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Islam is your Birthright "In the name Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate." Are you looking for a belief that • will protect you from feeling lost in this life; • is based on reason; • can give you peace of mind and heart; • is scientifically acceptable; • is not a blind faith? • Then, read this important message !! The existence of man and of the entire universe is not a mere accident or the product of a chance. This universe, and every thing that is in it, manifest and points to the realization of an All Powerful Creator. Therefore, it is man's duty to know his master Creator, Allah. This means that there must be a Creator (God) behind our existence. Indeed, Allah [1] (The Only True God) has told us about Himself through the divine guidance He sent to human beings. Humanity has received this divine guidance through messengers who were chosen by Allah to convey His message to human beings and to be living examples for their people. These messengers were sent to man to tell him who his Creator is, what the purpose of his existence is and what will happen to him after death, etc. They ail brought the same message, Monotheism: the worship of Allah alone. However, they differed only in the canonical teachings (Law) that were presented to their peoples. These message were preached by all Prophets of Allah. However, earlier messages were lost or distorted by later generations. As a result, the pure message was polluted with myths, superstitions, idolatry and irrational philosophical ideologies. But Allah, the Compassionate, didn’t leave man to go astray. Indeed, He sent prophets to re instate the original message and call man back to the right path, The last of those Prophets was Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him [2] who presented Allah's guidance in its final form: Islam, for all time and for all peoples. Islam is an Arabic word that denotes submission and obedience, As a religion, Islam stands for complete submission and obedience to Allah. The other literal meaning of the word Islam is "peace", and this signifies that one can only achieve real peace of mind and heart and peace in society at large through submission and obedience to Allah. THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Worship in Islam is an all inclusive term for all that Allah loves, private and public, sayings and actions, in accordance with His teachings. Islam considers every virtuous action which is performed with a view to carrying out the commandments of Allah and in order to seek His pleasure as an act of worship for which man will be rewarded. The specific acts of worship, termed the Five Pillars of Islam, stand as the framework of the spiritual life on which the structure of Islam rests. They include the following: 1. THE DECLARATION OF MONOTHEISM Monotheism is the comer stone of Islam . A man joins the fold of Islam by believing and declaring the profession of Monotheism: "There is no god (worthy of worship) but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger." It is the acceptance or denial of this belief that differentiates a Muslim from a non Muslim. [3] 2. PRAYERS: Daily prayers are offered five times a day as a duty towards Allah. Prayers are performed at the following times: dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and nightfall. A Muslim may pray almost anywhere though Muslim males are enjoined to pray in congregation in a mosque. Prayer is symbolic of equality, for the poor and the rich, the ruler and the ruled, the black and the white. All stand together united in a row, shoulder to shoulder and prostrate themselves before Allah. Prayer strengthens the belief in Allah and elevates man to a higher morality. It also helps to purify the heart and prevent temptation towards wrong-doings and evil. 3. ZAKAH (Alms/Charity): Every Muslim whose net annual savings are above a certain specified minimum must pay an annual amount of 2.5% of his savings to the poor and needy. Zakah purifies one's accrued wealth. It fosters in the Muslim the quality of sacrifice, and rids him of selfishness and greed. Zakah. also, helps reduce resentment and envy between poor and rich members of the society. 4. FASTING DURING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN: Fasting is observed by Muslim once every year during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar. Fasting means abstention from food, drink and sexual acts from dawn to sunset. Fasting teaches sincerity and implants devotion. It develops in the fasting person a sound social conscience, patience, self restraint, will power and an awareness of how the needy members of the society lead their lives. It has been medically proved that fasting also helps to maintain good 5. HAJJ (Pilgrimage to Makkah): HAJJ is an act of worship which is to be performed at least once in a lifetime, if one can afford it both financially and physically. During this time, Muslims meet from all corners of the world in an international congregation responding to the call of Allah. It creates and refreshes the faith that all Muslims are equal, irrespective of their geographical, cultural or racial origins, THE SIX PILLARS OF FAITH IN ISLAM The Muslim believes in the following articles of faith: 1. He believes in the Oneness of God “ALLAH", Supreme and Eternal, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider of everything. 2. He believes in all messengers of Allah with no discrimination be¬tween them [4]. Every nation has had a messenger (or more) sent by Allah to convey His message, and to exemplify it for Mankind . The Qur'an mentions the names of only twenty five of them and indicates that there have been many others. Those twenty five include Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, John, Jesus and finally, Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all. Every messenger was sent to a specific nation but Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) was sent for all Mankind. This special status of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the seal and last of all the messengers puts the Muslim in the position whereby honoring Muhammad implies honoring all those messengers who came before him. Evidences or proofs that Prophet Muhammad is an apostle of Allah are more than a thousand; are mentioned in his biography. The greatest is the Qur'an (the word of Allah), which couldn't have been conveyed but by a messenger. The Biblical versions even in their present forms clearly mention the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). See Deut. 18:18, 18:15, 33:2 3, Isaiah 29:12, Songs of Solomon 5:16, John 16:12 14 & John 14:15 16(5) [5]. 3. A Muslim believes in all the scriptures of Allah, but in their original form. These scriptures form the enlightenment which the messengers received to show their respective peoples the right path of Allah. In the Qur'an, a special reference is made to the books of Abraham (Suhuf), to the Torah (Law) of Moses, the Zabur (Psalms) of David and the Injeel (Gospel) of Jesus. But long before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), those revealed books were either lost or corrupted. Allah revealed the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final revelation and guidance for all mankind for all times. 4. The Muslim believes in the existence of angels as part of the unseen world. Angels are purely spiritual and splendid beings whose nature requires no food, drink or sleep. They carry out specific duties assigned to them by Allah. 5. A Muslim believes in the Day of Judgement. The Qur'an teaches that life is but a test for man to see whether or not he will follow the commands of Allah. Accordingly, one should prepare himself with good deeds for the eternal life after death. People will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement to stand before Allah for a just reckoning of their worldly deeds and actions. People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to the Heavens of Allah, and those with bad records will be punished and cast into hell. Through belief in Allah and in the Day of Judgement, Islam firmly implants in man's heart a consciousness of Allah's presence impelling man and society at large to obey Him sincerely without any external human pressure. 6. A Muslim believes that whatever happens in this world is ordered and predestinated by Allah. Allah is the Most Wise, so whatever He does has a meaningful purpose although at times, we may fail to understand it fully. Muslims, The Moderate Nation The chief characteristic of the Islamic concept of life is that it does not recognize a conflict or a separation between spiritual and mundane life. Also, it does not recognize extremes: ritualism, secularism or materialism. For a Muslim, all aspects of life, the spiritual and the material, the state and the religion are interrelated because everything belongs to Allah and Allah alone. Islam provides definite guidelines for all people to follow in all walks of life: individual, social, moral, governmental, political, economic, spiritual, etc. Because of this approach of moderation, the Qur'an calls the Muslims a "Moderate Nation." Sources of Islamic Teachings The Islamic way of life is based on the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. The Qur'an is the basic source of Islamic teaching and law [6], It is the word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by the angel Gabriel. The entire Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in parts over a period of 23 years during his prophethood. Whenever a portion of it was revealed, it was written by his faithful scribes (companions) according to his instructions, on palm leaves, parchments, bones, etc. Moreover, there were tens of thousands of the Prophet's companions who committed the Qur'an to memory. After the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the first Caliph Abu Bakr ordered the collection of the whole Qur'an in one volume. It was preserved until the third Caliph Uthman who prepared several copies and sent them to different Muslim territories. From that time onwards (about fourteen hundred years ago), the same version has been in use in its exact words, order and language with no single addition or deletion. Briefly stated, the Qur'an is the only remaining authentic divine revelation available to Mankind today that is distinguished by its clear historical accounts, unchallengeable accuracy, unquestionable and indisputable authenticity and complete preservation in it's exact language of revelation. The Sunnah is the teachings, sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), meticulously collected and reported by his companions (may Allah reward them all). It explains and elaborates the Qur'anic verses. Islam Is The Religion of Equality There is no discrimination in Islam between people on the basis of color, tribe, race, nationality, etc. Since all humans descend from one father and one mother: Adam and Eve. Islam teaches that the standard is righteousness. A verse of the Glorious Qur'an reads, "The most honored in the sight of Allah is, (he who is) most righteous." [Glorious Qur'an Translation, Al Hujurat:13] Islam is Your Birthright Everybody is born in a state of "Fitrah" (i.e., one's inclination to worship One God pure Monotheism). To accept Islam is not to turn one's back on all the previous Messages and Prophets, peace be upon them all. In fact, it is a reversion to the original Monotheism in which we are all created. As such, Islam is your "Birthright." However, the parents or the community convert the child to other faiths or to atheism. Criteria For Truth Are you following a correct belief? The Criteria for true faith are simply listed as follows: 1. Rational Teachings: Man is a rational being, hence, he should use both reason and intellect to distinguish truth from falsehood. 2. Perfection: Since Allah is perfect, His revelation must be perfect without flaw and totally free of any contradiction or error. 3. No Mystery: The revelation must not be associated with any myth or superstition because Allah's knowledge is the absolute truth man can ever have. 4. Scientific: Since Divine Revelation is the absolute truth, it can always withstand the challenge of any kind of knowledge including human discoveries in the field of science. 5. Prophecy: Allah is the All Knower; thus, prophecy in His revelation will be fulfilled. 6. Inimitable: True revelation from Allah is an infallible living mir¬acle that cannot be imitated by any being. 7. Worship of One God: True revelation should teach the worship of One God Who has no partner, sharer, associate or helper in His Divinity (i.e., Creatorship, Lordship, Sovereignty or in any of His Divine Attributes). 8. Simple, Clear and Just: True revelation must be simple, clear and just to be readily understood by anyone because all humans are equal in the sight of Allah. His blessings are open to anyone who has the will to obey Him. To conclude, Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same message and guidance which Allah revealed to all His messengers but only re expressed in its comprehensive, complete and final form [7]. It is a continuation and culmination of all the preceding religions because as we know their origin is one and the same: Allah, A verse of the Glorious Qur'an reads, 'This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.’ [Al-Ma'idah:3]. In addition, Islam, being the final message from Allah that culminates, supersedes and seals all the previous religions, makes it an obligation on every person who clearly hears its Message to accept it and follow it. Another verse of the Glorious Qur'an says, "If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will he in the ranks of those who have lost all spiritual good." [Al-Imran: 85] Now, Allah has shown you the right path and at the same time conferred upon you freedom of choice and will whether or not you accept the message of Islam. May the light of truth shine in our hearts and minds. May it lead us to peace and certitude in this life and eternal bliss in the Hereafter. Some Suggested Readings about Islam: 1. Holy Qur'an (English Translation and Commentary by A.Yusuf Ali) 2. Towards Understanding Islam (S. A. Maududi) 3. Islam Basic Principles and Characteristics (K. Ahmed). 4. The Bible, The Qur'an and Science ( M. Bucaile) 5. Muhammad in the Bible (J. Badawi) 6. Jesus, A Prophet of Islam (M. A. Rahim) 7. Status of Women in Islam ( J. Badawi) 8. Polygamy in Islamic Law (J. Badawi) 9. Islam and Western Society (M. Jameelah). “NO DOUBT THIS LIFE IS A PERIOD OF EXAMINATION WHICH NEEDS YOUR FULL CONSIDERATION OUT OF WHAT YOU WILL CARRY FOR YOUR LAST DESTINATION. ONLY TRUE BELIEF AND GOOD DEEDS ARE YOUR WAY TO SALVATION.” ISLAM & RATIONALITY Islam secures consistency and rationality of belief through its logicality and rationality. Islam is embraced strongly by its followers. Islam keeps the Muslim away from ideological confusion, because it has no illogical or irrational principles mat are consistent with one another. Clear concept of Allah Islam does not cause confusion to the believer concerning Allah. Allah is one in Islam. Allah has no son or father. Allah has no parallel or equal. According to Islam Jesus is not the son of Allah. Jesus is Allah's apostle. So is Moses. So is Muhammad (Peace be Upon Them.) So are all Prophets and Apostles. Allah has no son or sons. To believe that God is unique, and vastly superior to his creation, and yet has a son is inconsistent. This lowers God to human carnal level. In today's Christianity, it is said that God had his son killed in order to save humanity. With all respect to our Christian friends, it is difficult to accept this, because it is against the justice and Might of God. Why should God kill to save? It is unfair to kill an innocent person to save others. In addition, Allah does not need to kill anyone to save others. Allah can save without killing. Further, it is difficult to see the relationship between killing and saving. It is difficult to convince a person of how, if Allah kills his son, other men are saved. Further, it is difficult to convinced people that Allah killed his only son, when he should protect him. Allah has no son In Islam, this issue is clear, logical, and rational. In Islam, Allah is one. Allah has no son. Allah does not kill. A person is not saved by God's killing another person. In Islam, your saved or doomed by yourself and your deeds. In Islam, Allah shows us the right path and the wrong path through the Holy Quran; our responsibility is to choose either path; each one of us is saved or doomed according to his choice and, consequently, according to his deeds. Allah is one Islam does not have the concept of Trinity or the concept of "the three in one". It is very difficult for the mind to accept or understand how one being can be Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit simultaneously. Furthermore, Allah has no son and does not need sons, because Allah is the owner of everything and the Creator of all beings. Jesus did not say he was Allah. Jesus said, "I do nothing of myself" This would indicate that the miracles of Jesus are given to him by Allah, like all Apostles before and after. He also said, "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" This means that Jesus refers to God as a Father metaphorically, because he says that God is his Father and their Father. If Jesus is Allah how did Allah kill him or have him killed? According to Islam, Jesus is a man, an exemplary man, a holy man, an apostle chosen by God to be a model for the people he was sent to. No mediation between man and Allah In Islam, there is no mediation between Allah and Men. You do not need to go to a priest, to confess or repent to him. In Islam, every Muslim has a direct contacts with Allah, no matter how weak, poor, or ignorant he is. In Islam, Allah is the God of all. Every Muslim decides by himself how near or how far he wants to be from God, depending on his free will and deeds. In Islam, there are no mediators between Man and Allah. No clergy In Islam, there are no men of religion, as in some other beliefs. In Islam, every Muslim is responsible for his own belief and for Islam in general. In Islam, there are scholars of religion, but there is no class of clergymen. No celibacy In Islam, there is no celibacy, because celibacy is against human nature. Islam urges the Muslim to get married as soon as he can, because it is difficult for normal people to be religious and unmarried at the same time. Islam, as a rule organizes human nature, but never destroys it goes against it. Body-soul balance Islam establishes a wonderful harmony between and demands of the soul and the demands of the body. The religion that considers celibacy as necessary for purity goes against human nature and theoretically puts an end to the human race. Prophet Muhammad, (Peace Be Upon Him) says, "Your God has rights over you. Your body has rights over you. Your soul has rights over you. Give each his due rights". A complete code of life Islam is a religion, but not in the western meaning of religion. The western connotation of the term "religion" is something between the believer and God. Islam is a religion organizes all aspects of life on both the individual and national levels. Islam organizes your relations with God, with yourself, with your children, with your relatives, with your neighbour, with your guest, and with other brethren. Islam clearly establishes your duties and rights in all those relationships. Islam establishes a clear system of worship, civil rights, laws of marriage and divorce, laws of inheritance, code of behaviour, what not to drink, what to wear, and what not to wear, how to worship God, how to govern, the laws of war and peace, when to go to war, when to make peace, the law of economics, and the laws of buying and selling. Islam is a complete code of life. Islam is not for the mosque only. Islam is for life, daily life. Islam is a guide to life in all its aspects: socially, economically, and politically. Islam is complete constitution. Thus Islam keeps the Muslim away from confusion, because Islam is logical and rational. Allah is one. Allah is one Allah has no sons. Allah is not trinity. Allah does not kill to save. No mediation is required between Allah and man. Islam organizes human nature, but does not go against it. There is not a class of clergy in Islam; nor is there celibacy. Islam is complete code of human life. UNITED COLORS OF ISLAM One only need look to the Nazis' brutal persecution of the Jews earlier this century or the more recent genocide of the Bosnian Muslims to see how ethno-religious groups can suffer so terribly at the hands of racists. Quite often however, religion is itself responsible for racist oppression. Middle-Eastern origins aside, Judaism is regarded as a Western religion. But the almost complete assimilation of Jews into all levels of Western society actually betrays Judaism's elitist reality. 'There is no God in all the world but in Israel.' (2 Kings 5:15) A pious interpretation of such biblical verses would be to suggest that in those days, God (Allah) was not worshipped except by the Israelites. However, even today Jews still consider themselves as the exclusively chosen race of God. Conversely, while most Christians are overwhelmingly non-Jews, Jesus as the last of the Israelite Prophets was sent to none but the Jews. In the Bible, he is reported to have said: 'I have not been sent except to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.' (Matthew 15:24) [1] And likewise every other prophet was sent exclusively to his own people; every prophet that is, except Muhammad. Say (O Muhammad): People! I am the Messenger of Allah sent to you all. (Qur'an, 7:158) As Muhammad was Allah's final Messenger to humanity, his message was a universal one with the capacity to unite not only his own nation, the Arabs, but all the peoples of the world. And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but to the whole of mankind as a giver of glad tidings and a warner, but most people have no knowledge. (Qur'an, 34:28) BILAL THE ABYSSINIAN One of the earliest converts to Islam was an Abyssinian slave named Bilal. Traditionally, black Africans were a lowly people in the sight of Arabs who thought them to be of little use beyond entertainment and slavery. When Bilal converted to Islam, his pagan master had him brutally tortured in the scorching desert heat until Abu Bakr, the Prophet's closest friend, rescued Bilal by buying his freedom. Muhammad appointed Bilal as his muezzin and the call to prayer announced from minarets in every comer of the world today echoes the exact same words proclaimed by Bilal. Thus, a onetime despised slave achieved one of the highest positions of honour in becoming Islam’s first muezzin. Although ancient Greece is accredited with being the birthplace of democracy, it was a democracy only for its Free citizens - the majority of its population, being slaves, were denied the right to elect their ruler. Yet Islam ordained that a slave could himself be ruler! The Prophet ordered: 'Stick to obedience (i.e. 'Obey your ruler) even if he be an Abyssinian slave.' (Ahmad) SALMAN THE PERSIAN Like most of his countrymen, Salman was raised a devout Zoroastrian but after an encounter with some Christians at worship in their Church he accepted Christianity as 'something better'. As a Christian, Salman travelled extensively in search of knowledge. His journey took him from the service of one learned monk to the next, the last of whom said to him: 'O son! I do not know of anyone who is on the same (creed) as we are. However, the time of the emergence of a prophet will shade you. This prophet is on the religion of Abraham.' The monk then proceeded to describe this prophet, his character and where he would appear. Salman immigrated to Arabia, the land of the Prophecy, and when he heard about and met Muhammad, he immediately recognised him from hi, teacher's descriptions. Salman's long search for the truth was finally over and he embraced Islam. Salman became renowned for his knowledge and was in fact the first person to translate the Qur'an into another language, Persian. Once, whilst the Prophet was amongst his Companions, the following verse was revealed to him: It is He (Allah) Who had sent among the illiterates (i.e. the Arabs) a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves ... and (also to) others (i.e. non-Arabs) among them who have not yet joined them. (Qur'an, 62:2-3) Allah's Messenger placed his hand on Salman and said: 'Even if the Faith were near (the star of) Pleiades, a man from amongst these (Persians) would surely attain it.' (Muslim) One such man was Imam Muhammad Isma'eeI of Bukhara (a predominately Persian city). His famous collection of hadith (narrations of the Prophet) entitled As-Sahih was unanimously declared by the scholars of Islam to be 'The most authentic book after the Book of Allah (i.e. after the Quran).' SUHAYB THE ROMAN Blonde-haired and fair complexioned Abu Yahya SUHAYB was born into the luxurious house of his father, a client governor for the Persian emperor. Whilst still a child, SUHAYB was captured by a Byzantine raiding party to be eventually sold into slavery in Constantinople [2] SUHAYB eventually escaped from bondage and fled to Mecca, a popular place of asylum, where he soon became a prosperous merchant nick-named 'ar-Rumi' (the Roman) due to his Greek tongue and Byzantine up-bringing. When SUHAYB heard Muhammad preach, he was at once convinced of the truth of his message and readily embraced Islam. Like the rest of the early Muslims, SUHAYB was persecuted by the idolatrous Meccans and had to trade all his wealth in exchange for safe passage to join the Prophet at Medina. When SUHAYB finally arrived at Medina, the Prophet, delighted to see him, greeted him thrice: 'Your transaction has been fruitful, O Abu Yahya. Your transaction has been fruitful.' Allah had informed the Prophet of Suhayb's exploits even before they were reunited: And there is a type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is full of kindness to His servants. (Qur'an, 2:207) The Prophet loved SUHAYB a great deal and described him as having preceded the Byzantines to Islam. Suhayb's piety and standing among Muslims was so high that when Caliph Umar was on his deathbed, he selected SUHAYB to lead the Muslims whilst they were choosing a successor. ABDULLAH THE HEBREW The Jews were another nation that the pre-Islamic Arabs held in contempt. Many Jews and Christians had been expecting a new prophet to appear in Arabia during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Jews from the Levite tribe in particular had settled in large numbers in and around the city of Medina. However, when the much-anticipated prophet came not as a Hebrew son of Israel, but as the Arab descendant of Ishmael, the Jews rejected him. Except that is for a few like aI-Husayn bin Salam. Al-Husayn was a learned rabbi and leader of the Medinan Jews but was denounced by them when he embraced Islam. The Prophet renamed al-Husayn, 'Abdullah', meaning 'Servant of Allah' and in his own lifetime the Prophet gave Abdullah the glad tidings that he was destined for Paradise. Abdullah addressed his tribesmen, saying: 'O assembly of Jews! Be conscious of Allah and accept what Muhammad-has brought. By Allah, you certainly know that he is Allah's Messenger and you can find prophecies about him and mention of his name and characteristics in your Torah. I for my part declare that he is the Messenger of Allah. I have faith in him and believe that he is true. I recognise him.' Allah revealed the following verse about Abdullah: ... and a witness from the Children of Israel testifies that this Qur'an is from Allah like (the Torah). So he believed while (most of) you (Jews) are too proud (to believe). (Qur'an, 46:10) Thus, in the ranks of the Prophet Muhammad's Companions could be found Africans, Persians, Romans and Israelites; representatives of every then-known continent. The Prophet said: 'Indeed my friends and allies are not the tribe of so and so. Rather, my friends and allies are the pious wherever they may be.' (al-Bukhari & Muslim) This point was further emphasised by the Prophet when he said: 'There is truly no excellence for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab; nor for a white man over a black man, nor for a black man over a white man; except through piety.'(Ahmad) O humanity! We have created you from a single male and female and have made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another (not that you may have pride over one another). Verily the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the one most pious. (Qur'an, 49:13) The Prophet Muhammad said: 'The parable of the Believers in their mutual love and mercy is like that of a (living) body; if one part feels pain, the whole body suffers in sleeplessness and fever.' (Muslim) Such a universal brotherhood was championed by the' Prophet's Companions after him, including his immediate temporal successors: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali (known collectively as the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs). When the Companion Ubada ibn as-Samit led a Muslim delegation to Muqawqis, the Christian patriarch of Alexandria, Muqawqis exclaimed: 'Get this black man away from me and bring another to talk to me. ... How can you be content that a black man should be the foremost among you? Is it not more fitting that he be below you?' 'Indeed no,' Ubada's comrades replied, ‘for although he is black as you see, he is still the foremost among us in position, in precedence, in intelligence and in wisdom; for darkness is not despised among us.' Verily, the Believers are but brothers (to one another). (Qur'an, 49:10) The spread of nationalism with its separating of Muslims along ethnic, linguistic and tribal lines is an evil and divisive innovation in Islam. Allah says in His Book: Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your tribe, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving hard in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision. And Allah guides not a rebellious people. (Qur'an, 9:24) In fact, the Muslims in and of themselves constitute one nation: Thus We have made you (Believers into) a (single) justly balanced nation. (Qur'an, 2:143) The Prophet said: 'Whoever leaves off obedience and separates from the Jam'ah [3] and dies, (then) he dies a death of jahiliyyah (i.e. pre-Islamic ignorance and disbelief). And whoever fights under the banner of the blind, becoming angry for nationalism or calling to nationalism or assisting nationalism and dies, (then) he dies a death of jahiliyyah.' (Muslim) While those who disbelieved placed in their hearts pride and haughtiness - the pride and haughtiness of jahiliyyah, Allah sent down His tranquillity upon His Messenger and upon the believers. (Qur'an, 48:26) A FINAL POINT Still repeated in some circles and perhaps one of the greatest barriers to its acceptance by Westerners is the fallacy that Islam is primarily a religion for blacks or dark skinned people. No doubt, the racial injustices against many blacks, be they Abyssinian slaves of pre-Islamic Arabia or twentieth century African-Americans, has prompted many to embrace Islam, but this is beside the point. The Prophet Muhammad was himself of pale complexion, described by his Companions as being 'white and ruddy'. And unbeknown to most people is the fact that Europe has more indigenous white Muslims than it has coloured immigrants. Albanians, for example, descended from the ancient Illyrian-Celts, are one of Europe's oldest tribes and amongst the earliest inhabitants of the Balkans. Today, 80%. of all Albanians Are MUSLIMS. [4] In fact, the world's leading Muslim scholar, the Reviver of Islam, Champion of the Sunna (practice of the Prophet) and mountain of knowledge, Shaykh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani, is, as his title suggests, Albanian. Some anthropologists believed that the Caucasus Mountain region of SE Europe was the cradle of 'the white race' and white people are still described as 'Caucasian'. Today, six of Russia's seven autonomous Caucasus republics are Muslim republics. In fact, Islam peacefully entered parts of Europe long before Christianity. Over a thousand years ago, 'In times long ago, when the Russian Slav had not yet started to build Christian churches on the Oka nor conquered these places in the name of European civilisation, the Bulgar [5] was already listening to the Qur'an on the banks of the Volga and the Kama.' (S.M. Solov'ev, Istoria Rossis Drevneishikh Vremen. Moscow 1965, p.476) This century too has seen large numbers of Europeans embrace Islam. In the UK alone there are estimated to be tens of thousands of reverts to Islam (mostly Anglo-Saxon and Celtic women) and within the next 20 years their number is expected to overtake the immigrant Muslim population that brought the faith here (The Times, 11/9/1993). Neither has the large awakening to Islam gone unnoticed by US administration. Hillary Rodham Clinton recently remarked: 'Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people...' (First Lady Breaks Ground with Muslims, Los Angeles Times, 5/31/1996) Truly, We created (all) humans in the best of moulds. (Qur'an, 95:4) Every faith besides Islam calls for the worship of creation in some way, shape or form. Moreover, race and colour play a central and divisive role in almost all non-Islamic belief systems. In Christianity, through the Prophet Jesus and the saints and in Buddhism, through Buddha and the Dalai Lama men and women of a particular race and colour are worshipped as deities in derogation of Allah. In Judaism, salvation is withheld from the non-Jew Gentile. Hinduism's caste-system likewise degrades and checks the spiritual, not to mention social, political and economic aspirations of the 'unclean' lower castes. Islam, however, seeks to unite and make one all the creatures of the world upon the Unity and Oneness of their Creator. Thus, Islam alone liberates all peoples, races and colours in the worship of Allah alone. Verily, I am Allah - there is nothing worthy of worship but Me. Therefore worship Me (alone). (Qur'an, 20:14) 'No other society has such a record of success in uniting in an equality of status, of opportunity and endeavour so many and so varied races o mankind. The great Muslim communities of Africa, India and Indonesia, perhaps also the small community in Japan, show that Islam has still the power to reconcile apparently irreconcilable elements Of race and tradition.' (H.A.R. Gibb, Whither Islam, London, 193Z p. 379) 'The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam and in the contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue...' (A.J. Toynbee, Civilisation on Trial, New York, p. 205) ,How, for instance can any other appeal stand against that of the Moslem who, in approaching the pagan, says to him, however obscure or degraded he may be "Embrace the faith, and you are at once equal and a brother." Islam knows no colour line.' (S.S. Leeder, Veiled Mysteries of Egypt) And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the (wonderful) difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people of sound knowledge. (Qur'an, 30:22) ________________________________________ [1]. Hence every one of the famous twelve disciples of Jesus was an Israelite Jew. The one biblical passage where Jesus is supposed to have told his disciples to 'Go and preach unto all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.' (Matthew 28:19), commonly quoted to prove the Gentile mission as well as the Trinity, is not found in any pre-sixteenth century manuscript and is thus considered 'a pious fraud'. [2] The Byzantine or East Roman Empire was finally brought to an end when its ancient capital, Constantinople, was conquered by the young Ottoman Sultan, Muhammad al-Fatih, in 1453CE. The conquest was a watershed in world history, marking the end of the Middle Ages as well as the fulfilment of a prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad. [3] 'Al-Jam'ah' refers to the group of Believers who are united upon the pure, unadulterated Islam of Muhammad and his Companions. [4] Other 'native' European Muslims include the Bosnians, Pomaks and Ajarians. [5] In 922CE Islam became the official religion of the Volga Bulgars, a turkicised Iranic tribe originating from the ancient Afghan city of Balkh. The present-day Bulgarians, Volga Tatars, Chuvash and various Caucasus tribes all trace their ancestry back to the ancient Bulgars. YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS MAN Dear honest and sincere Friend, THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW THIS MAN Please read this valuable few-page stuff, read them slowly and carefully, SAVE THEM on your PC, and then forward and send them to all whom you love and care for in your country and all over the world to spread The Plain Truth everywhere! THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW THIS MAN www.islam-guide.com (French-German-Italian-Japanese-Chinese-Spanish, etc.) www.irf.net www.kuran.gen.tr (God's Holy Quran in Russian, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and different other Languages) YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS MAN __________________________________ Encyclopedia Britannica confirms: "...a mass of detail in the early sources shows that he was an honest and upright man who had gained the respect and loyalty of others who were likewise honest and upright men." (Vol. 12) George Bernard Shaw said about him: He must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness." (The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936) He was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth. He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms, established a powerful and dynamic society to practice and represent his teachings and completely revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior for all times to come. "HIS NAME IS MUHAMMAD" May Peace of God Be Upon Him (PBUH) He was born in Arabia in the year 570 C.E. (common era), started his mission of preaching the religion of Truth, Islam (submission to One God at the age of forty and departed from this world at the age of sixty-three. During this short period of 23 years of his prophethood, he changed the complete Arabian peninsula from paganism and idolatry to worship of One God, from tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion, from drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety, from lawlessness and anarchy to disciplined living, from utter bankruptcy to the highest standards of moral excellence. Human history has never known such a complete transformation of a people or a place before or since - and IMAGINE all these unbelievable wonders in JUST OVER TWO DECADES. Lamartine, the renowned historian, speaking on the essentials of human greatness, wonders: "If greatness of purpose, smallness of means and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls...his forbearance in victory, his ambition, which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire; his endless prayers, his mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death; all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma. This dogma was two-fold, the unity of God and the immateriality of God; the former telling what God is, the latter telling what God is not; the one overthrowing false gods with the sword, the other starting an idea with the words. Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is MUHAMMAD. As regards all the standards by which Human Greatness may be measured, we may well ask, IS THERE ANY MAN GREATER THAN HE? (Lamartine, Historire de la Turquie, Paris, 1854, Vol. II pp. 276-277) The world has had its share of great personalities. But these were one sided figures who distinguished themselves in but one or two field, such as religious thought or military leadership. The lives and teachings of these great personalities of the world are shrouded in the mist of time. There is so much speculation about the time and place their birth, the mode and style of their life, the nature and detail of their teachings and the degree and measure of their success or failure that is impossible for humanity to reconstruct accurately the lives and teachings of these men. Not so this man. Muhammad (PBUH) accomplished so much in such diverse fields of human thought and behavior in the fullest blaze of human history. Every detail of his private life and public utterances has been accurately documented and faithfully preserved to our day. The authenticity of the records so preserved are vouched for not only by the faithful followers but even by his prejudiced critics. Muhammad (PBUH) was a religious teacher, a social reformer, a moral guide, an administrative colossus, a faithful friend, a wonderful companion, a devoted husband, a loving father - all in one. No other man in history ever excelled or equaled him in any of these different aspects of life - but it was only for the selfless personality of Muhammad (pbuh) to achieve such incredible perfection. Mahatma Gandhi, speaking on the character of Muhammad (PBUH) says in 'YOUNG INDIA': "I wanted to know the best of one who holds today undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind...I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life." Thomas Calyle in his 'Heroes and Heroworship', was simply amazed as to "how one man single handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades." Diwan Chand Sharma wrote, "Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him" (D.C. Sharma, "The Prophets of the East", Calcutta, 1935, pp. 12) Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockley, on the profession of ISLAM, write: "I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, AND MAHOMET, AN APOSTLE OF GOD' is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet have never transgressed the measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion." (History of the Saracen Empires, London, 1870, p. 54) Muhammad (PBUH) was nothing more or less than a human being. but he was a man with a noble mission, which was to unite humanity on the worship of ONE and ONLY ONE GOD and to teach them the way to honest and upright living based on the commands of God. He always described himself as, 'A Servant and Messenger of God' and so indeed every action of his proclaimed to be. Speaking on the aspect of equality before God in Islam, the famous poetess of India, Sarojini Naidu says: "It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for, in the mosque, when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim: 'God Alone is Great'...I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes man instinctively a brother." (S. Naidu, Ideals of Islam, vide Speeches &Writings, Madras, 1918, p. 169) In the words of Professor Hurgronje: "the league of nations founded by the prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations." He continues, "the fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done towards the realization of the idea of the League of Nations." The world has not hesitated to raise to divinity, individuals whose lives and missions have been lost in legend. Historically speaking, none of these legends achieved even a fraction of what Muhammad (PBUH) accomplished. And all his striving was for the sole purpose of uniting mankind for the worship of One God on the codes of moral excellence. Muhammad (PBUH) or his followers never at any time claimed that he was a son of God or the God-incarnate or a man with divinity - but he always was and is even today considered as only a Messenger chosen by God. Michael H. Hart, in his recently published book on ratings of men who contributed towards the benefit and upliftment of mankind writes: "My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels." (M.H. Hart, "The 100: A ?Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History", New York, 1978, p. 33) K.S. Ramakrishna Rao, an Indian professor of Philosophy, in his booklet "Muhammad the Prophet of Islam" calls him the "perfect model for human life." Professor Ramakrishna Rao explains his point by saying, "The personality of Muhammad, it is most difficult to get into the whole truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I can catch. What a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes. There is Muhammad the Prophet. There is Muhammad the Warrior; Muhammad the Businessman; Muhammad the Statesman; Muhammad the Orator; Muhammad the Reformer; Muhammad the Refuge of Orphans; Muhammad the Protector of Slaves; Muhammad the Emancipator of Women; Muhammad the Judge; Muhammad the Saint. All in all these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is alike a hero." Today after a lapse of fourteen centuries, the life and teachings of Muhammad (PBUH) have survived without the slightest loss, alteration or interpolation. They offer the same undying hope for treating mankind's many ills, which they did when he was alive. This is not a claim of Mohammed’s (PBUH) followers, but the inescapable conclusion forced upon by a critical and unbiased history. The least YOU can do as a thinking and concerned human being is to stop for a moment and ask your self: Could these statements sounding so extraordinary and revolutionary really be true? And supposing they really are true and you did not know this man MUHAMMAD (PBUH) or hear about him, isn't it time you responded to this tremendous challenge and put in some effort to know him? It will cost you nothing, but it may prove to be the beginning of a completely new era in your life. By Eng. Husain Pasha We invite you to make a discovery of this wonderful man, MUHAMMAD (PBUH), the like of whom never walked on the face of this earth. Dear honest and sincere Friend, Please read this valuable few-page stuff, read them slowly and carefully, SAVE THEM on your PC, and then forward and send them to all whom you love and care for in your country and all over the world to spread The Plain Truth everywhere! www.islam-guide.com (French-German-Italian-Japanese-Chinese-Spanish, etc.) www.kuran.gen.tr (God's Holy Quran in Russian, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and different other Languages) www.irf.net WOMEN'S LIBERATION THROUGH ISLAM Dear honest and sincere Friend, THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH Please read this valuable few-page stuff, read them slowly and carefully, SAVE THEM on your PC, and then forward and send them to all whom you love and care for in your country and all over the world to spread The Plain Truth everywhere! www.islam-guide.com (French-German-Italian-Japanese-Chinese-Spanish, etc.( www.irf.net www.kuran.gen.tr (God's Holy Quran in Russian, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and different other Languages) WOMEN'S LIBERATION THROUGH ISLAM Today people think that women are liberated in the West and that the Women’s liberation movement began in the 20th century. Actually, the women’s liberation movement was not begun by women but was revealed by God to a man in the seventh century by the name of Muhammad (Peace be upon him), who is known as the last Prophet of Islam. The Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet (Hadith or Sunnah) are the sources from which every Muslim woman derives her rights and duties. I. HUMAN RIGHTS Islam, fourteen centuries ago, made women equally accountable to God in glorifying and worshipping Him – setting no limits on her moral progress. Also, Islam established a woman’s equality in her humanity with men, In the Qur’an, in the first verse of the chapter entitled "Women", God says, "O mankind! Be careful of your duty toward your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it its mate and from them both have spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom you claim (your rights) of one another, and towards the wombs (that bore you). Lo! Allah has been a Watcher over you." (4:1) Since men and women both came from the same essence, they are equal in their humanity. Women cannot be by nature evil (as some religions believe) or then men would be evil, also. Similarly, neither gender can be superior because it would be a contradiction to equality. II. CIVIL RIGHTS In Islam, a woman has the basic freedoms of choice and expression based on recognition of her individual personality. First, she is free to choose her religion. The Qur’an states: "There is no compulsion in religion. Right has been made distinct from error." (2:256) Women are encouraged in Islam to contribute their opinions and ideas. There are many traditions of the Prophet(S) which indicate women would pose questions directly to him and offer their opinions concerning religion, economics and social matters. A Muslim woman chooses her husband and keeps her name after marriage. A Muslim woman’s testimony is valid in legal disputes. In fact, where women are more familiar, their evidence is conclusive. III. SOCIAL RIGHTS The Prophet(S) said, "seeking knowledge is a mandate for every Muslim (male and female)". This includes knowledge of the Qur’an and the Hadith as well as other knowledge. Men and women both have the capacity for learning and understanding. Since it is also their obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate education to perform this duty in accordance with their own natural talents and interests. While bearing, raising and teaching of children, providing support to her husband, and maintenance of a home are among the first and very highly regarded roles for a woman, if she has the skills to work outside the home for the good of the community, she may do so as long as her family obligations are met. Islam recognizes and fosters the natural differences between men and women despite their equality. Some types of work are more suitable for men and other types for women. This in no way diminishes either’s efforts or benefits. God will reward both sexes equally for the value of their work, through, it may not necessarily be the same activity. Concerning motherhood, the Prophet(S) said, "Heaven lies under the feet of mothers". This implies that the success of a society can be traced to the mothers who raised it. The first and greatest influence on a person comes from the sense of security, affection, and training received from the mother. Therefore, a woman having children must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent. IV. POLITICAL RIGHTS A right given to Muslim women by God 1400 years ago is the right to vote. On any public matter, a woman may voice her opinion and participate in politics. One example, as narrated in the Qur’an (60:12), Muhammad(S) is told that when the believing women come to him and swear their allegiance to Islam, he must accept their oath. This established the right of women to select their leader and publicly declare so. Finally, Islam does not forbid a woman from holding important positions in government. Abdurrahman Ibn Affan consulted many women before he recommended Uthman Ibn Affan to be the Caliph. V. ECONOMIC RIGHTS The Qur’an states: "By the creation of the male and female; Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse." (92:3-4) In these verses, God declares that He created men and women to be different, with unique roles, functions and skills. As in society, where there is a division of labor, so too in a family, each member has different responsibilities. Generally, Islam upholds that women are entrusted with the nurturing role, and men, with the guardian role. Therefore, women are given the right of financial support. The Qur’an an states: "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend of their wealth (for the support of women)." (4:34) This guardianship and greater financial responsibility given to men, requires that they provide women with not only monetary support but also physical protection and kind respectful treatment. Muslim women have the privilege to earn money, the right to own property, to enter into legal contracts and to mange all of her assets in any way she pleases. She can run her own business and no one has any claim on her earnings, including her husband. The Qur’an states: "And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others; to men is allotted what they earn, and to women, what they earn; but ask Allah of His bounty for Allah hath full knowledge of all things." (4:32) A woman inherits from her relatives. The Qur’an states: "For men there is a share in what parents and relatives leave, and for women there is a share of what parents and relatives leave, whether it be little or much - an ordained share." (4:7) VI. RIGHTS OF A WIFE The Qur’an states: "And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may live in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between you; Verily, in that are signs for people who reflect." (30:21) Marriage is therefore not just a physical or emotional necessity but, in fact, a sign from God! It is a relationship of mutual rights and obligations based on divine guidance. God created men and women with complimentary natures and, in the Qur’an, He laid out a system of laws to support harmonious interaction between the sexes. "…They are your garments and you are their garments." (2:187) Clothing provides physical protection and covers the beauty and faults of the body. Likewise, a spouse is viewed this way. Each protects the other and hides the faults and compliments the characteristics of the spouse. To foster the love and security that comes with marriage, Muslim wives have various rights. The first of the wife’s rights is to receive Mahr, a gift from the husband, which is part of the marriage contract and required for the legality of the marriage. The second right of a wife is maintenance. Despite any wealth she may have, her husband is obligated to provide her with food, shelter and clothing. He is not forced, however, to spend beyond his capability and his wife is not entitled to make unreasonable demands. The Qur’an states "Let the man of means spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him." (65:7) God tells us men are guardians over women and are afforded the leadership in the family. His responsibility for obeying God extends to guiding his family to obey God at all times. A wife’s rights also extend beyond material needs. She has the right to kind treatment. The Prophet(S) said, "The most perfect believers are the best in conduct. And the best of you are those who are the best to their wives." God tells us He created mates and put love, mercy and tranquility between them. Both men and women have a need for companionship and sexual needs and marriage is designed to fulfill those needs. For one spouse to deny this satisfaction to the other, the temptation exists to seek it elsewhere. VII. DUTIES OF WIFE With rights come responsibilities. Therefore, wives have certain obligations to their husbands. The Qur’an states: "The good women in the absence of their husbands guard their rights as Allah has enjoined upon them to be guarded."(4:34) A wife is to keep her husband’s secrets and protect their marital privacy. Issues of intimacy of faults of his that would dishonor him, are not to be shared by the wife, just as he is expected to guard her honor. A wife must also guard her husband’s property. She must safeguard his home and possessions, to the best of her ability, from theft or damage. She should manage the household affairs wisely so as to prevent loss or waste. She should not allow anyone to enter the house whom her husband dislikes nor incur any expenses of which her husband disapproves. A Muslim woman must cooperate and coordinate with her husband. There cannot, however, be cooperation with a man who is disobedient to God. She should not fulfill his requests if he wants her to do something unlawful. A husband also should not take advantage of his wife, but be considerate of her needs and happiness. VIII. CONCLUSION The Qur’an states: "And it becomes not a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad (P) have decided on an affair (for them), that they should (after that) claim any say in their affair; and whoso is rebellious to Allah and His Messenger, he verily goes astray in error manifest," (33:36) The Muslim woman was given a role, duties and rights 1400 years ago that most women do not enjoy today, even in the West. These are from God and are designed to keep balance in society; what may seem unjust or missing in one place is compensated for or explained in another place. Islam is a complete way of life. Mary Ali & Anjum Ali JESUS in the QURAN Dear honest and sincere Friend, THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH Please read this valuable few-page stuff, read them slowly and carefully, SAVE THEM on your PC, and then forward and send them to all whom you love and care for in your country and all over the world to spread The Plain Truth everywhere! www.islam-guide.com (French-German-Italian-Japanese-Chinese-Spanish, etc.( www.irf.net www.kuran.gen.tr (God's Holy Quran in Russian, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and different other Languages) JESUS in the QURAN The Islamic view on Jesus lies between two extremes. The Jews, who rejected Jesus as a Prophet of God, called him an impostor. The Christians, on the other hand, considered him to be the son of God and worship him as such. Islam considers Jesus to be one of the great prophets of God and respects him as much as Ibrahim (Abraham), Moses, and Mohammed. (Peace Be Upon Them) This is conformity with the Islamic view of the oneness of God, the oneness of Divine guidance, and the complementary role of the subsequent mission of God's messengers. The essence of Islam - willing submission to the will of God - was revealed to Adam, who was passed it on to his children. All following revelations to Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, Jesus, and finally Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Them) were conformity with that message, with some elaboration to define the revelation between man and God, man and man, man and instructions. Thus, any contradictions among revealed religions is viewed by Islam as a man-made element introduced into these religions. The position of Jesus in the three major religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - should not be an exception. Although the Quran does not present a detailed life-story of Jesus, it highlights the important aspects of his birth, his mission, his ascension to heaven, and passes judgements on the Christian beliefs concerning him. The Quranic account of Jesus starts with the conception of his mother, Mary, whose mother, the wife of Imran, vowed to dedicate her child to the service of God in the temple. When Mary became a woman, the Holy Spirit (the Archangel Gabriel) appeared to her as a man or spirit bringing her news of a son. We read the following dialogue in the Quran between Mary and the Angel: "When the angel said, "Mary, god gives you a good tidings of a Word from Him whose name is messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, -high honored shall he be in this world and the next, near stationed to God. He shall speak to men in the cradle, and of age, and righteous he shall be, "lord" said Mary "How shall I have a son, seeing no mortal has touched me? "Even so, he said "God creates what He will". When he decrees a thing He but say to it, "Be", and it is. (Al-Imran 3:45-47) In a chapter (Surah) entitled "Maryam" (Mary), the Quran tells us how Mary gave birth to her son, and how the people accused her when she brought the child home: "Then she brought the child to her folk, carrying him, and they said, "Mary, you have surely committed a monstrous thing. Sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked man, nor your mother a woman unchaste. Mary pointed to the child; but they said, 'How shall we speak to one who still in the cradle, a little child. And he said, 'Lo, I am God's servant, God has given me the Book and made me a Prophet Blessed is He WHO has made me ,wherever I may be; and HE has enjoined me to prayer, and to give the alms so long as I live, and likewise to cherish my mother; He has not made me arrogant and wicked. Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised up alive. "Maryam 19:29-33) in the same chapter, following the above quotation, God assures Mohammed (PBUH) and through him the whole world, that what is told above is the TRUTH about Jesus (PBUH), although Christians might not accept it. Jesus is NOT the son of God: He was obviously enough, the son of Mary. The verses continue: "That is Jesus, son of Mary, in word of truth, concerning w
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