Definition and the Meaning of “Islam” – Imam Ibn Baz (rahimahullaah)

Bismillaah

1- Definition of Islam

Q: Please, illustrate to me the meaning of Islam.

A: Islam means total submission to Allah (Exalted be He) through belief in His Oneness, and showing subservient and servile obedience to Him. This is the meaning of Islam.

The Arabic root word ‘Aslama‘ means to show submission and surrender to someone and obey his commands. Accordingly, Islam means surrender and submission to Allah’s Will by means of believing in His Oneness, being devoted to Him, obeying His commandments and abandoning what He has prohibited. Such is Islam, about which Allah (Exalted be He) says: (Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.)

Besides, a Muslims are thus called as they show complete submission to Allah and obey Him, abiding by His Commandments and refraining from what He has prohibited.

Islam is also a name for all the Commandments of Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger (peace be upon him), including Salah (Prayer), Sawm (fast), Zakah (obligatory charity), Hajj (pilgrimage), faith and so on. Such categories fall under Islam.

In this regard, Allah (Exalted be He) says: (This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.)

He (Glorified be He) also says: (And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers, )

Therefore, a Muslim is a person who submits himself to Allah (Exalted be He) as far as words, practical behavior and belief are concerned. In other words, Islam stands for total submission to and abidance by His Commandments in all aspects of life.

(Part No. 1; Page No. 10)


Source: English Translations of Collection of “Noor ala Al-Darb” Programs, Volume 1. By: Sheikh `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah ibn `AbdulRahman ibn Bazz (May Allah forgive and reward al-Firdouse to him and his parents).He was The Mufti of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and Chairman of Department of Scholarly Research and Ifta’.

This English Translations are collected from alifta.com (website is down since longtime), Portal of the General Presidency

Related Links:

Allaah created us and gave us provision and Did not Leave us without Purpose – Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|En]

Bismillaah

Sharh-ul-Usool-ith-Thalaathah : Lesson 07 – Part A
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]

[Souncloud Audio Link

Belief that Allaah created us and gave us provision and did not leave us without purpose. 

Imaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) said: 

The first matter is that Allaah created us and gave us provision and did not leave us without purpose.3


[3]:

His saying, “The first: that Allaah created us”: meaning, He produced us from non-existence, so before we were created we were nothing, just as He the Most High said:

هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ حِينٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْئًا مَّذْكُورًا

Has there not come upon man a time-period when he was nothing worthy of mention. [76:1]

And He, the One free of all imperfections said: 

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا

He said: that is the case, however your Lord has said, “It is easy for Me and I have already created you before, when you were nothing.” [19:9]

Man, before he was created was nothing, and the One who brought him into existence and created him is Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. He the Most High said:

أَمْ خُلِقُوا مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ الْخَالِقُونَ

Were they brought into existence without any creator, or are they themselves their own creators? [52:35]

His saying, “and He gave us provision”: since we need provision, we need food and drink and clothing and habitations and transport and requirements then He the Perfect, He knew our needs, so therefore He made subservient for us whatever is in the heavens and the earth all of it for our welfare in order for us to be able to remain alive, and in order for us to use that to help us upon the purpose for which we were created – which is the worship of Allaah, the Perfect and Most High.

His saying, “and He did not leave us without purpose”: Al-Haml it means something which is neglected and abandoned which no-one cares about. So Allaah created us and gave us provision for a wise purpose, He did not create us in vain, nor without purpose. He the Most High said:

أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ

Do you think that you were created uselessly and that you will not be returned to us? [23:115]

And He the Perfect said:

أَيَحْسَبُ الْإِنسَانُ أَن يُتْرَكَ سُدًى

أَلَمْ يَكُ نُطْفَةً مِّن مَّنِيٍّ يُمْنَىٰ

ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ

Does man think that he will be left without any duties? Was he not previously a drop of semen emitted, then he became a clot, then Allaah created and fashioned him as a human in due proportion? [75:36-38] 

And He said:

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ

And We did not create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them without purpose. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire! [38:27]

Allaah only created us and created these provisions for us and these faculties for a tremendous wisdom and a tremendous purpose and it is that we should worship Him, He the Perfect and Most High.  And He did not create us like cattle, which were created for the welfare of the servants, then they will die and pass away because they are not duty-bound, they were not commanded and they were not forbidden. Rather He created us for His worship, just as He the Most High said:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

مَا أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍ وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ

إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ

And I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me alone. I do not desire from them any provision and I do not want that they should feed Me. Indeed Allaah, He is the Great Provider, the Possessor of Tremendous Power, the Strong. [51:56-58]

And He did not create us just for the life of this world that we should live in it and roam  around freely and make merry and eat and drink and make ourselves at home in it and that there is nothing after it. Rather life is a planting-ground and a market place for the next life so that we should equip ourselves in it with righteous deeds. Then we will die and move on from it, then we will be resurrected, then we will be taken account of, then we will be recompensed in accordance with our deeds.

This is the purpose behind the creation of the jinn and mankind. And the proof for that is many aayahs which prove al-Ba‘ath (the raising to life after death) and an-Nushoor (the resurrection) and al-Jazaa’ (the recompensing) and al-Hisaab (the reckoning). And the intellect proves this, because it would not befit the Wisdom of Allaah, the Perfect and Most High, that He should create this amazing creation, and that he should subject this creation to the descendents of Aadam, and then just leave them to die and pass away without any result, this would be futile play, so the results of these deeds must certainly appear in the next abode.

And therefore, there can be from the people those who spend their whole lives in the worship of Allaah and in obedience to Him, and yet he is in poverty and is needy and maybe he is one who is oppressed and hard-pressed and who suffers difficulty and he does not attain anything from the reward of his actions in this world. And vice versa, that from the people there can be a person who is an unbeliever, an evil atheist who roams around as he wishes and makes merry in this life. He enjoys a life of luxury and he is given whatever he desires, and he commits that which Allaah has made forbidden, and he oppresses the people, and he transgresses against them and he devours their wealth and he kills people without any right, and he overcomes and he behaves tyrannically, and then he dies upon that condition, he has not been struck with anything from punishment. Does it befit the Justice of Allaah the Perfect and Most High and His Wisdom that He should leave this obedient person without any reward and that he should leave this unbeliever without any recompense? This does not befit His Justice, the Perfect and Most High, and therefore He has made the next abode to recompense this doer of good for the good which he did, and this doer of evil for the evil which he did. So in it the fruits of deeds will become apparent.

So this world is the an abode of action, but as for the hereafter then it is an abode of recompense, either paradise or the fire, and he did not leave us without purpose as is thought by the atheists and the Duhriyyoon (those who think that death is the end of us). He the Most High said:

وَقَالُوا مَا هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا يُهْلِكُنَا إِلَّا الدَّهْرُ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم بِذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ

And they say, “There is no life except our life in this world, we die and our children live, and nothing brings an end to us except Time.” And they do not have certain knowledge, rather they just surmise. [45:24]

This is the saying of the atheists those who do not believe in the return to life and resurrection.

And Allaah the Mighty and Majestic rebutted them, so He said:

أَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَالْمُجْرِمِينَ

مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ

Shall we make the Muslims like the criminals just the same? What is wrong with you how do you judge? [68:35-36]

And He the Most High said:

أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ اجْتَرَحُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ أَن نَّجْعَلَهُمْ كَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَوَاءً مَّحْيَاهُمْ وَمَمَاتُهُمْ ۚ سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

Do those who commit evil deeds think that We will treat them just the same as those who truly believe and work righteous deeds, the same in their life and after their deaths? What an evil judgement they make. [45:21]

And He the Most High said:

أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ

Or shall We make those who truly believe and work righteous deeds like those who cause corruption upon the earth, or shall We treat those who are dutiful to Allaah just like the wicked unbelievers? [38:28] 

This is not possible and this will never be the case.

Sharh-ul-Usool-ith-Thalaathah. Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Imaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab by Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan hafizahullaah. Translated by  Daawood  Burbank, rahimahullaah

Posted with kind permission from Dawud Burbank rahimahullaah

Listen to the Full Audio Series:
Sharh Usool-ith-Thalaathah – Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank

Book Study Resources – Three Fundamental Principles

Related Links:

Ibn Taymiyyah’s Letter To The Christian King of Cyprus – Dr. Saleh As Saleh [Audio|En]

Imam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah wrote a letter to the then Christian King of Cyprus inviting him to Islam and exposing the lies and corruption being committed by the priests and monks whilst they knew fully well that they were upon falsehood. After mentioning the devoutness of the King, his love for knowledge and good conduct towards the people, Ibn Taymiyyah then invited him to embrace Islam and adopt the correct belief. He did this in a gentle and exemplary manner addressing his intellect, and entrusted him to behave benevolently towards the Muslims in Cyprus, not to strive to change the religion of a single one of them.

cyprus


[Alternative Download Link]

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Creation versus Evolution – Darwin’s Theory – Dr Saleh As Saleh

This is The Creation of Allaah, So Show Me that which those beside Him have Created?

Man & Nature?

Compiled By Dr. Saleh As-Saleh (rahimahullaah)

[Download PDF]

CONTENTS

Introduction
From A Small Animal To Man!
A Theory With A Broken Chain
Reality Vs Theory
(1) The Points About Archeology
(2) The Point About Embryos
(3) The Point About The Appendix
(4) The Point About Natural Selectivity

(a) Elimination “Factors” & Life “Factors”
(b) Natural Selectivity Or “Mother Nature”
(c) “Mother Nature” Is Not The “Creator”
(d) The “Laws” Of Nature
(e) A God Other Than Allaah!?
(f) What Are These Other “Gods”?

(5) The Point About “Sexual Selection”
(6) “Under-Developed Theory”

Why Did The “Theory” Spread?
The Qur’An And The “Theory”
The Test

INTRODUCTION

The closest thing to man is himself. How many of us really know about ourselves before even thinking about the environment surrounding us? There are many great things in ourselves that we are either heedless regarding their magnificence or that we take for granted. Let us take the following journey back to the days when each one of us was an “embryo” inside the womb of his mother:

[Who took care of me with utmost care and graciousness when I was a tiny seed settled on the wall of the uterine with three layers of darkness surrounding me?

Who made my mother’s blood bring me food I need until I grew up to a stage in which my body was able to stand the air, the light, and the hands of people who turn me around?

Then, when the contractions pushed me, and I was “squeezed” out and to the world of tests and trials I came out!

Who shielded you inside as a “fertilized egg”? Then who made your residence enlarge as you grew up? Who opened the way for you when you came out naked without belongings or wealth?

There you came so poor and needy. Two “containers” of milk hanging on your mother’s chest came to the rescue! Who commanded the milk to develop and then to stand ready for your lips to come and suck it out? A milk so agreeable to you, neither cold nor hot; neither salty nor bitter. You were so thirsty and so hungry.

Who turned the hearing of your mother and filled it with mercy, love and attachment? The moment she hears you crying she comes forth led by her mercy and love. She would prefer to see herself in pain not you! You enlighten her life. Who put all of that in her heart?

When your body got stronger and your belly size became bigger, you needed another kind of food. Who put in your mouth the cutting and grinding “tools”? Who held your teeth from growing during the period of your breastfeeding? It was a mercy for your mother when they were held and a mercy for you when they came out! And the stronger you became, the more you got from these “tools” of your mouth! Thereupon you used a new set of “tools”: the molars working on meat, bread and all kinds of solid food. Who provided you with these “instruments” and made them easy for you to utilize.

When we came out we knew nothing. What a burden it would have been if we were born in a state possessing the intelligence of an adult wrapped in diapers? What kind of living it would be? Would we receive the care and kindness you normally get as developing newborns?

Our intelligence developed gradually and we were able to slowly but surely familiarize ourselves with our surroundings. Who is the One Who is All-Wise and Most Merciful, the One Who is ever watching over us and providing us with the means we need in due proportions and exact measurements?

Then who is the One Who fashioned our heads with hair as a beauty and protection from cold and heat? Who adorned the face of the growing man with the distinctive beauty of the beard and kept the woman’s face soft, radiant and hairless?

Many are turning away from the one who created us and increasingly becoming heedless regarding the true objective behind our existence. They are misled by a concept and a “theory”. That is it! A “theory” that practically denies the existence of the true God (Allaah).

Darwin [1], presented a “theory” that denies the creation of man as well as creation itself. The theory was announced in the second half of the nineteenth century. Although it is an “assumption,” there are those who consider it scientific evidence to support their arguments against the reality of creation. The theory claims that the origin of life lies in a single small animal that was “developed” on its own from water. The “environment”, according to the theory, imposed specific structural changes on this organism producing new features in it. These changes were then inherited in the offspring and further transformed with time to produce more advanced creatures of which man is the highest form. This is the theory of Darwin.

Many critical aspects of the lives of people are still affected, knowingly or unknowingly, by some basic elements of Darwin’s theory, mainly the idea of “development” and its link to the “environment.”

The objectives of this book are to:

A) Examine the basics of the theory and the evidence supporting them.
B) Provide the essential facts that disprove the validity of the theory’s assumptions.
C) Discuss the influence of the theory on the life of this world.
D) Relate man to his Creator and hence to the purpose of our creation.

I ask Allaah (God) to enlighten the hearts of those men and women who will read this book, and to guide them to worship Him alone by submitting their wills to His will. The submission and obedience to Allaah’s Will and Commands as detailed in the last Revelation to mankind, the Qur’an, is the meaning of Islam.

The one who is need of the Mercy of Allaah
Saleh As-Saleh

From A Small Animal to Man!

A Theory With A Broken Chain

The Background and Basics of The Theory:

(1) The theory depends on what was observed in archeological discoveries at the time of Darwin: old and new geological layers contained different remains from different forms of creation. The “old” layers contained “primitive” forms of creation while more recent layers contained more “advanced” forms. Darwin concluded that the “more advanced” creatures originated (evolved) from the “lower primitive” ones.

(2) The theory also depends upon an idea that was prevailing at the time of Darwin in which it was thought that all animal embryos were similar at their early stages of development. This brought a conclusion that “the origin of all beings is one” and that “evolution” on earth occurred in the same way it occurred inside the wombs of living beings.

(3) Furthermore, the theory cites “differences in the roles” of the appendix in man in comparison to that in monkey. Since it is assumed that it “does not have a role” to play in the function of the human body while it can digest plants in monkeys, the theory suggested that the appendix in man is an underdeveloped form that was a left over from monkeys.

(4) The theory assumes the presence of a “Natural Selection” process in which there are “elimination factors” that can abolish the weak living beings while the strong ones are kept, and that their characteristics are to be inherited in their offspring. With time these characteristics will accumulate in the new beings producing new characteristics. According to Darwin, this represents the “evolutionary” process that makes of these new characteristics “higher” forms of life.

(5) The theory suggests a “Sexual Selection” process by which there is a tendency of the male and female to mate with the strong and best members of both sexes. The characteristics of the “best” will be “inherited” and those associated with weak animals would be “eliminated” because of the lack of tendency and/or interest to mate the weak.

(6) Whenever a new characteristic is evolved it is inherited in the offspring.

REALITY VS THEORY

(1) The Points about Archeology

The science of archeology is far from being complete and no one can claim that the search has been completed under the earth or sea layers. The door is still open for more discoveries that may contradict the theory. Assuming, however, that the findings of this science are completed, this does not establish that “higher” forms of life are developed from “lower” ones. This is only evidence for organized existence of these beings (in any form) at times when the environment is suitable for that. On the other hand, the archeological studies at the time of Darwin estimated that man’s life on earth was 600,000 years whereas new archaeological discoveries give an estimate figure of 10 Million years. This is a reflection of the incompleteness of these studies and that this science is still variable.

It is also important to note that there are many “missing links” in the so-called “evolutionary chain” of Darwin’s theory. For example there are no archeological data to link animals of “single cells” and those of “multiple cells” nor between invertebrate animals and fish or amphibians. The same is true between amphibians and reptiles and between amphibians and birds.

(2) The Point About Embryos

This was a wrong conclusion made by some scientists because of the less sophisticated microscopy present at Darwin’s time. Today’s technology demonstrates that there are fine differences between the structure, build up and organization of animal embryos.

(3) The Point About The Appendix

The presence of this organ in man does not represent a concrete evidence for the development of man from a “monkey”. Rather its presence is inherited from the grand-man who depended upon vegetation as a source of food to help him digest it. In addition, there could be other important functions for the appendix that are not discovered yet.

(4) The Point About Natural Selectivity

(a) Elimination “Factors” & Life “Factors”

Surely there is a law and discipline that work to eliminate the living creatures, weak as well as strong. Allaah ordained death on every living being. The elimination factors are not the only factors that affect life on this planet. There are “life factors” as well, and that there is a discipline of mutual dependency and relationship between the living being and its environment. These “factors” represent the true means which Allaah has provided: sun, seas, wind, rain, plants, gravity, etc. All of these means are coordinated to provide survival for man, animals and plants. Considering the “elimination factors” alone and disregarding the “life factors” is confusion on the part of Darwin’s theory. When scientists try to formulate theories to explain certain matters in the outside world, they take into account all factors of influence.

(b) Natural Selectivity or “Mother Nature”

Surely those in support of the theory of evolution like to refer to “Mother Nature” as the “source” that provides and supports the “natural selectivity.” “Mother Nature”, however, lacks wisdom, power, self-coordination, will, and knowledge. Natural things such as wind, lightning, water, storms, warmth, severe cold, etc. can cause destruction or deformation. How could these conditions explain the beauty of the creation and its fine course of establishment and coordination? How could the minute elements in the egg of a bird “know” that the egg must appear in the form of a bird and thus it has to break its own shell to survive? The One Who had created nature provided all the means for its course of existence and activity.

Now we see that many who arrogantly deny Allaah’s existence try to divert the attention of the people to worship this “new” deity called “Mother Nature”! In many conversations some people are reluctant to say “God” when they want to refer to “supernatural” phenomena. Instead, they say: “Mother Nature” did such and such. They like to look “normal and advanced” and not “strange and backward” in front of others. The idea of “how people will look at me,” overshadows that God (Allaah) is more important than people. It is a reflection of psychological defeat in front of secularism, which itself is the major fruit of Darwin’s theory. It is lack of true faith in the true God, Allaah. A believer in Allaah would not fear saying the Name of his Creator, the Most Merciful, and the Most Compassionate. He knows that those around him will one day die, but Allaah is the Everliving. So, who must count first? He knows that Allaah is the Sustainer and Provider and not the “Chairman of the Boards” nor the “Chief Executives,” managers, or any other boss! This is the benefit of worship of Allaah: A liberation from slavery to anything and (or) anyone but Allaah.

(c) “Mother Nature” Is Not The “Creator”

A simple comparison between man and nature illustrates that man can see, hear, know, learn, reason, etc. whereas nature has none of these qualities. How could man then be “more advanced” than a “creator” known as “Mother Nature?” This proves the falsehood of the idea of god-Mother Nature. Allaah says:

“Say (O Muhammad) [صلى الله عليه وسلم [2] to mankind): How do you worship besides Allaah something which has no power either to harm or benefit you? But it is Allaah, Who is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Qur’an 5:76).

In many aspects, nature is under man’s service, and its resource is under his disposal, as Allaah had decreed in the Final Revelation to mankind, the Qur’an:

“See you not (O men) that Allaah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has perfected His graces upon you (both) apparent [3] and hidden [4]? Yet of mankind is he who disputes about Allaah without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light.” (Qur’an 31: 20).

With the progress of technology some people became even more arrogant. Not only do they refer to “Mother Nature” as the “founder or creator,” but aim to control nature itself. It is a strange conclusion! Allaah has made it very clear that there will be this type of people:

“The likeness of (this) worldly life is as the rain which We send down from the sky, so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat until when the earth is clad with its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all powers of disposal over it. Our Command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Signs (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, laws, etc.) in detail for people who reflect.” (Qur’an 10: 24).

(d) The “Laws” of Nature

Some consider that “Nature” represents the “Laws” that govern the universe. They try to explain how things occur, but do not answer questions like: Who created this universe? Who put the “Laws” into effect? This leaves them separated by an artificial barrier into two “personalities”: one that best “fit” the society (i.e. the outside) and tries to give “interpretations” for what occurs in the universe; and one kept within themselves confessing that God (Allaah) is the One commanding these “supernatural” phenomena. But under dangerous circumstances, you hear them calling: “Oh my God!” or “God help me!”

In the old ages, man knew that rain came down from the sky. Today we know a lot about this process, from the evaporation of water up to the formation of raindrops, there is a reflection of real actions. In their references, scientists do not tell us how did these realities become laws. For example: why are these laws coordinated in ways allowing birds to fly in the air, fishes to live in the water, and man to live on the earth? “Nature’s” qualities are not its own. It has been given the attributes we feel and see around us.

The true Creating Power has all the Perfect Attributes and All-Perfect Actions. He is Allaah:

Say (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)): Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth? Say: “(It is) Allaah.” Say: “Have you then taken (for worship) Auliyâ’ (protectors) other than Him, such as have no power either for benefit or for harm to themselves?” Say: “Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light? Or do they assign to Allaah partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them.” Say: “Allâh is the Creator of all things; He is the One, the Irresistible. (Qur’aan 13: 6)

“The One Who has created (everything), and fashioned it in due order and proportion; Who has measured and granted guidance. (Qur’aan 87: 2-3)

“The One who has created the seven heavens one above another, you can see no fault in the creation of the One (Allaah) Whose Mercy encompasses everything. Then look again: “Can you see any rifts?” “Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you in a state of humiliation and worn out.” (Qur’an 67: 3-4).

“Allaah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you see. Then He ascended the ‘Arsh (the Throne in a manner that suits His Majesty). He has subjected the sun and the moon (to continue going round)! Each running (its course) for a term appointed. He regulates all affairs, explaining the Aayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail, that you may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Rabb. (Qur’an 13: 2).

“He has created the heavens without any pillars, that you see, and has set on the earth firm mountains, lest it shake with you. And He has scattered therein animals of all kinds. And We send down water (rain) from the sky, and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind you grow therein.” (Qur’an 31: 10).

“And indeed We [5] created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six Days and nothing of fatigue touched us [6].” (Qur’an 50: 38).

(e) A God Other Than Allaah!?

In an Address to man, Allaah sends clear and vivid verifications as well as challenges for man and for these “gods” that some invoke and worship:

“Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water). Is there any god with Allaah? Nay, but most of them know not.” (Qur’an 27: 61).

“Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky whereby We cause to grow gardens full of beauty and delight. It is not in your power to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any god with Allaah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!” (Qur’an 27: 60).

“Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (Rain)? Is there any god with Allaah? High Exalted be Allaah from all that they ascribe as partner (to Him)!” (Qur’an 27: 63).

“Is not He (better than your gods) Who originates creation, then repeats it, and Who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? Is there any god with Allaah? Say, “Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful.” (Qur’an 27: 64).

“Say (to the disbelievers): “Tell me, if Allaah took away your hearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts, who is there-an “ilah” (a god) other than Allaah could restore them to you? Look, how variously We explain the Signs, yet they turn aside.” (Qur’an 6: 46).

Many in this world have turned to worship many created things or beings. Divine attributes has been given to Buddha, ‘Eesa (Jesus), Saints, Monks, Musa (Moses), Prophets, Places, Rivers, Cows, Temples, etc., Do these “gods” benefit or harm?

“And they worship besides Allaah things that hurt them not, nor profit them and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allaah.” Say: “Do you indeed inform Allaah with that which He knows not, in the heavens or on earth? Far is He removed from every imperfection! And far is He above all that which they associate as partners with Him!” (Qur’an 10: 18).

Where did they find “Names” for them?

“You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have forged, you and your fathers, for which Allaah has sent down no authority. The command is for none but Allaah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him, that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an 12: 40).

Where are the things they have created?

“This is the creation of Allaah. So show me that which those (whom you worship) beside Him have created. Nay but the wrong-doers (and those who do not submit to Allaah) are in plain error.” (Qur’an 31: 11).

“Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): ‘Tell me or inform me (what) do you think about your (so-called) partner-gods to whom you call upon besides Allaah, show me, what they have created of the earth? Or have they any share in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book, so that they act on clear proof therefrom?’ Nay, the wrong-doers (and those who do not believe in Allaah) promise one another nothing but delusions.” (Qur’an 35: 40).

In fact they are unable to create even a fly:

“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 snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought.” (Qur’an 22: 73).

They themselves are created, aren’t they?

“Attribute they as partners to Allaah those who created nothing? But they themselves are created.” (Qur’an 7: 191).

They cannot even help themselves!

“No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves.” (Qur’an 7: 192).

“Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): ‘Have you then taken (for worship) protectors other than Him, such as no power either for benef) it or for harm to themselves?’ Say: ‘Is the blind equal with the one who sees? Or darkness equal with light? Or do they assign to Allaah partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them.’ Say: Allaah is the Creator of All things. He is the One, the Irresistible.” (Qur’an 13: 16).

They cannot answer those who invoke upon them!

“So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful.” (Qur’an 7: 194).

The above proofs are sent down from Allaah to bring people to their senses. This is a Mercy and Kindness from Allaah for mankind. He said:

“Allaah Is the One Who sends down manifest Aayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations etc.) to His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that He may bring you out from darkness into light. And verily, Allaah is to you Full of Kindness, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 57: 9).

(6) The Point About “Sexual Selection”

The survival of the strongest is not evidence for selective developmental evolution. The only thing that can be understood about the mating tendencies is that they will maintain continuity in the same strong kind and an end to the weak kind. Thus:

(i) The muscles of a strong athlete will not be inherited in his offspring.
(ii) The mind of a high quality scholar will not be transferred to his children by inheritance.

The saying that newly acquired characteristics can be inherited is rejected by modern genetic studies as well as known facts. Any quality that is not an intrinsic part of the genome is “temporal” and is not transmitted to the offspring by inheritance: Muslims circumcise their babies.

Their children are not born circumcised!

(7) “Under-developed Theory”

We have not seen (or heard about) certain types of animals coming to existence through the process of developmental transformation. There was no monkey transformed into a man even after hundred years or so!

The nose of a dog is more sensitive in its smelling function than that of man. Is the nose of the dog more “advanced” than that of man? Or are the birds (with flying abilities) and frogs (with amphibian abilities) more “developed” than man? The eye of the camel and that of the horse or donkey can see during day and night, is it true then that these animals represent more “advanced” forms than man?

The male man, like the male elephant, has breast marks while horses and male donkeys do not (except some resemblance to whatever their respective mothers were). So, why does the male man continue to possess this feature while it was not present in some “lower” beings?

Scientists have called Darwin’s study a “Theory” and clearly there is always a difference between theory and reality. A theory by definition is falsifiable.

DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES

The idea of “selection for the strong” had a tremendous influence on humanity. It made it easy for some strong men and strong nations to think and feel that they are strong and superior because of an “evolutionary selective process.” They feel that they are entitled to certain practices of domination according to the idea “survival is for the best!” This is well manifested in the colonial expansions, racism, and in many practices by many of the so-called “democratic nations” who practice the principle of supremacy: “Might is Right.” The idea of “development” interprets life as a “constant struggle between living beings and that the survival is only for the one that best fits the environment around it.”

In reality this environment is a materialistic one and it dictates the type of development, its size, and its direction in an imposed way leaving no role for the living being. This idea is very well used in our times to support the materialistic life of the modern world.

Materialism is imposed in a way as an integral part for “development.” In the name of “development” today’s “secondary” things for your home are becoming the “necessary” items of tomorrow and if you don’t buy them you are going to “look different,” “rejected” and a “drop out” because you do not “fit” the environment around you. Just look around and see the many thousands of things that were “secondary” a year ago and became “essential” a year later! Open a woman’s dresser today and see the latest “fashion” dresses and shoes. Come next month and you find “new” ones. She has to “fit” into the “environment” around her. Men are also influenced with this “fit the environment” concept. Who is doing this to the World? Many are those who contribute to this problem. They come from “big businesses”, media sectors, politicians, military establishments, academia, ‘the world of fashions’, etc.

In the name of progress, many people are influenced by the materialistic environment and are driven away from Allaah, their Creator. On the other hand, many are discovering the truth regarding the very essence of the purpose of existence. They are finding true, satisfactory and beneficial life in the code of life which their Creator has described in the final revelation to man: the Noble Qur’an. They came to know the beauty and reality of the following verse:

“Say: (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Truly, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allaah, the Rabb [the Creator, the Owner, and the One Who Commands and Administers everything] of the ‘Aalameen [all that exists].” (Qur’an 6: 162).

Why Did The “Theory” Spread?

The theory came at a critical moment in the conflict between the church and many of its corrupted doctrines on one hand and the secular sector (especially scientists) in the 19th century Europe, on the other hand. During this conflict many scientists were killed and/or persecuted. This theory was one of the weapons that were raised by the scientists in their fight with the religious authorities in and outside Europe. It was presented as “The Scientific” reference of the mind. It was introduced in the education programs of most of the colonized countries as “Scientific Knowledge” to support its acceptance. Many colonized Muslim countries were targeted and this caused a great deal of negative influence on many generations, especially with the victory of the secular-scientific thoughts in Europe over the church-made laws. This played a role in the spread of secular thoughts in many parts of the world. For many it helped promote a stand against church oppression, and when it served its purpose it was transformed to serve the purpose of influence and secularism.

Most people had no idea about the theory itself and/or the its concept of “selectivity” that was used as a “pretext of justification” for colonization, reflecting the prejudice of “being better” than those “weak ones” from the “other” world communities.

THE QUR’AN AND THE “THEORY”

When Allaah, the Most High, tells us about any matter, it comes from the One Who is All-Knowing. Whatever man knows is nothing compared to what Allaah, the Exalted, Knows:

“Allaah knows and you know not.” (Qur’an 2: 216).

“Should He not Know, what He created? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything).” (Qur’an 67: 14)

Why do people question their origin when they did not witness its creation? This is result of secular reasoning. Without the reality of creation, there is no purpose for man’s existence:

“I called them not to witness (nor took their help in) the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor (even) their own creation.” (Qur’an 18: 51).

Whatever Allaah decrees in relevance to man’s creation is different from “theories”! Allaah, the AllKnowing, tells us that He informed the Angels about the creation of Adam before it happened:

“And (remember) when your Rabb said to the angels: Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” (Qur’an 2: 30).

And He, Most High, told us about the kind of material from which Adam was created: dust and water, and the offspring of Adam from sperm:

“O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily! We have created you from dust (i.e. Adam) then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharges i.e. offspring of Adam) then from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) then from a little lump of flesh, some formed and some unformed (miscarriage) that We may make (it) clear for you (to show our Power and Ability to do what We will). And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term, then we bring you out as infants [7], then (give you growth) that you may reach your age of full strength. And among you there is he who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known.” (Qur’an 22: 5).

“He is the One Who has created you from clay and then decreed a stated term (for you to die).” (Qur’an 6: 2).

Allaah shaped Adam by His own Hands [8]:

“Allaah said:”O! Iblees (Devil) what prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with both My Hands.” (Qur’an 38: 75).

The Prophet (Muhammad-صلى الله عليه وسلم) also informed us that:

“When Allaah created Adam from a Handful from all of the earth (material), the children of Adam came just like the earth: amongst them the red, the white and the black and those who are in between; the easy and the sad; the evil ones and the good ones.” [9]

Allaah then changed this clay into “sounding clay:”

“He created man (Adam) from a sounding clay like the clay of pottery.” (Qur’an 55: 14).

Allaah, the Exalted and Magnificent, breathed into this clay a created and honored soul and life came into Adam and he became Adam that can hear, see, talk and think:

“So, when I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him his soul created by Me, then you (angels) fall down prostrating to him.” (Qur’an 15: 29).

Right after Adam’s creation he started to speak:

“And He taught Adam the names (of everything); then He showed them to the angels and said ‘Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.’ They (angels) said: ‘Far is You (Allaah) removed from every imperfection, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the AllKnower, the All-Wise. He said: O Adam! Inform them of their names…” (Qur’an 2: 31-32).

Even the first woman was created from the first man, Adam:

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Rabb, Who created you from a single soul (Adam) and from him (Adam) He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women..” (Qur’an 4: 1).

After the creation of Adam, Allaah commanded angels to prostrate to Adam; all of them obeyed. This is a great Honor to Adam. Iblees (the Devil) refused out of arrogance:

“And (remember) when We said to the angels: “Prostrate to Adam.” So they prostrated except Iblees (the Devil). He was of the Jinns10; he disobeyed the Command of His Rabb.” (Qur’an 18: 50).

Allaah expelled him from His Mercy, and warned Adam against him:

“Will you then take him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the wrong-doers (and polytheists).” (Qur’an 18: 50).

THE TEST

Both Adam and his wife were tested in Paradise. They were allowed to eat from all the fruits of Paradise. They were ordered, however, to stay away from a particular tree:

“And We said: O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the wrong-doers.” (Qur’an 2: 35).

They disobeyed Allaah by eating from it and Allaah sent them down to earth to live with their posterity, that He may test their obedience and submission to Him. Certainly they repented and Allaah, Oftforgiving, accepted their repentance. The status of the children of Adam is above that of monkeys or lizards:

“And indeed We have honored the children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea and have provided them with At-Tayyibat (lawful good things), and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference.” (Qur’an 17: 70).

This is the true origin of man: an honored being above that of a cockroach or a mouse! The response of man must be that of thanks to his Creator, Allaah, manifesting itself in true submission and obedience to Him. This is the meaning of Islam. It is the religion of man since Adam, peace be upon him and it is the same religion of Noah, Ibraaheem (Abraham), Musa (Moses), ‘Eesa (Jesus) peace be upon them all. It is manifested in its final, completed, and preserved form in the Qur’an that was revealed to Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. It calls man to dissociate himself from any form of worship to other than his Creator, Allaah.

Completed on Friday, the 10th of the 11th Islamic month of Thul Qi’dah, corresponding to the 2nd of January 2004.

Final revision on Saturday 1-5-1425 Hj, corresponding to the 19th June 19, 2004.

May Allaah reward sister Umm Ahmad (Canada) for her suggestions and editing. May Allaah accept it purely for His Majestic Face…and forgive me, my parents, and all the Muslims; and make it a benefit for me and whoever reads and/or propagate it.

The slave of Allaah
Saleh As-Saleh

Footnotes:

[1]Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882).

[2] The Arabic inscript صلى الله عليه وسلم is an invocation recited after the name of the Prophet Muhammad is stated. It reads: Sallaa Allaahu ‘Aleihi Wasallam, which means: May Allaah Praise his mention and safeguard him from every imperfection and from all kinds of evil.”

[3] i.e. Islamic Monotheism, the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.

[4] i.e. One’s faith in Allaah, knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.

[5]The “We” refers to Allaah Himself. It is common with Semitic languages for any monarch to use the “We” and “Us” when referring to himself. And to Allaah belongs the best example. He Glorifies Himself as suits His Majesty. When Allaah says: “We” or “Us,” no one who is familiar with the Arabic lexicology understands that this refers to “more than one God united in one!” Allaah is One and Unique and all of His Attributes describe His Essence, not qualities of separate “gods”! He is the Most Merciful, the Provider, the Creator, the Oft-Forgiving, the Originator, etc.

[6] The authenticity of the contents of any book, which describes Allaah with imperfect Attributes, is questionable. Allaah acts, originates, creates, and does what He wants such that neither tiredness nor slumber or sleep overtakes Him:

Neither slumber, nor sleep overtakes Him. (Qur’an 2:255)

[7] Prophet Muhammad, may Allaah exalt his mention and render him safe from every imperfection, said: “(As regards your creation), every one of you is collected in the womb of his mother for the first forty days, and then he becomes a clot for another forty days, and then a piece of flesh for another forty days. Then Allaah sends an angel to write four words: He writes his deeds, time of his death, means of his livelihood, and whether he will be wretched or blessed (in the Hereafter). Then the soul is breathed into his body…”(Collected in Saheeh Al-Bukhari which contains the most authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم (vol. 4, hadeeth # 549). The texts are published by Dar-Arabia (Beirut, Lebanon) in English and Arabic. This narration came from Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم who was un-lettered. These early stages of growth of the human body were known only approx.1400 years after the Prophet’s explanation. These statements, together with other prophecies by the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is a testimony that a) he was a true messenger of Allaah and b) the Qur’an he was trusted with is a true Revelation from Allaah. Those searching for the truth can find in the Qur’an their objective if they are sincere in their strive.

[8] All of the Attributes of Allaah are real and true. He informed us about Himself and about His Attributes. He speaks only the truth. In all of His Attributes He is perfect and distinct from His creation:

“And nothing is like unto Him. He is the All-Hearer AllSeer.” ( Qur’an 42: 11).

[9] Related by the scholars of Hadeeth: Al-Tirmithee and Abu Dawood and Al-Hakim.

[10] Jinns are beings created with free will, living on earth in a world parallel to that of man, and are invisible to human eyes in their normal state. The term “Jinnee” (English: Genie) is equivalent to Jinn, and Jaann may be used as its plural or as another singular form. In Islamic literature, Shaytaan (English: Satan, Devil) is a name given to disbelieving Jinns. Amongst them are the believers and non-believers.

Posted from: http://understand-islam.net

The Purpose of Creation & The Return to the Creator – Dr. Saleh As-Saleh

A Revised 2nd Edition – 1424 (2004) – [Download PDF of this article]

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Purpose And The Return
Creation Is In Need of Allah
The Modern Civilization
The Way Out
A Final Word to Those Who Submitted to Allah in Islâm

بسم االله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. I begin to write

Introduction

THE innate nature (Fitrah) in man recognizes what is good and bad, what is true and false. It recognises that the attributes of God (Allah) must be true, unique, and all-perfect. It does not feel comfortable towards any kind of degradation of His Attributes, nor does it relax towards attributing human-like qualities to the Creator. Many who became “discontent with God” did so because of the practices of the Church in medieval Europe and because of claims such as “God dwells in a son” and that “everyone is born with an original sin“. They “escaped” into worshipping a new thing called “mother nature.” With the advancement of materialistic technology others from different “religions” adopted the concept of “forget God” and “let us live this life and enjoy it.” They revived the old “god” of Rome, the “god of desire.”

Today we can see that all of this materialistic progress produced a spiritual vacuum that led to complex social, economical, political, and psychological problems. Many of those who ‘fled” their religions  are in search again. Some try to “escape” the complexity of their daily lives through various means. Those who examined the Qur’an and Islam found a complete code for life that requires man to fulfil the purpose of his existence on earth. Allah does not want man to be enslaved to any false deity: nature, drugs, lust, money, other men or women, desire, or sex. This holds true for Muslims and non-Muslims as well. He gives the proofs that He Alone is the One Who can deliver man to free himself from the slavery to any form of creation and to turn to his Creator Alone. He is the First, nothing before Him. He is the Last, everything ends except Him. He is Most High, nothing above Him. He is Most Near, nothing is beyond His reach. He does not beget, nor is He begotten. He is the Lord of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, the Praise and Mercy of Allah be upon them all.  To Him Alone man must submit.

Mankind must know about the purpose of their existence on earth; their responsibility towards their Creator and what they must do in preparation for the Day on which they will return to Him.

Saleh As-Saleh

THE PURPOSE AND THE RETURN

ALLAH created man and man belongs to Him. He (سبحانه و تعالى) ordained that one day man shall die and return to Him. This world is a transitional period. Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) wanted man to shape his life according to what He (سبحانه و تعالى) had decreed. This is the meaning of worship. Worship requires absolute obedience, humility and love for Allah, Who promised an Eternal life in Paradise for those who obey and worship Him alone, and an Eternal abode in Hell for those who reject Him and His orders:

“So those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah) and did righteous deeds will be in Gardens of Delight (al-Jannah, Paradise).” (Qur’an 22: 56)

“But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever.” (Qur’an 2: 39)

Man’s life at home, as a farmer, a car-dealer, an electrician, a computer consultant, a president, a company’s C.E., a spouse, etc., has to abide by a way of life according to the guidelines Revealed by Allah. He is the one who defined what is good and what is bad.

He stated that:

“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (in the Oneness & Uniqueness of Allah), verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e., AlJannah).” (Qur’an 16: 97)

The Revelation contains all the details about what is good and bad. It is not left for the limited nature of man to define what is good and what is bad:

“And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) as an exposition of every thing and a guidance, Mercy, and glad tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah as Muslims).” (Qur’an 16: 89)

“The command is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. Pure Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an 12: 40)

Allah made it clear that:

“Whosoever does righteous good deed it is for (the benefit of) his own self, and whosoever does evil, it is against his own self, and Your Rabb (Lord) is not at all unjust to (His) slaves.” (Qur’an 41: 46)

The Greatest good is achieved when the believer fulfils the role prescribed for him by his Creator, Allah:

“And I (Allah) created not the Jinns and men except they should worship Me (Alone).” (Qur’an 51:56)

The Message of Islam fits the Fitrah in man. Allah created man in the best form. He (سبحانه و تعالى) gave this Fitrah the ability to believe in the Unseen. The animal lives within the framework of his senses while man can relate to a broader scheme amongst which is the ability to believe in the Unseen. Thus man’s soul and its horizon are broader and more open than that of animals. Man knows that the electric current is composed of small particles known as electrons. While we are unable to see these particles, their effects could be seen on an instrument known as the oscilloscope in the form of electron waves. In Nature and in ourselves we can see the Signs of Allah everywhere and we must relate, therefore, to the Creator in the perfect way He has chosen. This is His right upon us: to worship Him Alone.

The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked his companion Mu‘adh ibn Jabal:

“O Mu’adh! Do you know what is due to Allah from His lbaad (the created beings) and what is due them? I responded: “Allah and His messenger know best.” He continued: “What is due to Allah from His Ibaad is to worship Him alone and never associate any other being with Him. What is due to them is not to punish any person who does not associate anyone (or anything) with Him.”

Man, through the faculties that Allah has bestowed upon him, can relate to the unseen atom with its unseen electronic “shells” that build up its characteristics. Man can also relate through his Fitrah to his Creator. The Fitrah recognizes the Attributes of the true God and His Signs in the creation although it is unable to see Allah in this life. One can then easily understand that the greatest reward Allah had given to the believers is the actual seeing of Himself on the Day of Judgement. Knowing Allah in His Names and His Attributes drives man to fulfil the purpose for his presence on earth as stated in the above verse and in Allah’s saying:

“The command is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. Pure Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an 12: 40)

Allah’s Attributes and His Signs in His Creation testify for His Oneness and that He is the Only True God who deserves to be worshipped. The rejecting man underestimates His Lord. He may reject any worship to Allah or turn to worship other than Allah. Amongst the rejectionists, there are those who think that this Universe has founded itself or it came to exist by co-incidence. This necessitates that man “has no goal to fulfil,” because he came into being without a defined goal! Consequently, a moral or a value system becomes meaningless. Accordingly, man is just a responding “tool” for “mother nature” which, according to Darwin himself, “acts haphazardly”! This way of thinking is aimlessness, and it occurs when man does not recognize his relation with the One who has created life and death, the Universe and everything around man, all in due proportion:

“Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.” (Qur’an 65: 3)

Those who reject man’s need to His Creator, Allah, are the aimless ones. Allah refers to them in the Qur’an:

“They have hearts (minds) wherewith they understand not, 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.” (Qur’an 7: 179)

CREATION IS IN NEED OF ALLAH

Man always looks for what benefits him and what protects him from harm. However, to accomplish this, man must be able to realize what is harmful. He must then know whom he should need, trust, and love so that he can attain what is beneficial as well as feel good about his choice. He also must know the proper and good approach that would make him achieve this goal. This latter condition requires that man:

a) Know about harm
b) What ways can be used to drive harm away

Certainly, man can have no better guidance than that which comes from the One Who has perfected everything, and the One who Has No deficiency in Himself nor in His Attributes. The One Who is Ever-Living and who does not die. There can be no One better than the One Who Has no need for anything; the One Who is Rich; the Giver, the One Who, after all, controls man’s soul, and runs all affairs. Man is so poor to Him. He is Allah, the True and only God. Man can bring harm to himself if he seeks other than Allah for help. Allah is the One Who can help man drive away any harm for it cannot occur without His Will and His Power.

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) sent down His Books and chose His Messengers to guide man to:

a) Know His Lord as He (سبحانه و تعالى) has explained about Himself, and
b) Seek Him Alone while living in accordance with His plan.

Knowing Allah’s Names and Attributes liberates man from worshipping any form of creation because creation is weak and imperfect and is in need of the Creator, Allah. The knowledge about Allah leads man to know that he is created to live according to Allah’s way as revealed to the last Messenger, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). This Revelation contains a complete code of life. Everything that is beneficial or harmful is established so that man can focus his life around this Revelation. If man commits wrong and knows that Allah is Oft-Forgiving he would turn to Him and to Him Alone seeking His forgiveness:

“Know, therefore, that there is no God who deserves to be worshipped except Allah; and ask forgiveness for your sins.” (Qur’an 47:19)

It is wrong to think or believe that Allah created other “gods” besides Him so that man turns to them for help, loves them or fear them, etc. He is the same God of all nations. He does not order that people should make of stars, sun, fire, Jesus, Moses, etc. gods besides Him. He (Most Exalted) cannot be “contradictory.” He has one way (religion) that calls man to surrender his will only to Him. He (سبحانه و تعالى) warned that if man, even Muhammad-صلى الله عليه وسلم and any Prophet or Messenger, would take partners with Him, then his work will fail and he will be among the losers:

“And verily, it had been revealed to you (O Muhammad) as has been revealed to those before you: If you join others in worship with Allah (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain and you certainly be among the losers. Nay! But worship Allah and be among the grateful.” (Qur’an 39: 65-66)

Let us think what Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the man-Prophet, who knew Allah best, used to say:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You for Your Pleasure and against Your Wrath, and in Your Forgiveness and against Your Punishment and in You from You, I cannot Praise You as You can Praise Yourself.”

“I have surrendered myself to You, I have directed my face to You, I have entrusted my affairs to You, I have compelled my back to refuge in You, in want and in fright of You, there is no resort nor survival from You except (in turning) to You, I have faith in your Book (i.e., the Qur’an) which You brought down and in the Prophet (Muhammad) you have sent.”

When we read in the Qur’an that:

“Whatever of Mercy (i.e., of good), Allah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All Mighty, the All-Wise” (Qur’an 35:2),

and when we read:

“If Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His favour which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He will, and He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 10: 107),

we should be motivated to return to Him Alone at times of ease and at times of hardship.

And when we read that:

“If Allah helps you none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there, after Him, that can help you? And in Allah (alone) let believers put their trust” (Qur’an 3:160)

The Qur’an, therefore, leads man to a true liberation from any false attachment. It brings peace to the heart. It helps the believer against hypocrisy and all forms of dishonesty. Imagine, for example, a believer facing a problem at work. He sees wrong and faces unlawful practices. He does not fear rejecting what is wrong. He knows that the job is only a mean to gain his sustenance. While he may be unable to correct what is wrong, he knows well that Allah is the One Who provides. If he leaves his job for the sake of Allah, Allah will give him a better one:

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him. He will make a way for him to get out (from) every (difficulty), and He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.” (Qur’an 65: 2-3)

The above necessitates that man must depend upon Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) asking Him Alone for assistance. It also requires that man must love Allah and worship Him alone to gain His pleasure and His help. Is it not true that the people who consider this life as the “Final Goal” end up worshipping many things in it? You see them so careful about “having it all.” They torture themselves: pain; difficulty; constant worry; keeping their hands in the banks for loan after loan to keep up with the “demands” of development.” They are under the constant threat of fore-closure. They constantly see poverty in front of their eyes. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: Son of Adam: fill your time with My worship and I will fill your heart with richness, and end off your poverty. But if you do not, I would make your hands fully busy (i.e., in worldly affairs) and I would not end off your poverty.”

Our purpose of existence on earth is more meaningful than being slaves to worldly gains. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator Allah. Every act done according to Allah’s way is an act of worship. Man is the beneficiary and Allah is in no need:

“O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of All Praise.” (Qur’an 35: 15)

THE MODERN CIVILIZATION

“We can pray to God yet live life as we like”

Some people think that: to live an Islamic life is ‘restrictive’! Islam, however, is the medium code of life. It recognizes that within the Fitrah there are motivations that influence man’s role on earth:

• a drive to eat,
• a drive to drink,
• a drive to have a home,
• a drive for sex,
• a drive for ownership,
• a drive for success, etc.

Without control, all of these legitimate motives could be very dangerous. What constitutes a perfect control is the discipline that gives an organised manifestation for these motivations without totally abolishing them or becoming enslaved to them. Islam deals with this Fitrah by providing a Divine Discipline that elevates man above animals. Man lacks perfect knowledge as well as perfect wisdom. Therefore, he is unable to provide a perfect way of life. Allah, Most Perfect in His Wisdom and Knowledge perfected a course of life and set limitations and rules all of which are beneficial to man:

“These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not.” (Qur’an 2: 187)

“These are the limits set by Allah, so do not transgress them.” (Qur’an 2: 229)

That is why Islam does not condone celibacy because it is against the Fitrah. The fo llowing incident describes the Islamic stand towards life:

[Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that some of the companions of Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked his (the Prophet’s) wives about the acts that he performed in private. Someone among them (among the companions) said: I will- not marry women; someone among them said… 1 will not eat meat (and fast all day); and someone among them said: 1 will not lie down in bed (and stand in prayer all night). He (the Prophet-صلى الله عليه وسلم) praised Allah and glorified him and said: What has happened to these people that they say so and so, whereas I observe prayer and sleep too; I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry women also? And he who turns from my Sunnah (way), he has no relation with me.]”

Islam does not condone the surrender to lust as it is the case in this contemporary “civilization”! Islam recognises the natural inclination of man towards the love of women, children, gold, silver, possessions, etc. Such inclination is essential to drive man towards settlement and civilization:

“It Is He who had brought you forth from the earth and settled you therein.” (Qur’an 11: 61)

“Beautified for men is the love of things they covet: women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent Return (Paradise with flowing rivers. etc.)” (Qur’an 3: 14)

These inclinations are not the objective! They are to be taken in a balanced way. The way to deal with them is real, and Allah gives a detailed description of the balanced approach that gives man a perfectly balanced pleasure in this life.

The use of the word “restrictive” comes from those who think that they live a “free” life. They accept many man-made restrictive rules that affect every aspect of our lives, although these rules are not perfect because man is imperfect. Man accepts these rules thinking that they benefit him. If the reward is high and the Benefit is eternal, should not man accept what is high and leave what is low? There is no sense in accepting what is lower!

“Would you exchange that which is better for that which is lower?” (Qur’an 2: 61)

“Seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah.” (Qur’an 4: 94)

“You desire the good of this world, but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Qur’an 8: 67)

This worldly life has good things in it. They are, however, perishable. Allah, The AllWise, organised the way to achieve what is good without transgressing and/or oppressing others. Capitalism allows ownership without limits. This produces political, social, and economical injustice, as is evident in Capitalist countries. On the other hand the failed communism suppressed the inclination of man towards private ownership.

Islam responds in a perfectly balanced way when it deals with the human soul. As stated in the above verse (Qur’an 3:14), it is normal for man to love money, gold and silver, women, etc. The challenge, however, is to take a medium and just course in dealing with this love.

Islam prohibits usury, monopoly, compulsion, theft, robbery, hoarding gold and silver, luxurious spending, conceitedness (if wealthy). On the other hand Allah ordained a fixed annual charity that limits inflation and provides a sharing process for the poor. Also He decreed a medium course of spending. All of these represent control mechanisms to prevent social, political and economical injustice. Have we thought about the fact that usury (in the form of interests on loans) holds people as well as nations under the siege of the banks and multinational financial institutions?

In the name of “modern freedom,” men and women are easily driven by their lusts to “enjoy” a sexual “affair”. Nowadays, man knows that the consequences are harmful. Allah had provided man with a control mechanism for his sexual desires, in the form of legal marriage to more than one woman. He (سبحانه و تعالى) made of this mechanism a legal and a moral binding process to protect women. It is not an affair! It is a very real and medium course for those who are able to support more than one house, and for those who have strong sexual desires. It is very realistic. It is done in the open and not in motels, hotels, or private apartments such that when the woman gets pregnant the man takes a flight saying, “Bye, Bye honey!” The craze for lust is affecting the life of others! AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are just some examples.

Man accepts the accountability principle laid down by his boss in a company. There are man-made restrictions on flights and on the use of many instruments. Man thinks they are there to protect him. In part this may be true, but how about the guidelines that are set by Allah to save the whole living of man? Such guidelines come from the One who is Perfect, not man who is imperfect! The “freedom” that leads a person to an eternal destruction in a Confined Place called Hell is the utmost restriction. The true freedom of man is that which builds a civilization that has a Divine value system and in which man submits to His Creator Alone. A civilization that reacts with the life of this world and links it to the Day of Return. On that Day everyone will be held accountable in front of the One Who is All-Just, All-Wise, All-Merciful, Sever in Punishment, and OftForgiving, Allah:

“It is He Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e., easy for you to walk to live and to do agriculture in it, so walk in the paths thereof and eat of His provision and to Him will be the Resurrection (of the dead).” (Qur’an 67: 15)

In the above verse there is a reminder for man that, while searching for his sustenance, he must abide by what Allah had decreed. Consequently, there is accountability, either reward or punishment. This calls for responsibility and not “restriction”.

Another reminder on the road to build the responsible society:

“But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you the Home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world and do good as Allah has been good to you and seek not mischief in the land. Verily Allah likes not the mischief-doers.” (Qur’an 28: 77)

Civilization is not only professional progress in materialistic forms. Although this is required, it has to comply with the moral system as prescribed by the Creator to have a meaningful outcome. Otherwise this progress will bring man’s own destruction by promoting an attachment to desires as well as a power struggle to control the world’s resources. This is best explained in the verse:

“O mankind! We have created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is that (believer) who is best in religion and best in good deeds. Verily Allah is All-Knowing. All-Aware.” (Qur’an 49: 13)

Those who live according to Allah’s way will be the best in His sight. Those are the truly successful ones who can build a true civilization. The following Ayah illustrates some beautiful aspects of this civilization:

“O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and greeted those in them, that is better for you, in order that you may remember. And if you find no one therein, still, enter not until permission has been given. And if you are asked to go back, go back, for it is purer for you, and Allah is Knower of what you do. There is no sin for you that you enter (without taking permission) houses uninhabited (i.e., not possessed by anybody) (when) you have any interest in them. And Allah has knowledge of what you reveal and what you conceal. Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their private parts from sins. That is purer for them. Verily Allah is aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.)” (Qur’an 24:27-31)

The Way Out

The modern civilization has influenced many parts of the world. It attracted many people through its materialistic progress. In this civilization acts like dedication, honesty, honouring an appointment, respecting the rights of others, are not purely done for the sake of Allah, but for the sake of interest. Such features are limited within the frame work of social interactions. This mostly exists in the so called “pragmatic” or the “freeworld civilization”. When carefully examined, it is a narrow-minded, self-oriented, and eventually self-destructive approach. In the modem civilization, one hand is extended to shake with, while the other is ready to intervene when there are “conflicting” interests. Because of the actual worship of self-interests, people of this “civilization” must deal “nicely” with each other so as to minimise “friction.” There is a continuous “lubrication” of this system to keep it running with the least possible friction. But when it comes to people who are not part of the “free-world,” intervention, rather than “lubrication,” takes place under the banner of “Global Interests,” “Humanitarian Aid,” or “World Order”! The recent position towards systematic killings of Muslims in Bosnia is a vivid manifestation of this real nature of modem civilization. Compare the position towards Bosnia with the quick response and intervention for the sake of “interests” in other parts of the World. When it comes to politics, there is rarely any moral binding. Lying, cheating, and dishonouring the rights of others are practiced in the name of National Interests!

On the economical front, the usury (interest system) is an open rip off that unlawfully uses people’s money making some rich and others poor. Every possible mean is used to advertize products regardless of their benefit. On the issue of sex, there is chaos never like it in history. The family structure is in disarray. Divorce rates are soaring. Teenagers are depressed. Many take antidepressant drugs on the job! The wide-spread psychology clinics on street corners of “effluent” suburbs is an evidence of complex social living. Suicide amongst the youth is alarming. Many people resort to take dogs or cats as “honest friends.” The market of drugs is depleting people’s money and health. AIDS is a direct response to arrogance against the natural and morally abiding decrees regarding sexual needs as set by the Creator. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“Sins didn’t spread in any particular nation until they openly conduct it and as a result plague and other illnesses that were not present among their predecessors became widespread amongst them.”

Cancer could have been a sufficient warning to reflect upon our estimate of Allah and His Attributes. However, the arrogance and disregard of Allah produced a “worship” of lust and brought what is worse than cancer. Could people stop neglecting to think about the purpose of life before more evil appears?

“Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of man have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).” (Qur’an 30: 41)

And when man forgets Allah and His reminders:

“So, when they forgot that (the warning) which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! they were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” (Qur’an 6: 44).

For those who ‘worship’ technology and who arrogantly think that they are building all powers of disposal over the earth, a reminder from Allah:

”Verily, the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the rain which We send down from the sky, so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat until when the earth is clad with its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all powers of disposal over it, Our command, reached it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Signs (proofs, revelation laws, etc.) in detail for people who reflect” (Qur’an 10: 24)

Many civilizations vanished before and were destroyed when they stood against the way of Allah. We do not have a special relationship with Allah that may save us when we ignore Him and follow our desires! The only true way of salvation is to submit to Him and His way as Revealed in the Qur’an and as explained by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. This is the true way of Salvation.

A Final Word to Those Who Submitted to Allah in Islam

Islam is the perfect way of life. Muslims vary in terms of their adherence to the Faith. There are those whose beliefs and practices adhere well to the way of Allah. Some commit sins but repent and regret. Others disobey and think they will be forgiven just because they are Muslims. Many resort in their worship to other than Allah. They call upon righteous men, dead or alive, and love them like they love Allah. This is the only sin that Allah does not forgive. Any Muslim who sets up rivals with Allah exits the fold of Islam. What matters is the pure submission to Allah.

Muslims are called to liberate themselves from any worship to other than Allah. Following deviated sects that call for Sufism (mystic ways), Shee’ism (which gives Divine Attributes to men like Khumeini, and to certain Imams), Ismaa’eelism (another mystic sect that, like Sheeism, gives Divinity to ‘Ali Bin Abee Talib, the honourable companion of the Prophet Muhammad-صلى الله عليه وسلم), and all other ways that lead Muslims out of Islam, must be avoided.

On the state, family, and individual levels, Muslims must apply the Law (Sharee’ah) of Allah in all of its aspects as detailed by Allah in the Qur’an and by the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). This is the true way of Justice on earth.

The duty of the true Muslims is to call for the correction of beliefs and practices that contradict the purpose of man’s existence on earth. In the course of their duty, they can only depend upon Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) Alone, seeking His Guidance, Help and refuge in Him Alone.

Concluded on 3/12/1414 (15/5/1994),
and revised on 9/11/2004 (19/12/2004)

Saleh As-Saleh.

May Allaah, the Most High, reward with all good sis Umm Ahmad Al-Kanadiyyah for her excellent editing.

Posted from http://understand-islam.net –  official website of Dr Saleh as Saleh rahimahullaah

Read Further: 

Invitation to Islam

The True God is Allaah, and Man is Need of Him – Dr. Saleh As Saleh

In the name of Allaah the most Beneficent the most Merciful.

The True God is Allaah, And Man is Need of Him.

I testify that there is no true god worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is Allaah’s true slave and Messenger.

The term worship in Islam translates to a code of life, because worship means everything which Allaah loves from actions and (or) sayings that are apparent and (or) hidden.

Many are those who do not believe in Allaah as the Only True God. Many as well believe that there is a Creator. However, they are in state of confusion as to who is this Creator. In this article a presentation is aimed to direct to the conclusion that Allaah is the true “God”, the Creator, and that man is in need of Him.

The Creator must be the creator of everything, the heavens, the earth an all that is in between them, mankind and all that exists. It is anticipated that anyone who says “I believe in the Creator,” that he believes in this. It also entails that he should necessarily believe that the Creator possesses Perfect Attributes. He is Perfect in His attributes, in Himself, in His Names, and in His Actions. This is a natural flow, otherwise, it is a delusion not a true belief in the “Creator.”

“I believe in a Perfect Creator,” should lead to another obvious admission: if you believe that the Creator is Perfect then He is Perfectly Wise in all of His Actions. Does He then Create because of a Perfect Wisdom, or aimlessly? This is the important linkage. Does He Create for a need? Or He Creates based upon Wisdom? It is anticipated that to be in harmony with having belief in the Creator, that His Wisdom is necessarily is linked to His Knowledge, His Will and to all of His Attributes. The question, therefore, would you think the One who creates does so for a purpose or He creates to leave the creation aimless? The person who believes the Creator is Perfect, would agree that His creating is not aimless. If so, then Who else other than Allaah has stated this? And you know where? It is in His Final Revelation to man.

Contemplate what He has said:

“Did you think that We have created you in play without any purpose and that you will not be brought back to us, so exalted be Allaah the true king none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Lord of the Supreme Throne” [Quran 23: 115-116].

Does man think that he will be left aimless (without purpose)? [Quran, 75:36].

So Allaah is the One whom you believe to be “the Creator.” He chose this title for Himself and He stated that He is the Only Creator, and that He Creates with Wisdom:

Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, there is no god but He: Then how ye are deluded away from the Truth! [Qur’an, 40:62].

So this creation which Allaah creates must have a code organizing its existence and its aims. Hence:

1- Allaah creates and His creating is all Wise and for a purpose.

2- Allaah did not leave us aimless. He set a code to live accordingly. So He legislates, commands, and prohibits, and justly sets reward and accountability, because He is all Just.

3- In all aspects of this code, the manifestations of His Names and Attributes become known, contemplated and realized. Being the Creator necessitates creating as well as purpose, guidance and legislations. Whoever ascribes is rewarded, since He is the Most Generous. When one commits a sin, he realizes that his Creator accepts repentance and is oft-Forgiving. So the manifestations of Allaah’s Names and Attributes become realized on earth and this is beloved to Allaah, the Creator.

4- Allaah gives man life, physical sustenance, and spiritual guidance through the revelation which He entrusted His Messengers with. He guides man to know how to benefit from the provisions, what is good for him and what is harmful. He raises in honor those who submitted to Him, and justly puts in humiliation those who disdain and are arrogant. He Forgives and is Merciful; He punishes and rewards in order that man shapes his life with the code that is all beneficial to man and which makes his life on this earth upright. And it cannot be upright unless man ascribes to the guidance sent to him by His creator.

5- If all mankind come to ascribe to his code (i.e. worship) Allaah on one heart, then this does not oblige any change in Allaah’s Essence nor in His Attributes. If all the creation is on one heart, this does not increase in the dominion of Allaah anything.

That is why He stated:

But Allah is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. [Qur’an, 47:38]

6-And that is why He mentioned:

“If you do good, you do good for your own selves” [Qur’an, 17:7]

“And whoever does righteous good deeds, then such will prepare a good place in paradise for themselves.” [Qur’an, 30:44]

And as the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) related in the authentic hadith that Allaah said:

“O My slaves, you will not attain harm in Me so as to harm Me, and you will not attain benefit in Me so as to benefit Me; O My slaves, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that will not increase My Kingdom in anything; O my slaves, were the first of you and last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that will not decrease My Kingdom in anything; O My slaves, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and I recompense you for. So let him who finds good praise Allaah and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.”

[Reported in Saheeh Muslim, No. 6246]

On daily basis the person makes what is known as ritual purity (wudu). In every drop of water used to wash the face, hands, arms, head, and feet, sins fall off. It is therefore a tangible and intangible benefit to man. Listen to what Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Allaah does not want to place you in difficulty but He wants to purify you and to complete His favour upon you that you may be thankful.” [Qur’an, 5:6]

Also concerning the ritual of offering a sacrificial animal (from the cattle) in the pilgrimage, we read in the Qur’an:

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allaah but it is piety from you that reaches Him.” [Qur’an, 22:37].

In human to human relationship, people do good for each other to attain their own interests, or to be praised. But with Allaah, if you do good, you do good for yourself, because this good that you do does not benefit Allaah.

In light of the above, we need to contemplate the great purpose for which we have been created. This is clearly stated by Allaah:

“And Allaah have not created not the jinn and the men except that they should worship me alone.” [Qur’an, 51: 56-57]

So they are called for what benefits them. Remember the definition of worship in the beginning of this discussion? They are the ones who, if they comply, will win. And that is why He asserted in the next verse:

“I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me.” [Qur’an, 51:57].

Why did Allaah mention food and provisions here? It is traditionally known that the greatest need for man is the need for food, clothing and residence. This requires means and provisions, and this is the wealth. That is why Allaah began with it: “I seek not any provision from them,” and then He referred to food, because it is the thing most needed by people: “nor do I ask that they should feed Me,” because He is all-Rich, free of all want; Self-Sufficient, needs nothing. He related to us in things we relate closely to so as to make this matter vividly clear.

Hence, the creation of man is not to bring a benefit for Allaah, but to establish this code of life which links him to his Creator. The Noble objective is to submit and deliver. Otherwise there can be no love of our Creator without submission. And to deliver so as to establish uprightness. But who defines what is good and upright? It is laid down by the one who is All-Knowing and Perfect: Allaah. If it is left to us, then your good is an evil to me and vice versa! So, the code of life is set in accordance with what Allaah has defined as worship, outwardly, and inwardly. So imagine someone saying he loves Allaah and worships others besides Him or to the exclusion of Him! This is neither submission nor compliance. That is why love and magnification of Allah means worshipping none but Him. This is the essence of all the revealed Messages to all the Prophets and Messengers. It is a single Message of Tawheed: singling Allaah alone as the true God worthy of worship and disassociating from any kind of worship to other than Him

We often hear people say: what is important is “love.” In reality, the true love is the love of Allaah, our Creator, sustainer, and provider. No one is more beloved to Allaah than the one who loves Him and praises Him and complies with His code which He has set for us in this life. Shirk (opposite of Tawheed): associating partners with Allaah in worship is the most hated thing to Allaah because this diminishes (or may eliminate) the love of Allaah. It sets between Allaah and man an associate, and that is why Allaah does not love it. It takes away from the love of Allaah alone and equates Allaah, the Perfect, with the imperfect. This is not even acceptable in human relations. So one must not set up any rival to Allaah in worship. Allaah warned about this, saying:

“And of mankind are some who take for worship others besides Allaah as rivals, they love them as they love Allaah but those who believe love Allaah more than anything else.” [Qur’an 2, 165]

So the truly beneficial thing to man is to know of His Creator, magnify Him, and love Him so that he gains His love and thus be amongst the happy ones in this life and in the hereafter. However, since man has tendencies towards his own lusts and desires, then this objective cannot be attained except when man follows what is pleasing to His Creator, Allaah. The stronger man’s love of Allaah is, the more he gains of His love and guidance. In practice this needs to be translated into compliance with the code of life set by Allaah.

The one who is in need of Allaah is the created, because the One who is Self Sufficient and Perfect is Allaah. It is out of His generosity and benevolence that He is rewarding for singling Him alone in worship. And in that, His names and attributes become manifested, and this is beloved to Him. He loves for the person to repent; He loves for the person to return to Him in repentance; He loves forgiving; He loves pardoning; He loves clemency, and He loves justice because He is All-Just. When man realizes the manifestations of Allaah’s Names, Attributes and actions in the creation, then he knows the meaning of worship and clings to that.

I hope that in this discussion, there is a benefit for the person who says that he believes in the Creator, and that it takes him to the final conclusion of submitting to Allaah in Islam. As to those who do not believe in Allaah, they are directed to the discussions we have on this matter under the title: “who deserves to be worshipped alone” on the site www.understandislam.net. And all Praise is due to Allaah, the most Beneficent the most Merciful.

=============
Saleh As-Saleh
17/5/1427 AH
June 13, 2006

Acknowledgment: original Article Transcribed from the site www.understand-islam.net by sis Ummammar, may Allaah reward her with all good.

[Download PDF version of this article Here]

Read Further: 

https://abdurrahman.org/blogs/invitation-to-islam/

The texts of the Bible are in conformity with the fact that Jesus was a servant and messenger of Allah – Shaykh Rabee

Below are some examples taken from your Gospels [11] that confirm and support what Muhammad came with from the Qur’aan and his teachings.

In the seventh verse of Chapter 4 of the Gospel of Mathew, it states:

1. “Jesus said to him: ‘Again it is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” [Matthew 4:7]

2. In this same chapter, there occurs a story about Jesus and the Devil, in which the Devil ordered Jesus to prostrate to him. So the Messiah Jesus responded to him, saying:

“Be gone Satan, for it is written: ‘You shall worship (prostrate only to) the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve (i.e. worship).’”

This is what all the messengers came with and it is the argument that Jesus used against the Devil. So this clearly proves that all of the prophets including Jesus and Muhammad came to establish that God was One and that He was the Lord and only One deserving of being worshipped.

Jesus relied on the previously revealed books (from God) as proof, which state that God is the only Lord and that He is the only One who has the right to be worshipped and prostrated to.

Similarly, Allaah revealed to (Prophet) Muhammad: “And We indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allaah alone and avoid the false deities.’ So amongst them were those whom Allaah guided and amongst them were those whose misguidance was justified.” [Qur’aan 16:36]

He also revealed to him: “And We did not send any messenger before you except that We revealed to him: ‘There is no deity that has the right to be worshipped in truth, except Me, so worship Me alone.’” [Qur’aan 23:25]

So these statements that were revealed to Muhammad are in complete conformity with what Jesus stated in his reply to the Devil. It is also in conformity with what Jesus said when calling the Tribe of Israel:

“Verily, Allaah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is the Straight Path.” [Qur’aan 19:36]

And it agrees with what he will say on the Day of Judgement when his Lord will ask him:

“O Jesus, son of Mary, did you tell the people: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allaah?’ He will reply: ‘Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right to say. If I had said such a thing, You would have surely known about it. You know what is in my inner self though I do not know what is in Your Self. Truly, only You are the All-Knowing of all that is hidden. I did not tell them anything except for what You commanded me to tell them, (which was): Worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord. And I served as a witness for them for as long as I was with them. But when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things.’” [Qur’aan 5:116-117]

3. In Chapter 11 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 25, it states:

“At that time Jesus declared: ‘I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes (infants).’”

So Jesus was one of God’s servants and messengers. He acknowledged the right of his Lord who created him and bestowed His blessings on him, and therefore turned to Him, in thanks and affirmation that He alone was the Lord of the heaven and earth. This is since He is the One who created these two creations (the heaven and the earth), as well as everything inside them, in between them and whatever lies below the ground. No one else had any part in this – neither Jesus or anyone else – nor can anyone rival Him in that matter.

4. In Chapter 14 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 23, it states:

“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he (Jesus) went up on the mountain by himself to pray.”

Prayer is one of the greatest acts of worship that can be performed to God, and no one engages in it except for a lowly servant who stands in need of the mercy of his Lord and Creator. This is as Allaah says in the Qur’aan:

“O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allaah, whereas Allaah is Rich (free of all needs), Most Praiseworthy.” [Qur’aan 35:15]

And Allaah says: “The Messiah (Jesus) will never be too proud to reject being a servant of God, nor the angels who are the ones close (to Him). And whoever is too proud and rejects worshipping Him, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.” [Qur’aan 4:172]

So Jesus was a servant of God, and he was not nor will he ever be too proud to worship Him. This is his condition and the condition of all of the prophets and angels.

5. In Chapter 26 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 39, it states that the Messiah (Jesus):

“fell on his face and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.’”

So in this text, there is proof that Jesus was a servant (worshipper) of God who had no control over repelling harm from himself or bringing benefit to himself. And there is evidence in this text that he sought refuge in God during times of hardship, seeking His assistance and humbling himself before Him, in order to remove the harm and danger that was approaching him. So he fell prostrate with his face on the ground, seeking nearness to Him, lowering himself before Him, showing his need for Him and expressing the belief that no one has the ability to repel harm except Him. This is the state of all of the messengers, not to mention all of mankind.

6. In Chapter 21 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 46, it states:

“But when they tried to arrest him, they feared the multitudes, since they held him to be a prophet.”

There is proof in this verse that the masses of people who believed in God and in Jesus were monotheists with pure and sincere faith, and that they believed that Jesus was a messenger and a prophet. This proves that their prophet, Jesus, had taught them this and cultivated them to believe in that. So they did not used to believe that he was God or the son of God, since he would not teach the people these things.

7. In Chapter 23 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 10, it states that Jesus said:

“Neither be called masters, for you, even the Messiah, has One master.” [12]

This text resembles the Qur’anic text in which Allaah informs us that His messenger Jesus told the Tribe of Israel: “And verily, Allaah is my Lord and your Lord.” [Qur’aan 3:51]

So Allaah is the Lord of Jesus, as well as his Master, Nurturer and Owner. He is the Lord, Master and Owner of all mankind.

The Muslim scholar, Taqee-ud-Deen al-Hilaalee, pointed out in his treatise “Clear Evidences” that: Some translators have distorted this text, but that the English translation was saved from this corruption.

8. In Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, verse 3, it states:

“And this is the eternal life – that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.”

This text confirms that which all of the messengers came with, which was that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and it confirms that Jesus was a messenger of God. This was during his time, and every nation had its own time and messenger, as Allaah says:

“And We did not send any messenger before you except that We revealed to him: ‘There is no deity that has the right to be worshipped in truth, except Me, so worship Me alone.’” [Qur’aan 21:25]

And He says: “And We indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allaah alone and avoid the false deities.’” [Qur’aan 16:36]

9. In Chapter 12 of the Gospel of Mark, verses 28-30, it states:

“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he (Jesus) answered them well, asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’”

This was the first commandment.

And in verse 32 of the same chapter, it states that:

“The scribe said to him, ‘You are right, teacher. You have truly said that He is One, and there is no other but He.’”

Then in verse 34 of the same chapter, it states:

“And when Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’”

This first commandment mentioned by Jesus is the same commandment that Allaah prescribed to all of His messengers, including Jesus – and this was the commandment that the messengers passed on to their nations:

“He has ordained for you the same religion that He ordained for Noah and which We revealed to you (O Muhammad) and ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus – that you should establish the Religion and make no divisions in it. Intolerable for the polytheists is that which you call them to.” [Qur’aan 42:13]

The religion that God ordained for them was the pure monotheistic Faith, which is represented in the statement: “There is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah.” He ordered all of his messengers to call to this, and it is that which the polytheists found difficult to accept and for which reason they fought against God’s messengers.

This was the same thing that Abraham and Jacob, also known as Israel, commanded the people with, as Allaah says:

“And remember when Abraham and (his son) Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House (Ka’bah at Makkah), saying: ‘Our Lord! Accept this from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. Our Lord! Make us submissive unto You, and of our offspring, a nation submissive unto You. And show us how to perform the ceremonies required during the pilgrimage (to the Ka’bah), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. Our Lord! Send amongst them a messenger of their own (i.e. Muhammad), who shall recite unto them Your verses and teach them the Book and the Wisdom (Prophetic Teachings), and purify them. Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.’ And who turns away from the religion of Abraham except for he who fools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and in the Hereafter, he will be among the righteous. When his Lord said to him: ‘Submit yourself’, he said: ‘I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of all that exists.’ And this (submission to Allaah) was enjoined by Abraham upon his sons, and also by Jacob, saying: ‘O my sons! Allaah has chosen for you the (true) religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims (i.e. submitting to the Will of your Creator).’ Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? – When he said to his sons: ‘What will you worship after me?’ They said: ‘We shall worship your God, the God of your forefathers – Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac – One God and to Him we submit (as Muslims).’” [Qur’aan 2:127-133]

This is truly a tremendous religion, in which they submitted their will to the Lord of all that exists, turned to Him in repentance and sought refuge in Him to make their offspring an offspring that submit themselves to God. And they invoked Him to send a messenger from amongst them to them who would recite His verses unto them, teach them the Book and the Wisdom and purify them – the purification and wisdom that would keep them far away from polytheism, foolishness and misguidance. And Allaah rules here that whoever turns away from this religion, which is pure monotheism, only fools himself.

The point derived from this is that the call of all of the prophets was in harmony in that they were calls to Monotheism and to Submission (to God) and that there was no deity that had the right to be worshipped except Allaah. They called their nations to this and counseled those who came after them from their offspring to abide by this.

The second point we want to focus on here, was the counsel of Israel, who was also known as Jacob. The text of the Bible in this regard is in conformity with the text from the Qur’aan in that the Biblical text indicates we should have love for God. This is also part of Islaam. In fact, the Religion of Islaam also consists of many aspects and great deeds apart from love (for the Creator).

Look at how Jesus responded and what his tremendous counsel was. And look at the faith of the scribe who had asked the question looking for an answer to benefit from, and his statement: “You are right Teacher. You have truly said that He is One, and there is no other but He.

And look at how the Messiah responded to him, saying “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” This, and Allaah knows best, is a promise from him that he will be in Paradise, and it indicates that anyone who doesn’t believe in the Oneness of God and that He alone should be worshipped will not be allowed entry into Paradise. This is similar to what Allaah says in the Qur’aan, relaying to us what Jesus said to the Tribe of Israel:

“Worship Allaah, who is my Lord and your Lord. Verily, whoever ascribes partners to Allaah in worship, Allaah will surely make Paradise forbidden for him and his final abode will be the Hellfire. And the wrongdoers will not have any supporters (in Hell).” [Qur’aan 5:72]

Note: According to the language of the Torah and the Gospels, every righteous and dutiful follower of God is called a son of God, so Jesus was not particularized with this expression of “son of God.”

10. In Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 9, it states:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

11. And in verse 45 of Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew, it states:

“So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

12. In verse 4 of the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5, it states:

“You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

13. In Chapter 6 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 1, it states:

“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

14. In Chapter 23 of the Gospel of Matthew, verse 9, it states:

“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” [13]

These verses show that use of the terms “father” and “son” to refer to the connection between the Lord and His servant was a practice established in the Bible for all people, so the Messiah, Jesus, was not specifically characterized with this apart from others. [14]

Perhaps all of this was from the behavior of some of the Jews and Christians, but God knows best. This is since Allaah says in the Qur’aan:

“The Jews and the Christians say: ‘We are the children of God and His beloved ones.’ Say: ‘Why then does He punish you for your sins?’ Nay, you are but human beings from those He has created. He forgives whom He wills and He punishes whom He wills. And to Allaah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. And to Him is the final return.” [Qur’aan 5:18]

Any fair and balanced person with sound intellect will realize that the Qur’anic texts we mentioned contain in them a tribute, honor, warm reception and high praise for Jesus. And they confirm that he was a prophet and a messenger, and that he was one of the greatest messengers who carried the banner of Monotheism, called mankind to this Monotheistic Faith, which means making all worship purely for God alone, fought against polytheism, and warned those who adhere to it (polytheism) that they would reside eternally in the Hellfire – what an evil destination!

These verses from the Qur’aan also show how God absolved Jesus and his mother from the slander that the Jews accused them of, how He raised the status of Jesus and his mother and made the statements of the Jews against him and his mother to be considered as disbelief and immense slander.

Furthermore, the texts of the Qur’aan and the Bible are in conformity with the fact that Jesus was a servant and messenger of God. This is a perfect state that no one can attain except for the great messengers amongst whom was Jesus. The teachings of Prophet Muhammad also professed the same beliefs and the Muslims believed in all of this. So what then is wrong with Islaam and the Muslims? There is nothing wrong with it at all, in the eyes of those with sound intellects and impartiality. Rather, the wrong is against God Himself, since the terrible statement (that Jesus is the son of God), due to which the heavens are ready to tear apart, the earth split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins is the opposite of what is indicated in the Qur’aan, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and what the Muslims adhere to, not to mention what the monotheistic texts still preserved in the Bible indicate.

References:

[11] Translator’s Note: The translation used for Biblical quotes in this booklet are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, which can be accessed on-line at bible.com. It should be noted that currently there are many translations of the Gospels (New Testament) in the English Language. The average person can view the various translations and notice gross changes/alterations in the interpretation and translation of many verses of the Bible, not to mention some being left out completely. This is a further proof that the Bible has been distorted and altered as confirmed by God in His Final Revelation, the Qur’aan, which He guaranteed to protect and preserve in its original form. Allaah says: “Verily, We sent down the Reminder (the Qur’aan) and We will surely preserve it (from corruption).” [Qur’aan 15:9] The likes of this promise and guarantee from God was not made for His previous revelations, hence the obvious and noticeable contradictions in the present-day versions of these revealed Books of God – the Torah and the Gospels.

[12] Translator’s Note: This text was adapted from what is found in the Revised Standard Edition of the Bible to conform to the original text of this booklet, which was written in Arabic and which references an Arabic translation of the Bible.

[13] Translator’s Note: The use of the relationship of Father and Son to refer to the connection between God and His righteous servants is not just limited to the New testament of the Bible, rather, there can be found proof for it in the Old Testament as well:

“The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair; and they took to wife such of them as they chose.” [Genesis 6:2]

“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.” [Genesis 6:4]

“When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of men, he fixed the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.” [Deuteronomy 32:8]

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” [Job 1:6]

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” [Job 38:7]

[14] See “The Clear Evidences” of Taqee-ud-Deen Al-Hilaalee (pgs. 6-10).

Translator’s Note:

Further evidence from the New Testament that confirms this point that the use of the relationship between Father and Son as a substitute for the relationship between God and His servant is as follows:

“For they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” [Luke 20:36]

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” [Romans 8: 14]

“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” [John 1:12]

“And not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” [John 11:52]

“It is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” [Romans 8:16]

“…because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.” [Romans 8:21]

“That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” [Philippians 2:15]

“See what love the Father has given us – that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” [1 John 3:1]

“By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the Devil, Whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother.” [1 John 3:10]

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandment.” [1 John 5:2]

Posted from al-ibaanah eBook:
The Status of Jesus in Islaam – Shaikh Rabee’ bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee.
Translated by Isma’eel Alarcon

Title of the this post is from AbdurRahman.Org 

Visithttps://abdurrahman.org/eesa-jesus-nasara-christianity/

Sikhism – Dr Saleh as Saleh [Audio|En]

Sikhism – part 1 – Saleh As-Saleh – 6:01
[audio https://salafiaudio.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/sikhism-part-1-saleh-as-saleh.mp3]

Sikhism – part 2 – Saleh As-Saleh – 27:13
[audio https://salafiaudio.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/sikhism-part-2-saleh-as-saleh.mp3]

The Creation is in Need of Allaah – Dr. Saleh As Saleh

Man always looks for what benefits him and what protects him from harm. However, to accomplish this, man must be able to realize what is harmful. He must then know whom he should need, trust, and love so that he can attain what is beneficial as well as to feel good about his choice. He also must know the proper and good approach that would make him achieve this goal. This latter condition requires that man:

1.Know about harm
2.What ways can be used to drive harm away

Certainly, man can have no better guidance than that which comes from the One Who had perfected everything, and the One who Has no deficiency in Himself and in His Attributes. The One Who is Ever-Living and Who does not die. There can be no One better than the One Who Has no need for anything; the One Who is rich; the Giver; the One who, after all, controls man’s soul. Man is so poor to Him. He is Allaah, the True and only God. Man can bring harm to himself if he seeks other than Allaah for help. Allaah is the One Who can help man drive away any harm for it cannot occur without His Will and His Power.

Allaah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) sent down His Books and chose His Messengers to guide man to:

1.Know His Lord as He (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) had explained about Himself, and
2.Seek Him Alone while living in accordance with His plan

Knowing Allaah’s Names and Attributes liberates man from worshiping any form of creation because creation is weak and is in need of The Creator, Allaah. The knowledge about Allaah leads man to know that he is created to live according to Allaah’s way as revealed to the last Messenger Muhammad . This Revelation contains a complete code of life. Everything that is beneficial or harmful is established so that man can center his life around this Revelation. If man commits wrong and knows that Allaah is Oft-Forgiving he would turn to Him and to Him alone seeking His forgiveness:

“Know, therefore, that there is no God Who deserves to be worshiped except  Allaah; and ask forgiveness for your sins.”      (Qur’an, 47:19)

It is wrong to think or believe that Allaah created other ‘gods’ besides Him so that man turns to them for help; loves them or fear them, etc. He is the same God of all nations. He does not order that people should make of stars, sun, fire, Jesus, Moses, etc. gods besides Him. He (Most Exalted) cannot be ‘contradictory’. He has one way (religion) that calls man to surrender his will only to Him. He warned that if man (even Muhammad  would take partners with Him, then his work will fail and will be among losers:

“And verily, it had been revealed to you (O Muhammad ) as  has been revealed to those before you. If you join others in worship with Allaah (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain and you will certainly be among the losers. Nay!  But worship Allaah and be among grateful.”(Qur’an, 39:65-66)

Let us know what Muhammad , the man-Prophet, who knew Allaah best, used to say:

“O Allaah, I seek refuge in You for Your Pleasure and against Your Wrath,and in Your Forgiveness and against Your Punishment and in You from You, I cannot Praise You as You can Praise Yourself.” (Muslim, Abu Dawoud, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah)

“I have surrendered myself to You, I have directed my face to You, I have entrusted my affairs to You, I have compelled my back to refuge in You, in want and in fright of You, there is no resort nor survival from You except (in turning) to You. I have faith in Your book (i.e. the Qur’an) which You brought down and in the Prophet (Muhammad ) you have sent.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

When we read in the Qur’an that:

 “Whatever of Mercy (i.e. of good), Allaah may grant to mankind,  none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can  grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”   (Qur’an, 35:2)

And when we read that:

“If Allaah touches you with hurt, there is none can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His favor which He causes it to reach homsoever of His slaves He will, and He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 10:117)

We should be motivated to return to Him Alone at times of ease and at times of hardship.

And when we read that:

“If Allaah helps you none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there, after Him, that can help you. And in Allaah (alone) let believers put their trust.” (Qur’an, 3:160)

The Qur’an, therefore, leads man to a true liberation from any false attachment. It brings peace to the heart. It helps the believer against hypocrisy and all forms of dishonesty. Imagine, for example, a believer facing a problem at work. He sees wrong and faces unlawful practices. He does not fear rejecting what is wrong. He knows that the job is only a means to gain his sustenance. While he may be unable to correct what is wrong, he knows well that Allaah is the One Who provides. If he leaves his job for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will give him a better one. Allaah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) said:

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him. He will make a way for him to get out (from) every (difficulty), and He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine.”(Qur’an, 65:2-3)

The above texts, necessitates that man must depend upon Allaah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) asking Him Alone for assistance. It also requires that man must love Allaah and worship Him Alone to gain His pleasure and His help. Is it not true that the people who consider this life as the “Final Goal” end up worshiping many things in it? You see them so careful about “having it all”. They torture themselves: pain, difficulty, constant worry, keeping their hands in the banks for loan after loan to keep up with the “demands of development”. They are under the constant threat of fore-closure. They constantly see poverty in front of their eyes. The Prophet  said:

“Allaah says: ‘Son of Adam: Fill your time with My worship and I will fill your heart with richness, and end off your poverty. But if you donot, I would make your hands fully busy (i.e. in worldly affairs) and I would not end off your poverty.'” (At-Tirmidhi said that it is a good hadeeth)

Our purpose of existence on earth is more meaningful than being slaves to worldly gains. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator Allaah. Every act done according to Allaah’s way is an act of worship. Man is the beneficiary and Allaah is in no need:

“O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allaah, but Allaah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of All Praise.” (Qur’an, 35:15)

Sourcehttp://understand-islam.net/site/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=175

Who deserves to be Worshipped Alone? – Dr Saleh as Saleh

The submission and obedience of man to His Creator is the essence of Islam. The Name “Islam” is chosen by God (Allaah) and not by man. It is the same message revealed to all the prophets and Messengers by Allaah and which they spread amongst their respective nations. In its final and universal form it was revealed to Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم: may Allaah exalt his mention and save him and his message from all kinds of evil).

Allaah is the identifying name or title of the Majestic, sole and True God. This noun which is the name of Allaah applies to none other than Him. He, Most Majestic and Most High, has other names all of which follow on from His name Allaah. The meaning of the name Allaah is the ma’looh (that which is worshipped out of love, magnification, deification, and longing). He is the Creator: to Him belongs the Commandment. No worship is worthy of being given to a stone, statue, a cross, a triangle, Khomeini, Farakhan, Elijas, Malcom’s X or Y, Ghandi, Krishna, Gurus, Buddha, Mahatma, Emperor, Joseph Smith, Sun, Moon (not to that from Korea too), Diana, light fire, rivers, cows, Rama, Temples, Prophets, Messengers (Yes! Muslims do not worship Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), Saints, Priests, Monks, Haile Selassie, Movie Stars, Sheiks, etc.!! All are created beings or things.

The name Allaah is not chosen by man and it is not named after a prophet, saint or any famous man. The name “Allaah” was referred to by all prophets including Adam, Jesus, Moses, and by the last and final Prophet, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), as the One true God who deserves to be worshipped alone.

The innate nature in man (fitrah) recognizes what is good and bad, what is true and false. It recognizes that the Attributes of Allaah must be True, Unique, and All-Perfect. It does not feel comfortable towards any kind of degradation of His Attributes nor does it relax towards associating human qualities to the Creator. Many who became “discontent with God” did so because of the practices of the Church in medieval Europe and because of the claims of “god dwelling in a son”, and that “everyone is born with an original sin”. They “escaped” into worshipping a new theory called “mother nature” as well as the “material world”. With the advancement of materialistic technology others from different religions adopted the concept of “forgetting about God” and “let us live this life and enjoy it!” not realizing that they have chosen the worship of the “origin god” of Rome: The god of desire!

Today we can see that all of this materialistic progress produced a spiritual vacuum that led to complex social, economical, political, and psychological problems. Many of those who “fled” their “religions” are in search again. Some try to “escape” the complexity of their daily lives via various means. Those who had the chance to examine the Qur’an and Islam, proceed with a complete code for life which requires man to fulfill the purpose for his presence on earth. Allaah does not want for man to be enslaved to any false deity: nature, drugs, lust, money, other men, desire, or sex. He provides the proofs that he is the One who can deliver man from the slavery to any form of creation and to turn to his Creator alone.

The Creator has Perfect Attributes. He is the First, nothing is before Him. He is the Last, everything ends except Him; the Most High, nothing is above Him; the Most Near, nothing is beyond His reach and his compassing, and He is the Most High in His nearness. He is the Ever-Living, to Him we shall all return, where everyone will be dealt with in the Most Perfect and Just way. He does not beget nor is He begotten. Those who attribute Divinity to Jesus forget or ignore the fact that Jesus was in a mother’s womb. He needed nutrition; he was born and grew up to be a man. He was trusted with the Gospel (Injeel) as a message to the Children of Israel. A man-messenger calling his nation not to worship him. A man who needs to eat, walk, sleep, rest, etc. cannot have Divine Attributes because he is in need, but Allaah, the God of Jesus, is far above any imperfection.

With respect to Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Rastafarianism, etc., all are forms of worship to created beings/things in one form or another. Jews had attributed a nationalistic belonging to Allaah: “The Tribal God” of Israel. Men and women following these religions were born with the natural inclination of worshipping their Creator, Allaah. It is their parents who had driven them into their respective traditions. Once they are exposed to the Signs of Allaah around them, or in the Qur’an, or to someone who triggers their Fitrah (natural inclination to worship Allaah alone), the reverting process begins, and that is why we see a universal spreading of Islam.

There are many distortions of Islam in the media, worldwide. However, Despite the wrong practices of some Muslims (rulers and ruled) in some countries, those who seek the truth are judging Islam according to its doctrines. That is why we continue to witness a global growth in the number of people accepting this true religion of Allaah. The opposition to Islam will intensify with the spread of this truth in the world. This is not a conflict of “civilizations”, but rather the real struggle between the truths presented in the creed and principles of Islam and false doctrines and ways of worship. This is a real challenge for those who seek the Truth. Man is created for a purpose: to live a life in accordance with Allaah’s way. Why Not? Do we posses the air we breathe? Did we create ourselves or others? Or were we ourselves the Creators? So is it our right to ignore our Creator when we are all need of Him? Allaah is All-Just and All-Wise. He does not intend confusion for His Creation. The religion accepted to Him is the one chosen by Him. Its essence must be One, because He is One and only one True God. It is the religion of submission to the Will and Commandment of the One Who brought us to life, the Ever Living who will never die. It is the complete way of life for all mankind. All these qualities are chosen by Allaah in His only religion: Islam.

I hope that you will come with an open heart to read the Noble Qur’aan, because none can expose the truth better than the Word of Allaah. The Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) in Arabic and it is not authored by him for he was unlettered. The translations of its meanings into many languages are available in bookstores or in an Islamic Center close to you.

You may want to know how does one become a Muslim. In order to become a Muslim one must openly recite ash-shahaadah (the profession of faith): La ilaaha illallaah, Muhammad Rasoolullaah which means that there is no true god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. This means that there is no god worthy of being worshipped but Allaah, and that He must be worshipped only according to the teaching of His Messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Those teachings are best understood by the Prophet’s companions, and those who rightfully follow their path until the Day of Resurrection. They are called as-salaf as-saalih (the Righteous Predecessors). May Allaah, the Most High, guide us all to this path.

By: Dr. Saleh As-Saleh rahimahullaah

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The belief in the Existence of Allaah – Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen

It is the full attestation that Allaah, The One free of all imperfection, The Most High, exists. No one openly denied the existence of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic, except by way of haughtiness. Otherwise it is impossible for any reasonable person to claim that this creation was appeared by chance or it came into existence without a cause, due to the fact that this is something impossible to occur as agreed upon by the people of sound intellect.

Indeed the existence of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic, is something proven by all kinds of evidences:

(i) Rational
(ii) Fitriyyah [from Fitrah: Natural disposition],
(iii) Legal, and
(iv) Hissiyyah [from Hiss: What is experienced and perceived].

All of these four evidences prove the existence of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic.

As for the intellectual proof, then it is that we witness the existence of this universe and what occurs in it from things which is rather impossible for any creature to do. The existence of creation: the heavens, the earth and what is in them from the stars, mountains, rivers, trees, the speaking, the speechless, and so forth. How did this existence come into being? Did it appear by chance? Or did it occur without a cause? Or did it bring itself into existence? These are three possibilities whereby the intellect does not accept a fourth possibility. All of these possibilities are futile and false.

As for it appearing by chance, then this is something that the intellect as well as reality itself denies, because you cannot bring such magnificent creation into existence just by chance; there must be a cause for each effect. Furthermore its astounding arrangement and harmonious order that has no conflict or collision within it, makes it impossible that it all came about randomly. This is because that which would come into existence by chance, its development would not be ordered because all of it is random and by chance.

As for the possibility that creation brought itself into existence, then it is also clearly impossible. This is because before its existence, creation did not exist, it was nothing; and that which is nothing cannot bring into existence that which does not exist.

As for the third possibility that this existence came to exist without a cause, then the meaning is the same as our saying that it appeared by chance; and this, as preceded, is impossible.

It remains to be said that existence has someone who brought it into being, and He is Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic. He, The Most High, Says:

Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? (did they create themselves?) Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, they have no certainty? [Qur’aan, soorat at-Toor (52): 35-36].

Hence, this creation rationally proves the existence of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic.

As for the proof of the natural disposition for the existence of Allaah, then it is so evident that it does not require a proof. This is because man is created upon the natural disposition (Fitrah) of belief in his Rabb. The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

“Every child is born upon the natural disposition, then his parents change him into a Jew, or a Christian, or a Majian.” [35]

That is why in case something suddenly befalls upon a person in this life such that it may destroy him, he would say with his tongue and without feeling: “O Allaah!” or “O Rabb!” or the like. This proves that the innate nature of man has been created upon the belief in the existence of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic.

As for the proof of the Hiss (i.e What is experienced and perceived) for the existence of Allaah, then it is very often that we hear of supplications being answered by Allaah. Also the person himself who calls upon Allaah, his supplications are indeed responded to. Many are those who invoked Allaah and said: “O [Yaa] Rabb,” and behold! They saw response was right before his eyes! Indeed in the Qur’aan there are many examples for this, like the Saying of Allaah, The Most High:

And (remember) Ayyub (Job), when he cried to his Rabb: “Verily, distress has seized me, and you are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy”. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him. [Qur’aan, soorat al-Anbiyaa’ (21): 83-84].

In addition, there are many other examples from the Sunnah, one of which is the Hadeeth reported by Anas ibn Maalik in which he said:

“A man [a bedouin Arab] entered the mosque on the day of Jum’ah whilst the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was delivering the Khutbah, and said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, property is being destroyed, and the passages have become blocked, so supplicate Allaah to send rain down upon us.’ The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) raised his hands and then said: ‘O Allaah send down rain upon us; O Allaah send down rain upon us.’ The sky was clear without any cloud in it. The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) did not come down from his pulpit except that rain was flowing from his beard, may Allaah’s Salaat and Salaam be upon him. There was a downpour of rain for one week. Then on the succeeding Friday a man (the same man or someone else) entered the mosque and said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, the houses are collapsing and wealth is being flooded, so supplicate Allaah to stop the rain for us.’ The Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) raised his hands and began to say: ‘around us and not upon us,’ pointing with his hands, and he did not point to any direction except that it cleared.” [36] People then stepped out walking in the sunshine.

Many are the supplications which a person calls upon his Rabb (Allaah) to be answered are indeed responded to. This is a proof contained in what is experienced and perceived for the existence of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic.

As for the Shar’ee proof for the existence of Allaah, then it is beyond being enumerated. Indeed the Qur’aan in its entirety as well as all of the affirmed Ahaadeeth in their legal and informative nature, proves the existence of Allaah, The Mighty and Majestic, as Allaah Says concerning the Sublime Qur’aan:

Had it been from other than Allaah, they would have surely found therein much discrepancy. [Qur’aan, soorat an-Nisaa’ (4): 82].

The belief in the existence of Allaah, is one of the matters that comprise(s) the belief in Allaah. As for the belief in Allaah’s Ruboobiyyah, Uloohiyyah, Names and Attributes, then a detailed discussion of these branches of Tawheed has preceded.

References

[35] Reported by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim. See Saheeh al-Bukhaaree,vol.2, no.467.
[36] Collected by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh, vol.2, no.55, and Muslim, vol.2, no.1955.

Translated by Dr Saleh as Saleh rahimahullaah

SourceUnderstanding Worship – Fiqh ul-‘Ibadah – Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen

Islam is Moderate among Religions – Shaykh Muhammad Bazmul

Islam is Moderate among Religions
أدلّة الوسطيّة :Original Title
Author: Muhammad Ibn ‘Umar Bāzmūl
Translated by: Abu az-Zubayr Harrison – authentic-translations.com

Click the below link to read or download the full document

Islam is Moderate among Religions – Muhammad Baazmool- Authentic-Translations.com [PDF]

Wisdoms of Mans Existence on Earth – Dr. Saleh as Saleh [Audio|En] – Transcribed

Part 01 – Listen / Download (Time 46:09)

Part 02 – Listen / Download (Time 44:35)

Transcript

  • Part 1 –

Alhamdulillah – all praise is due to Allah Who made the path to Him easy for those who really believed, the One Who made the path of guidance leading to His pleasure and He made the sign of following the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as evidence. And alhamdulillah for His Decrees, the Universal and the Legislative ones. Alhamdulillah – for He deserves all the Praise. Wa ash-hadu al-laa ilaha ilAllah – and I bear witness that no god deserves worship except Allah, the True God, without a partner or an associate. And I bear witness that Muhammad ‘abduhu, al-Mustafa, (is) His chosen slave and Messenger and Prophet, the truthful one, who is inspired and sent as a mercy to mankind, an evidence against all those who rebel.

Allah subhana wa ta’aala, when He got Adam down to earth, He sent him down by a Decree, manifesting His perfect Attributes and Actions, so that Adam returns to his earlier, best conditions. He wanted, subhanahu wa ta’aala, to make Adam and his offspring taste from the toils of this life, and its worries and concerns, that which will make him magnify and make them magnify the value of entering the Abode of Bliss again, because the opposite is manifested by its opposite, and if they were to be raised in the Abode of Bliss, they wouldn’t have estimated its proper value.

He also, subhana wa ta’aala, wanted to command them and to test them and to try them, and Paradise is not the Abode for checking legal responsibility, so He sent them down to Earth. And in return, He compensated for that with the best of rewards, which would not have been possible to attain without His Commands and Legislations. And He subhanahu wa ta’aala wanted to make from them Prophets and Messengers and friends and martyrs, loving them and they love Him. So He left a free encounter between them and between His enemies, and tried them through that. And when they preferred that which leads to their Creator, and exerted themselves and their wealth in His Pleasure and in that which He loves, they attained from His Love and from His Pleasure and Nearness to Him, that which would not be possible to attain without all of this happening – sending them for the place of trials and checking.

He, subhana wa ta’aala, is qualified with the best Names: the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful, the Oft-Pardoning, the Clement One, the One Who lifts in honor, and the One Who humiliates to disgrace, the One Who gives life and causes death, and it is  inevitable that the manifestations of these Names occur, and thus, His Hikmah, His Wisdom was to send Adam down and his offspring in an abode, manifesting upon them that, which is entailed by His Beautiful Names: forgiving whomever He wishes, having Mercy upon whomever He wishes, lifting in honor whomever He wishes, disgracing in humiliation whomever He wishes, lifting in might whomever He wishes, and avenging from whomever He wishes, giving and taking – all in accordance with His Wisdom, Knowledge and Justice.

He subhanahu wa ta’aala, is al-Malik, the King, and the King, He is the One Who commands and prohibits, the One Who commands and forbids, the One Who gives reward and the One Who punishes, the One Who honors and the One Who humiliates, so His Kingship entailed that Adam and his offspring be in an abode, upon them manifested the rulings of the King; then He takes them to an Abode, perfecting what His Decrees entail. He subhana wa ta’aala sent them , to an abode in which their belief in the Unseen is the beneficial belief, whereas the belief in the witnessed, it is such that everyone will believe on the Day of Resurrection, when, at that time, no soul will be availed except if it believed in the Unseen. So if they were created in the Abode of Bliss, they wouldn’t have attained the rank of believing in the Unseen, and the enjoyment and the honor cannot be attained without the belief in this Unseen. As a consequence of their belief in the Unseen, they will be in the Abode of enjoyment and honor.

And Allah subhana wa ta’aala created Adam from a hold: He held a Hand-full from all earth, and the earth has the good and wicked, the easy and difficult, the honorable and the wretched and the mean. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘Allah created Adam from a hold of a Hand-full from all earth, and so the children of Adam came like the earth. From them is the white and the black and the red and the yellow, and between them, and the easy and the difficult, and the wicked and the good.’ And this hadith is of authentic narration. So He knew subhana wa ta’aala, that in the loins of Adam, there are those who are not fit to be in His Abode, so He brought them down to an abode to extract from them the good and the wicked from their loins, then He distinguished them separately in two Abodes, making the good the ones deserving His Nearness in His Abode of Paradise, and as to the wicked to be the inhabitants of the Abode fitting the evil and wicked ones. That’s why Allah said, ‘In order that Allah may distinguish the wicked disbelievers from the good believers and put the wicked, one on another, heap them together and cast them into Hell; those, it is they who are the losers.’ And when He subhana wa ta’aala knew that amongst his offspring, Adam’s offspring, there are those who are not fit for Allah’s Closeness and Nearness, He threw them down to an abode from which He extracted those and (will) send them to the abode that fits them. Perfect Wisdom and penetrating Will, and this is the Taqdeer of al-Aziz al-Aleem, this is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

And when He said to His angels – ‘And remember when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Verily I am going to place mankind, generations after generations, on earth’, they said, ‘Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with praises and thanks?’, He answered them, ‘I know that which you don’t know.’ Then He made His Knowledge manifested to His slaves and to His angels, in that which He made, on earth, from the special of His creation and His Messengers and His Prophets and His friends, and from those who draw near(ness) to Him, exerting themselves and their lives for His Love and for His Pleasure and content, while struggling against their lusts and their desires, leaving that which is beloved to them in order to draw nearer to Him, abandoning their lusts for His Pleasure, exerting their blood and themselves in His love and praising Him day and night, worshiping Him while facing the impediments of desire and lusts, and the self and the enemy, while you, the angels, worship Me without any impediment opposing you, and without any lust overwhelming you, and without an enemy facing you; your worship of Me is just like your breath. Furthermore, I want to make manifest that which is hidden from you in relation to My enemy and his war against Me and his arrogance, taking the path against My Pleasure. This and that were hidden in the father of mankind and the father of Jinn. So He brought them both down, making manifest that Knowledge which was known only to Him subhanahu wa ta’aala, and making manifest His Wisdom, and His Decree was perfected and executed, and then it became clear to the angels, that Knowledge which Allah kept from them and which they knew not.

And since He subhana wa ta’aala loves the patient ones, and loves the good-doers, and those who fight in His Cause in ranks solidified, and those who turn to Him in repentance, and those who purify themselves in His Pleasure, and those who love gratitude – and His Love is the utmost of honor – then accordingly, His Hikmah, His Wisdom, is to put Adam and his offspring in an abode to bring forth these qualities, through which they can attain the highest of His honors from His Love. And thus, their sending down to the earth is from the greatest favors upon them. ‘But Allah choses for His Mercy whom He wills, and Allah is the Owner of great Bounty.

And He subhanahu wa ta’aala wanted to have from Adam’s offspring an offspring who will receive His Help and Love and they love Him. His Love of them is their greatest objective and perfection, and this would not be manifest except by agreeing to His Pleasure and following His Command, and relinquishing the wills of the self and its desires, so He brought them down to an abode, commanding them therein and forbidding them from what He forbade them, so they carried on His Commands and kept away from His Prohibitions, attaining through that their love of Him, so He gave them His Love. And this is from His Perfect Wisdom and Perfect Mercy.

He subhana wa ta’aala, when He created His creation in states and conditions and many forms, part of His Decree is that He made Adam and his offspring excel over many of His creation; He made their ‘ubudiyyah to Him, their slavery in worship of Him, the best of their ranks. It is affirmed that Allah subhana wa ta’aala sent Jibril to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , giving him the choice to choose between to be a king-Prophet, or a slave-Prophet. He looked at Jibril as if consulting him. Jibril indicated to him, ‘Be humble’, so he said, ‘Rather I choose to be a slave-Prophet.’ And this hadith is reported by Ahmad and others and its chain is sahih, is correct. And Allah mentioned him, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , as a slave in the highest mentioning of ranks, in the rank of ‘Isra, of Ascension to Heaven; He called him a slave worshiper, and in the rank of da’wah and in the rank of challenges, He called him ‘abd, slave. In the rank of Isra’, He subhana wa ta’aala described him and mentioned him, ‘Glorified be He (Allah) Who took His slave, Muhammad…‘ – He didn’t say, His Messenger Muhammad, He didn’t say His Prophet Muhammad – ‘for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque’, the Sacred Haram, ‘to the farthest mosque’ in Jerusalem, in al-Quds, denoting that he attained this rank of ‘ubudiyyah, of slavery to Allah, and this is at the highest and most perfect station a person can reach.

And in the station of da’wah, in Surah al-Jinn, ‘(It has been revealed to me that) When the slave of Allah (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم )‘ – He didn’t call him His Messenger, He didn’t call him His Prophet here –  ‘stood up invoking (his Lord Allah) in prayer to Him they (the Jinns) just made round him a dense crowd as if sticking one over the other (in order to listen to the Prophet’s recitation).‘ At this da’wah station, He called him, the slave.

And in the station of challenge also He called him a slave, as in Surah al-Baqarah 2:23, ‘And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur’an) to Our slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful.’ A station of challenge. And in the sahihain, al-Bukhari and Muslim, in the hadith of intercession and when the Prophets direct people to go to whom? To go to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم; listen to Jesus peace be upon him, to ‘Isa ‘alayhi salaam, saying to them, ‘Go to Muhammad, a slave whom Allah subhana wa ta’aala forgave him his past and future sins’, indicating that he صلى الله عليه وسلم attained this greatest and most perfect station, and this is the station of ‘ubudiyyah to Allah, slavery to Allah.

And if this ‘ubudiyyah to Allah has this level, then His Wisdom entailed that Allah made Adam and his offspring reside in an abode to work for this rank through their obedience to Him and through drawing nearer to Him in that which He loves and abandoning and relinquishing their familiarities, what they prefer, for His Sake, and this therefore, is from His perfect Bounty and Favor upon them.

He subhana wa ta’aala wanted His slaves, whom He bestowed upon them from His Bounty, wanted them to appreciate the Bounty so that they become more loving of Him and more perfect in their gratitude, and more in their enjoyment of what He gave them, so He subhana wa ta’aala made them see what He does to His enemies and what He prepared for them of punishments and all sorts of painful torments. This would not have been, without having them on earth and testing and trialing them, giving success to whom He wishes, as Mercy and Favor from Him, and humiliation to whom He wishes, entailed by His Wisdom and Justice, and He is All-knowing and All-Wise. Each of them received what they received because to him – either one – is the proper place: one receiving the Mercy and the Bounty and fitting for it, and the other not fit for that, and therefore dealt with His Justice. And there is no doubt when the believer sees his enemy and the enemy of the One he loves, and Who is most beloved to him, Allah, seeing him going through the punishments, while he is enjoying the Mercy and the Bliss of Allah, then his pleasure increases and his enjoyment intensifies. And the Favors will be perfected.

And He subhana wa ta’aala created us – created them to worship Him, this is the objective sought: Allah says what means, ‘I have created Jinn and mankind for the sole purpose of worshiping Me Alone,’ and it is known the perfected ‘ubudiyyah requested from the creation would not occur in the Abode of Bliss and other living, rather it occurs in the abode of trials and tests. As to the Abode of Bliss, that’s an Abode of enjoyment and favors, it is not an Abode for testing and trials and legal checking of responsibility. So it is from the Favor of Allah upon Adam and his offspring that He made them examine and see what their enemy did to them and to their father, so they are to be prepared and take guard. And if it is said, ‘It would have been possible that He may not try them with their enemy’, then it is to be said, ‘It preceded that Allah subhana wa ta’aala created Adam and his offspring in a form which entails their mixing with the enemy and to be tried by him, and if He would have wished, He would have created them like the angels: intellect without desire. So in this case, the enemy would not have a way to them. But had they been created on this nature, there would have been creation other than the creation of the children of Adam. The children of Adam had been formulated on intellect and desire, and that’s why they have to face the enemy.’

And since man’s happiness is in Allah’s Love, and since the true love can be attained when the beloved is given precedence and preference over everything else from the desires of the self, and since this requires hardship in obedience and to attain His Pleasure, in this way, the love really settles and its affirmation becomes known through such struggles. As such then, His Hikmah, His Wisdom, Allah’s Wisdom entailed bringing them to this abode which is engulfed with desires and what the self loves, in order for them to attain His Love and giving Him preference and precedence over everything else. And that’s why they can bear the difficulties and (have) patience against temptations and misguidance. Through that, the authority of love intensifies and its tree in the heart grows and its fruits on the limbs sprout, because the true love is the one which is affirmed despite the impediments, and the other love which is conditional upon pleasure, good health, is not affirmed when it is faced by impediments and oppositions, because the thing which is dependent upon a conditional thing, will not exist when the condition is not existing. And anyone who loves you for a certain objective, he will turn away from you when his objective is over. And there is a difference between the one who worships Allah in all of his conditions, happiness, prosperity, distress, adversity, testing and trials, from the one who worships Him only in conditions of prosperity and happiness.

And since to Allah belongs all the perfect Praise, then, the manifestation of the causes which He is to (be) praise(d) for them, this is entailed by the fact that He is the Praised One, and that it is binding to His Praise. How is that? Because the causes are of two types: a bounty and a justice, and He is praised in all of that. Therefore, it is inevitable that the causes of justice be manifested so that the perfect Praise is attained, which He deserves. In the same manner, that He subhana wa ta’aala is praised for His Favors and Bounties and Rewards, He is praised for His Justice and Avenge and Punishment, because all of that originates from His Might and Wisdom. And that’s why He subhana wa ta’aala pointed to this so many times, as in Surah ash-Shu’ara, where He mentions at the end of each story from the stories of the Messengers and their nations, He mentions the following verse, in (Chapter) 26, meaning, ‘Verily! In this’ – what happened to the Messengers in their confrontation with their nations and the punishment that came to their nations when they rejected – ‘is indeed a sign (or a proof), yet most of them are not believers. And verily, your Lord! He is truly the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.’ So here, He tells us that this is coming from His Might, which comprises His Perfect Ability, and from His Wisdom, which comprises His Perfect Knowledge and putting things in their fitting places. So, He put His Favor and safety to His Messengers and their followers, and put His Anger and Revenge and destruction on their enemies, each in its proper place, because of His two Attributes: ‘Izza wa Hikmah – Might and Wisdom. And that’s why He subhana wa ta’aala, after He tells us about His Decree between the people of happiness and people of wretchedness and the destiny of each of them to their respective abodes, which do not fit except them, and which his wisdom cannot entail except that, He said, (in Chapter) 39:75, which means, ‘And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, exalting [Allah] with praise of their Lord. And it will be judged between them in truth, and it will be said, “[All] praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Lord of all that exists.”’

On this one we stop, and we continue this subject inshaaAllah tomorrow, and this is based on Imam Ibn Qayyim’s rahimahullah discussions on the Wisdoms of Allah subhana wa ta’aala and His creation, and this is from his book – based upon such discussion which he had in his book, ‘Miftahu Daarus-Sa’aadah’ – ‘The Key to the Door of Happiness’.

We ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’aala to have mercy on Imam Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah and to make us from the people of the Abode of Happiness, al-Jannah.

Wa salAllahu ‘ala Muhammadin  wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihi wa sallam. [end of part 1]

 

  • Part 2 –

Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim. All praise is due to Allah, the Most High, the Originator and Creator of the heavens and the earth. He decrees what He wills, and He does what He wills. He subhanahu wa ta’aala brought Adam to earth, put him and his offspring in an abode, commanding them and forbidding them, in order to bring forth from them those that He loves and they love Him. His Love of them is their utmost objective for perfection and the most of nobility they can attain, and such objectives, noble and high, cannot be achieved except in complying with what pleases Allah and following His Decrees and Commands, and abandoning the self and its lusts. His Wisdom subhanahu wa ta’aala made them excel over eachother in order those upon whom He bestowed the Mercy give gratitude to Him and for them to know that they were given this favor and this honor, and were they all to be equal in the favor and safety, then no one having favor would really estimate its value and would not exert at all thanks as it should be exerted, because he would see of the others the same as his condition, all equal in favorability. But from the main causes for extracting the shukr, the gratitude, is, that those who receive Allah’s na’mah and favor, sees his condition in an opposite condition to others, not forgetting that there is nothing that Allah loves most from the slaves more than his humility and humbleness and submissiveness before His Hands subhana wa ta’aala, and poverty to Him, and this is not achievable in the abode of endless Bliss, where there is perfect Bliss and there is no accountability and no legal responsibility. The causes that will bring forth the humility and humbleness from man to Allah, for them to be in the Abode of endless Bliss, is not perceivable, because this would be mixing together two opposites. And that’s why they are here, in order to bring it forth here on earth, and to prove themselves.

And He subhana wa ta’aala, to Him belongs the Commandment and Creation, and the Commandment is His Legal Ways with which He sends His Messengers and brought down His Books, and the Jannah is not Daarut-takleef, an abode for legal checking of responsibility. It is an Abode of Na’eem, Pleasure and Bliss. So, His Hikmah, subhana wa ta’aala, His Wisdom, entails extracting Adam and his offspring to this abode here, upon them, the rulings and the decrees to be applicable, in order to manifest from them what is entailed by His Commands. Since we know that His Action subhana wa ta’aala is from what is entailed by His Perfect Names and Attributes, similarly, His Amr and Sharra’, His Command and His Legal Ways and what they produce from reward and punishment, all of this is from what is entailed by His Names and Attributes. And Allah directed to this meaning in many parts of His Book; listen to what He said in Surah al-Qiyaamah verse 36, (which means), ‘Does man think that he will be left Suda [neglected without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord (Allah) on him]?‘ – functionless, without being commanded nor forbidden, nor to be punished or rewarded. And, you know, this is obviously in opposition to the perfection of Allah’s Wisdom and His Ruboobiyyah, His Lordship, and His Might, wa ‘Izzati. And His Wisdom does not fit to have such a neglected creation. And that’s why He subhana wa ta’aala, in this Statement, look at it carefully: ‘Does man think that he will be left neglected?‘ – this is denunciation for anyone who claims this to be the case. Similarly, when He said in Surah al-Mu’minoon 23 verse 115, (which means), ‘Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?‘ It’s not befitting His Wisdom. Next verse: ‘So Exalted be Allah, the True King, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!’ He glorifies Himself, declared it above any imperfection in this respect, because this is in opposition to what is entailed by His Names and Attributes, subhana wa ta’aala. Many are the verses like this in the Qur’an.

Add to this the fact that Allah subhana wa ta’aala loves from His slaves many things to be done, but these cannot be done without the causes that lead to them, and then cannot be done except in this Daar, in this abode of tests and trials. For He subhana wa ta’aala loves the patient and the persevering, and He loves those who give gratitude, and He loves those who fight in His Way, and He loves those who often repent, and loves those who are pure and purify, and there is no doubt that the manifestation of these beloved things, without their causes, is not perceivable. Impossible! And Allah subhana wa ta’aala loves taubah from His slaves, and He is so pleased with it. Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than a man who encamps at a place where his life is jeopardized but he has his riding animal carrying his food and water. He then rests his head and sleeps for a short while and wakes to find his riding animal gone. He starts looking for it and suffers from severe heat and thirst or what Allah wished him to suffer from. He then says, ‘I will go back to my place.’ He returns and sleeps again and then, getting up, he raises his head to find his riding animal beside him, as in Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 8, 320. What is meant here is that this Pleasure of Allah is in response to the taubah from the slave, to the repentance from the slave, and therefore repentance and sin are inter-related and they are causes which draws the Pleasure of Allah. Because it is impossible for what is entailed to occur without that which entails it. So this Pleasure is due to the taubah, which is related to the sin, and it is impossible for this to occur in the Abode of Bliss, because there is no sin in the Abode of Bliss. And since this Pleasure to Allah is so beloved than its non-existence, then His Love necessitated to create its causes, which would lead to it, and which are beloved to Him. And that’s why man is in this abode of trials and tests and sins and repentance, with all these causes that would lead to that which is beloved to Allah and therefore for His Pleasure.

Furthermore, Allah made Paradise an Abode of Reward, and divided it into ranks, people dwelling in different ranks according to their deeds. And on this condition Allah created it, because of the Wisdom entailed by His Names and Attributes. Paradise are levels on top of levels, and between each two levels is as that which is between the heavens and the earth, as came in the hadith reported by al-Bukhari, from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, ‘Paradise is 100 levels, between each two levels is that which is between the heavens and the earth (from a distance).’ And the Wisdom of Allah subhana wa ta’aala necessitates the habitation of these levels, and that it will be established, and differences between levels of people in these different ranks in accordance with their deeds, as therefore entailed by His Wisdom subhana wa ta’aala. And it is, as more than one of the Righteous Predecessors has mentioned, they are saved from the Fire of Hell by the Forgiveness and Pardoning of Allah, and they will enter Paradise by His Favor and Bounty and Forgiveness, and they will be divided into the ranks and levels and abodes within Paradise in accordance with their deeds. So the entrance and admittance to the Paradise originally is by the Bounty and Favor and Forgiveness of Allah and His Mercy, and this is what explains the hadith of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, ‘None of you will enter Paradise by his deeds.‘ They said, ‘Nor even you, O Messenger of Allah?’ he said, ‘Even me.’ What he intended here صلى الله عليه وسلم, is the forbiddance to or negating the origin of admittance, and this is related to the Mercy and Bounty of Allah and His Forgiveness; and what is negated is the kind of trade, i.e. our works for Jannah. Because there is no comparison between man’s righteous deeds, even though they are beloved to Allah, and what Allah gives him from the Favors. Our deeds cannot stand to equate the Favors of Allah subhana wa ta’aala in no way. In fact, they will fall short in comparison with the least of His Favors upon us. And had it not (been) therefore for the Mercy of Allah upon His slaves, He wouldn’t have admitted them to Paradise. Because the deeds of man, even if they are so much, they on their own are not or do not necessitate the entrance to Paradise. What is intended therefore, is that His Wisdom, subhana wa ta’aala, necessitated the creation of Paradise on different levels, and to populate them with Adam and his offspring, in these levels, in accordance with their deeds, and this by itself entailed sending them to this abode of action and striving, where they are going to be different in terms of their deeds.

He created Adam and his offspring generations after generations, as Allah spoke about this in Surah al-Baqarah, Chapter 2 verse 30, (which means), ‘And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.’ And as He subhana wa ta’aala said also in Surah al-An’am 165, (which means), ‘And it is He Who has made you generations coming after generations, replacing each other on the earth.’ And Allah said in Surah al-A’raf, Chapter 7 :129, (which means), ‘It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you successors on the earth, so that He may see how you act?‘ So Allah intended to remove Adam and his offspring from this succession on earth to inherit him the Abode of Bliss, and He subhana wa ta’aala knew  in His Foreknowledge that Adam and his offspring are weak and that they may hasten to that which is minimal and prefer it for that of the long-run in the Hereafter. Allah He knew, He created him, He knew his nature, so His Wisdom, subhana wa ta’aala, entailed admitting him to Paradise in the first place to recognize and to see its Bliss which he saw it really, in order what? In order what? So that he yearned to it, he longs to it and becomes more keen to return to it and becomes more intense in seeking it. Because loving something, requesting it, yearning, longing to it, is entailed by its examination, is entailed by examining it. Once it’s examined, once it is seen, then the attachment, the longing. So anyone who examines that which is good and sweet, he will be motivated intensely to attain, for when the self tastes, it longs to the thing. And that’s why, when the slave tastes the sweetness of iman, of faith, and it intermingles with his heart, it becomes established, and nothing will affect it. In Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, from the hadith of Abu Hurairah, illustrating this point, ‘Allah asks the angels, saying to them, ‘What are my slaves asking Me?’ The angels respond, ‘They ask You Paradise.’ ‘Did they see it?’ They say, ‘No.’ He says, ‘How about if they saw it?’ ‘Had they seen it, they would be more intensely requesting it and seeking it.’ So His Wisdom subhana wa ta’aala necessitated that He showed their father Paradise and made him dwell in it. Then He related to his offspring, his, Adam’s story therein, so they all became as if they saw it with their father. And those who had been created for it, responded and hastened to it, not looking for the early gains in this life, rather, they prepare themselves for it and looked at it that it was taken away from him by his enemy: shaytan. And therefore he looks at it as his first Abode, longing for it, always yearning to it, to his Abode, to his first home. And he rahimahullah put the following poem, illustrating this point:

‘And come for the Jannaat of bliss,
it is your first home and therein is your camps,
but we are the captives of the enemy,
so do you see we return to our homes and be saved.’

So the secrets of all these angles is that Allah subhana wa ta’aala in His Fore-decree and in His Wisdom, is that the sought objectives cannot be attained without it’s causes, causes which Allah made them means to attain these goals, and from these goals is the highest in bliss and most magnificent in bliss, and therefore it cannot be attained except in causes which He had set leading to it. And imagine the lower objective that we encounter, if they cannot be attained except by their respective causes, though weak and disconnected many times, like gaining the food, looking for food, looking for drink, looking for clothing, looking to have children, wealth, prestige, in this life; so how it could be under your delusion that the attainment of the most highest objectives and the most noble, would be without causes leading to it, and that these causes cannot be except in this life, in this abode of striving and cultivation. So therefore, consequently, habitating Adam and his children in this land, on this earth, and creating for them the means for them to utilize, to reach that greatest objective of bliss, is from His Perfect Bounty and Favor upon them.

Not to forget, the other secret is that He subhana wa ta’aala made the Message and Prophethood and love and speaking to whomever He spoke to and slavery to make from the most noble of His creation, so He put them in an abode extracting from them Prophets, sending them the Messengers, taking from them beloved to Him, speaking to Musa directly and taking from them martyrs and slaves and friends and specials who love Him and He loves them, and therefore, sending them to this abode is from the perfection of His Wisdom, from His Bounty, Favors and goodness.

And from the secrets is that He manifested for His creation what is entailed by His Names, subhana wa ta’aala, and also He made Himself known to His creation by His Actions, His Names and His Attributes as well, and in that which He put forth amongst them from His friends and from His enemies, and gave them help against them and humiliating them, the enemies, responding to those who responded to Him, fulfilling their needs, making them turn in all sorts of good and evil, in all of this making it known to them that He is their Lord and He is their King, and that He is Allah, la ilaha illa hu – none has the right to be worshiped but He, and that He is the One, All-Knowing, All-Wise, All-Hearing, All-Seeing, the True God, and anything besides Him or to the exclusion of Him is baatil/false. And thus, the evidences for His Rububiyyah, for His Lordship, and His Tawheed on the earth is compounded and His slaves knew Him and attested to His Tawheed, and the losers rejected Him and committed shirk, unjustly and arrogantly.

Anyone who, therefore, ponders His Signs witnessed on earth and His Signs heard on this earth and His Signs seen, and their effects, would come to know His perfect Wisdom in habitating Adam and his offspring in this abode for an appointed term. Because verily Allah had created Jannah, Paradise, for Adam and his offspring, and He made the angels therein servants for Adam and his offspring, however, His Wisdom necessitated that He created for them an abode from where they take provisions to the other One which He created for them, and that they will not attain it except with these provisions, as Allah subhana wa ta’aala said about this abode in Surah an-Nahl 16:7, – this is the example of moving on this earth from one place to the other, then how about the movement from this life to the Next one? – (which means), ‘And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves. Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most Merciful.’ So if this is applicable to moving from one place to the other in this life, that it requires some great trouble, then what about the case of moving from this life to the Abode in the Hereafter? And Allah subhana wa ta’aala said also with the same meaning in Surah al-Baqarah, (which means), ‘And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!’

So the deceived ones sold their houses for the cheapest and most degradable price, and the successful ones sold themselves and their wealth and put it a price for Paradise, and so they won, and they won the great reward. Allah subhanahu wa ta’aala said in Surah at-Taubah 9:111, (which means), ‘Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise.’ Nasallaahu min fadhlih –  Nasallaahu min fadhlih.

So Allah did not expel Adam from it, except that He intends to return him to it in the most perfect way. It is as if, ‘O Adam, don’t be worried about My Saying to you, ‘Get out of it’ because it is for you that I created. I am the One Free of want concerning it, Paradise, and regarding everything else, and I am the One Who is Most Generous, Most Noble, and I don’t enjoy there anything, because I am the One Who feeds, but fed not (am not fed), and I am the Rich, Free from all want. Rather, come down to the abode of seeding, and if you spread the seed and the produce stands up firm and it becomes a harvest, then afterwards come, I will give you in full, return, that which you need most; one single seed for 10, to 700 folds, much more amplified reward, because I am Most Perfect in Knowledge concerning your benefit than yourself, and I am the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’

We ask Allah subhana wa ta’aala to make us from those who plant the seeds and take care of it; we ask Him subhana wa ta’aala to amplify the reward in Paradise, in seeing His Face, inni huwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadeer, walhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen, wa la ilaha ilAllaha al-‘Aliyyul-Qadeer, wa Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali wa sahbih wa sallam, and may Allah’s Mercy be upon Iman Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah, wa salAllahu ‘ala nabiyyina Muhammadin wa akhira da’wana alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen.

Transcribed (with minor additions in italic) by Sister Umm Abdalrahman

Understanding Islaam : Shaykh ibn al-‘Uthaymeen

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen
Sharh Usoolul-Eemaan (pp.4-7)
Al-Istiqaamah magazine , Issue No.1 – Dhul-Hijjah 1416H / May 1996

The Shaykh said in Sharh Usoolul-Eemaan (pp.4-7):

[1] The deen (religion) of Islaam: It is the way of life that Allaah sent the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam with. By it, Allaah terminated the validity of all other religions, perfected this religion for His worshippers, completed His favour upon them and has chosen only this religion for them – no other religion will be accepted by Him from anyone. Allaah – the Most High – said:

“Muhammad is not the father of any man amongst you. Rather he is the Messenger of Allaah and the khaatim (last and final) of the Prophets.” [Soorah al-Ahzaab 33:40].

“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion.” [Soorah al-Maa’idah 5:3].

“Indeed the religion with Allaah is Islaam.” [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan 3:19].

“Whosoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, never will it be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan 3:85].

And Allaah – the Most High – obligated all of mankind to take Islaam as their religion. So Allaah said, whilst addressing His Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:

“Say: O Mankind! Indeed I have been sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah; to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped except Him; it is He who gives life and cause death. So believe in Allaah and His Messenger – the Prophet who can neither read nor write – who believes in Allaah and His Words. So follow the Messenger of Allaah so that you may be rightly-guided.” [Soorah al-A’raaf 7:158].

And in Saheeh Muslim (1/93), from Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu ‘anhu that Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “By Him in whose Hand is the life of Muhammad! There is no one from this nation, be he a Jew or a Christian, who hears of me and dies whilst not having eemaan (faith) in what I have been sent with, except that he will be one of the companions of the Hellfire.”

And eemaan (faith) in the Prophet implies: affirming that which he was sent with, along with acceptance of it and submission to it. Without these two matters, mere affirmation is not sufficient. This is why even though Abu Taalib (the Prophet’s uncle) affirmed what was sent to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and that Islaam was the best of religions, yet he did not accept his message nor submit to it; and thus he did not have eemaan in the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

[2] The religion of Islaam contains all that was beneficial from the previous religions. It is suitable for implementation in any age, any where and by any nation. Allaah – the Most High – said, whilst addressing His Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:

“And We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it, testifying to the truth contained therein whilst exposing the falsehood that has been added therein.” [Soorah al-Maa’idah 5:48].

That Islaam is suitable for implementation in any age, any where and by any nation does not mean that it becomes submissive to nations – being altered and changed by them – as some people falsely think. But rather it means that whenever it is truly adhered to then it brings benefit and goodness to that nation, as well as reforming and correcting it – in whatever age or place.

[3] The religion of Islaam is the religion of truth. It is the way of life that Allaah – the Most High – guaranteed His help and victory to those who truly adhere to it, and that He would make it dominant over all other religions. Allaah – the Most High – said:

“It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that it may prevail over all other religions, even if the pagans detest it.” [Soorah at-Tawbah 9:33].

And Allaah – the Most High – said:

“Allaah has promised to those amongst you who truly have eemaan (true faith and belief) and act in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, that He will grant them ruler ship upon the earth, just as He granted it to those before them, and that He will establish their Religion for them and grant them the authority to practice their Religion which He chose and ordered them with. And He will certainly change their situation to one of security, after their fear. Providing that they worship and obey Me, not associating anything else in worship with Me. Then, whoever rejects this favour by disobedience to their Lord – then they are the rebellious transgressors.” [Soorah an-Noor 24:55].

[4] The religion of Islaam is a complete religion comprising both ‘aqeedah (beliefs) and sharee’ah (laws).

  • It commands them with tawheed (to single out Allaah alone for worship) and prohibits them from shirk (associating partners with Allaah, in that which is particular to Him).
  • It commands them with being truthful and prohibits them from lying.
  • It commands them with ‘adl (justice) and prohibits them from injustice and oppression.
  • It commands them with fulfilling trusts and prohibits them from acting treacherously.
  • It commands them keeping promises and prohibits them from breaking them.
  • It commands them with kindness and good treatment of parents and prohibits them from disobedience to them in that which is not sinful.
  • It commands them with joining the ties of relations and prohibits them from severing them.
  • It commands them with good treatment of neighbours and prohibits the causing of harm to them.

In short, Islaam orders alls that is good, from manners and morals, and prohibits all that is evil from it. Likewise, it orders all actions which are righteous and good and prohibits all actions that are evil and harmful. Allaah – the Most High – said:

“Indeed Allaah enjoins upon you justice, kindness and the giving of good to relatives and near ones. And He prohibits you from all shameful and evil deeds, oppression and transgression. Thus He admonishes you, that you may take heed and be reminded.” [Soorah an-Nahl 16:90].

Delving into the Sciences of the World to prove Islaam – Shaikh ‘Ubaid al-Jabiree

Video Courtesy: LearnToReadTheKuran

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu ‘ala rasulullaah
Amma ba’d

Delving into the Sciences of the World to prove Islaam 

Excerpts from Shaikh ‘Ubaid al-Jabiree (hafidhahullaah):

This was not known at the times of the Salaf, nor was it known by the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, or the imams of the Tabi’een (the Successors) or those who followed after them. This idea of researching the sciences behind the creation didn’t appear until about thirty years or so ago…

This idea of proving Islam through the Sciences is a bid’ah (an innovation). This type of study keeps us away from learning the true religion. My sincere advice to you my sister in Egypt, and other sisters of the Sunnah in Egypt, is that you shouldn’t listen to this and must not busy yourselves with this knowledge but rather you should focus on the knowledge of the Sharee’ah which is the knowledge of the Qur`aan and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf.

The Sunnah is a way of happiness and tranquillity in this life because the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Whoever Allaah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the religion. So from this, we understand that whoever Allaah does not want good for, He does not give him understanding of the religion.

The Status of Women before and after Islaam – Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan

The Status of Women before and after Islaam
by  Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Tanbeehaat ‘alaa Ahkaam takhtassu bil-Mu’minaat (pg. 6-11)
Al-Ibaanah (dot) com (the website is down now, baarak Allaahu feekum)

The Status of the Woman before Islaam:

What is meant “before Islaam” here is the period known as Jaahiliyyah (Days of Ignorance), which the Arabs used to live in specifically and the people of the whole world in general. This was when the people did not have any Messengers amongst them and they were void of any guidance. And as is stated in the hadeeth, “Allaah looked at them – both Arabs and Non-Arabs – and hated them, except for some remnants from the People of the Book (who stayed upon the true message).” 

In most cases, the woman of this time period lived under critical conditions – especially those in the Arab societies, where they used to hate it when a girl was born. So amongst the Arabs were those who would bury their daughter while she was still alive until she died below the earth. And amongst them were those who let them live only to find a life of humiliation and degradation. Allaah says: “And when news of the birth of a female child was brought to any of them, his face would become dark and filled with grief. He hides himself from the people because of the evil that he has been informed of. Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.” [Surah An-Nahl: 58-59]

And Allaah says: “And when the female child who was buried in the ground will be questioned – for what sin was she killed?” [Surah At-Takweer: 8-9]

The word maw’oodah refers to the baby girl that was buried alive and left to die inside the earth. And if she was spared from being buried alive and allowed to live, then indeed she found herself living a life of degradation. This is since she was not allowed to inherit any portion of her relative’s estate no matter how much money he had and regardless of if she was suffering from poverty and dire need. The reason for this is because they would make the inheritance specific for men in exclusion of women. In fact, she would be distributed as part of her deceased husband’s estate, just as his money would be distributed in inheritance!

And there would be found a score of women living under one man, since they would not put any limits to the number of wives they could marry. So they wouldn’t show any concern for what occurred to the women as a result of that, such as living under cramped conditions, inconveniences and injustice.

The Status of the Woman after Islaam: 

But when Islaam came, it uplifted these injustices from the woman and returned her honor and self-esteem in humanity back to her. Allaah says: “O mankind, indeed We created you from a male and a female.” [Surah Al-Hujuraat: 13]

So Allaah mentions that she is the partner of man in the origin of humanity and likewise, she is partners with man in terms of being rewarded or punished for actions performed. Allaah says:“Whoever does good deeds, – whether male or female – while he or she is a true believer, to him We will give a good life and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do.” [Surah An-Nahl: 97]

Allaah says: “So that Allaah may punish the male and female hypocrites and the male and female polytheists.” [Surah Al-Ahzaab: 73]

And Allaah made it forbidden to consider a woman as a possession to be inherited from her dead husband’s estate, as He says: “O you who believe, you are forbidden to inherit women against their will.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 19]

So Allaah gave her independence in her individuality, such that she became one who can inherit as opposed to an object of inheritance. And Allaah gave the woman a right in the inheritance of her relative’s wealth. Allaah says: “There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by their parents and close relatives, whether the property be small or large – a legal share.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 7]

And Allaah says: “Allaah commands you as regards your children’s inheritance: to the male a portion equal to that of two females. If there are only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 11]

And this goes as well for the other texts that state a woman can inherit whether she be a mother, a daughter, a sister or a wife.

In the area of marital affairs, Allaah limited a husband to marrying the maximum of four wives, on the condition that he treats all of his wives fairly and equally according to his ability. And He obligated to the husbands to live with them in kindness, as He says: “And live with them honorably.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 19]

And He made the dowry her right and He commanded that it be given to her in full except for that which she permits from her own good will. Allaah says: “And give to the women their dowry with a good heart. But if they, out of their own good pleasure, remit any part of it to you, take it and enjoy it without any fear of harm.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 4]

And Allaah made her the caretaker, commanding good and forbidding evil in the household of her husband – and the leader over her children. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A woman is the guardian of her husband’s household and she will be asked (on the Day of Judgement) concerning those under her care.” Also, Allaah made it obligatory for the husband to spend on her and to clothe her in a good manner.

What the Enemies of Islaam and their Offshoots want today from their stripping the Woman of her Honor and rights: 

Indeed the enemies of Islaam – rather the enemies of humanity – today, from the disbelievers, hypocrites and those who have a disease in their hearts are enraged about what the Muslim woman has achieved from honor, glory and chastity in Islaam. This is because the enemies of Islaam from the disbelievers, hypocrites and those who have a disease in their hearts – they want from the woman that she serve as a trap by which they can lure and catch those with weak Eemaan and those who have perverted natures, after having fulfilled their depraved desires from her. Allaah says: “But those who follow their lusts wish that you should deviate tremendously away.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 27]

And those who have a disease in their hearts among the Muslims want the woman to be a cheap commodity exhibiting herself to those people of lustful desires and devilish inclinations. They want her to serve as an open commodity before their eyes so that they may find entertainment in her beautiful appearance or perhaps they may make her do something far worse than that.

This is why they expend great efforts in trying to make the woman go out of her home so that she can participate with men in their jobs – working side by side with them. Or that she can serve and tend to men as a nurse in the hospital or a flight attendant on an airplane or a teacher or professor in mixed non-segregated schools Or that she be an actress in the theatres or a singer or a broadcaster on the various forms of media – exposing her face and enticing men by her voice and appearance.

And the immoral magazines have taken pictures of young girls that are looking provocative and naked as a means for promoting and marketing their magazines. And some businessmen and companies have taken these pictures also as a means for promoting their product, such that they place these pictures in their advertisements and exhibits.

These evil actions are meant to distract the woman from her real and true duty, which is in the home. And this forces the husbands to hire female servants to raise their children and take care of the affairs of their households, which results in much mischief and great evil.

However, we don’t restrict a woman from working outside of her home, so long as she abides by the following guidelines:

1. She must have a need for doing this work or the community she lives in requires her to do this job, such that there cannot be found any man that can do the job.

2. She should do this after fulfilling the job she has at home, which is her primary job.

3. This job must be in an environment of women only, such as her teaching women (only) or doctoring and nursing female patients. And her work must be separate from men.

4. Likewise, there is nothing that restricts her from learning the affairs of her Religion – in fact she is obligated to do this. And there is nothing preventing her from teaching about the aspects of her Religion, so long as there is a need for that and her teaching is held in an environment of (only) women. And there is no harm in her attending classes in a masjid and so on, while being consistent in that and segregated from men. This can be seen from the women in the beginning of Islaam (i.e. the Sahaabiyaat), in that they would work and study and attend the masaajid.

Wisdom behind deeming pork as unlawful to eat – Permanent Committee

Q: What is the wisdom behind prohibiting the flesh of swine?

A: Allah’s knowledge encompasses all things and His mercy, wisdom and justice embrace all things. Allah (Glorified be He) knows best what benefits His servants. He shows them mercy. He conducts all His affairs with wisdom. He commands His servants to do what brings felicity to them in this life and the life to come. He makes lawful all good things which benefit them and makes unlawful to them all harmful things.

Allah has declared the flesh of swine as prohibited and stated that its flesh is impure.

Allah (Exalted be He) states:

Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): “I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maitah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the flesh of swine (pork); for that surely is impure or impious (unlawful) meat (of an animal) which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols, or on which Allâh’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering).

Allah (Exalted be He) also states:

and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods)

  • Factual evidence has proved that pigs feed on dirt and impure things which they eat avariciously.
  • Medical experts state that worms are formed in the abdomen of eaters of the flesh of swine.
  • It also weakens the human sense of honor and destroys chastity.
  • Other harmful effects include indigestion and the inability to secrete digestive juices.

If their findings are proven true, then the flesh of swine is as an evil and impure substance. But if their findings are proven false, one of sound mind must still trust in Allah’s statement in the Qur’an which judges swine as impure. One must also believe in the prohibition of eating its flesh and submit entirely to Allah’s judgment.

It is Allah (Glorified be He) Who created it and He alone knows best its inherent harms. Does He know not that which He created while He is the Subtle, the All-Aware?

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholary Research and Ifta’

Member     Member     Deputy Chairman     Chairman
Abdullah ibn Qa`ud     Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan     Abdul-Razzaq `Afify     `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

Source : http://alifta.com

why does Islam not prohibit slavery? – Permanent Committee

Q: It is said: why does Islam not prohibit slavery?

A: Allah (Exalted be He) has the perfect knowledge, wisdom, kindness and mercy. He is All-Knowing with the matters of His creation, Compassionate with His servants and Wise in His creation and legislation. Therefore, He legislated for people that which makes them good in the world and in the Hereafter and that which will guarantee their real happiness, freedom and equality in fair circumstances, comprehensive guidance and within limits that do not transgress the rights of Allah and that of His servants. He sent this legislation with His Messengers as announcers of glad tidings and warners. So he who follows His path and follows the guidance of His Messengers, deserves dignity and attains success and bliss. Whoever refuses to follow the straight path, he deserves to be killed or enslaved in order to establish justice, maintain security and peace and safeguard lives, honor and properties.

For these mentioned causes, Jihad (striving for the cause of Allah) was legislated to deter the oppressors and eliminate the corruptors and clean the earth from the wrongdoers.

Whoever among them is captured by Muslims, the ruler has the choice either to kill him if his evil is eminent and he will not be corrected, or forgive him and accept a ransom from him if he can be deterred by that or lead him to goodness.

The ruler may take him as a slave if he believes that holding him among Muslims will correct him, rectify him and cause him to find the way to guidance, believe in and submit to it due to what he can see of Muslims’ justice, their kindness and good treatment. He may also listen to the texts of legislation and morals. Accordingly, his heart may be opened to Islam, Allah will make faith dear to him and make disbelief, transgression and disobedience unpleasant to him. Then, he will start a new life with Muslims to gain his freedom by an agreement of freedom.

Allah (Exalted be He) says:

And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allâh enriches them of His Bounty. And such of your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation), give them such writing, if you find that there is good and honesty in them. And give them something (yourselves) out of the wealth of Allâh which He has bestowed upon you.

[Noble Qur’an 24:33]

This also may be achieved through the expiation for false oath, Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative), vow or the like. It also may be achieved through the way of emancipation for the sake of Allah, seeking His reward and other kinds of emancipation. Therefore, it will be known that the origin of slavery is the capturing in Jihad against the disbelievers to correct those who were captured by isolating them from the evil environment they lived in and starting a new life in a Muslim community to guide them to the path of goodness, save them from evil, purify them from the effects of disbelief and error and make them deservea better life in which they enjoy security and peace.

Slavery in Islam is like a purifying machine or sauna in which those who are captured enter to wash off their dirt and then they come out clean, pure and safe from another door.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member                 Member                     Deputy Chairman        Chairman
Abdullah ibn Qa`ud     Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan     Abdul-Razzaq `Afify    Abdul-`Aziz ibn Abdullah ibn Baz

Source: http://alifta.com/

Biblical evidence of Jesus being a servant of God and having no share in Divinity

Jesus and  Muhammad (peace be upon them) in the BIBLE and the QUR’AN
Biblical evidence of Jesus being a servant of God and having no share in Divinity

by Dr. M. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali, Ph.D.
Professor of Islamic Faith and Teachings, Islamic University, Al-Madina


INTRODUCTION

All praise be to the One to Whom all Dignity, Honour and Glory are due; the Unique with perfect attributes, Who begets not, nor is He begotten. He has no equal but He is the Almighty, Omnipotent. He sent His Messengers and Prophets to guide humanity towards monotheism; to worship Him Alone, the only One Worthy of worship, and to warn them of the eternal dire consequences of polytheism; associating partners with One Allah and the worship of creatures.

Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon all the Prophets and Messengers, especially on Muhammad, the last of the Prophets, and on all who follow him in righteousness until the Day of Recompense.

CHRISTIANITY: MEN WITHOUT RELIGION

ISLAM: RELIGION WITHOUT MEN

A Muslim never lacks proofs about the purity and truthfulness of his religion, but what he lacks are those truthful brothers who stand for Allah and His Prophet SAW testifying to the truth. Indeed, in this age, Islam is a religion without men (custodians and propagators) whereas Christianity is men without a religion; yet, by their endeavour, adventurous spirit, patience and monetary contributions they are able to falsify truth and make falsehood appear true. In this materialistic age most of humanity have become slaves to wealth, fashions, and mansions.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah and in Him (Alone) do I put my trust, and towards Him am I destined.

JESUS AND THE DEVIL IN THE BIBLE

In the New Testament of the Bible, in the fourth chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, the sixth and seventh verses clearly indicate that Jesus is an obedient mortal and God is the Master and Lord according to his saying in the seventh verse:

“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord, thy God.”

In this chapter we read that the Devil actually carried the Messiah, and took him from place to place. How can the Devil carry God? Glory be to Allah; He is above such blasphemy!

Then the Devil orders him to prostrate before him and worship him, even tempting him with worldly possessions. How can the Devil even dare such an audacity with God? When the Devil wanted Jesus to comply with his orders, he (Jesus) replied by saying that it was written (in the previous Books):

“Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God; And Him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:10.

CHILDREN OF GOD

Jesus never called himself Son of God as far as I know but he used to call himself the ‘Son of Man’ (ref. Mark 2:10) although he heard himself being called by that name he did not object as assumed in the Bible and did not consider the title exclusively for him.

According to the Biblical term in the Old and New Testaments, every God- fearing righteous person is called ‘Son of God’. In Matthew 5:9 we read:

“Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

In Matthew 5:45 –

“That ye may be children of your Father which is in heaven…”

GOD THE FATHER

In Matthew 5:48 –

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

In Matthew 6:1 –

“… otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 7:21 –

“Not every one that sayeth unto me (Jesus), Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven.”

N.B. The word ‘Lord’ here was translated as Rabb in the Arabic version of the Bible so that people may be convinced that Jesus is God! But if one studies the rest of the verse, one will note that the verse bears testimony to the subservience (to God’s Will) of the Messiah (Jesus). Therefore the correct translation should be:

“Not every one that sayeth to me, O my Master, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

It is obvious from the above readings from the Bible that the term ‘Father’ is used for God in numerous places in the Bible. It is never used exclusively for the Messiah (Jesus).

Matthew 11:25 –

“At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and has revealed them unto babes.'”

JESUS THE WORSHIPPER

Matthew 14:23 –

“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray…..”

I say: If he (Jesus) is God or a part of God then why did he pray? In fact, prayer is always from a submitting, needy and dependent one for the Mercy of Almighty Allah as mentioned in the Qur’ân. (V. 35:15):-

“O mankind! it is you who stand in need of Allah but Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of all praise” (35:15).

And in (V. 19:93) of Qur’ân:-

“There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave.”

A BIBLICAL STORY

Matthew 15:22-28 –

“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cried unto him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying; ‘Send her away, for she crieth after us.’ But he answered and said, ‘I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ But he answered and said, ‘It is not meet to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs.’

And she said, ‘Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.’ “

In this story about a woman from Canaan there are noteworthy points:

(1) Lack of mercy and love charged against Jesus (if the incident is reported correctly).

(2) Degraded discrimination in regard to the uplifting of his tribe and not for the others.

(3) Tribal pride of descendance and prejudice against others and calling them dogs.

(4) An ignorant polytheist woman debated with him and won him over.

JESUS: A PROPHET OF ALLAH.

Matthew 19:16-17 –

“And behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? (There is) none good but one, (i.e.) God, but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ “

In the above verses we note this acknowledgment of his submissiveness (to Allah’s Will).

Matthew 21:45-46 –

“And when the chief priests and pharisees had heard his parable, they perceived that he spoke of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude because they took him for a Prophet.”

Here it is proved that all those who believed in Jesus during his life-time did not believe in him being God or the Son of God or one in the doctrine of Trinity; but they believed in him as being a Prophet only. This is indeed one of the strongest points of evidence against those who believe in the Divinity of Jesus (Incarnation of God) if only they pondered.

JESUS: A SERVANT OF ALLAH.

Matthew 23:8 –

‘But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your master, even Jesus, and all ye are brethern.”

Here it is clearly proved that Jesus was servant of Allah, and that there is only One Master and He is Allah. In the Arabic version of the Bible this verse has been translated so that Jesus is meant to be the master whereas the English rendering is nearer the original sense.

Matthew 23:9 –

“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father which is in heaven.”

From this you will note that fatherhood and sonship is meant to be the relationship between the Lord and His servants: it is meant in a general sense and not specifically for Jesus.

Matthew 24:36 –

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

This is a definite proof that the Final Hour is unknown to any but Allah, thus Jesus’ knowledge is imperfect like all other men; Allah Alone is All-Knowing, Omniscient.

Matthew 26:39 –

“And he (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.’ “

We note here that the person speaking is unaware of Allah’s Will and realizes the fact that he is a servant of Allah. He (Allah) Alone can cause the change.

THE COMPILATION OF THE BIBLE

Matthew 27:7-8 –

“And they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called the Field of Blood, unto this day.”

From these verses we understand that the Bible (the New Testament) was not written during Jesus’ life-time but long after the occurrence of the events described, having been retained in the memory of the people.

Matthew 27:46 –

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli,Eli, lama sabachthani? (My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’)”

This is according to their (Christians’) assumption that Jesus cried in a loud voice saying the above words while he was being crucified. This is a great insult as such words could only come from unbelievers in Allah. Further, it is incredible that such words should come out from a Prophet of Allah because Allah never breaks His Promise and His Prophets never complained against His Promise.

JESUS: PREACHER OF MONOTHEISM (TAUHID)

In John 17:3 –

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.”

In Mark 12:28-30 –

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ And Jesus answered him: ‘The first of all the commandments is; hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord, thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.’ “

In Mark 12:32 –

“And the scribe said unto him, ‘Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is One God; and there is none other but He.’ “

In Mark 12:34 –

“…he (Jesus) said unto him, ‘Thou art not far from the kingdom of God…’ ”

In these verses, Jesus (peace be upon him) himself had testified that Allah is the One God, there is none other than Him, and that whoever believes in His Oneness, he is near the Kingdom of Allah. Therefore whoever associates partners with Allah or believes in the Trinity is far away from the Kingdom of Allah, and whoever is far away from the Kingdom of Allah he is the enemy of Allah.

In Matthew 24:36 –

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of the heaven, but my Father only.”

I say: A similar text was quoted from S.Matthew which is exactly as proclaimed by the Qur’ân in that none knows when the Hour will come except Allah. This establishes the fact that Jesus was subservient to Allah and that he had no share in Divinity: that he was an incarnation of God, was an innovation by the people of Canaan.

In John 20:16 –

“Jesus said unto her, ‘Mary’. She turned herself, and sayeth unto him, ‘Rabboni’, which is to say, Master, Jesus saith unto her, ‘Touch me not: For I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father; and to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she has seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.”

In the above narrative Jesus clearly testified that Allah is his God and their God, making no difference between him and them in the worship of the One Allah. Whoever believes that Jesus is God has indeed blasphemed against Allah and betrayed the Messiah (Jesus) and all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah.


BIBLICAL PROPHECY ON THE ADVENT OF MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him)John 14:15-16 –

“If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever.”

Muslim theologians have said that “another Comforter” is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah; and him to “abide forever” means the perpetuity of his laws and way of life (Sharia’) and the Book (Qur’ân) which was revaled to him.

John 15:26-27 –

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.”

John 16:5-8 –

“But now I go my way to Him that sent me and none of you asketh me ‘Whither goest thou?’ But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and approve righteousness and judgment.”

John 16:12-14 –

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. How be it when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and he shall shew it unto you.”

John 16:16 –

“A little while and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.”

Muslim theologians have stated that the person who is described by Jesus to come after him in the above verses does not comply with any other person but Muhammad (peace be upon him) the Messenger of Allah. This ‘person’ whom Jesus prophesied will come after him is called in the Bible ‘Parqaleeta’ This word was deleted by later interpreters and translators and changed at times to ‘Spirit of Truth’, and at other times, to ‘Comforter’ and sometimes to ‘Holy Spirit’. The original word is Greek and its meaning is ‘one whom people praise exceedingly.’ The sense of the word is applicable to the word ‘Muhammad’ (in Arabic).


FINALITY ON PROOFS ON THE FABRICATION OF THE STORY OF THE CROSS

(1) The Bible testifies to the fact that Jesus was known among the Jews; he used to preach and deliver sermons in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. It was therefore, unnecessary to hire a Jew for thirty pieces of silver to direct them to him as related in S. Matthew.

(2) It is related that one of the twelve disciples named Judas Iscariot was hired to direct the Jews to Jesus. They then sentenced him after which Judas was greatly ashamed and dissociated himself from their act and then committed suicide. All this took place within twenty four hours. The contradictions are obvious.

(3) The clearest proof which alone is sufficient to discredit this story is when the Jews passed the sentence of death against Jesus and intended to get the approval of the governor, Pontious Pilate.

Matthew 27:11-14 –

‘And Jesus stood before the governor: The governor asked him, saying, ‘Art thou the king of the Jews!’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou sayeth (sayest)’: And when he was accused of (by) the chief priests and elders. He answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, ‘Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?’ And he answered him never (to) a word…”

The Christians will interpret the above verse to mean that Jesus wanted to die on the Cross for the redemption of mankind and for the forgiveness of their sins: if so, then why did he ask to turn away that cup from him (i.e. death)? Why did he cry out while on the Cross (as they assume): “O Lord, why hast thou forsaken me?” How could he have remained silent when the truth was being challenged? He was known for his soul-inspiring sermons challenging the learned Jewish Rabbis. No sane person can believe in this. If the story of the Cross is disproved then the very foundation on which Christianity is based, will be demolished.

Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified by the Jews as revealed in the Holy Qur’ân by Allah in a crystal clear manner: V. 4:157,158.-

“And because of their saying (in boast): ‘We killed Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah’; – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of Jesus was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely, they killed him not (i.e., Jesus, son of Mary). But Allah raised him (Jesus) up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he alai-hiss-salaam is in the heavens).. And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.”

The Jews themselves, together with the entire Christian world, believe that he was crucified. As proofs against their views and to prove the truth of the Muslim verdict through the Bible, I prepared the following set of questions based on the Book of S. Matthew in the New Testament of Bible. (Chapters 26 and 27):

(1) Did those who captured Jesus (according to their assumption) know him in person? or did they not know him?

S. Matthew testifies that they did not know him.

(2) Was it during the day or night that he was captured?

S.Matthew says it was during the night.

(3) Who was the one that directed them to him?

S. Matthew says: He was one of his twelve disciples called Judas lscariot.

(4) Did he direct them free of charge or for a fixed reward which they specified, for him?

S. Matthew says: He directed them to him for a fixed reward of thirty pieces of silver.

(5) What was the condition of Jesus during that night?

S. Matthew says: He was fearful and prostrated in prayer saying: “O God, if it is possible for You to let this cup pass from me, then let it pass.” It is incredible that such words could come from a believer in God, let alone a Prophet of God, because all believers believe that God has power over all things.

(6) What was the condition of his eleven disciples?

S. Matthew says: Sleep overcame them that night together with their teacher (according to their assumption) out of fear.

(7) Was Jesus contented with their condition?

S. Matthew says (verses 40-46): He was not satisfied. He used to come to them to wake them up saying: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak.” Then he would come again to find them asleep and he would again wake them up and say the same thing. This weakness could not have been spoken of righteous pupils even if they were pupils of an ordinary pious teacher, let alone the disciples of Jesus, son of Mary.

(8) Did they help him when those ruffians captured him?

S. Matthew says: They forsook him and fled.

(9) Did Jesus have confidence in his disciples that night?

S. Matthew says: Jesus informed them that they will all forsake him. Then Jesus said unto them: “Verily I say unto thee that this night before the cock crows, thou shall deny me thrice.” Peter said unto him, “Although I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” Likewise also said all the disciples. And so it happened.

(10) How did those ruffians capture him?

S. Matthew says: They came to him with swords and staves after they were directed to him by a Jew, then they captured him as described in verse 57:

“And they that had laid hold on Jesus, led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the elders were assembled.”

There they passed the sentence of death on him. The ruffians then took him away, spat on his face and struck him with their hands after which they stripped him of his clothes and clad him in scarlet robes, then placed a crown of thorns on his head and took him about, teasing and mocking him. They said to him: ‘You are the king of Israel according to your claim.’ They severely degraded him.

(11) Who finally decided to pass the death sentence against him?

S. Matthew says: He was Pontious Pilate, a Greek Roman, who was at that time the governor of Palestine.

(12) When the ruffians brought that man before the governor and informed him that the priest of the Jews passed the sentence of death by crucifixion according to their law (Torah), did he believe in them without investigation?

S. Matthew says: He did not believe them but asked that man: “Is it true what they have said?” He remained silent. The question was repeated and he continued to remain silent. He remained silent in view of the truth; it was essential for him even if he was not a Prophet to clarify the truth and deny the false accusation of the Jews. The governor’s wife went to the governor and she said to him: “Have thou nothing to do with that just man? for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”

The Bible states that Jesus delivered lengthy speeches to the Jews rebuking and warning them which amounted to defaming them. Then why was he silent that day? The governor’s intention for asking him was to stand for the truth.

(13) How was he crucified according to their assumption?

S. Matthew says: They crucified him between two thieves both of whom abused him by saying to him, “If you are truthful then save yourself.”

(14) This was a great calamity. What did he say while on the cross (according to their assumption)?

S. Matthew says (27:46):

Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, Iama sabachthani? (that is to say,) my God, my God, why has Thou forsaken me?”

This is a blatant declaration of disbelief according to all theological authorities. Whoever relates it to a Prophet is a disbeliever according to the revealed religions.

Almighty Allah, in the Qur’ân warns, the Jews and the Christians against their blasphemy; that Jesus is an incarnation of God (Allah) or the son of God (Allah) or in rejecting him totally; and that they must believe in him as a Messenger of Allah only:

“And there is none of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him (Jesus, son of Mary, as only a Messenger of Allah and a human being), before his (Jesus alai-hiss-salaam or a Jew’s or a Christian’s) death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he (Jesus) will be a witness against them.” (V.4:159).

 Dr. M. Taqî-ud-Din Al-Hilâlî
Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khân
Islamic University,
Al-Madina Al-Munawwara

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