In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, Most Merciful...
Praise be to Allah, Peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger, Muhammad, and all his family and companions.
Allah, the Exalted, says which meaning of is translated as: �Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a word that is just between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for Lords besides Allah. Then, If they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-i-Imran, 3:64).
Islam is the religion of pure human nature and clarity. It urges and calls its followers to ask about all things that are incomprehensible to them or the questions that occur to them. They are recommended to consult competent, knowledgeable authorities. In Islam there are no obscure or mysterious things that we have only to believe without being allowed to ask about them. Allah, Glory to Him says which meaning of is translated as: ��So ask the followers of the scriptures if you know not.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter An-Nahl, 16:43).
As human beings, we have many questions in our mind that require answers, which should be logical, convincing and unambiguous ones... It is the Holy Qur'aan which provides such answers in such fluent, convincing, and incomparable style. Let us observe these basic queries:
- If man inquires about his origin, he will find the answer in Almighty Allah's saying which meaning of is translated as: �And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest firmly fixed. Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-Mu'minun, 23:12-14).
- If he inquires about his status in this Universe and his rank among other creatures, he will find the answer in the following verse which meaning of is translated as: �And indeed We have honored the children of Adam and We have carried them on land and sea and have provided them with good and pure things and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preferment.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-Isra', 17:70).
- If he also inquires about the cause of his creation, he will find the answer in the following verses which meaning of is translated as: �And I (Allah) have only created the jinn and mankind that they may worship Me (alone). No sustenance do I require of them nor do I require that they should feed Me. For Allah is He who gives (all) sustenance, Lord of Power, the Most Strong.� (The Qur'aan Chapter Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56-58).
- If man then asks about this Creator Who is the only One worthy of worship, he will find the answer in the following words which meaning of is translated as: �He is Allah beside Whom there is no other god, Who knows the unseen and the seen, He is the All-Beneficent, All-Merciful. He is Allah, beside Whom there is no other god; - the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Watcher over His creatures, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme. Glory to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker (of all things), the Bestower of forms. To Him belongs the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth, glorify Him: And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-Hashr, 59: 22-24).
- If he asks about the attitude he should assume with the things Allah has created for him in this universe, he will find the answer in the following verse which meaning of is translated as: �O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him you worship.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:172).
- If he inquires about the true religion that he should embrace and the path which leads to happiness in this life and in the hereafter, he will surely find the response in the Qur'aanic verse which meaning of is translated as: �And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.� (The Qur'aan Chapter Al-i-Imran, 3:85).
- If he inquires, too, about the path that leads to peace of mind/heart and mental stability, he will find the answer in the following words which meaning of is translated as: �Those who have believed and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah: verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Ar-Ra'd, 13:28).
- If he asks about the state (position) of those who lack belief in Allah, Glory to Him, and in His revelations, he will get the answer in the following which meaning of is translated as: �But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e.: My Message), verily for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.� (The Qur'aan Chapter Taha, 20:124).
- If he asks about his destiny in this life, he will find the answer in these words which meaning of is translated as: �Every soul shall taste of death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid on your wages in full. Who so-ever is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he is indeed successful. The life of this world is but a comfort of illusion.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-i-Imran, 3:185).
- If he inquires about the possibility of re-creating him, he will find a satisfactory answer in Allah's words which meaning of is translated as: �And if he has coined (compared) for Us a similitude, and has forgotten the fact of his creation, saying: Who will revive these bones when they have rotted away? Say: He will revive them Who produced them at the first, for He is All-Knower of every creation.� (The Qur'aan Chapter Yasin, 36:78-79).
And in the following words which meaning of is translated as: �O mankind! If you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then Lo! We have created you from dust, then from a drop of seed, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless, that We may make (it) clear for you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed time and afterward We bring you forth as infants...� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-Hajj, 22:5)
- If he asks what will happen after death, the answer will delineate that the matter is one of eternal life after death and resurrection: That is, the destination will be either eternity in Paradise or in Hell, and there is no third destination which meaning of is translated as: �Lo! Those who disbelieve among the people of the scripture and the idolaters, will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of created beings. And Lo! Those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings. Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they dwell forever. Allah has pleasure in them and they have pleasure in Him. This is (in store) for him who fear his Lord.� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-Baiyina, 98:6-8).
Dear reader:
I shall reaffirm that Islam offers optimum solutions to all current problems of the world and that implementation of the Islamic way of life, will, by all means, resolve such problems. The World has tried all doctrines that proved with the passage of time, to be incapable of solving its problems. So why does the World not accept the Islamic way of life and implement it for the well-being of the humanity.
F. Filweas, a British naval officer (who participated in both world wars and embraced Islam in 1924 after he had read the Holy Qur'aan and some books in Islam), commented on a statement published in newspapers and attributed to some western writers and philosophers, claiming that:"Contemporary religions have become very old and should be given up. He said that this would reveal the pessimism of Western writers due to the complexities and obscurity they find in Christianity; yet they committed a grave mistake because Islam is the best alternative and perfect response that is still intact."
Dear reader:
Truthfully speaking, I regret to say that some Muslims nowadays are quite far from actual implementation of Islam's principles and instructions. Unfortunately, they are Muslims only by name and not in the exact meaning of the word. A true Muslim takes the Glorious Qur'aan and the Holy Sunnah, the main sources of Islam, as his way of life and code of conduct to which he adheres in all his/her private and public dealings and transactions. A real Muslim should not take only those aspects of Islam that suit his interests, even at the expense of others' interests, and give up what is in conflict with his interests even though it is in the interest of others.
It is absolutely unfair to associate Islam with certain countries or persons. It is wrong and improper to say that practices of the majority of Muslims nowadays in their real actual everyday life is in full agreement with Islam's sublime teachings and objectives. The greatest majority of Muslims are quite far from practicing Islam. Islam is not, as some may think, mere religious rites that are practiced at set times only; rather, it comprises belief, law, devotions, transactions and dealings: It is a religion and government, in the full meaning of the word. It has been said, "What a great religion, had there been men who put its principles and teachings to action, comply with its commandments and avoid its prohibitions."
In his book, "Arab Civilization", Mr. J. S. Restler mentioned three different meanings for the term Islam: "the first as religion, the second as state and government, and the third as culture - in short: it is a unique civilization."
ISLAM is Islam with its belief, devotions, dealings and law (i.e. Sharia), since it was revealed unto Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and is still the same as it was. No change or alteration has occurred to it. It is the people called Muslims who have undergone change and transformation. If one who calls himself a Muslim commits a mistake or something unlawful, this does not mean that Islam enjoins or accepts such behavior. If someone is given, for example, a dismantled vehicle and provided with a comprehensive accurate erection plan (Installation manual) from the manufacturer, but he assembles it incorrectly, can we say that the plan (manual) is incorrect? Rather it should be stated that this person has failed to follow the exact steps in an appropriate manner or to put the procedure fully into effect.
I would kindly invite (request) every reader of this work to have a detached mind, not influenced by religious sentiments or mental biases, with the aim of attaining the truth, not searching for faults and blunders for the sake of slander. The reader is also invited to read seeking to understand through his mind, not through his emotions and liking least he be of those censured by Allah as stated in the Glorious Qur'aan which meaning of is translated as: �And when it is said unto them: Follow that which Allah has revealed, they say: We follow that wherein we found our fathers, What! Even though their fathers were wholly unintelligent and had no guidance?� (The Qur'aan, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:170).
That is because a reasonably logical-minded man will not accept a thing unless he has studied it thoroughly and grown familiar with it. When he acquires such familiarity and becomes fully satisfied about its validity, he should not keep it to himself. Rather, he should disseminate his knowledge among people, thereby teaching the ignorant and correcting those who are mistaken.
I shall admit here that I have not covered or researched the subject thoroughly. That is because when you speak about Islam you speak, in fact, about a comprehensive, all-embracing law which regulates all affairs pertaining to both worldly life and the hereafter. This will in fact, require a book, not a booklet, for explanation. However, I have only made hints on certain principles and basic morals of Islam that pave the way for those who desire to know more about the truth of Islam, supported by verses from the Holy Qur'aan which is the code of conduct for Muslims, and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
One may say: the laws and regulations of contemporary societies have some similarities to those of Islam. In answer we may ask: Which is earlier: Islam has preceded contemporary laws? The Islamic Sharia (Law) is over fourteen centuries older than these regulations and laws. Whatever is similar to Islamic laws and regulations may probably be derived from them, especially when we know that there were studies concerned with Islam by non-Muslims, especially orientalists, with different intentions and objectives, since the beginning of its appearance.
Abdur-Rahman A. Al-Sheha
www.islamland.org
E-Mail alsheha@cocg.org
P.O. Box 59565, Riyadh 11535, Saudi Arabia
