•

A GLIMPSE OF
ISLIMIC FIITI

GHAlib AHMAd MASRi

i:i+.<>!l..w PI 0 -'-! ii ~ 1I(j..C. ib..oJ ]

9JLlil ~I uJLt
o
 GLIMPSE OF
A GLIMPSE
ISLAMIC FAITH

BY
GHALIB MASRI
GHALIB MASRI
CooperaUn Otlcc
Coopcrrdvc Oflke for
for Cdl
CaB end
and Guldrmc
Guidance ln
In Al-Brtbr, Riyadh, 1996
AI-Batha, Riyrd\ 1996

King Fahad
King Fahad National Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Library Caralosing-in-Publication
National Library Data

Musri, Ghalib
Musri, Ghalib
AA glimpse of of Islamic
Islamic faith
faith
..... P,, .......
. . .P . . . . .cCD1.
m.
9960-798-35-6
ISBN: 9960-798-35-6
I. Faith
1. Faith (Islamic creeds) creeds) l.I. Title

243 dc
243

Lcgal Deposit No. 0617/17

Legal Dcposit 0617(17
ISBN:9960-798-35-6
ISBN:996G798-35-6
 TABLEOF
TABLE CONTENTS
OFCONTENTS
SUBJECT
SUBJECT PAGE
PAGE
Dedication............
Dedication 44
lntroduction...........
Introduction 55
Man'sNeed
Man's Needfor the the Correct
CorrectCreedCreed.". 88
Monotheismin Islam
Monotheism Islam 11
l1
Religion and
Religion and Human
Human Nature (Belief
Nature(Belief
in Allah) 13
13
Messengersof Allah
Messengers 28
28
The Message
The Message of ProphetProphet Mu-
hammad (PBUH)
hammad 33
33
Pre-IslamicTimes
Pre-Islamic Times 33
33
The Mission
The .........
Mission....... 41
41
Characterof the
Character the Gracious
Gracious
Prophe (PBUH)
Prophe (PBUH) 46
46
Scriptures (the
Holy Scriptures (the books
books of of Allah) 63 63
The
The Holy Qur'an
Qur'an 65
65
The Hereafter
Hereafter................................... 82
82
Divine Destiny
Destiny................................. 8787
Angels
Angels of
of Allah 89
89
3
 DEDICATION

** Truth with an
Searchersfor Truth
the Searchers
To the an
open
open mind and and anan enlightened
enlightened
heart...
heart...
** To those who are
those who are keen
keen on saving
on saving
themselves
themselves from going astray
from going and
astray and
living in the the broad
broad expanse
expanse of
Light.
Light.
** To every man and
every man and woman
woman desiring
desiringto
to
know about
know Islam'sattitude
about Islam's towards
attitudetowards
the
the major
major issues DIVINITY,'fHtr
issuesof DIVINITY, THE
UNIVERSE and LIFE, and
and LIFE and about
about
the position and
the position role of man
and role man in the
the
Universe.
Universe.

I dedicate
dedicatethis quick glimpse
this quick glimpseof the
the
IslamicFaith.
Islamic Faith.

4
 Introduction
Introduction

In the
In theName
Nameof
of Allah,
Allah, the
the Beneficent,
Beneficent.
the Merciful
the Merciful

Islam has
Islam has liberated
liberated man
man from
from mental
mental
bondageand
bondage and trained
trainedits
its followers
followers to
to search
search
the truth
for the truth with open
open minds.
minds. Allah hashas
honouredthe
honoured the human
humanmind
mind andand made
made it aa
meansof discovering
means discoveringthethe tokens
tokensof His
His ex-
ex-
istenceand
istence glory in the
and glory the universe
universeand
and un-
un-
derstandingHis
derstanding His Glorious Revelation.
GloriousRevelation.

In the
the time
time when
when the
the non-Islamic
non-Islamic world
was
was suffering
suffering from the
the abyss
abyss ofof the
the so
so
called
called Dark Ages,
Ages, the
the Islamic
Islamic world
world was
was
already
already living in an
an age
age ofof enlightenment
enlightenment
and
and had advanced
advanced in altall fields
fields of
of life-
spiritual and material.
spiritual and material. That
That is,
is, in fact,
fact, a
5
natural the living
outcomeof the
natural outcome faith which
living faith which
is compatiblewith
is compatible human na-
undefiled human
with undefiled na-
ture.
ture.

When
When in action,
action,the
the Islamic
Islamic faith
faith brings
brings
forth
fonh other
other honourable
honourable examples
examples of hu-hu-
man
man civilization and guides man
and guides man to to the
the
Straight
StraightPath.
Path.This
This faith
faith is
is summed
summedup up and
and
pronounced in the
pronounced the following Arabic Arabic
Words:
Words:
. i ~i
i,i
tJ 5.!iii !Is t, a,lllU
dlJl U!
•1dJ•1U.
.lJ :riii "
lJtJgii ~i II

II. olJl1J.....
" ' dlJ Jg.rr1J I..
l:oa-c
0 " ..

It can be transliterated
can be transliteratedinto
into Roman
Roman
Letters
Lettersas
asfollows:
follows:

'' ASH-HADU AN LA ILAHA

"ASH-HADU
ILLAL-LAAH,
ILLAL-LAAH. WA ASH-HADU
ANNA MUHAMMADAN RA-
MUHAMMADAN RA-
SULUL-LAAH."
SULUL-LAAH."

6
Its meaning
Its meaningin
in English
Englishis
is ::
''I BEAR
WITNESS THAT
"I BEAR WITNESS THERE IS
THAT THERE IS
NO GOD
NO GOD BUT
BUT ALLAH; AND THAT
THAT
MUHAMMAD IS
MUHAMMAD IS HIS
HIS MESSEN-
MESSEN-
GER.''
GER."

explanationof the
A brief explanation the Muslim
Muslim faith
faith
is given in the
is given the following pages.
pages.Yet this
this is
is
only glimpsefor those
only aa glimpse thosewho
who are
are interested
interested
to know about
to know aboutthe
the articles
articles of the
the Islamic
Islamic
Faith.It could
could also
also be
be aa step
step forward
forwardon on
the way
the way of studying
studying andand discussing
discussingthe the
foundationsof Islamic
foundations Islamic belief.
belief.

It could
could convince
convince sincere
sincere searchers
searchers for
the
the truth
truth to embrace
embrace thethe true
true religion.
religion. An
impartial
impartial assessment
assessment of of their
their beliefs
beliefs and
and
practices
practices should
should hopefully
hopefully lead them to
lead them
shift their stand and guide
stand and guide them
them to the the
only straight path ( that
straight path that is, Islam).
Islam).
7
 MAN'S NEED
MAN'S NEED FOR
FOR
CORRECT CREED.
THE CORRECT CREED.

Man stands
Man standsatat the peak of creation
the peak creationand
and
holdsthe
holds positionof the
the position the master
masterin this
this uni-
uni-
verseowing
verse owing toto the
the unique qualities he
unique qualities he en-
en-
joys. He
joys. He is providedwith
is provided with aa number
number of fa-fa-
culties and
culties qualities that
and qualities that enable
enable him to to
control and
control and build
build this
this world.
world. HeHe is
is en-
en-
dowed with sense
dowedwith sensetoto make
makehimhim understand
understand
things and
things and acquire knowledge. He
acquireknowledge. He is
is also
also
provided with the
provided the means power and
means of power and
control.He
control. He enjoys,
enjoys,too,
too, aa variety
variety of emo-
emo-
tions and
tions feelings, such
and feelings, suchas love,hate,
as love, hate,an-
an-
ger,etc..
ger, etc..

These qualitiesare
These qualities are two-edged
two-edged weapons
weapons
that
that can
can be
be employed either for good
employed either good or for
evil purposes.
purposes. Power,
Power, for example,
example, can
can be
be
used
used either helping people
either for helping and giving
people and giving
8
them happiness.or
them wronging the
happiness. or for wronging the weak
weak
and oppressing
and them. The human
oppressing them. human mind
can be used
can either for inventing
used either the means
inventing the means
of luxury and comfort or for manufactur-
and comfort manufactur-
ing the devicesof death
the devices deathand
and destruction.
destruction.

Therefore,
Therefore, therethere must
must be someother
be some other
force
force or drive
drive that
that is
is able
able to
to control these
control these
human qualities and
human qualities faculties and
and faculties and direct
direct
them
them in the the interest
interestof manman and his com-
and his com-
munity.
munity. That
That is,
is, the
the sound
sound belief in the the
One
One andand Only true true God
God andand His perfect
His perfect
attributes
attributes andand in the the resurrection
resurrectionafter
after
death
death when everybody is
when everybody is brought
brought to to ac-
ac-
count
count forfor his past deeds.
his past deeds.This belief will
This belief
be
be the
the main
main factor
factor that
that leads man in the
leads man the
right
right path
path and
and keeps
keeps him away awayfromfrom evil
and
andinjustice.
injustice. It helps
helpstoto build real ideal
build aa real ideal
society
society as as it was
was witnessed
witnessedin in the past
the past
when
whenIslam
Islam was
was embodied
embodied in actualactual life
9
 and the
and the Muslim
Muslim soceity
soceitywas
was aa concrete
concrete
representation
representation of the
of theIslamic
Islamicfaith.
faith.

In fact,
In fact, Allah
Allah does
doesnot
not need
needour
our belief
belief
in Him,
in Him, nor
nor does
does HeHe need
need our
our worship
worship
and submission
and submissionto to His
His exalted
exalted Will; it
is we
is we whowho need
need this
this belief
belief in order
orderto
to be
be
coftect in our concept
correct conceptof life, the
the universe
universe
and its
and its Creator,
Creator, and
and to
to achieve
achieveour
our happi-
happi-
ness and
ness and welfare
welfareboth
both in this
this world and
and in
the Hereafter.
the Hereafter.

l10
0
 MONOTHEISM
M ONOTHEISM IIN
N IISLAM
SLAM

ISLAM, in general,
ISLAM, general, means
means surrender-
surrender-
one's whole self to Allah, getting
ing one's getting rid
of polytheism
polytheism and
and complete
complete submission
submission to
the orders
the orders and
and instructions
instructions of
of Allah.

Submission to Allah is a thing

Submission thing which
Allah requiresof the
AUah requires the whole
whole humanity
humanity asas
He
He is its
its Creator;
Creator;He
He has
hascreated
createdthe whole
the whole
universe
universeandand He
He alone
alone dominates
dominatesover over it.
It is
is the
the duty
duty of creatures
creaturestoto their Creator
their Creator
and
and aa requisite
requisiteof their
their servility
servility to
to their
their
Lord.
Lord.

Islam
Islam was
was the
the religion
religion of Adam, Noah,
Adam, Noah,
Abraham
Abraham andand other prophets up
otherprophets to Mu-
up to
hammad (peaceand
hammad (peace Allah be
blessingof Allah
andblessing be
upon
uponthem),
them), for
for their
their faith wasone
faith was and
one and
the
the same,
siune, although
although thethe applied ethics
applied ethics
1l
11
mightbe
might bedifferent.
different.

The Islamic
The Islamicfaith
faith consists
consistsof
of six
six funda-
funda-
mentals:
mentals:

1I -- Belief in
in Allah.
AUah.
22 -- Belief
Belief in His
His Angels.
Angels.
3 -- Belief
Belief in Divine
Divine Books.
Books.
4 -- Belief
Belief in His
His Prophets.
Prophers.
5 -- Belief in the
the Last
Last Day.
Day.
6 -- Belief in Divine
Divine Destiny.
Destinv.

The
The first fundamental
fundamental is rhe
the most
most im-
Im-
port
port of
of all.
all.

t12
2
 RELIGION
RELIGION AND HUMANHUMAN
NATURE
( Belief in Allah
Allah))

Everyone is
Everyone is born
bom upright nature.
upright by nature.
Pure nature
Pure leadsto Allah,
natureleads Allah, the and
One and
the One
Only true
true God.
God. In fact,fact, human nature
human nature
awakes Almighty Allah's
awakes to Almighty Allah's existence
existence
very
very early
early in life, even
even earlier
earlier than we
than we
may think.
may think. We generally think
We generally think that only
that only
an older
an person ponders
older person pondersover Allah's
over Allah's
existenceand
existence Oneness.But if we
and Oneness. we ob-
ob-
serve little child,
the life of aa little
serye the we notice
child, we notice
that in aa certain
that certain stage
stageof his life he
his life he asks
asks
parentsendless
his parents
his questionsabout
endlessquestions the
aLroutthe
thingshe
things he sees
seesaround
aroundhim him in the
the universe.
universe.

madethe
Who made
Who heaven?Why is
the heaven? is the
the sky
sky
blue? Where does
blue? Where does the
the sun go at
sun go night?
at night?
Why doesn't appear to
doesn't it appear to us
us at night?
at night?
T3
13
Where
Where does
does light go go when
when the the dark
dark
comes?
comes? Why do do stars gliaer? Where
stars glitter? Where
does
does the
the earth
earthend?
end?Why does
doesoneone flower
flower
have
have smell
smell while another
another doesn't?
doesn't?Where
Where
did I come
come from?
from? Where
Where was
was I before
beforeI
came?
came? etc.
etc. What
What dodo all these questions
these questions
mean
mean and indicate?
and indicate?

They
They indicate
indicate that
that nature
nature Inin this
this child
has
has begun
begun to awake
awake andand recognize the
recognize the
Creator
Creatorof thethe earth
earthand
and heavens
heavensthrough
through
His tangible
tangibleand
and seen
seen creation.
creation.There
There are
are
several
severaleffects
effects that
that touch
touch man's
man's senses
senses
and
and awaken
awakenhim to to the
the fact
fact of Allah's
Allah's ex-
ex-
istence,
istence,Oneness
Oneness and peerlessness.
and peerlessness. The
The
universe,
universe,so so vast
vastand
andwide,
wide, would
would certain-
certain-
ly awaken
awaken man
man toto that plain fact.
that plain fact.Those
Those
great
great dimensions
dimensions in the the skies
skies and
and the
the
earth...
earth...those
thosecountless,
countless,immense,
immense, celes-
celes-
tial
tial bodies...
bodies...Who
Who has
hascreated
createdthem?
them? TheThe
14
1,4
earth,
earth, though
though tootoo tiny compared
compared with
other
other celestial
celestial bodies,
bodies, contains moun-
contains moun-
tains, plains, oceans,
tains, plains, oceans, seasseas and
and rivers
rivers
that
that would take the whole life of man
take the man to
learn
leam about
about aa small part of them.
small part them. How,
then,
then, about
about thethe solar system of which
solar system
earth is
our earth part? How about
is only aa part? about the
the
way of which
milky way which our solarsolar system
system
is
is considered
consideredaa small part?. And other
small part? other
celestial
celestialmasses
masseswhich
which contain
contain millions
millions
and
and millions galaxieslike ours?
millions of galaxies ours? And
millions and
and millions of stars
starsin compari-
compari-
son
son with which
which thethe large sun is
large sun is consid-
consid-
ered be too
eredto be too small?
small?

With all its

its bulkiness, the UnIverse
bulkiness, the universe ISis
marvellously
marvellously accurate.
accurate. Night andand day
day
follow each
eachother
other so preciselythat
so precisely that we
we ad-
ad-
just our watches fact, the
them. In fact,
watches to them. the
whole
whole universe
universe ISis so
so exact its astro-
exact in its astro-
t5
15
 nomical revolution
nomical revolutionthat
thatclocks
clocksin
in observa-
observa-
tories, which
tories, which are
are the
the most
most accurate
accurate
clocks we
clocks we have
have and
and to
to which
which clocks
clocks in
in
broadcasting stations
broadcasting stations are
are adjusted,
adjusted, are
are
themselvesadjusted
themselves adjustedto
to the
theextremely
extremelyaccu-
accu-
rate astronomical
rate astronomical revolution
revolution which
which isis
neverdisturbed
never disturbed in the
the course
course of time
time un-
un-
less, of course,
less, course,Allah
Allah willed
willed it otherwise.
otherwise.

Every being,
Every being,animate
animateand
and inanimate,
inanimate,en-
en-
joys
joys suchsuchmiraculous
miraculousaccuracy.
accuracy.Have
Have you
you
seenthe
seen the extremely
extremelyminute
minute living cell
cell that
that
can
can be seen only under
be seen under the
the microscope?
microscope?
Yet it grows,
grows, splits
splits and
and performs
performs highly
highly
wonderfrrl
wonderful taskstasks which
which make
make manman helpless
helpless
and
and humble
humble towards
towards the
the omnipotence
omnipotence of
Ailah!
Allah! Who, Who, other
other than
than Allah,
Allah, has
has in-
fused
fused itit with thethe secret of life and
secret of and guided
guided
itit to such
such surprising activity?
surprising activity?

1166
 A germcannot
A genn cannotbe beseen
seenwith
with the
theunaided
unaided
eye.A
eye. A minute
minutekind kind called 'virus'
called'virus' cannot
cannotbe be
seen even
seen evenunder
underthe theordinary
ordinary microscope.
microscope.
Yet, you
Yet, you knowknow from from your
your studies
studies in in
science that itit might
science that might cause
causethe
themost
mostdead-
dead-
ly disease
ly diseaseunless
unless man man immunized
immunized him- him-
self against
self againstit by meansmeansof medicines and
ofmedicines and
serums.The
serums. The multicellular
multicellular being,
being, manman at at
the top,
the top, was
was originally
originally oneone impregnated
impregnated
cell which went went onon splitting
splitting and
and growing
growing
till it became
till became an an integral
integral being.
being. What
power,
power, other than that
other than of Allah, has
that of has giv-
en it life and and activity?
activity? Most surprising
surprising
in that splitting process
process is the fact that
those
those cells
cells appear
appear sirnilar
similar in their begin-
begin-
ning, then orders
orders are
are given to them ro to spe-
spe-
cialize
cialize and take certain forms -- one
take certain one cell
cell
moyes
moves to to aa certain
certain place
place and
and becomes
becomes an an
ear or part
ear or part of
of anan ear;
ear; another
another cell
cell goes
goes toto
another
another position
position and and becomes
becomes an an eye
eye or
or
t17
7
part of it; aa third becom
becomes one of the
es one the
turns into bones
cells; aa fourth turns
brain cells; etc'
... etc.
bones"'
order did those
What order invisible
those invisi re-
cells re-
ble cells
ceive and
ceive such extrao
obey in such
and obey rdinary ex-
extraordinary
actitu de? It is the
actitude? the order the Creat
order of the or.
Creator'
He order
orders them and
s them obey Him, and
theY obey
and they and
move and
move and form in accor dance with His
accordance
Divinee Will.
Divin Witl.

Have you
Have you obser
observedved aa multi -- colou red
coloured
nt beaut
fragrant
fragra flower?
iful flowe
beautiful r? Who has be-
has be-
stowe
stowed d it with that that fragra
fragrance and how
nce and
these colou
have these
have colours rs comb ined in it?
combined Sup-
it? Sup-
poseyou tried to perfu
pose perfume flowerr so
me aa flowe that
so that
it would diffus
diffuse nce from morn
fragrance
e fragra moming ing
to eveni
evening, and to paint
ng, and colours
paint it in all colou rs
that it woul
so that
so would lose colou
not lose
d not colour r so long as
so long as
it exists . How hard
exists. would it be
hard would be for
and how far would
you, and
you, Your attem
would your attemPtpt be
be
succe ssful? If
successful? people
If all peopl busied
earthbusie
on earth
e on d
l8
18
 themselveswith
themselves with such
suchaa task
taskwith
with all
all flow-
flow-
ers growing on
en growing on earth
earttror
or in
in the
the sea,
sea, could
could
they perform it?
they perform it? And even
even ifif they
they could,
could,
what time
what time and
andeffort
effort would
would bebe left
left for
for oth-
oth-
er activities?
er activities?

flowers on
Yet millions of flowers on earth
earth grow
scented,coloured
scented, colouredand pleasant.Allah
andpleasant. Allatr has
has
createdall without the
created the least
least effort or dis-
dis-
traction from directing
traction directing the
the immense
immenseuni-
verse, for He (Glory be
verse, be to Him!) only
saysto a thing:
says "Be! And it is".
thing: "Be! is". For
For Him,
it is so
so easy.
easy.

The phenomena
phenomena of of death
death and
and life also
also
attract
attract man's
man's attention
attention to the
the miraculous
miraculous
Divine Power
Power that
that gives
gives life and
and death.
death.
What is life in reality?
reality? It marvellous
It is a marvellous
secret
secret which no oneone can
can explain.
explain. All
All that
that
man has
has so far attempted interpreta-
attempted is the interpreta-
t9
19
tion of some phenomena
of some phenomena of of life such as
life such as
movement, growth and physiology.
movement, physiology. As for for
itself - what is it? How does
life itself
life does itit exist in
living things?
living things? How
How does
does itit direct them to
fulfil their functions?
fulfil All this is a vague
functions? All vague
incomprehensible to man.
mystery incomprehensible
mystery man. Man,
especially biologists, has
especially biologists, employedall his
has employed
knowledge to create
scientific knowledge create one one cell of
billions of living cells
cells with which the the di-
vine creation
creation abounds,
abounds,but all was vain.
was in vain.

As for man's
man'slivelihood,
livelihood, whether the
whether in the
form of rain falling from the the sky; crops
sky; crops
growing from earth;earth; fish,
fish, birds
birds and
and ani-
ani-
mals;
mals; treasures
treasuresand
and minerals
minerals underground;
underground;
the air we
the we breathe;
brcathe; the
the wind
wind driving
driving ships
ships
on
on the
the sea;
sea; or power
power driving
driving machines
machines
such as
such as steam
steam power,
power, electric
electric power;
Power;
atomic
atomicenergy,
energy,the power of fuel
thepower wa-
fuel or of wa-
ter
ter falling
falling down
down from mountains-- who,
from mountains who,

20
other than
other than ABah,
Ailah, provides
providesallall these? "Lo?
these?"Lo?
Allah, He
Allah, He itit is
is that gives livelihood,
that gives livelihood, the
the
Lord of unbeatable
Lord unbeatable might". (Qur'an,51:58)
might". (Qur'an, 5i:58)

Man yearns
Man yeamsafter
after the
the unseen
unseenwhich
which only
only
Allah knows,
Allah knows,but but all his attempts
all his atrernpts fail.
fail. HeHe
longsto
longs know what
to know what is is in store
storefor
for him
him in
his future life,
his future life, what
what his
his lot
lot will be
be next
next
year, what
year, what is going to
is going happento
to happen to him
him aa
month or aa week
month weekor aa day day later
later and
and what
what
is going to
is going to take place in
take place in aa moment.
moment. He He
cannot discover
cannot discover whatwhat is going to
is going to take
take
place
place in a moment,
moment, whether goodor evil.
whether good evil.
Who, other than
Who, other than Allah alone,
alone.enjoys
enjoys om- om-
niscience, sinceHe
niscience, since He has
has created
createdeverything
everything
and nothing
and nothing in thethe heavens
heavens and and the
the earth
earth
escapes
escapes His infinite
infinite knowledge?.
knowledge?

Many things impress

Many things impress the
the human
human mind,
mind,
awakening
awakening it to the
the idea
idea of
of the
the One
One God,
God,
221l
with no partner.
with perceives that He
partner. ItIt perceives
possesses perfection,
alone possesses
alone might, glory,
perfection, might, glory,
and limitless
greatness and
greatness power.
limitless Power.

Allah, the
" He is AUah, One and
the One Allah,
Only; Allah,
and OnlY;
Eternal, Absolute;
the Etemal,
the begetteth not,
Absolute; He begetteth
and there
begotten; and
Nor is He begotten; none like
there is none
unto Him." (The
unto Quran 112:1
HolY Quran
(The Holy -4)
ll2:l-4)

Thus, man
Thus, enjoy righte
man would enjoy nature
ous natur
righteous e
and an uprig
and be an ht believ
uPright er.
believer.

the huma
But the human n natur
nature sometimes
e some suf-
times suf-
fers from deran
fers gement and
derangement relapse'
and relaps The
e. The
facult
facultyy of perce may be
ption may
perception dulled;
be dulled so
; so
fails to perce
man fails
man ive the
perceive signsof inimi
the signs ta-
inimita-
the unive
bility in the
bility rse and
universe He forge
life' He
and life. ts
forgets
the mirac
the power
ulous powe
miraculous r that gives liveli-
that gives
hood, contr
hood, ols event
controls events possesses
andposse
s and com-
sses com-
prehe nsive know
prehensive ledge of
knowledge seenand
the seen
of the the
andthe
22
unseen.
unseen.

Whenman
When manundergoes
undergoesaanew new experience,
experience,
all his
all his senses
senseswill
will be
bealert
alert toto it. If he
it. If he no-
no-
tices aa scene
tices sceneoror hears
hearssomething
somethingnew new forfor
thefirst
the first time
time or
or goes
goestoto aa new
new town,
town, street
street
house, he
or house, he will be
be careful
careful to to recognise
recognise
the details
the detailsof the
the new
new place.
place. He He is is high-
high-
impressedsince
ly impressed sinceit is
is new
new toto him;
him; but as as
he grows
he grows familiar
familiar with thethe scene
sceneor place place
and sees
and sees it several
several times,
times, hishis senses
sensesno no
longer
longer pay
pay much,
much, or perhaps
perhaps the the least,
least, at-
at-
tention
tention to it.

Sometimes
Sometimes man behaves behaves likewise
likewise to-
wards
wards Allah. He forgets
forgets that Allah
Allah is the
Creator,
Creator, the
the Director,
Director, the
the Giver of life
Giver of life and
and
death.
death. He He overlooks
overlooks the
the multitudes
multitudes of of
signs
signs in
in this
this universe.
universe. HeHe neglects
neglects to to ob-
ob-
serve
serve the
the rising
rising sun
sun and
and light
light until
until they
they are
are
23
23
 swallowed up
swallowed up in the dark.
in the He fails to
dark. He to no-
no-
fragrant, beautiful
tice the fragrant, flowers with
beautiful flowers
joyous
joyous colours
colours andand the melodious notes
the melodious notes
song -birds.
of song
of -birds. He ignores thunder, light-
ignores thunder,
and rain falling from the
ning and clouds. He
the clouds.
disregards the
disregards the new-bom baby and
new-born baby the dead
and the dead
man. He forgets
man. forgets about complete weak-
about his complete weak-
ness in relation
ness relation to the absolute power
the absolute power of
Allah.
Allah.

Other
Otherthings
thingsmay
may dull
dull man's senses-- He
man's senses He
may
may be
be busy
busy with
with his food, drink,
his food, whims
drink, whims
and
and transient
transient worldly
worldly comforts, which
comforts, which
would
would divert
divert his
his mind from considering
mind from considering
the
the portents
portents in in the
the universe, seeking
universe, seeking
Allah's
Allah's favour
favour andand remembering
remembering thethe
Hereafter
Hereafter andand the
the reckoning
reckoning and retri-
and retri-
bution
bution inin it.
it.

Another
Another cause
causeof
of dull may
perceptionmay
dull perception
24
24
 be deviation
be deviation from
from Allah's
Allah's orders.
orders. Man
Man
would be
would rebeilious against
be rebeilious against Allah
Allah on on
earth and
earth and follow
tbllow his
his own lust-- He
own lust He would
would
go beyond
go beyondwhat
what Allah
AUah allows
allows himhim toto do
do
becauseof
because of his
his greediness
greedinessand andhishis desire
desire
to have
to have mastery
mastery overover others
others andand make
make
them slaves
them slavesto
to his
his desires;
desires;so so he
he encroach-
encroach-
es upon
es upon their property, honour
their property, honour or blood
blood
and wants
and wantsto deify
deify himself
himself so asto
so as to be
be wor-
wor-
shippedbeside
shipped besideAllah.
Allah. HeHe may
may bebe too
too proud
proud
to serve
to serveAllah,
Allah, or he he may
may bebe fascinated
fascinated
by what
what he possesses - his
he possesses his talents,
talents, health,
health,
power,
power, money
money or anything
anything Allah has has bes-
bes-
towed
towed on him. He thinks thinks he
he has
has acquired
acquired
them
them by his own power power andand forgets
forgets that
that
all these
these bounties
bounties emanated
emanated from Allah.

The
The human
human perception
perception or
or mind
mind gets
gets dull
dull
owing
owing to
to one
one of
of the
the afore-mentioned
afore-mentioned rea-
rea-
sons
sons or
or toto other
other deviations
deviations and
and relapses;
relapses;
25
25
so it forgets
so Allah wholly
forgets AUah ascribesaa
wholly or ascribes
pafiter
partner to Him and imaginesthat
and imagines some-
that some-
somettring in the
oneor something
one the universe shares
universe shares
divinity, majesty
divinity, and power
majesty and power with Allah.Allah.
Thus, the
Thus, the human
human nature getscorrupt
nature gets corruptand
and
is possessed
is possessed who drives
Satan,who
by Satan, away
drives it away
Divine Guidance
from Divine
from Guidanceand Favour. Yet,
and Favour. Yet,
does not
Alatr does
Allah not let His servants
let His sewantsgo go astray;
astray;
He sent
so He
so sent them Prophetsto
them Prophets to call them to
call them to
guidanceand
guidance andturn them back
turn them backto to truth. He
truth. He
has sent
has Muhammad(peace
sent Muhammad (peaceandandblessing
blessing
Allatr be
of Allah be upon him) as
uponhim) as the
the last prophet
last prophet
to
to be good tidings
harbingerof good
be aa harbinger tidings andand aa
wamer to
warner mankindup
to all mankind to the
up to Day of
the Day
Resurrection.
Resurrection.

He revealed
He revealedto him the
to him theQur'an
Qur'anand gua-
andgua-
ranteed preservation,"Lo!
its preservation,"
ranteedits Lo! We,
We, even
even
We,
We,reveal
revealthe
the Reminder (i.e.theQur'an)
Reminder(i.e.the Qur'an)
and h!
and La! We verily
We verily are
are its guardian".
its guardian".
26
26
(Qur'an,15:9).
(Qur'an, l5:9).

The Qur'an
The includesall that
Qur'anincludes is essential
ttrat is essential
natureto
humannature
for human to be nobleand
be noble andvirtuous,
virtuous,
guidesto
guides to the realmeaning
ttrereal meaningof divinity
divinity and
and
acquaintswith the
acquaints Rightful God,
the Rightful God, Creator
Creator
Director of the
and Director
and the universe,
universe,Owner
Owner of
withoutany
Sovereigntywithout
Sovereignty partner.
anypartner.

27
27
 MESSENGERS OF
MESSENGERS OF ALLAH
ALLAH

One ofof the

the fundamentals
fundamentals of of faith is
is the
the
Prophets (messengers
belief in the Prophets
belief (messengers of of
Allah). A
AUah). A man cannot considered a
cannot be considered
Muslim or a believer unless he believes
believer unless believes
Allah sent
that Allah Prophets from
sent to mankind Prophets
among themselves,
among conveyed the
themselves, who conveYed the
revealed to them
Truth revealed them from their Lord,
ALLAH,
ALLAH, brought
brought them good tidings,
them good tidings,
warned
wamed them,
them, expounded
expoundedand interpreted
and interpreted
Allah's
Allatr's message
messagefor them.them. Hence, man
Hence, man
will be considered
will be consideredaa Muslim only if he
Muslim only he
believes
believes in all prophets and
all prophets thatthey
andthat all
they all
brought
brought the
the same
sametruth from Allah,
truth from with-
Allah, with-
out
out making
making distinction
distinction between
between anyany ofof
them.
them.

"Say (O Muhammad):
"Say (0 Muhammad):We We believe in
believe in
Allah
Allah and
andthat
thatwhich
whichwas revealedunto
wasrevealed us
untous
28
 and that
and that which
which waswas revealed
revealed unto
unto
Abratramand
Abraham andIsmael
Ismaeland
and Isaac
Isaacand
and Jacob
Jacob
and the
and the tribes,
tribes, and
and that
that which was
was vouch-
vouch-
safed unto
safed unto Moses
Moses and
andJesus
Jesusand
andthe
thePro-
Pro-
phetsfrom their
phets their Lord.
Lnrd. We
We make
make no
no dis-
dis-
between any
tinction between any of them,
them, and
and unto
unto
Him we havesurrendered".
we have (Qur'an,3:
surrendered".(Qur'an, 3: 84)
84)

Why hashas Allah enjoined

enjoined belief in thethe
Prophets and
Prophets and made
made it aa fundamental
fundamental of
faith besides
faith besides belief in Him, thoughthough the
rhe
is the
belief in Allah is the basis
basisof everything?
everything?
The answer
The answer is obvious.
obvious. How can man
can man
know hishis Lord and worship Him in the
and worship the
right way without thethe Prophets
Prophets andand their
guidance?
guidance? Consider
Consider thethe falsehoods
falsehoods of of
mankind
mankind concerning
concerning their Lord through-
through-
out history,
history, how they
they imagined
imagined Him and and
worshipped
worshipped Him
Him in their various
various ages
ages of
of
pre-Islamic
pre-Islamic paganism.
paganism. Once
Once they ima-
29
29
 gined Him in the
gined the fonn
form of the
the sun's
sun'sdisc,
disc, as
as
was the
was the case
case with ancient
ancientEgyptians;
Egyptians;once
once
the fonn
in the form of supennan,
superman,as as did the
the Greeks
Greeks
and Romans;
and Romans; onceonce in thethe fonn
form of thethe
moon, another
moon, another in the form of aa star
the fonn star and
and
another in the
still another the fonn
form of anan idol. So
So
fancies differed and
fancies and all strayed
strayed from the
the
god because
true god
true because they
they sought
sought guidance
guidance
from their own imagination,
imagination,desires
desires and
and
knowledge and
limited knowledge and didn't
didn't follow the
the
the right way as
truth in the as continned
confirmed by
Allah, that
that is through
through Prophets
Prophets to whom
whom
the Truth
the Truth had
had been
beenrevealed.
revealed.

less wrong
No less wrong was
was the perception of
the perception
various
various times ideological ignorance
times of ideological ignorance
when there
when there were
were small gods besides
small gods besides the
the
Lord of lords
lords who enjoyed
enjoyed some
some of His
traits,
traits, such as a god
suchas god of rain,
rain, another
another of
lightning, another
lightning, anotherof thunder,
thunder, another
another of
30
 the wind,
the wind, another
another of of the
the sea (Neptune)
sea (Neptune)
asanother
as anotherof
of fertility,
fertility, another
anottrerofof progeny
progeny
and others
and othersof
of every
every affair
affair of
of life.
life.

If we
If we believe
believe that
that Divinity
Divinity and
andLord-
ship are
ship arethe
the major issues the life of man
issuesin the man
man and
man and that
that the
the worship
worship of Allah is is the
the
objectof human
object existence: "I created
humanexistence: created the
ttre
jinn and
jinn and humankind
humankindonly that that they
they might
might
worship (Qur'an,51:56),then,
worship Me." (Qur'an,51:56), then, we
we
will understand
will understandwhy belief in the pro-
the Pro-
phets
phets is a principal
principal constituent
constifuent of faith;
faith;
for asas we have
have seen
seen in historical
historical reality,
reality,
it is impossible
impossible for humanity
humanity to be be guid-
ed to the
the truth with regard
regard to divinity andand
worship through other than than the right andand
authorized
authorized source, that is -- the
source, that the prophets
prophets
senr
sent by Almighry
Almighty Allah.

The
The same
same applies
applies to
to the
the necessity of be-
necessity of
3311
 in all
lief in prophets without
all prophets without distinction
distinction
whatsoeverbetween
whatsoever any of them.
betweenany them.They
They all
came
came for one purpose.They
one purpose. They were
were sent
sent
make it known that
to make
to thereis
that there is only ONE
GOD in the the whole
whole universe, that is
universe, that is
Almighty Allah
AUah (Be(Be He glorified and
He glorified andhigh
high
exalted!)
exalted!)with no partner.Theysaid
no partner.They saidto
to peo-
peo-
"ServeAllah! Ye have
ple, "Serve
ple, have no
no other
othergod
god
but
but Him". (Qur'an,11:50,11:61,
Him". (Qur'an, 11:50,l1:61, 11:84).
l1:84).

So, what is
So, what is the
the meaning
meaningof believing
believing in
itt
one prophet and
one prophet and denying
denying another?
another? In fact,
fact,
denying any of them
denyingany them is
is the
the same
same as
as deny-
deny-
ing them
them all, since
sincethey
they expounded
expoundedto menmen
the same
the revealed to them
samething revealed them by Allah:

"We sent messenger before

sent no messenger before thee
thee but
inspired him (saying):
we inspired (saying): There
There is no
god Save Me (Allah),
god Save (Allah), so
so worship
worship Me".
(Qur'an,2l:25)
(Qur'an, 21 :25)
32
32
 THE,MESSEGE
THE MESSEGEOF OF PROPHET
PROPHET
MUHAMMAD( Peace Peacebe
beUpon
UponHim)
Him)
---------------------------
---------------------------
Pre-- Islamic
Pre IslamicTimes:
Times:

Before the
Before adventof ISLAM all man-
the advent man-
kind had
kind had degenerated
degeneratedinto
into the
the worst
worst of
sktesand
states andthe
thedarkest
darkestof stages.
stages.

Not only Arabia

Arabia was predominatedby
was predominated
such pagan ignorance;
such pagan ignorance; thethe whole
whole world
suffered from it. There
suffered There were 'great'
were two 'great'
states: Persia
states: Persiaand
and Byzantium;
Byzantium; theythey ruled
ruled
most of the
most the world atat that
that time.
time. Either
Either had
had
a historic'civilization',
historic 'civilization', but
but what
what was
was its
its
basis and what
basis and what was
was the mental, psycholo-
the mental, psycholo-
gical
gical and material standard
and material standardof its people?
its people?

In Persia a 'Khosrau'
ln Penia 'Khosrau' ruled.
ruled. He was
was not
merely
merely a ruler;
ruler; he
he was 'god'.
was a 'god'. The
The cere-
cere-
33
33
moniesof greeting
monies greetingwere
were nearest
nearest to to those
those
worship. People
of worship. Feoplewere
werereally
really slaves
slaves toto
that god, living -- whatever
that god, whatevertheirtheir rank
rank and
and
class was -- in the
class was the way
way that
that Khosrau'
Khosrau'or or his
his
inherited royal
inherited royal traditions
traditions would
would allow.
allow.
'handful'
Only aa 'handful' of people people enjoyed
enjoyedthethe
riches
richesof the the country -
country thatthat is,
is, the
the court
court of
Khosrau
Khosrauthat held sway
that held sway over
over thethe masses;
masses;
while
while the
the latter were in an
latter were an abject
abject state
stateof
poverty, slavery
poverty, slaveryand
and humiliation.
humiliation. The The as-
as-
'pomp'
pectsof 'pomp' and
pects 'civilization'were
and 'civilization' were all
confined
confinedto the palace.As for the
the palace. 'people',
the 'people',
they were important
they were importantasas far as as they
they served
served
the interests of these
the interests these ruling
ruling masters
masterswith
'god'
that
that 'god' at at their
their head.
head. Yes,
Yes, there
therewere
were
arts
arts and
and material production, but all was
materialproduction, was
used,
used, along people, for the
along with people, the sake
sake of
those interests.
those The official worship
interests. The worship was was
that fire. Morals
that of fire. Morals hadhad collapsed
collapsed and and
Mazdek's
Mazdek's communism
comrnunismand and permissiveness,
permissiveness,
34
34
 dissolutionand
dissolution andanarchy
anarchyhad
had spread.
spread.What
What
mental, spiritual
mental, spiritual and
and material
material contempt
contempt
man-under 'great'
man- under that civilization-- had
that 'great' civilization had
lived in!
lived in!

In Byzantium
In Byzantium conditions
conditions were
werenono better.
better.
Caesar was surrounded
Caesar was surrounded with the the same
sameha-
ha-
loes as
loes as Khosrau,
Khosrau, and people were,
and people were, as
as in
every state
every stateof ideological
ideologicalignorance,
ignorance,mas-
mas-
ters and
ters and bondsmen.
bondsmen. TheseThese bondsmen
bondsmen
fought and
fought and died
died in great
greatnumbers
numbersonly in
the cause
causeof the 'Empire'
the 'Empire' and
the and the personal
the personal
glories
glories ofof Caesar
Caesar and
and his
his commanders.
commanders.
Like Persia,
Persia, there
there were
were arts,
arts, material
material pro-
duction
duction andand building, but for whose
whose sake:
sake:
The masters
masters or the bondsmen?
bondsmen? Are therethere
for
for bondsmen
bondsmen other than than serving
serving their
their
masters?
masters? ThereThere was creed! -- aa pagan
was aa creed! pagan
creed
creed guarded
guarded byby the
the church
church andand the
the
clergy:
clergy: God
God isis One
One ofof three!
three! Christ
Christ was
was
35
35
the
the son
sonofof God!
God! Bishops
Bishops and
and monks were
monkswere
lords ruling the
lords the domain
domain of minds
minds and
and
spirits
spirits contrary
contrary to God's
God's revelations
revelations and
and
taking the property of people
the property people unlawfully;
whereas,
whereas, Caesar
Caesar was
was ruling the
the physical
physical
domain
domain in accordance
accordance with the
the Roman
Roman
(i.e. not in accordance
Law (i.e. accordancewith Divine
Law). People
People were servants of the
were servants the court
on the
the one
one hand
hand and
and servants
servantsof the
the Pope
Pope
and
and his bishops
bishops and rnonks on the
and monks the other.
other.

Beyond
Beyond the 'great' empires
the 'great' empires there
therewere
were
the 'civilizations'
the Chinese
Chinese and
and Indian
trndian 'civilizations' in
Asia.
Asia.

In India,
India, as
as everywhere
everywhereelse,
else, there
therewere
were
lords
lords and
and bondsmen. tsut bondsmen
bondsmen. But there
bondsmen there
had
had aa peculiar position. They
peculiar position. They were
were be-
be-
lieved
lieved to have
have been
beencreated from the
createdfrom god's
the god's
foot,
foot, soso they
they were
were considered
consideredunclean.
unclean.
36
36
They had
They had to
to endure
endureallall humiliation,
humiliation, con-con-
tempt and
tempt and torture
torture they
they underwent;
underwent; for on on
the one
the one hand,
hand, that
that was
was their fate;
fate; and
and on
on
the other,
the other, it was
was their
their sole
sole way
way to to salva-
salva-
"
tion through
tion throughtransmigration
transmigrationof souls.
souis.Man,
Man,
according to
according to them,
them, spends
spetrdshis
his fixed
fixed life,
thenhis
then his soul passesinto
soul passes into another
another new new bo-
bo-
dy. If
dy. If the
the enslaved
enslaved untouchables
untouchableswere were
satisfiedwith their fate,
satisfied fate, surrendered
surrenderedto hu-
miliation andand carried
carried out thethe hardest
hardestandand
dirtiest piecesof work, their souls
dirtiest pieces souls might
pass into other
pass persons superior
otherpersons superior to slaves
slaves
and get thereby
and get pursued salva-
thereby to their pursued salva-
tion, though
tion, though they
they wouldn't
wouldn't acquire
acquire the the
rank of masters who were
of their masters were created
created
from the
the deity's head or ann!
deity'shead arm!

There
There werc countless forms
were countless fonns of worship
worship
offered
offered to countless
countless deities,
deities, but
but they
they had
had
one
one thing in cornmon,
thing 10 common, that is -- ERROR.
that is ERROR.
37
37
Perhapsthe
Perhaps the most
most curious
curious thing
thing was 'tem-
was 'tem-
ple prostitutes'
ple prostitutes'who stayed in temples
who stayed templesfor
the sake
the sakeof deity!
deity! No,
No, for the
the sake
sakeof Sa-
Sa-
tan! But stranger
tan! strangerstill might
might be
be the 'cow
the 'cow
worship' -- men
worship' men wallowing in its dungdung and
and
bathing its
bathing its urine,
urine, for the
the sake
sake of god's
god's
blessing! If
blessing! If the
the cow could
could have
have spoken
spoken it
would have
have laughed
laughed atat its worshippers
worshippers
and
and would have
have been
been surprised
surprisedto see
seeman,
man,
whom Allah has
whom hashonoured,
honoured, satisfied
satisfiedwith
suchdegradation!
such degradation!

At the
the end
end of
of the
the earth
earth there
there was
was China,
China,
vast expanse
a vast expanseof land
land ruled
ruled by an
an emper-
emper-
or -- sacred rulers of
sacredlike all rulers the time.
of the time. Rites
Rites
of worship and
of worship and sacrifices were offered
sacrifices were offered to
and people
him and people prostrated
prostrated themselves
themselves be-
fore him. The god worshipped
worshipped was
was Bud-
dha, whose images
dha, whose images were
were graven
graven and
and wor-
shipped by people.
shipped people. [n Buddhism, as
In Buddhism, as in
38
the Indian religions,
the Indian religions, the
the body
body was
was de-de-
spisedand
spised tortured for
and tortured for the redemption
the redemption
thesoul,
of the andworldly
soul,and worldly life was
was scorned
scorned
and rejected for the
and rejected ttreattainment
attainmentof immor-
immor-
tality. Immortality!
tality. Immortality! But But where?
where? andand in
what fonn?
what form? It isis immortality
immortality with
with Bud-
Bud-
dha in the
dha world of imagination.
the world imagination. There
There
werearts,
were arts, material
material production
productionand 'wis-
and 'wis-
dom' but
dom' but all was
wasof no no avail, people
avail,for people
themselveswere
themselves werelost.
lost.

Arabia was
Arabia was drowned
drowned in religious
religiousig-
norance,like the
norance, the rest
rest of mankind.
mankind. There
There
were three religions,
were three religions, all of which
which werewere
misguided.
misguided. Jews,
Jews, who
who were living in the
were living the
outskirts
outskirts of Medina,
Medina, hadhad distorted
distorted their
their
holy'
'holy' book
book centuries
centuries before,
before, stuffed
stuffed it
with lies
lies and legends,changed
and legends, changed thethe Di-
vine
vine Revelation
Revelation and
and renounced
renounced it wholly,
wholly,
complying with their whims
complying and interests.
whims and interests.
39
39
 Therewere,
There were,also,
also,small
small Christian
Christian groups
groups
who held
who held false
falsebeliefs,
beliefs,such
suchasas the
the Trinity,
Trinity,
the deification
the deifieation of
of Jesus
Jesusor or considering
consideringhim
aa son
sonof
of God.
God. Arab
Arab idolators
idolatorsthroughout
throughout
Arabia worshipped
Arabia worshipped idols idols which were were
placed inside
placed inside AL- KA'BA, the the Holy
House of God
House (AUah), the
God (Allah), the place
place which
Abraham and
Abraham and Ismael
Ismael had
had been
beenordered
orderedby
Allah to build in order
order that
that Allah alone
alone
should be
should be worshipped
worshipped without ascribingascribing
parmer to Him. Yet,
any partner
any Yet, they
they claimed
claimed
they were
they were followers of Abraham.
Abraham. A va-
riety of
of myths
myths had
had nested
nested in theirtheir minds.
minds.
Angels,
Angels, for example,
example, were were thethe daughters
daughters
of
of Allah
Allah and
and they
they werc
were worshipped
worshipped on
that account. The jinn
that account. jinn (i.e.
(i.e. genies)
genies) be-
be-
longed
longed to Allah
Allah and
and were,
were, therefore,
therefore, wor-
shipped.
shipped. Idols were
were carved
carved andand then
then wor-
shipped
shipped by people.
people. Many new-bom new-born
girls were
were buried alive for fear fear ofof shame
shame
40
40
or poverty.
or poverty. Women
Women were scorned and
were scomed and
wronged. Wine
wronged. Wine waswas drunk, games of
drunk, games of
chance (i.e.
chance (Le. maysir) were used
maysir) were to, and
used to, and
adultery was
adultery was allowed- Life was
allowed. Life spent in
was spent in
drinking, amusement
drinking, amusement and plundering raids'
and plundering raids.
'Man'
'Man' was 'Lost'
was 'Lost' as case in all
was his case
as was
states of religious
states religious ignorance. was the
That was
ignorance. That the
stateof the
state the world
world before Muhammad was
before Muhammad was
sent
sent to
to save
savemankind from the
mankind from darkness of
the darkness
error:
error~

The
TheMission:
Mission:

In this
In this extremely
extremelydarkdark atmosphere there
atmospherethere
shone
shoneaa Light;
Light; itit was
was Muhammad,
Muhammad, son son
of
of Abdullah, (peaceandblessing
Abdullah, (peace andblessingof Allah
of Allah
be
beupon
uponhim).
him)"

The
The Jews
Jews in
in Medina,
Medina, before the pro-
before the Pro-
phethood of
phethood of Muhammad
Muhammad(PBUH), had
(PBUFI), had
ill
41
often
often said
said to
to its
its inhabitants,
inhabitants,'The
The time
time of aa
prophet has
prophet has almost
almost arrived.
arrived. WeWe shall
shall
fight with him against
against you
you and
and defeat
defeat
you'. The
you'. The Jews,
Jews, in fact,
fact, depended
depended in
their claim upon
upon the Torah, which in-
the Torah,
dicates
dicates that
that the copies of the
the old copies the Torah
Torah
not
not only mentioned
mentionedProphet
ProphetMuhammad's
Muhammad's
name and
name and description,
description, but
but also pointed
also pointed
to his
to prophethood and
his prophethood and its
its approximate
approximate
time.
time.

In his 'Muhammad in the Bible',

his 'Muhammad the Bible', Prof.
Prof.
Abdul
Abdul Ahad
Ahad Dawud,
Dawud, former Bishop of
former Bishop
Uramiah, quotes the
Uramiah, quotes the following verses
verses
from Haggai,
from Haggai, ii;
ii: 79,
79, which
which he
he has
has trans-
trans-
lated from
lated from an
an Assyrian
Assyriancopy
copy of the
the Bible,
Bible,
'And
'And I will shake
shake all
all nations
nationsand
andthe
the Hi-
rnadaof all the
mada the nations come - and
nationswill come and in
this place I will give
this place give shalom,
shalom, says
saysthe
the
Lord
Lord of hosts'.
hosts'.
42
42
 The word 'Himada'
The 'Himada' is derived
derived from an an
archaic Hebrew
archaic Hebrew or ratherrather Aramaic
Aramaic root
'hemed'. In Hebrew 'hemed'
Hebrew 'hemed' is generallygenerally
hemed'.
used in the
used the sense
sense of great
great desire,
desire, covet,
covet,
appetite
appetite and lust. In Arabic
and lust. Arabic thethe verb
verb
'hamida'
'hamida' means 'to
means 'to praise'
praise' andand soso on.
on.
What is more
What more praised
praised and
and illustrious
illustrious than
than
that which is
that is most
most craved
craved for,for, covet-
covet-
ed
ed and
and desired. Whichever of the
desired. Whichever the two
meanings
meaningsbe be adopted,
adopted, thethe fact
fact that
that Ahmad
Ahmad
is
is the
the Arabic
Arabic fonn
form of Himda remains in-
Himda remains
disputable
disputableandand decisive.
decisive.TheThe Qur'an (61:
Qur'an (61:
6) declares
declares that
that Jesus
Jesus announced
announcedunto
unto
the
the people
people of Israel
Israel the
the coming
coming of an
an
Apostle
Apostle from
from Allah whose
whose name was to
name was to
be 'Ahmad'.
be'Ahmad'.

The Gospelof 51.

The Gospel St.John,
John,being written in
being written
Greek, 'Pariclytos',
Greek, uses
usesthe
thename
name 'Pariclytos', aa bar-
bar-
barous
barousfonn
form unknown
unknown toto classical
classicalGreek
Greek
43
43
 literature.But
literature. 'Periclytos',which corres-
But 'Periclytos', which corres-
pondsexactly
ponds exactly with
wirh Ahmad
Ahmad in in its
its signi-
signi-
fication of
fication of 'illustrious', 'glorious'
illustrious', 'glorious' andand
'praised',
in its
'praised', in itssuperlative
superlativedegree,
degree,must
must
have been
have been the
the translation
franslationinto
into Greek
Greek of of
'Himda' 'Hemida'
'Himda' or 0r probably
probably 'Hemida' of the the
Aramaicfonn,
Aramaic form, asasuttered
uttered by Jesus
JesusChrist.
Christ.
Aias! there
Alas! there isis no
no Gospel
Ccspel extant
e.xtantin thethe
original language
original languagespoken
spokenby Jesus.
Jesus.

As to
As to L~e
theetymology
etyrnologyand and significance
significanceof of
the Hebrew
the Hebrewwords'shaiom'
words 'shalom' and and 'shalama'.
'shalama',
and the
and the Arabic
Arabic words 'salam'and
words 'salam' and 'Islam',
'Islam', II
(i.e.,
(i.e., Prof.
Prof. Abdui
Abdul Ahad)
Ahad) need need not detain
detain
the
tlle reader
reader by dragging
dragging hirn
him into iinguistic
linguistic
details.
details. Any sernitic
semitic scholar
scholar knows
knows that
that
'shalorn'
'shalom' and'lslant'are
and 'Islam' are derived
derived from
from oneone
and
and thethe sarne
same root
root and
and that
that both
both mean
mean
peace,
peace, submission
submission andand resignation.".
resignation.".

44
 Allah chooses
AUah chooses His from the
prophets from
His ProPhets the
best of
best of mankind.
mankind. And Muhammad (peace
And Muhammad (peace
and blessing
and blessing ofof Allah
Allah bebe upon him) is
upon him) is the
the
best of
best of humanity
humanity in in general,
general, andand ofof pro-
pro-
phets in particuiar.
phets particular. Altah
Allah takes care of,and
takes eare of,and
refines His prophets
refines charging them
prophets before charging
with prophethood
prophethood and without their know-
and withaut
ledge
ledgear or expectation" They would thereby
expectation. They thereby
be, psychologically,
be, psychologieally,spiritually and mo-
spiritually and
rally,
rally, more
more qualified
qualified to to carry out their
carry out their
message
messageand and fulfil
fulfil the
the task fullY as
as fully
task as as
Allah wills.
wills. This
This applies
applies to Prophet
the Prophet
to the
Muhammad
Muhammat! (peace(peace and andblessing Ailah
blessingof Allah
be
beupon
uponhim)
him) toto an
anextent unequalledbe-
extent unequalled be-
fore.
fore. Even
Even inin his
his early youth,he
early youth, hadthe
irehad the
manner of
manner of aa solemn
soLernn deep-think-ingman
deep-think-ing man
'man''
and
andenjoyed
enjoyed thethenoble feelingsof
ncblefeelings of 'man'.

45
45
Characterof
Character of the
theGracious
GraciousProphet
Prophet(PBUH)
(PBUH)

The Pre-Islamic
The Pre-Islamicperiod
periodwas was full
full of
of cor-
cor-
ruption, pleasure-seeking
ruption, pleasure-seeking and waste of
and waste of
time, though
time, though there
there were
were some
some respect-
respect-
able,sober
able, sober men
men here
hereand
andthere,
there,butbut they
they
wererarely
were rarelyyoung
youngmen;
men; forfor aa young
young man man
would be
would be unusual
unusualif he he didn't
didn'tseek
seek pleas-
pleas-
ure and
ure and entertainment
entertainmentat at that time. If
that time. If he
he
addedto
added to his
his solemnity
solemnitythethe avoidance
avoidanceof ti- li-
quors which
quors which were
were drunk
drunk even respect-
even by respect-
ableold men,
able shunningof those
men, shunning those idols
idols set
set
up
up beside
beside the
the Holy Mosque
Mosque (i.e.Ka'aba),
(i.e.Ka'aba),
keeping
keeping away
away from inequity,
inequity, along
along with
other
other noble
noble qualities,
qualities, he would undoubted-
undoubted-
ly draw
draw others'attention
others' attention since
since none
none ofof the
the
old men
men possessed
possessed such
such qualities,
qualities, not
not to
to
speak
speak of the youths.
of the youths.

One
One of
of his
his traits
traits was
was so
so outstanding
outstanding and
and
46
46
deep-rooted
deep-rootedthat
that it attracted
attractedthe
the attention
attention
of
of Qurayshi people- that
Qurayshi people that was
was honesty.
honesty.
They
They used
usedto
to call "the Honest"
call him "the (Al-
Honest" (AI-
Amin).
Amin). People
Peopletrusted
trusted him with their
their pro-
pro-
perty owing
perty owing toto their
their confidence
confidence in hishis
honestyand
honesty and trustworthiness.
trustworthiness.

Muhammad's
Muhammad's silence
silence during
during the
the meet-
meet-
ings of Quraysh,
ings Quraysh, hishis wisdom
wisdom and
and equa-
equa-
when he
nimity when he talked,
talked,won their
their respect
respect
and admiration;
and admiration; so so they
they consulted
consulted him
about their
about their affairs
affairs and were satisfied
and were satisfiedwith
his counsel.
his counsel. The
The most
most famous
famous event
event in
this regard
this regard was
was thethe appeal
appeal of Quraysh
Quraysh
(i.e. Makkans)
(i.e. Makkans) to him for a decision
decision con-
con-
ceming the
cerning the Black Stone.
Stone. They
They hadhad de-
de-
cided rebuild the
cided to rebuild the Holy Ka'aba
Ka'aba twice
its fonner
its former height
height because
because ofof the
the ruin ofof
some parts
some parts of it. They
They worked
worked together.
together.
But they differed about
they differed the Black Stone;
about dre Stone;
47
 for each
for eachtribe
tribe competed
competedwithwith the
the others
otherstoto
enjoy alone
enjoy alonethehonourof
the honour of putting
putring itit back
back
in its
in place.They
its place. They almost
almostfought
foughtwith
with each
each
other,but
other, but at last agreed
at last agreedto to take
take the
the counsel
counsel
of the
of the first
first manman to to come
come to to them.
them. That
That
first man
first man waswas thethe HONEST
HONEST (i.e.,(i.e., Muham-
Muham-
mad),who
mad), who took took off his his mantle
mantle spread
spread it
on the
on ground, put
the ground, put the
the Black
Black Stone
Stone on on
and asked
it and asked aa man man from each tribe to
each tribe
carry with him the
carry the mantle
manrle holding its
edges.Thenhe
edges.Then he took
took the
the Stone
Stonein his hands
his hands
and put it in
and irr its place. All
its place. All went
went away
away sat-
sat-
isfied with the
isfied the Honest's
Honest's decision.
decision.

In his Khadija's (May Allah be

his wife Khadija's
pleased
pleased with her)
her) description
description of
of him,
soothing
soothing his fears
fears on receiving
receiving the
the first
revelation, she gave
revelation, she gave a portrait of
of his
his man-
man-
ners
ners and
and their impression
impression on on people's
people's
minds. 'Surely,
minds. She
She said to him,
said to him, 'Surely, Allah
Allah
48
 never will
never will discredit
discredityou you are
you!! You are kind
kind
to your relatives,truthful,
to your relatives, truthful, protecting
protecting or-
or-
phans,generous
phans, generousto to the
the poor,
poor, hospitable
hospitable
and helpful
and helpful to
to the
the victims
victims of
of misfor-
misfor-
tune!'
tune!'

He was,
He was, during
during the
the hours
hours of silence,
silence,
much given
much given to
to meditation.
meditation. He
He spent
spent aa
month of retirement
month retirementevery
every year
year in Hira'
cave on
cave on top
top of the
the Mountain
Mountain of Light
(in Arabic,
(in Arabic,Jabal-un-Nur),
Jabal-un-Nur),in worship
worship of
Allah in accordance
accordance with Abraham's
Abraham's
monotheisticreligion,
monotheistic religion, away
away from
from the
the dis-
dis-
iortions added
tortions added through
through prevailing
prevailing idola-
idola-
trous
trous ignorance.
ignorance.

Allah was
was preparing
preparing him for the
the serious
serious
task -- for the Message
task Message addressed
addressed to
to the
the
whole
whole hurnanity.
humanity. The
The Messenger
Messenger ofof Allah,
Allah,
Muhammad (PBUH)
Muhammad (PB UH) told
told the
the rrurh
truth when
when
49
49
he said:
he "My Lord has
said: "My disciplinedme
has disciplined me in
m
the best
the best refined
refmed manner".
manner".

Prophet Muhammad's
The Prophet character is
Muhammad's character
the greatest character
the greatest character throughout human
throughout human
history,
history, unmatched
unmatched by any any other
other charac-
charac-
ter,
ter, not only amongst great men,
amongst great men, but
also
also amongst prophets. If
amongst prophets. If we areare to
judge by the great-
human great-
standards of human
the standards
ness,
ness,let us
us consider
considerthe caseof a political
the case
leader,
leader, dedicating
dedicating his political
his life to political
leadership.
leadership.He He found
found his
his nation
nation dispersed,
dispersed,
with nono common
common causecauseor link, and
and was
was
able, means of his
able, by means his wise
wise leadership
leadership
and
and impressive
impressivecharacter,
character,to unite
unite the
the di-
vided
vided nation
nation and
and found
found the which
the link which
firmly connected
connected its variouswarring
its various fac-
warring fac-
tions.
tions. HeHe drew purpose which
drew for it aa purpose which
united
united it andand removed
removed its its differences,
differences,
Then
Then he he raised
raised it to
to aa lofty, respectable
respectable
50
50
position among
position among other
other nations.
nations.Shouldn't
Shouldn't
we call
call him 'great
him aa 'great man',
we man', though
thoughhe
hewas
was
devotedmerely
devoted merelytoto such
suchaa task?
task?

What if
What if this
this was
was only
only oneone aspect
aspecr
amongst many others
amongst many othersenjoyed
enjoyed byby the
thegreat
great
prophet'scharacter?How
prophet's character?Howif he he has
hasexcelled
excelled
every other
every other specialist
specialistpolitician,
politician, though
though
the latter
the latter was
was devoted
devotedto
to such
suchaa task?
task?

Suppose there
Suppose there were were a social
social refonner
reformer
who found
found injustice
injustice and and corruption
corruption pre_
pre-
dominant;
dominant; therefore,
therefore, he he took it uponupon him-
self to establish social justice
establish social justice and
and elimi-
nate
nate perversion
perversion and and decay
decay from society.
society.
He
He realized
realized balance
balance between
between the the individual
individual
and
and society,
society, between
between the the ruler
ruler andand the
the
ruled,
ruled, andand caused
caused the the rich
rich to
to sympathize
sympathize
with the poor,
with the poor, so so that
that the
the whole
whole commu-
commu-
nity
nity lived as ifif itit were
lived as were one one large
large family.
family.
551l
Isn't such
Isn't such a man really GREAT?

How ifif this

this was one part of
was one of Mu-
hammad's he, in this
character? How ifif he,
hammad's character?
regard, surpassed
regard, surpassed those specialized in
those specialized
this
this field?
field?

Suppose
Suppose there
there were moral reformer
were a moral reformer
who
who found
found moral
moral corruption prevalent in
corruption prevaient
his
his society
societyand devotedhimself to the
and devoted the im-
provementof social
provement sacialmanners. Through his
manners.Through
patience
patience andand struggle
strugglehe was able
he was abie to lay
down
down an an ethic (moral code)
ethic (moral ruled
that ruled
code) that
their
their conduct,
conduct, so so that lying, drinking,
that lying, drinking,
adultery
adultery andand gambling disappeared;an
gambling disappeared; an
owner
owner felt
felt his
his property was secure
property was even
secureeven
if
if he was aa weakling,
he was weakling, an orPhan or aa
an orphan
woman;
woman; and conscienceruled
and conscience re-
hurnan re-
ruled human
lations.
lations.Won't
Won't we we agree that such
agree that man
such aa man
was greatone?
truly aa great
wastruly one?
52
52
 How, then,
How, then, if
if that
that was
was only oneone side
sideof
the outsta
the outstanding
nding chara
character
cter of the prophet,
the Prophet,
and his
and his influe
influence
nce was
was greate
greaterr than
than that
that of
any reform
any reformerer in histor
historyy who
who was
wasdevot
devoteded
to
to his
his caree
career?
r?

Supp
Suppose,
ose, too,
too, there
there were
were lli"1
an educa
educatortor
who
who devot
devoteded himse
himself lf to
to educa
education
tion and and
was
was able
able to to bring
bring up
up aa gener
generation
ation of ex- ex_
traord
traordinary
inary peopl
people,e, every
everyone
one of whom whom
was
was aa leadeleader r in his
his doma
domain in of activi ty
activity
and
and an an exam
exampleple of good
good condu
conduct ct and
and
tower
toweringing perso
personaiity,
nality, asas firm as as aa moun
moun- -
tain
tain lli"1d
and of noblenoble chara
character.
cter. Dosen
Dosen't 't such
such
aa man
man deser
deserveve to bebe called
calledaa great
greateduca
educa_ -
tor?
tor? How, then, then, ifif this
this was
was only
only one
one
of sever
several al aspec
aspects
ts of the prophet,
the Proph et, who
who
excel
exceiled
led in thisthis respe
respectct even
even the grearest
the greate st
of educa
educatorstors in histor
history,
y, espec
especially
ially with
wi.ththe
the
generation
gener ation he he had
had educa
educatedted to introd
introduce
uce
53
)J
summit leaders in every field
leaders in of life?
field of

Suppose there
Suppose were a military com-
there were
mander, who devoted
mander, himself to his ca-
devoted himseH ca-
reer and
reer and brought up an anny of
an army of heroes
heroes
- soldiers
soldiers and
and commanding officers -- ac-
commanding officers ac-
customed to endurance
customed inconvenience,
enduranceof inconvenience,
steadfastness
steadfastness in adversity
adversity and daring
and daring
despite
despite danger.
danger. He led them battles
them in battles
and
and won. They obeyed
obeyed his orders and
orders and
instructions
instructions and places of dan-
raced to places
and raced dan-
ger
ger seeking
seeking martyrdom.
martyrdom. Shouldn't he be
Shouldn't he be
described
<iescribedas greatcommander?
asaa great commander?

If
If such
such aa commander
commander had had trained his
trained his
soldiers
soldiers not only to to acquire
acquire individual
manners, also to
manners,but also to fight in the causeof
the cause
ideals
ideals and
and values, would it
values, would it suffice to
suffice to
describe
describe him only as greatleader?
asaa great leader?

54
54
 How then,
How then, ifif the
thegracio
gracious prophet
us Proph et had
had
exceeded
excee in this
ded in this respe
respect
ct every
every other
other mi-
mi_
litary comm
litary commander
ander throu
throughout
ghout huma
human n his-
his-
tory, and
tory, andthis
this was
wasonly
only one
oneaspec
aspect
t of the
the
various
variou aspects
s aspec ts of his
his great
greatcharta
chartacter?
cter?

Suppose
Supp ose aa man
man gave
gayehimse
himself lf up
up to
to wor-
wor-
ship. His
ship. His spirit
spirit was-
washighl
highlyy pure,
pure, andand his
his
heartalway
heart always remembered
s remem bered Allah
Allah,, wheth
whetherer
his praye
in his prayerr or work,
work, in priva
private te or in
public.
public So he
. So he waswas friend
friendly
ly toto other
other peo-
peo_
ple, since
ple, sincere
re in his
his work,
work, and
and ruled
ruledcom-
com_
pletely
pletely by fearfear of Allah
Allah and
and obser
observance
vance
His order
of His orders.
s ... Suppo
Supposese such
suchaa man man were
were
able to
able collect
to collec t a number
number of worshippers
worshippers
of Allah and and bring
bring rhem
them up up to develop
develop
a strong
strong relationship
relationship wirh
with the
the Almighty"
Almighty.
They
They wouldwould remember
remember Him (Allah) (Allah) in
all circumstances
circumstances and and would
would bebe influenced
influenced
by faith
faith in all their
their deeds,
deeds, rhoughts
thoughts and and
5555
feelings. Their
feelings. Their love
love and
and fear of Allah were
of AUah were
stronger than all
stronger pleasures and
all earthly pleasures
Should we not say
temptations. Should
temptations. say he was
was
a great in himself and a great
great soul in great teach-
teach-
companions?
er to his companions?.

This and
and others were parts
others were parts of the gra-
of the gra-
cious Messenger's
cious character in which he
Messenger's character he
was
was superior thosepersons
superior to those persons devoted to,
devotedto,
and specialized in them.
and specialized them. What are we to
are we
call the
the man combines in his
man who combines gra-
his gra-
cious
cious person
personall those
thosepersonalities, each
personalities,each
of which would be be sufficient
sufficient to make
to make
him great?
great ?

The
The greatness
greatnessof Muhammad (Peaceand
Muhammad(Peace and
blessingof
blessing of Allah be upon
Allah be him) does
upon him) not
does not
lie
lie only
only in
in the
thecombination
combinationofof those sever-
thosesever-
al
al personalities
personalitiesinin his
his own person;in
own person; in fact,
fact,
he
heenjoyed
enjoyedaasuperior degreeof
superiordegree greatness --
ofgreabress
56
 that is,
that is,those
thoseaspects
aspectsdid
did not
not divert
divert him
him
from each
from eachother.
other.Political
Politicalactivity
acriviry did
did not
not
distract him
distract him from
from military,
military, social,
social,moral,
moral,
educational or
educational or spiritual
spiritual tasks.
tasks. Even
Even all
all
thosedid
those did not
not distract
distracthim
him from
from his
his family,
family,
sohe
so he was perfecthusband
was aa perfect husbandand and father.
father.

If we
If we compare
comparethethe character prophet
characterof Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) with that
Muhammad that of the
the
otherprophets
other prophets we
we will grasphis
will grasp his superiori-
superiori-
them. All
ty to them. All the greatqualities
the great enjoyed
qualitiesenjoyed
by them
them separately
separatelywere
were all infused
infused in his
great personality
great personality par excellence.
excellence. Noah
Noah
was known for his
was his endurance
endurance of of his folk's
obstinancy; Abraham (Ibraheem,
obstinancy; Abraham (Ibraheem, in Ara-
bic) for his clemency;
clemency; MosesMoses for his wise
leadership
leadership ofof the
the sons
sons of of Israel;
Israel; Jesus
Jesus
Christ for
for his spiritual
spiritual aspect
aspect against
against the
the
prevailing
prevailing materialism.
materialism. ButBut Muhammad's
Muhammad's
character
character embodied
embodied allall those
those characteris-
characteris-
57
tics and
tics andhis
his influence wasmuch
influencewas greaterin
much greater
every one
every one of those
those aspects. He was
aspects.He was the
the
prophetsand
final of prophets his message
andhis messagewas
wasthe
the
epitome and
epitome and thethe crowning prophet-
crowning of prophet-
hood.
hood.

the Glorious
In the Glorious Qur'an, Alatr tells
Qur'an,Allah us:
tells us:

'nThisday
''This haveI perfected
day have your religion
perfectedyour religion
you and
for you completed my
and completed my favour
favour unto
unto
you, and
you, and have you as
chosenfor you
have chosen relig-
as relig-
ion AI-Islam".
ion (Qur'an,5:3)
Al-Islam".(Qur'an, 5:3)

So the
So the message Islamconfinns
messageof Islam confirmsbelief
belief
previous prophets
in all previous prophetsand
and revelations.
revelations.
Jews disbelieved
Jews JesusChrist
disbelieved in Jesus and
Clrist and
Muhammad. Christians
Muhammad. disbelieved in
Christians disbelieved
Muhammedand
Muhammed andbelieved
believedin Jesus
JesusChrist,
Christ,
not as
not messengerbut
as aa messenger but as godor son
as aa god son
is the
Allah. It is
of Allah. Muslims alone
the Muslims who
alone who
58
believ
believee in all proph
prophets
ets from
from AdamAdam
throu
throughgh Noah
Noah til!
rill Muha
Muhammad (peace
mmad (Peac e
and
and blessi
blessing
ng of Allah
Allah be
be upon
upon them
themall).
all).
Both Jewis
Both Jewishh and
and Chris
Christian
tian nation
nations
s are
are un-
un-
fit to
to rule
rule huma
humanity,
nity, for they
they canno
cannot get
t get
rid of hatre
rid hatredd and
and preju
prejudice.
dice.

Only
Only the
the Musl
Muslim
im natio
narion is well
n is well quali-
quali_
fied for
fied for the
the leade
leadership
rship of mank
manhind
ind (it led
led
mankind
mank ind once
once for
for sever
several centuries)
al centu ries) be-
be_
causeit is
cause is the
theonly
only nation
nationthat
that rules
ruleswith-
with_
out any
out any hatred
hatredowing
owing to to the
the Divin
Divine guid_
e guid-
ancethat
ance thatmade
madeit fit for
for leade
leadership,
rship, espe-
espe_
cially its
cially irs belief
belief in
in previ
previous prophets
ous proph ets of
Allah witho
Allah without discrimination
ut discri minat ion or malicmalicee
what.soever.
whats oever . More
Mrlreover,
over, thethe messa
message ge of
Islarn is
Islam is addre
adclressed to the
ssed to the whole
wholemank
mankincl.
ind.

Allah (SWT)
Allah (SWT addresses
) addre Muhammad:
sses Muha mmad :

59
.' sent thee
"We sent thee not save
save as
as a mercy for
the peoples". (Qur'an,
the peoples". (Qur'an, 2l:107)
21:107)

the Prophet
According to the Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
(Peaceand
(Peace blessing of
and blessing Allah be
of Atlah be upon
upon him),
"Every prophet
prophet before
before me was
was sent
sent to
people, but I have
his own people, have been
been sent
sent to
the
the whole of mankind".
mankind".

It is also an all -- embracing

also an embracing message.
message.
Earlier messages
messageswerewere limited to certain
certain
aspects of human
aspects human life, andand were
were limited
spaceas
in space as well.
well. All
All of them
them included
includedthe
the
(i.e. belief in
questionof divinity (i.e.
major question
the 'Oneness
the 'Oneness of God'God' and
and offering Him
pure
pure worship).
worship). they
they also
alsoincluded
includedinstruc-
instruc-
tions
tions and
and rules
rules that
that suited
suitedthe
the conditions
conditions
and circumstancesof each
and circumstances each nation
nation and
and
aimed
aimed atat the bettermentof
the bettennent of,morals
morals and
and the
the
eliminationof corruption.
elimination comrption.
60
 The stage
The stagehad
had come
come when
when the the human
human
mind was
mind was mature
mature enough
enough to to accept
accept aa
world religion
world religion which
which would
would lastlastonon earth
earth
till the
till Day of
theDay of Judgement;
Judgement; such such aa worldworld
messagemust
message mustembrace,
ernbrace,too,
too, all
all human
humanre- re-
quirementsin
quirements in all
all fields
fields of life,
life, which
which is is
true of
true of the
the Message
Messageof Islam.Islam. For For it in-
cludes, like other
cludes, other messages,
messages,the the major
major
question of Divinity which
question which is is essential
essential
for the the integrity
integrity of human
humanlife, and and also
also
canons and
canons and laws
laws ruling
ruling all aspects
aspectsof
life: economic,
life: economic, political,
political, social, intellec-
social, intellec-
tual, spiritual,
tual, spiritual, ethical,
ethical,etc.
etc. But it never never
opposes scientific
opposes scientific progress.
progress. In fact,fact, it was
was
ISLAM
ISLAM that that moved
moved Muslims
Muslims to ser set out a
great
great scienific
scienific movement,
movement, the most im-
portant
portant effect of of which was was the the experi-
experi-
mental
mental methodmethod of of scientific
scientific research
research
which Europe
Europe learned
learned from
from thethe Muslims
Muslims
in
in Andalusea,
Andalusea, NorthNorth Africa,
Africa, Sicily
Sicily and
and
6611
South ltaly, and
SouthItaly, and upon
upon which
which our present
present
scientific
scientific renaissance
renaissancehas
has been based.
beenbased.

62
62
 HOLY SCRIPTURES
HOLY SCRIPTURES
(TheBooks
(The Booksof
of Allah)
Allatr)

Allah, GIory
Allah, Glorybebeto
to Him,
Him, provided
providedevery
every
one of
one of His
His prophets
prophetswithwith books
books which
which
He revealed
He revealed to to them.
them. Those
Thosebooks
books oror
scriptures contained
scriptures containedthethe tenets
tenetsand
and fun-
fun-
damentalsof religion
damentals religion asas well
well as
as the
the in-
structions and
structions and commandments
commandmentsof Allah
conveyedto
conveyed to various
variousnations
nations through
through His
His
Messengers.
Messengers. The holy
The holy books
books werewere meant
meant
to be
to be records
records of religion
religion so
so that
that the
the var-
var-
iouspeople
ious people and
and nations
nations of the
the world
world might
might
refer
refer to them
them to know the the ordinances
ordinances and
and
laws
laws revealed
revealed by Allatr
Allah andand comply
comply with
them.
them.

On the one
one hand,
hand, w€
we are
are required
required to
to be-
be-
lieve
lieve in
in all
all revealed
revealed books
books atatlarge.
large. On the
On the
other,
other, we
we are
are required
required to
to believe
believe in
in certain
certain
63
63
books
books which Allah
AUah told us
us He had
had re-
re-
vealed,
vealed, namely:
namely:

1.
l. The
The Qur'an,
Qur'an, revealed
revealedto Muhammad;
Muhammad;
2. The Gospel, 'r
" rt
"Jesus;
2.\\eGospel, Jesus;
3. ThePsalms
3. The Psalms, " " David;
"David;
4. The
4. The Torah,
Torah, " " Moses;
"Moses;
5.
5. The
The Tablets
Tabletsof Ibrahim, (i.e.,
Ibrahim, (i.e.,
Abraham)
Abraham)and Moses(May peace
and Moses peace
and blessing of Allah be
and blessing upon
be upon
them).
them).

Although books
Although revealed to
books revealed to prophets
prophets
before Muhammad (the
before Muhammad (the last
last Messenger
Messenger
were just temporary
of Allah) were temporary revela-
revela-
tions each addressed
tions each particulartribe
addressedto aa particular tribe
yet it is
nation, yet
or nation, incumbentupon
is incumbent upon Mus-
Mus-
lims to believe
believe in them general, and
them in general, and
in the
the Qur'an
Qur'anon
on detailed basisin particu-
detailedbasis particu-
The Qur'an
lar. The
lar. is the
Qur'an is the fmal
final and compre-
and compre-
64
 hensi ve Scrip
hensive ture. It is
Scripnrre. is the
the only bookbook of
Allah
AUah which has has remai
remainedned free
free from dis-
tortio
tortionn and
and chang
change,e, and
and has
has been
been transm it-
transmit-
ted
ted to us
to us whole
whole in the
the most
most reliab le ways
reliable ways
and
and in its origin al text - a featur
original featuree nor
not en-
en_
joyed by anyany of the
the earlie
earlierr books
books of revela
revela-
-
tion.
tion.

65
65
 TI{E
THE GLORIOUS
GLORIOUS QLJR'AN
QUR'AN

The miracles
miracles brought earlier Prophets
brought by earlier Prophets
had
had been
been fiansient,
transient, soso to say, and for that
say, and that
very reason,
reason, rapidly forgotten, while that
rapidly forgotten, that
of verses (of ttre
the verses
of the Qur'an) may
the Qur'an) may bebe called
called
"The Pennanent
"The Miracle". Its activity has
Permanent Miracle". has
unceasing. Everywhere
been unceasing.
been Everywhere and and at all
hours,
hours, each believer,by reciting
each believer, the ver-
reciting the ver-
ses, helpedto realize
ses, helped redize the miracle, and
the miracle, and in
this canbe
this can found the
be found explanationof many
the explanation many
conversions, incomprchensibleto the
conversions,incomprehensible the Eu-
Eu-
ropean
ropeanwhowho unfortunately knows little or
unfornrnately knows
nothing
nothingof thethe Qur'an.
Qur'an. He may also
He may judge
alsojudge
it on
on the
thebasis inaccuraciesfed
ba3isof inaccuracies fed to him
to him
through
throughanti-Islamic media.The
anti-Islamic media. The wonder-
wonder-
ful chann
charm of thisthis Book, resemblingno
Book, resembling no
other masterpiece of the
other masterpiece literanrre of
the literature
mankind,
mankind,needneed not not be explainedto
be explained to us,
us,
Muslims,
Muslims, because
becausewe we consider
considerthatthat itit
66
emanates
emanates from the
from thewords
words of Allah
Allah Him-
Him-
self,sent
self, sent down
down through
through the mouth of
the mouth
prophet.
His prophet.
His

In this
this connection,
connection,it may bebe interesting
interesting
to quote the
to quote the opinion
opinion of Savary,
Savary, aa cele-
cele-
brated
brated orientalist,
orientalist, who was
was the
the first to
translatethe
translate the meaning
meaning of the
the Holy Qur'an
Qur'an
into French.
into French. He He says, "Muhammad was
says, "Muhammad was
leamed in the
learned the study
study of his
his language,
language,the
the
richest and
richest and the
the most
most harmonious
harmonious in the the
world, and
world, which, by the
and which, the composition
composition of
its verses,
its permits thoughts
verses, permits thoughts as they soar
as they soar
be correctly
to be correctly described....
described....Poets were
Poets were
greatlylooked
greatly looked up to in Arabia.
Arabia.

Rabyah, an
Labid Ibn Rabyah, illustrious poet,
an illustrious poet,
nailed one
nailed one of his poems
of his poems on the the door of
of
the Temple of Makkah (Al
the (AI Kabah).
Ka'bah). His
reputation and
reputation and the
the value of his work kept
value of
67
67
 away. None
competitors away.
all competitors came forward
None cirme forward
compete for the
to compete the prize.... The second
pize.... The second
chapter of the
chapter Qur'an was
the Qur'an then placed
was then placed by
the side
the the poem.
side of the poem. I-abid, although a
Labid, although
worshipper of graven
worshipper graven images, was seized
images, was seized
after reading
admiration after
with a fit of admiration reading the
the
first verses and
fint verses and confessed himself van-
confessedhimseH van-
quished".
quished".

He
He became
becameaa convert
convertvery soonafter
very soon and
afterand
one
one day,
day, his
his admirers
admirersbeing desirous of
being desirous
gathering
gathering together
together his works,
complete works,
his complete
questioned
questionedhim subject.'I'I have
this subject.
him of this no
haveno
recollection
recollectionof any poetry,' he
any of my poetry,' re-
he re-
plied, 'for
plied, 'for my
my entire has been
memory has
entire memory ab-
beenab-
sorbed
sorbedby by the
the verses Bookof Reve-
theBook
versesof the Reve-
lation'.
lation'.

As
As for
for the Hijaz,comprehending
Arabof Hijaz,
theArab comprehending
the
the most
most subtle hints of
subtle hints of the languageof
thelanguage
68
68
the Qur'an-- his
the Qur'an his own language-- and
own language andwho
who
welcomedthe
welcomed the Surahs
Surahs as as they
they came
came outout
from the
from lips of
the lips fellow -- countryman:
his fellow
of his countryman:
the genial, inspired
the genial, inspired Messenger
Messengerof of Allah
(PBUH), thatthat listener
listener was
was overwhelmed
overwhelmed
by such
such sudden
sudden surprise
surprise that
that hehe re-
re-
mained as
mained if petrified.
as if petrified. Could
Could this
this super-
super-
natural language
natural languagecome come from Muhammad
Muhammad
(PBUH), known to be be completely
completely illite-
rate and
rate possessingno
and possessing no other
other knowledge
knowledge
than that
than that due due to nature
nature and
and intuition?
intuition?
seemed perfectly
This seemed perfectly impossible.
impossible. TheThe
Arab was
was therefore forced to admit that
therefore forced that
Muhammad's
Muhammad's words words were
were dictated
dictated bvby
the
the Almighry.
Almighty.

Utbah Ibn Rabiyah,

Rabiyah, one of the
one of the noted
noted
idolators -- known for his mastery
idolators mastery ofof
Arabic -- having
having heard
heard some
some verses
verses of
of the
the
Qur'an from Muhammad,
Qur'an Muhammad, said
said to his
69
companions, "By our
companions, gods! I've
our gods! never
I've never
heardanything
heard anythinglike it before.
before. It is
is neither
neither
p@try, nor
poetry, nor sorcery,
sorcery,nor
nor magic".
magic".

Ailatr had
Allah had challenged
challengedidolators
idolators several
several
timesto
times imitate the
to imitate the Qur'an
Qur'anor compose
composeten
ten
Surahs
Surahsor even
evenaa Surah resemblingHis:
Surahresembling His:

"If thou
"If thou art doubt about
art in doubt what We
about what We
have revealed
have revealedunto
unto Our
Our servant, then
servant, then
bong
bring one
one Surah like it of thy
Surah like ttry devising,
devising,
and call to
and call to thy
thy aid thy witnesses
aid thy witnessesbeside
beside
Allah, if
Allah, ye are
if ye men of truth".
are men (Qur'an,
truth". (Qur'an,
2:23)
2:23)

Eloquent men
Eloquent men of letters,
letters, Arab
Arab and
and
others,
others, could not stand
couldnot standup
up to
to the
the challenge
challenge
fourteencenturies.
for fourteen centuries.

Besidesthe
Besides literarymiracle,
the literary miracle, there is the
thereis the
70
70
legislative miracle which becomes
legislativemiracle becomes clear
clear
after reviewing man-made
man-made laws during during
the thirty past
the centuries-- that is, since
past centuries since
the existence
the existenceof historical
historical records
records which
can
can be referred
refened to up till
till the present.
the present.

We take
take for example
example thethe contemporary
contemporary
laws
laws which are are claimed
claimed to bebe the
the most
most ma-
ture
ture in human
human history owing to the the tre-
mendous
mendous development
development in human
human know-
ledge,
ledge,andand scientific
scientific and
and material
materialprogress.
progress.
Both blocs,
blocs, Eastern
Eastern andand Western,
Westem, denydeny
man's
man's complete
complete submission
submission to Allah's
Allah's
Law. So So legislation
legislationin the
the Capitalist
CapitalistWest
West
is
is for the
the sake
sakeof capitalism
capitaiismatat the
the expense
expense
of the
the working
working class,
class, and
and in the
the Commu-
Commu-
nist
nist East
Eastin thethe interest
interestof the
the ruling
ruling pow-
er at
at the
the expense
expense-of 'of the
the people,
people, which
means
meansthat justice is
that justice is missing
missingin both
both laws.
laws.
In the
the Western
Westem bloc,
bloc, constitutions
constitutions are are
7l
71
 mostly in
interested mostly
interested the political
in the political aspect
aspect
of the
of the people's life; in
people's life; the Communist
in the Communist
bloc in
bloc in the economic aspect.
the economic aspect.

neglected completely
Both neglected the spirit-
completely the splnt-
ual, ethical
ual, ethical and codes. Westem
and family codes. Western
laws consider
laws consider the
the individual so holy that
individual so that
they cause
they cause the community to disintegrate
the community disintegrate
morally and
and socially,
socially,whereas the commu-
whereasthe corlmu-
nist
nist constitution
constitution sanctifies
sanctifies the communi-
the communi-
ty (in fact,
fact, the
the State)
State) in such way as
such aa way as
to
to crush
crushthe
the individual's
individual'scharacter.
character.

The
The constitutions
constitutionsof both
both blocs not
do not
blocs do
lay
lay down
down finn
firm international
internationallaws; they
laws; they
are
are changed
changedaccording
according to political cir-
to political cir-
cumstances.
cumstances.Besides,
Besides,the moral element
the moml element
isis either
either missing
missing or or very weak in
very weak most
in most
of
of those
those constitutions;
constitutions; the of the
interestsof
theinterests the
ruling
ruling class
classare
arealways
alwaysdominant.
dominant.
72
72
 In contrast,
contrast, thethe miracle
miracle of the
the Qur'anic
Qur'anic
Legislation
I-egislation isis easily
easily obvious.
obvious. At the very
the very
beginning,
beginning, thethe Qur'an
Qur'an decides
decidesthat
that Allah
alone is
alone is entitled
entitled to legislate.
legislate. This proves
This proves
the justice of this
the justice this legislation
legislation because
because
Allah has
hasno interest in wronging people
no interest people
partiality to one
or partiality one class
class against
against another.
another.
Allah is also Well - Aware of the
is also the welfare
weHare
of His creatures,
creatures,whowho would
would be
be ruled
ruled by
His
His Law on on the
the basis
basisof equality.
equality.

The
The Qur'anic
Qur'anic Law comprehends
comprehends all
fields of human
fields human life with thethe same
same de-
de-
greeof importance.
gree importance.The
The Qur'an hasnever
Qur'anhas never
neglected any
neglected any aspects
aspectsof life, nor hashas it
allowed
allowed one
one aspect
aspect to outbalance others.
outbalanceothers.
The phenomenon of comprehensiveness
The phenomenon comprehensiveness
and balance is
and balance is one
one of the most outstanding
the most outstanding
featuresof Islam
features Islam and
and Islamic
Islamic Legislation
Legislation
in all domains.There completebalance
domains.Thereis aa complete balance
73
73
· between
between the
the individual
individual and
and society,
society, for
both have
both haverights
rights and
andduties
dutiesand
andneither
neitherhas
has
aa sacred
sacredexistence
existenceat at the expenseof the
the expense the
other. Allah is
other. is the
the Lord of all, and
and all are
are
equalin His
equal His service.
service.

The Islamic Law includes

The Islamic includesfixed interna-
interna-
tional codes
tional peaceand
codes in peace and war.
war. The
The moral
element is
element is an
an essential
essentialpart
part of the
the law,
whether in politics,
whether politics, economics,
economics, society,
society,
family organization,
organization,or individual relations
individual relations
and transactions.
and transactions.

exampleof the
An example the Islamic
Islamic application
application of
of
law is
is that
that relating
relating to the
the prohibition
prohibition of
of li-
li-
quors. All 'civilized'
quors. All 'civilized' countries
countries couldn't
couldn't
stop liquor addiction.
stop addiction. But thethe Islamic
Islamic com-
com-
community
community is the the only one
one in which liquor
drinking
drinking has
has lessened the lowest
lessened to the lowest degree,
degree,
because the
because the Islamic
Islamic Law is basedbased on
74
74
belief, while
belief, non-Islamic l-aws
while non-Islamic are based
Laws are based .
power.
on power.

Another aspect
Another of the
aspect of the Qu/anic miracle is
Qur'anic miracle
the scientific
the scientific one.
one. The
The Qur'an spoke about
Qur'an spoke about
universal and
universal and scientific unknown to
facts unknown
scientific facts
Arabs or any
Arabs any other nation at
other nation at the time of
the time
its revelation.
its revelation. It is only lately
is only that science
lately that science
has
hasdiscovered
discovered some
someof those facts.
thosefacts.

This
This proves
provesunmistakably
unmistakablythat Allah is
thatAllah is
the
theRevealer
Revealerof the
the Qur'an
Qur'an andand nono manman
could
couldever composeit.
evercompose fact, the
In fact,
it. In the Qur'an
Qur'an
is
is not
not aa book
book for
for teaching chemistry,
teaching chemistry,
geometry
geometryor or medicine; rather it is
medicine;rather is aa Book
Book
of
of Guidance.
Guidance. Yet pointsto
Yet it points to the Laws of
theLaws
Creation
Creationandand facts
facts of science.
of science. Allah, the
Allah, the
Creatorof
Creator of man
man and
and everything,
everything, has told
has told
that
that He
Hewould uncoverto
woulduncover tomen, especial-
men,especial-
ly
ly learned
learnedmen
men and
and scientists,
scientists,the clear
the clear
75
75
signs in the
signs Qur'an in order
the Qur'an order that
that they
they
may prove the
may prove the truthfulness
truthfulness of the
the Mes-
Mes-
sageof Islam.
sage Islam.

" Soon will We

"Soon We showshow them
them Our
Signsin the
Signs (furthest)regions
the (furthest) regions(of the
the
earth)
earth)andand in their
their own souls,
souls,until it
becomes
becomes manifest
manifest to themthem that
that this
this
is the
is the truth.
truth . IsIs it not enough
enoughthat
that thy
thy
Lord doth
doth witness
witnessall things"?
things"?
( Q u r a n ,41
(Quran, 4 1:53)
:53)

1) "We made
1) made from water
water every
every
living thing'. (Qur'an, 21
thing'. (Qur'an, :30)
2l:30)

Water is essential
Water is essentialfor life.No
life.No other liquid
otherliquid
is suitable
suitabie for biological
biological interactions.
interactions. It
has been proved
has been proved by sorne
some researchers
researchers that
that
some bacteria
some bacteria can
can live wittrout
without air.
air, but not
without water.
water.
76
76
 2) "And verily in cattle (too) will
cattle (too) will ye
ye
find an
an instructive
instructive sign.
sign. From
what
what is
is within their
their bodies,
bodies, bet-
bet-
ween
ween excretions
excretions and
and blood We
produce, for your drink, milk,
produce,
pure and
pure and agreeable
agreeableto those
thosewho
drink it." ( Qur'an, 16:66)
Qur an,16:66)

After the recent development

the recent developmentof anato-
anato-
my andand magnifying
magnifying instruments,
instruments,biolo-
gists studied
gists studiedmilk
milk formation
formation andand found
found
that
that digestive
digestive enzymes
enzymes change
change food
food into
excretions
excretionsthat
that flow through
through the
the small in-
testines,
testines, where
whereblood
blood vessel
vessel absorb
absorb dis-
dis-
solved
solved alimentary
alimentary substance which is
substance which is
carried
carried by blood to the glands that
the lactic glands that
absorb
absorb lactic matter
matter from blood. Thus
blood. Thus
milk is formed
milk formed from between
between excretions
excretions
and
and blood as as mentioned
mentioned in thethe Qur'anic
Qur'anic
verse.
verse.
77
 3) The Qur'an points
The Qur'an stage of
the stage
points to the
embryonic development in the
embryonic development the
womb:
womb:

"Man We did create quintes-

createfrom a quintes-
sence
sence(of clay)
clay)
Then placed him as
Then We placed (a drop
as (a drop of)
sperm place of rest,
sperm in a place rest,firmly fixed
fixed
Then
Then We made
made the sperm into aa clot
the sperm
of congealed
congealedblood;
blood; then
then of that
that clot
We made (foetus) lump;
made (foetus) lump; thenthen We
made
made out of the the lump bones and
bones and
clothed
clothedthe
the bones
bones with flesh;
flesh; then
then
We developed out of it another
developedout anothercrea-
crea-
ture.
ture. So
So blessed
blessedbe Allah, the
be Allah, Best
the Best
to
to create"! (Qur'an,23:12-1
create"!(Qur'an, 23:12-l

Foetal
Foetal science
science and
andanatmoy havedisco-
anatmoyhave disco-
vered
vered those states of creation
those states the
creationonly in the
present
presentage.
age.
78
78
 "Those whom Allah (in His plan)
4) "Those plan)
willeth to guide,
guide, He openeth
openeth
their breast
breast to Islam whom He
willeth to leave straying, -- He
leave straying, He
maketh
maketh their breast
breast close
close and
and
constricted
constricted as as if
if they
they had
had to
climb up
up to the
the skies."
skies."
(Qur'an,6:
(Qur'an, 125)
6:125)

After man
man was able to fly and
was able and go
go up in
the
the upper
upper layers
layers of atmospheric
aunosphericair,
air, he
he dis-
dis-
covered
coveredthat
that the
the higher
higher he
he went
went up,
up, the
the
less
less oxygen
oxygen and and atmospheric
atmospheric pressure
pressure
there
there would be, be, which
which would
would cause
causea
great
greatdifficulty in breathing
breathing and
and constric-
constric-
tion in the
the bosom.
bosom. That is what
what the
the Verse
Verse
has
has stated
statedthirteen
thirteen centuries
centuries before
before the
the
flight of man.
man.

5) "Or (the unbeliever's

(the unbeliever'sstate) is
state) IS
79
79
 like the
like thedepths
depthsof
of darkness
darknessin in aa
vast deep
vast deep ocean,
ocean, overwhelmed
overwhelmed
with billow
with billow topped
ropped by
by billow,
billow,
toppedby
topped (dark) clouds;
by (dark) clouds; depths
depths
darkness,one
of darkness, oneabove
aboveanother."
another."
(Quran,24:40)
(Quran, 24:40)

Before AD 1900,
Before 1900, people
people had
had known
one kind of waves
only one waves seen
seen on the
the sea's
sea's
surface. Scandinavian
surface. Scandinavian sailors
sailors came
camelater
later
to discover
discover aa fact
fact hidden
hidden in thethe ocean's
ocean's
depths where
depths where there
there is another
another kind of
waves
waves which tossestosses divers
divers asas the
the upper
upper
waves
waves that
that toss
toss swimmers.
swimmers. Allah revealed
revealed
this fact unto the illiterate Prophet
Prophet Mu-
hammad (peace
hammad (peace andand blessing
blessing of
of Allah
Allah be
upon him)
him) who had never seen seen the sea
sea in
his life, about
about fourteen
fourteen centuries
centuries ago.
ago.

6) "Does man
man think
think that
that We
We can-
can-
80
80
 not assemble
not assemblehis
hisbones?
bones?Nay,
Nay,
We are
We able to
areable put together
to put togetherin
perfectorder
Perfect order the
the very
very tips
tipsof
hisfmgers".
his (Qur'an,75:3-4)
fingers". (Qur'an, 75:34)

Which is
Which is more
more difficult:
difficult: the re-creation
the re-creation
bones or fmger-tips?
of bones finger-tips?BothBoth may
may look
look
the same
the same at
at the
thefirst
first look.
look. But
But the fact is
thefact is
that no
that no man's
man's fmger-tips
finger-tips are
are similar
similar toto
those of anohter.
those anohter. So Sofmger-prints
finger-prints have
have
been used
been usedto recognizecharacter.
to recognize character.Only
Only in
this age
this age has
has science
sciencediscovered
discoveredthe
the true
true
meaningof the
meaning indication in these
the indication theseverses.
verses.

8
81l
 THE HEREATTER
HEREAFTER
---------------

Belief in the Hereafter is belief in the

the Hereafter the
Unseen,, which is known
Unseen only to the
known onlY the
Omnipotent, Omniscient
Omnipotent, Creator. Allah
Omniscient Creator.
(Exalted
(Exalted be
be He!)
He!) says:
says:

ye then
"Did ye think that
then think had
We had
ttrat We
created you in jest,
createdyou jest, and that ye
and that Ye
would
would not
not be
be brought backto
broughtback us
to us
(for account)?"
(for account)?" (Qur'an,23:115)
(Qur'an, 23:ll5)

"Not without
"Not purPosedid
without purpose We
did We
create
createheaven and earth
heavenand and all
earth and all
between! That were
between!That thought
the thought
were the
of
of the
the unbelievers!
unbelievers!But woe to
But woe to
the
the unbelievers
unbelieversbecause the
of the
becauseof
Fire (ofHell)!
Fire(of Hell)!
"ShallWe
"Shall Wetreat
treatthose
thosewho believe
whobelieve
82
82
 andwork
and work deeds
deedsof righte
righteousness,
ousness,
thesame
the sameasas those
those who
who dodo mis-
mis-
chief on
chief on earth?
earth? Shall
Shall We
We treat
trear
thosewho
those who guard
guardagain
against evil, the
st evil, the
sameas
same asthose
thosewho
who tum
tum side
sidefrom
from
the right?
the right?" (Qur'an,38:27
" (Qur' an, 38:27 28)
2g)

"Shall
"Shal We then
l We then treat
treat the
the peopl
peoplee
faith like
of faith like the people
the peopl sin?
e of sin?
What is
What is the
the matte
matterr with you?you?
Howjudge
How judge ye?ye?" (eur'an,
(Qur'a 6g:
n, 68:
35-36)
35-36 )

fact, life would

In fact, would bebe absur
absurd if there
d if there
wereno
were no Day
Day of Judge
Judgement
ment on
on which
which all
all
the dead
the dead will bebe resurr
resurrected
ected and
and ques-
ques_
tioned about
tioned about their
their deeds
deedsin this
this earthl
earttrly
y
life.
life.

This can
This can be
be easily
easily realized
realized by
by every
every_-
83
83
body without
body need for material
without need material evidence.
evidence.
this world there
In this are many
there are example.s in
many examples
divine justice
which divine
which fulfilled and
justice is not fuHilled and
we naturally
we come to the
naturally come conclusion that
the conclusion that
there should
there should be some world or life other
be some other
than this
than this transient which all un-
one in which
transient one un-
settled issues
settled issues and injustice are
deeds of injustice
and deeds are
forward in the
brought forward
brought the Divine Court of
Divine Court
justice,
justice, andand the righteousand
the righteous wicked
the wicked
and the
receive
receivetheir their just Such aa Day
deserts.Such
just deserts. Day
of Judgement
Judgementis is extremely necessary,for
extremelynecessary,
we
we see see many
many cruel wicked people
cruel or wicked PeoPle
who
who are devotedto
aredevoted to sins
sins and wrongdoing,
and wrongdoing,
and
and yet yet they
they lead happy comfortable
lead aa happy comfortable
life without getting their
withoutgetting theirdue punishment.
due punishment.
On
On the the other
other hand,
hand,there aremany
thereare right-
manyright-
eous
eous people
peoplewhowho lead miserablelife
lead aa miserable life
during
during whichwhichthey
theysuffer fromoppression,
sufferfrom oppression,
humiliation, povertyor
humiliation,poverty homelessness
orhomelessness and
and
at
at last
last die
die without
without being requited.
being requited. Is all
Is all
84
 this consistent
this consistentwithwith Divine
Divine Justice?
Justice? Not
Not
in the
in least. Then
the least. Then there
theremust
must be besuch
such anan
inevitable day
inevitable day devoted
devoted to
to aa lasting
lastingsettle-
settle-
mentof
ment of all
all accounts.
accounts.

many people
But many peopleare
areblinded
blindedto
to this
this fact
fact
owing
owing toto various
various factors
factors such
suchas
as whims,
whims,
covetousness,
covetousness, lack of belief and
lack anddeviation
deviation
from truth.
from truth.

Thus, everything
Thus, everything wewe dodo Inin this
this world,
every
every intention
intention wewe have,
have, every
every move
move
we make,
make, every
every thought
thought we entertain,
entertain,
and
and every
every word we say, say, all are
are counted
counted
and
and kept in accurate
accurate records.
records. On the the Day
of
of Judgernent,
Judgement, they will will be brought up.
be brought
People
People with goodgood records
records will gene-
will be gene-
rously
rously rewarded
rewarded and warmly
warmly welcomed
welcomed to to
the
the Heaven
Heaven ofof Allah,
Allah, where
where there
there is
is etemal
eternal
and perfect
and perfect bliss,
bliss, and
and those
those with
with bad
bad
8855
records wil
records be punished
will be cast into
and cast
punished and into
Hell.That is,
Hell.That a word,
is, in a the Day
word, the Judge-
Day of Judge-
ment and
ment final settle
andfinal ment of all accou
settlement nts.
accounts'

86
86
 DryINE
DNIN E DEST
DESTINY
INY
(QADAA
(QAD AA AND QAD AR)
QADAR)

Almighry
Almi ghty Allah
Allah's's know
knowledge
ledge is is limitl
limitless
ess
andHis
and His powe
power r to plan and
to plan andto to execu
execute te His
His
plans is
plans is infmi
infinite.
te. HeHe is
is also
alsothetheCreat
Creatoror of
manand
man and his
his deeds
deeds. This does
. This does notnot in anyany
way make
way makeman manfatali
fatalist helpless.
st or helple He has
ss. He has
endowed
endow us with the
ed us thepowe
power mind in or-
r of mind or-
der that
der that we we may
may havehave thethe freedo
freedom m and
and
ability
abilit to think,
y to think, plan
plan and
andchoos
choose e our
our own
own
way of life.
way life. But
But ourour limite
limited d spher
sphere e of
knowledge
know ledge and
andpowe
power makes
r make usfail
s us fail to
to un-
un-
derstand
dersta nd fully or disco
discover
ver Allah
Allah,s's wisdo
wisdom m
and justice
andjustice in what whatHe He create
creates s or does.
does.So So
we shoul
we should accept
d accep goodfaith
t in good faith and
and sat-
sat_
isfaction
isfact ion all
all that
thatAllah
Allah does,
does,as asour
our know
know- -
ledgeis
ledge is limite
limitedd and
andour
our thinki
thinkingng isis based
based
on indiv
on individual
idual or perso
personal
nal consi
considerations,
derations,
whereas
where as HeHe isis Omni
Omniscient,
scient, All-S
All-Seeing,
eeing,
87
87
All-Wise, Almighty -- His
All-Wise, Almighty knowledge and
His knowledge and
Justice are
Justice are not
not limited
limited or encompassed by
or encompassed by
the narow
narrow horizon
horizon or
or sphere of man's
sphere of man's
knowledge. Allatr's
knowledge. timeless knowledge
Allah's timeless knowledge
anticipates events,
anticipates events, and those events take
those events take
place according
place exact knowledge
according to the exact knowledge
of Allah,
of Allah, wittrout take any
without forcing man to take
course of action,
course whether good
action, whether good or evil.

So
So man
man bears
bears responsibility
responsibility in so as
so far as
he
he enjoys
enjoys thethe freedom
freedom to think and be-
and be-
have.
have. Destiny,
Destiny, in so far as
so far concerns
as it concerns
man's
man'sbehaviour,
behaviour, does does not
not bear any hint
bear any
of coercion.
coercion. In its its Islamic
Islamic import, de-
import, it de-
notes
notes the happening of things
the happening things according
according
to
to Allah's
Allatr's exact,
exact, infallible
infallible knowledge.
knowledge.

88
88
 ANGELS OF
ANGELS OF ALLAH

essentialarticle
An essential Muslim's faith
article of Muslim's faith
is belief
is beliefin the
theangels
angelsof ALLAH.

We can
We know about
can know about thethe angels
angels andand
someof their
some their attributes from the
attributesfrom theGlorious
Glorious
Qur'an andthe
Qur'an and the Prophet
ProphetMuhammad's
Muhammad'stra- tra-
ditionsas
ditions asthese
thesetraditions
traditions are reliable, in-
are reliable,
fallible authorities
fallible authoritieson on the
the articles
articlesof faith
faith
general,and
in general, and those relating to
those relating to the
the un-
un-
seen particular. For,
seen in particular. For, asas it has
has been
been
proved in the
proved presentage
thepresent ageof scientific
scientificdis-
dis-
coveries, many unseen
coveries, many facts of science
unseenfacts science
which wereunknown
which were unknown in the pastare
the past now
are now
well established
well established truttrsafter
truths man has
after man hasac-
ac-
quired some
quired some means
meansand instrumentsthat
and instruments that
enablehim to
enable leam about
to learn about and
and discover
discover
many already
many alreadyunbelievable
unbelievable factsfacts of the
the
universe;but
unIverse; but all thatman
all that manso knows IS
far knows
sofar is
89
89
no more than
no more than a
a drop
drop of water compared to
water compared
the
the oceans
oceansof the
the unknown.
unknown.

So,
So, as science or field of
every science
as in every of
knowledge,
knowledge,we those specialized
tum to those
we turn specialized
or to well-informed authorities, here
well-informedauthorities, here too,
too,
we
we refer Prophet (May peace
the Prophet
refer to the peace and
and
blessing
blessing of Allah upon him) in mat-
be upon
Allatr be mat-
ters
ters of religion
religion as he has
as he conveyed to
has conveyed
humankind
humankind the the revelations and instnrc-
revelationsand instruc-
tions
tions of ALLAH, the the Creator every-
Creator of every-
thing
thing and
and the
the best know, with no
to know,
best to no li-
mits
mits toto His
His knowledge
knowledgeand power as
and power He
as He
is
is the
the Absolute, All-Knowing
Almighty, All-Knowing
Absolute, Almighty,
andAll-Seeing
and Creator.
All-SeeingCreator.

Accordingto
According to HADITH, i.e.,sayings
HADITTI,Le., sayingsof
the (May peace
Prophet (May
the Prophet peaceandand blessings
blessings
be upon
Aliah be
of Allah him), ANGELS
upon him), ANGELSwere were
createdfrom
originally created
originally light, as
from light, Adam
as Adam
90
 was originally
was originally created
createdfrom
from clay.
clay. They
They
are purely spiritual
are purely spiritualcreatures
creatureswho
who never
never
eat, drink
eat, drink or
or sleep;
sleep;their
their major
major activity
activity
isisto
toserve
serveALLAH,
ALLAH, obey obey HisHis orders
ordersand
and
glorify
glorify Him Him all
all the
thetime.
time.They
Theyarearenume-
nume-
rousand
rous andeach
eachof of them
them is is charged
chargedwith
with aa
certain task.
certain task. Gabriel,
Gabriel, for for example,
example,con-
con-
veyed
veyed the the revelation
revelationof ALLAH unto unto
Prophets. Some
Prophets. Some of them them observe
observeman's
man,s
deeds and
deeds and preserve
preserve aa comprehensive
comprehensive
record of them.
record them. On On thethe Day
Day of Judge-
Judge-
ment
ment theythey will
will bring
bring forttr
forth a full report
report on
on
man's
man's goodgood or badbad deeds
deeds for which
which hehe
will
will bebe rewarded
rewarded or punished.
punished. There
There are
are
other
other duties
duties of
of angels
angels indicated
indicated in thethe
Qur'an.
Qur'an.

The
The creation
creation of
of those
those great
great extraor-
extraor-
dinary
dinary creatures
creatures testifies
testifies to
to the
the infinite
infinite
inimitable
inimitable power
power of
of ALLAH.
ALLAH. They They also
also
991l
 as a good
stand as
stand example of highly
good example
righteous and industrious
righteous and servants of
industrious servants
ALLAH to be
ALLAH man. At last,
imitated by man.
be imitated last,
belief in the
the angels ALLAH would
angels of ALLAH would
enlargeman's
enlarge horizons of knowledge
man's horizons knowledge andand
make him never
make never feel the vast
lonely in the
feel lonely vast
universe ashe
universe as he learns aboundswith
that it abounds
leamsthat
kind and spiritsthat
friendly spirits
and friendly thatcome down
comedown
unto good believers
unto good composureand
believerswith composure and
comfort.
comfort.

The
Theclose wordswill be:
our words
closeof our "Praise
be: "Praise
be to
be to Allah, The Cherisher
AUah,The andSustainer
Ctrerisherand Sustainer
of the Worlds".
theWorlds".

92
92
 ,-,t-5J1U"J
yL;S;Jllu

(~~~I.wJ~
( ij#YluJ! ))

~1.J ftl ~.J

i+rJ'Jl
&r(,f, Y ,i: 1.S~1
AlJt ~La.iJ1
t2L' ;r1~
e+- *
',Jil '?l
.~L-.i)'1 4'-r71Jl~
').J--'!')l ir- ~L.AJ1.,
tt-Jb i~l.J
iL+lb

4..i~
dt-.o* ~U.l rr ~),L-)l
..!ul iJ-" oYr ,jl 4l~
iiLn.i; ~~ *
'*l:-
.~ v'!
,)l v'w.J
Jb:

. irl--Yl ;.r-irJl g|Jri ;La1L{ .riit+

~~ .,Jr
#tir ~ Ot+)lOtf.rY
~4)'1 ~15.J~ e*
4.4~ ,,) ~
l.-.rt vi *
'L~j fL-r
L;-i .r-J-Jl ,j.}-:ll,
I";:LJ ,pl*ll ~..)WI.J d^rl
J.Iz.:.l'.J C,-rL:J'r~I
.L{lf ~1.,.l1.-4J
.4-1' *t-)t ~l- Ivi t&tiJ
rjJ €+t,, 'LJ.....J ~
 ~LaeJ
!t i-*,.,
..
L.~~I . .
41{Y-If i..L.iaJ1
6J1"idl
 ~L.a.oJ
ftsl-*aJ
..
L.o~~to~t
{..y.{Yl 6J"irll
aa ~
I ..
a.t

&_j+"iyliilJtJ

~b
' i*t'g

4S~~i~\l
t9*.la;i{-J& .
~