadah is
"Worship" or ibaadah
concept comprising
a concept comprising everyevery word or deed, deed, internal
internal or manifest,
manifest, that
that
loves and
Allah loves and approves.
approves. Hence, worship permeates
Hence, worship every part
permeates every part of
of a
person. It touches
person. touches uponupon hishis internal
internal characteristics
characteristics as as well as as his
his
outward
outwardactions.
actions.
In sum, worship is
sum, worship is inclusive
inclusiveof: of: (a) One's
(a) One's relationship
relationship
with the
the Lord; (b) One's
One's relationship
relationship with his own soul soul and
and its
rights
rights upon
upon him;him; (c)
(c) One's
One's relationship
relationshipwith society society asas a whole; (d)
whole; (d)
One's
One's relationship
relationshipwith one's one's relatives,
relatives,spouse,
spouse,children
children andand others
others
who
who have
havespecial
specialrights
rightsupon
upon aa person;
person;(e) (e) One's
One's relationship
relationshipwith the the
animals
animalsthat that Allah has placed in this
has placed this creation;
creation;(f) One'sOne's relationship
relationship
with thethe environment
environment and and all the the resources
resourcesthat that Allah has has created
created
which
which arearesupposed
supposedto to be
be used
usedin aa responsible
responsibleand and ethical
ethicalmanner.
manner.
Allah,
Allah, though,
though,did did not
not leave
leavehumans cluelessas
humansclueless as to
to how they
how they
are going to be able to grow, persevere and
are going to be able to grow, persevereand continue theseactsof continue in these acts
worship.
worship. Instead,
Instead,Allah ordained
ordainedfor for humans
humans specific
specific ritual
ritual acts
acts of
worship. These deeds
worship. These deedsare acts are acts of worship
worship in and
and of themselves
themselves but
but
they are also acts that
they are also acts that aid aid the
the individual
individual in continuing
continuing along
along the
the path
path
of worshipping
worshippingAllah alone. alone.The The most
mostimportant
importantof these theseacts
actsare what
arewhat
is
is known
known as as the
the "five pillars
pillars of Islam."
Islam." The The Prophet (peace and
Prophet (peace and
blessingsof Allah be
blessings be upon
upon him)him) stated, "Islam is
stated,"Islam is built upon five
upon five
[pillars]:
fpillars]: testifying
testifying thatthat there
there is is none
none worthy of worship worship except
exceptAllah
and
and that
that Muhammad
Muhammad is is the
the Messenger
Messengerof Allah, Allah, establishing
establishingthe the
prayers,
prayers, giving
giving thethe zakat,
zakat, making
making the the pilgrimage
pilgrimage to to the
the House and
House and
fasting
fastingthe monthof
themonth of Ramadhaan.'"
Ramadhaau."l

II Recorded
Recordedby
by al-Bukhari
al-Bukhari and
and Muslim.
Muslim.

55
f,f,
 The
The first pillar is the the proclamation
proclamation of of faith.
faith. This first pillar
demonstrates
demonstratesthat submissionis
that submission is not something
something that that one
one claims
claims is is in
the
the heart
heart with no public affirmation.
affirmation. The The submission
submission to God God is not
meant
meantto to be
be aa private submission.It is
privatesubmission. is aa public
public submission,
submission,as as it is
is the
the
driving force
force behind
behind the the outward
outward deeds deedsone performs. Thus,
one performs. Thus, with full
conviction,
conviction, belief,
belief, sincerity
sincerity and and honesty
honestyone proclaims: There
one proclaims: There is none
none
worthy of of worship
worship exceptexcept Allah and and Muhammad
Muhammad is is the
the messenger
messengerof of
Allah.
Allah.
In reality,
reality, without
without this this pillar,
pillar, the
the remaining
remainingacts actswill become
become
meaningless.
meaningless.The The other
other acts
acts must
must be be built uponupon having
having faith.
faith. OneOne
cannot
cannot dodo an
an act
act to please
pleaseGod properlyproperly without first having having belief in
God
God and
and in His Messenger.
Messenger.This This faith
faith then
then drives
drives corresponding
coresponding acts. acts.
The
The first act
act that
that this
this faith
faith should
should lead lead oneone to isis the proclamationand
the proclamation and
declaration
declarationof of that
that faith.
faith, Hence,
Hence, it is is the
the starting
starting point for all of of the
the
other
other foundations.
foundations.
The
The other
otherfour pillars are
four pillars arediscussed
discussedbelow:
below:
The Prayers
Prayers
The
The second
secondpillar is is "to establish
establishthe the prayers."
prayers." ThisThis pillar
does
doesnot simply mean mean to pray pray whenever
wheneveror however however one pray.
one wills to pray.
There
There are
are formal,
formal, ritualistic
ritualistic prayers
prayers that that every
every Muslim must must perform
perform
1
as
as aa basic sign of
basic sign of his
his willingness
willingnessto submit submit to to God.
God.r There
There are
are five
such
such prayers
prayers every
every dayday at at fixed times.
times. The time of
The time of the
the first prayer
prayer is
between
between dawn
dawn and and sunrise.
sunrise. The The second
second prayer
prayer time starts starts just after
after
high noon.
noon. The The third starts at
starts at the the mid-afternoon.
mid-aftemoon. The
The fourth
fourth starts
starts
right after
after sunset.
sunset.And the the fifth is at at nightfall.
nightfall. Hence,
Hence, as as aa Muslim
goes
goes through
through his his day there is
day there is never
never any period of
any period of time in which he he is
distant
distant from aa formalformal prayer.
prayer. TheseThese repeated prayers continually
repeated prayers continually
remind
remind thethe person
person of of his
his relationship
relationship with his his Lord and and hishis true
true
purposein life.
purpose life.
general, these
In general, these prayers
prayers are ate supposed
supposed to be be performed
performed in
congregation
congregationin aa mosque.mosque.NumerousNumerous mosques mosquesare are therefore
therefore located
located
throughout
throughout Muslim lands. lands. The
The faithful
faithful are are called
called to praypray by aa person
person
reciting
reciting specific
specific phrases,
phrases,among among them, them, "Come
"Come to the the prayer,
prayer, come
come to
the
the success."
success." In the the mosque,
mosque, the the worshippers
worshippers form straight straight lines
lines
behind
behind the
the prayer
prayer leader (Imam). They all face
leader (Imam). face thethe same
same direction,
direction,

I
1 Obviously, pray or supplicate prayers on
Obviously, one
one can
can pray supplicateatat all
alt times
times and
and perfoml
perfomr voluntary
voluntary prayers
one's
one's own.
own. However,
However, this
this is
is not
not what
what this
this foundational
foundationalpillar is
is referring
referring to.
to.

56
56
towards
towards Mecca.
Mecca. The The prayer
prayer is is said
said in Arabic and and contains
contains Quranic
Quranic
readings.The prayer also consistsof bows and prostrations.If
readings. The prayer also consists of bows and prostrations. If anyone
anyone
travels
travels throughout
throughout the the world, he he will
will find the the Muslims
Muslims praying praying in the the
same
samefashion
fashionand and with thethe same
sameArabic terms terms andand expressions.
expressions.Thus, Thus, a
Muslim enters
enters anyany mosque
mosque in the the world and and feels
feels immediately
immediately at
home
home andand among
amonghis his brothers
brothers and
and sisters
sisters in faith.
faith.
The importanceof
The importance of the
the prayers
prayers lies
lies in the
the fact
fact that
that no matter
matter what
actions
actions one
one performs
performs in his his life, the
the most
most important
important aspect aspect is one'sone's
relationshipto
relationship to Allah,
Allah, that
that is,
is, one's
one's faith,
faith, God-consciousness,
God-consciousness, sincerity
sincerity
and worship of Allah.
and worship Allah. This
This relationship
relationship with Allah is both
is both
demonstrated
demonstrated and and put into into practice,
practice, as as well as as improved
improved and and
increased,
increased,by the the prayer.
prayer.
The Zakat
The
The third
third pillar
pillar of
of Islam
Islam is is the
the giving
giving of zakat or "alms."
of zakat "alms."
Zakat is
Zakat is aa specific
specific portion
portion of of one's
one's varied
varied wealth
wealth that that must
must bebe given
given
yearly to
yearly to aa specific
specific group
group of of recipients,
recipients, such such as as thethe poor and and the the
needy.
needy.
The conceptof being
The concept being obliged
obliged to give give up up a portion
portion of one's
of one's
wealth
wealth for the sake of
the sake of God
God as as an
an act
act of
of worship
worship of of God is something
something
that
that one
one finds
finds in thethe message
messageof of the previous prophets.
the previous prophets.Its importantimportant
place in the
place the purification
purification of of the
the soul
soul is touched
touched upon upon by SulaimanSulaiman
Nadwi who wrote,wrote,
The
The mainmain cause
causeof spiritual
spiritual illnesses
illnessesof of human
human beingsbeings is is
the
the absence
absenceof of hope
hope andand fear
fear ofof Allah and and lack of of love
love
and attachmentto
and attachment to Him.
Him. Cure
Cure to thesethese illnesses
illnessesis Salat Salat
[prayer]. There is
[prayer]. There is also
also another
anothercausecauseof of these
these illnesses,
illnesses,
namely,
namely, attachment possessions,riches
attachment to worldly possessions, riches andand
wealth, instead
wealth, instead of attachment
attachment to Allah. Zakat Zakat is the the
remedy
remedyfor this this second
secondcause
causeof illness.
illness.l 1
This act act of
of worship
worship highlights
highlights a fact fact discussed
discussed earlierearlier
concerning
concerningthe worship. Worship
scopeof worship.
the scope Worship does does not deal deal simply with
one's interaction with his
one's interaction his LordLord (if (if one one can somehow
can somehow
compartmentalize
compartmentalizethat that and remove it from all other
and remove interactions)but it
other interactions)
also
also deals
dealswith one's one's interaction
interactionwith the the other believers in particular
other believers particular
and
and the
the rest
rest of humanity general.
humanity in general. Via the Zakat, one
the Zakat, one directly fulfills

' Nadwi, Worship (Karachi: Darullshaat,

[slan (Karachi:
Worship in Islam Darul Ishaat,1994), p. 179.
1994),p. 179.
I Sulaiman
SulaimanNadwi,

57
57
the needs
needs of of others.
others. The basis basis by which one one should interact with
should interact with
others is,
others once once again,
again, the
the worship
worship of
of Allah.
Zakat develops within
Zakat develops within the the soul
soul a desire sacrifice and
desire to sacrifice and assist
assist
others
others for the sake
the sake of of Allah. The true
true believer
believer cultivates
cultivates in his heart
heart
the
the joy
joy of
of giving for the
the sake
sake of
of Allah, recognizing
recognizing how pleased
pleased Allah
is with suchsuch a deed.
deed. It is not simply simply a matter
matter of removing the
of removing the disease
disease
of
of selfishness,
selfishness, the
the ill
ill amassing
amassing of
of wealth and
and the
the harms
harms of
of egotism
egotism
one's heart.
from one's heart. It more than
It is more than that.
that. It replacement of
the replacement
It is the of those
those
possible ill
possible ill feelings
feelings with the the feeling
feeling that
that a believer should sacrifice
believer should sacrifice
and work for others
and others as as a means
means of of getting
getting closer
closer to Allah.
Fasting
Fasting
fourth pillar of
The fourth of Islam
Islam is thethe fast
fast of
of the
the nine
nine month
month of of the
the
Islamic calendar,
Islamic calendar, Ramadhan.
Ramadhan. This means abstain from food,
means to abstain food, drink
and sexual
and sexual intercourse
intercourse during the the daytime-from
daytime-from dawn dawn until sunset-
sunset-
of the
of the days
days ofof this
this month.l
month. I
Fasting
Fasting is a source source of self-restraint, piety and
of self-restraint, and God-
God-
consciousness.It was
consciousness. prescribed by Allah for the
was prescribed prophets before
the prophets before
Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammad (peace (peacebe be upon him). In the
upon him). the verses
versesobligating
obligating thethe
fast of
fast of the
the month
month of of Ramadhan,
Ramadhan,Allah has has pointed
pointed out its goal or
its goal
purpose:"0
purpose: "O you who believe! believe! Observing
Observingthe the fast prescribedfor you
fast is prescribed
as
as it was
was prescribed
prescribedfor those thosebefore you, that
before you, that you maymay become
becomepious"
(2:
( 2 :183).
183).
Note that
that fasting
fasting is much much moremore than restraining from
than simply restraining
food,
food, drink and and sexual
sexual intercourse.
intercourse.It is is supposed
supposedto be time in
be aa time
which
which God-consciousness
God-consciousness is
is greatly
greatly heightened.
heightened.This increasedlevel
This increased level
of God-consciousness
God-consciousness should
should be be reflected
reflectedin everything
everythingthe the individual
individual
does
doeswhile fasting.
fasting.The The Prophet
Prophet(peace(peaceand blessingsof Allah be
and blessings be upon
upon
him) alluded
alluded to to this
this fact
fact when
when he he stated, "Perhapsthe
stated,"Perhaps the fasting person
fasting person
may
may get get nothing
nothing from from his his fast
fast except
except hunger.
hunger. And perhapsperhapsthe the one
one
2
who performs
performs the the late
late night prayers2may
night prayers may getget nothing
nothing fromfrom his prayers
his prayers

I Note that
I Note that the
the Islamic
Islamic calendar
calendaris is aa lunar
lunar calendar.
calendar.Hence,
Hence,over
over the years,the
the years, the month of
month of
Ramadhan
Ramadhanmoves moves throughout
throughout the
the different
different seasons.
seasons.InIn any
any given year, those
given year, in the
those in the
Northern
Northem Hemisphere
Hemispheremay may be
be fasting
fastingduring
during summer (with relatively
summer(with relatively longer
longer days) while
days)while
those in
those in the
the Southern
Southem Hemisphere
Hemisphereare are fasting
fasting during
during winter (relatively shorter
winter (relatively days).
shorter days).
However,
However,in numberof
in aa number of years,
years,the
the situation
situationwill
will be
be reversed.
reversed.
22 In
In addition
addition toto fasting
fasting during
during the
the daytime,
daytime,there
thereare
are also
also special prayersthat
specialprayers Muslims
that Muslims
perfonn
performduring
during thethe nighttime
nighttime in
in the month of
themonth of Ramadhan.
Ramadhan.

58
58
except
exceptsleeplessness."!
sleeplessness."r The
The Prophet (peaceand
Prophet(peace and blessings
blessingsof of Allah be be
upon
upon him)
him) also
also said, "The fasting
said, "The fasting is is [not
fnot only abstaining]
abstaining] from
from food
food
and
and drink but the fast is
the fast is abstaining
abstainingfrom vain speech speechand and lewd speech.
speech.
If
If anyone
anyonereviles
revilesyouyou or acts
actsfoolishly
foolishly with you, you, you
you should
shouldsay, 'I am
say, 'I am
fasting,
fasting, I am am fasting."'2
fasting."'z Finally,
Finally, the
the Prophet (peaceand
Prophet (peace blessingsof
and blessings
Allah be be upon
upon him)
him) also
also said, "If someone
said, "If someonedoes does notnot give
give up up false
false
speech
speechand and acting
acting according
accordingto it, Allah is in no no want of of him giving up
his
his food
food and
and drink.,,3
drink."3
Fasting is
Fasting is an
an experience
experiencewherein
wherein the the person
person leaves
leaveshishis wants
wants
and
and desires
desires for the the sake
sake ofof putting
putting what Allah wants wants first.
first. This
This
reminds
reminds him of of his
his true
true goal
goal andand purpose
purpose in life. This experience
experience
allows
allows him to put matters proper perspective
mattersinto proper perspectiveconcerning
concerningwhat what hehe
wants
wantsout out of this
this life
life and
andwhat
what isis of true
true importance
importanceto to him.
him.
The Messengerof
The Messenger (peaceand
of Allah (peace and blessings
blessingsof of Allah be be
upon
upon him) once once said,
said,"Look at at those
thosewho who areare lower
lower than
than you
you [having
[having
less
less than you] and
than you] and dodo not
not look at at those
those who
who are are above
above youyou [having
[having
more
more than youl as
than you] as otherwise
otherwisethe the bounties
bountiesof of Allah upon you would
upon you would
become
becomeinsignificant
insignificantto to yoU.,,4
you."a In thisthis hadith,
hadith, the
the Prophet
Prophet(peace
(peaceand and
blessingsof Allah be
blessings be upon
upon him) has given an
hasgiven an instruction
instructionthatthat will help
help
one
one appreciate
appreciatethe the numerous
numerousbenefits
benefitsthat that he
he has
has received
receivedfrom Allah.
The
The institution
institution of of fasting
fasting can
can take
take the person even
the person even further.
further. While
fasting,
fasting,thethe person
persondoesdoesnotnot just view
view the plight of others,
the plight others,but he he can
can
actually
actuallybegin
begin toto feel
feel their plight. Hence,
their plight. Hence,the the rich
rich can
can reflect
reflect onon what
what
they
they have
have been given and
been given and give true
true thanks.
thanks.Especially
Especially in thisthis day
day and
and
age
age and
and in somesome materially
materially advanced
advancedcountries,
countries,one one becomes
becomesvery very
much
much accustomed
accustomed to easy easy access
access to food, food, drink,
drink, clean
clean water,
water,
electricity
electricity andand soso on.
on. Since
Since these
these areare readily
readily available,
available,the the person
person
starts
starts to take
take them for grantedgranted and and does
does not realize
realize what aa great great
blessing
blessing theythey are
are and
and how so many in today's
so many today's world are are actually
actually
deprived
deprivedof of these
thesebasic
basicneeds.
needs.

I Recorded by ibn Majah.

J Recorded Majah. Authenticated
Authenticated by al-Albani.
al-Albani. See al-Albani, Sahih
See al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami
al-Sagheer, p. 656,
al-Sagheer,vol. I, p. 656, hadith
hadith #3488.
#3488.
2 Recorded by ai-Hakim and
2 Recorded al-Hakim and al-Baihaqi.
al-Baihaqi.Authenticated
Authenticatedby al-Albani.
al-Albani. See
See al-Albani,
al-Albani,
Sahih
Sahih a/-Jami
alJani a/-Sagheer,
al-Sagheer,vol.
vol. 2, p. 948,
2, p. 948, hadith
hadith #5376.
#5376.
I Recordedby al-Bukhari.
3 Recorded al-Bukhari.
a Recordedby Muslim.
4 Recorded Muslim.

59
 The Pilgrimage
The Pilgrimage to Mecca (The
to Mecca Haj})
(The Hsirt
The final pillar
The final pillar of of Islam
Islam is
is making
making the
the pilgrimage (haii)
pilgrimage (hajj) to
to
the House of Allah, or
the House of Allah, or the Kaaba.the Kaaba. The
The pilgrimage
pilgrimage should
should be
be made
made at
at
least once in a Muslim's
least once in a Muslim's lifetime if lifetime if he
he ever
ever has
has the
the physical
physical and
and
financial means
financial means to to perform
perform it. it.
Part of
Part of the the pilgrimage
pilgrimage has to
has to do
do with remembrance of
with remembrance the acts
of the acts
of Abraham,
of Abraham, his his wife
wife Hagar
Hagar and
and their
their son
son Ishmael
Ishmael in
in the
the valley
valley of
of
Mecca.
Mecca. One virtually
virtually retraces
retraces some
some of
of their steps.
steps. One remembers
remembers
them asas they sacrificed
sacrificed for the sake sake ofof Allah
Allah and Allah, return, was
Allah, in return'
pleased with
pleasedwith them and
and blessed
blessed them
them in so many ways.
ways.
pilgrimage is truly a moving experience.
The pilgrimage Millions of
experience. Millions of
Muslims comecome from every every corner
comer of the world and
of the descend upon
and descend
Mecca. They all repeatedly
Mecca. repeatedly express
express their willingness come to be in
willingness to come
the service
service ofof the
the Lord. The worldly distinctions between the
distinctions between the pilgrims
disappear
disappear as
as they all stand
stand before
before their Lord during these
these blessed
blessed
days.
days.
requires a great
pilgrimage requires
The pilgrimage great dealdeal of sacrifice on the
of sacrifice the part
of
of the
the Muslim, such such asas the
the sacrifice
sacrifice of of time,
time, money
money and effort. Every
and effort.
believer
believer must
must realize
realize thethe relationship
relationshipbetweenbetween his faith and and sacrifice.
sacrifice.
Sacrifice
Sacrificeis is an
an essential aspectof this
essentialaspect this religion. true believer
religion. A true should
believershould
be
be willing
willing toto sacrifice
sacrificeone's
one's time,
time, wealth
wealth and and even
even life for thethe sake of
sake of
Allah. In addition,
addition, thethe true
true believer
believer must must sacrifice
sacrifice all desires and
desires and
pleasures
pleasuresthatthat are
are not
not consistent
consistentwith the the Quran and Sunnah.
Quran and Sunnah.In fact, fact, aa
true
true believer
believer must
must sacrifice
sacrificeanything
anything that that comes betweenhim and
comesbetween and the
the
true
true worship
worshipof Allah Allah alone.
alone.

60
60
 Scientific Miracles
Scientific Miracles in the Quran
Quran and SunnahSunnah
noted earlier,
As noted the "miracle" of
earlier, the of the Prophet is unique.
the final Prophet unique.
Since he was
Since was the last prophet,
prophet, with prophet coming later,
with no prophet later, his
miracle has
miracle has to have
have a lasting
lasting affect until the Day of Judgment. The
of Judgment.
Quran
Quran is miraculous
miraculous in many
many ways.
ways. However,
However, in the
the past
past century
century or
so, many
so, many have
have noted
noted that
that it is miraculous
miraculous in the manner in which it is
the manner
perfectly consistent
perfectly consistent with scientific
scientific fact.
fact. In fact,
fact, as discoveries are
as new discoveries are
being made,
being made, people
people are
are realizing
realizing that
that some
some of of those discoveries have
those discoveries have
already been
already been alluded
alluded to in the
the Quran
Quran or the
the Sunnah.
Sunnah.
Although space
Although space limitations detailed discussion
limitations do not allow a detailed discussion
of particular
of particular examples,
examples, it will will be
be sufficient
sufficient herehere to quote
quote thethe
statements of
statements of a number
number of of non-Muslim
non-Muslim scientists concerning their
scientists concerning their
study of
study of the
the Quran.
Quran.
General Statements
General Concerning the
StatementsConcerning the Scientific Miracles of the
ScientificMiracles the
Quran
Quran
In recent
recent decades,
decades, many scientists, in particular,
many scientists, have
particular, have
marveled
marveled at at the
the miraculous
miraculous nature nature of of the
the Quran
Quran and have concluded
and have concluded
that
that it is
is inconceivable
inconceivablethat that such
such a work could could have been produced
have been produced by
a human
human some some 1400
1400 years
years ago.ago. For example,
example, the French medical
the French medical
doctor
doctor Maurice
Maurice Baucaille,
Baucaille,at at the
the end
end of aa comprehensive
comprehensive study on
study on the
the
Bible,
Bible, the
the Quran
Quranandand Science,
Science,wrote,
wrote,
In view of the the level knowledgein Muhammad~s
level of knowledge Muhammad'sday, day, it
is
is inconceivable
inconceivablethat that many
many of of the
the statements
statementsin the the Qur'an
Qur'an
which
which are
are connected
connectedwith science sciencecouldcould have
have been
been thethe
work of of aa man.
man.It lt is,
is, moreover, perfectly legitimate,
moreover, perfectly not
legitimate, not
only to regard
regard the the Qur'an
Qur'an as as the expression of
the expression of aa
Revelation,
Revelation, but also
also to award
award it a
a very special
special place,
place, on
on
account
account of the guarantee of
the guarantee authenticityauthenticity it provides
provides and
and
the
the presence
presencein it of scientificscientific statements
statementswhich, when
which, when
studied today,
studied today, appear appear as
as a
a challenge
challenge to
to explanation
explanation
1
in
in human
humanterms.
terms.l
Upon
Upon reading
reading the the Quran,
Quran, one one aspect
aspect that
that catches many aa
catches many
reader's eye
reader's eye is is the
the discussion
discussion of the
the creation
creation of the
the human
human within the
the
womb
womb of the
the mother.
mother. In fact,
fact, the
the details
details and
and the
the analysis
analysis are
are s0
so great
great
that
that Keith
Keith Moore,
Moore, Professor
ProfessorEmeritus
Emeritusof of Anatomy
Anatomy and and Cell
Cell Biology at at

II Maurice
Maurice Bucaille,
Bucaille, The
TheBible,
Bible, the
the Quran
Quran alld
and Science (lndianapolis,IN:
Science(Indianapolis, AmericanTrust
lN: American Trust
Publications,
Publications,1978),
I 978),pp.
pp.251-252.
251-252.

61
6l
the
the University
University of Toronto,
Toronto, has has included
included them them in aa special
specialedition
edition of
his textbook The
his textbook The Developing
Developing Human: lfuman: Clinically Oriented Oriented
1
Embryology.
Embryology.t Commenting
Cornmenting on on the
the miraculous
miraculous consistency
consistency between
between
statements
statements in the the Quran
Quran and
and the
the historical
historical development
developnrent of
of
Embryology,
Embryology,Dr. Moore Moore stated 1981,"It
statedin 1981, "It has
has been greatpleasure
been aa great pleasure
for meme to helphelp clarify statements
statements in the the Qur'an
Qur'an about
about human
human
development.It is
development. is clear
clear to me me that
that these
thesestatements
statementsmust must have
have come
come to
Muhammad
Muhammadfrom from God,
God, because
becausealmost
almostall all of this
this knowledge
knowledgewas was not
not
discovered
discovered until many many centuries
centuries later.
later. This proves to me
This proves me that
that
Muhammad
Muhammadmust must have
havebeen
beenaa messenger
messenger of God.,,2
God."2
Dr. T.
T. V. N.N. Persaud,
Persaud,aa specialist
specialistin Anatomy,
Anatomy,Obstetrics
Obstetricsand
and
related
related fields
fields and
and aa Professor
Professor at at the
the University of of Manitoba,
Manitoba, stated,
stated,
"You have
have someone
someone illiterate
illiterate [meaning
fmeaning the the Prophet
Prophet Muhammad]
Muhamrnad]
making
making profound
profound pronouncements
pronouncementsand and statements
statementsthat that are
are amazingly
amazingly
accurate
accurateabout
about scientific
scientificnature.
nafure.I personally
personallycan't can't see
seehow this
this could
could
be
be aa mere
mere chance.
chance.There
There are are too
too many
many accuracies
accuraciesand, and, like Dr. Moore,
Moore,
I have
have nono difficulty
difficulty in my mind mind that
that this
this isis aa divine
divine inspiration
inspirationor
revelation
revelationwhich led led him to these
thesestatements.,,3
statements."3
Prof.
Prof. Tejatat
Tejatat Tejasen
Tejasenof Chiang Chiang Mai University
University in Thailand
Thailand
stated,
stated,
During thethe last
last three
three years,
years, I became
became interested
interestedin thethe
Quran...
Quran... From
From my study...
study... I believe
believethat that everything
everythingthat
that
has
has been
been recorded
recorded in the the Quran
Quran fourteen
fourteen hundred years
hundred years
ago
ago must
must be be the
the truth,
truth, that
that can
can be be proved
proved by scientific
scientific
means.
means.Since
Since the
the Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammadcould could neither
neitherread
read
nor write,
write, Muhammad
Muhammad must must be be aa messenger
messengerwho relayedrelayed
this
this truth,
truth, which was was revealed
revealedto him as as an
an enlightenment
enlightenment
by the
the one
one whowho is is eligible
eligible [as
[as the]
the] creator.
creator..... Therefore,
Therefore,I
think
think this
this is
is the
the time
time toto say ... [at this
say...[at this point,
point, Prof.
Prof. Tejasen
Tejasen
makes declarationof Islamic
makesaa declaration Islamicfaith].4
faith].4

I
See Keith L. Moore
1 See Moore [along
[along with Abdul-Majeed Azzindani], The
Abdul-Majeed Azzindani], The Developing
Developing Humall:
Hwnan:
Clinically
Clinically Oriented Embryology
Ernbryologt [with
fwith Islamic Additions: Correlation Studies
Studies with
Quran
Quran and Hadithl
I'ladithl Jeddah,
Jeddah,Saudi
Saudi Arabia:
Arabia: Dar al-Qiblah
al-Qiblah for Islamic
lslamic Literature,
Literature, 1983,
1983, in
conjunctionwith W.
conjunction W. B. Saunders
SaundersCompany.
Company.
2 Ibralrinr,A Brief
Brief Illustrated
lllustrated Guide
Guide to
lo Understanding
llnderstanding Islam (Houston:
Quoted in I. A. Ibrahim,
2 Quoted Islam (Houston:
Darussalam, 1997),p.
Darussalam,1997), p. 10.
10.
3
3 Quoted
Quotedin Ibrahim,
Ibrahim,p.p. 27.
2?.
a
4 Quoted
Quotedin Ibrahim,
lbrahim,p.p. 31.
31.

62
62
 The last
The last person
person quoted declared his
quoted declared faith and
his faith became aa
and became
Muslim. Actually,
Muslim. Actually, this
this has
has been
been the
the fate ofmillions
fate of who have
millions who have studied
studied
Islam throughout
Islam throughout the
the East
East and
and the
the West. Some may
West. Some may be famous people,
be famous people,
such as
such as rock
rock star
star Cat
Cat Stevens
Stevens oror German Murad Hoffman,
diplomat Murad
German diplomat Hoffman,
but the
but the vast
vast majority
majority are
are simply honest people
simply honest people who understand that
who understand that
there is
there is some
some truth
truth behind
behind this
this reality and via
reality and via honest and unbiased
honest and unbiased
study and
study and contemplation
contemplation realize
realize and
and accept the truth
accept the of Islam.
truth of Islam.

63
63
 How Does
How Does One Become Become a MuslimMuslim
process by which one
The process becomes a Muslim is quite
one becomes quite simple
simple
straightforward. All
and straightforward. entails is the declaration
All itit entails declaration of of one's
one's belief.
Thus, one
Thus, one states
states in front of witnesses, "I
of witnesses, bear witness
"I bear witness that there is
that there
none worthy of
none of worship
worship exceptexcept AllahAllah and and II bearbear witness
witness that
Muhammad is the Messenger
Muhammad Messenger of of Allah."
Allah." LJpon
Upon stating those sentences,
stating those sentences,
one enters
one enters into the the beautiful brotherhood of
beautiful brotherhood of Islam, brotherhood that
Islam, a brotherhood
stretches from the
stretches the time of of Adam until the the last
last days
days ofof this earth.
earth.
recommended that
It is recommended
It that one
one do a complete washing of
complete washing of one's
one's
body, such
body, such as as a shower,
shower, before declaration. This symbolic
before making this declaration. symbolic
act represents
act represents the the washing
washing away away of of all previous
previous acts acts as one is now
as one
entering a new stage
entering stage in life. The Prophet (peace
The Prophet (peace and blessings of
and blessings of
Allah be upon upon him) stated, stated, "Islam wipes wipes awayaway whatever
whatever [sins][sins]
preceded it."r
preceded it.,,1 In other
other words,
words, whether
whether one one hadhad defiantly
defiantly disobeyed
disobeyed
God or was was simply ignorantignorant of faith, all of
of faith, that is now behind
of that behind the the
individual.
individual. He now has has a new life. He should should realize,
reaTize,though, that he
though, that he
has
has now taken taken his his first step.
step. There
There are are many
many other wonderful steps
other wonderful steps
aheadof
ahead of him.
him. He should should now be be prepared
prepared to grow and and blossom
blossom as as a
devoted
devoted worshipper
worshipper and servantof
and servant of Allah until he he finally meets
meetsAllah
on the Day of Judgment,
on the Judgment,being pleasedwith being
being pleased servantand
being Allah's servant and
Allah being
being pleased
pleasedwith him as as His servant.
servant.
It was
was noted
noted earlier
earlier that
that Islam
Islam is is definitely
definitely aa complete
completeway of of
life.
life. Upon
Upon embracing
embracingIslam, Islam, one one must
must have
have the intention to submit
the intention submit to
Allah. ThisThis means
means thatthat many
many changes
changesmay may taketake place person's
place in aa person's
life. Hence,
Hence, again,again, it is is truly aa life-transforming
life-transforming step step in many ways.
many ways.
One
One should
should make make the the commitment
commitment with that knowledge and
that knowledge and with the the
firm conviction
convictionthat pleasingAllah is
thatpleasing is the
the ultimate
ultimategoal goal inin one's life.
one's life.
However,
However, one one never
never has has toto be one's spiritual
alone in one's
be alone path.
spiritual path.
From the moment one embraces
From the momentone embracesIslam, he Islam, he is
is part
part of aa brotherhood
brotherhood and
and
sisterhood that
sisterhoodthat is there is there for each
each other.
other. In every
every major
major city throughout
throughout
the
the world,
world, one one cancan find
find Islamic
Islamic centers
centersand mosques.It
and mosques. It has been the
has been the
experience
experience of this
this author
author that
that those
those centers
centers are
are always
always more
more than
than
happy
huppy to to welcome
welcome any any newcomer
newcomerinto into the fold and
the fold and toto try toto help
help him
or her
or her grow
grow as
as a
a Muslim.
Muslim.

1I Recorded
Recordedby
by Ahmad.
Ahmad.

64
64
 By Allah's grace,
By grace, He has has made
made His religion
religion open
open to
everyone. There
everyone. There are restrictions-all that is needed
are no restrictions-all needed is a sincere
sincere
heart willing
heart willing to submit
submit to and
and worship
worship Allah alone.
alone.
Allah guide
May Allah guide all the sincere
sincere truthseekers
truthseekers to the wonderful
and beautiful
and beautiful path of His religion,
path of religion, Islam.
Islam.
Conclusion
Conclusion
author has
This author has attempted
attempted to shed
shed some
some light on the religion
of Allah, Islam.
of Islam. This
This is obviously
obviously an an ominous
ominous task
task and
and difficult to
small number
perform in a small number of of words.
words. Sometimes, difficult to put
Sometimes, it is difficult
words the
into words the beauty
beauty that
that one
one experiences.
experiences. However,
However, the the author
author
hopes that
hopes that some
some ofof what hashas been
been written here
here has
has touched
touched thethe heart
heart
and the
and the mind of of the
the reader.
reader. The only advice
advice that
that this author is left to
this author
encourage every
give is to encourage every reader
reader to turn
turn to God
God with a sincere
sincere heart
heart
and ask
and ask Him for guidance.
guidance. Allah willing, that sincere prayer
that sincere prayer will lead
lead
the individual
the individual directly the truth
directly to the truth and
and the
the beauty
beauty ofof Islam.
Islam. Amen.
Amen.

65
65
 Selected References
Selected References
further study
For further study of
of Islam,
Islam, the
the following references used in
references used in the
the
preparation of
preparation of the
the unabridged
unabridged version of this work are
version of are recommended:
recommended:

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Al-Ashqar, Vmar. Belief
Belief in Allah in the the Light of of the Quran and
the Quran
Sunnah. Riyadh:
Sunnah. Riyadh: International Islamic Publishing
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2000.
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AI-Azami, M. M. The
Al-Azami, The History of of the
the Quranic
Quranic Text from Revelation
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Compilation:
Compilation: A Comparative Study with the
Comparative Study the Old and NewNew
Testaments. Leicester, United
Testqments. Leicester, United Kingdom:
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Islamic
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66
66
 Table
Table of Contents
Contents

Preface
Preface 3

Introduction
Introduction 4

The
The Belief in God (Allah)
God (Allah) 7

The
The Belief that
that Allah must
mustbe
be the
the only Objectof Worship
only Object Worship 9

Belief in Allah's Names

Namesand
and Attributes
Attributes 14
14

The
The Universe
Universeand
and Humans
Humans 18
l8

Religion
Religion 27
27

Prophethood
Prophethood 33
33

Islam
Islam and
and "Faith" 48
48

The
The Ritual
Ritual Acts
Acts of
of Worship
Worship in Islam
Islam 55
55

Scientfic
Scientfic Miracles
Miracles in the
the Qur'an
Qur'an and
and Sunnah
Sunnah 61
6l

How Does
DoesOne
One Become
Becomeaa Moslem?
Moslem? 64
64

Selected
SelectedReferences
References 65
65

67
67
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Ministry of Islamic Affairs,
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