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Benevolence in Islam
By : The Benevolence of Islam

1. Islam is the religion of benevolence and simplicity:

Allah (Subhanahu Wata’ala) the All-Mighty, said: “Allah intends for you
ease, He does not want to make things difficult for you.” (Qur’an 2:185)

Allah (SWT) willed to purify this Islamic nation, to which Allah (SWT)
showed mercy, after hardships and difficulties, and Allah (SWT), the All-
Mighty, Said: “And strive hard in Allah’s Causes as you ought to strive
[with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be
superior]. He has chosen you [to convey His Message of Islamic
Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islam], and [He]
has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your
father Ibrahim [Abraham]. It is He [Allah] who has named you Muslims…”
(Qur’an 22:78)

2. Allah (SWT) has sent Muhammad (peace be upon him), with

the tolerant hanifiyya (Islamic Monotheism):

‘A’ishah () said: {The Messenger of Allah once called me when some of

the Abyssinians (Ethiopians) were playing with their spears in the mosque
on a festival (‘Eid) day. He said to me: “Would you like to watch them” I
said: “Yes”. Then he let me stand behind him, lowering his shoulders so
that I could watch them, and then I put my chin on his shoulder and my
cheek on his face, then I looked from the top of his shoulder and he said:
“O ‘A’ishah, are you content? (i.e. have you watched enough)”

I said: “No.” In order to see how much he loves me till I felt content (of
watching them). The Prophet said: “Is that enough?” I said: ‘Yes.’ He
said: “Then go.” Then she, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “Then
‘Umar (RA) arrived, and (on seeing him) all people got dispersed even
children. Seeing that, the Prophet said: “I see that the Satans of mankind
and Jinn ran away from ‘Umar (RA) (out of fear).” ‘A’ishah, said: the
Prophet said on that day: “Let the Jews know that there is kindness in our
religion; I was sent with the eminent hanifiyya (Islamic
Monotheism).” } (Bukhari and Muslim)

3. The most beloved religion to Allah (SWT) is the benevolent

hanifiyyah (Islamic Monotheism):

The laws of Islam are all based on ease, simplicity and absence of

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hardship. And all the religious characters are beloved [to Allah (SWT)]
and whatever was kind and benevolent of them (i.e. of acts) is most
beloved to Allah (SWT). So hardships should not be laid in the religion of
Allah (SWT), and things should not be made difficult for the slaves of
Allah (SWT) (Muslims) for whoever overburdens himself in his religion will
not be able to continue in that way.

And take a look at (the story of) Bani Israil (sons of Israel) who made
things hard for themselves (when they asked too many questions about
the characteristics of the cow they were ordered to slaughter) then Allah
(SWT) made things difficult for them (by demanding a certain cow with
certain characteristics difficult to be found), had they been tolerant and
benevolent, they would have been dealt with benevolence. Take heed of
the story of the cow.

Ibn Abbas (RA), narrated: The Prophet was asked: “What religion is the
most beloved to Allah (SWT), the Al-Mighty?” He said: “The hanifiyya
(Islamic Monotheism).”

Ibn ‘Abbas (RA), narrated that it was asked [i.e. the Prophet was asked]
if a man drinks pure (full of fat) milk, should he perform ablution? He
said: “Forgive so that you will be forgiven.” (Ahmed), that is, make things
easy for people so that Allah (SWT) may make things easy for you.

4. Benevolence is the best (branch) of faith:

The Prophet said: “The best branches of Faith are patience and
benevolence.”

5. Benevolence is the easiest acts and their best:

A man came to the Prophet and said: “O Prophet of Allah (SWT)! Which is
the best of deeds?” He said: “Having faith in Allah (SWT), believing in
Him, and fighting in (and for) His cause.” The man said: “I want
something easier than that.” He said “(Having) patience and
benevolence.” The man said: “I want something easier than that.” He
said: “Do not have ill thought in any thing which Allah (SWT), All-Mighty,
decreed for you.” (Ahmed)

6. Examples of the benevolence of Islam:

(A) It is of the benevolence of Islam that it is Allah’s religion sent to all

people. Allah (SWT), the All-Mighty said: “And We have sent you [O
Muhammad] not but a mercy for the Alamin [mankind, Jinn, and all that
exists].” (Qur’an 21:107)

He (SWT), the All-Mighty said: “And We have not sent you [O

Muhammad] except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all
mankind,…” (Qur’an 34:28)

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 (B) Benevolence of Islam is to shun fanaticism and nationalism. Islam
was purified [by Allah (SWT)] from the ethics of the days of ignorance
(i.e. days before the advent of Muhammad and its ruined manners, so it
(Islam) demolished each and every trace of fanaticism which is the
essence of (false) judgements which are based on mere false desires.

Islam also does not approve the falsehood of fanaticism and nationalism
which gives superiority and the right to blood (birth), kinship, and
land. This kind of transgression is considered as a right in the laws of
fanaticism of ignorance, and for that purpose Islam condemns it, for it
perishes the man’s dignity.

Doing so, Islam revives the hearts of people, fills them with true faith,
encourages them to goodness, righteousness, and justice, and
demolishes difference of sex, language, race, and superiority of lineage or
wealth.

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made
you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the
most honourable of you with Allah is that [believer] who has Taqwa [i.e.
one of the Muttaqun: (pious, righteous…]” (Qur’an 49:13)

Islam Declared Equality Among People

(Speech was delivered by Imam Mohamed Baianonie at the Islamic Center of Raleigh, N.C., on February
20, 1987)

Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Hujurat, (verse 13), what be translated as, "O
Mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you
into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most
honorable of you in the sight of Allah is he who has most taqwa among of
you. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware."

With this verse, Islam declares equality among people, that is because Islam
respect a human for being a human not for any other reason; Islam dose not
distinguish between two races, or two groups of people, or between two colors,
and the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) addressed the people signifying that
concept during the last pilgrimage, saying: "O People! Your God is one; your
father is one; no preference of an Arab neither over non-Arab nor of a non-
Arab over an Arab or red over black or black over red except for the most
righteous. Verily the most honored of you is the most righteous."

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Not only did Islam emphasize the equality principle theoretically, but did it
practically in some of the worship acts that translated this principle into a
sensible fact that dose not escape people minds, thus: in the mosques where
Friday prayer is held once every week, as well as the five daily prayers;
equality is exercised practically and all the differences vanishes among people.
That is, whoever came to the Mosque first, took his place in the front rows
despite his financial states or position, and whoever come late, his place is late
and if you look at any row among the prayer's rows, you would find in that row
the rich and poor, the knowledgeable and the one with no knowledge, the Arab
and the non Arab, no differences all the same in sight of Allah (S.W.T.), their
direction during prayer, as well as their reveled book, as their Lord is one and
also their movements during the prayer following one Imam.

Also in the holy land where the annual pilgrimage and the Omrah is performed,
the equality is even clearer and stronger that is because during prayer people
may differ in their clothes but during pilgrimage and Omrah the Ihram situation
oblige every one to only wear simple white clothes which equates the rich and
the poor, the governor and governed, all walking around Ka'bah asking one
lord.

Also, another practical application of equality in Islam, is the equality among

people in front of the law and regulations. What is allowed is for all people and
what is forbidden as well upon all people. The obligations are upon everyone,
and whoever deserved punishment gets it, regardless.

An example of such was when some of the companions talked to Osama Bin
Zaid, the favorite of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), to intervene for the sake of
the well reputed woman from Qurach tribe who deserved punishment for
stealing (that is cutting her hand), Osama talked to the prophet (S.A.W.), the
prophet (S.A.W.) got angry and said, "Those before you were districted, that is
because the renowned is untouched when he steals, and the poor is punished,
verily if Fatima daughter of Muhammad stole, I would have cut her hand."

Also during the period of guided khalafahs there are many examples of the
application of the equality principle. Here are two examples:

1st example: the story of Jebelah Bin Al Ayham who was a Gasan tribe's prince
and the bedwein who complained to kalafe Omar that Jebelah (the prince) has
slapped him, then Omar brought Jebelah and told him to let bedwein retaliate, a
slap for slap unless the bedwein forgives him, this was taken difficulty by the
Gasan prince and told Omar: How does he retaliate and I am a prince and he is
a common. Omar answered: Islam has made equal out of you. That did not

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satisfy Jebelah, and he escaped from Madinah then abandoned Islam, but that
did not cause any one's concern because one's abandoning Islam is much trivial
than abandoning such a principle of Islam "equality"

The 2nd example was the story of khalif Omar and his governor to Egypt Amer
Bin Al Aus when the son of governor struck a Christian man and told him that
he is the son an honored family that man went from Egypt to Madinah
complaining, then khalif Omar called the governor and his son and older the
man to strike the son of the governor the same way he was struck, and turned to
Amer Bin Al ‘Aus the governor and said: "When did you enslave people and
their mothers born then free."

This is Islam: emphasizing the equality and applying it in the society since
1400 years ago, when during that time mankind used to suffer the worst
distinction among people and individuals in society and readied the enslaving
of the human to his brother the human.

This is the secrete that made Islam and Muslims prevail nations in the past. It is
a mistake to think that Islam prevailed only because Muslims like dying in the
battles as other like to live. Islam did not prevail through battles only, but
because Islam is a complete unique guidance for life, unique in it's rituals,
beliefs, dealings and morals and from all with all that the religion of Allah is
comprised, and with all that Muslims won and prevailed in the past, and with it
Muslims can prevail and rule these days or any other time.

Human Rights and Justice in Islam

Islam provides many human rights for the individual. The following are some
of these human rights that Islam protects.

The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred,
whether a person is Muslim or not. Islam also protects honor. So, in Islam,
insulting others or making fun of them is not allowed. The Prophet
Muhammad said: {Truly your blood, your property, and your honor are
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inviolable.}

Racism is not allowed in Islam, for the Quran speaks of human equality in the
following terms:

O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and have
made you into nations and tribes for you to know one another. Truly, the

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 noblest of you with God is the most pious.2 Truly, God is
All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Quran, 49:13)

Islam rejects certain individuals or nations being favored

because of their wealth, power, or race. God created human
beings as equals who are to be distinguished from each other
only on the basis of their faith and piety. The Prophet
Muhammad said: {O people! Your God is one and
your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and
a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with
red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not
better than a red person,3 except in piety.}4

One of the major problems facing mankind today is racism. The developed
world can send a man to the moon but cannot stop man from hating and
fighting his fellow man. Ever since the days of the Prophet Muhammad ,
Islam has provided a vivid example of how racism can be ended. The annual
pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah shows the real Islamic brotherhood of all races
and nations, when about two million Muslims from all over the world come to
Makkah to perform the pilgrimage.

Islam is a religion of justice. God has said:

Truly God commands you to give back trusts to those to whom they are
due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice.... (Quran,
4:58)

And He has said:

...And act justly. Truly, God loves those who are just. (Quran, 49:9)

We should even be just with those who we hate, as God has said:

...And let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that
is nearer to piety.... (Quran, 5:8)

The Prophet Muhammad said: {People, beware of injustice,5 for injustice

shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.}6

And those who have not gotten their rights (i.e. what they have a just claim to)
in this life will receive them on the Day of Judgment, as the Prophet said:

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{On the Day of Judgment, rights will be given to those to whom they are
due (and wrongs will be redressed)...}7

What Is Halal? What Is Haram?

"Halal" is a Quranic Term, which means 'Lawful'
or 'Permitted'. Sometimes it is translated as
'Acceptable' or 'Not forbidden'. Halal foods and
drinks are permitted for consumption by Allah- the
supreme lawgiver. In the Holy Quran, Allah
commands Muslims and all of mankind to eat of
the Halal things. Eating Halal is obligatory.
The opposite of 'Halal' is "Haram", which means
'Unlawful' or 'Prohibited". The other words used
for Haram is 'Unacceptable' or 'Forbidden'. Haram
foods and drinks are absolutely prohibited for
consumption by Allah. Eating Haram is forbidden
for every Muslim. If a Muslim consumes Haraam
foods, he would be sinful.

What Is Mushbooh?

"Mushbooh" is an Arabic term which means 'doubtful' or 'suspected'. If one does not know the Halal
or Haram status of a particular food or drink, such a food or drink is doubtful. A practicing Muslims
prevents himself from consuming doubtful things.

The terms Halal and Haram will be used strictly to describe food products, meat products,
cosmetics, personal care products, food ingredients, beverages and food contact
materials. Which foods are Halal or which foods are Haram, is decided according to the
Holy Quran and the Glorious Shari’ah (Islamic Law).Most diets and foods are considered
to be Halaal unless Islamic Law specifically prohibits them.
The following products are definitely Halal:

1. Milk (from cows, sheeps, camels or goats).

2. Honey.
3. Fish.
4. Plants which are not intoxicant.
5. Fresh or naturally frozen vegetables.
6. Fresh or dried fruits.
7. Legumes like peanuts, cashew nuts, hazel nuts, walnuts, etc.

8. Grains such as wheat, rice, rye, barley, oat, etc.

Animals such as cows, sheep, goats, deer, moose, chickens, ducks, game birds, etc., are
also Halal, but they must be Zabihah (slaughtered according to Islamic Rites) in order to
be suitable for consumption. The procedure is as follows: the animal must be slaughtered
by a Muslim by putting the animal down on the ground (or holding it if it is small) and
slitting it's throat with a very sharp knife to make sure that the main blood vessels are
cut. While cutting the throat of the animal without severing it, the person has to recite
"Bismillah Allah-u-Akbar".

The following items have been categorically spelled out as being Haram:

1. Pig/Swine/Pork and its by-products.

2. Blood and and blood by-products.
3. Carnivorous animals.
4. Reptiles and insects.

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 5. Halal animals which are not slaughtered according to the Islamic Law.
6. Animals killed in the name of anyone other than God.
7. The bodies of dead animals or dead before slaughtering.
8. Alcohol and intoxicants such as Wine, Ethyl Alcohol, and Spirits etc.

The above mentioned items are Haram and should be strictly avoided by all Muslims.

Foods containing ingredients in the following are example of Mushbooh:

1. Gelatin.
2. Enzymes.
3. Emulsifiers.
4. Lard.
5. Glycerol/glycerin etc.

Muslim should avoid such foods containing Mushbooh or questionable ingredients. Before
consuming such items, we have to confirm the source of these ingredients.

Taqwa: Built Upon the 'Aqeedah

Taqwa is one of the most profound concepts in Islam. Taqwa is an avenue by which
Muslims relate to one another in society and a means to channel their actions.
Because of the great importance of taqwa, it has been referred to numerous times in
the Qur'an and Sunnah in order to emphasize its relevance and significance to the
Muslims.

Allah (swt) strongly emphasizes the rewards of people with taqwa in this life and the
Hereafter. It is these muttaqeen that Allah (swt) grants assistance, victory and provides
for. Thus, understanding the concept of taqwa is vital and mandatory for every Muslim.

Unfortunately, this is the very concept which the Muslims have left behind, as a result of
faulty education. The disbelievers in the distant past, as well as in present times, have
understood the importance of taqwa and the Islamic creed, and how it could jeopardize
their interests. They realized how taqwa and the Islamic creed ('aqeedah) were the roots
of power to the Muslims. Thus they began to warp and dilute it by adding Greek, Persian
and Hindu ideas and philosophies to it. Eventually, the Muslims began to incorporate the
false ideas of the body and soul, and their interrelationship, into the original, pristine
Islamic concept of taqwa.

As a result, Muslims started portraying a person possessing taqwa as a soft-spoken,

elevated, calm, pious, spiritual person, adorned with a certain type of holy attire. A
picture of a person who over emphasizes prayer, fasting, and things such as donating to
the masjid, while living a secluded and isolated life would be the one with taqwa, even
though the same person would deal with usury, lie and sell alcohol. They began
manufacturing their own version of taqwa and fed this false sentiment to the Ummah.

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In contrast to this distorted picture the Qur'an and Sunnah defines the idea of taqwa as
protecting oneself from the Hellfire by following the orders of Allah (swt) by doing what
He (swt) has commanded and avoiding what He (swt) has forbidden. Many ayat in the
Qur'an point up these ideas, "And unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all
that is on earth. And, verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture
before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allah, and keep your duty to
Him, But if you disbelieve, then unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all
that is in the earth, and Allah is Ever Rich, Worthy of all praise." [TMQ An-Nisa' 4:
131]

Also, in the Prophet's (saw) last khutbah he said, "I ask you to fear Him (swt), listen to
Him (swt), and obey." Both the ayahs, as well as the hadith, are commanding Muslims to
have taqwa. A person should have taqwa as a barrier between himself and the Anger and
Displeasure of Allah (swt). Through taqwa , the Muslim strives to obey Allah (swt) and
abstains from His prohibitions.

The son of 'Ali (ra), Al-Hasan (ra) once said, "The people who have taqwa (al-
muttaqoon) are the people who avoided whatever Allah (swt) has prohibited and have
done whatever Allah (swt) has ordained."

Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (ra) once said, "Taqwa is not by fasting the day and not by praying
the night. And it's not by mixing between the two of them. But taqwa is leaving what
Allah (swt) has made Haram and by doing what Allah (swt) has made Fard. After one has
done this, Allah (swt) will provide good things for that person."

A true muttaqoon is a person who strives to possess a solid understanding and knowledge
of the rulings of Allah (swt) through the Qur'an and Sunnah. Without proper knowledge
of the Islamic rulings, a person would not know what is asked of him/her. Therefore, it is
a must to understand Islam properly as well as to have the proper intention of pleasing
Allah (swt) in carrying out these actions.

Imam Ahmad mentions a hadith, narrated by a Sahabi, whereby a person once asked, "Oh
Messenger of Allah, give me some advice." The Prophet (saw) responded, "I advise you
to fear Allah (swt) because it is the head of everything." In another occasion the Prophet
(saw) replied, "Fear Allah (swt) because it is the collection of all goodness." Allah (swt)
also promises to be with those who have taqwa. Allah (swt) says,

Taqwa: Built Upon the 'Aqeedah (contd...)

Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him, keep their duty unto Him, and those who are
muhsinun (doers of good for Allah's sake only)." [TMQ An-Nahl 16:128]

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Also taqwa constitutes a reason, which Allah (swt) has provided, in order to help one
who is experiencing hardship and distress. Allah (swt) promises,

"Whoever fears Allah, Allah will grant him a way out of hardship." [TMQ At-Talaq
65:2]

Allah (swt) had also promised forgiveness of sins to those people who are muttaqoon.
"And whoever fears Allah, and keeps his duty to Him, He will forgive his sins from
him and will enlarge his reward." [TMQ At-Talaq 65:5]

Allah (swt) has given the glad tidings for those who have taqwa. The news of paradise is
assured to such people, giving hints at the vast rewards to those who take Allah (swt) as
their Lord in their actions. "Verily those who are fearful of Allah (have taqwa) are the
people who, when an evil thought comes to them from Shaitan, they remember Allah
and indeed they then see aright." [TMQ Al- A'raf 7:201]

"And he (Muhammad) who has brought the truth and those who believe therein, those
are almuttaqoon (the pious and the righteous)." [TMQ Az-Zumar 39:33]

Hence, from what Allah (swt) has outlined through the wahi, we can see that a person
who possesses taqwa is not one who lives an isolated life, only praying, fasting and
maintaining good character alone. Instead, the muttaqoon are those who fear Allah (swt)
and look to what Allah (swt) has ordained in carrying out his actions to avoid His (swt)
displeasure and anger. These people are involved with the Ummah, active in his/her life,
concerned with the affairs of the Muslims, while at the same time praying, fasting,
spending in Allah's cause, having good morals and are forgiving. All these descriptions
can be attributed to a person who has taqwa.

O Prophet! Keep your duty to Allah, and obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites.
Verily! Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise. And follow that which is inspired in you
from your Lord. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do. And put your trust
in Allah, and Sufficient is Allah as a Wakil (Trustee, or Disposer of affairs)." [TMQ
Al-Ahzab 33:1-3]

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