إجازة الأستاذ أحمد لبن مدير المنتدى بقراءة الإمام عاصم الكوفي

He says,
“The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allaah, His angels, His Books and His Messengers. They say: We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers. And they say: We hear and obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord and to you is the return.”5

1 Majmoo‘ Fataawaa Vol. 2, p.6.
2 Al-Maai‘dah 5:44.
3 Al-Maaidah 5:46.
4 Al-Maaidah 5:48.
5 Al-Baqarah 2:285.
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THE EVERLASTING MESSAGE1
All that has been previously explained of the conditions of Judaism, Christianity, Mazdaism, Zaradashtiyah shows the situation of mankind2 in the 6th century A.D. when the religion became corrupted and all political, social and economical conditions were also corrupted; at a time when bloody wars became widespread, dictatorship emerged and mankind lived in stark darkness. This situation led to the darkness of the hearts as a result of disbelief and ignorance. Morals became degenerated, honours and rights were violated and mischief became the order of the day in the land and on the sea.

The situation was so terrible that if any wise man were to ponder over it, he would have realised that mankind – in that age – were dying and that they were heading for abyss of no return had Allaah not rescued them with a great reformer who was bearing the torch of Prophethood and the light of guidance in order to illuminate the way for mankind and guided them to the Straight Path.

At that time, Allaah permitted that the everlasting light of Prophethood should emanate from Makkah in which there is the Great House. The Makkan environment had been like other human environments in terms of polytheism, ignorance, injustice and autocracy except that it was distinguished from other place with many qualities some of which were:

1. It was a pure environment that had not been affected by the stains of Greek, Roman or India philosophy. Its natives used to enjoy deep-rooted eloquence, lively minds and exceptional dispositions.

2. It is situated in the heart of the world. It is in the middle place between Europe, Asia and Africa, an important factor that makes it easy for the everlasting message to spread quickly and reach these continents in a short period.

3. It is a secured place. Allaah protected it when Abraha (the Abyssinian King) wanted to invade it. The neighbouring Roman and Persian empires also were unable to conquer it. Even its commerce was secured in the north and south. That was a herald for the advent of this Noble Prophet. Allaah has reminded the inhabitants of this city of this great favour when He says, “Have We not established for them a secured sanctuary (Makkah) to which are brought fruits of all kinds?”

4. It is a desert environment that has preserved many of her good and commendable traits like generosity, good neighbourliness, earnest concern for honour among other qualities that qualified her for being the best suitable place for the clan of Quraysh which was well known for eloquence, oratory and honourable traits and held the positions of honour and leadership. Allaah chose His Prophet Muhammad to make him the last of all Prophets and Messengers.

He was born in Makkah in the 6th century A.D. approximately in the year 570.

He grew up an orphan, for his father died while he was still in the womb. His mother and paternal grandfather later died while he was six years old. So, his uncle took care of him and he grew up an orphan. Signs of extraordinary brilliance manifested on him; and his habits, manners and traits were different from those of his people. He never lied in his speech and never hurt anyone.

1 For detailed reading see: Ar-Raheequl-Makhtoom by Mubaarakpuri
2 See section: ‘Condition of the existing religions’ in this book.
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He became popular with truthfulness, chastity and sincerity so much so that many of his people would entrust him with their valuable properties and he would keep them as he would preserve his own life and wealth. This made them confer on him the title “Al-Ameen” (the trustworthy).

He was modest and shy and never showed himself naked in front of anyone since he came of age. He was innocent and pious and felt hurt when he saw his people worshipping idols, drinking alcohol and shedding innocent blood. He related with them only in those deeds of theirs which he loved and was pleased with and kept away from them when they indulged in their shameless acts and sins. He would help the orphans and the widows and feed the hungry.

When he was close to forty years of age, he became seriously constrained and inconvenienced by the corruption that was around him and started going for seclusion to worship his Lord and he would ask Him guidance to the Straight Path.

While he was on this condition, one of the angels descended upon him with a revelation from his Lord and he commanded him to convey this religion to mankind; to call them to the worship of Allaah alone and to shun the worship of others besides him.

Then Revelation of ordainments and rules continued day after day and year after year until Allaah perfected this religion for mankind and completed His favour on them with this perfection. After the Messenger of Allaah had fulfilled his duty, Allaah caused him to die.

He lived for sixty-three years; forty before prophethood and twenty-three as a Prophet and Messenger.

Whoever ponders over the conditions of the Prophets and studies their history will know with certainty that there was no way in which the Prophethood of any Prophet was established except that the Prophethood of Muhammad was established in that way the more. If you reflect on how the Prophethood of Moosa and ‘Eesaa was transmitted, you will know that it was transmitted in succession.

But the succession in which the Prophethood of Muhammad was transmitted was greater, stronger and more recent. Likewise, the succession in which their miracles are transmitted were similar but that with which the miracles of Muhammad were transmitted is greater, for his miracles are many and the greatest of that is the Glorious Qur’aan which is continued to be transmitted successively in voice and in letter.1

Whoever makes a comparison between what Prophets Moosaa and ‘Eesaa brought and what was brought by Prophet Muhammad of sound belief, wise ordainments and useful knowledge, will know with certainty that all of them emanated from a single lamp: the lamp of Prophethood. Whoever compares between the conditions of the followers of the Prophets and followers of Muhammad will know with certainty that the followers of Muhammad were the best of all people and the most of the Prophets’ followers in impact on those who came after them. They have spread the Islaamic Monotheism, propagated justice and were merciful to the weak and destitute.2

If you want additional evidences of Muhammad’s Prophethood, I will quote to you the proofs and signs that were found by ‘Alee bin Rabban at-Tabaree when he was a Christian. He later embraced Islaam because of those signs.

They are:
1. The Messenger called to the worship of Allaah alone and shunning the worship of others beside Him. In this, he agreed with all other Prophets.

2. He showed clear signs which only Prophets of Allaah can show.

3. He predicted the future events and they came to pass as he had predicted.

1 See special section about the Qur’aan in this book. p.
2 Majmoo‘ al-Fataawaa Vol. 4 p. 201, 211; and Ifhaamul yahood by Samaw’al Al-Magribi p. 58-59.

4. He predicted the occurrence of many events of the world and its countries and these events came to pass as he had predicted.

5. That the Book brought by Muhammad – the Qur’aan – is a sign of Prophethood for it is the most eloquent Book, sent down unto an illiterate man who could neither read nor write, but yet challenged the orators to produce the like thereof or the like of a Soorah* in it; and because of the fact that Allaah guarantees its preservation, preserved the correct belief with it, guaranteed it as the perfect divine ordainment and established with it the best community.

6. That he is the seal of all Prophets and that had he not been sent, prophecies of the past Prophets who gave glad tiding of his advent would have turned false.

7. That all Prophets had prophesied about him before his advent since a long time.

They had described his mission, his country and submission of other nations and kings to him and his nation. They also mentioned the spread of his religion.

8. His victory over nations that waged war against him as a sign of his Prophethood; for it would be impossible for a man who falsely claims to be a Messenger of Allaah and yet be strengthened by Allaah with victory, authority, prevalence over enemies, spread of his message and abundance of his followers; for all this cannot happen except in the hand of a truthful Prophet.

9. His religious rites and acts of worship, his decency, truthfulness, commendable character, manners and ordinances. All this cannot be found together except in a Prophet.

After mentioning these proofs, this guided man then said, “These are illuminating traits and sufficient proofs. Whoever is endowed with them must be a Prophet; such a person has hit the target and prospered; and the belief in him is mandatory. Whoever rejects these proofs and denies them has incurred loss in his efforts and lost his worldly life and Hereafter.”1

At the end of this section, I will narrate to you two testimonies: that of the former roman King who was a contemporary of Prophet Muhammad and that of our contemporary Christian Evangelist John Saint.

The First Testimony: That of Heraclius:
Al-Bukhaaree reported the story of Abu Sufyaan when the Roman King called him.

Abu Sufyaan said that Heraclius sent to him in the company of some Qurayshee riders who went to Syria for commerce, at a time that the Messenger of Allaah was in a truce with Abu Sufyaan and Quraysh pagans.

They came to Heraclius while they were at Ilya.2 Heraclius invited him to his court and with him were great men of Rome. He called them and his interpreter.

He then asked Abu Sufyaan and his company: “Which one of you is closest to this man who claims to be a Prophet?”

Abu Sufyaan said, “I am the closest to him in blood.”

Heraclius then told his retinue, “Bring him close to me and let his companions stand behind him.” He then told his interpreter, “Tell them: I will ask this (Abu * Soorah literary means degree. Islamically, it is a section of the glorious Qur'aan that contains a group of verses that may or may not be related in meanings. Some translators do translate it as a chapter which is quite inaccurate because a chapter is a combination of paragraphs in which related issues are discussed.

1 Ad-deen wad-dawla fee ithbaati nubuwwati Muhammad, by ‘Alee bin Rabban At-Tabaranee p. 47. Also see: Al- Islaam by Al-Qurtubee p. 362.
2 A town in Syria.
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Sufyaan) about the man who claims to be a Prophet, so, if he lies to me, you should refute that.”

Abu Sufyaan said, “By Allaah! If not because of the shame of having a lie being recorded against me, I would have lied about him. The first question he asked me about him was: How is his lineage amongst you?” Abu Sufyaan answered, “He is of noble lineage among us.”

He then asked, “Has anybody among you ever uttered this word before him?”
I said, “No.”
He said, “Had anyone among his forefathers been a king?”
I said, “No.”
He said, “Are his followers noble men or weak people?”
I said, “Weak people.”
He said, “Do they increase or decrease?”
I said, “They increase.”
He said, “Did any of them apostatised from his religion in annoyance after having embraced it?”
I said, “No”
He said, “Does he betray?”
I said, “No. But we are now in a truce with him and we do not know what he is going to do.”
Abu Sufyaan added, “This is the only statement I could say against him.”
Heraclius further asked, “Did you go to war with him?”
I said, “Yes!”
He said, “How was your war with him?”
I said, “It was an alternate victory. He won sometimes and we won sometimes.”
He said, “What does he command you to do?”
I said, “He said, ‘Worship God alone and do not associate anything in worship with him and shun what your fathers say.’ He enjoined on us prayer, truthfulness, probity and kindness to the kith and kin.”
Heraclius then told his interpreter, “Tell him:
I asked you of his lineage and you said that he has a noble lineage among you.
That is the case with the Messengers. They were sent from the noble lineage among their people.
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I asked you: Had anybody among you claimed what he claims and you said, No. And I say: If anyone had said before him what he says now, I would have said that, he was repeating what others have said before him.

I asked you: Had any of his ancestors been a king? And you said, No. If any of his forefathers had been a king, I would have said that he is asking for the Kingdom of his father.

I asked you: Have you ever suspected him of telling lies before he said what he said and you answered, No. I then know that h could not have shunned lying to people and tell lie against God.

I asked you whether those who follow him are noble men or weak people, and you answered that his followers are weak people. Yes, those are the followers of the Messengers.

I asked you if they increase or decrease in number and you said that they increase. That is how faith does until it becomes completed.

I asked you, if any of his followers apostate in annoyance after having embraced his religion and you said, No. Yes, that is how faith does after having penetrated the hearts.

I asked you if he betray and you said, No. That is how Messengers do. They do not betray.

And I asked you about what he commanded you to do and you said that, he enjoined that you worship Allaah alone and associate nothing with Him in worship, that he enjoined on you prayers, truthfulness, chastity; that he forbids you from worshipping idols. If all that you told me is true, he shall control where I am standing now. I know that such a Prophet will emerge but I did not think that he would be from amongst you. Had I known that I would meet him, I would have suffered hardship to meet him. And had I been with him, I would have washed his feet.”

He then called for the letter of the Messenger of Allaah which he sent with Dihya to the ruler of Busra. He presented the letter to Heraclius and he read it.

There was in the letter;
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allaah, to Heraclius, the ruler of Rome. Peace be upon him who follows the guidance. I am inviting you with the invitation of Islaam. Accept Islaam, you will be safe and Allaah will give you your reward twice. But if you turn away, you will bear the sins of Yarisin.

“O people of the Scripture! Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah (alone) and that we associate no partner with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.”1

The Second Testimony:
That of the contemporary Christian Evangelist John Cent who said, “After continuous reading about Islaam and its principles that serve individuals and society, and its justice in establishing a society based on foundations of equality and monotheism, I found myself embracing Islaam with all my sense 1 Al-Bukhaaree, the book of beginning of revelation.
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an spirit and I pledged to Allaah, may He be glorified – that I would be a propagator of Islaam, and an evangelist to its guidance in all parts of the world.”

This man has arrived at this certainty after having studied Christianity and beecame well-versed in it. He found that it could not provide answers to many questions of human life.

So he started doubting it. Later, he studied communism and Buddhism but yet could not find what he wanted there, he finally studied Islaam deeply, then believed in it and called unto it.1

1 Ad-Deen Al-Fitree Al-Abadee by Al-Mubashshir At-Taraazee Al-Husaynee 2 p. 319.

THE SEAL OF PROPHETHOOD
It is clear to you from what he has been previously discussed, the reality of Prophethood, its signs and proofs and the signs of Prophethood of Muhammad.

Before we start discussing on the seal of Prophethood, you must know that, Allaah does not send a Messenger except for one of these following reasons:
1. That the message of the Prophet is specifically meant for a particular people in which the concerned Messenger is not obliged to convey his message to the neighbouring nations, and that Allaah sends another Prophet with a special message to another nation.

2. That the message of the previous Prophet has become extinct, in which case Allaah sends another Prophet who will reform for people their religion.

3. That the Law of the previous Prophet is valid only for its time and no longer suitable for subsequent periods, then Allaah sends another Messenger with another Law that will be suitable for the another particular time and place.

The Wisdom of Allaah however, has necessitated that He sends Muhammad to all mankind with a Message that is suitable for all times and places and to protect it against altering and interpolating hands, so that it can remain His Living Message by which people will live and that will be pure and free from stains of interpolations and alterations. It was for this reason that Allaah made it the seal of all Messages.1

Among things with which Allaah distinguished Muhammad is that He made him the seal of all Prophets after whom there would be no Prophet. This is because, Allaah completed with him all Messages, ended with him all Laws, perfected with him the structure and actualised in his Prophethood the Prophecy of Jesus Christ when he said, “”2

The Reverend Ibrahim Khaleel – who has become a Muslim – regarded this text as an equivalent of the saying of the Messenger of Allaah, “Indeed, the example of me and that of the Prophets before me is like that of a man who has perfectly built a house and adorned it except the place of a brick in a corner which he left unfilled.

People went round it and admired it and said:
Why not fix up this brick? He said, ‘I am the brick and I am the seal of the Prophets.’ ”3

It is for this reason that Allaah made the Book brought by Muhammad as a witness over all previous Books and an abolisher for them all. Just as He made the Law of Muhammad the abolisher of preceding Laws. Allaah guarantees the protection of his Message, hence, it was transmitted successfully.

The Qur’aan was transmitted in succession. The practical implementation of the teachings of this religion and its acts of worship, sunnah and rules were also transmitted in succession.

Whoever reads the biography of the Prophet and his Sunnah will know that the companions had preserved for humanity all situations, sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

They transmitted his acts of worship for his Lord, his strife in His cause, his remembrance of Him and his seeking for His forgiveness. They transmitted his generosity, courage, his relationship with his companions and those visiting him. They transmitted his joy, sorrow, journeys, sojourn, manners of his eating, drinking and clothing and how he kept awake and slept.

1 Al-Aqeedah At-Tahaawiyya p. 156; Lawaami‘ul anwaar, 2 p. 269, 277; and Mabaadi’ul-Islaam p. 64.
2 Matthew 21:42.
3 See, “Muhammad in the Torah, Gospel and the Qur’aan” by Ibraheem Khaleel Ahmad, p. 73. The hadeeth is reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
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When you know all this, you will know with certainty that this religion is guaranteed by Allaah’s protection and you will then know that he is the last of all Prophets and Messengers; for Allaah has told us that this Messenger is the last of all Prophets.

He says,
“Muhammad is not a father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last of the Prophets.”1

Muhammad also said about himself, “I am sent to all mankind and I was made the seal of all Prophets.”2

Now let us define Islaam and explain its essence, sources, pillars and degrees.

1 Al-Ahzaab 33:40.
2 Ahmad and Muslim.
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THE MEANING OF THE WORD: ISLAAM
When you consult the dictionaries, you will find that the word Islaam means submission, obedience, surrender and compliance with the command and prohibition of the commander without objections. Allaah has named the true religion, ‘Islaam’ for it is an obedience to him, submission to His Commands without any resistance, purifying acts of worship for Him, believing in His words and having faith in Him. Islaam then became a proper name for the religion brought by Muhammad.

Definition of Islaam
Why was this religion named Islaam? Adherents of various religions all over the world have named their religions, either with the name of a man or a particular race like Christianity, which was named after Jesus Christ; and Buddhism named after its founder Buddha; and Zaradashtism named after its founder and flag banner, Zaradasht. Judaism also emerged among the tribe of Judah and so on. It is only Islaam that is not attributed to any particular man or nation.

Its name indicates a special characteristic that the meaning of Islaam denotes. It is evident in this name that no man has any role in bringing this religion into existence and that it is not peculiar with any nation to the exclusion of others.

Its only goal is to make all people of the earth have characteristics of Islaam. So, whoever is characterised with the qualities of Islaam among ancient people and contemporary people is a Muslim, just as he shall be called a Muslim, anyone who possesses its qualities among the coming generations.

The reality of Islaam
It is known that everything in this world subjects to a particular rule and established norm. The sun, the moon, the stars and the earth are all subjected to a general rule which they cannot march against or deviate from even for a hair’s breadth. Even man, when you ponder over him very well, it will be clear to you that he absolutely submits to the Laws of Allaah.

He cannot breath or feel a need for water, food, nourishment, light and heat except according to the Divine Decree that regulates his life; and all parts of his body submit to this Decree. The functions that these parts perform cannot be carried out except according to what Allaah has prescribed for him.

This comprehensive Divine Ordainment which man surrenders to and from which none in this universe –right from the planet in the heaven to the smallest seed in the sand of the earth – can escape from obeying is the Divine Ordainment of the Magnificent, the Sovereign and the All-Powerful Lord.

If all that is in the heavens and the earth and all that is in between both surrenders to this Divine Ordainment, that means the whole world submits to and obeys that All-Powerful Sovereign Who created it. In this aspect, it is then clear that Islaam is the religion of the whole universe. For Islaam means, submission and obedience to the command of the Commander and His Prohibitions without objection as it has been previously asserted.

The sun, the moon and the earth all surrender to Him. Air, water, light, darkness and heat, all surrender to Him; the tree, the stone and the animals all surrender. Even the man who does not know his Lord and denies His existence and signs or worships others besides Him, or associates others with Him in worship surrenders by nature to Him.60

If you have known all that, let us now have a look at man, you will find that two factors are struggling to win his attention:

One:
His natural inclination; like submission to Allaah, loving to worship Him, seeking nearness to Him, loving what He loves of truth, good and honesty; hating what He hates of falsehood, evil, injustice and wrong; and other natural factors like: love for money, family and children and desire for food, drink and sex and necessary physical functions that follow that.

Two:
Man’s free will and choice. Allaah has sent Messengers to him and revealed Books so that he might distinguish between truth and falsehood; guidance and error; good and evil.

He gave him mental power and understanding so that he can make his choice with sure knowledge. If he so wills, he takes to the good path that leads him to truth and guidance; and if he so wills, he takes to the evil path that leads him to evil and perdition.

If you therefore, look at man in the perspective of the first factor, you will find that he is created to submit to Allaah, conditioned to adhere to that submission without making any deviation whatsoever, just like any other creature.

But if you look at him in the perspective of the second factor, you will find him as a free creature, who chooses what he wants. He may choose to become a Muslim or to become an infidel… “Whether he be grateful or ungrateful.”1

Hence, you find people divided into two categories:
A man who knows his Creator, and believes in Him as his Lord and God whom he worships alone and follows his Law in his life voluntarily. He is also conditioned to submit to his Lord, from Who he cannot deviate and Whose ordainments he follows– such a man is the complete Muslim whose Islaam is perfect and whose knowledge is sound; for he knows Allaah, his Creator and Fashioner, Who sent Messengers to him and endowed him with the power of knowledge and learning.

Such has had sound reason and correct opinion; for he has made use of his thought and then decided not to worship but Allaah Who blessed him with understanding and sound opinions in matters. His tongue speaks only the truth; for now, he only believes in One Lord Who is Allaah, the Exalted, Who gave him power to speak. It now becomes as if nothing remains in his life but the truth; for he follows and surrenders to the Law of Allaah in that which he has free will; and there exists between him and other creatures in the universe bond of familiarity and friendliness, for, he worships none but Allaah, the All-Wise, All-Knowledgeable, Whom all creatures worship, and unto Whose Commandments and Ordainments all surrender and submit. And Allaah has subjected all these creatures to you, O man!

1 Al-Insaan 76:3.
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REALITY OF DISBELIEF
On the contrary is another man, who was born in submission to Allaah and lived all his life in submission to Allaah but never felt this submission or had any idea of it. He knew not his Lord, nor believed in His Law or followed His Messengers. He did not use the knowledge and intellect that Allaah gave him to recognize his Creator Who carved for him his ears and eyes. He rather denied His existence, he disdained His worship and refused to submit to His Laws in matters of his life in which he is given the right of disposition and choice. Or he associated others with Him in worship and refused to believe in His signs that indicate His Oneness. Such a man is a Kaafir. For the meaning of 'Kufr' in the language, is 'to cover and conceal'. So this man is called a 'Kaafir' for he conceals his nature and covers it with ignorance and insolence; and the nature of the world and that of his own self are hidden from him. You therefore, see him using his intellectual and logical power only in that which contradicts his nature. He would not see anything but that which could corrupt his nature. It is now left to you to estimate the extent of deep error and clear transgression to which the disbeliever has degenerated.1

This Islaam which you are required to practice is not a difficult matter, but very easy for whomsoever Allaah makes it easy for. Islaam is the religion which all this universe follow.

"And to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly"2

Allaah says,
"Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islaam"3

It is submission of one's whole self to Allaah as He, Great is His praise asserts, "If they dispute with you (O Muhammad) say: I have submitted to Allaah in Islaam and have those who follow me."4

The Messenger of Allaah also explained the meaning of Islaam when he said, "It is to submit your heart to Allaah, to direct your face to Allaah (in worship) and to give the obligatory Zakaah."5

A man asked the Messenger of Allaah: 'What is Islaam?'

The Messenger of Allaah answered: 'It is to surrender your heart to Allaah; and that Muslims should be safe from the harm of your tongue and hand.'

The man said: 'Which Islam is best?'

He answered: 'The Faith (Eemaan)'

1 Mabaadiul Islaam 3,4.
2 Aal 'Imraan 3:83.
3 Aal 'Imraan 3:19.
4 Aal 'Imraan 3:20.
5 Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan.
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He asked:

'What is Faith?'

He answered:

'To believe in Allaah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and to believe in Resurrection after death.'1

The Messenger of Allaah also said,

"Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; to observe the prayers, to give the Zakaah, to fast in the month of Ramadaan and to perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to."2

He also said,

"The Muslim is the one from the evil of whose hand and tongue all Muslims are safe."3

This religion – the religion of Islaam – is the one besides which Allaah accepts no other religion, not from former generations or later generations. For all Prophets were Muslims.

Allaah says about Prophet Noah,
"And recite to them the news of Noah. When he said to his people: 'O my people, if my stay (with you) and my reminding you of the signs of Allaah is hard on you, then I put my trust in Allaah.'" Till He says, "…and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims."4

The Almighty also says about Abraham,
"When his Lord said to him; 'Submit (i.e., be a Muslim)! He said: I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of all the worlds.' "5

He says about Moses,
"And Moses said, 'O my people! If you have believed in Allaah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims.' "6

He has the following to say about Jesus Christ,
"And when I (Allaah) revealed to the disciples (of Jesus) to believe in Me and my Messenger, they said: 'We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.'"7

This religion – Islaam – derives all its laws, beliefs and rules from the Divine Revelation: the Qur'aan and Sunnah. I will give you a brief information about them.

1 Ahmad. See: Fadlul Islaam by Imaam Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhaab p. 8.
2 Muslim.
3 Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
4 Yoonus 10:71-72.
5 Al-Baqarah 2:131
6 Yoonus 10:84.
7 Al-Maaidah 5:11.
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SOURCES OF ISLAAM
It has been a habit for adherents of abrogated religions and man-made creeds to hallow their inherited books, which were written since ancient times and whose authors or translators or the time of their writing may not really be known. They were just written by some people who used to suffer from what other human beings suffer from like weakness, defect, whimsical desires and forgetfulness.

As for the Qur'aan, it is different from all other books in that, it depends on the true source which is the Divine Revelation: the Qur'aan and Sunnah.

Following is the brief introduction of both:
A. The Glorious Qur'aan:
You have known previously that Islaam is the religion of Allaah, that was why Allaah revealed the Qur'aan to His Messenger, Muhammad as a guidance for the pious, a Law for the Muslims, a healing for the disease that is in the hearts of those whom Allaah wants to heal and a light for those whom Allaah wants to give success. It contains the fundamentals for which Allaah sent the Messengers.1

The Qur'aan was not the first Book to be revealed nor was Muhammad the first Messenger to be sent. Allaah has revealed the Scriptures to Abraham; Torah to Moses and the Gospel to Jesus. All these Books were revelations from Allaah to His Prophets and Messengers. But the contents of most of these Books have been lost and have become extinct, and interpolation and alterations have entered them.

As for the Qur'aan, Allaah Himself guarantees its protection and makes it the witness and abolisher of earlier Books.

He says while addressing the Prophet,
"And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur'aan) in truth, confirming the Scriptures that came before it and as a witness over it."2

He describes the Qur'aan as an explanation of everything,
"And We have sent down to you the Book as an exposition of everything."3

He calls it guidance and mercy,
"So now has come to you a clear proof (the Qur'aan) from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy."4

He describes it as that which guides to uprightness when He says,
"Verily, this Qur'aan guides to that which is most just and right."5

The Qur'aan guides mankind to the most righteous path in all aspects of their life.

1 As-Sunnah wamakaanatuhaa fit-tashree'il Islaami by Mustafa As-Sibaa'ee p. 376.
2 Al-Maaidah 5:48.
3 An-Nahl 16:89.
4 Al-An'aam 6:157.
5 Al-Israa 17:9.
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Whoever reflects on how the Qur'aan was revealed and how it was preserved will give the book its due estimation and purify his intention for Allaah alone.

Allaah, the Exalted says,
"And truly, this (the Qur'aan) is a revelation from the Lord of all the worlds, which, the trustworthy spirit (Jibreel) has brought down upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be (one) of the warners."1

So the One Who revealed the Qur'aan is Allaah, Lord of all the worlds; and the one who brought it is the trustworthy spirit Gabriel; and the one in whose heart it was revealed is the Prophet.

The Qur'aan is an everlasting miracle for Muhammad. It contains signs that shall abide till the Day of Resurrection. The signs and miracles of previous Prophets used to end at the termination of the Prophets' lives, but Allaah has made the Qur'aan the everlasting proof.

It is the extensive proof and dazzling sign.
Allaah challenges the mankind to produce the like thereof or ten soorahs like it or even a single soorah that resembles it, and they are unable to do that in spite of the fact that it is composed of letters and words and the people on whom it was first revealed were people of eloquence and rhetoric.

Allaah says,
"Or do they say:

(Muhammad) has forged it?
Say:

Bring then a Soorah like unto it and call upon whomsoever you can besides Allaah, if you are truthful."2

Among the things that testify to the fact that the Qur'aan is a revelation from Allaah is that it contains stories of the past nations, prophesied future events that came to happen as it has prophesied and the fact that it mentions many scientific facts that have not been discovered until recently. Another proof of its being a Divinely revealed Book is that the Prophet on whom it was revealed was unknown with anything similar to that or reported to have known anything similar to the Qur'aan.

Allaah says,
"Say (O Muhammad): If Allaah had so willed, I should not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you. Verily, I have stayed amongst you a lifetime before this.
Have you then no sense?"3

He was rather an illiterate who neither read nor wrote. He did not also, visit any Shaykh or men to produce the like of the Qur'aan.

Allaah says,
"Neither did you (O Muhammad) read any book before it (the Qur'aan) nor did you write any book (whatsoever) with your right hand. In that case, indeed, the followers of falsehood might have doubted."4

This unlettered man who has been described in the Torah and the Gospel that he would not read nor write, was visited by Jewish ad Christian monks – who had some remnants of the Torah and the Gospel – and asked about issues by which they differed, and they would request for his arbitration in matters in which they contended. Allaah says, explaining the description of Muhammad in the Torah and the Gospel,

1 Ash-Shuara 26:192-194.
2 Yoonus 10:38.
3 Yoonus 10:16.
4 Al-'Ankaboot 29:48.

"Those who follow the Message, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad) whom they find written with them in the Torah and the Gospel, he commands them to do all that is good and forbids them from all that is evil; he allows them as lawful all good things and prohibits them as unlawful all filthy things."1

Allaah also says, while speaking about the question that the Jews and Christians asked the Prophet, "The People of the Scripture ask you to cause a book to descend upon them from heaven."2

"And they ask you concerning the Spirit."3

"And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn."4

"Verily, this Qur'aan narrates to the Children of Israel most of that in which they differ."5

Reverend Abraham Philips, has had a failed attempt, in his doctorate thesis to undermine the Qur'aan. The Qur'aan rather overwhelmed him with its proofs, evidences and signs. The man proclaimed his own weakness, surrendered to his Creator and embraced Islaam.6

When one of the Muslims presented a translated copy of the meaning of the Noble Qur'aan as a gift to the American doctor, Jeffrey Lang, he found that this Qur'aan was addressing him, answering his questions and removing the barrier between him and His own soul. He said, "It seems that He Who revealed the Qur'aan knows me more than I know myself."7

Yes, the One Who revealed the Qur'aan is the Creator of man, and He is Allaah, may He be Glorified.

He says,
"Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most-Kind and Courteous, the All-Knower"8

So, the man's reading of the translation of the meaning of the Noble Qur'aan led him to Islaam and to the writing of his book from which I am quoting.

The Qur'aan is comprehensive to all that man needs. It contains all fundamentals of faith, legislations, human interactions and manners.

Allaah says,
"We have neglected nothing in the book."9

In the Qur'aan, there is call to belief in the Oneness of Allaah, and mention of His Names, Attributes and deeds. It calls to belief in the authenticity of what the Prophets and Messengers brought. It affirms the Resurrection, reward and

1 Al-A'raaf 7:157.
2 An-Nisaa 4:153.
3 Al-Israa 17:85.
4 Al-Kahf 18:83.
5 An-Naml 27:76.
6 See: Al-Mustashriqoon wal-mubashshiroon fil-'aalamil 'arabee wal Islaamee, Ibrahim Khalil Ahmad.
7 “Struggle in the Cause of Faith”, by Dr. Jeffrey Lang; Arabic translation by Mundhir Al-‘Absee p34.
8 Al-Mulk 67:14.
9 Al-An'aam 6:38.
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reckoning and establishes evidences and proofs for that. It narrates the stories of past nations, the punishment meted out to them in this world as well as the torment and exemplary punishment that awaits them in the Hereafter.

It also contains many proofs and signs that dazzle the scientists and that is suitable for all generations and ages; and in which many scholars and researchers find what they look for. I will give only three examples that reveal some of these facts.

1. His saying, "And it is He Who has let free the seas: one palatable and sweet and the other salty and bitter; and He has set a barrier and a complete partition between them."1

He also says,
"Or is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with waves topped by waves, topped by dark clouds, (layers of) darkness upon darkness: if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allaah has not appointed light, for him there is no light."2

It is well-known that Muhammad never travelled by sea on a sea neither was there in his time the material instruments that could have helped to discover the depths of the sea.

Who else could have provided Muhammad with this data if not Allaah?

2. Allaah says,

"And indeed, We created man out of clay (water and earth), therefore, We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb), then We made the mixed dropsinto a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) then We made the clot into little lump of flesh, then we made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bone with flesh and We brought it forth as another Creation. So, blessed is Allaah, the Best of Creators."3

The scientists did not discover these subtle details about the stages of embryonic development until recently.

3. Allaah also says, "And with Him are the keys of all that is hidden, none knows them but He.

And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls but He knows it.
There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record."4

Mankind did not know this all-encompassing thought and had never thought about these things let alone having the ability to do it. If a group of scientists observe a plant or insect and they record their findings and discoveries we all become dazzled with that, though we know that what is hidden from these scientists in this plant or insect is more than what they observe in it.

The French scholar Maurice Bucaile has made a comparison between Torah, the Gospel and the Qur'aan and between modern scientific discoveries concerning the creation of the heavens, the earth and man and found out that these modern discoveries agree with what is in the Qur'aan. On the other hand, he found out that the Torah and the Gospel that are in circulation today contain

1 Al-Furqaan 25:53.
2 An-Noor 24:40.
3 Al-Mu'minoon 23:12-14.
4 Al-An'aam 6:59.
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many erroneous information about the creation of the heavens, the earth, man and animals.1

B. The Prophetic Sunnah:
Allaah revealed the Qur'aan to the Messenger and revealed to him like thereof which is the Prophetic Sunnah that explains the Qur'aan.

The Messenger of Allaah said,

"Indeed, I am given the Qur'aan and its like with it."2 Allaah has permitted him to explain the general and particular verses of the Qur'aan.

Allaah says,
"And We have also sent down to you (O Muhammad) the reminder, that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought."3

The Sunnah is the second source of the religion of Islaam. It means all that is reported from the Prophet – with well-connected and authentic chain of transmitters – of his sayings, deeds, confirmations and qualities. It is also a revelation from Allaah to His Messenger Muhammad, for the Prophet did not speak of his own desire. Allaah says, "Nor, does he speak of (his own) desire, it is only a Revelation revealed. He has been taught by one mighty in power (Gabriel)."4

The Prophet only conveys to people what he is commanded to convey.

Allaah says about him,
"I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am but a plain warner."5

The pure Sunnah is the practical implementation of the rules, beliefs, acts of worship, kinds of relationship and manners that Islaam enjoins. The Messenger of Allaah exemplified what he was commanded, explained it to the people and commanded them to do like he did. He says, for instance, "Pray as you see me praying."6

The All-Mighty Allaah has commanded the believers to emulate him in all his eeds and sayings in order that their faith might be complete. He says, Indeed, in the Messenger of Allaah, you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much."7

The prophets noble companions transmitted his sayings and deeds to those who came after them, and these also transmitted them to those who came after them. It was then recorded in the books of Sunnah. The Sunnah transmitters had been strict with those from whom they transmitted it and would make a condition that they be contemporaries of those from whom they

1 See: "The Torah, the Bible and the Qur'aan in the light of modern science" by Maurice Bucaile p. 133-283. He was a Christian revert.
2 Ahmad and Aboo Dawood.
3 An-Nahl 16:44.
4 An-Najm 53:3-5.
5 Al-Ahqaaf 46:9.
6 Al-Bukhaaree.
7 Al-Ahzaab 33:21.
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themselves reported that Sunnah, till the chain of transmission would be connected right from the narrator to the Messenger of Allaah.1 They also made it a condition that all the men involved in the transmission must be trustworthy, just, sincere and people of integrity.

The Sunnah, as it is regarded as the practical implementation of Islaam, it also explains the Qur'aan, makes comments on it, and explains verses that have general meanings. The Messenger of Allaah used to do all this, sometimes with his words, sometimes with his deeds and sometimes with both. The Sunnah may, in some cases, give independent explanations of some rules and legislations that are not in the Qur'aan.

One must have belief in the Qur'aan and Sunnah that they are the primary sources of the religion of Islaam that must be followed and turned to. The command of both must be obeyed, their prohibitions must be abstained from and their contents must be believed. One must also believe in what both contain of the Names, Attributes and Works of Allaah; what He has provided for His believing friends and that with which He threatened His disbelieving enemies.

He says,
"But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission."2

He also says,
"And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)."3

After giving an introduction about the sources of this religion, it is appropriate for us to discuss about its degrees which are: Islaam, Eemaan and Ihsaan. We are also going to talk on the pillars of these degrees in brief.

1 As a result of this unique academic methodology and accuracy and precision in transmitting the Sunnah, a science was introduced among the Muslims, that are known as 'ilmul-jarh wat-ta'deel' and 'ilm mustalahul-hadeeth'. The two sciences are among the exclusive qualities of the Muslims, which none possessed before them.
2 An-Nisaa 4:65.
3 Al-Hashr 59:7.

THE FIRST DEGREE1
Islaam: Its pillars are five, they are: Testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah and that Muhammad is His Messenger; performing prayer, paying Zakaat, fasting in the month of Ramadaan and Pilgrimage.

One:
Testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship save Allaah and that Muhammad is His Messenger.

The first part of the testimony means that, there is no rightful deity in the earth or in the heavens beside Him alone. He is the only true God and all deities besides Him are false ones.2 It also means, purifying all acts of worship for Allaah alone and keeping them away from others beside Him.

The utterer of this statement cannot benefit from it until he has two things:

1. To say it out of belief, knowledge, conviction and love for it.
2. To disbelieve in all that is worshipped besides Allaah. Whoever says this

statement and does not disbelieve in all that is worshipped besides Allaah, this statement will not benefit him.3

Testifying that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah means, to follow him in all that he commands, to believe in all that he informs, to abstain from all that he prohibits and warns against and to worship Allaah with only what he legislates. One must also know and bear it in mind that Muhammad is Allaah's Messenger to all people, that he is only a slave of Allaah and should therefore not be worshipped, but rather be obeyed and followed, that whoever follows him enters Paradise and whoever disobeys him enters Fire. One must also know and bear it in mind that, Islaamic injunctions in matters of belief, acts of worship which are commanded by Allaah, system of law and matters of legislation and morals in area of building a family, or in area of allowing or forbidding things cannot be received except through this noble Prophet, for he is the Messenger of Allaah, who conveys His Law to mankind.4

Two: Prayer.5
Prayer is the second pillar of Islaam. It is rather the pillar of Islaam, for it is the link between man and his Lord. He repeats it five times in a day with which he renews his faith, purifies himself from stains of sins and which stands between him and obscene things and sins. When he wakes up from sleep in the morning, he appears in front of his Lord pure and clean before he starts engaging in matters of this world. He magnifies his Lord, affirms His absolute right to be worshipped by prostrating, standing and bowing for Him five times each day.

1 For more details see, "Kitaabut-Tawheed", "Al-Usooluth-Thalaathah", "Aadaabul-mashyi ilas-Salaah" by Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab.
See also: "Deenul-Haqq" by Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Umar; "Maalaabudda min ma'rifatihi anil Islaam" by Muhammad bin 'Alee al-Arfaj; "Arkaanul Islaam" by Abdullah Al-Jaarallaah; "Sharh arkaanil Islaam wal Eemaan" by a group of students and reviewed by Shaykh Abdullaah Al-Jibreen.
2 Deenul-Haqq p. 38.
3 Qurratu 'uyoonul muwahhideen, p. 60.
4 For more details, read, "Kayfiyyatul Salaatin-Nabiyy" by Shaykh bin Baaz.
5 Deenul-Haqq p. 51-52.
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Before he starts performing this prayer, he must purify his heart, body, clothes and place of his prayer. The Muslim must perform this prayer congregationally with his fellow Muslims – if that is easy for him – while they all face their Lord with their hearts and face the honoured Ka'abah, the House of Allaah with their faces. Prayer has been prescribed in the best form in which the Creator requires His creation to worship Him; for it contains His glorification with all parts of the body; from word of the tongue, deeds of the hands, legs, head, senses and all other parts of his body; each part taking his share of this great act of worship.

The senses and limbs take their portion from it and the heart also takes its share.

Prayer comprises of exaltation of Allaah, praising Him, glorifying Him, extolling Him. It also contains giving the testimony of the truth, recitation of the Qur'aan, standing in front of the Lord Who controls him, then humiliating oneself for Him in this position by begging Him with devotion and seeking His nearness. He then goes to bowing position, prostration and then sits down, all in submission, humility and showing helplessness for His greatness and His Might. The heart of this slave becomes broken, his body becomes humble and all his limbs surrenders with humility to his Lord. He then concludes his prayer with giving thanks to Allaah and praising Him, and invoking peace and blessings on His Prophet, Muhammad and finally asks his Lord of the good things of this world and the Hereafter.1

Three: Zakaah2
Zakaah – obligatory charity – is the third pillar of Islaam. It is compulsory on the rich Muslims to pay Zakaah from his wealth. It is a very little part of his wealth that he gives to the poor and needy and others among those who are entitled to it.

Muslims must pay Zakaah to its due recipients willingly. He should neither remind the recipient of that nor harm him in whatever way on account of it. He must pay it seeking for the pleasure of Allaah; not desiring by that any recompense or thanks from men. He should rather pay it for the sake of Allaah not for showing off or for any fame.

Paying Zakaah brings blessings and gladdens the hearts of the poor, the destitute and the needy. It prevents them from begging and it is a compassion on them and protection against negligence and poverty that could have afflicted them if they are left by the wealthy. Paying Zakaah when it is due is a quality of generosity, magnanimity, altruism, philanthropy and compassion. It also means freeing one self from traits of stingy, avaricious and valueless people. It is by Zakaah that Muslims support one another, that the wealthy shows mercy on the poor, so that there will not remain in the community – if this rite is properly implemented - a poor destitute, a subdued debtor or a traveller who has no more provisions with him.

Four: Fasting
It is to fast in the month of Ramadaan from the dawn to the sunset. The fasting Muslim abandons food, drink, sexual intercourse and similar things as an act of worship for Allaah and curbs his own soul from fulfilling its desires.

Allaah has relieved the sick, the traveller, the pregnant woman, the nursing mother and a woman who has just delivered a baby from fasting. He ordained for each of them rules that suit him or her.

1 For more, read "Risaalataani fiz-zakaati was-siyaam" by Shaykh Ibn Baz.
2 Miftaah daar as-sa'aadah 2:384.
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In this month, a Muslim curbs his own self from his desires and this act of worship will bring his soul out of the animal-like world to the world similar to that of angels who are near to Allaah. The situation of a fasting Muslim may reach a stage that he thinks like someone who has no need in this world more than to achieve the pleasure of Allaah.

Fasting enlivens the heart, makes one renounce the world, encourages one to seek what is with Allaah, and reminds the wealthy of the poor ones and their conditions so that their hearts may have sympathy for them and know that they are living in the favour of Allaah and therefore should increase in gratitude to him.

Fasting purifies the soul and create in it the fear of Allaah. It makes individuals and the society feel the control of Allaah on them in bliss and hardship and in public and secret; where the society spends a whole month observing this act of worship and being conscious of its Lord; while being spurred by the fear of Allaah, the Exalted, by a belief that Allaah knows what is hidden and secret, that man will inevitably stand before Him a day in which He will ask him about all his deeds: minor and major.1

Five: Hajj2
Pilgrimage to the House of Allaah in Makkah. It is obligatory on every Muslim who is adult, sane and capable; who possesses or can afford to hire means of transportation to Makkah and also possesses what is sufficient for him to live on throughout his journey with a condition that his provision should be an excess of the provision of those who are his dependants. He should also be sure that the road is safe and must ensure security of his dependants while he is away. Hajj is compulsory once in the lifetime for whoever is able to perform it.

One who intends to do Hajj should repent to Allaah in order that his soul can be free from filth of sins. When he reaches Makkah and other holy sites, he carries out the rites of hajj as an act of worship and glorification for Allaah. He must know that the Ka'abah as well as other sites should not be worshipped beside Allaah, for they neither benefit nor harm. He should also know that had Allaah not commanded the Muslims to embark on pilgrimage to that House, it would not have been proper for any Muslim to do that.

In pilgrimage, the pilgrim wears two white garments. The Muslims gather from all parts of the world at one place, wearing one garment and worshipping One God; with no difference between the leader and the led; the rich and the poor; the white and the black. All are creatures of Allaah and his slaves. There is no superiority for a Muslim over another Muslim except by piety and good deeds.

By Hajj, Muslims achieve cooperation and mutual recognition, they remember the Day that Allaah will raise all of them up ad gather them at a single place for reckoning, they thereby prepare for what is after death through acts of obedience to Allaah.

Worship in Islaam:3

1 See "Miftaah daar as-sa'aadah" 2, p. 384.
2 For detailed reading see: "Daleelul-Hajj wal mu'tamir" by a group of scholars and "Explanations in many issues pertaining to Hajj and Umrah" by Shaykh Ibn Baz.
3 See "Al-uboodiyyah" by Shaykhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah.

It is to worship Allaah in meaning and reality.
Allaah is the Creator and you are the creature; you are the slave and He is the One that you worship. If that is the case, man must then follow the Straight Path of Allaah in this life and follow His Law and the Path of his Messengers. Allaah has ordained great laws for His slaves like belief in His Oneness, performing prayers, paying Zakaah, observing fasting and performing Hajj.

However, the above mentioned are not the only acts of worship in Islaam.

Worship in Islaam is more comprehensive. It is all that Allaah loves and is pleased with of deeds and sayings, apparent or hidden. So, every work or saying that you do or say that Allaah loves and He is pleased with is worship.

Even, every good habit that you do with an intention to please Allaah is worship. Your good relationship with your father, family, spouse, children and neighbours if you seek by that the pleasure of Allaah is worship. Your good conduct at home, in the market and office, done for the sake of Allaah is worship. Fulfilling the trust, being truthful and just, abstention from harming others, giving assistance to the weak, earning from lawful means, spending for family and children, consoling the poor, visiting the sick, feeding the hungry and aiding the wronged are all acts of worship if done for the sake of Allaah.

So, all deeds that you do either for yourself, family or the society or your country in which you intend to win the pleasure of Allaah are acts of worship.

Even to fulfil your personal passion in a lawful way is worship if you do that with a good intention. The Messenger of Allaah said, "Even if anyone of you satiate his sexual desires, that is an act of charity."

The companions said,

"O Messenger of Allaah! Would any of us satiate his own lust and still get a reward?"
He answered, "Tell me, if he had done that in an unlawful way would not he have sinned? Likewise, if he does it in a lawful way, he would get a reward."1
The Prophet also said, "Every Muslim must pay charity."
He was asked, "How if he does not find what to pay charity with?"
He said, "He works with his two hands benefits himself by that and then pay charity."
He was asked again, "But how if he is not able?"
He said, "He should assist the needy who is wronged."
He was again asked, "But how if he is not able?"
He answered, "He enjoins all that is good."
And he was asked once more, "But how, if he is not able to do that?"
He answered, "He refrains from doing evil, for that also is for him, an act of charity."2

1 Muslim.
2 Bukhaaree and Muslim.
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THE SECOND DEGREE1
Faith and its six pillars: Belief in Allaah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, belief in the Last Day and belief in pre-decree.

First: Belief in Allaah.
You must believe in His Lordship; that He is the Lord, the Creator, the Possessor and the Controller of all matters. You must also believe in His right to be worshipped, that He is the only True Deity, that all deities besides Him are false.

You must believe in His Names and Attributes, that He has Beautiful Names and perfect Sublime Attributes.

You must also believe in His Oneness in all that, that He has no partner in His Lordship, nor in His right to be worshipped or in His Names and Attributes. He says, Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, so worship Him and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of any who is similar to Him?”2

You must also believe that neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him; that He knows all that is hidden and evident; and that to him belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He says, And with Him are the keys of all that is hidden, none knows them but He. And He knows whatever is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.”3

You must also believe that He – may He be exalted – rose high over His Throne above His creation, and that He is with them by His knowledge and He knows their conditions, hears their utterances, sees their places and controls their affairs. He provides for the poor, gives relief to the dejected, gives authority to whom He wills, withdraws it from whom He wills and that He is Able to do all things.4

Among the benefits of belief in Allaah are the following:
1. It lets man love Allaah and glorify Him and as such carry out His commandments and abstain from all that He forbids. If man does that, he attains perfect happiness in this world and the Hereafter.

2. Belief in Allaah creates in the mind self-esteem and dignity, for through it, man will know that it is only Allaah who is the True Possessor of all that is in this universe, that there is no bringer of harm or benefit except Him. This knowledge makes him dispenses of all that is besides Allaah and removes from his heart the fear of others besides Allaah and he will not hope except for Allaah and will not fear except Him alone.

1 For more, read, "Sharh usool al-eeman" by Ibn 'Uthaymeen; "Kitaabul eemaan" by Ibn Taymiyyah; "Aqeedatul ahlissunnah waljamaa'ah" by Ibn 'Uthaymeen.
2 Maryam 19:65.
3 Al-An‘aam 6:59.
4 See: “ ‘Aqeedatul ahlissunnah waljamaa‘ah ” p. 7, 11.
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3. Belief in Allaah creates humbleness in the heart; for man will know that whatever favour he has is from Allaah. Satan will not be able to deceive him, nor will he become overbearing and arrogant or boast with his power or wealth.

4. The believer in Allaah will have certain knowledge that there is no way to success and salvation except through good deeds that please Allah. Some people, however have false belief that Allaah commanded that His son be crucified as an atonement for the sins of mankind; some have a belief in false deities believing that these will do for them what they want while actually they can neither benefit nor harm; while some are atheists, who do not believe in the existence of Creator at all. All these beliefs are mere wishful thoughts; for when those who hold these beliefs meet Allaah on the Day of Resurrection and they see the reality, they will realise that they have been in clear error.

5. Belief in Allaah creates in man great power of determination, courage, perseverance, steadfastness and trust in Allaah when he struggles in lofty matters in this world to achieve the pleasure of Allaah. He will be on perfect certainty that he is putting his trust in the Possessor of the heavens and the earth and that He will help him and guide him. He will then be firm like mountains in his patience, steadfastness and in his trust in Allaah.1

Two: Belief in the angels.
A Muslim must believe in the angels, that, it is Allaah Who created them and describes them as, “honoured slaves", they speak not until He has spoken and they act on His Command. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with Whom He is pleased and they stand in awe for fear of Him.”2

He also described them that, they, “are not too proud to worship Him, nor are weary (of His worship). They glorify His praises night and day (and) they never slacken (to do so).”3

Allaah conceals them from our eyes, so that we do not see them. But Allaah sometimes shows some of them to some of His Prophets and Messengers.

Angels have functions assigned to them. Jibreel is assigned to Revelations which he brings from Allaah to whosoever He wishes of His Messengers. Among them is also an angel assigned to taking the souls, among them are those assigned to the foetuses in the wombs, among them are those assigned to the protection of mankind and among them are those assigned to recording of their deeds. Every person has two angels “one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions) not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him (or her) ready (to record it)”4

Benefits of belief in angels
1. It purifies the belief of the Muslim from stains of polytheism; for when a Muslim believes in the existence of angels whom Allaah assigns with these great functions, he will be free from belief in the existence of imaginary creatures that some people claim have a share in the running of the affairs of the universe.

1 See: ‘Aqeedatul ahlissunnah waljamaa‘ah p. 44 and Mabadiul Islaam p. 80, 84.
2 Al-Anbiyaa 21:26-28.
3 Al-Anbiyaa 21:19-20.
4 Qaaf 50:17-18.
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2. It lets the Muslims know that, the angels neither benefit nor harm, but that they are honoured slaves, who disobey not Allaah when He commands them but rather do what they are commanded. He will not worship them, nor direct his affairs to them or depend on them.

Three: Belief in the Books
To believe that Allaah revealed Books to his Prophets and Messengers, in order to explain the truth and call to it.

Allaah says,
“Indeed, We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice), that mankind may keep up justice.”1

These Books are many.

Among them are the Scripture of Prophet Ibraaheem, the Torah of Prophet Moosaa, the Psalms given to Prophet David and the Gospel which was brought by Prophet Jesus Christ, may peace be upon all of them.

Belief in the Previous Books lies in believing that it is Allaah Who revealed them to His Messengers and that they contained the Law that Allaah wanted to be conveyed to people at that time.

All these Books that Allaah informs us about have all become extinct. The scripture of Abraham is no longer existing in the world. As for the Torah, the Gospel and the Psalms, even though they do exist by name in the hands of Jews and Christians, they have become altered, interpolated and adulterated and many of their original contents are missing. That which are not part of them have been included in them, and they are attributed to those who are not their authors. The old testament for instance, has more than forty books, and only five of them were attributed to Moses. As for the existing gospels of today, nothing of them is attributed to Jesus. The last Book revealed by Allaah is the Qur’aan which was revealed to Prophe Muhammad. It has always been and still is protected and preserved by Allaah. No change or alteration has crept into any of its letters, words, vowels or meanings.

The Qur’aan is different from all previous Books in many ways:
1. The past Books have been lost; changes and interpolations have crept into them; they have been attributed to those who are not their rightful owners; many commentaries and exegesis have been added to them and they contain many things that contradict Divine Revelation, the reason and nature.

As for the Qur’aan, it is still being protected by Allaah, with its letters and words in which Allaah revealed them to Muhammad. No alteration nor addition has crept into it; for Muslims have been eager to let the Qur’aan remain free from all defects. They do not mix it with anything from the Prophet’s life history, or the history of his companions or commentaries of the Qur’aan or rules pertaining to acts of worship and human relations.

2. Today, there is no known historical authority for the ancient books.
Even, nothing was known about those on whom some of them were revealed or in which language they were revealed. Some of them are even attributed to others beside those who actually brought them.

1 Al-Hadeed 57:25.

As for the Qur’aan, Muslims have transmitted it from Muhammad in a successive manner, verbally and in written form. And at every age and country, there are thousands of Muslims who know this Book by heart as there are thousands of its copies as well. If the oral copies do not agree with written copies, the divergent copies will not be recognised; for what is in the memories of people should always be in agreement with what is in the written copies.

Above all, the Qur’aan was transmitted orally in a way that nothing of the books of this world had enjoyed. Even this particular method of transmission cannot be found except among Muslims alone. The methodology of preserving the Qur'aan goes this way: The student learns the Qur’aan by heart at the hand of his teacher; who had in turn learnt it by heart at the hand of his own teacher. The teacher also gives the student a certificate called “Ijaazah” in which the teacher testifies that he taught the student what he himself learnt from his own teachers one after another, each and everyone of these teachers will name his teacher from whom he learnt the Qur’aan in succession till the chain reaches the Messenger of Allaah himself.

This is how the chain of teachers go in oral succession till it reaches the Messenger of Allaah.

There exists many strong evidences and historical proofs – with connected chains of transmitters – on the knowledge of every soorah and every verse of the Qur’aan as regards where it was revealed and when it was revealed to Muhammad.

3. The languages in which past Books were revealed had become extinct since a long time. No one in this age speaks the languages and very few people can now understand them. As for the language in which the Qur’aan was revealed, it is a living language spoken today by tens of millions of people. It is taught and studied in every country of the world. Even the one who does not study it will find everywhere those who can teach him the meaning of the Qur’aan.

4. Each of the previous Books was meant for a particular time and sent to a particular nation; that was why it contained rules that were peculiar to that nation and that time. Whatever book that has these characteristics is not suitable for all mankind.

As for the Great Qur’aan, it is a Book meant for all times and all places. It comprises of ordainments, rules on how humans should relate with one another and manners that are suitable for every age; for it is addressed to mankind in general.

In view of the above, it becomes clear that it is not possible that Allaah’s proof against humanity should be in books whose original copies no longer exist and whose languages no one in the world of today speaks, after they have been altered. Allaah’s proof against His creation should be in a Book, protected and safe from addition, defect or alteration. Its copies should be spread in every place and written with a living language that is read by millions of people, who can convey the Messege of Allaah to all mankind. This Book is the Magnificent Qur’aan which Allaah revealed to Muhammad and that is the witness over all the previous Books and it confirms them – before they were interpolated. It is the Book that all mankind must follow, so that, it can be for them, light, healing, guidance and mercy.

Allaah says,
“And this is a Blessed Book which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allaah that you may receive mercy.”1

1 Al-An‘aam 6:155.
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He also says,
“Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah.”1

Four: Belief in the Messengers
To believe that Allaah sent Messengers to His creation in order to give them glad tidings of Paradise if they believe in Allaah and believe in the Messengers, and to warn them of punishment if they disobey.

Allaah says,
“And verily, We have sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship Allaah (alone) and avoid all false deities.”2

He also says,
“Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers.”3

These Messengers are many. The first of them was Noah and the last of them is Muhammad. There are many among them, those whom Allaah told us stories about like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, David, John Zakariah and Saalih. There are also some about whom Allaah tells us nothing.

Allaah says,
“And Messengers We have mentioned to you before and Messengers We have not mentioned to you.”4

All these Messengers were humans created by Allaah. They possessed nothing of the qualities of Lordship or Godship. Therefore, no act of worship should be directed to them; for they could avail themselves of any harm or benefit.

Allaah says about Prophet Noah,
“And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allaah, nor that I know the Unseen, nor do I say I am an angel.”5

Allaah also Commanded Muhammad to say,
“I do not tell you that with me are the Treasures of Allaah, nor that I know the Unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel.”6

And to say,
“I possess no power over benefit or hurt to myself except as Allaah Wills.”7

The Prophets are therefore honoured slaves, whom Allaah chose and honoured
with the Message and described as His slaves. Their religion is Islaam and Allaah will not accept any other religion besides it.

1 Al-A‘raaf 7:158. For all the above, see: Al-Aqeedatu-s-saheehah p. 17; Aqeedatu ahlis-sunnah waljamaa‘ah p. 22; Mabaadiul Islaam p. 89.
2 An-Nahl 16:36.
3 An-Nisaa 4:165.
4 An-Nisaa 4:164.
5 Hood 11:31.
6 Al-An‘aam 6:50.
7 Al-A‘raaf 7:188.
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Allaah says,

“Verily, the religion with Allaah is Islaam.”1
The basic messages of the Prophets were one but their Laws differ.

Allaah says,
“To each among you We have prescribed a Law and a Clear Way.”2
The final of all these Laws is that of Muhammad. It abrogates all other previous laws. His Message is the last of all Divine Messages and he is the last of all Messengers. Whoever believes in a Prophet among them should believe in all of them and whoever denies anyone of them has denied all of them; for all Prophets and Messengers call to the belief in Allaah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day and because their religion is one. So, he who disbelieves in others has disbelieved in all of them; for every one of them called to belief in all Prophets and Messengers.3

Allaah says,
“The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord and so do the believers. Each one believes in Allaah, His angels, His Books and His Messengers”4

He also says,
“Verily, those who disbelieve in Allaah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allaah and His Messenger saying: We believe in some Messengers) but reject others, and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth, disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment.”5

Five: Belief in the Last Day.
That is because, the end of every being in this world is death! What then is the fate of man after death? What is the end of the unjust people who escaped the punishment in this world?, Will they escape the consequence of their injustices?

What about the righteous people who missed their share of the reward of this world, are their rewards going to be wasted?

Indeed, mankind shall continue to die, generation after generation, until when Allaah gives His permission that this world should come to an end and all creatures on the face of the earth die. Allaah will thereafter resurrect all creatures in a day that will be witnessed by all; a day in which Allaah will gather all former and later generations. He will then call men to account for all their deeds either good or bad which they had earned in the world. The believers will be led to Paradise and the disbelievers will be marched to Fire.

Paradise is the abode of peace which He has prepared for His believing friends.

There are in it all kinds of bliss which no one can describe. It has degrees and every degree will have dwellers according to the degree of their belief in Allaah and their obedience to Him. The lowest in degree of the dwellers of Paradise in bliss will be equal to tenfold of the Kingdom of one of the kings of this world.

Hell is the abode of punishment which Allaah has prepared for him who disbelieves in Him. It has all kinds of torment whose mere mention is

1 Aal ‘Imraan 3:19.
2 Al-Maaidah 5:48.
3 See: Al-Aqeedatus-saheehah p. 17; Aqeedatu ah lus-sunnah waljamaa‘ah p. 25.
4 Al-Baqarah 2:285.
5 An-Nisaa 4:150-151.
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terrifying. If Allaah will allow anyone to die in the Hereafter the dwellers of the Fire will certainly die at mere sight of it.

Allaah knows – by His Pre-Knowledge – what every man will do or say of good or evil, secretly or publicly. He assigned to every man two angels: one records his good deeds and the other his evil ones and nothing escapes them.

Allaah says,
"Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)."1

All his deeds will be recorded in a book that will be given to man on the Day of Resurrection.

Allaah says,
"And the book (one's record) will be placed, and you will see the sinners fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: 'Woe to us! What sort of book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers.'

And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice."2

The man will then read his record and will not deny anything therein and whosoever denies anything of his deeds, Allaah will give power of speech to his ears, eyes, hands, legs and skin, so that they could contradict him.

Allaah says,
"And they will say to their skins: 'Why do you testify against us?'

They will say:
'Allaah has caused us to speak – and He causes all things to speak' and He created you the first time and to Him you are made to return. And you have not been hiding yourselves (in the world) lest your ears, your eyes and your skins should testify against you; but you thought that Allaah knew not much of what you were doing."3

Belief in the Last Day4 – Day of Resurrection – was preached by all Messengers
and Prophets.

Allaah says,
"And among His signs is that you see the earth barren; but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetations). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely, is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection).

Indeed, He is Able to do all things."5

He also says,
"Do they not see that Allaah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead?"6

This is what the Divine Wisdom necessitates; for Allaah did not create His creation in vain or leave them for fun. The weakest person in intelligence cannot carry out any important action without having a purpose for it. How can this not be imagined in case of man and then think that Allaah only created His creation for fun and that He shall leave them in vain. Far and Highly Exalted is Allaah above all that they say.

1 Qaaf 50:18.
2 Al-Kahf 18:49.
3 Fussilat 41:21-22.
4 For more evidences about resurrection, see pages 84-90 of this book.
5 Fussilat 41:39.
6 Al-Ahqaaf 46:33.

Allaah says,
"Do you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose) and that you would not be brought back to Us?"1

He also says,
"And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the assumption of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islaamic Monotheism) from the Fire."2

All wise men testify to the necessity of belief in the Last Day; for that's what the intelligence and reason necessitate and what the sound human nature agrees to.

When man believes in the Day of Resurrection, he knows why he should abstain from what he is ordered to leave and do what he is ordered to do, hoping for what is with Allaah. He will also know that, he who does injustice to people will inevitably have his recompense and that those he wrongs will take revenge on him on the Day of Resurrection. He will also know that man must have a reward: good reward for good deeds and commensurate punishment for evil deeds, so that each soul shall be rewarded for what it strived for and Divine Justice can be established.

Allaah says,
"So whoever does an atom weight of good shall see it; and whoever does an atom weight of evil shall see it."3

No one among mankind knows when the Day of Resurrection will come. This is a Day that is known to neither a sent Prophet nor a favoured Angel. Allaah keeps the knowledge of that to Himself alone.

He says,
"They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): 'When will be its appointed time?' Say: 'The Knowledge thereof is with my Lord. None can reveal its time but He.' "4

He also says,
"Verily, with Allaah is the knowledge of the Hour."5

Six: Belief in Predecree
You must believe that Allaah knows what happens and what shall happen; that He knows the conditions, deeds, life spans and provisions of His slaves.

He says,
"Verily, Allaah is All-Knower of everything."6

He also says,
"And with Him are the keys of all that is hidden, none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls but He knows it.

There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record."7

1 Al-Mu'minoon 23:115.
2 Saad 38:27.
3 Zalzalah 99:7-8.
4 Al-A'raaf 6:187.
5 Luqmaan 31:34.
6 Al-'Ankaboot 29:62.
7 Al-An'aam 6:59. Had not there been in the Qur'aan but only this verse, it would have been enough as a clear evidence and decisive proof that it is from Allaah; for mankind, in all their ages – even in this age, where knowledge is
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He registers all that in a Record with Him.

He also says,
"And all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book."1

He says,
"Know you not that Allaah knows all that is in the heavens and on the earth?

Verily, it is (all) in the Book. Verily, that is easy for Allaah."2

He also says,
"Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, 'Be' and it is!"3

As it is Allaah Who preordained all things, it is also He Who Created all things.

He says,
"Verily, We have created everything with Divine Preordainment."4

He also says,
“Allaah is the Creator of all things.”5

He created men in order to worship Him and made that clear to them. He commanded them to obey Him, forbidden them from disobeying Him and made that clear to them. He gave them power and will by which they could carry out the Commandments of Allaah and get reward; and by which they could perpetrate acts of disobedience, and get punished.

If man believes in the Divine Preordainment, he will achieve the following:
1. He will depend on Allaah while making use of the means; for he knows that the means and its causes are all by Divine Pre-decree of Allaah.

2. Peace of mind and tranquillity; for when he knows that it is Allaah Who gives that and that the preordained detestable thing shall happen no matter what, he will have rest of mind and he will be pleased with the decision of Allaah. There will not be anyone who will be more pleased and have more peace of mind than him Who believes in Divine Preordainment.

3. He will not be arrogant when he attains what he aims; for he will know that the attainment of that blessing is from Allaah through the means of good and success He has pre-decreed. He will therefore thank Allaah for that.

4. He will not be sad or distressed when the desired goal is missed or when the unwanted happens; because of his knowledge that it happens through irresistible Decree of Allaah. For no one can resist His Command or appeal His judgement. What he has pre-decreed will inevitably happen. He will therefore be patient and get the reward thereof from Allaah. Allaah says, widespread and man grows arrogant – have not thought of this comprehensive encompassment, let alone having the ability to do any of that. The highest extent to which their efforts could carry them is to closely observe a tree or insect in a particular environment, in order to reveal to us a part of its mysteries. But what is hidden from them in that tree or insect is greater. As for comprehensive think and encompassment, it is a matter that mankind have not known or have the ability to know.

1 Yaa seen 36:12.
2 Al-Hajj 22:70.
3 Yaa seen 36:82.
4 Al-Qamar 54:49.
5 Az-Zumar 39:62.
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“No calamity befalls on earth or in yourselves, but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah. In order that you may not grieve at the things that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allaah likes not prideful boasters.”1

5. Complete dependence on Allaah. For the Muslim knows that, it is only Allaah Who has the power to cause benefit or harm. He will then not fear any powerful person because of his power and will not hesitate to do good deeds out of fear of any man. The Prophet told Ibn Abbaas: “Know that if all mankind are unanimous on benefiting you, they cannot benefit you with anything except with that which Allaah has predecreed for you. If they are also unanimous on harming you, they cannot harm you except with that which Allaah has predecreed for you.”2

1 Al-Hadeed 57:22-23. See: Al-Aqeedah as-saheehah p. 19; Aqeedah ahlisunnah wal jamaa‘ah p. 39 and Deenul Haqq p. 18.
2 Ahmad and At-Tirmidhee.
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THE THIRD DEGREE
The third degree is “Ihsaan” (utmost sincerity and perfection in acts of worship). It implies which means that you worship Allaah as if you are seeing Him, and if you do not see Him, He sees you. One must worship his Lord with this quality. That is, to bear it in mind that Allaah is close to him; that he is standing before his Lord. This condition makes man have awe, fear and great honour for Allaah. It makes man sincere in acts of worship and gives him courage to strive more towards its perfection.

The slave is conscious of his Lord while observing act of worship and reminds himself of His nearness to him as if he is seeing Him. If he cannot do that, let him be conscious of the fact that Allaah sees him and knows his secret and public affairs, and that nothing is hidden from Him.1

The slave that has reached this stage worships his Lord sincerely, not looking to others besides Him. He neither expects people’s praise nor fears their blame; for it is enough for him that his Lord is pleased with him and praises him. This is a man whose public and private deeds are the same. He worships his Lord in private and public with certain faith that Allaah knows all that is in his heart and goes on in his mind. The faith has overpowered his heart and the consciousness of his Lord is manifest on him; his limbs then surrender to Allaah; for he will not use them except in what pleases Allaah and in that which He loves and in submission to Him.

Since his heart has been attached to his Lord, he will not seek help from any creature, for Allaah suffices him; he will not complain to any man, for he has approached Allaah with his needs and enough is He as a Helper. He does not feel lonely in any place nor does he fear anyone, for he knows that Allaah is with him in all his conditions. He is enough for him and He is the Best Helper.

He will not abandon any order that Allaah commands him to carry out and will not perpetrate any sin, for he is ashamed before Him and hates that He finds him wanting in what He Commands him to do or finds him where he forbids him. He will neither oppress nor wrong anyone or take anyone's right for he knows that Allaah is seeing him, and that He shall call him to account for all his deeds.

He will not cause mischief in the land; for he knows that all good things that are in the earth are properties of Allaah which He subjects for His Creation. He will take of these good things according to his needs and thank his Lord for facilitating them for him.

All that I have told you and presented to you in this booklet are only important matters and great pillars in Islaam. Whoever believes in these fundamentals and acts by them has become a Muslim. If not, Islaam – as I have told you – is both religion and worldly; a worship and a way of life. It is the comprehensive and perfect Divine Order that encompasses in its ordainments all that the individual and the society need in all aspects of their religious, political, economical, social and security life. Man will find therein principles, fundamentals and rules that regulate peace and war and binding duties; and preserves the dignity of man, bird, animals and the environment that surrounds him. They also explain to him the reality of man, the life and the death; and the Resurrection after death. He also finds in Islaam the best methodology of relating with people around him; such as the saying of Allaah,

1 Jaamiul ‘uloom wal-Hikam p. 128.
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“And speak good to people”1

And His saying,
“And those who pardon men.”2

And His saying,
“And let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just; that is nearer to piety.”3

After we have discussed the degrees of this religion and the fundamentals of each degree, it is appropriate that we discuss briefly the beauties of Islaam.

1 Al-Baqarah 2:83.
2 Aal ‘Imraan 3:134.
3 Al-Maaidah 5:8.

SOME BEAUTIES OF ISLAAM1
The beauties of Islaam are beyond what pens can fully write and enough xpressions cannot be found to describe the virtues of this religion; because it is the religion of Allaah.

Just as the eye cannot encompass the perception of Allaah and man cannot encompass His Reality on Knowledge, so can the pen not encompass His Law in description.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said,
“If you reflect on the dazzling wisdom in this Upright Religion, this pure faith and the Law enacted for mankind, which no expression can perfectly describe, whose description cannot be perfected, the likeness of which the wisdom of the wise cannot propose – even if all wise men are to be as perfectly wise as the wisest one among them, whose beauty and virtues are perceived and attested to by the perfect and honourable intelligence, that the world had not known a law better and greater than it even if the Messenger of Allaah had not brought any proof in support of it, all that would have been enough an evidence that it is from Allaah.

Every aspect of this religion shows perfect knowledge, perfect wisdom, expansiveness of mercy, righteousness and kindness, absolute inclusion of all that is hidden and manifest and the knowledge about the beginnings and ends.

It also shows that it is one of the greatest favours that Allaah has bestowed on His slaves, for He bestows not on them a favour greater than the fact that He guided them to this religion, made them its adherents and chosen it for them. Hence, He reminds His slaves of the fact that He guided them to it.

He says,
“Indeed, Allaah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves reciting unto them His Verses (the Qur’aan), purifying them and instructing them in the Book and the wisdom ( the Sunnah) while before that they had been in manifest error.”2

He also says,
making Himself known to His slaves and reminding them of His great favour on them, calling them to thank Him for making them among its adherents, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you.”3 ”

It is therefore part of showing gratitude to Allaah on this religion, to mention some of its beauties:
1. That it is the religion of Allaah which He has chosen for Himself, sent with His Messengers and by which He allowed His slaves to worship Him. His religion is not comparable to human statutes and man-made religions. As Allaah possesses the quality of absolute perfection, so does His religion has an absolute perfection in providing ordainments that reform the worldly and eternal life of mankind; encompasses the rights of the Creator and obligations of His slaves towards Him; obligations of one towards another and the rights of each one of them upon another.

2. Comprehensiveness:
One of the most prominent beauties of this religion is its comprehensiveness for everything. Allaah says, “We have neglected nothing in the Book.”4

1 For more detail on this section, read Ad-Durratul mukhtasarah fee mahaasiniddeenil Islaamee, by Shaykh Abdur- Rahmaan As-Sa‘dee; and Mahaasinul Islaam, by Shaykh Abdul Azeez As-Salmaan.
2 Aal ‘Imraan 3:164.
3 Al-Maaidah 5:3, See: Miftaahu daaris Sa‘aadah V. 1, p. 374-375.
4 Al-An‘aam 6:38.
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This religion encompasses all that has to do with the Creator like His Names, Attributes and rights; and all that has to do with the creatures like laws, obligations, manners and relationship. This religion also encompasses the stories of former and latter generation, stories of angels, Prophets and Messengers. It tells about the heaven, the earth, the orbits, the planets, seas, trees and the universe. It mentions the goal and aim of creation and its end; talks about Paradise and the final abode of the believers and Fire and the final abode of disbelievers.

3. It establishes a connection between the Creator and the creation: Every false religion and creed has the character of linking man with another man that is prone to death, weakness, incapacity and diseases. Some even link man to a person who has died since hundreds of years ago and had become mere bones and dust.

Islaam, on the other hand, has the quality of linking man to his Creator directly; with no priest nor reverend and no holy secret. If this direct connection between the Creator and the created; a connection that links the heart with its Lord and it thereby gets light, guidance and loftiness; seeks for perfection; and deems itself high above insignificant and debased things. For every heart that has no link with its Lord is more erroneous than animals.

It is a communication between the Creator and the creature by which he knows the wish of his Creator and then worship Him with the knowledge, and gets to know things that please Him and seek for that, and things that annoys Him and shun them. It is a communication between the All-Mighty Creator and the weak and destitute creature, that enables him seek for aid, assistance and success from Him, and ask Him for protection against evil planners and evil deeds of devils.

4. It caters for benefits of this world and the Hereafter. The Islaamic Law is based on protection of the benefits of this world and the Hereafter and on perfection of good morals. As for the explanation of the benefits of the Hereafter, the religion of Islaam has explained all that and left nothing of it untaken care of. It explains it in detail so that nothing of it may be unknown.

Islaam promises the bliss in the Hereafter and warns against its torment.

Concerning the benefits of this world, Allaah ordained in this religion what can protect for man his religion, life, property, posterity, dignity and intelligence.

Concerning honourable conducts, Islaam enjoins that overtly and covertly and forbids debasing manners. Among the apparent noble conducts that Islaam enjoins are cleanliness and purification from all kinds of impurities and dirt.

Islaam recommends using of perfume and outward adornment; it forbids filthy behaviours like adultery and fornication, consuming alcohol; eating dead animals, blood and pork flesh, and enjoins eating of lawful good things. It also prohibits wastefulness and extravagance.

As for inner purification, Islaam prohibits undesirable conducts and encourages commendable ones. Among the forbidden manners are: lies, obscenity, anger, jealousy, stinginess, debasing oneself, love of prestige and this world, arrogance, haughtiness and hypocrisy.

Among the commended behaviours are:
good conduct, good companionship to all people and being kind to them, justice and fairness, humility, truthfulness, magnanimity, generosity, dependence on Allaah, sincerity in acts of worship, fear of Allaah, patience and showing gratitude.1

1 See: Al-'I'laam bimaa fee deenin-nasaaraa minal fasaad wal-awhaam, by Al-Qurtubee p. 442-445.
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5. Easiness: Easiness is one of the unique qualities of this religion. In every ritual is easiness and in every act of worship is easiness. Allaah says, "He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship"1

The first easiness in Islaam is that; anyone who wants to become a Muslim does not need a human intermediary or a confession of past sins. He only needs to cleanse himself and utter the statement: I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; and to believe in the meanings of this statement and act by its implications.

Further, every worship in Islaam is characterised by easiness and alleviation. If a man travels or is sick, the reward of the deed that he used to do when he was at home or healthy will continue to be recorded to his credit. The whole life of the Muslim is easy and filled with tranquillity, while the life of a disbeliever is conversely filled with hardship and toil. Also, the death of a Muslim is easy where his soul comes out of his body as a drop of water comes out of a vessel.

Allaah says,
"Those whose lives the angels take while they are pious saying (to them):
peace be on you, enter Paradise because of that (the good) which you used to do (in the world)."2

As for the disbeliever, the stern and harsh angels will be present at his death beating him with lashes.

Allaah says about the disbeliever,
"And if you could but see when the wrong-doers are in the agonies of death, while the angels are stretching forth their hands (saying): Deliver your soul, this day, you shall be recompensed with the torment of degradation because of what you used to utter against Allaah other than the truth. And you used to reject His revelations with disrespect."3

He also says,
"And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve (at death); they smite their faces and their backs (saying): Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire."4

6. Justice: The one who ordains the Islaamic injunctions is Allah alone.

He is the Creator of all people: black and white, male and female. Men are equal before His judgement, justice and mercy. He ordains rules that suits each of the male and female. It then becomes impossible that the Law of Islaam favours male at the expense of female or gives female preference and do injustice to male.

Islaam also does not endow white man with qualities and deny that to the black man. All are equal before the Laws of Allaah and no difference between them except by piety.

1 Al-Hajj 22:78
2 An-Nahl 16:32.
3 Al-An'aam 6:93.
4 Al-Anfaal 8:50.

Islam: Its Foundations And Concepts - صفحة 2 2013_110

7. Enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil:
The religion of Islaam has noble characteristics, which is enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil. This duty is incumbent on every male or female Muslim who is an adult, sane and able to enjoin and forbid according to his or her ability and according to the degrees of the enjoining and prohibition. He or she should command or forbid with hand, if not able to do so then with the tongue and if not able then with the heart. By this all members of the Muslim community will be supervisors in the community.

Every individual should command whoever is negligent to do good deed, and forbid whoever does wrong to desist, be he either a ruler or ruled; each according to his ability and in accordance with Islamic regulations that control this matter.

This matter – as you can see – is compulsory upon individual according to his ability. Compare this to what the contemporary political orders proudly claim that they give opportunity to opposition parties to monitor the government activities and carry out official functions.

These are some of the beauties of Islaam. Had I wanted to go into details, I would have stopped at every rite, every obligation, every commandment and every prohibition in order to explain the extensive wisdom, decisive ordainment, impressive, unique and matchless perfection that lie therein.

Whoever ponders over the ordainments of this religion, he will know with certainty that it is from Allaah and that it is the truth that is free of any doubt and a guidance from error. If you therefore want to go back to Allaah, to follow His Law and to follow the path of His Prophets and Messengers, the door of repentance is open before you and your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most –Merciful.

He calls you in order to forgive you.
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REPENTANCE
The Messenger of Allaah said, "All children of Adam do commit sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent."1

Man by nature is weak; he is weak in his aim and resolution and is unable to bear the consequences of his sins and misdeeds. So Allaah out of kindness, makes matters easy for man and He prescribed for him repentance.

The essence of repentance is to abandon the sin because of its ugliness – out of fear for Allaah– and out of desire for His Mercy; to regret over what one has done, to determine not to go back to the sin again and to spend whatever is left of one's life in good deeds.2 As you can see, repentance is a deed of the heart that is pure between the slave and his Lord. It is neither a hard nor difficult job for him; it is just a deed of the heart, to abandon the sin, and not to go back to it. There are, in abstention from all that Allaah forbid, well-being and peace of mind.3

You do not need to repent at the hand of a man who will reveal your secret and manipulate your weakness. It is only a communication between you and your Lord; you seek His forgiveness and guidance and He forgives you. There is nothing like inherited sin in Islaam, nor is there anything like an expected mankind saviour.

Islaam, is as discovered by the Austrian Jewish revert to Islaam, Muhammad Asad who said, "I could not find it anywhere in the Qur'aan any mention of man's need for salvation. In Islaam, there is no concept of the first inherited sin that stand between man and his fate, because 'Man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad).'4 Islaam does not require from man to present a sacrifice or kill himself in order to have the door of repentance opened for him and to be saved from sins."5

Allaah says,
"No burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another."6

Repentance has great benefits and impacts, some of which are:
1. It makes man know expansiveness of Allaah's forbearance, and magnanimity in concealing his misdeeds. Had He willed, He would have hastened to punish him and disgraced him in front of people so that he would not be able to live comfortably with them. But Allaah honoured him by concealing for him his sins, covered him by His forbearance and endowed him with energy, provision and sustenance.

2. It lets him know his real self, that it is inclined to evil and that whatever comes from it of sins, misdeeds or negligence is an indication from forbidden desires, and that, it cannot dispense of Allaah – for even a twinkle of an eye – for its purification and guidance.

3. Allaah prescribes repentance in order to seek with it the greatest causes of happiness for man, which is creating refuge with Allaah and seeking His assistance; and also to bring about different kinds of supplication; showing one's submission, helplessness to Allaah, showing one's love to Allaah, one's

1 Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah.
2 Al-Mufradaat fee ghareebil Qur'aan, p. 76, quoted freely.
3 Al-Fawaaid by Ibn Al-Qayyim.
4 An-Najm 53:39.
5 Road to Islaam by Muhammad Asad p. 140.
6 An-Najm 53:38
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fear of and hope in Him; then the soul moves closer to its Creator in a special way which will not occur to it without repentance and escaping to Allaah.

4. It makes Allaah forgive him his past sins.

Allaah says,
"Say (O Muhammad) to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven."1

5. It makes one's evil deeds turned to good ones.

Allaah says,
"Except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft-forgiving, Most-Merciful."2

6. It enables him treat his fellow human beings when they do evil to him as he will love Allaah to treat him as regards his own misdeeds and sins; for recompense is in accordance with the type of deed. So, if he treats people in this good manner, he will also be treated by Allaah in the like manner and Allaah will be kind to him regardless of his evil deeds and sins, just as he does with his fellow human beings.

7. It enables him to know that he is full of faults and defects; this will make him refrain from speaking about the faults of other people and will be preoccupied with reforming his own self instead of thinking about the faults of others.3

I would like to conclude this section with the story of a man who came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allaah! I have not left any small or big sin but I had committed it."

The Messenger of Allaah said,

"Don't you testify that there is no other deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah?"

He asked him this question three times and the man answered each time, "Yes."

He then said, "your testimony has erased all that (you have committed of sins)"4

In another narration, the man came to the Prophet and said, "Tell me! If a man committed all sins but has not associated anything in worship with Allaah, and yet did not leave any small or big sin uncommitted, can his repentance be accepted?" The Prophet asked the man, "have you embraced Islaam?"

The man answered, "As for me, I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, that He is One and has no partner and that you are the Messenger of Allaah."

The Prophet said, "Yes! Do good deeds and refrain from evil ones, so that Allaah may turn all those evil deeds to good ones for you."

The man said, "Even my acts of treachery and my sins?!"

1 Al-Anfaal 8:38.
2 Al-Furqaan 25:70.
3 Muftaahu daaris-sa'aadah, Vol. 1, p. 358-370.
4 Reported by Aboo Ya'laa; At-Tabaraanee; and Al-Maqdisee.
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The Prophet said, "Yes."

The man said, "Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is the Most-Great) and he kept on saying that until he disappeared."1

Islaam therefore erases whatever sin one might have committed and sincere repentance also erases whatever sin one might have committed as authentically reported from the Prophet.
1 Ibn Abee 'Aasim; At-Tabaraanee and Al-Bazzaar.
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THE END OF ONE WHO DOES NOT ADHERE TO ISLAAM
As it has been made clear to you in this book that Islaam is the religion of Allaah, that it is the true religion, that it was the one preached by all Prophets and Messengers; Allaah has prepared great reward in this world and the Hereafter for whoever believes in it and threatened whoever disbelieves in it with severe torment.

Since Allaah is the Creator, the Possessor and Disposer of all this universe, and you, man, are just one of His creatures; He created you, and subjected to you all that is the universe, ordained His Law for you and commands you to obey Him. If you therefore believe, obeys His Commandment and abstain from all that He forbids you, you will attain what He promises you of the everlasting bliss in the Hereafter and you will be happy in this world with all that He will endow on you of all kinds of favours; you will then be like the wisest men and the purest of them in soul; the Prophets, Messengers, righteous people and the favoured angels.

But if you disbelieve, and disobey your Lord; you will lose your worldly life and your Hereafter and expose yourself to His wrath and punishment in this world and the Hereafter. You will then be like the most wicked of all creatures, the most defective in intelligence and the most debased in mind: the devils, corrupt people and false deities and transgressors, just to mention a few.

Let me now tell you something of the consequences of disbelief in detail:
1. Fear and lack of security: Allaah promises complete security in this world and the Hereafter for those who believe in Him and follow His Messengers.

He says,
"Those who believe and confuse not their belief with wrong, for them there is security and they are the guided."1

Allaah is the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the Possessor of all that is in the universe. If He loves a slave of His because of his belief, He gives him security, tranquillity and peace, but if a slave of His disbelieves in Him, He withdraws tranquillity and security from him and you will not see such a person but afraid of his fate in the Hereafter, afraid for his own self from calamities and diseases and afraid for his future in this world. That is why the insurance market insures lives and properties for lack of security and lack of having trust in Allaah.

2. Difficult life:

Allaah created man, subjected to him all that is in the universe and portion out for every creature his share of sustenance and lifespan. Hence you see the bird going out of its nest to look for its provision and then picks it. It moves from a branch of the tree to another and sings in most melodious tone. Man is also one of these creatures for whom Allaah has portioned out his provision and lifespan. If he therefore believes in his Lord and stands firm on His Law, Allaah will give him happiness and stability and He will make his matters easy for him, even if he does not possess more than the least means of livelihood.

If he however disbelieves in his Lord and feels too big to worship Him, He will make his life straitened and make him suffer from sorrow and distress even if

1 Al-An'aam 6:82.

he has all means of comfort and enjoyment at his disposal. Don't you see the great numbers of suicide victims in countries in which all means of affluence are guaranteed for their citizens? Don’t you see all kinds of furniture and mats used for the enjoyment of this life? The cause of all this extravagance is the vacuity of the heart from faith, feeling of constraint and hardship and an attempt to dismiss all these worries with all different means.

Allaah says the truth in His Word,
"But whoever turns away from My Reminder, verily, for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection."1

3. He will live in continuous war with his own soul and with the world around him.

This is because, his soul is created upon Islaamic Monotheism.

Allaah says,
"Such is the way of Allaah upon which He created mankind."

His body surrenders to its Lord and moves according to His order, but the disbeliever insists on going against his own nature, and lives his voluntary life in rebellion against his Lord. Although his body surrenders to the will of the Creator, his own voluntary will is in opposition.

He will be in constant war with the world around him in the sense that, all this universe right from its greatest galaxy to its smallest insect, moves according to the way which Allaah has ordained for it.

Allaah says,
"Then He (Allaah) rose over towards the heaven when it was smoke and said to it and to the earth: 'Come both of you willingly or unwillingly,' They both said: 'We come willingly.' "2

The universe loves him who agrees with it in submission to Allaah and hates him who opposes it. The disbeliever is the recalcitrant in this universe for he makes himself an opponent to his Lord and contender with Him, that is why it is appropriate for the heavens and the earth and all other creatures to hate him and his disbelief and atheism.

Allaah says,
"And they say: 'The Most Gracious (Allaah) has begotten a son.' Indeed, you have brought forth (said) the terrible thing, whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins, that they ascribe a son to the Most-Gracious. But it is not suitable for (the majesty) of the Most-Gracious that He should beget a son. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto Most Gracious as a slave."3

He says about Pharaoh and his hosts,
"And the heavens and the earth wept not for them, nor were they given a respite."4

4. Living a life of ignorance:

1 Taa Haa 20:124.
2 Fussilat 41:11.
3 Maryam 19:88-93.
4 Ad-Dukhaan 44:29.
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For disbelief is ignorance, rather the greatest ignorance; because the disbeliever is ignorant of his Lord. He sees this universe that was created by his Lord in the most wonderful way , he sees in himself the greatness of Allaah's deed and yet he is ignorant of the Creator of this universe and the Constructor of his own self; is this not the greatest ignorance?

5. Living a life of one who wrongs himself and all that is around him:
This is because, he subjected his own self for purposes other than that for which he was created. He does not worship his Lord but worship others.

Injustice is to put a thing in a place to which it does not belong; and which type of injustice is greater than directing acts of worship to those who do not deserve them. Luqmaan has told his son while explaining the awfulness of polytheism, O my son! Join not in worship others with Allaah. Verily, joining others in worship with Allaah is a great wrong indeed."1

It is also injustice for the people and other creatures around him; because he does not acknowledge the right of Him to Whom right is due. On the Day of Resurrection, every man or animal he has wronged will stand before him asking Allaah to avenge for him.

6. He exposes himself to the wrath of Allaah:
He exposes himself to the calamities and afflictions as immediate punishment for his disbelief.

Allaah says,
"Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allah will not sink them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from directions they perceive not?

Or that He may catch them in the midst of their going to and from (in their jobs) so that there be no escape for them (from Allaah's punishment)? Or that He may catch them through gradual diminishing (of the wealth and health). Truly, your Lord is indeed Full of Kindness, Most-Merciful."2

He also says,
"And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieved because of their (evil)deeds or it settles close their homes, until the Promise of Allaah comes to pass. Certainly, Allaah breaks not His Promise."3

He says in another verse,
"Or did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they were playing?"4

This is the fate of every man who turns away from Remembrance of Allaah.

Allaah tells us of the punishments of past nations who were disbelievers, So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them are some of whom We sent a violent wind, and of them were those who were overtaken by torment – awful cry, and of them were some of whom We caused the earth to swallow

1 Luqmaan 31:13.
2 An-Nahl 16:45-47.
3 Ar-Ra'd 13:31.
4 Al-A'raaf 7:98.
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and of them were some whom We drowned. It was not Allaah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves."1

7. Failure and loss will be his lot:
Because of his wrong, he looses the greatest thing with which the hearts and souls enjoy, which is knowing Allaah, meditating in Him and feeling tranquillity with Him.

He also looses the world, for he lives there a wretched and confused life and he looses his own soul for which he amasses the wealth of this world; for he subjects it for a purpose different from that which it was created for. He thereby does not attain with it happiness in this world, for he makes it lived in misery and caused it to die in misery and it shall be raised up among the miserable.

Allaah says,
"As for those whose scale will be light, they are those who will loose their own selves."2

He will also loose his family, for he lived with them on disbelief in Allaah and they will also be like him in misery and hardship and their fate will be Fire.

Allaah says,
"The losers are those will loose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection."3

On the Day of Resurrection, they will be led to Fire, and evil is it as a resting place.

Allaah says,
"(It will be said to the angels): 'Assemble those who did wrong, together with their spouses and what they used to worship instead of Allaah and lead them on to the way of Flaming Fire.' "4

8. He will live as a disbeliever in his Lord and a denier of His blessings:
For Allaah created him from nothing and showered on him favours, how can he then worship, befriend and thank others besides Him? Which ingratitude is greater and more heinous than this?

9. He will be denied real and purposeful life:
This is because the man who deserves life is the one who believes in his Lord, knows his goal, recognizes his fate and is certain of his resurrection. He thereby gives right to whom it is due.

He does not suppress truth nor harm a creature. He then lives the life of happy people and attains good life in this world and the Hereafter.

Allaah says,
"Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female while he (or she) is a true believer, verily, to him (or her) We will give a good life."5

And in the Hereafter, his reward will be, Pleasant dwellings in Eden Paradise; that is indeed, the great success."6

But whoever lives in this world like animals, such does not know his Lord or his goal and fate. His only aim is to eat, drink and sleep. What then is the difference between him and other animals? He is even in greater error than animals. Allaah says,

1 Al-Ankaboot 40:9.
2 Al-A'raaf 7:9.
3 Az-Zumar 39:15, Shooraa 42:45.
4 As-Saaffaat 37:22-23.
5 An-Nahl 16:97.
6 As-Saff 61:12.

"And surely, We have created many of the jinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts wherewith they understand not, and they have eyes wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not (the truth). They are like cattle, nay even more astray; Those! They are the heedless ones."1

He also says,
"Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle – nay, they are even further astray from the path."2

10. He abides forever in the torment:
This is because the disbeliever moves from a torment to another. He goes out of this world – after he has tasted all its agonies and afflictions – to the Hereafter. In the first stage of the Hereafter, the angels of death come upon him and before them come the angels of torment who will give him his deserved punishment.

Allaah says,
"And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve (at death); they smite their faces and their backs."3

Then his soul departs and when he is put in the grave , he meets a greater torment.

Allaah says about the People of Pharaoh,
"They are exposed to Fire, morning and afternoon and on the Day when the Hour will be established, (it will be said to the angels): 'Make Pharaoh people enter the severest torment' "4

On the Day of Resurrection, when the creatures are raised up and the deeds are exposed and the disbeliever sees that Allaah has accurately enumerated all his deeds in that book about which.

He says,
"And the book of record will be placed and you will see the sinners (disbelievers) fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: 'Woe to us! What sort of book is this that leaves neither small thing nor a big thing but has recorded it with numbers!' "5

Here, the disbeliever will wish to be dust.

Allaah says,
"The Day when man will see that (the deeds) which his hands have sent forth, and the disbeliever will say: 'Woe to me! Would that I were dust.' "6

Because of the horror of that Day, man will wish that he owns all that is in the earth, so that he can ransom himself with it from the torment of that Day.

"And those who did wrong; if they had all that is in the earth and therewith as much again, they verily would offer it to ransom themselves therewith on the Day of Resurrection from the evil torment."7

1 Al-A'raaf 7:179.
2 Al-Furqaan 25:44.
3 Al-Anfaal 8:50.
4 Ghaafir 40:46.
5 Al-Ka'f 18:49.
6 An-Naba 78:40.
7 Az-Zumar 39:47.
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Allaah also says,
"The sinner would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children; and his wife and his brother and his kindred who sheltered him, and all that are in the earth, so that it might save him."1

For, that abode is that of recompense and not of wishful thinking. Man must therefore, get a reward for his deed; if it is good he gets good reward and if it is evil, he gets rewarded with punishment. And the worst punishment that a disbeliever may meet on the Day of Resurrection is that of Fire in which Allaah has provided different kinds of retribution for its dwellers so that they can taste the torment of their deeds.

Allaah says,
"This is the Hell which the sinners (disbelievers) denied. They will go between it and the fierce boiling water."2

He also informs us of the garments of the dwellers of Hell,
"As for those who disbelieved, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured down over their heads. With it will melt (or vanish away) what is within their bellies as well as their skins; and for them are hooked rods of iron."3

1 Al-Ma'aarij 70:11-14.
2 Ar-Rahmaan 55:43-44.
3 Al-Hajj 22:19-21.
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THE END
O man! You were before a non-existent.

Allaah says,
"Does not man remember that We created him before while he was nothing?"1

Then He created you from a mixture of male and female discharge and made you hearing, seeing.

Allaah says,
"Has there not been over man a period of time, when he was not a thing worth mentioning? Verily, We have created man from drop of mixed sexual discharge of man and woman in order to try him; so We made him hearer and seer."2

Then you moved gradually from a state of weakness to strength and you shall be returned to a state of weakness again.

Allaah says,
"Allaah is He Who created you, in (a state of) weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave (you) weakness and grey hair. He created what He will and it is He Who is the All-Knowing, the All- Powerful"3

Then the end is death and you, through these stages, move from weakness to weakness; you cannot avert evil from yourself nor can you bring about benefit for yourself except by using that strength and provision that Allaah gave you.

You are by nature poor and needy. Many are the things that you need to remain alive which you do not possess or which you sometimes have and sometime are deprived of. Many are also those things that are useful to you and you would like to have and which you achieve sometimes and do not achieve other times. Many are things that harm you, ditch your hope, waste your efforts and bring on you tribulations and calamity which you would like to avert; and which you sometimes succeed in averting and which you fail sometimes to avert. In view of this, do you not feel your helplessness and your need to Allaah?

Allaah says,
"O you people! It is you who stand in need of Allaah. But Allaah is Rich (free of all needs) Worthy of all praise."4

You are exposed to a weak virus which you cannot see with your naked eyes, and that causes you painful disease which you cannot prevent and you then go to a weak human being like yourself to treat you. Sometimes, the medicine works and sometimes the doctor fails to cure you and both you and your doctor then become confused.

O man! What a weak creature you are when the fly snatches something from you and you cannot take back from it!

Allaah says the truth when He says,
"O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it: Verily, those on whom you call besides Allaah cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thin from

1 Maryam 19:67.
2 Al-Insaan 77:1-2.
3 Ar-Room 30:54.
4 Faatir 35:15.
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them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought."1

If you cannot take back what the fly snatches away from you, which then of your affairs do you have control over? Your forelock is in the hand of Allaah, so is your soul. Our heart is between two of His fingers which He turns round as He wills. Your life, death, happiness and misery are all in His Hand.

Your undertakings and sayings are by the permission of Allaah and His Will.

You do not move except with His permission and you do not perform any act except by His Will. If He leaves you to yourself, He leaves you to weakness, negligence, sin and misdeed; and if He leaves you for others, He leaves you with the one who cannot avail you of any benefit, harm, death, life or resurrection. You cannot dispense of Allaah for a twinkle of an eye. You rather need Him in every aspect as long as you live. You invite His wrath with sins and disbelief though you seriously need Him in all aspects. You forgot Him though, your return is to Him and it is in front of Him that you shall stand.2

O man! As a result of your weakness and your inability to shoulder the consequences of your sins that "Allaah wishes to lighten (the burden) for you and man was created weak."3 He sent Messengers, revealed Books, ordained Laws, established the Straight Path before you and established signs, proofs and evidences and made in everything a sign that shows His Oneness, Lordship and His sole right to be worshipped. But inspite of all this, you block the truth with falsehood, take Satan as a friend besides Allaah and argue with falsehood.

"Man is ever more quarrelsome than anything"4

Allaah's favours in which you move and enjoy have made you forget your beginning and end! Don't you remember that you were created from a mixed sexual discharge, that your return will be to a grave and that final destination after Resurrection will either be Paradise or Fire?

Allaah says,
"Does not man see that We have created him from a mixed drop of sexual discharge, yet behold, he (stands forth) as an open opponent, and he puts for Us forth a parable and forgets his own creation. He says: 'Who will give life to the bones after they are rotten and have become dust?'

Say (O Muhammad):
He will give life to them Who Created them for the first time! And He is the All Knower of every creation!"5

He also says,
"O man what has made you careless about your Lord, the Most-Generous? Who created you, fashioned you perfectly and gave you due proportion. In whatever form he willed, He put you together. "6

O man! Why are you denying yourself the joy of standing before your Lord, meditating with Him, so that He can enrich you out of poverty, heal you from your ailment, relieve you of your sorrow, forgive your sins, remove your harm, help you when you are wronged, guide you when you are confused or go astray, give you knowledge when you are ignorant, give you security when you

1 Al-Hajj 22:73.
2 From Al-Fawaaid by Ibn Al-Qayyim.
3 Al-Nisaa 4:28.
4 Al-Kahf 18:54.
5 Yaa seen 36:77-79.
6 Miftaah daaris-sa'aadah 1, p. 251.

are frightened, show mercy to you when you are weak, drive away your enemies and provide for you your livelihood.1

O man! The greatest blessing that Allaah endowed man with after that of the religion is the blessing of intelligence, so that he can distinguish with it between what benefits him and what harms him, to understand the commandments and prohibitions of Allaah and in order to know by it, the greatest goal which is to worship Allaah alone Who has no partner.

Allaah says,
"And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allaah, and when harm touches you unto Him you cry aloud for help. Then when He has removed the harm from you, behold, some of you associate others in worship with their Lord."2

O you man! The wise person loves lofty matters and abhors debased ones. He loves to emulate every righteous and magnanimous among the Prophets and pious people and yearns to join them even if he cannot reach their status.

The only way to that is what Allaah directs us to when He says,
"If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me (Muhammad) Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins."3

If man can do this, Allaah will make him join the rank of the Prophets, the Messengers, the Martyrs and righteous people.

Allaah says,
"And whosoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Grace of the Prophets, the Siddiqqeen, the Martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!"4

O you man! I advise you that you go into a seclusion with yourself and think deeply of the truth that has come to you reflect over the proofs and evidences; if you find it to be truth hasten to follow it and do not be a slave of customs and traditions. Know that your own soul is dearer to you than your friends, companions and heritage of your fore-fathers. Allaah has admonished the disbelievers with this and called them to it.

He says,
"I exhort you to one (thing) only; that you stand up for Allaah's sake in pairs and singly and reflect. There is no madness in you companion (Muhammad).

He is only a warner to you in face of a severe torment."5

O man! When you accept Islaam, you stand to lose nothing.

Allaah says,
"And what loss have they if they had believed in Allaah and the Last Day and they spend out of what Allaah has given them for sustenance? And Allaah is Ever All-Knower of them."6

Ibn Katheer said,

"What would have harmed them had they believed in Allaah, followed the praiseworthy way, believed in Allaah hoping for His promise in the

1 Miftaah daaris-sa'aadah 1, p. 251.
2 An-Nahl 16:53-54.
3 Aal 'Imraan 3:31.
4 An-Nisaa 4:46.
5 Saba 34:46.
6 An-Nisaa 4:39.
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Hereafter for him who did good deeds and spent out of what He has given them in ways which He loves and is pleased with? He knows their good and evil intentions; he knows who deserved success among them so that He might give him success and show him guidance and appoint him for good deeds with which he is pleased. He also knows who deserves disgrace and expulsion from His Divine Affection which whoever is expelled from the door of Allaah has failed and lost in this world and the Hereafter."1

Your Islaam does not stand between you and anything that you want to do or to have among the things that Allaah has made lawful for you. Rather, you will be rewarded for any good deed you do in which you seek the pleasure of Allaah even if that is in the interest of your worldly life or increases your wealth or portion or fame. Even the lawful things that you use, when you make do with only the lawful and abstain from unlawful, you will be rewarded for that.

The Messenger of Allaah said,
"There is an act of charity in satiating your sexual desire."

The companions said,
"O Messenger of Allaah! Will anyone of us satiate his desire and still get reward for that?" He answered, "Tell me, if he satiates it in an unlawful way, will he be committing a sin by that? Likewise, if he satiates it in the lawful way, he will have reward for that."2

O man! The Messengers have brought the truth and conveyed the will of Allaah, and man needs to know the Law of Allaah so as to live his life with sure knowledge and to be among the successful in the Hereafter.

Allaah says,
"O Mankind! Verily, there has come to you the Messenger (Muhammad) with the truth from your Lord. So believe in him, it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then certainly to Allaah belongs all that is in heavens and in the earth. And Allaah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise."3

He also says,
"Say (O Muhammad): O Mankind! Now truth has come to you from your Lord.

So whoever receives guidance, he does so for the good of his own self; and whosoever goes astray, he does so to his own loss; and I am not (set) over you as a disposer of affairs."4

O man! If you embrace Islaam, you benefit none but yourself, and if you disbelieve you harm none but your own self. Allaah is in no need of His slaves.

Sin of the sinners does not harm Him nor does acts of obedience of the obedient ones benefit Him. He is not disobeyed unless by His knowledge and He is not obeyed except with His permission. Allaah says in what was reported from Him by His Prophet, "O My Slaves! I have made injustice forbidden for myself and I have also made it forbidden amongst you, so do not wrong one another.

O My slaves! You are all in error except him whom I guide so seek guidance from Me, I will guide you. O May slaves! All of you are hungry except whom I feed so seek food from Me, I will feed you. O My slaves! All of you are naked except him who I clothe; so seek clothing from Me, I will clothe you!

O My slaves! You commit sins by day and night, but I forgive all sins. So seek forgiveness from Me, I will forgive you. O My slaves! You can never be able to harm Me; and you can never be able to benefit yourselves, let alone benefiting Me.

O My slaves! If the first and the last of you, and all the jinn and mankind among you were to be as pious as the most pious one among you, that adds nothing to My Kingdom. O My slaves! If the first and the last among you, and all the jinn and mankind of you are to be as sinful as the most sinful one amongst you, that decreases nothing from My Kingdom.

1 See Ibn Katheer 1. 497.
2 Muslim.
3 An-Nisaa 4:70.
4 Yoonus 10:108.
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O My slaves! If the first of you and the last among you were to stand at one place and ask Me and I grant to each and everyone his request, that decreases nothing from My Kingdom except like what a thread reduces from the ocean when it is dipped inside it and then withdrawn. O My slaves! These are only your deeds that I enumerate accurately for you, and upon which I give you reward. So whoever finds good reward, let him thank Allaah, but whoever finds anything else, let him not blame but himself."1

All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the noblest of all Prophets and Messengers. Our Prophet Muhammad, as well as his household and companions together.

1 Reported by Muslim.

The completion of the book God's guidance

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IZHAR UL-HAQ

إجازة الأستاذ أحمد لبن مدير المنتدى بقراءة الإمام عاصم الكوفي

Islam: Its Foundations And Concepts