Islam has seen in the past more vicious attacks than it is seeing today and it succeeded in facing and

overcoming them with no force except its inner strength. It gained victory and saved itself and the identity of its followers using no arms. -- Syyed Qutb

Worldwide Dawah to Non-Muslims and Communicating with New Muslims

Composed by Md Umar Faruque

I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad (Islam) that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.George Bernard Shaw

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Invite (all) to the way of your Rabb (i.e., Islam) with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive Guidance. [Quran 6:125]

Supplication (Dua): O Allah (SWT)! Guide me and increase me in knowledge. You are the only Guide in my pursuit of knowledge. You are the only Guide in the path of my learning. O my Lord! Guide me and help me in writing this thesis. Help me collect knowledge true in the Light of Your Words, the Holy Quran, and the Sunnah of Your Messenger Muhammad (SAW). Protect me if I slip out of these two Borders of Islam. Stop me if I cross the limit. Correct me if I commit any mistake. O Allah (SWT)! Forgive me. ------ M. U. Faruque

Abbreviations used in this paper (thesis): SAW = Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa sallam. SWT = Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. RAA = Radhi Allahu taala Anhu AS = 'Alaihi Salam RTA = RahmaTullahi Alahi

A Dissertation on the Subject

Worldwide Dawah to Non-Muslims and Communicating with New Muslims Written and composed by: Muhammad Umar Faruque M.Sc., Aligarh Muslim University, India. Presently working as Quality Controller with National Factory for Foodstuff Production (Al-Waha), P.O. Box 4130, Riyadh 11491 KSA Tel Res: 01-2901743, Mob 0567511582 Off: 2651525 ext: 324 email: ufvoice@yahoo.com

Submitted to: Al-Daawah Foundation P.O.Box 28084, Riyadh 11437 Saudi Arabia Telephone: 4872327 Email: info@al-daawah.net

Introduction
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah (SWT) Who has caused my soul to be a born Muslim. Peace and blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon His Messenger (SAW) and his Companions and all the persons around the world engaged in the Propagation of Islam. Very recently we, the whole world, have lost a dynamic and brilliant Da'yee (a caller to Islam), Shaikh Ahmad Deedat (Rahimahullah). Insha-Allah (Godwilling) Allah will grant us other personalities to do the urgent work of propagation of Islam. Regarding a caller of Islam, Allah (SWT) says: Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, I am one of the Muslims? [Quran 41:33] So preaching Islam is the best work in the sight of Allah (SWT). During last half decade, from 2001 to 2005 A.D., we have witnessed a biased change in world policy following some destructive events. On the excuse of September 11 attack on America; the superpower has occupied Afghanistan, Iraq and trying to invade more Muslim world. Truly to say that USA has politically colonized Pakistan to such extent that it has succeeded to root out poor and innocent Madrasahs (Islamic Schools). In the name of war on terror they are operating war on Islam. War on Islam means war against Allah Who is Victorious on every matter. Of course, the enemies of Islam cannot win. I quote from the poet Muhammad Iqbal Kuchh baat hain ke hasti mit-ti nahi hamari Shadion raha hai dushman doure jahan hamari. i.e. The fact is that our (of Muslims) identity cannot be blotted Though, for centuries, the move of the world has been our enemy. Anti-Islamic forces are trying the hardest to label Islam with fundamentalism, fanaticism, extremism, terrorism and so many isms all of which are connotations generated within themselves out of their own faults and defects. It is not Islam that contributes to terrorism, but rather the forces of injustice, oppression and greed t lead to terrorism. Man proposes, God disposes. The enemy will fail. They will get entangled in their own policy, they will get entrapped in their own net. Indeed Allah is the Best in plotting Al-Quran.

More and more people are finding their way to Islam, notwithstanding the relentless propaganda, deliberate misinformation and outright prejudice against it. This is the proof that Islam is the Truth. Some pious Muslims are busy in carrying this truth to whomever and wherever possible. Most of the Dayees or Dawah centres are not familiar with or equipped with the most suitable means and methodologies of spreading the Message of Islam. This Thesis is an effort to quest for the proper means and suitable methods for disseminating Islam. Authentic knowledge of Islam equipped with effective means and methods is a must for all Islamic propagators and propagation organizations. The thesis contains five chapters. I have arranged the topics or chapters of this thesis in the following sequence: 1. Introducing Islam and highlighting its positive qualities, 2. Doubts raised about Islam and their refutations, 3. Helping non-Muslims to embrace Islam, 4. Means and methods used to invite non-Muslims to Islam, 5. Employing modern technology to teach non-Muslims and new Muslims about Islam. The scope of this thesis I have prepared is not confined within a territory or a colony. I have applied a multifarious quest to enrich this thesis in content and in quality. I have traveled a major part of India and passed nine years of my life in Aligarh Muslim University near New Delhi. I have been in Saudi Arabia, the country of two Holy Mosques, for last seven years. All of my experiences related to the subject matter of this thesis have been reflected here. With my persistent effort I have searched internet to acquire knowledge and information. So the scope goes around the world. Along with personal experiences and enquiries I have added a lot of documentary enquiries and evidences. A good thesis generated by research is expected to display: a good general knowledge of the field of study; a comprehensively particular knowledge of some part or aspect of the field of study; and a recognisable original contribution to knowledge or understanding. I have tried to display all these aspects up to my capacity. Judgment is left on those who may go through this thesis. In order to save space I have mentioned only the English translation of the meaning of the verses of the Quran and the Ahadeeth, original Arabic form is not given.

In the 1st chapter I have classified the merits and positive qualities of Islam into ten parts. Many other innumerable merits of Islam are involved into these ten. Many merits of Islam are also mentioned in the answers and refutations of the doubts and questions (chapter 2). Islamic Code of Life is described in detail dividing it into four main systems: Islamic Legislation, Islamic Political System, Islamic Economy (Financial System), and Islamic Social System. In the section of Islamic Moral System, I have given special attention to the dealings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with non-Muslims mentioning a lot of events of his life. In the subject titled The Spiritual Aspects of Islam, I have tried to prove that the materialistic achievement cannot give real peace and permanent happiness. What the western world claims to be peace and happiness is illusory and temporary. In the 2nd chapter Doubts about Islam and their refutations, while answering the questions and doubts I have applied an interactive attitude and in some instances a mood of debate based on rational and logical arguments. Along with my own refutations I have added the answer of some renowned Islamic scholars to make the reply weighty. Therefore many answers have been lengthy. I have written answers to 34 questions generally asked by non-Muslims. I have added some more questions without reply. In answer to the question on the Prophets marriage with Aisha, I have exemplified with an evidence of a 9-year old girl in Thailand delivering a baby in 2001. In chapter three How to help non-Muslim embrace Islam I have illustrated the misconceptions about the rulings of conversion spread among non-Muslims. In the section Matters a new Muslim must learn, the Pillars of Islam and the Articles of Eeman have been described in detail. There is a warning to be aware of deviant groups who claim them Muslims. 38 famous Islamic Dayees from around the world and their activities have been compiled. Another list of 54 famous Islamic organizations is given. A section on obligation and reward of Dawah is added to the 4th chapter. Then starting with the classical means, sermon and writing, I have illustrated many possible means and methods for inviting non-Muslims to Islam. Wherever suitable, examples and presentations are given. Using television as a means has been emphasized. Merits and shortcomings of one means compared to another are also explained. Some of the scientific truths and miracles of the Quran and the Hadeeth which can be discussed with non-Muslims are presented. Various

approaches to be adopted and employed for calling people to Islam are explained with the verses of the Quran and Ahadeeth. The last chapter (5th) is started with an introduction dealing with what Information Technology (IT) is. Then the latest development of Information Technology and the impacts of IT on miscellaneous means of communication are discussed. The application of modern IT and its multiple devices and tools usable for Islamic Dawah have been described. I have cited Practical presentations of Islamic Dawah by renowned Dayee using latest IT and multiple software systems. I have elaborated the extensive use of Internet as a powerful means of spreading the Truth of Islam. A few new ideas of Dawah work have also been mentioned. I thank wholeheartedly Al-Dawah Foundation, Riyadh for announcing and organizing this international competition which has inspired me to take the bold step of writing this thesis. Lastly I apologize for any mistake. May Allah (SWT) forgive me and guide me Ameen! There is greater possibility of mistakes as I have composed this thesis in hurry due to very short period allowed after the announcement of this endeavour. My earnest request to the authority of Al-Dawah Foundation is to inform me about my faults and shortcomings so that I can correct myself for serving Islam better. Our mind is reinforced and recharged with hope. There is a Power of Truth in Islam which can enter with high permeability even if blocked and barred. The faculties of all senses of anti-Islam people will fail to resist and inhibit the Power of Islam. It will enter the entity of even harsh anti-Islam mind. Our task is to continue inviting the people to Islam. May Allah (SWT) help us accomplish our duty successfully.

Md. Umar Faruque (Aboo Seereen) ufvoice@yahoo.com

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the most Merciful. Topic One Introducing Islam and Highlighting its Positive Qualities

Let us start with proper understanding of some basic Islamic terms and terminologies. Allah: Allah in Arabic is the proper Name of the Almighty God. Allah is the Only Owner of the Oneness of the Lordship, the Oneness of the Worship and the Oneness of the Attribute of His Names. Allah is the Creator and everything visible or invisible in the Universe is His creation. Islam: The word Islam is an Arabic word that comes from the same root as the Arabic word salam, which means peace. Islam does also mean submitting and surrendering. So the literal definition of Islam is Total submission to the Will of the Almighty God for establishing peace in the world. Unlike the names used for other religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Sikhism which are named after a person or tribe or place, the name for the religion of Islam was both revealed by God and carries a deep spiritual meaning only by submitting ones will to Almighty God can one obtain true peace both in this life and afterlife. The name itself says that Islam is a universal and everlasting Religion. Islam teaches that all religions originally had the same essential message which was to submit whole-heartedly to the will of God and to worship Him and Him alone. For this reason, Islam is not a new religion but is the same divinely revealed Ultimate Truth that God revealed to all prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Some non-Muslims and few unwitting Muslims have wrong understanding that Islam is founded by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is absolutely a blunder. The truth is that the God, Allah (SWT) is the Founder of Islam and Muhammad (SAW) is the Last and Final Reformer of Islam. Muhammad (SAW) being the Last Messenger of Allah (SWT) brought the completion and finality of Islam at the order and help of Allah (SWT): Allah says, ..This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. (Quran 5:3) Muslim: Any one who completely submits to the Will of God to establish peace is a Muslim. A true Muslim is peace loving. Not all Muslims are Arabs; not all Arabs are Muslims. Many Jews and Christians are Arabs leaving in many Muslim countries. Today, every fourth person of the world is a Muslim. Islam is a Standard framed by Allah (SWT), so Islam is totally free from defects and fault. A Muslim is a human being, therefore he/she may commit mistakes and sin.

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Muhammad: is the universal Prophet. He is the Final Messenger of Allah. Al-Quran: The Quran is the Final Message of Allah revealed to Muhammad in Arabic through His Angel Gabriel. Translations of the Qur'an are not the Qur'an. Translations are approximate meaning for those who cannot understand Arabic.

(A) The characteristics and qualities of Islam

The merits and positive qualities of Islam and their application in solving human problems are elaborated here. I have classified the merits and positive qualities of Islam into ten parts. Many other innumerable merits of Islam are involved into these ten.

(1) Monotheism: Islam is based on Monotheism. Pure nature leads to Allah, the One and Only true God. It is human nature since very childhood to explore about the things in the universe. How does such a giant universe exist? The moon has never fallen upon the earth, the earth has never fallen foul of each other, water has never been at loggerhead with the soil and fire and heat have continued to go together, One is bound to wonder why after all, do all the various provinces, departments and functionaries of this vast realm adhere so strictly and faithfully to the laws and regulations laid down for them. Why do they not fall foul of one another? Why is there no disorder or disturbance in this kingdom? What is the force that keeps its various parts and department under the control of a single administration? Every thing is done by Allah (SWT). How two tiny microscopic life-germs unite and form human embryo and consequently a child is born. Every day thousands of babies are born, each with distinct fingerprint, form, beauty and voice. Can our brain imagines, Who has created and controlling this vast universe with billions of stars? And these vast oceans, mighty mountains containing thousands of living organisms and their provision of sustenance Who is that Supreme and Sublime Authority takes care of? He is the Almighty God, Allah (SWT). The Quran, the everlasting Challenger puts forward many questions to man and answers itself. The overwhelming majority of human being, laymen and even scientists, hold steadfast to their belief in God. In an article entitled God Spot is found in the Brain, Dr Vilayanur Ramachandran of the University of California at San Diego said that the phenomenon of religious belief in God is hard-wired into the human brain.

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The provision for polytheism in other religions has caused a lot of harm to people. By sealing the path of polytheism Islam bestows upon man greatness and grandeur and saves him from possible degeneration and its other unsavory effects. Islam makes a man perfect. Islam generates in man the necessary abilities and strength that take him to the height for which he was created.

(2) Islam is Action not Show: According to Islam a true believer is one who does good and abstains from forbidden things with pure intention only to please Allah, not for show or personal praise. The Islamic awakening has brought changes to society far beyond a change in appearance. It has been an awakening in belief, in intellectual discourse, in methodology, in ethics, and in emotional sentiment. It is a persons deeds that really tell us what that person is all about. As `Umar (RAA) said: We but hold you to account for what is apparent to us from your deeds. However, we need to understand that it is the deeds, the moral conduct, and what a person says that make up this outer aspect of a person, not his mere outward appearance. A persons look indicates nothing more or less than itself. It asserts nothing else. It negates nothing else. It provides no source of praise or condemnation outside of itself. `Umar had spoken about deeds, not about dress and appearances.

(3) Islam is Easy, Applicable and Moderate: Islam instructs to be moderate in every aspects of life. Whenever there were two ways of performing an act, Muhammad (SAW) has always preferred the easier one. Islam strictly prohibits extremism. The Prophet (SAW) said, Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded. (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 39).

(4) Islam is based on Knowledge and Learning: A human being consists of body, mind and soul. The body is nourished by food and drink, the mind by the quest for knowledge and the soul by faith and morality. The spiritual guidance leads all human beings to the plain truth about their existence in this world, their relation to the universe and to other creatures, and about the purpose of their creation. The Islamic concept, when put into practice, leads mankind to the right direction and channels all their energies and efforts into a constructive scheme of life. Islamic Faith is complementary to reason. Therefore, reason is not the antithesis of faith as is the case in some other human belief system and

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religions. Islam helps to develop the human mind and does not impose any kind of illogical concept or undue restrictions on it. That is why Islam places strong emphasis on the need for excellent learning. The first revealed word of the Holy Quran is an imperative command of Allah (SWT), Iqra which means Read (as a means of gaining knowledge). Along with this word Allah says that the Creator taught mankind with the pen and taught man what he did not know. Islam does emphasize excellent learning as said in the following verses of the Quran: And say, Oh my Lord! Advance me in knowledge. (Quran 20:114) Those who truly fear Allah among His servants are those who have knowledge. (Quran 35:28) Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know? Also the Prophet of Islam said, Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim (male and female).

(5) Islam is Rational and Practical: Islam is not a mere religion in the sense of western connotation, Islam is a universal and eternal practice. Islam is unique in its rational approach. Islam is protected by Islam itself because of its security of rationality. Islamic principles are based on reasons and practical applications. Through its logicality and rationality Islam is observed and served strongly by its followers. Islamic laws fulfill the demands of human nature. Islam does organize human nature, but does not go against it. Islam does not permit celibacy, baptism, mediation etc. In Islam scholars are to explain Islamic principles, but there is no class of clergymen. Every Muslim is responsible for his own deeds. Every person has a direct reach to God.

(6) Islam is a Brotherhood and Fraternity: The heart of the Islamic outlook on society is the concept of brotherhood. Islam teaches us that all humans are created equal and that each Muslim is the brother of every other Muslim. A Muslim should be good and just in dealing with others, no matter their religion. He must take special care to keep away from all the shameful and sinful things Allah (SWT) has forbidden. If the ritual observances do not help the person to be humble, virtuous and truly Godfearing, then he or she is not a real Muslim. Islam wants Muslims to be truthful in everything, sincere and straightforward, honest, humble, moderate, reserved, soft-spoken, refined, loving and solicitous to others, gentle, polite and respectful, considerate and compassionate to people, optimistic and confident.

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(7) Only Islam can Unite the Humanity: Islam obligates the belief in the prophets of Judaism and Christianity and their teachings. On the contrary, Judaism does not accept the prophethood of Jesus Christ and Muhammad (Peace be upon them) and Christianity does not believe in the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). The message of Islam is for the entire human race. According to Islam, all men are equal, whatever be their color, language, race or nationality. Islam addresses itself to the conscience of humanity and banishes all false barriers of race, status and wealth. There can be no denying the fact that such barriers have always existed, and do exist even today in this so-called enlightened age. Islam, however, removes all these impediments and proclaims the idea of the whole of humanity being one family of God. Islam is international in its outlook and approach. It does not admit barriers and distinctions based on color, clan, blood or territory such as were prevalent before the advent of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). These are rampant in different forms, even in this modern age. Islam is a way of life that transcends race and ethnicity. The Glorious Quran repeatedly reminds us of our common origin: (O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).) (Al-Hujrat: 13) The eradication of race consciousness is one of the outstanding moral achievements of Islam. In the contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue. It is conceivable that the spirit of Islam might be the timely reinforcement, which would decide this issue in favor of tolerance and peace, the historian A.J. Toynbee wrote in his book Civilization on Trial. Islam unites the entire human race under one banner. To a world torn by national rivalries and feuds, it presents a message of life and hope, and of a glorious future.

(8) Islam is the Greatest Unity: Islam is the world's single largest religion in the sense of its unity which is proclaimed through the gathering at Makkah during Hajj declaring a chorus voice Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger. It also may be the most misunderstood, since Islam is not about "fundamental terrorists" claiming to kill and maim and destroy in the name of Islam. Islam may be many things to many people, but the fact remains that, based on its origins in the seventh century A.D., it is a faith that practices peace, devotion, and obedience. "Today there are about one and half billion Muslims, forming the bulk of the populations of

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Northern Africa and Western Asia, stretching all the way through India and Pakistan into Malaysia, the East Indies, and the Philippines." Majority of westerners believe that there is no monolithic quality in resurgent Islam, arguing a fact which is demonstrated by the doctrinal differences between Sunni and Shia Islam. The West applies an ethnocentric perspective of Islam and portrays the religion and culture through its own values. Moreover, the West exploits the image of terrorists and tries to label the entire Islamic community with the terrorist brush. Notwithstanding this Western ignorance, however, the fact remains that Islamic revivalism is an attempt by Muslims to stop the Westernization of their own societies; it is not a militant or aggressive movement seeking to threaten the Western world.

(9)Islam is the Dynamic Way: There are many aspects of Western civilization that were not accepted by the Islamic world. First, the social principles and the life of the West were totally different from the Muslim culture. Practical and technical knowledge, full markets with material goods were "incapable of offering to men's minds a flicker of light, a ray of hope, a grain of faith, or of providing anxious persons the smallest path toward rest and tranquility" (Al-Banna 119). After more than a hundred years of European rule, many Muslims got tired of Western materialistic culture and wanted some spiritual satisfaction that they had before the western Intervention (Al Banna 118-119)." Islamic literature tells the Islam as the religion speaks for itself. The preservation of the Prophets sayings, deeds and approval by his companions, followers and Islamic scholars are so mighty that this documentation system has attracted many western and eastern intellectuals and scientists.

(10) The Commitment and Contribution of Islam: Islam is a Faith beyond mans political correctness. Islam has divine and universal commitment to humanity. The ultimate vision of Islam is transcendent. It is a moral doctrine, not a secular ideology. Islam takes the measure of the human condition from the perspective of the eternal and fosters a faith whose truth stretches beyond the realm of existence and time. Islam has contributions in all the arenas of learning. Islam has a distinct and unique impression in arts and literature of the whole world. The great history of Muslim scientists, especially from eighth to fifteenth century, supports the encouragement that Islam has for science; for example, the need to determine the direction of prayers, prayer times and the determination of Islamic lunar calendar led the Muslims to excel in fields like celestial mechanics, optical and atmospheric physics and spherical trigonometry. The branch of Mathematics, Algebra is named after Az-Zaboor , divine book given to Prophet Daud. The word chemistry came from Islamic Arabic alchemy. The modern success of

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medical science would have been impossible without the contribution of the Holy Quran.

(B) Islam, A Complete Code of Life

The essence of thought of Islam is that it is a humanitarian message to the world calling for freedom, justice, truth and equality. Islam in its true understanding is a 'complete way of life' and a large frame for a comprehensive and complete ideology that links man with God, the universe and life. Islam in the movement of history is not only a Muslim state nor it is Islamic civilization or the Arab nation, except insofar as it is related to that Islam itself. Islam appears through its history as a 'living being. Islam is a religion as well as a socio-cultural system. Islam is a religion as well as a socio-economic state. Islam is a religion as well as a true socio-political structure. Islam is a comprehensive universal constitution suitable until the Last Day of the world. Islam is the code of life chosen by Allah (SWT) to save mankind from the deadly satanic tricks. Islam purifies our souls and makes us comprehend that we are created for one sacred duty to worship Allah (SWT). Various Islamic systems are as explained here.

(a) Islamic Legislation

The most salient characteristic of Islamic Legislation is that it is the most comprehensive law encompassing all the spheres and activities of human life. Islamic law and legislation more suitably called as Shariah sourced from the Holy Quran and the Hadeeth , governs public and private duties towards Allah and duty towards man. So this Divine Law is commanded from Allah for the worship of Allah and service to man. But other man made laws are framed by limited numbers of people in order to fulfill their own desires and requirements, bypassing the need of majority of public mass. Islamic legislation, on the contrary, is universal suitable for all the peoples, all the countries and nations and for all the ages. In case the solution of any new problem is not available directly from the Quran and the Sunnah, the two sources of Islamic legislation, the problem is solved through Ijtihad (analogical derivations from two main sources the Qurand and the Sunnah) and unanimous agreement of the Islamic Scholars competent both in Islamic law and the field concerned. Legislative miracle of the Quran has been clearly proved by reviewing and analyzing man-made laws since the existence of historical records up till the present.

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We take for example the contemporary laws which claimed to be the most mature in human history owing to the tremendous development in human knowledge. Both blocs, Eastern and Western, deny mans complete submission to Allahs Law. So legislation in the Capitalist West is for the sake of capitalism at the expense of the working class, and in the Communist East in the interest of the ruling power at the expense of the people, which means that justice is missing in both laws. In the Western bloc, constitutions are interested mostly in the political aspect of the peoples life; in the Communist bloc in the economic aspect. Both neglected completely the spiritual, ethical and family codes. Western laws consider the individual so holy that they cause the community to disintegrate morally, socially, whereas the communist constitution sanctifies the community or the State in such a way as to crush the individuals character. Recently we witnessed the failure of communism in former USSR. The plight of the people due to communism has eventually resulted into about fifteen independent countries, mostly Muslim. The man made laws are incomplete, partial and lack of humans natural value. Thats why we see frequent amendment being done on these laws. When new ruling party occupies administration, it makes partial amendment. The cornerstone of Quranic Law is that it is based on belief unlike other man made laws founded on power. The beginning of Islamic Law is the faith that Allah (SWT) alone is entitled to legislate. This proves the sublimity and justice of this legislation, because Allah is the Most Just. Allah is the Creator, Sustainer and Provider for all human beings. He (SWT) knows best which law is the best for the welfare of the human. Allah (SWT) has no intention or interest in wronging people. He (SWT) has no partiality to one class against others.

(b) Islamic Political System

Based on three basic principles Tawheed (Oneness of God), Risalat (Prophethood of Muhammad, SAW ) and Khilafat (Caliphate) Islamic political system aims at establishing the Law of Allah (SWT) accepting that Allah alone is the Sovereign of ultimate power. The governing basis of an Islamic State is popular trusteeship steered by the belief that Allahs laws are ultimate and His wisdom is infinite. This suggests that the entire human race is appointed on this earth to be like trustees or vicegerents of Allah (SWT) on earth, and it (trusteeship) is not to be claimed by one individual, group, or class. Rather, it is a collective type or responsibility to fulfill this duty, which means that the rules apply to rulers and ruled alike. The Quranic view of Adams khilafa is a supremely humanistic doctrine, without the hubris and arrogance of errant humanism that according to the critics of modernity is its bane and the source of its nihilism.

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The head of an Islamic State, called as Ameer (equivalent to President or Prime Minister), should be a person of high caliber in decision making according to Islamic Law. He is considered as a trustee of Allah (SWT). In Islam, legitimacy of any power or institution is derived mainly from peoples acceptance of this legitimacy. In other words, one cant gain legitimacy as a ruler unless people agree to this, not to have it imposed on them; the people are entirely free to choose their rulers. Islam does not accept a system which involves any kind of dictatorship, nor does it accept a system of monarchy where the power is inherited within the same family. Indeed, one wouldnt only point out to systems that call themselves monarchies because there are many countries that call themselves republics, but indeed power seems to be circulated only within the elite. Democracy and the political system in Islam, although they may have some similarities, are not really synonymous. Some of the fundamental principles in democracy are similar to Islam: first, the idea or notion of freedom of the people to choose the rulers they want. Another idea that is similar is that of participation in the decision-making process in some form or the other. The third similarity between democracy and Islam is the notion of the removal of some governments which fail to meet the expectations of the people. The first basic difference between the political system endorsed by Islam and democracy is that in democracy, the ultimate authority lies with the people. In Islam, however, the ultimate authority doesnt belong to people; it belongs to God alone. That means that both the ruler and the ruled in Islam are subject to a higher criterion for decision-making, that is, divine guidance. If the people the rulers and the ruledare truly believers, the final say in the interpretation or understanding of these divine laws would have to be within those laws. Some might feel or think that this distinction between Islam and democracy is academic or theoretical, but it is not. It has some serious implications. For example: When the majority, in a Western democracy, decide that the drinking age should be lowered to 13 or 14, no matter how harmful this may be, it becomes a law, because thats what the majority of people want. Under Islamic law, the Quran itself prohibits drinking, so it shall be prohibited regardless of what the people want. Another example regards the rights of minorities. Suppose in a given society the majority of people, who belong to a particular race or class or group, decided to deprive minorities of their rights. Even if the constitution prohibited this, the constitution itself can be changed. So, if a decision is taken to oppress a certain minority or minorities, it could be done under democracy, theoretically at least. Yet, under an Islamic system it cannot happen because the rights of the minorities are rights which are enshrined in the Quran and the Prophetic tradition, and as such no human being can supersede that. The Quran and Prophetic tradition are the ultimate constitution, which is different from the secular constitution because it cannot be changed. In the

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secular system the constitution can be changed whenever needed because its human-made and there may be better words than the ones that were put in the first place. Whereas, in the case of divine constitution, one cannot say I know more than God. In addition, its quite clear that democracy seems to go with systems which are basically secular, where the legislation of churches or temples or any religious body has nothing to do with the actual political system. However, the system of government in Islam doesnt make any distinction between the moral and temporal and the whole notion of secularism is alien to Muslim thinking. Fundamental Rights A comprehensive human rights scheme of Islam has amazed the world since the day Islam reflected its eternal light from the Cave of Hira. The human right in Islam is the God given right. Who loves the human being more than Allah, the Creator of it? Naturally the God-framed law will be superior to any other law. The right of prisoners of war or war captives prescribed in Islam is uniquely superior. An Islamic state which is fighting a non-Muslim state is obliged to protect an inhabitant of that non-Muslim state who has taken shelter into the fighting Islamic state fleeing out of that non-Islamic state. What more does the world want from Islam? Although an Islamic state may be set up anywhere on earth, Islam does not seek to restrict human rights or privileges to the boundaries of such a state. Islam has laid down universal fundamental rights for humanity which are to be observed and respected in all circumstances. For example, human blood is sacred and may not be spilled without strong justification such as criminal punishment after a fair trial or in a just war; it is not permissible to oppress women, children, old people, the sick or the wounded; womens honor and chastity must be respected. These rights are for all people, irrespective of whether they belong to the Islamic community Muslims and non-Muslims alike or are from amongst its enemies. These and other provisions have been laid down by Islam as fundamental rights for every human being by virtue of his status as a creation of Allah. Islam has also laid down rights for non-Muslims who may be living within the boundaries of an Islamic state, and these rights necessarily form part of the Islamic constitution. The life, property and honor of non-Muslim citizens is to be respected and protected in exactly the same way as that of Muslim citizens. Nor is there difference between a Muslim and a non-Muslim citizen in respect of civil or criminal law, though there are differences in family law in respect of the diversity of religious practices and family codes. The Islamic state may not interfere with the personal rights of non-Muslims, who have full freedom of conscience and belief and are at liberty to perform their religious rites and ceremonies in their own way.

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Even if a non-Muslim state oppresses its Muslim citizens, it is not permissible for an Islamic state to retaliate against its own non-Muslim citizens. It may not unjustly shed the blood of a single non-Muslim citizen living within its boundaries. In Islam the rights of citizenship are not confined to people born in a particular state. A Muslim ipso facto becomes the citizen of an Islamic state as soon as he sets foot on its territory with the intention of living there and thus enjoys equal rights along with those who acquire its citizenship by birth. And every Muslim is to be regarded as eligible for positions of the highest responsibility in an Islamic state without distinction of race, sex, color or class. These rights have been challenged, of course, by the division of the Muslim nation into nation states in the modern era after independence from colonialism. Many attempts have been made to unite these states but in vain, due to numerous reasons. There has been a staunch lobbying conspiracy of anti-Islamic forces to disintegrate Muslim unity. Though Muslim countries are independent from colonialism geographically, but the ruling groups of these countries are still colonized mentally and intellectually. And, of course, some ruling leaders are Muslim by name only, but actually they are not. There are also other reasons.

Islamic Economy (Financial System)

An Islamic economic system is not necessarily concerned with the precise amount of fiscal income and expenditure, imports and exports, and other economic statistics. While such matters are no doubt important, Islam is concerned with the spirit of the economic system. Islam teaches that Allah has created provision for every person who He has brought to life. Therefore, the competition for natural resources that is presumed to exist among the nations of the world is an illusion. While the earth has sufficient bounty to satisfy the needs of mankind, the challenge for humans lies in discovering, extracting, processing, and distributing these resources to those who need them. There are three foundational principles that comprise the economic system in Islam: personal property, freedom of activity, and the right of money. Islam gives personal right to property as a trust from Allah (SWT). So according to Islam ones property is not his absolute right. All properties belong to Allah (SWT) Who has distributed among men. Man is Allahs trustee. So Allah has made Zakah (Property tax) a compulsory duty on Muslims. Importance and Benefits of Zakah The Zakah is a means of purification. It purifies the character of the wealthy individual from the stain of selfishness that, if left unchecked, can bring ruin to the social fabric by making society constricted and egotistical. It also purifies the wealth by taking from it the right of the poor. If this right were not taken from

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it, the wealth would become bereft of all blessings. Zakah also purifies all the members of society, rich and poor, by removing the causes of social strife and discord.
1. It elevates the social standing of the wealthy by cultivating within the wealthy person a sense of tranquility and a kind heart, because doing good is one of the greatest reasons for contentment of the heart. It also develops the personality of the poor person by providing for him a sense of solidarity with others in society. 2. It

increases wealth and allows it to be blessed. The apparent decrease in the wealth of the affluent is more than offset by the social stability and security that circulating this wealth provides for society.

3. Zakah is an important means of providing social security. Islam refuses to allow individual members of society to be denied the basic needs of life, like food, clothing, and shelter. It is necessary that these things are available to all members of society. Allah says: In their wealth is a clear right for the beggar and the destitute. 4. It narrows the gap between the rich and the poor. Islam recognizes human nature. People have a natural desire to possess things. Islam also recognizes that people will not possess things equally, because people have different circumstances and abilities. Nevertheless, Islam puts regulations on the acquisition of wealth to keep the wealthy people from going to excess and to prevent the poor people from becoming ruined by their poverty or forced into deviant, destructive behavior on account of jealousy and hatred. The Zakah is an important way of realizing this objective. Allah says: What Allah has bestowed upon His Messenger from the people of the towns is for Allah, His Messenger, the kindred, the orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer so that it may not merely circulate between the wealthy among you. The Zakah provides a minimum limit for charitable spending. It is by far not the maximum. It is the absolute minimum that is required as a religious duty from those who possess wealth. Islam encourages everyone to give in charity as much as they can. Allah says: You will never attain piety until you spend of what you love.

Honesty in monetary dealings Honesty in monetary dealings, a duty on Muslims, has a vital role in social stability and peacefulness. The Holy Quran and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) have made it clear to us that the true Muslim is he who is honest and upright in his business and monetary dealing with others, even if they werent Muslims. Also the true Muslim should keep his word and fulfill his promises, shun fraud and avoid deceit and perfidy, encroach not upon the rights of others, nor take

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part in wrongful litigation. Also a good Muslim does not give false testimony, and abstains from making unlawful money as from usury and graft. According to Islam whoever is not free from these vices is not a true believer but a renegade and a worthless transgressor. And the Quran is rich with verses that confirm all this. Allah says in the Quran: "Oh ye who believe! Eat not up each other's property by unfair and dishonest means." Quran (4:29) Allah forbids all unclean and corrupt means of making money, such as, dishonest trading, gambling, interest and bribery. And the Holy Quran has explained and described such practices in many of its verses. In this verse, for instance, Allah warns those traders who cheat in weighing, he says: "Woe to those that deal in fraud, - those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account- on a Mighty Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds." Quran (133: 1-6) Another example is given in the coming verse, where Allah urges Muslims to be very particular about their trusts and about other people's rights. "Allah does command you to render back your trust, to those to whom they are due." Quran(4:58) Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has stressed the importance of honesty in most of his sermons, saying: "Remember, there is no faith in him who is not trustworthy; there is no place for him in religion who cares not for his pledged word or promise." He (PBUH) also said: The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he is false, when he promises, he fails; and when he is trusted, he plays false." Condemning those who cheat in business Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has said: "He who cheats is not of us. Deceitfulness and fraud are things that lead one to Hell." Traders who deceive by showing to customers a false sample or by concealing from them the defects of the product theyre selling are not true Muslims in the judgment of Allah Prophet (PBUH) and, they are going to end up in hell. In short, all manner of deceit and dishonesty in business is prohibited in Islam. It has been proclaimed to be an act worthy of unqualified condemnation. The Holy Prophet has expressed his strong dislike for those who do so. He has said he will

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have nothing to do with them; they do not belong to him. Likewise, bribery and usury, although might be practiced by mutual consent and agreement, are totally prohibited and forbidden and those who are guilty of them have been condemned by Allah and His Prophet (PBUH). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: "The curse of Allah rests on him who offers loan on usurious terms, and on him who receives, and on those who are witnesses to the transaction, and on the writer who writes the deed thereof." As for bribery, Prophet Mohammad (SAW) according has "condemned alike the giver of bribes, and the taker of bribes in deciding cases." Usurpation of another's property by force or fraud or dishonest litigation is even worse. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) made this clear, as he says: "Whoever occupies land belonging to another unjustly will be sunk into the ground along with the plot of land on the Doomsday till he reaches the lowest layer of the earth." "He who acquires the property of a Muslim unjustly by taking a false oath (before an Officer) is debarred by Allah from entering Paradise and the Fire of Hell is made inevitable for him."

(d) Islamic Social System

The basis of Islamic social system rests on the belief that all human beings are offspring of the first single pair of parents Adam and Eve. So all men in the world are equal. Allah says: And among His Signs is this, that He crated for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts)Quran 30:21 The first beginning of social life arises through sex and love. The wife through whom we enter parentage, deserves our respect. The mother that bore us must be highly revered. Sex which influences our physical life and emotional nature must not be exploited through fear, contempt or amused indulgence; rather it should be treated with highly revered manner. Thus we can make a happy family life. Such family structures will weave the human society, and consequently a human world full of love and fraternity. A happy family is the building block of a peaceful society. The family is made through marriage. Extramarital relationship is strictly prohibited in Islam. Any Muslim having financial ability should marry as soon as possible. Islam wants marriage to be the easiest and adultery the hardest. Islamic law imposes very severe punishment on fornicators.

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Next to family come our neighbours. To culture a lovely treatment with our neighbours is one of the basic requirements to cement a fraternal society. A Muslim should maintain good relations with his relatives, but he should not unjustly favor them over others. Further, a Muslim must be good to his neighbors, no matter their religion. But the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us that a neighbor is not just the one next door but includes all those up to seven doors away - effectively a whole neighborhood. This concern for our neighbors can take many forms. It means to ensure that our neighbors have the basic necessities, for a Muslim should not eat if his or her neighbor is going hungry. It means that Muslims should wish for their neighbors what they wish for themselves. It means sharing their happiness and sorrow. Further, it means to not spy on them and respect their privacy, to not gossip about them, to not harm them in any way, and to keep common use areas such as apartment building entrances, streets and sidewalks clean. The Prophet (SAW) said, Amro Bin Shueib narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, Do you know what the duties of a neighbour are? Help him if he seeks your help; give him succour if he seeks your succour; give him loan if he seeks you loan; give him relief if he is needy; nurse him if he falls ill; follow his bier if he dies; cheer him if he meets any good; sympathise with him if any calamity befalls him; raise not your building higher so as to obstruct his air without his permission; harass him not; give him when you purchase a fruit; if you do not do it, take it secretly; and let not your children take it out to excite thereby the anger of his children. The unity of mankind is conceived in the light of the common parentage of Adam and Eve. Every human being is a member of the universal family established by them, and is entitled therefore to enjoy the common benefits as he is enjoined to share the common responsibilities. When people realize that they all belong to Adam and Eve and that these were the creation of God (Allah), there will be no room for racial prejudice or social injustice or second class citizenship. People will be united in their social behavior as they are united in nature by the bond of common parentage. The unity of humanity is not only in its origin but also in its ultimate aims. According to Islam, the final goal of humanity is God. From Him we come, for Him we live and to Him we shall all return. In fact, the sole purpose of creation as described by the Quran is to worship God and serve His cause, the cause of truth and justice, of love and mercy, of brotherhood and morality. With this unity of origin and ultimate goal as the background of the social life in Islam, the relations between the individual and society are based. The role of the individual is complementary to that of society. Between the two there are social solidarity and mutual responsibility. The individual is responsible for the common

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welfare and prosperity of his society. This responsibility is not only to the society but also to God. In this way the individual works with a sound social-mindedness and genuine feeling of inescapable responsibility. It is his role to do the utmost for his society and contribute to its common welfare. On the other hand, the society is also responsible to God for the welfare of the individual. When the individual is able he is the contributor and society is the beneficiary. In return he is entitled to security and care, should he become disabled. In this case he is the beneficiary and society is the contributor. So duties and rights correspond harmoniously. Responsibility and concern are mutual. There is no state to dominate the individual and abrogate his personal entity. Likewise, there is no individual or class of individuals to exploit the society and corrupt the state. There is harmony with peace and mutual security. There is a constructive interaction between the individual and society. The social life of Islam is characterized by cooperation in goodness and piety. It is marked with full recognition of the individual and his sacred rights to life, property and honor. It is also marked with an effective role played by the individual in the domain of social morals and ethics. In an Islamic society the individual cannot be indifferent. He is enjoined to play an active part in the establishment of sound social morals by way of inviting to the good and combating evil in any form with all lawful means at his disposal. In so doing, not only does he shun evil and do good but also helps others to do the same. The individual who feels indifferent to his society is a selfish sinner; his morals are in trouble, his conscience is in disorder, and his faith is undernourished. The structure of social life in Islam is very comprehensive. Among the substantial elements of this structure are sincere love for ones fellow human beings, mercy for the young, respect for the elders, comfort and consolation for the distressed, visiting the sick, relieving the grieved, genuine feelings of brotherhood and social solidarity; respect for the rights of other people to life, property, and honor; mutual responsibility between the individual and society it is a common thing to come across Prophetic sayings that entreat us to fulfill our social obligations: Whoever relieves a human being from a grief of this world, God will relieve him from a grief on the Day of Judgment. None of you is a true believer in Islam until and unless he loves for his fellow man what he loves for his own self.

(C) Islamic Moral System

Clear and transparent Islamic morality can be traced back from The first emigration in Islam that happened when, at the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), some of the earlier followers of Islam migrated from Arabia to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in North Africa seeking shelter and protection from a

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Christian king Negus who was renowned for his justice and the human rights in those days. The king enquired from the Muslim emigrants, "What is this new religion which caused you to separate yourselves from your people, a religion which is different from mine as well as from any other of the known regions?" Ja'far ibn Abu Talib rose and said in answer, "O King! We were in a state of ignorance and immorality, worshipping idols, eating carrion, committing all sorts of iniquity. We honored no relative and assisted no neighbor. The strong among us exploited the weak. Then the God sent us a prophet, one of our own people, whose lineage, truthfulness, loyalty, and purity were well known to us. He called us to worship the God alone and to repudiate all the stones and idols which we and our ancestors used to worship. He commanded us always to tell the truth, to remain true to trust and promise, to assist the relative, to be good neighbors, to abstain from blood and things forbidden, and to avoid fornication, perjury, and false witness... The above narration teaches us how a refined moral system was generated since the dawn of Islam. Like pre-Islamic social norms, not all of the Western social norms are bad. Prophets (peace and blessing be upon them) were reformers and not revolutionaries: they adopted anything good in their societies. That is what we understand from the hadeeth of the Prophet (SAW), "I have been sent to complete good morals." He did not say "to start off" a new moral system. Muhammad (SAW ) as a the most perfect model of the highest morality had been felt by all the people of his society before he received the first revelation of the Quran. A poet who lived shortly before Islam was Labeed. Asma bint Abu Bakr reports that her father once quoted a line of Labeeds poetry which says: I have a friend who, whatever I ask he is certain to grant, and whatever slip I make he is sure to overlook. Abu Bakr then commented: Such was Gods Messenger (SAW). (Al-Anwar by Al-Baghawi)

Morality is both an individual and social phenomenon. It tells us how to be happy. It is a secret key that guides us to get the maximum joy, pleasure, meaning, satisfaction, peace of mind, and many other good things out of life. . Western civilization scoffs at the very mention of words such as morality, decency and modesty. These are regarded as old-fashioned and incongruous with todays culture of liberalism and unfettered freedom. Immodesty, immorality, shamelessness and fornication are regarded as progressive and fashionable. Yet this has been the very cause of the destruction of today's family. Too many a happy home has broken due to infidelity, leaving in its trail misery, heartache and an unstable society. Fornication also leads to illegitimate and unwanted children

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who become a massive problem unto society due to lack of proper parental supervision. Immorality is truly a curse on mankind and society. The country that prides itself in being the superpower of todays world and the leader of present day civilization, the United States of America is reeling under the impact of immorality. Today every other child in the U.S. is born out of wedlock. Thirty-eight percent of children now live without a biological father; 6.6 million children live with divorced single parents, mostly mothers whose exhusbands tend to fade away from their children. This is family life in USA. "Something is wrong with the entire American family," writes Martin Marty, professor at the University of Chicago, in the Los Angles Times. "One has the weird sense that America is a country with many children but without adults." This gruesome picture is the direct result of the absence of morality, decency and modesty in the U.S. and, unfortunately most of the Western world, and parts of Eastern societies. Today, adultery and fornication are no longer viewed as the deadly crimes and sins they really are and are in fact commonplace. Married men are expected to have several mistresses in some places. Premarital sex is now considered quite acceptable, normal, well within the bounds of morality, and indeed desirable. It has been this way for a long time and you can say it has become part of the "American Way". Dating begins at a very young age and every socially well-adjusted youngster is expected to have several girlfriends and boyfriends by a certain age. Couples are expected to live together. Those who grow up in the West are weaned on sex in both subtle and not so subtle ways. It is quickly learned through T.V. shows, commercials, movies, advertisements, songs, you name it, that being sexy is a desired goal and aim in life. Even comic books abound with superheroes and heroines with fantastically wellproportioned bodies and they lead sexually active private lives where little is left to the imagination. Animated cartoon characters from Betty Boop to Jessica Rabbit make the message crystal clear about what makes a female desirable. The top selling video and computer games feature female characters with sexy bodies whose biggest audiences are adolescent boys and young men. Females are intensely focused on being sexually attractive and are conditioned to be so from the time they get their first Barbie. This is what makes the fashion, cosmetic and entertainment industries thrive. Countless young girls admire and aspire to be 'superstar' beauty queens, models, singers, or actresses. There is a phenomenal proliferation of fan or entertainment magazines that feature the hottest entertainment stars who are known precisely for their sex appeal. The highest rated T.V. talk shows are those that commonly feature people who expose their most intimate and outlandish sexual behavior.

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Moreover, homosexuality has now become accepted by a large number of people particularly in the West as well as in other circles that are "westernized". An indication of this changed attitude is the fact that homosexuals are no longer portrayed as abnormal. Apparently homosexuality has become largely accepted by Americans and Europeans even if some of them personally do not practice it. Accepted in so much as no one will report or condemn or discriminate against a homosexual in most areas unless they are flagrantly offensive in their mannerisms and behavior. Pornography of all types and levels is a multi-billion dollar industry having increased in leaps and bounds within just the last decade. Despite these realities, the entertainers and their producers, advertisers, writers and the like will claim that they do not adversely affect the habits of people at all. They insist that they dont negatively influence society in any way. At the very same time most of them will say that one of the most gratifying rewards of their professions is the effect they have upon people! After all that liberation, a woman's worth is still tied to her level of physical attractiveness which is still considered her only asset and one to be exploited in the worst and most demeaning way. Males are increasingly judged in this way but not to the degree as are females. Even the modern super-woman powerexecutive who is supposed to be respected for her intellect and authority still wears a mid-thigh skirt. She expects... no demands, to be viewed as absolutely equal to her male counterpart, yet does she really believe that when dressed this way her worth is not at all being judged based on her looks by even the unemployed vagrant she passes by on the way to work? Islam sets the highest possible standard of morality. This is bound to provide limitless avenues for the moral evolution of humanity. By making Divine revelations as the primary source of knowledge it gives permanence and stability to the moral standards which afford reasonable scope for genuine adjustments, adaptations and innovations that make everyone obey the moral law even without any external pressure. Islam does not minimize the importance of the well-known moral norms, nor does it give exaggerated importance to some and neglect others without cause. It takes up all the commonly known moral virtues and with a sense of balance and proportion it assigns a suitable place and function to each one of them in the total scheme of life. It widens the scope of man's individual and collective life - his domestic associations, his civic conduct, and his activities in the political, economic, legal, educational, and social realms.

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It covers his life from home to society, from the dining-table to the battlefield and peace conferences, literally from the cradle to the grave. In short, no sphere of life is exempt from the universal and comprehensive application of the moral principles of Islam. It makes morality reign supreme and ensures that the affairs of life, instead of dominated by selfish desires and petty interests, should be regulated by norms of morality. Moreover, Islam lays down a system of life which is based on all good and is free from all evil. It invokes the people, not only to practice virtue, but also to establish virtue and eradicate vice, to bid good and to forbid wrong. Those who respond to this call are gathered together into a community and given the name "Muslim". And the singular object underlying the formation of this community (Ummah) is that it should make an organized effort to establish and enforce goodness and suppress and eradicate evil. Purity in morals is regarded by Islam as a cornerstone of a stable and healthy family and society. Anything that threatens to destroy the moral fiber of society and the family life is regarded as seriously offensive in Islam. For example, fornication, whether it be premarital or extramarital, is an act that undermines a stable family life. No wife accepts the fact that her husband is cheating on her or vice-versa. Therefore, Islam has declared adultery as strictly forbidden. Adultery is regarded as a very serious offence; the fornicator has been strongly condemned. In an Islamic state, it carries the maximum punishment available under the law. Not only has Islam condemned adultery. Anything that is deemed to stir the passions or that may ultimately lead towards temptation and thus the sin of adultery has also been condemned and declared unlawful in Islam. In this way, the door to evil and vice has been effectively closed. It is a case of removing the hay far away from the bonfire rather than trying to control the bonfire and hoping wishfully that the hay would somehow not burn. This analogy sums up the Islamic outlook on morality as compared to that of the West. Some of the other measures adopted by Islam to protect and promote morality is the prohibition of lustful gazes from either male or female towards each other. Another measure is the emphasis on covering parts of the body that evoke lustful feelings and emotions. This is encompassed in Islams dress code. The Muslim woman has been ordered in Islam to cover the whole of her body except her hands and her face. This covering not only discourages undesirable attention towards her, but also accords her a degree of respect, honor and dignity and of being in charge of her body and experiencing a sense of power over herself. Males are also required to cover certain parts of their bodies (what's between the belly and the knees). The one and only way of reverse the rot, previously mentioned, in our world and

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restore the lost dignity to mankind is to return to the path of morality and modesty given in Islam. This will grant us the peaceful pure life we all need, and make us feel that we were brought to life as human beings not animals. Indeed Islam is a religion for all ages.

Islamic morals of dealing with non-Muslims O You who believe! Be you staunch in justice, witnesses for God, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be) of a rich man or a poor man.(Quran 4:135). Regarding the rights of good neighbourliness, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) declared: Gabriel has so often and so greatly insisted upon the rights of neighbours, that I feared that he was going to accord them the right to heritage even as to the near relatives of a deceased. It is said that there lived a Jew in the neighbourhood of the Prophet in Madeena, and the Prophet himself set an example to show how a Muslim should treat his nonMuslim neighbours. Among other daily works of courtesy, the Prophet used to go to the house of this Jew if he fell ill, in order to enquire about his health and to be otherwise of help to him. About daily relations with others, the Prophet declared: None of you is a believer if he does not like for his brother exactly that which he likes for his own self. Another saying: The best of men is he who does good to others.

Dealing with non-Muslims must always be understanding, cordial and friendly, provided, of course, that they also treat us in the same way. There is no harm in maintaining good relations with them. Indeed, this is encouraged Prophet Muhammads Treaty with Jews (622 C.E.)

After Hijrah (migration) to Medina, the Prophet (SAW) was made the leader of the newly established state of Medina. The immediate result of the Prophets migration to Medina was peace and unity between the communities of Aws and Khazraj. The Prophet(SWA), motivated by the general welfare of citizens of Medina, decided to offer his services to the remaining communities including the Jews. He had already laid down the basis for relationship between the Emigrants from Mecca (known as Muhajirin) and Medinites (known as the Ansar, the helpers). Among the people in Medina, there was a small community (three tribes) of Jews with Arab communities constituting the majority of the population. Because of wars going on for several generations, the resources of the Arabs were

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depleted and their influence in Medina was dwindling. The Jews were traders and many of them used to lend money at exorbitant interest. The continuing wars boosted their economy and personal wealth. The Treaty between Muslims, non-Muslim Arabs and Jews of Medina was put in writing and ratified by all parties. It has been preserved by the historians. The document referred Muhammad (SAW) as the Prophet and Messenger of God but it was understood that the Jews did not have to recognize him as such for their own religious reasons. The major parts of the document were: In the name of Allah (The One True God) the Compassionate, the Merciful. This is a document from Muhammad, the Prophet, governing the relation between the Believers from among the Qurayshites (i.e., Emigrants from Mecca) and Yathribites (i.e., the residents of Medina) and those who followed them and joined them and strived with them. They form one and the same community as against the rest of men. No Believer shall oppose the client of another Believer. Whosoever is rebellious, or seeks to spread injustice, enmity or sedition among the Believers, the hand of every man shall be against him, even if he be a son of one of them. A Believer shall not kill a Believer in retaliation of an unbeliever, nor shall he help an unbeliever against a Believer. Whosoever among the Jews follows us shall have help and equality; they shall not be injured nor shall any enemy be aided against them.... No separate peace will be made when the Believers are fighting in the way of Allah.... The Believers shall avenge the blood of one another shed in the way of Allah ....Whosoever kills a Believer wrongfully shall be liable to retaliation; all the Believers shall be against him as one man and they are bound to take action against him. The Jews shall contribute (to the cost of war) with the Believers so long as they are at war with a common enemy. The Jews of Banu Najjar, Banu al-Harith, Banu Sa'idah, Banu Jusham, Banu al-Aws, Banu Tha'labah, Jafnah, and Banu al-Shutaybah enjoy the same rights and priviledges as the Jews of Banu Aws. The Jews shall maintain their own religion and the Muslims theirs. Loyalty is a protection against treachery. The close friends of Jews are as themselves. None of them shall go out on a military expedition except with the permission of Muhammad, but he shall not be prevented from taking revenge for a wound. The Jews shall be responsible for their expenses and the Believers for theirs. Each, if attacked, shall come to the assistance of the other. The valley of Yathrib (Medina) shall be sacred and inviolable for all that join this Treaty. Strangers, under protection, shall be treated on the same ground as their protectors; but no stranger shall be taken under protection except with consent of

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his tribe....No woman shall be taken under protection without the consent of her family. Whatever difference or dispute between the parties to this covenant remains unsolved shall be referred to Allah and to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. Allah is the Guarantor of the piety and goodness that is embodied in this covenant. Neither the Quraysh nor their allies shall be given any protection. The contracting parties are bound to help one another against any attack on Yathrib. If they are called to cease hostilities and to enter into peace, they shall be bound to do so in the interest of peace; and if they make a similar demand on Muslims it must be carried out except when the war is agianst their religion. Allah approves the truth and goodwill of this covenant. This treaty shall not protect the unjust or the criminal. Whoever goes out to fight as well as whoever stays at home shall be safe and secure in this city unless he has perpetrated an injustice or commited a crime.... Allah is the protector of the good and Godfearing people. The first written constitution of a State ever promulgated by a sovereign in human history emanated from the Prophet of Islam. It was enacted from the first year of Hijrah (622 CE). The treaty stipulated a city state in Medina, allowing wide autonomy to communities. Private justice was to be banished. The head of the State had the prerogative to decide who should participate in an expedition, the war and peace being indivisible. Social insurance was to be instituted. In Hadeeth we find numerous instances of the kindness and generosity of the Prophet (SAW) towards non-Muslims and newly reverted Muslims. Here are some examples: One day the dead body of a Jew was being carried for burial. On seeing this Prophet (SAW) stood up in respect of the dead. People asked him why he stood up, the body was of a Jew. The Prophet replied, Why, is he not a man? Abu Hurayrah reports: A Bedouin came to the Prophet asking for help. The Prophet gave him something, and asked him: Have I been kind to you? The man said: By no means, and you have not done me well either. The Muslims present were very angry, and they rose to punish the offender. The Prophet, however, signaled them to stop. The Prophet then rose and went home. He sent for the Bedouin and asked him to come into the house. There he gave him something over and above what he had already given him. He then asked the man: Have I been kind to you? The Bedouin said: Yes, certainly. May God reward you well, for you are good to your people. The Prophet then said to the man: You came to us and we gave you something, but then you said your words and my companions were displeased with you. You may wish to say in front of

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them what you have just said to me, so that what they feel against you will be removed. The man agreed. The following day, or may be in the evening of the same day, the Bedouin came over. The Prophet said: This friend of yours came to us and asked for something, and we granted his request, but he said what you heard. We then invited him home and gave him something extra, and he claimed that he was happy. Is it so? The man said: Yes, indeed. May God reward you well, for you are good to your people. Abu Hurayrah continues: The Prophet then said: The case between me and this Bedouin is like that of a man whose she-camel went on the loose. People chased her, but they only made the camel more rebellious. The man called out to them: Leave me alone with my she-camel, as I know her best and I can turn her round. He then went to his she-camel facing her, taking something from the ground and got her to slowly and gradually calm down, until she came to him and sat down. He then saddled her and mounted her. Had I left you to your feelings as the man said his words, you might have killed him, and he would then be in hell. (Related by Al-Haythami in Majma Al-Zawaid.) What is clear in this Hadeeth is that the Prophet had to put up with rough manners from all sorts of people. In this instance, the man is given something, but he thinks that it was too little. Rather than expressing his feeling gently, which could have easily brought him an increase, he is rude, expressing his anger very bluntly. Yet he did not have any claim to anything. He was not asking for something which was owed to him. It was only a case where someone thinks that he has a right to be given money by the state. Hence, it was only natural that the Prophets companions should feel angry with him, and some of them would rise to punish the offender. The Prophet, however, handled the situation in a totally different manner. He took the man home and gave him what made him satisfied and happy. Had the Prophet stopped at this, he would have given us a great lesson in handling uncouth, rough mannered persons. But the Prophet goes further, suggesting to the man that he should make his feelings clear to the people so that none of them would continue to think ill of him. When the man comes in to do so, the Prophet might have sensed that he was embarrassed. So he helped him by stating the case. The man then finds it easy to confirm the new situation. Such type of another event is as below: Anas ibn Malik reports: Gods messenger was sitting in the mosque with some of his companions when a Bedouin urinated inside the mosque. The Prophets companions said: What is going on? What are you doing? The Prophet said to them: Do not interrupt him. He subsequently called the man and said to him: These mosques are not the place where one can throw any dirt, urine or stools. They are meant for reciting the Quran, glorifying God and prayer. He then called

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for a bucket of water and he poured it over the urine. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Al-Nassaie, Malik and Ahmad). This is a situation which is certain to infuriate any onlooker. It certainly made the Prophets companions angry and we can imagine that some of them were about to rush to the man to stop him. If several of them did that, the Bedouin would have been scared. He could not have understood the reason for their anger, because he was uncouth and could not see why he could not urinate there. The mosque was a large place, and he was urinating in a corner, some distance from the people. Being used to desert places, he might have felt that both smell and wetness would be cleared by the sun or by rain. So, there was no problem with what he was doing. Should he have been scared by the people rushing to stop him, he might have suffered a reaction, or the urine might have fallen over a larger area. It might have also fallen over his clothes. Hence, the Prophet was quick to tell his companions not to scare the man, but to leave him until he had finished. Needless to say, the Prophet did not like what the man did, but he did not wish the situation to get worse. When things cooled a bit, the Prophet explained to the man what he did wrong and told him what the mosques are for. He also showed the Muslims how to remove the impurity that resulted from the mans urination. Thus we learn that pouring a bucket of water over the place where someone has urinated is sufficient to remove that impurity.

(D) The Spiritual Aspects of Islam

A Muslim should have deep faith spiritually oriented. He is to be diligent and vigilant of his duties, thankful to Allah (SWT). He should constantly praise and pray to Allah for His innumerable blessings. A man with two eyes should compare him with a one-eyed man. A blind should compare him with one who is both blind and lame. Every one will find his position and possession better than some one else. Every one will see his miserliness less than some one. In this way every one will discover Allahs bounty on him. This discovery will lead him to spirituality. He will praise and prostrate to Allah (SWT). Man is weak and vulnerable; many unpredictable forces can affect him, obstructing his desires and goals. He becomes ill, he loses things, he gets hurt, he plans - and he often fails. As man looks at the scale of the universe around him - seas, mountains, the grandeur of the heavens and galaxies - he must consider his insignificance and weakness. At this point, unless he is extremely arrogant, he will begin to feel humble and helpless next to the vastness of things around him.

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When a person weighs up everything, he will realise that something is missing. He will ask himself: What is the explanation for this life; what is the purpose of living? This is where Faith begins. He will realise that there must be some great mysterious power behind existence, something which controls the harmony and sequence of events; something behind the mere dust and materialism of this world. Man will then look for something above himself worthy to worship and believe in. This is the amazing spiritual nature of man, which makes him unique and also makes him accountable. It is the inner discussion he has with his own soul, which distinguishes the human being from the animals. If he is guided, he will find the One True God, and will fulfill his need to worship by believing in Him and obeying the Divine Inspiration sent by Him. This is basically the meaning of Islam; surrender to the Lord and Sustainer of the Universe - Allah. According to Islam, everything that we see, as well as that which we dont see, in this immeasurable universe including us is the domain of one Supreme Being, Allah, the one true God and Master. He exists without need of anything, not born or created, but Who Himself created everything and provides for every entity; every atom. Since Islam is the Original Religion of Allah, it promises the true spirit to overcome all hardships of life. One who is inspired by Islamic spirit will certainly gain a spiritual peace which is the real peace not attainable through material gain. A true faithful is always optimistic. He will not be despaired at failure and boastful at success as he knows that everything happens with the Knowledge and Will of Allah. The faith in God, is a medicine for any spiritual ills, it helps regulate psychic urges which are themselves the mainspring of man's spiritual afflictions. The faith in God gives a visage of perfect beauty to life, because when one has the conviction that everything does not come to an end with this life it creates an inner peace and makes him pass through the entire course of life with steadiness, strength, and moderation. Despite the tremendous advancement in human knowledge, particularly in science and technology, it is sad that their full potential is generally geared towards oppression, trespassing on human resources, violation and suppression of basic human rights, international terrorism and blackmail, etc. Islam emphasizes the need for the enrichment of both material and spiritual values simultaneously in such a way that they become deeply infused into the individuals life. Happiness and peace claimed to be achieved through materialistic gain is illusory and transitory opposed to real and permanent happiness which can be attained through spiritual strength. People constantly complain regarding their ill fortune and fate and are never satisfied with their life. This is a fatal internal disease. Islam does prescribe the most effective medicine for this. Faith in Decree of Allah and spiritual orientation cure all such anxiety, despair and suspicion and fills the life with determination, internal power and mental satisfaction.

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Qualities like greed and avarice, which are one of the reasons for anxiety, are moderated as a result of faith in God. The hope of great rewards and the fear of severe punishments make man refrain from rapacity and avoid unreasonable and uncontrolled passion for material things, glitter and ostentation. Thus, a desirable and serene equilibrium worthy of man's humanity is brought about within his soul. Similarly, faith in the Day of Judgement and the hereafter removes the intolerable strain induced by the idea of absolute annihilation and extinction from the human spirit, for the person with such a faith is convinced that at the threshold of death the door to another world will open in front of him and he will enter an eternal life and its everlasting bounties that cannot be compared with the joys of this world. This faith results in eliminating another agent of mental anxiety which is the anguish of absolute nonexistence. Faith not only cures anguish and anxiety from the human heart, it also protects heart from being overwhelmed by agitation and agony. Allah says in the Quran: If you have faith, do not yield to fear and sorrow, for you have an u p per hand over the others on account of this asset of faith. Quran (3:139) Allah also says: ...In God's remembrance and reliance upon Him are at rest the hearts of those who have faith and do righteous deeds. Quran (13:28) And in another verse of the Quran: It is He Who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the faithful... Quran (48:4) The Qur'an views steadiness and peacefulness to be the characteristics of those whose hearts are rich with faith: Allah says: Mental peace and security are qualities of those who have faith and who have not drawn a veil of wrongdoing over their faith. Quran (6:82) In another verse, Allah says: Lo, fear and sorrow do not affect the friend of God. Quran (10:62)

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In a sermon that shows the various benefits of remembering Allah, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb, may Allah be pleased with him, says: God, the Exalted, has made His remembrance the light and burnish of the hearts. It is by the means of His remembrance that the hearts recover their hearing after being deaf, regain their sight after being blind, and become soft and tractable after being savage and rebellious. The state of people possessing faith cannot in any way be compared to the condition of materialistic and irreligious persons in encounter with life's vicissitudes and its bitter experiences, for the two are as apart as the earth and the sky. Real happiness and spiritual peace can be found in submitting to the commands of Allah; the Creator and the Sustainer of this world. On the other hand, the one who turns away from the Quran will have a life of hardship in this world. Allah says in the Quran: But whoever turns away from the Quran, he will have a hard life, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment. (Quran, 20:124) And this is why we hear about people who commit suicide although they enjoy the material comfort money can buy. A prove for that is Cat Stevens (now Youssuf Islam), formerly a famous pop singer who used to earn sometimes more than $150,000 a night. After he embraced Islam, he found true happiness and peace, which he never found in material success. Western and eastern parts of the world where every kind of material success has been achieved cannot give real peace to the people. Every day news papers are full of reports about suicides, drug-addictions, murders, rapes and so on. Even big celebrities in sports-games, arts, music and entertainment are heard to commit suicide. This clearly proves that though money can buy any material, it cannot buy peace and happiness. Sleeplessness is wide spread among people in so called developed countries of western hemisphere. Are they really happy? Is their life really superior on gaining ample opportunities of material gain? Why cant they sleep? Allah says: And among His Signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking of His Bounty.(Al-Quran 30:23) Sleep is a great gift of Allah. Doctors cannot explain the exact cause of sleep. Belief in Islam can bring real tranquility and spirituality. This spiritual light will guide to the true path where all the sorrow, agony and depression will be replaced by real and permanent peace and happiness. Man will be free from illusion and the mirage of false happiness.

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Topic Two

Doubts Raised about Islam and their Refutations

While propagating Islam to non-Muslims, it is usually not sufficient to highlight only merits and positive qualities of Islam. Most non-Muslims are not convinced about the truth of Islam because there are a few questions about Islam at the back of their minds that remain unanswered. They may agree with our contentions about the positive nature of Islam. But, in the same breath, they will say - "Ah! But you are the same Muslims who organize terrorism, marry more than one woman. You are the same people who subjugate women by keeping them behind the veil. You are fundamentalists, etc." Every Dayee should ask non-Muslim upfront, what he feels is wrong in Islam. There are barely twenty most common questions that a common non-Muslim has regarding Islam. Whenever we ask a non-Muslim, "what do you feel is wrong with Islam?", he poses five or six questions, and these questions invariably fall among the twenty most common questions. Logical replies can convince the majority The twenty most common questions about Islam can be answered with reason and logic. A majority of non-Muslims can be convinced with these answers. If a Muslim memorizes or simply remembers these answers, Inshallah he will be successful, if not in convincing non-Muslims about the complete truth of Islam, then at least in removing misconceptions about Islam and neutralizing the negative thinking about Islam and Muslims that the non-Muslims have. A very few non-Muslims may have counter arguments to these replies, for which further information may be required. Doubts and inquiries on the Islamic creed, the Qur'an, the Sunnah, the character of the Messenger (SAW), Islamic law, morals, historical practices are interrelated to each other. So I have listed the doubts, questions according to the importance of the subject matter of the question concerned. Refutations, answers and guidelines have been given just following the doubt or question. Q1. Is Crescent the Symbol of Islam? Muslims pay special attention to it and they put crescent on the top of the Minaret-dome of a Mosque! Answer: Islam is free from any symbol, image or icon. This is the main difference between Islam and all other religions. The parting of the moon into two parts by our Prophet is a fact. It is a miracle given to him by Allah. It was done by Allah (SWT). The Muslim rulers of Ottoman Empire have used crescent on their political flag. This has cast a negative notion on non-Muslims. Even some

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unwitting Muslims unknowingly use crescent as an icon to represent Islam. This is a grand mistake. Moon or crescent has nothing more than Arabic Hijra is Lunar calendar. Many non-Muslims do also follow lunar phases/month for their festivals. In Islam moon has no special place. The Quran contains a chapter named the moon as well as a chapter named the sun. Both are Signs(proof, evidence) from Allah (SWT). Moon is followed only for calculation of months. But Muslims daily prayers, the start from dawn and break at sunset of fasting are all done according to solar timings. The Red Crescent Society should not use the word crescent. It can be named as the Muslim Medical Society. There is no need to put crescent mark on Minaret of a mosque. In some English dictionaries the meaning of the phrase the Crescent is given as the Muslims. This is absolutely wrong.

Q2. Do Muslims worship the Prophet Muhammad? Answer: No. Muslims do not worship Muhammad (SAW) or any other prophets. Muslims believe in all prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses and Jesus. Muhammad (SAW) was the last of the prophets. Muhammad (SAW) was a practical man, a son a husband - a father. Muhammad(SAW) is the best of all creations. Muslims believe that the Almighty God alone is to be worshiped, called upon, and supplicated; not any human being or angel or jinn or celestial body. They do everything in the way Muhammad(SAW) has done. Muslims cannot even address to Muhammad(SAW) in their prayers. Even overpraising Muhammad (SAW) is strictly prohibited by him. Narrated Umar (RAA): I heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a slave. So call me the slave of Allah and his Messenger. (Al-Bukhari) The Christians overpraised Jesus(AS), the son of Mary till they took him as a god besides Allah(SWT). They have painted the imaginary picture (portrait) of Jesus Christ which they hang and worship. But no museum all over the world has ever claimed of acquiring any portrait of Muhammad (SAW) nor any Muslim in his imagination worship Muhammad (SAW).

Q3. Does Islam believe in several gods because the Quran uses the word We when God speaks in the Quran? Answer:

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Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion. It believes in and adheres to uncompromising monotheism. It believes that God is one, and unique in His attributes. In the Quran, God often refers to Himself using the word We. But this does not mean that Islam believes in the existence of more than one God. Two types of plural In several languages, there are two types of plurals, one is a plural of numbers to refer to something that occurs in a quantity of more than one. The other plural is a plural of respect. a. In the English language, the Queen of England refers to herself as We instead of I. This is known as the royal plural. b. Rajiv Gandhi, the ex-Prime Minister of India used to say in Hindi "Hum dekhna chahte hain". "We want to see." Hum means We which is again a royal plural in Hindi. c. Similarly in Arabic, when Allah refers to Himself in the Quran, He often uses Arabic word 'Nahnu' meaning We. It does not indicate plural of number but plural of respect. Tawheed or monotheism is one of the pillars of Islam. The existence and uniqueness of one and only one God is mentioned several times in the Quran. For instance in Surah Ikhlas, it says : "Say He is Allah the One and Only." [Al-Quran 112: 1]

Q4. How can you prove the existence of hereafter, i.e. life after death? Answer: Allah (SWT) created Adam (AS) from clay, Eve (AHS) from Adam (AS), and Jesus (AS) from Mary (AHS) without a man. Allah (SWT) can create anything He likes. He can do anything He likes. It is easier to recreate a life from dead than to create a life from a single drop of semen. Allah says, Be and it becomes. 1. Belief in the hereafter is not based on blind faith? Many people wonder as to how a person with a scientific and logical temperament, can lend any credence to the belief of life after death. People assume that anyone believing in the hereafter is doing so on the basis of blind belief. Belief in the hereafter is based on a logical argument:

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2. Hereafter a logical belief There are more than a thousand verses in the Glorious Quran, containing scientific facts. Many facts mentioned in the Quran have been discovered in the last few centuries. But science has not advanced to a level where it can confirm every statement of the Quran. Suppose 80% of all that is mentioned in the Quran has been proved 100% correct. About the remaining 20%, science makes no categorical statement, since it has not advanced to a level, where it can either prove or disprove these statements. With the limited knowledge that we have, we cannot say for sure whether even a single percentage or a single verse of the Quran from this 20% portion is wrong. Thus when 80% of the Quran is 100% correct and the remaining 20% is not disproved, logic says that even the 20% portion is correct. The existence of the hereafter, which is mentioned in the Quran, falls in the 20% ambiguous portion which my logic says is correct.

3. Concept of peace and human values is useless without the concept of hereafter Is robbing a good or an evil act? A normal balanced person would say it is evil. How would a person who does not believe in the hereafter convince a powerful and influential criminal that robbing is evil? Suppose I am the most powerful and influential criminal in the world. At the same time I am an Intelligent and a logical person. I say that robbing is good because it helps me lead a luxurious life. Thus robbing is good for me. If anybody can put forward a single logical argument as to why it is evil for me, I will stop immediately. People usually put forward the following arguments: a. The person who is robbed will face difficulties

Some may say that the person who is robbed will face difficulties. I certainly agree that it is bad for the person who is robbed. But it is good for me. If I rob a thousand dollars, I can enjoy a good meal at a 5 star restaurant. b. Someone may rob you

Some people argue that someday I may be robbed. No one can rob me because I am a very powerful criminal and I have hundreds of bodyguards. I can rob anybody but nobody can rob me. Robbing may be a risky profession for a common man but not for an influential person like me.

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c.

The police may arrest you

Some may say, if you rob, you can be arrested by the police. The police cannot arrest me because I have the police on my payroll. I have the ministers on my payroll. I agree that if a common man robs, he will be arrested and it will be bad for him, but I am an extraordinarily influential and powerful criminal. Give me one logical reason why it is bad for me and I will stop robbing. d. Its easy money

Some may say its easy money and not hard-earned money. I agree completely that it is easy money, and that is one of the main reasons why I rob. If a person has the option of earning money the easy as well as the hard way, any logical person would choose the easy way. e. It is against humanity

Some may say it is against humanity and that a person should care for other human beings. I counter argue by asking as to who wrote this law called humanity and why should I follow it? This law may be good for the emotional and sentimental people but I am a logical person and I see no benefit in caring for other human beings. f. It is a selfish act

Some may say that robbing is being selfish. It is true that robbing is a selfish act; but then why should I not be selfish? It helps me enjoy life. 1. No logical reason for robbing being an evil act

Hence all arguments that attempt to prove that robbing is an evil act are futile. These arguments may satisfy a common man but not a powerful and influential criminal like me. None of the arguments can be defended on the strength of reason and logic. It is no surprise that there are so many criminals in this world. Similarly raping, cheating etc. can be justified as good for a person like me and there is no logical argument that can convince me that these things are bad. 2. A Muslim can convince a powerful and influential criminal

Now let us switch sides. Suppose you are the most powerful and influential criminal in the world, who has the police and the ministers on his payroll. You have army of thugs to protect you. I am a Muslim who will convince you that robbing, raping, cheating, etc. are evil acts.

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Even if I put forth the same arguments to prove that robbing is evil the criminal will respond the same way as he did earlier. I agree that the criminal is being logical and all his arguments are true only when he is the most powerful and influential criminal. 3. Every human being wants justice

Each and every human being desires justice. Even if he does not want justice for others he wants justice for himself. Some people are intoxicated by power and influence and inflict pain and suffering on others. The same people, however, would surely object if some injustice was done to them. The reason such people become insensitive to the suffering of others is that they worship power and influence. Power and influence, they feel, not only allows them to inflict injustice on others but also prevents others from doing likewise to them. 4. God is Most Powerful and Just As a Muslim I would convince the criminal about the existence of Almighty God (refer to answer proving the existence of God). This God is more powerful than you and at the same time is also just. The Glorious Quran says: "Allah is never unjust in the least degree. 5. Why does God not punish me? [Al-Quran 4:40]

The criminal, being a logical and scientific person, agrees that God exists, after being presented with scientific facts from the Quran. He may argue as to why God, if He is Powerful and Just, does not punish him. 6. The people who do injustice should be punished Every person who has suffered injustice, irrespective of financial or social status, almost certainly wants the perpetrator of injustice to be punished. Every normal person would like the robber or the rapist to be taught a lesson. Though a large number of criminals are punished, many even go scot-free. They lead a pleasant, luxurious life, and even enjoy a peaceful existence. If injustice is done to a powerful and influential person, by someone more powerful and more influential than he, even such a person would want that person perpetrators of injustice to be punished. 7. This life is a test for the hereafter This life is a test for the hereafter. The Glorious Quran says:

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"He who created death and life that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving" [Al-Quran 67:2] 8. Final justice on day of judgement The Glorious Quran says: "Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception." [Al-Quran 3:185] Final justice will be meted out on the Day of Judgement. After a person dies, he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement along with the rest of mankind. It is possible that a person receives part of his punishment in this world. The final reward and punishment will only be in the hereafter. God Almighty may not punish a robber or a rapist in this world but he will surely be held accountable on the Day of Judgment and will be punished in the hereafter i.e. life after death. 9. What punishment can the human law give Hitler? Hitler incinerated six million Jews during his reign of terror. Even if the police had arrested him, what punishment can the human law give Hitler for justice to prevail? The most they can do is to send Hitler to the gas chamber. But that will only be punishment for the killing of one Jew. What about the remaining five million, nine hundred and ninety nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine Jews? 10. Allah can burn Hitler more than six million times in hellfire Allah say in the Glorious Quran: "Those who reject Our signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise" [Al-Quran 4:56] If Allah wishes he can incinerate Hitler six million times in the hereafter in the hellfire. 11. No concept of human values or good and bad without concept of hereafter It is clear that without convincing a person about the hereafter, i.e. life after death, the concept of human values and the good or evil nature of acts is

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impossible to prove to any person who is doing injustice especially when he is influential and powerful. Q5. Is the Black Stone an Idol? Do Muslim worship the Rectangular House (Kabah) and the Black Stone? Answer: Muslims worship only One God, Allah (SWT). Muslims even do not address any Prophet or any thing in their prayer. All supplications, all types of invocations are done only to the God and only for the sake of the God. The rectangular House in Makkah, called the Holy Kabah, is the most sacred House which stands as the central point towards which Muslims face in Salat (prayer). For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salat (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kabah. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kabah they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kabah they face the west. Kabah is at the Centre of the World Map:The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kabah was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kabah is at the centre of the world map. When in the Grand Mosque of Makkah, the best worship to Allah (SWT) is circumambulating Kabah with seven rounds which is called Tawaf. At one corner of the Kabah lies the Black Stone set up chest-high. Each one of the seven rounds begins by kissing or caressing if possible, or by simply pointing at the Black Stone. The Black Stone thus, serves to mark the start of each round. Tawaf is one of the integral parts of Pilgrimage (Hajj), which is also performed, as a separate act of worship at any time. Thus we find the Ka'bah continually being circled by people day and night. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan: At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the adhaan or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships? Circumambulating the Ka'bah and kissing the stone are in fact considered the Tawaf's outer aspects, apart from its inner significance. They resemble something like the standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting postures observed in the daily Islamic prayers.

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Yet, the prayer postures, as well as the circling around the Ka'bah coupled with kissing, both form the outward shell of the chaff, which preserves the grain. The grain of the Tawaf lies in the lofty meanings of the Pilgrim's recitation and prayers, in the soul-stirring emotions surging in his heart - such as his extreme love for Allah, his awe of Him, and his high hopes in Him. Examine, for instance, the words brimful of God's oneness, which the pilgrim utters. It is his regular formula, at the start of Tawaf, as he kisses, caresses, or points at the Black Stone, declaring: "(I begin) in the Name of Allah who is Most Great. O Allah! (I perform) believing in thee, confirming Thy Book, fulfilling Thy Pledge, and following the Way of Thy Prophet, Muhammad (SAW)!" As such, the Tawaf around the Ka'bah is done solely in the Name of the One Supreme Allah, and that it is never done in the name of any other deity, nor for the Black Stone itself, as others allege. The operation of Tawaf is in compliance with the Holy promise the pilgrim has committed with His Lord. He does it as a believer in the One God, not as an idolater, but as a conformer of Allah's revealed Books, and as a follower of His Prophet (SAW). Far from worshipping the Stone, the Pilgrim is kissing it, or pointing at it, just as was done by the Prophet (SAW). The pilgrim goes on glorifying Allah the most High, while performing the rounds, with these noble hymns: "Glory be to Allah! All Praise be to Allah! There is no deity save God. Allah is the Greatest! There is no handling, nor power, save by Allah's Help." A monotheist (muwahhid , One-God worshipper) holds these sublime prayers far more valuable than the earth's entire riches. With these, he praises his One and Only Lord, as he circles a spot made Holy by the presence of His House. Is there any remotest trace of Polytheism (multi-god worship) or Idolatry in such an act? Although so reverently kissed and caressed during the Tawaf, the Black stone, in one of the corners of the Ka'bah, is no graven image for the pilgrims to worship. That is the last thing any muwahhid could ever imagine. For a stone is just a mere stone after all. It has no power whatsoever to do good or inflict harm to any one, apart from Allah, the Sole Deity of mankind. That is a thing cherished either knowingly, ignorantly or figuratively - by those who take to stone-worship instead of God-worship, a belief and practice as unholy as it is senseless. This is why the Black Stone becomes a mystery to such people, and so, some out of ignorance openly charge that Muhammad (SAW) did break every Idol in Islam except one - meaning the Ka'bah, or the Black Stone! Even some unwitting Muslims get easily confused about the Black Stone.

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It was hence that 'Umar, the second Caliph (RAA), did well to remove this hidden doubt from the mind. So when he came to kiss the Stone, he cried out publicly to it: "No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm anyone nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Messenger (SAW) kissing you, I would not have kissed you. [Summarized Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Hajj, page 396 No. 808 on the Black Stone] True Story of the Black Stone: More than five thousand years ago today, the father of the prophets, Prophet Ibrahim ('alaihi salaam) the Upright (Haneef), had built the present structure of the Ka'bah under Allah's own orders. He ('alaihi salam) built it along with his youthful son, Ishmael ('alaihi salam), forefather of the Arabs. This is how the Qur'an describes their building it together: "And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and (his son) Isma'il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah) at Makkah, (saying), 'Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, all Knower.'" [Qur'an 2:127] The father and the son, true Monotheists (Muslims), were thus raising the foundations with trembling hearts, for the Muslims are Allah's most devoted servants, ever fearful of his displeasure. While building the Ka'bah, therefore, both of them were afraid that Allah may not accept their humble service, hence that prayer of theirs. How touching of such fidelity, how moving of such humility towards Allah the Great! It is the essence of Monotheism, the ideal pattern of Faith and Actions great and small for all Muslims to follow. When raised to a certain height, Ibrahim (AS) ordered his son to choose a piece of stone to mark the main cornerpoint. Even as the lad was searching for it, the Archangel Gabriel appeared with the Black Stone from Heaven. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "The Black stone descended from heaven, when it was whiter than Milk, but people's sins have blackened it". (At-Tirmidhi, Kitab Al-Hajj), the Black stone, Ibraheem (AS) took it up and fitted it in, and there it stands up to this day. It is a heavenly stone, then, and not an earthly one. It was selected by Allah for His Holy House (the Ka'bah). Teaching the Pilgrimage Rites: The building thus finished, this is how Ibrahim and Ishmael ('alaihimas salam) went on further praying to Allah, in the next Verse: "Our Lord! And make us submissive unto you and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of Pilgrimage - Hajj and Umrah etc.) and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the

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Most Merciful." [Qur'an 2:128] Thereupon Allah taught them through revelation the pilgrimage rites, which includes the Tawaf. Is Kissing Essential? We have known the working procedure of the Tawaf, it consists of circling around the Ka'bah seven times. Each circle begins by kissing the Black Stone, or by caressing it, which is its normal procedure. But Tawaf is not a one-man business, hundreds, even thousands, are circling the Ka'bah at one and the same time. How could each person kiss the Black Stone separately? Naturally, when so over-crowded, the kissing will have to be dispensed with by some or many of them. At such times it is quite enough therefore, to face the Black Stone from any distance, and only point at it by one's right hand, at the start of each round. The pilgrim then recites his formula and proceeds on. History Unfolds a Rare Aspect: Assuming that the Black Stone is missing for one reason or another, does it render the Tawaf and Pilgrimage invalid and void on such account? Absolutely not. This is exactly what has already happened in the history of Islam. The Karamathians (Arabic: al-Qaramitah), the most un-Islamic sect in Islam, had removed the Black Stone during their mad merrymaking in the year 317 AH/980 AD. They carried it away with them to their territory in Al-Ahsa (in the Arabian Gulf). After keeping it there for twenty years, they had returned it back to Makkah in the year 339 AH (see shorter Encyclopedia Leiden 1953, P. 219). In such an event, the Shariah (Law) maintains that the pilgrim shall perform his Tawaf without the Black stone. Instead of the Black Stone, the pilgrim shall touch its place at the corner of the Ka'bah, or point at its spot, and continue his Tawaf. Thus the total absence of the Stone itself makes no difference in the validity of the Tawaf and the Pilgrimage. This shows how tiny a part is being played by this stone. How ignorant of others and how childish, therefore, sounds the charge that it is the "most Precious Idol preserved by Islam"! Does Kissing Mean Worshipping? Kissing a stone is not a sign of its worship at all. Kissing the Black Stone cannot be twisted into idol worship, for the stone is no image, just as mere kissing is not worshipping by any stretch of the imagination. Anyone might allege that Muslims do worship a certain 'idol', but the fact remains that they do not worship anything

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save Allah, the One. The idol and its worship simply do not exist. The Bible is kissed in lawcourts; does that mean then that it is worshipped? Moreover, parents kiss their children lovingly, without any trace of worship in it at all. A big question mark that should come to one's mind is the pre-Islamic Arab idolaters who had held the Ka'bah. With all their polytheism and idolatry, they too used to circle the Ka'bah and kiss the Black Stone. Had their kissing been an act of idol-worship, why then was there still a need for them - despite the presence of their "almighty" Black Stone to install three hundred and sixty idols therein?! This proves beyond a shadow of doubt that it is one thing to kiss the Black Stone under Divine Orders, and quite another to worship a stone or an idol. Most notable is the fact that One-God worshippers do nothing beyond simply kissing the Black Stone. They neither venerate it with folded hands, nor kneel down, nor prostrate themselves, nor squat before it. For all these is done only by idol-worshippers before their idols.

Q6. What do Muslims think of Jesus? (pbuh) Muslims think highly of Jesus (AS) and his worthy mother, Mary. The Quran tells us that Jesus was born of a miraculous birth without a father. "Lo! The likeness of Jesus with Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then He said unto him: Be and he is" (Quran 3.59). He was given many miracles as a prophet. These include speaking soon after his birth in defense of his mother's piety. God's other gifts to him included healing the blind and the sick, reviving the dead, making a bird out of clay and most importantly, the message he was carrying. These miracles were given to him by God to establish him as a prophet. According to the Quran, he was not crucified but was raised into Heaven. (Quran, Chapter Maryam)

Q7. Do Muslims have many sects and different schools thought? Answer: Islam does not have sects or branches. It follows the teachings of prophet Muhammed (SAW) and the foundations laid in the Quran. And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).

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But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself. So leave them in their confused ignorance for a time. (Al-Quran, 23:52-54) In spite of the clear instruction in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, Muslims today, are unfortunately divided amongst themselves. The tragedy is that such divisions are not endorsed by Islam at all. Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers. We must respect all the great scholars of Islam, including the four Imaams, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Humbal and Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with them all). They were great scholars and may Allah reward them for their research and hardwork. One can have no objection if someone agrees with the views and research of Imam Abu Hanifa or Imam Shafi, etc. But when posed a question, who are you?, the reply should only be I am a Muslim

There may be differences in opinion regarding certain matters of interpretations of Islamic law, but the articles which define constitution of faith and worship (as in the quote above from the Qur'an) are crystal clear and do not provide for any innovation in the form of division of Muslims into sects. Other references to this in the Holy Qur'an include: Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve (worship) Me Alone (and no other). (AlQuran, 21:92) (Be not of) those who split up their Religion, and become (mere) Sects,each party rejoicing in that which is with itself! (Al-Quran, 30:32) According to Tirmidhi Hadith No. 171, the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, "My Ummah will be fragmented into seventy-three sects, and all of them will be in Hell fire except one sect." The companions asked Allahs messenger which group that would be. Where upon he replied, "It is the one to which I and my companions belong."

Q8. Is there racism among Muslims? Answer:There is absolutely no racism in Islam. The rule established by God Almighty is that: The most noble of you in Gods sight are those who are most righteous. (49: 13) The Prophet says: No advantage does an Arab has over a

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non-Arab, nor a white man over a black man except through God-fearing. Many are the Hadiths that confirm this principle, which makes peoples actions, not status, the criterion of distinction. The Prophet made every effort to instill this new principle into the minds of his companions. He was exceedingly successful, particularly when we take into consideration the fact that the Arabian society at the time was strongly classconscious. To give just a simple example, we should remember that slaves were the lowest class in that society. Yet, Bilal, a former slave set free by Abu Bakr, was the Prophets muazzin in charge of calling the prayer, and he was the treasurer of the Islamic state headed by the Prophet. During his reign as caliph, Umar who belonged to the tribe that used to be the highest in the tribal hierarchy, said in reference to Bilal and how he was freed from slavery: Abu Bakr was our master, and he set our master free. Thus, Umar, the caliph who belonged to the noblest tribe describes a former slave as our master, acknowledging Bilals seniority as one of the early converts to Islam. This is the model Islam establishes. However, the practice of Muslims may fall short of what their faith requires. In such a case the fault is with Muslims, not Islam. It may be that in some Muslim communities, class-consciousness creeps in and people take a somewhat racial attitude. This is totally forbidden in Islam. Anyone guilty of it will have to account before God for that, and he could easily incur Gods punishment. I am glad to say, however, that the very idea of racism is repugnant to the vast majority of Muslims throughout the world.

Q9. Does the Qur'an Sound Anti-Semitic? Similar doubts: The Quran is very harsh in its criticism of the Jewish people. In Chapter 5: 60-64 Jewish people are called as those whom Allah has cursed, is angry with them and has turned them into apes and swine. This is very offensive and it sounds outright anti-Semitic. Answer and rebuttal: As regards question, "Anti-Semitism means condemning and hating a people because of their Semitic race. Anti-Semitism is bigotry and racism. It is wrong and it has no place in Islam or in Islamic scripture. The Qur'n does not allow hate against any race, nationality or color. Throughout the history of Islam, Muslims have never used passages from the Qur'n to justify acts of antiSemitism. The ill-effects of racism, including ethnic cleansing, genocide and Holocaust, which has been suffered by Jews and non-Jews alike over the past several centuries, has never been done under the banner of any passages from

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the Qur'n. Jews were among the earliest converts to Islam (in Madinah) and, throughout the Middle Ages, Jews found sanctuary to practice their own religion under Islamic rule. It is truly disappointing and naive to ignore 1430 years of history and learned discourse on the Qur'n and argue that the current political situation in the Middle East has its roots in passages from the Qur'n. As with all scriptures, passages from the Qur'n must be read within the proper context concentrating on the scene of revelation. The Qur'n was not just revealed to Muslims, but to all people, including Jews and Christians. Prophet Muhammad(SAW) was in the line of previous Prophets of Allah, including Prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all), and the Qur'n is in the line of previous scriptures revealed by Allah. The Qur'n does not condemn the Semitic race and, in fact, accords Jews a special status given their shared Prophetic traditions with Islam. The Qur'n instead criticizes those Jews who turned away from Allah's authentic message and admonishes those who scorned and ridiculed Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and the message of the Qur'n. Such criticism is similar to the criticism against Jews found in other scriptures, including the Bible, and should be taken by all people as a reminder and warning against forsaking and straying from the authentic message of Allah. Such specific criticism has never been interpreted by learned scholars of the Qur'n to incite hatred against all Jewish people and should not be confused with anti-Semitism. The Qur'an speaks extensively about the Children of Israel (Ban Isr'l) and recognizes that the Jews (a-Yahd) are, according to lineage, descendants of Prophet Abraham through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob (peace and blessings be upon them all). They were chosen by Allah for a mission: "And We chose them, purposely, above (all) creatures." [Srah al-Dukhn: 32] Allah raised among them many Prophets and bestowed upon them what He had not bestowed upon many others: "And (remember) when Musa said unto his people: O my people ! Remember Allah's favor unto you, how He placed among you Prophets, and He made you Kings, and gave you that (which) He gave not to any (other) of (His) creatures." [Srah al-M'idah: 20] He, also, exalted them over other nations of the earth and granted them many favors: "O Children of Israel! Remember My favor wherewith I favored you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures." [Srah al-Baqarah: 47] Passages from the Qur'an which criticize the Jews fall primarily into two categories: First, the Qur'an speaks of how some of the Children of Israel turned away from the authentic message revealed to them. They disobeyed Allah(SWT) and showed ingratitude for Allah's favors on them. They lost the original Tawrat (Torah) and introduced their own words and interpretations in the divine books. They became arrogant and claimed that they were Allah's children and went

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about vaunting their position as His most chosen people [Srah al-Nis':155; Srah al-M'idah:13,18]. They also brazenly committed sins and their rabbis and priests did not stop them from doing so [Srah all-M'idah: 63, 79). Allah raised His Prophet, Jesus, among them so that he might show them several miracles and thereby guide them to the right path, but they rejected him, attempted to kill him, and even claimed that they had indeed killed him although they had not been able to do so [Srah al-Nisa': 157-158]. Allah specifically addresses the Children of Israel in many of these passages. This is important, because it shows that the message of the Qur'an was intended for all people, including the Jews, and the criticism was directed against a specific group of people for their specific actions. This criticism should be distinguished from cursing people merely because of their race. Second, the criticism of the Jews which is found in passages including those referenced from [Srah al-M'idah: 60-64] . These verses criticize the Jews and Christians who ridiculed Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and his message. They made mockery and sport of his call to prayer, and they rebuked him even though he was calling them to believe in what Allah revealed to him and to what was revealed before him through their own Prophets. They became spiteful towards him and rejected him since he did not belong to the Children of Israel [Srah al-Baqarah:109; Srah al-Nis': 54]. The Qur'n specifically notes that such criticism is not directed against all Jews. Even when the Qur'n criticizes the Jews it always notes that "among them there are some..." who are pious and righteous people, who command what is right and forbid what is wrong and try to excel each other in acts of charity and goodness. The Qur'n says that such people are assured that whatever good they will do will not be denied them and they shall receive their reward with Allah [Srah l `Imrn: 113-115]. Here we should keep in mind this hadeeth -- Ab Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "I swear by Him in whose hand is Muhammad's soul, any of the Jews and Christians who hear about me and then die without believing in what I have been sent with will enter the Hellfire." [Sahh Muslim] Taking a few passages from the Qur'an out of proper historical and textual context will not give a proper understanding of the religious scripture. This is not only true of the Qur'n but also of the Bible. Many passages from the Bible also criticize the Jews. Read the Hebrew Bible, particularly Micah (Chapter 3:1-12) and Hosea (Chapter 8:1-14), in which these Prophets condemned the Jews "who abhor justice and pervert all equity" and who "build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with wrong." These Prophets cursed Israel as a "useless vessel among nations," and called for the curse of Allah to "send a fire upon [Judah's] cities" and to make Jerusalem "a heap of ruins." Similarly, in the Book of Deuteronomy (Verses 16-68), Moses (Musa) warns the Jews that Allah "will send

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upon you curses, confusion, and frustration, in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly, on account of the evil of your doings, because you have forsaken me" (28: 20). In Matthew (Chapter 23:13-39), Jesus (`Isa) repeatedly admonishes the Jews for their hypocrisy and injustice, and condemns them for the killing of past Prophets. Jesus says, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the Prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate." It would indeed seem strange if, based on these passages, one were to argue that the Bible and the Hebrew Prophets were anti-Semitic and called for the destruction of present-day Israel. Yet, questioning passages from the Qur'an as anti-Semitic is similarly without merit. Please note that Arabic belongs to the Semitic family of languages, and, like Hebrew, is written from right to left. So the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is Semitic.

Q10. Is it not true that Qur'an is the handiwork of Muhammad and not the work of God ? There were many versions of the Quran all of which were burnt by Uthman (RA) except for one. Therefore is it not true that the present Quran is the one compiled by Uthman (RA) and not the original revelation of God? Answer: One of the most common myths about the Quran, is that Usman (RA.), the third Caliph of Islam authenticated and compiled one Quran, from a large set of mutually contradicting copies. The Quran, revered as the Word of Allah (SWT) by Muslims the world over, is the same Quran as the one revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It was authenticated and written under his personal supervision. We will examine the roots of the myth which says that Uthman (RA) had the Quran authenticated. 1. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself supervised and authenticated the written texts of the Quran Whenever the Prophet received a revelation, he would first memorize it himself and later declare the revelation and instruct his Companions (RAA) May Allah be pleased with him who would also memorize it. The Prophet would immediately ask the scribes to write down the revelation he had received, and he would reconfirm and recheck it himself. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was an Ummi who could not read and write. Therefore, after receiving each revelation, he would repeat it to his Companions. They would write down the revelation, and he would recheck by asking them to read what they had written. If there was any mistake, the Prophet would immediately point it out and have it corrected and rechecked.

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Similarly he would even recheck and authenticate the portions of the Quran memorized by the Companions. In this way, the complete Quran was written down under the personal supervision of the prophet (SAW). 2. Order and sequence of Quran divinely inspired The complete Quran was revealed over a period of 22 years portion by portion, as and when it was required. The Quran was not compiled by the Prophet in the chronological order of revelation. The order and sequence of the Quran too was Divinely inspired and was instructed to the Prophet by Allah (SWT) through archangel Jibraeel. Whenever a revelation was conveyed to his companions, the Prophet would also mention in which surah (chapter) and after which ayat (verse) this new revelation should fit. Every Ramadhaan all the portions of the Quran that had been revealed, including the order of the verses, were revised and reconfirmed by the Prophet with archangel Jibraeel. During the last Ramadhaan, before the demise of the Prophet, the Quran was rechecked and reconfirmed twice. It is therefore clearly evident that the Quran was compiled and authenticated by the Prophet himself during his lifetime, both in the written form as well as in the memory of several of his Companions.

3. Quran copied on one common material The complete Quran, along with the correct sequence of the verses, was present during the time of the Prophet (pbuh). The verses however, were written on separate pieces, scrapes of leather, thin flat stones, leaflets, palm branches, shoulder blades, etc. After the demise of the prophet, Abu Bakr (RAA), the first caliph of Islam ordered that the Quran be copied from the various different materials on to a common material and place, which was in the shape of sheets. These were tied with strings so that nothing of the compilation was lost. 4. Uhman (RAA) made copies of the Quran from the original manuscript Many Companions of the Prophet used to write down the revelation of the Quran on their own whenever they heard it from the lips of the Prophet. However what they wrote was not personally verified by the Prophet and thus could contain mistakes. All the verses revealed to the Prophet may not have been heard personally by all the Companions. There were high possibilities of different portions of the Quran being missed by different Companions. This gave rise to disputes among Muslims regarding the different contents of the Quran during the period of the third Caliph Usman (r.a.).

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Usman (r.a.) borrowed the original manuscript of the Quran, which was authorized by the beloved Prophet (pbuh), from Hafsha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophets wife. Usman (r.a.) ordered four Companions who were among the scribes who wrote the Quran when the Prophet dictated it, led by Zaid bin Thabit (r.a.) to rewrite the script in several perfect copies. These were sent by Usman (r.a.) to the main centres of Muslims. There were other personal collections of the portions of the Quran that people had with them. These might have been incomplete and with mistakes. Usman (r.a.) only appealed to the people to destroy all these copies which did not match the original manuscript of the Quran in order to preserve the original text of the Quran. Two such copies of the copied text of the original Quran authenticated by the Prophet are present to this day, one at the museum in Tashkent in erstwhile Soviet Union and the other at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. 5. Diacritical marks were added for non-Arabs The original manuscript of the Quran does not have the signs indicating the vowels in Arabic script. These vowels are known as tashkil, zabar, zair, paish in Urdu and as fatah, damma and qasra in Arabic. The Arabs did not require the vowel signs and diacritical marks for correct pronunciation of the Quran since it was their mother tongue. For Muslims of non-Arab origin, however, it was difficult to recite the Quran correctly without the vowels. These marks were introduced into the Quranic script during the time of the fifth Umayyad Caliph, Malik-arMarwan (66-86 Hijri/685-705 C.E.) and during the governorship of Al-Hajaj in Iraq. Some people argue that the present copy of the Quran that we have along with the vowels and the diacritical marks is not the same original Quran that was present at the Prophets time. But they fail to realize that the word Quran means a recitation. Therefore, the preservation of the recitation of the Quran is important, irrespective of whether the script is different or whether it contains vowels. If the pronunciation and the Arabic is the same, naturally, the meaning remains the same too. 6. Allah Himself has promised to guard the Quran Allah has promised in the Quran : "We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly Guard it (from corruption)." [Al-Quran 15:9]

Q11. Doesnt Islam promote violence, bloodshed and brutality since the Quran says that Muslims should kill the kuffar where ever they find them? Answer:

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A few selected verses from the Quran are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam. 1. Verse from Surah Taubah

The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality: "Kill the mushriqeen (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) where ever you find them." [Al-Quran 9:5] 2. Context of verse is during battlefield

Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says: "But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful." [Al-Quran 9:5] This verse is quoted during a battle. 3. Example of war between America and Vietnam

We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: "Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them". Today if I say that the American President said, "Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them" without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war. 4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle

Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Quran says, "Kill the Mushriqs where ever you find them", during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Quran is telling Muslim soldiers is, dont be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.

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5.

Shourie jumps from verse 5 to verse 7

Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same verse, Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 in his book The World of Fatwahs, on page 572. After quoting verse 5 he jumps to verse 7 of Surah Taubah. Any sensible person will realise that he has skipped verse 6. 6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer

Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says: "If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum,grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge." [Al-Quran 9:6] The Quran not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, dont just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security? This is exactly what Allah (SWT) says in the Glorious Quran to promote peace in the world.

Q12. Muslims believe in the theory of abrogation, i.e. they believe that certain earlier verses of the Quran were abrogated by verses revealed later. Does this imply that God made a mistake and later on corrected it? Answer: 1. Two different interpretations

The Glorious Quran says in the following verse: "None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: knowest thou not that Allah hath power over all things?" [Al-Quran 2:106] A reference to this is also made in chapter 16 verse 101 of Surah Nahl. The Arabic word mentioned is ayat which means signs or verses and which can also mean revelations. This verse of the Quran can be interpreted in two different ways:

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a. The revelations that are abrogated are those revelations that were revealed before the Quran, for example the Torah, the Zaboor and the Injeel. Here Allah (swt) says that He does not cause the previous revelations to be forgotten but He substitutes them with something better or similar, indicating that the Torah, the Zaboor and the Injeel were substituted by the Quran. b. If we consider that the Arabic word ayat in the above verse refers to the verses of the Quran, and not previous revelations, then it indicates that none of the verses of the Quran are abrogated by Allah but substituted with something better or similar. This means that certain verses of the Quran, that were revealed earlier were substituted by verses that were revealed later. I agree with both the interpretations. Many Muslims and non-Muslims misunderstand the second interpretation to mean that some of the earlier verses of the Quran were abrogated and no longer hold true for us today, as they have been replaced by the later verses of the Quran or the abrogating verses. This group of people even wrongly believe that these verses contradict each other. Let us analyze a few such examples. 2. Produce a recital like the Quran / 10 Surahs / 1 Surah:

Some pagan Arabs alleged that the Quran was forged by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Allah (swt) challenges these Arabs in the following verse of Surah Al-Isra: "Say: If the whole of Mankind and Jinns were together to produce the like of this Quran they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." [Al-Quran 17:88] Later the challenge was made easy in the following verse of Surah Al-Hud: "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring ye then ten Surahs forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsover ye can, other than Allah, if ye speak the truth!." [Al-Quran 11:13] It was made easier in the following verse of Surah Yunus: "Or do they say, "He forged it"? Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call (to your aid) anyone you can, besides Allah, if it be ye speak the truth!." [10:38] Finally in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (swt) further simplified the challenge:

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And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah if your (doubts) are true. But if ye cannot and of a surety ye cannot then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones which is prepared for those who reject faith". [ 2:23-24] Thus Allah (swt) made the challenges progressively easier. The progressively revealed verses of the Quran first challenged the pagans to produce a book like the Quran, then challenged them to produce ten Surahs (chapters) like those in the Quran, then one Surah and finally it challenges them to produce one Surah somewhat similar (mim mislihi) to the Quranic Surahs. This does not mean that the later verses that were revealed i.e. of Surah Baqarah chapter 2 verses 23 and 24 contradict the earlier three verses. Contradiction implies mentioning two things that cannot be possible simultaneously, or cannot take place simultaneously. The earlier verses of the Quran i.e. the abrogated verses are still the word of God and the information contained in it is true to this day. For instance the challenge to produce a recital like the Quran stands to this day. Similarly the challenge to produce ten Surahs and one Surah exactly like the Quran also holds true and the last challenge of producing one surah somewhat similar to the Quran also holds true. It does not contradict the earlier challenges, but this is the easiest of all the challenges posed by the Quran. If the last challenge cannot be fulfilled, the question of anyone fulfilling the other three more difficult challenges does not arise. Suppose one speaks about a person that he is so dumb, that he would not be able to pass the 10th standard in school. Later the same one says that he would not be able to pass the 5th standard, and further says that he would not be able to pass even the 1st standard. Finally says that he is so dull that he would not even be able to pass K.G. i.e. kindergarten. One has to pass kindergarten before one can be admitted to school. What the person is stating is that the person is so dull as to be unable to pass even kindergarten. His four statements do not contradict each other, but last statement i.e. the person would not be able to pass the kindergarten is sufficient to indicate the intelligence of that person. If a person cannot even pass kindergarten, the question of him passing the first standard or 5th or 10th, does not arise. 3. Gradual prohibition of intoxicants

Another example of such verses is that related to gradual prohibition of intoxicants. The first revelation of the Quran to deal with intoxicants was the following verse from Surah Baqarah:

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"They ask thee concerning wine and gambling say: In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." [Al-Quran 2:219] The next verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants is the following verse from Surah Nisa: "O ye who believe! approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say" [Al-Quran 4:43] The last verse to be revealed regarding intoxicants was the following verse from Surah Al-Maidah: "O ye who believe! intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination of Satans handiwork; eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper." [Al-Quran 5:90] The Quran was revealed over a period of 22 years. Many reforms that were brought about in the society were gradual. This was to facilitate the adoption of new laws by the people. An abrupt change in society always leads to rebellion and anarchy. The prohibition of intoxicants was revealed in three stages. The first revelation only mentioned that in the intoxicants there is great sin and some profit but the sin is greater than the profit. The next revelation prohibited praying in an intoxicated state, indicating that one should not consume intoxicants during the day, since a Muslim has to pray five times a day. This verse does state that when one is not praying at night one is allowed to consume intoxicants. It means one may have or one may not have. The Quran does not comment on it. If this verse had mentioned that one is allowed to have intoxicants while not praying then there would have been a contradiction. Allah (swt) chose words appropriately. Finally the total prohibition of intoxicants at all times was revealed in Surah Maidah chapter 5 verse 90. This clearly indicates that the three verses do not contradict each other. Had they been contradicting, it would not have been possible to follow all the three verses simultaneously. Since a Muslim is expected to follow each and every verse of the Quran, only by following the last verse i.e. of Surah Maidah (5:90), he simultaneously agrees and follows the previous two verses. Suppose I say that I do not live in Los Angeles. Later I say that I do not live in California. Finally I say, I do not live in the United States of America. This does not imply that these three statements contradict each other. Each statement gives more information than the previous statement. The third statement includes the information contained in the first two statements. Thus, only by saying that I do not live in the United States of America, it is obvious, that I also do not live in California nor New York. Similarly since consuming alcohol is totally prohibited, it

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is obvious that praying in an intoxicated state is also prohibited and the information that in intoxicants is "great sin and some profit for men; but the sin is greater than profit" also holds true. 4. Quran does not contain any contradictions

The theory of abrogation does not imply that there is a contradiction in the Quran, since it is possible to follow all the verses of the Quran at the same time. If there is a contradiction in the Quran, then it cannot be the word of Allah (swt). "Do they not consider the Quran (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy (contradictions)." [Al-Quran 4:82]

Q13. Quran says that Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet. This gives an indication that the earth is flat. Does this not contradict established modern science? Answer 1. Earth made as a carpet

The question refers to a verse from the Quran in Surah Nuh: "And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out)." [Quran 71:19] But the sentence in the above verse is not complete. It continues in the next verse, explaining the previous verse. It says: "That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads." A similar message is repeated in Surah TaHa: "He Who has made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels)...." [Al-Quran 20:53] The surface of the earth i.e. earths crust is less than 30 miles in thickness and is very thin as compared to the radius of the earth which is about 3750 miles. The deeper layers of the earth are very hot, fluid and hostile to any form of life. The earths crust is a solidified shell on which we can live. The Quran rightly refers to it like a carpet spread out, so that we can travel along its roads and paths. 2. Carpet can also be spread on other than an absolute flat surface [Al-Quran 71:20]

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Not a single verse of the Quran says that the earth is flat. The Quran only compares the earths crust with a carpet. Some people seem to think that carpet can only be put on an absolute flat surface. It is possible to spread a carpet on a large sphere such as the earth. It can easily be demonstrated by taking a huge model of the earths globe covering it with a carpet. Carpet is generally put on a surface, which is not very comfortable to walk on. The Quran describes the earth crust as a carpet, without which human beings would not be able to survive because of the hot, fluid and hostile environment beneath it. The Quran is thus not only logical, it is mentioning a scientific fact that was discovered by geologists centuries later. 3. Earth has been spread out

Similarly, the Quran says in several verses that the earth has been spread out. "And We have spread out the (spacious) earth: how excellently We do spread out!" [Al-Quran 51:48] Similarly the Quran also mentions in several other verses that the earth is an expanse: "Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse" "And the mountains as pegs?" [Al-Quran 78:6-7] None of these verses of the Quran contain even the slightest implication that the earth is flat. It only indicates that the earth is spacious and the reason for this spaciousness of the earth is mentioned. The Glorious Quran says: "O My servants who believe! truly. spacious is My Earth: therefore serve ye Me (And Me alone)!" [Al-Quran 29:56] Therefore none can give the excuse, that he could not do good and was forced to do evil because of the surroundings and circumstances. 4. Earth is geospherical in shape

The Quran mentions the actual shape of the earth in the following verse: "And we have made the earth egg shaped". [Al-Quran 79:30]

The Arabic word Dahaha means egg shaped. It also means an expanse. Dahaha is derived from Duhiya which specifically refers to the egg of an ostrich which is geospherical in shape, exactly like the shape of the earth. Thus the Quran and modern established science are in perfect harmony.

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Q14. According to the Quran when a man enters paradise, he will get hoor, i.e. beautiful maidens. What will a woman have when she enters paradise? Answer: Hoor Translated as Beautiful Maidens Many translators of the Quran have translated the word hoor as beautiful maidens especially in the Urdu translations. If hoor means beautiful maidens or girls, then they are meant only for the men. Hence, what will the women get if they enter Paradise? Meaning of Hoor The word hoor is actually the plural of ahwar (applicable to man) and of haura (applicable to woman) and signifies a person having eyes characterized by hauar a special quality bestowed upon a good soul, male or female in paradise and it denotes the intense whiteness of the white part of the spiritual eye. The Quran describes in several other verses that in paradise you will have azwaj which mean a pair or spouse or companion which means you will have spouses or companions pure and holy (mutaharratun means pure, holy). "But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before", for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (forever)". [Al-Quran 2:25] "But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall soon admit to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath their eternal home; therein shall they have companions pure and holy: we shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening". [Al-Quran 4:57] Therefore the word hoor has no specific gender. Mohammad Asad has translated the word hoor as spouse and Abdullah Yusuf Ali as companion. Therefore according to some scholars a man in paradise will have a hoor that is a beautiful maiden with beautiful big and lustrous eyes and a woman in paradise will get a man with beautiful big and lustrous eyes. Women will get something exceptional in Paradise Many scholars say that in context, the word hoor used in the Quran refers only to ladies since gents are addressed. A reply that would be accepted by all types of

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people would rather be the answer given in the Hadith when a similar question was posed that if a man gets a hoor, a beautiful Maiden in Paradise, then what will the women get? The reply was that the women will get that which the heart has not desired for, the ear hasnt heard off and the eye hasnt seen, indicating that even the women will get something exceptional in Paradise.

Q15. The Quran says that Allah has put a seal on the hearts of the Kuffar and they will not believe. Science tells us today that the brain is responsible for understanding and believing and not the heart. Isnt the Quran contradicting Science? Answer: 1. Allah has set a seal on the heart of the Kuffar

The Glorious Quran says: "As to those who reject Faith it is the same to them Whether thou warn them or do not warn them; They will not believe. "Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing and on their eyes is a veil. Great is the penalty they incur." [Al-Quran 2:6-7] 2. The word qalb in Arabic means heart as well as intelligence

The Arabic word qalb used in these verses means the heart. It also means intelligence. Thus the above verses also mean that Allah has put a seal on the intelligence of the kuffaars (unbelievers) and they will not understand and believe. 3. In the Arabic language heart is also used as a centre of understanding

In the Arabic language the word heart is also used to connote ones centre of understanding. 4. Several words used in English language whose literal meaning is different Even in English language there are several words which are used to explain something, though the literal meaning of these words are different. Consider the following examples a. Lunatic - Struck by the moon:

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The word lunatic literally means struck by the moon. Today people use the word lunatic for a person who is insane or mentally unstable. People very well know that a mad or a mentally unstable person is not struck by the moon. Yet even a medical doctor uses this word. This is normal in the evolution of a language. b. Disaster An evil star The word disaster literally means an evil star. Today the word disaster is used for a great or sudden misfortune or calamity. We know very well that a misfortune has nothing to do with an evil star. c. Trivial Three roads meet The word trivial literally means where three roads meet. Today the word trivial is used for something of small nature or little importance. We know very well that if something is of small value it has nothing to do with where three roads meet. d. Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise literally means rising of the sun. Today when the word sunrise is used most of the people know that the earth is rotating and is moving in relation to the sun. Most of us know that the sun does not rise during sunrise. However even an astronomer uses the word sunrise. Similarly we know that during sunset, the sun does not actually set. 5. In the English language heart is the centre of love and emotion

In the English language heart means an organ in the body which pumps blood. The same word heart is also used for the centre of thought, love and emotion. Today we know that brain is the centre of thought, love and emotion. Yet while expressing emotions a person is likely to say "I love you from the bottom of my heart". Imagine a scientist telling his wife, "I love you from the bottom of my heart" and the wife replies, "Dont you even know the basics of science, that the brain is responsible for the emotions and not the heart? In fact you should say I love you from the bottom of my brain." 6. Arabs know that the word heart in Arabic is also used for centre of thought and understanding No Arab will ever ask the question as to why Allah has sealed the hearts of the kafir because he knows that in this context it refers to the centre of thought, understanding and emotions.

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Q16. If God is responsible for our destiny then why we should be held responsible for the evil acts and sins we commit? If Allah has sealed the hearts of the Kuffar i.e. non-Muslims, then why are they to be blamed for not accepting Islam? Answer: 1. Allah has sealed the hearts of those who are continuously bent on rejecting the truth Allah (swt) mentions in Surah Al Baqarah chapter 2 verses 6 and 7 "As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them Whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe. Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur)." [Al-Quran 2:6-7] These verses do not refer to common Kuffar who reject faith. The Arabic words used are al-lazina kafaroo, those who are bent on rejecting the truth. It will not make any difference to such people whether you warn them or not, they will not believe. Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing and on their eyes is a veil. It is not because Allah has set a seal on their hearts that these kuffar do not understand and believe, but it is the vice-versa. It is because these kuffar are bent on rejecting the truth and whether you warn them or not they will not believe, that Allah has set a seal on their hearts. Therefore Allah is not to blame, but these kuffaar who are bent on rejecting the faith are responsible. 2. Example of teacher predicting a student will fail

Suppose an experienced teacher, before the final examinations, predicts that a particular student will fail in the exams, since the student is very mischievous, not attentive in class and does not do his homework. If after the student appears for the examination, he fails, who is to be blamed for the student failing: the teacher or the student? Just because the teacher predicted, it does not mean that the teacher is to be blamed but the student himself is responsible for his failure. Similarly Allah (swt) knows in advance that there are some people who are bent on rejecting the faith and Allah has put a seal on their hearts. Thus these nonMuslims themselves are responsible for rejecting the faith and not Allah (swt).

Q17. The Quran mentions in several places that the heavens and the earth were created in 6 days but in Surah Fussilat it says that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days. Isnt this a contradiction? The same verse

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also says that the earth was created in 6 days and then later on the heavens were created in 2 days. This is against the Big-Bang theory that the heavens and the earth were created simultaneously. Answer: 1. Heavens and the Earth created in Six days The Quran says that the heavens and the earth were created in 6 days i.e. 6 epochs as mentioned in Al-Quran 7:54, 11:7, 25:59, 32:4, 50:38, 57:4 The verses of the Quran which say that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days are chapter 41 verses 9 to 12 "Say: Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two days? And do ye join equals with him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds; He set on the (earth) mountains standing firm, High above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, In four days, in accordance with (the needs of) Those who seek (sustenance)." Moreover, He Comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke. He said to it and to the earth. "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly. They said: "We do come (Together), in willing obedience." So He completed them as seven firmaments in two days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command and We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the decree of (Him) the exalted in might, full of knowledge." [Al-Quran 41:9-12] On the face of it, it seems that these verses of the Quran give the initial impression that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days. Allah says in the beginning of this verse that those who exploit this information contained in this passage to raise doubts about its authenticity are equally interested in promulgating blasphemy and denying His unity. Allah is telling us that in course of time, there will emerge unbelievers who will make use of this apparent contradiction. 2. Summa means moreover If anyone analyses these verses carefully, it speaks about 2 different creations: the earth and the heaven. The earth excluding the mountains was created in 2 days and the mountains were set on the earth standing firm and blessed and measured its sustenance in 4 days. Therefore the earth along with the mountains was created in 6 days according to verse 9 and 10. Verse 11 and 12 says, moreover the heavens were created in 2 days. The Arabic word used in the beginning of verse 11 of Surah Fussilat is summa which means; then or moreover. There are certain Quranic translations, which have, used then for the word summa which, indicates afterwards. If then is wrongly used for

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summa then the total of the creation of heaven and earth will be 8 days which will conflict with other verses of the Quran which says heavens and earth were created in 6 days and will also conflict with the Big Bang Theory as well as the verse of the Quran Surah Al Ambiya chapter 21 verse 30 which says that heavens and the earth were created simultaneously. Therefore the correct translation of the word summa in this verse would be moreover. Abdullah Yusuf Ali has rightly translated the word summa or moreover which clearly gives an indication that while the earth along with the mountains, etc. was created in 6 days simultaneously the heavens were created in 2 days. Therefore the total does not come to 8 days but 6 days. If a builder says that he will construct a 10 storey building and surrounding compound wall in 6 months and after completion of his project he gives a more detailed account saying that the basement of the building was built in 2 months and the 10 storeys took 4 months and simultaneously, while the basement and the building was being constructed, he also constructed the surrounding of the building along with the compound wall which took 2 months. Therefore both his first and second descriptions are not contradicting but the second statement gives a more detailed account for the construction. 3. Heavens and the Earth created simultaneously The Quran describe the creation of the universe in several places, sometimes it says the heavens and the earth (7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 25:59, 32:4, 50:38, 57:4) while in other places it says earth and the heaven (49:9-12, 2:29, 20:4) thus further supplementing the verse of Surah Al Ambiya chapter 21 verse 30 which speaks about the Big-Bang and that the heavens and the earth were created simultaneously. Similarly in Surah Al-Baqara chapter 2 verse 29 "It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Then He turned to the heaven and made them into seven firmaments. And of all things He hath perfect knowledge." [Al-Quran 2:29] "It is who has created for you all things on the earth summa simultaneously made the heaven into seven firmaments". Here also if you wrongly translate summa as then only then would this verse contradict the Big-bang theory and other verses of the Quran. Therefore the correct translation of the word summa is moreover or simultaneously.

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Q18. At one place the Quran mentions that man is created from sperm and in another place it mentions that man is created from dust. Are these two verses not contradicting? How can you scientifically prove that man is created from dust? Answer: 1. Man created from sperm and dust

The Quran refers to the lowly beginnings of a human being from a drop of sperm, in several verses including the following verse from Surah Al-Qiyamah: "Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)"? [Al-Quran 75:37]

The Quran also mentions in several places that human beings were created from dust. The following verse makes a reference to the origin of human beings: "(Consider) that We created you out of dust". [Al-Quran 22:5]

We now know that all the elements present in the human body (i.e. the constituent elements of the human body), are all present in the earth in small or great quantities. This is the scientific explanation for the Quranic verse that says that man was created from dust. In certain verses, the Quran says that man was created from sperm, while in certain other verses it says that man was created from dust. However this is not a contradiction. Contradiction means statements, which are opposite or conflicting and both cannot be true simultaneously. 2. Man created from water

In certain places the Quran also says that man was created from water. For instance in Surah Al-Furqan it says: "It is He Who has created man from water". [Al-Quran 25:54]

Science has proved all the three statements to be correct. Man has been created from sperm, dust as well as water. 3. It is not a Contradiction but a Contradistinction

Suppose one says that in order to make a cup of tea one needs water. One also needs tea-leaves or tea powder. The two statements are not contradictory since both water and tea leaves are required in order to make a cup of tea. Furthermore if anyone wants sweet tea one can even add sugar.

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Thus there is no contradiction in the Quran when it says that man is created from sperm, dust and water. It is not a contradiction but a contradistinction. Contradistinction means speaking about two different concepts on the same subject without conflict. For instance if I say that the man is always truthful and a habitual liar, it is a contradiction, but if I say that a man is always honest, kind and loving, then it is a contradistinction.

Q19. It is mentioned in one verse of the Quran that Allah is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests. How can you explain this verse of the Quran scientifically? Answer: 1. Quran mentions Allah is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests

The verse of the Quran which refers to Allah being the Lord of two easts and two wests is the following verse from Surah Ar-Rahman: "(He is) Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests:" [Al-Quran 55:17]

In the original Arabic script, the words east and west have been used in the dual form. It implies that Allah is the Lord of two easts and two wests. 2. Allah is the Lord of both the extremes of East and West

The science of geography tells us that the sun rises from the east, but the point of sunrise keeps shifting throughout the year. Only on two days of the year known as equinox, does the sun rise exactly from due east. On the remaining days, it rises either from a little north or a little south of due east. During summer solstice the sun rises from one extreme of the east and during winter solstice it rises from the other extreme. Similarly, the sun sets in one extreme of the west in summer solstice. It sets in the other extreme of the west in winter solstice. This phenomenon can be easily seen in Bombay or any other city, by people living in certain areas, or in tall skyscraper buildings, from where the rising or setting of sun can be seen. They are able to notice that during the summer solstice the sun rises from one extreme of east and during winter solstice it rises from the other extreme of east. In short, through out the year, the sun keeps rising from different points of the east and sets on different points of the west. Thus when the Quran refers to Allah as the Lord of two easts and two wests, it means that Allah is the Lord of both the extremes of east and both the extremes of west. 3. Allah is the Lord of all the points of the East and West

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Arabic language has two types of plurals. One is the dual plural i.e. the plural that implies the existence of two. The other is the plural for more than two, i.e. three and above. In Surah Rahman verse 17 the Arabic words used are mashriqaini and magribaini which are in dual plural and therefore imply two easts and two wests. Consider the following verse of the Quran: "Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West. [70:40] The Arabic words for east and west used in this verse are mashaariqi and magharibi which are plurals that imply the existence of more than two. We can thus conclude that the Quran refers to Allah being the Lord of all the points in the east and all the points of the west, as well as the Lord of both the extreme points of east and both the extreme points of west.

Q20. A particular verse of the Quran says that one day in the sight of Allah is equal to 1000 years. In another verse of the Quran it says that one day is equal to 50,000 years. Isnt the Quran contradicting itself? Answer: 1. Time of Allah is incomparable to earthly time

The Quran says in two verses, (22:47 and 32:5), that the measure of one day in the sight of Allah is equal to 1,000 years of our reckoning. In another verse (70:4) it says that the measure of one day in the sight of Allah is equal to 50,000 years of our reckoning. These verses generally mean that the time of Allah (swt) is incomparable to the earthly time. The examples given are of one thousand years and fifty thousand years of the earthly time. In other words thousands of years or a very, very long time of the earth a day in the sight of Allah is equal to: 2. Yaum also means Period

The Arabic word used in all these three verses is yaum, which, besides meaning a day also means a long period, or an epoch. If you translate the word yaum correctly as period there will be no confusion. a) The verse from Surah Hajj reads as:

"Yet they ask thee to hasten on the Punishment! but Allah will not fail in His promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning". [Al-Quran 22:47]

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When the unbelievers asked to hasten the punishment the Quran says Allah will not fail in His promise. Verily a period in the sight of Allah is like a thousand years of your reckoning. b) The verse from Surah Al-Sajdah says:

"He rules (all) affairs from the heavens to the earth: in the end will (all affairs) go up? To Him, on a Day, the space whereof will be (as) a thousand years of your reckoning". [Al-Quran 32:5] This verse indicates that a period required for all the affairs to go up to Allah (SWT), is a thousand years of our reckoning. c) A verse from Surah Al-Maarij says:

"The angels and the spirit ascend unto Him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years". [Al-Quran 70:4] This verse means that the period required for angels and the spirits to ascend unto Allah (SWT) is fifty thousand years. d) The period for two different acts need not be the same. For example the period required for me to travel to destination A say Vashi is one hour and the period required for me to travel to destination B i.e. Kashmir is 50 hours. This does not indicate that I am making two contradictory statements. Thus the verses of the Quran not only do not contradict each other, they are also in perfect harmony with established modern scientific facts.

Q21. The Quran in several places says that Iblis was an angel, but in Surah Kahf it says that Iblis was a Jinn. Isnt this a contradiction in the Quran? Answer: 1. Incidence of Iblis and Angels mentioned in the Quran

The story of Adam and Iblis is mentioned in the Quran in various places in which Allah (SWT) says, "We said to the angels bow down to Adam: and they bowed down: not so Iblis". But in Surah Al Kahf chapter 18 verse 50 the Quran says: "Behold! We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam." they bowed down except Iblis He was one of the Jinns." [Al-Quran 18:50]

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2.

Arabic Rule Of Tagleeb

The English translation of the first part of the verse We said to the angels bow down to Adam: they bowed down except Iblis, gives us the impression that Iblis was an angel. The Quran was revealed in Arabic. In Arabic grammar there is a rule known as Tagleeb, according to which, if the majority is addressed, even the minority is included. If for example, I address a class containing 100 students of whom 99 are boys and one is a girl, and if I say in Arabic that the boys should stand up, it includes the girl as well. I need not mention her separately. Similarly in the Quran, when Allah addressed the angels, even Iblis was present, but it is not required that he be mentioned separately. Therefore according to that sentence Iblis may be an angel or may not be an angel, but we come to know from Surah Al Kahf chapter 18 verse 50 that Iblis was a Jinn. No where does the Quran say Iblis was an angel. Therefore there is no contradiction in the Quran. 3. Jinns have free will and can disobey Allah

Secondly, Jinns have a free will and may or may not obey Allah, but angels have no free will and always obey Allah. Therefore the question of an angel disobeying Allah does not arise. This further supplements that Iblis was a Jinn and not an angel.

Q22. Why are the people of Books (Christians and Jews) and other nonMuslims not permitted to enter Makka and Madeena, the cities of the two Grand Mosques.? If non-Muslims are allowed to enter these two shrines, they may be influenced by witnessing the rituals done there and thereby being convinced they may embrace Islam. Answer: There is fixed boundary around the Holy House (Kabah) in Makka and also around the Prophets Mosque in Madeena. These rounded areas are sanctuaries fixed by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) at the command of Allah (SWT). Only Muslims are allowed to enter these two protected boundaries. In order to protect the peace, purity, safety and security of these two sanctuaries, non-Muslims are not permitted to enter. Allah (SWT) knows best how to maintain the sacredness and safety of these two places. Hence is His order which the caretaker or custodian of these two places are bound to follow. The minimum requirement for a person to be eligible to enter these two sanctuaries is Eeman in Islam i.e. the person has to be a believer Muslim. We can now apply our intellect to find out the reasons behind this instruction. In Islam Makkah is considered as the holiest and purest city (place). In this sense Madeena stands next. Even Muslims have to preserve

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certain strict rules while entering and staying in Makka. Those Muslims male and female who want to visit Makkah have to put on special cloths and maintain many restrictions spiritually and physically. This state is called Ihram in Arabic. Those who want to perform Hajj during Hajj days have to do the same. Other than this, all the times Muslims are prohibited to cut any grass/plant/tree in the area, to hunt any animal of prey, to fight and to do many things else. He cannot threaten others at very loud voice. If any Muslim violates the restrictions, in atonement he has to compensate by sacrificing animals (goat, sheep etc.) and donating the meat to the poor in the Holy area. So we can understand while there are so many conditions imposed on a Muslim to enter the shrine, how a non-Muslim can preserve all these conditions while he is even not ready to have Faith in Islam. A nonMuslim is spiritually impure as he is devoid of Eeman in Islam. How can an impure person protect the purity of the place? He will not respect the place and maintain its purity and tranquility as a Muslim treats it with utmost reverence. Who knows the intention of a non-Muslim intending to visit these holy places? He might have some conspiracy of spying and damaging these two centers of Muslim Ummah. All these reason the prohibition aptly. Non-Muslims need not go to Makka or Medeena to get them influenced or convinced of Islam. Everywhere in the world they can find the grandeur of the God. The sun, the moon, stars, sky, earth, oceans are all the Signs of Allah. Every human being should think of his own creation from a drop of semen -- he will certainly find and feel the effect of Gods control. A man can everywhere all the times discover Gods unlimited Power and Divine Knowledge. Once a person is convinced of the existence of the Omnipotent God, he should search the best religion. He will certainly reach Islam ultimately.

Q23. Why is such an important way of life (Islam) prescribed in this one particular language [Arabic], which is used only in one particular geographic location? Why could not that Almighty Allah create one universal language for all of mankind so that all people could benefit from that equally? Arabic Qur'an is beneficial for the Arabs only. Answer: The Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in his own language Arabic so that he could comprehend and understand it. Similarly previous Divine Books were revealed in the languages of the Prophets concerned. The reason is very clear that the prophet had to warn his own people first in their language. God has chosen to address His final message to all mankind, and that it should be one message, binding on all, and valid for the rest of time. As such, it has to have a clear text to which people may refer whenever they wish to know what

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God wants them to do, and what to refrain from. He sent a messenger to deliver it to mankind. It is only to be expected that the messenger should speak the language of his own people, and that the message given to him should be in that same language. He could not be expected to speak all human languages. Of course, God is able to put His message in all these languages, or to make all mankind speak Arabic or any language He wants. But this is not the way He has chosen for His creation. He has chosen that every individual should be distinct from all others, in every respect: In the language he or she speaks, just like their fingerprints are different. If the message were to be given in all human languages, then there would have been a very large number of translations of the Quran, all revealed by God, so that they would be made ready for the time when speakers of those languages become Muslims. Moreover, languages change, spread or die out. Latin, Greek, Aramaic are examples of languages that had died. Today, they are only learned or spoken by a handful of people. But there are many others that have disappeared. In contrast, many languages have risen and developed. Should the Quran have been revealed in these as well? People actually do not try to understand one basic point: For guiding the humanity, Allah Almighty does not adopt a method that would require an alteration in the natural workings and systems of the universe. The variety of languages, and due to that the emergence of various small and large ethnic groupsall this is but a natural phenomenon which came into existence by the will of Allah. And in this are lots of benefits and goodness that Allah would not want to destroy. Yes, He is the Almighty, but He is also the Wise. In His universe, things are running under a perfect set of laws and principles. Due to these principles, variance between languages, cultures, and traditions emerges. Even if Allah had created some separate type of language, that still could not have been the mother tongue of all nationalities, nor could the literature in that language affect and influence the minds of all people on earth. They would not have appreciated the beauty of that language [as one appreciates ones mother tongue]. If Allahby some supernatural wayeliminated all the mother tongues of all people and then imposed, supernaturally, one language on the entire humanity, then that is a different matter. However, since one action of Allah does not come to nullify another action of His, He has sent guidance to humanity while sustaining the natural systems and frameworks of all languages. Arabic Qur'an can only be beneficial for the Arabsthis allegation could have been true had Allah only sent a book. But the reality is that Allah sent the book together with a guide. That guide first addressed a particular nation in whose language the book came. Then, according to the prescriptions laid in the book, he educated them, purified them, gave them practical training, and completely reshaped their lives in a full social revolution. Then he charged them with this responsibility that they, on his behalf, would transmit this guidance to other nations, educate them, purify them, train them, and reshape their lives the same way as he had done to them. Thus, once one nation adopts this ideal, it would bear the responsibility of taking it to other nations. This was the natural way for

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universalizing that teaching and guidance. Every great movement of the world that wanted to universalize its teaching has adopted this same method, be that a movement to establish Gods way or any other type of movement. People who wish to learn about Islam have the means to do so through Muslims, who are required to deliver Gods message to other people and call on them to accept Islam. If one accepts the argument that a book is only beneficial for the particular nation in whose language it is written, then one will have to consider the history of all the sciences of the world as wrong. All the books of the world will need to be divided and segregated according to language. All the benefits of translations and various mediums of international mass communications will have to be denied. Yet, it is through these mediums that the messages of great world movements and the words of great leaders are reaching the far corners of the earth. Then what crime did the book of Muhammad commit that it has to be considered confined only for the Arabs just because it is in Arabic? If one is still not assured after this and he thinks that Allah should have done things as he thought He should have, then he has the right to remain firm in his opinion. But the question is, if by putting up such questions as hindrance one does not benefit from a book or a message, then whose loss is it? This is not the policy of the truth seekers. They search for the ray of light everywhere and from all sources. If one closes ones mind with one objection or another against every book or teaching, then one will not be able to make even a single step on lifes simple and straight path.

Q24. Why the land of Arabia for the birth place of the World Prophet? Answer: First of all we are bound to accept the Choice of Allah (SWT). It is His exclusive Choice and He knows best which man, which land and which language are the most suitable for His Prophet. Nevertheless, we can try to understand the logic behind the selection of Allah (SWT): If we cast a glance at the world in the atlas, we find that no other country could have been more suitable for the much-needed world religion than Arabia. It is situated right in the middle of Asia, and Europe is not far away from it. At the time of Muhammads appearance the central part of Europe was inhabited by civilized and culturally advanced nations; thus these people were more or less at about the same distance from Arabia as were the people of India. This fact gave Arabia a central position. And let us look at the history of that era and we find that no other people were more suited for the endowment of this prophethood than the Arabs. Great nations of the world had been struggling hard for world supremacy, and in this long struggle and incessant strife, they had exhausted all their resources and

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vitality. The Arabs were a fresh and virile people. The so-called social progress had produced bad habits among the advanced nations, while among the Arabs no such social organization existed, and they were, therefore, free from the inactivity, debasement, and indulgences arising out of luxury and sensual satiety. The pagan Arabs of the fifth century had not been affected by the evil influence of the artificial systems and civilization of the great nations of the world. They processed all the good human qualities, which the people untouched by the social progress of the time ought to possess. They were brave, fearless, generous, faithful to their promises, lovers of freedom, and were politically independentnot subject to the hegemony of the imperial powers. They lived a very simple life and were strangers to the life of luxury and indulgence. No doubt, there were certain undesirable aspects of their life as well, but the reason for the existence of such aspects was that for thousands of years no prophet had risen among them, nor had there appeared a reformer who might have civilized them and purged their moral life of all evil impurities. Centuries of free and independent life in sandy deserts had bred and nourished extreme ignorance among them. They had, therefore, become so hardhearted and firm in their traditions of ignorance that to make them human was not the task of an ordinary man. At the same time, however, they did possess a capacity that if some person of extraordinary powers were to invite them for reform and give them a noble ideal and a complete program, they would accept his call and readily rise to act effectively for the achievement of such a goal, and spare no strife for or sacrifice in the cause. They would be prepared to face without the least scruple even the hostility of the entire world in the cause of their mission. And verily it was such a young, forceful, and virile people that were needed for disseminating the teachings of the World Prophet: Muhammad (SAW). And then let us look to the Arabic language. If we study that language and fathom deep into its literature, we will be convinced that there is no other language than Arabic which is more suited to give expression to high ideals, to explain the most delicate and subtle problems of divine knowledge, and to impress the heart of man and mold it into Gods submission. Small phrases and brief sentences express a world of ideas, and at the same time they are so forceful that they steal into the heart, their every sound moves man to tears and ecstasy. They are so sweet that it is felt as if honey were being poured into the ears; they are so full of harmony that every fiber of the listeners body is moved by their symphony. It is such a rich and powerful language that was needed for the Quran, the Great Word of God. It was, therefore, the manifestation of Gods great wisdom that He chose the land of Arabia for the birth place of the World Prophet.

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Q25. Is Islam barbaric? Similar doubts: Islam has no place in today's world. It prescribes barbaric punishments and attitudes that belong to the middle ages! Answer and rebuttal: Islam prescribes that it is the duty of the state to uphold the human rights of its inhabitants. If people violate the rights of others, the victims of those violations have a right to take 'an eye for an eye', or 'a tooth for a tooth' or whatever compensation the transgressor is willing to give. However, it is more virtuous for the victim to forgive and forget, by such action God forgives and forgets some of the sins of the victim. If the victims choose to claim their right, the state has a duty to enforce their claim. This is not barbaric it is justice. Physical punishments can, therefore, be just. They can also be a better deterrent to crime & they are more equal towards the transgressors than fines (which the rich don't feel as much as the poor) or imprisonment (which also punishes the taxpayers, the family & rarely reforms the criminal's character). You can think of the following situation: You see a man hit another man in the street and the other hits back. Is the second man committing a crime by retaliating? Of course it may be better for him to do something else, but it is his right to respond with a similar measure against the aggressor

Q26. Why does Islam allow polygamy? Why did the Prophet Muhammad have many (more than four) wives? How can the Prophet Muhammad consummate marriage with 9 year old Ayesha? Answer: Islam has limited the number of wives one can have at a time to a maximum of four provided that he can treat them with justice and equality. In the pre-Islamic period, during the period of ignorance men were used to marry unrestricted number of women, Islam has restricted to four. Islam grants polygamy not to satisfy lust, but for the welfare of the widows and the orphans of the wars and any other tragedy, disaster or calamity. So polygamy is much more beneficial to women than to men. Other benefits of polygamy: 1. It gives solution for those men who want many children. 2. It is strictly prohibited to have intercourse with wife during menstrual period (about 5 to 7 days) and bleeding discharge after delivery (about 30 to 40 days). The medical science has proved the harms and diseases caused by sex during the two periods, on both the spouses. The husband

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can fulfill his sexual desire with another wife during these periods instead of searching any illegal way.

One person had 11 wives and when he became Muslim, he asked the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), "What should I do with so many wives?" and he said, "Divorce all except the four." So Islam did not instituted or founded the practice of polygamy as some people believe, rather it has restricted the already practiced social system of polygamy to four by preserving the human nature. And it has formulated the conditions of polygamy with equality and justice with all the wives. So the general stand of Islam on polygamy is that it is allowed but not encouraged. Polygamy has been practiced by mankind for thousands of years. Many of the ancient Israelites were polygamous, some having hundreds of wives. King Solomon (peace be upon him) is said to have had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. David (Dawood) had ninety-nine and Jacob (Yacub, peace be upon them both) had four. Advice given by some Jewish wise men state that no man should marry more than four wives. No early society put any restrictions on the number of wives or put any conditions about how they were to be treated. Jesus was not known to have spoken against polygamy. As recently as the seventeenth century, polygamy was practiced and accepted by the Christian Church. The Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) has allowed and practiced polygamy in the United States. Monogamy was introduced into Christianity at the time of Paul when many revisions took place in Christianity. This was done in order for the church to conform to the Greco-Roman culture where men were monogamous but owned many slaves who were free for them to use: In other words, unrestricted polygamy. Early Christians invented ideas that women were "full of sin" and man was better off to "never marry." Since this would be the end of mankind these same people compromised and said "marry only one." Celibacy is allowed in Christianity as the strictest religious act, whereas Islam forbids it (celibacy) with the strictest prohibition. Celibacy is against human nature. It cannot be practiced. In many places of the world many Christians priests/popes who claim to be monogamist or practicing celibacy have been caught indulged in illegal sex with one lady or more. In the American society many times when relations are strained, the husband simply deserts his wife. Then he cohabits with a prostitute or other immoral woman without marriage. Actually there are three kinds of polygamy practiced in Western societies which are not allowed in Islam:

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1. serial polygamy, that is, marriage, divorce, marriage, divorce, and so on any number of times; 2. a man married to one woman but having and supporting one or more mistresses; 3. an unmarried man having a number of mistresses. Wars cause the number of women to greatly exceed the number of men. In a monogamous society these women, left without husbands or support, resort to prostitution, illicit relationships with married men resulting in illegitimate children with no responsibility on the part of the father, or lonely spinsterhood or widowhood. Some Western men take the position that monogamy protects the rights of women. But are these men really concerned about the rights of women? The society has so many practices which exploit and suppress women, leading to women's liberation movements from the suffragettes of the early twentieth century to the feminists of today. The truth of the matter is that monogamy protects men, allowing them to "play around" without responsibility. Easy birth control and easy legal abortion has opened the door of illicit sex to woman and she has been lured into the so-called sexual revolution. But she is still the one who suffers the trauma of abortion and the side effects of the birth control methods. Taking aside the plagues of venereal disease, herpes and AIDS, the male continues to enjoy himself free of worry. Men are the ones protected by monogamy while women continue to be victims of men's desires. Polygamy is very much opposed by the male dominated society because it would force men to face up to responsibility and fidelity. It would force them to take responsibility for their polygamous inclinations and would protect and provide for women and children. Among all the polygamous societies in history there were none which limited the number of wives. All of the relationships were unrestricted. In Islam, the regulations concerning polygamy limit the number of wives a man can have while making him responsible for all of the women involved. "Marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one or one that your right hands possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice." (Qur'an 4:3) This verse from the Qur'an allows a man to marry more than one woman but only if he can deal justly with them. Another verse says that a person is unable to deal justly between wives, thus giving permission but discouraging. "You will never be able to deal justly between wives however much you desire (to do so). But (if you have more than one wife) do not turn altogether away (from one), leaving her in suspense..." (Qur'an 4:129)

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While the provision for polygamy makes the social system flexible enough to deal with all kinds of conditions, it is not necessarily recommended or preferred by Islam.

Some people have said that the first wife must agree to the second marriage. Others have said that the couple can put it into the marriage contract that the man will not marry a second wife. First of all, neither the Qur'an nor Hadith state that the first wife need be consulted at all concerning a second marriage let alone gain her approval. Consideration and compassion on the part of the man for his first wife should prompt him to discuss the matter with her but he is not required to do so or to gain her approval. Secondly, the Qur'an has explicitly given permission for a man to marry "two or three or four." No one has the authority to make a contract forbidding something that has been granted by Allah. The bottom line in the marriage relationship is good morality and happiness, creating a just and cohesive society where the needs of men and women are well taken care of. The present Western society, which permits free sex between consenting adults, has given rise to an abundance of irresponsible sexual relationships, an abundance of "fatherless" children, many unmarried teenage mothers; all becoming a burden on the country's welfare system. In part, such an undesirable welfare burden has given rise to bloated budget deficits which even an economically powerful country like the United States cannot accommodate. Bloated budget deficits have become a political football which is affecting the political system of the United States. In short, we find that artificially created monogamy has become a factor in ruining the family structure, and the social, economic and political systems of the country. In the western society, some men who have one wife have many extramarital affairs. Thus, a survey was published in "U.S.A. Today" (April 4, 1988 Section D) which asked 4,700 mistresses what they would like their status to be. They said that "they preferred being a second wife rather than the 'other woman' because they did not have the legal rights, nor did they have the financial equality of the legally married wives, and it appeared that they were being used by these men."

It must be a prophet, and indeed it was Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who directed Muslims to get married or observe patience until one gets married. 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud reported Allah's messenger as saying, "Young man, those of you who can support a wife should marry, for it keeps you from looking at strange women and preserves you from immorality; but those who cannot should devote themselves to fasting, for it is a means of suppressing sexual desire." (Bukhari and Muslim)

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Islam wants people to be married and to develop a good family structure. Also Islam realizes the requirements of the society and the individual in special circumstances where polygamy can be the solution to problems.

In the Muslim societies of our times, polygamy is not frequently practiced despite legal permission in many countries. It appears that the American male is very polygamous, getting away with not taking responsibility for the families he should be responsible for.

Taking the example of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is instructive. He was married to one woman, Khadijah who was a widow, for twenty-five years. Muhammad (SAW) was twenty five and Khadijah was forty when they married. It was only after her death when he had reached the age of fifty that he entered into other marriages to promote friendships, create alliances or to be an example (model) of some lesson to the community; also to show the Muslims how to treat their spouses under different conditions of life. All of his wives were happy with him. He is the best and loveliest husband. All but one of his wives were widows, and many of them were over the age of 40 when they married him. Muhammad's 12 wives, although not all married to him at the same time, were modest, courageous, independent, outspoken, righteous, patient and loyal. They were not known for their physical beauty -- certainly not the kind that is flaunted in public Why did Muhammad (PBUH) marry 12 women? John Esposito, in "Islam: The Straight Path", writes, "As was customary for Arab chiefs, many were political marriages to cement alliances. Others were marriages to the widows of his Companions who had fallen in combat and were in need of protection." The Prophet (SAW) was given inspiration from Allah about how to deal with multiple marriages and the difficulties encountered therein. It is not an easy matter for a man to handle two wives, two families, and two households and still be just between the two. No man of reasonable intelligence would enter into this situation without a great deal of thought and very compelling reasons (other than sexual). The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was given special permission by Allah (SWT) for plural marriage: O Prophet! Lo! We have made lawful unto thee thy wives unto whom thou hast paid their dowries, and those whom thy right hand possesseth of those whom Allah hath given thee as spoils of war, and the daughters of thine uncle on the father's side and the daughters of thine aunts on the father's side, and the daughters of thine uncle on the mother's side and the daughters of thine aunts on

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the mother's side who emigrated with thee, and a believing woman if she give herself unto the Prophet and the Prophet desire to ask her in marriage - a privilege for thee only, not for the (rest of) believers - We are Aware of that which We enjoined upon them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess - that thou mayst be free from blame, for Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. S. 33:50 (Pickthall) Aishas Marriage with Muhammad (SAW): Aisha was brought up by a family which was greatly respected. Her father was a man of wide knowledge and gentle manners. She was very clever and had strength of personality since she was quite young. Therefore, she was neither tricked nor forced to marry the Prophet (PBUH). Some narrations say that Aisha was nine when the Prophet consummated the marriage with her. That was when she reached the age of puberty. For that reason she used to say: "when a girl reaches nine years she becomes a women " [ Ahmed and Al-Termidhi]. Imam AlShafi said: "I saw a grandmother who was only twenty one years old. " This means that she and her daughter as well became pregnant before the age of ten years Aisha's parents were the ones who married her to our Prophet, and that no Muslim or even pagan objected to the marriage because it was widely practiced. And even until today in 3rd world countries (Muslims and non-Muslims), little girls as young as 9 or 10 do get married. Anyway, the reason no one objected was to the Prophet's marriage was: 1. People used to have very short life-spans in Arabia. They used to live between 40 to 60 years maximum. So it was only normal and natural for girls to be married off at ages 9 or 10 or similar. 2. Marriage for young girls was widely practiced among Arabs back then, and even today in many third-world non-Muslim and Muslim countries. It is important to know that girls during the Biblical and early Islamic days used to be married off at young ages when they either had their first periods, or their breasts start showing off. In other words, when they turn into "women", then they get married off. It was quite different for men on the other hand, because physical power and the ability of living an independent life had always been and will always be a mandatory requirement for men to have in life. So men waited much longer than women in terms of getting married. The guy had to develop both his body and mind before he was ready for marriage. That is why you see girls as young as 9 or 10 were married to men as old as 30 or even older. The culture back then and in many third world countries today (non-Muslim ones too) is quite different than what you live in today.

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Prophet Muhammad's marriage with Aisha was 100% legal and acceptable by all laws and Divine Religions! So to call Prophet Muhammad(SAW) a pedophile for marrying a girl that was offered to him by her parents and was accepted by all of the people back then including the enemies of Islam, the pagans, is quite absurd. According to some historians and scholars Aisha was between 16 and 19 years old when she married Muhammad (PBUH). But even that she was younger than that does not necessarily mean that she was under puberty. Aisha was an extraordinary woman par excellence in intellect, reasoning and memory. Physically and mentally she was a genius. Medical science has proved that in hot regions of the world some girls might attain puberty at nine years of age. Here is a record breaking news of recent year 2001 collected from www.answering-christianity.com A 9-year old Thai girl gave birth: The following picture and article were forwarded to me by brother MENJ; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him. The news item is from the New Straits Times, 10/3/2001.

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In our world today, we still have people especially in the third world countries, marry very young girls. Why should we call someone who married a 9-year old girl 1400 years ago a child molester, when we still practice it today? The girl above even gave birth at the age of 9(nine)!

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And should we also call Aisha's (our Prophet's wife) parents child molesters too, since they agreed by their own will and choice to marry their daughter to our Prophet, and they were proud of it too? You will also see proofs from Jewish and Christian resources that Mary (Jesus' mother) peace be upon her got pregnant at the age of 12. Biblical Abraham made sex with Hajar, maid of Sara, when she was very young.

Q27. If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does Islam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband? Answer: A lot of people, including some Muslims, question the logic of allowing Muslim men to have more than one spouse while denying the same right to women. Let me first state emphatically, that the foundation of an Islamic society is justice and equity. Allah has created men and women as equal, but with different capabilities and different responsibilities. Men and women are different, physiologically and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different. Men and women are equal in Islam, but not identical. Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 gives the list of women with who you can not marry and it is further mentions in Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verse 24 "Also (prohibited are) women already married" The following points enumerate the reasons why polyandry is prohibited in Islam: 1. Medical science has proved that man is physically much stronger than woman. There may be very few exceptions. But Islam stands for general, not for few individual. General acceptance in the world is that man is physically as well as intellectually stronger. A man can easily satisfy the sexual desire of more than one wife. A woman is not fit for more than one husband. How can four husbands of a wife wait and control their sexual instincts during her menstrual period and the period of post childbirth bleeding? 2. If a man has more than one wife, the parents of the children born of such marriages can easily be identified. The father as well as the mother can easily be identified. In case of a woman marrying more than one husband, only the mother of the children born of such marriages will be identified and not the father. Islam gives tremendous importance to the identification of both parents, mother and father. Psychologists tell us that children who do not know their parents, especially their father undergo severe mental trauma and disturbances. Often they have an unhappy childhood. It is for this reason that the children of prostitutes do not have a healthy childhood. If a child born of such wedlock is

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admitted in school, and when the mother is asked the name of the father, she would have to give two or more names! I am aware that recent advances in science have made it possible for both the mother and father to be identified with the help of genetic testing. Thus this point which was applicable for the past may not be applicable for the present. But Islam is for ages up to the Final Judgement Day. Who knows that man can protect and maintain the present medical and computer development until the Last Day? Are not a few hydrogen bombs enough to destroy all scientific developments? 3. Man is more polygamous by nature as compared to a woman. 4. Biologically, it is easier for a man to perform his duties as a husband despite having several wives. A woman, in a similar position, having several husbands, will not find it possible to perform her duties as a wife. A woman undergoes several psychological and behavioral changes due to different phases of the menstrual cycle. 4. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual partners at the same time and has a high chance of acquiring venereal or sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS which can also be transmitted back to her husband even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. This is not the case in a man having more than one wife, and none of them having extra-marital sex.

The above reasons are those that one can easily identify. There are probably many more reasons why Allah, in His Infinite Wisdom, has prohibited polyandry.

Q28. Islam allows wife-beating!!! Answer and refutation: In this verse Allah Almighty has allowed men to slightly beat their wives in certain situations to stop them if they crossed God's limits regarding the husband's rights, but never allowed harsh beating, as how we see men beating their wives nowadays. Some anti-Islam debaters misuse the Noble Verse 4:34 and wrongly take it as a point against Islam. Allah said in Quran: "Men [as husbands] are responsible for their women because God has made the one superior to the other [in different spheres] and because they spend of their wealth. Therefore, righteous women are obedient [to their

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husbands] and guard their secrets as God has also guarded secrets. As for those from whom you fear refusal of obedience, admonish them and [if this does not effect their behavior then] leave them alone on their beds and [if even this does not effect their behavior then] beat them." Qur'an (4: 34) The above verse can be explained in two ways. Firstly, it is clearly stated in this verse that men might only beat their wives in the case of "Nushooz" or disobedience. In fact, Allah Almighty has allowed beating wives as the last resort for husbands, a man should warn his wife first, and if she is still stubborn, then he may stop sleeping with her, and then if she is still disobeying him then he might beat her (slightly). Another explanation says that the Arabic word: "idribuhunna" used in the Noble Verse 4:34 above is derived from "daraba" which means "beat". The issue with all of the Arabic words that are derived from the word "daraba" is that they don't necessarily mean "hit". The word "idribuhunna" for instance, could very well mean to "leave" them. It is might be like telling someone to "beat it" or "drop it" in English. Wife beating anytime and for any reason is strictly prohibited in Islam. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: Do not retain them (i.e., your wives) to harm them... Qur'an (2:231)" In this verse Allah forbids husbands from keeping their wives with the intention of harming them. Also Quran states that if life has become impossible and unbearable between husband and wife, they should go separate peacefully: If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if you do well and practice self-restraint, God is well-acquainted with all that you do. Qur'an (4:128)" Male dominance- even if it wasn't physically abusive- is not allowed in Islam, for it will eventually threaten the marriage and result in a divorce. Husbands should not try to force their wives to change. Some husbands (Muslim or non-Muslims) have the tendency to show some dominance by trying to impose certain rules upon their wives, in a hope that their wives would start living or acting the way their husbands want them to live or act. For that matter, requests for small changes (form either wife or husband) is okay, but for the basic things such as beliefs or habits should be accepted as is.

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Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) ordered Muslim husbands to accept their wives as they are, treat them kindly and equally; according to the following hadith narrated by Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: "I went to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and asked him: What do you say (command) about our wives? He replied: Give them food as what you have for yourself, and clothe them as you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them." Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) ordered Muslim wives not to provoke their husbands allowing them to lose their tempers and so beat them, he (PBUH) also advised Muslim husbands not to over react with their wives, for this provokes the wife to disobey her husband and thus giving husbands the right to beat them (but again not harsh beating). Brutally beating the wives and causing bruises and damages to their bodies is clearly prohibited in Islam. And because Islam gives his respect to dignity of the individual, Prophet Mohammad forbad striking on the face for anyone, even slaves, not just for wives, because it is mere humiliation. As narrated by Abu Hurayrah, Prophet Mohammad (SAW said: "When one of you inflicts a beating, he should avoid striking the face."

Q29. Why are two women witnesses, equivalent to only one man witness? Answer: It is not true that two female witnesses are always considered as equal to only one male witness. It is true only in certain cases. There are about five verses in the Quran that mention witnesses, without specifying male or female. There is only one verse in the Quran, that says two female witnesses are equal to one male witness. This verse is Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 282. This is the longest verse in the Quran and deals with financial transactions. It says: Oh! Ye who believe! When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligation in a fixed period of time reduce them to writing and get two witnesses out of your own men and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such as ye choose, for witnesses so that if one of them errs the other can remind her. [Al-Quran 2:282] This verse of the Quran deals only with financial transactions. In such cases, it is advised to make an agreement in writing between the parties and take two witnesses, preferably both of which should be men only. In case you cannot find two men, then one man and two women would suffice. For instance, suppose a person wants to undergo an operation for a particular ailment. To confirm the treatment, he would prefer taking references from two qualified surgeons. In case he is unable to find two surgeons, his second option would be one surgeon and two general practitioners who are plain MBBS doctors.

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Similarly in financial transactions, two men are preferred. Islam expects men to be the breadwinners of their families. Since financial responsibility is shouldered by men, they are expected to be well versed in financial transactions as compared to women. As a second option, the witness can be one man and two women, so that if one of the women errs the other can remind her. The Arabic word used in the Quran is Tazil which means confused or to err. Many have wrongly translated this word as to forget. Thus financial transactions constitute the only case in which two female witnesses are equal to one male witness. However, some scholars are of the opinion that the feminine attitude can also have an effect on the witness in a murder case. In such circumstances a woman is more terrified as compared to a man. Due to her emotional condition she can get confused. Therefore, according to some jurists, even in cases of murder, two female witnesses are equivalent to one male witness. In all other cases, one female witness is equivalent to one male witness. There are about five verses in the Quran which speak about witnesses without specifying man or woman. While making a will of inheritance, two just persons are required as witnesses. In Surah Maidah chapter 5 verse 106, the Glorious Quran says: Oh you who believe! When death approaches any of you, (take) witnesses among yourself when making bequests. [Al-Quran 5:106] two just persons of your own (brotherhood) or from outside if you are journeying through the earth and the chance of death befalls you. [Al-Quran 65:2] Two persons endued with justice in case of Talaq: Four witnesses are required in case of charge against chaste women, [Al-Quran 24:4] There are some scholars who are of the opinion that the rule of two female witnesses equal to one male witness should be applied to all the cases. This cannot be agreed upon because one particular verse of the Quran from Surah Noor chapter 24, verse 6 clearly equates one female witness with one male witness: And those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own their solitary evidence can be received. [Al-Quran 24:6] Hazrat Ayesha (RA), hadith narrated of one witness. Many jurists agree that even one witness of a woman is sufficient for the sighting of the crescent of the moon. Imagine one woman witness being sufficient for one of the pillars of Islam, i.e. fasting and the whole Muslim community of men and women agree and accept her witness! Some jurists say that one witness is required at the beginning of Ramadhan and two witnesses at the end of Ramadhan. It makes no difference whether the witnesses are men or women. Some incidents require only female witness and that of a male cannot be accepted. For instance, in dealing with the problems of women, while giving the burial bath i.e. ghusl to a woman, the witness has to be a woman.

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The seeming inequality of male and female witnesses in financial transactions is not due to any inequality of the sexes in Islam. It is only due to the different natures and roles of men and women in society as envisaged by Islam.

Q30. Under Islamic law, why is a womans share of the inherited wealth only half that of a man? Answer: The Glorious Quran contains specific and detailed guidance regarding the division of the inherited wealth, among the rightful beneficiaries. There are three verses in the Quran that broadly describe the share of close relatives i.e. Surah Nisah chapter 4 verses 11, 12 and 176. The translation of the meaning of these verses are as follows: "Allah (SWT) (thus) directs you as regards your childrens (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females, if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; If only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; If no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. In what your wives leave, your share is half. If they leave no child; but if they leave a child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave, their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child, they get an eight; after payment of legacies and debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question, has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after payment of legacies and debts; so that no loss is caused (to anyone). Thus it is ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing Most Forbearing" [Al-Quran 4:11-12] "They ask thee for a legal decision. Say: Allah directs (them) about those who leave no descendants or ascendants as heirs. If it is a man that dies, leaving a sister but no child, she shall have half the inheritance. If (such a deceased was) a woman who left no child, Her brother takes her inheritance. If there are two sisters, they shall have two thirds of the inheritance (between them). If there are brothers and sisters, (they share), the male having twice the share of the female.

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Thus doth Allah (swt) makes clear to you (His knowledge of all things). [Al-Quran 4:176] In most of the cases, a woman inherits half of what her male counterpart inherits. However, this is not always the case. In case the deceased has left no ascendant or descendent but has left the uterine brother and sister, each of the two inherit one sixth. If the deceased has left children, both the parents that is mother and father get an equal share and inherit one sixth each. In certain cases, a woman can also inherit a share that is double that of the male. If the deceased is a woman who has left no children, brothers or sisters and is survived only by her husband, mother and father, the husband inherits half the property while the mother inherits one third and the father the remaining one sixth. In this particular case, the mother inherits a share that is double that of the father. It is true that as a general rule, in most cases, the female inherits a share that is half that of the male. For instance in the following cases: 1. daughter inherits half of what the son inherits, 2. wife inherits 1/8th and husband 1/4th if the deceased has no children. 3. Wife inherits 1/4th and husband 1/2 if the deceased has children 4. If the deceased has no ascendant or descendent, the sister inherits a share that is half that of the brother. In Islam a woman has no financial obligation and the economical responsibility lies on the shoulders of the man. Before a woman is married it is the duty of the father or brother to look after the lodging, boarding, clothing and other financial requirements of the woman. After she is married it is the duty of the husband or the son. Islam holds the man financially responsible for fulfilling the needs of his family. In order to do be able to fulfill the responsibility the men get double the share of the inheritance. For example, if a man dies leaving about SR One Hundred and Fifty Thousand, for the children (i.e one son and one daughter) the son inherits One Hundred Thousand rupees and the daughter only Fifty Thousand rupees. Out of the one hundred thousand which the son inherits, as his duty towards his family, he may have to spend on them almost the entire amount or say about eighty thousand and thus he has a small percentage of inheritance, say about twenty thousand, left for himself. On the other hand, the daughter, who inherits fifty thousand is not bound to spend a single penny on anybody. She can keep the entire amount for herself. Would you prefer inheriting one hundred thousand rupees and spending eighty thousand from it, or inheriting fifty thousand rupees and having the entire amount to yourself?

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Q31. Why a Muslim man is allowed to marry Christian or Jew woman but a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a non-Muslim Man? Answer: First of all, it is to be stressed that Islam does not encourage the interfaith marriages. The general rule of Islam is that Muslims should marry Muslims. The only exception is given to Muslim men who are allowed to marry the chaste girls from among the People of the Book. A Muslim woman is better suited to a Muslim man than a woman of Christian or Jewish faith, regardless of her merits. This is because marriage is not based on fulfilling ones sexual desires; rather, it is an institution. It aims to establish a home on the bases of tranquility, faith and Islamic morals. To fulfill this task, the whole family must apply Allahs course and try to convey His message. There are many benefits for a Muslim lady of not marrying a non-Muslim. A man is the manager of his household. He will persecute his Muslim wife in many dos and don'ts. She can hardly guarantee that kind of operation. Moreover, marriage is an institution for elevating our levels of having a good Islamic life. Pleasing Allah is our number one goal. It is obvious that Islam made it impermissible for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim with aim of keeping her away from things that may jeopardize her faith. In fact, Islam aims at protecting religion. To achieve this goal, it prohibits a Muslim from being involved in something that represents a threat to his religion. A Muslim woman will not feel that her religion is secure while being with a Jewish or a Christian husband especially as the majority of the People of the Book do not show due respect to our Prophet, Muhammad (SAW). Allah Almighty says: And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! The guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou should follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper. (Al-Baqarah: 120) Given the fact that the husband is generally the head of the household, it's not far-fetched for a non-Muslim husband to prevent his Muslim wife from performing some Islamic rituals which may seem a nuisance to him, for example fasting, or even refraining from marital relations during the fast. As a result, he might force her to change her religion, and if she refuses, the situation may culminate in divorce. How then could a Muslim woman live with such a man, while her religion requires of her the observance of certain worships, duties, and obligations, as well as certain prohibitions? It would be impossible for the Muslim woman to retain her respect for her beliefs as well as to practice her religion properly if she were opposed in this regard by the master of the house at every step. Since this is the case, how can Islam take chances on the future of its daughters by giving

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them into the hands of people who neither honor their religion nor are concerned to protect their rights? As for why Islam allows a Muslim man to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, it's clear that every Muslim believes in Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) and he holds all the Prophets of Allah in high esteem. Thus a Muslim finds no harm in his wifes being a Christian or a Jew, for the spirit of tolerance Islam holds for other religions is ingrained in him. Another very important point is that Islam wants the children of a Muslim to be Muslim. Throughout the world the children are named after their fathers name, they are acquainted with fathers identity. The children are much more dependent on father. Can we normally expect the children of a Christian father will be good Muslims? Here I cite practical example of my own experience: In A.D. 1993 I went on a tour to Nagaland, an eastern province of India. Most of the inhabitants of Nagaland are tribal people converted to Christianity. On day early in the morning I was walking near a small park. I found a small girl, around eight years old and a boy, about five years old playing nearby. With an unknown zeal I approached them and asked the girl her name. On hearing Arabic Islamic name I asked her much more. Fantastically, she replied, we are Muslim, our father is a Muslim but our mother is a Christian. She complained that her mother eats pork when she (the mother) is at her parents house. This small girl showed utmost inclination to her father.

Q32. Why is the eating of pork forbidden in Islam? Answer: The fact that consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following points explain various aspects of this prohibition: 1. Pork prohibited in Quran The Quran prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115. "Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah." [Al-Quran 5:3] The above verses of the Holy Quran are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden. 2. Pork prohibited in the Bible

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The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus "And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you". "Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you." [Leviticus 11:7-8] Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy "And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass." [Deuteronomy 14:8] A similar prohibition is repeated in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse 2-5. 3. Consumption of pork causes several diseases The other non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases. A person can have various helminthes like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in lay mans terminology called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack, if it enters the eye it can cause blindness, if it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body. Another dangerous helminthes is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from Trichura Tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ova present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature. 4. Pork has fat building material Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack. It is not surprising that over 50% of Americans suffer from hypertension. 5. Pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth

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The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces and dirt. It is the best scavenger that I know that God has produced. In the villages they dont have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta is cleared by pigs. Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbours excreta. 6. Pig is the most shameless animal The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate. In America, most people consume pork. Many times after dance parties, they have swapping of wives; i.e. many say "you sleep with my wife and I will sleep with your wife." If you eat pigs then you behave like pigs. Indians look upon America to be very advanced and sophisticated. Whatever they do, Indians follow after a few years. According to an article in Island magazine, this practice of swapping wives has become common in the affluent circles of Bombay, India.

Q33. Islam Spread by the Sword? Answer: It is absolutely wrong to suggest that Islam spread by using force. Never did Islam resort to force or pressure of any sort to convert anyone. God states in the Quran: No compulsion is admissible in religion. (2: 256) Nor were there any temptations offered to people who convert to Islam. The Quran calls on people to use their minds. It provides numerous arguments, referring to a large variety of indications, in support of its central theme of believing in Gods oneness. Moreover, in its argument, it always quotes the unbelievers arguments and replies to them. You only need to read the Quran to realize this. Islam started in Makkah, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained there 13 years advocating his message in the face of very stiff opposition and persecution of Muslims. Throughout Muslims were not allowed to use arms even in self-defense. When the Prophet immigrated to Madinah and established the Muslim state there, the unbelievers launched several campaigns to exterminate Islam and the Muslims. Therefore, Muslims had to fight back in self- defense. As for subsequent battles, people only need to read the history of the period to realize that Islam was always at the receiving end of attacks by powerful

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enemies. But Muslims managed to win victory because they were true to their faith and ready to defend it with their lives. The same applies today, with Islam being the target of superpowers trying to suppress its advocates. But nowadays Muslims are not winning because they have not yet reached the same standard of strong faith and dedication as their ancestors. Among the most widely believed false myths about Islam in the West and other parts of the world today is that Islam was spread forcibly. Many Westerners do believe that Islam is so widespread in the world today simply because of a "holy campaign of terror" carried out by the early Muslims to convert non-Muslims to Islam. Non-Muslims were offered the freedom to choose either Islam or death. In a syndicated column appearing in over 30 papers (on July 23rd, 1994) entitled, "Muslim persecution of Christians increasing" the author blames many Muslims countries for persecuting Christians then he quotes the Qur'an, "There is no compulsion in Religion" and ends the quote by rudely writing "Really?". How to confront such misconceptions? First, there is no need for Muslims to be apologetic. We Muslims should search for the truth and present it as it is. This is how we have been instructed by Allah (SWT) "Say: the truth from your Lord and let him who will believe and let him who will reject" (Holy Qur'an, 18:29) Islam is the religion of the Truth. The Qur'an is the book of the Truth. "We sent down the Qur'an in Truth and in Truth has it descended" (Holy Qur'an, 17:105) "Put your trust in Allah for you are on the path of the manifest Truth" (Holy Qur'an, 27:79) Therefore, we should ask ourselves first, before we are asked by anyone else, what is the truth? Did Muslims really force others to convert to Islam? Is there any evidence for consistent forcible conversion throughout Islamic history? As a matter of fact, there is no such evidence anywhere in the history of Islam. Many distinguished Western historians have attested this fact-- foremost among whom is Sir Thomas W. Arnold in his book, "The Preaching of Islam". Also there is Marshall G. Hodgson in his book, "The Venture of Islam", Albert Hourani in his book, "A History of the Arab People", Ira Lapidus in his book, "History of Islamic Societies", L.S. Starorianos in his book, "A Global Hisotry, the Human Heritage" and many others. In fact, there is substantial evidence to the contrary, that Muslims were often

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seen as liberators of the oppressed people everywhere. The question that remains to be answered is why then so many people have chosen Islam throughout the more than 1400 years of its history. Islam has penetrated the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, West Africa, East Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan, India, Western China, and the Malay Archipelago. Islam in all these regions replaced so many other well-established religions: Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism and Animism. What are the reasons behind the triumph of Islam over all these religions? First and foremost, Islam is an amazing blend of simplicity and rationality: a very simple religion yet very rational at the same time. Professor Hodgson explains: "Muslims made a personal appeal to people's religious consciousness. On the level of straight argument, they often put forward the populistic intelligibility of Islam. Muslims commonly ridiculed, in the name of intellectual good sense, the more mythically convoluted teachings of older traditions. This could seem attractively straightforward to people dissatisfied with taking things on faith from a learned priest whose mysteries they could not comprehend. A single Creator, to be worshipped by each person for himself, on the basis of revelation that had been given to a famous prophet whom millions already acknowledged. This was at once intelligible and plausible." The unambiguous and uncompromising belief in the Unity, the Greatness, the Wisdom of God, the Creator of the universe, is unparalleled among other religions. The French professor Edouard Montet said: "The dogma of the unity of God...has always been proclaimed in the Qur'an with a grandeur, a majesty, an invariable purity and with a note of pure conviction which is hard to find surpassed outside the pale of Islam. A creed so precise, so stripped of all theological complexities and so accessible to the ordinary understanding might be expected to possess and does indeed possess a marvelous power of winning its way into the consciences of men." Besides its simple and rational creed, Islam offers an impressive set of rituals which has gained the admiration and, subsequently, the conversion of many nonMuslims. The second pillar of Islam, Salah [prayer] has been described as follows by Sir Arnold: "The religion of the Muslim is continuously present with him and, in the daily prayer, manifests itself in a solemn and impressive ritual which cannot leave either the worshipper or the spectator unaffected." In addition to the prayers, the other pillars of Islam, Zakah [alms tax distributed to the poor], Hajj [pilgrimage to Makkah], Siyam [fasting in Ramadan], have always been factors in attracting many hearts to Islam. Up until the present day, one still meets converts who were impressed by the social justice of Islam brilliantly

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expressed in the payment of Zakah. The genius of Hajj and Siyam has always been a determining factor in the conversion of many people. It is this union of rationalism and ritualism that explains the power that Islam has exercised over the hearts and minds of so many people. As an example, this is a well-known fact that Islam spread in Malay Archipelago through truthfulness of Muslims merchants. The people there were attracted by the faithful dealings of Muslim traders. Islam simply gives the truth, neat and clear in a visible and tangible form. The neatness and clarity of Islam was presented to human beings in the form of a miraculous book, the Qur'an. The marvelous power and beauty of the words of the Qur'an have always been a decisive factor in conversion to Islam. The famous Jewish American convert to Islam, Maryam Jameelah, cited the Qur'an as the major factor of her conversion. After a deep study of both the Old Testament and the Qur'an, the contrast between the two scriptures became increasingly evident to her until she firmly believed that the Qur'an was indeed God's message to the human race. A conference of Christian missionaries in 1887 was discussing why Islam has almost swept away Crhistianity from the Middle East. What did Islam offer these people to forsake Christianity for good? One of the missionaries was insightful enough to say the following: "Islam brought out the fundamental dogmas of the Unity and Greatness of God, that He is mindful and Righteous. It proclaimed the responsibility of man, a future life, a Day of Judgment and stern retribution to fall upon the wicked, and enforced the duties of prayer, alms-giving and fasting. It replaced monkishness by manliness; it gave hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind and recognition to the fundamental facts of human nature." The formidable rationalism, ritualism and clarity of Islam did not only lead the Christians of the Middle East to forsake Christianity and embrace Islam in the past. It continues to do so with Christians in the West to the present day.

A Muslim sister, from California, who was a practicing Christian and an active member in her nearby Presbyterian church, wrote in her conversion story that despite her active affiliation with the church, she always had serious questions about the fundamentals of Christianity which did not make sense to her. She debated her questions with her friends but never came up with good answers. The church couldn't give them good answers either, they only told them to "have faith". All her questions were answered when she took a course about Islam. Listen to her words: "This class brought back all of the concerns that I had about Christianity. As I learned about Islam, all my questions were answered. All of us are not punished

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for Adam's original sin. Adam asked God for forgiveness and our merciful, Loving God forgave him. God doesn't require a blood sacrifice in payment for sin. We must sincerely ask for forgiveness and amend our ways. Jesus wasn't God; he was a prophet like all of the other prophets. This answered all of my questions about the trinity and the nature of Jesus. I found a teaching that put everything in its proper perspective and appealed to my heart and my intellect. It seemed natural. It wasn't confusing. I had been searching and I had found a place to rest my faith." Islam is so strong and so self-assured that it does not need to use force to attract others to it. The moral and intellectual superiority of Islam over all other religions has manifested itself so clearly throughout the history of Islam. Despite all of the ills of Muslims everywhere, Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion on earth. Professor Huston Smith of the MIT in his book, "The Religions of Man" says: "In some areas where Islam and Christianity are competing for converts, Islam is gaining at a rate of 10 to 1."

Q34. Are Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists? Answer: This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the antiMuslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a Middle Eastern conspiracy behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces. Let us analyze this allegation of fundamentalism and terrorism: 1. Definition of the word fundamentalist A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a

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person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science. 2. Not all fundamentalists are the same One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is therefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits society and earns much respect. 3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist We have witnessed that the former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahather Muhammad has always said proudly, I am a Muslim fundamentalist A Muslim who knows, follows and strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam is a fundamentalist. A true Muslim does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim, because I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective levels. 4. Dictionary meaning of the word fundamentalist According to Websters dictionary fundamentalism was a movement in American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes. According to the Oxford dictionary fundamentalism means strict maintenance of ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam. Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist. 5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist

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Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word terrorist is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. antisocial elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people. 6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e. terrorist and patriot Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by the British government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for the same activities and hailed as patriots. Thus two different labels have been given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and freedom fighters. It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing. Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should be analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken into account, and then the person can be judged accordingly. 7. Islam means peace Islam is derived from the word salaam which means peace. It is a religion of peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace throughout the world. Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the fundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society.

Some more doubts and questions about Islam: Q35. Why does Islam degrade women by keeping them behind the veil? Why are Muslim women commanded to cover their faces? Is it not inhuman? Q36. Why do a Muslim man divorce his wife easily by saying Talaq three times

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Q37. Why do Muslims slaughter the animal in a ruthless manner by torturing it and slowly and painfully killing it? Q38. Science tells us that whatever one eats, it has an effect on ones behaviour. Why then, does Islam allow Muslims to eat non-vegetarian food, since eating of animals could make a person violent and ferocious? Q39. Why is the consumption of alcohol prohibited in Islam? Q40. When all the Muslim follow one and the same Quran then why are there so many sects and different schools of thoughts among Muslims? Q41. All religions basically teach followers to do good deeds. Why should a person only follow Islam? Can he not follow any of the religions? Q42. If Islam is the best religion, why are many of the Muslims dishonest, unreliable, and involved in activities such as cheating, bribing, dealing in drugs, etc.? Q43. Why do Muslims abuse non-Muslims by calling them Kafirs? Q44. Is it not true that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has copied the Quran from the Bible? Q45. Does not Quran mention that Jesus is Kalimatullah "The Word of Allah (swt)", as well as Ruhullah "The Spirit of Allah", indicating his Divinity? Q46. Are Vedas (Hindu scripture) a revelation of God? Q47. Is wearing beard compulsory for a Muslim man? Is the beard of Saudi princes ( informally called as French cut) Islamic? Q48. It is mentioned in the Quran that Mary was the sister of Aaron (pbuh). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who wrote the Quran did not know the difference between Miriam the sister of Aaron (pbuh) and Mary the Mother of Jesus (pbuh), the time span between both of them was about a thousand years. Q49. Why do Muslims hate Jews? Q50. Killing an animal is a ruthless act. Why then do Muslims consume nonvegetarian foods? Q51. Which prophet was sent to India? Are Ram and Krishna (Hindu gods) prophets of the God? Q52. Why do Muslims go to Darghah of Peer and prostrate the grave?

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Topic Three

Helping Non-Muslims to Embrace Islam

(A) Preludes of Factual Salvation The fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today, is the proof that our Creator has taken it upon Himself to perfect the Truth that He sent all His Prophets and Messengers with -- from Adam (AS) to Muhammad (SAW). During the last 20 years, the number of Muslims in the world has been increasing steadily. Statistics for the year 1973 indicate that the world population of Muslims was 500 million; now, it has reached 1.5 billion. Today, every fourth person is a Muslim. Very soon Insha-Allah Islam will become the world's largest religion. The reason for this steady rise is not only the increasing population in Muslim countries, but also the growing numbers of people who are turning to Islam, a phenomenon that has gained momentum, especially after the attack on September 11, 2001. This attack, deplored by everyone, especially Muslims, has suddenly turned people's attention (especially Americans) to Islam. People in the West are talking a lot about what kind of a religion Islam is, what the Qur'an says, what obligations come with being a Muslim, and how Muslims are required to conduct their affairs. This interest has naturally brought about a rise in the number of people worldwide turning to Islam. So, the commonly heard prediction after 9/11 that "this attack will change the course of world history" has, in a sense, started to come true. The process of returning to religious and spiritual values, which the world has been experiencing for a long time, has become a turning to Islam.

Prominent statesmen quote the Qur'an in their speeches and take every occasion to express their reverence for it. They have begun to visit mosques and ask for detailed information about Islam. For the first time in history, the Pope has invited Christians and Muslims to fast together for one day. Christian clergy quote the Qur'an in their sermons. During aftermath of 9/11 the Qur'an has been the best selling book in Western countries There have been internationally televised special news programs, reports, and discussion programs introducing Islam. World-renowned newspapers have published articles about Islam and Muslims. The most popular books in libraries are those about Islam and Islamic history.

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Studies conducted in the West show that the sheer number of new Muslims is changing the demographic profile of countries all over the world, and not all of them are born into Muslim families. With some 6 million adherents in the United States, Islam is said to be the nations fastest-growing religion. One expert estimates that 25,000 people a year become Muslims in this country; some clerics say they have seen conversion rates quadruple since Sept 11. Ironically for a religion that is routinely bashed for subjugating and oppressing its female followers, the number of female reverts to Islam outnumber the males at a ratio of 4:1! The fact is that more and more people are finding their way to Islam, notwithstanding the relentless propaganda, deliberate misinformation and outright prejudice against it. How do these people navigate in the darkness to find the light of Islam in spite of all the obstacles in the way? The answer is that our Creator has granted each one of us a guiding light -- a pure, undefiled innate nature called the fitrah. As Allah made all human beings swear to His Godhood when He first created Adam, this oath is printed on the human soul even before it enters the fetus in the fifth month of pregnancy. So when a child is born, he has a natural belief in Allah. This natural belief is called in Arabic the fitrah. If the child was left alone, he would grow with the same faith and believe in Allah. But what happens is that all children get affected by their surroundings, whether directly or indirectly. When the child matures in youth and clear proofs of the falsehood of its religion are brought to it, the adult must now follow the religion of knowledge and reason. At this point the devils try their best to encourage him to stay as he is or to go further astray. Evils are made pleasing to him and he must now live in the midst of a struggle between his innate pure nature and his desires in order to find the right road. If he chooses to follow his innate nature, his fitrah, Allah will help him overcome his desires even though it may take most of his life to escape, for many people enter Islam in their old age. People who adopt Islam are said to revert instead of convert, because they are going back to their original nature. Reverts to Islam testify that this inner inclination to search for the Truth, to know and follow it is a major factor in their adopting the faith. People in all ages may be divided into two main groups with respect to their preparedness to receive the message: 1. Those searching for the truth who are dissatisfied with the religion followed by their contemporaries on one hand, 2. And those not searching. This second group may be further divided into those not searching because they are satisfied with their religion and those not searching because they have rejected belief in God.

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This natural Fitrah of non-Muslims is to be reminded to them. The Muslim community as a whole is required to make Islam known to all people and to address them properly calling on them to accept Islam, individuals should do what they can to make Islam known to people and present the proper Islamic image. The best way to do so is to live our lives as Muslims, adhering to Islamic values and principles. People will come to respect us and realize that our code of morality and our principles are of the higher type. They will start looking for the reasons that give us this distinction and they will soon realize that it is our faith. Many communities adopted Islam in this way. Indonesia and Malaysia as well as many African communities chose Islam as a result of dealing in trade with Muslims. They admired their honesty and high sense of morality. People like a person with good conduct and proper morality. What those traders did was to live according to Islamic principles and to inform their trade partners that it was Islam that gave them those principles and values. If we do so, we will have done our duty to propagate Islam. We are not supposed to take a hostile attitude to people. On the contrary, we should remember that the Prophets (SAW) message is described in the Quran as mercy for all the worlds. It is such love and mercy that we should stress. If we as Muslims apply Islam in ourselves and call on non-Muslims applying all the feasible ways, even not all but many of them will revert to Islam and become integral part of our Ummah. We the Muslims should be ready to accept the new Muslims as the part of ours and offer them all sorts of assistance they need including our sons and daughters for their marriage. Basics of Becoming a Muslim: A man is only held accountable for that which he knows. And he is also held accountable to make the time to learn that which he does not know. So it is the responsibility of a non-Muslim to seek the knowledge of Islam, to ask questions about things he does not understand or agree with regarding the basic fundamental beliefs of Islam. It is important not to delay to become a Muslim once someone understands the Confession of Faith (Shahada) and agrees with it -- because he is held accountable for that which he does know! Everyone should act upon what he understands and trusts Allah (SWT) to guide him, protect him, and aid him in embracing the most beautiful way of life, the way that leads to peace... Islam. The acceptance of Islam with the confession to become a Muslim is stipulated with the following two basic conditions which must be fulfilled: 1. The intentions while doing such deeds must be totally for Allahs sake only without any show off, gaining praise or fame, or other worldly attainment. 2. Such a deed must be performed in accordance with the As-Sunnah (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) of Allahs Messenger

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Muhammad (SAW) bin Abdullah, the Last of all the Prophets and the Messengers.

(B)How to embrace Islam (what must be done to embrace Islam)

Some types of misconception and false ideas are spread among non-Muslims and those who want to adopt Islam as their religion. They think that there are some hard and fast rules and rituals to be followed and applied to announce Eeman or Faith of Islam. These false conceptions vary according to the previous belief of the person concerned and the religious society in which the person is grown up. These misconceptions may be as below: 1. That the person willing to convert to Islam has to go to a great Muslim Shaikh or scholar or Imam who will act as a mediator between the person and the God. The scholar will, in this connection, issue a certificate of conversion. 2. That the person has to announce his new belief in front of a higher authority or religious court witnessed by Muslim gathering. 3. That there will be a ritual celebration of the persons conversion, some people, to such an extent, that they think he/she has to bear the cost of celebration. 4. That the person has to relinquish his previous name totally and he/she has to get Arabic name. 5. That the person has to quit his family, property etc all.

But the truth is that nothing of this sort is required. Islam is totally free of the worst concept of any necessity of a mediator between the God and a person. This type of concept or idea that there is the necessity of a mediator or an intercessor in between the Almighty God and a human being is polytheism, the worst sin in Islamic view. Any person has direct reach to Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) knows the secrets of all hearts. (Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah: and who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship. (Al-Quran 2:138) It is not necessary at all to testify to God through any Islamic High Authority like religious Ameer or Peer (saint) or Guru etc resembling like pope or priest or bishop or clergy or baptist. No ceremonial baptism or proselytism before a priest is needed in order to enter the pale of Islam. Nothing like blessed shower of Imam/peer, nothing like sprinkling with holy water, nothing like baiyat (allegiance) of peer/sufi are there in Islam. Islam is free of all these nonsense.

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Nevertheless, those who are going to adopt Islam as their religion are advised to register themselves as Muslims with the concerned governmental agency, as this procedure may facilitate for them many matters including marriage and the possibility of performing Hajj (Pilgrimage) and Umrah." It is worth remembering that efficiency and professionalism is recommended in Islam; the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, Allah loves everyone to do things as efficiently and professionally as possible. How does one becomes a Muslim?: In order to become a Muslim, one has to directly confess to the God. Of course, he/she can approach any learned Muslim individual or organization through direct presence or letter or telephone or e-mail to enquire about the basic things needed to enter into Islam. Once someone is pleased with the Truth of Islam, he/she has already sown the seed of Faith (Eeman) in his heart. Then he/she has to reject totally all his previous false beliefs. He has to clean himself of any atomic trace of un-Islamic belief and polytheism. A person becomes a Muslim once he/she is convinced of the Truth of Islam, he/she realizes that Islam is the only religion accepted to the God and submits to the One and Only God. The understanding of the Confession (Shahada) is that one believes -- there is Only One God, Allah, Who alone deserves to be worshipped. It also implies that he believes in Muhammad (SAW) as the Messenger of God, and he believes in his Message. It also means that he believes in all of God's Prophets, including Jesus (AS) who is a Messenger of God and not divine or son of God. If anyone accepts the above, he is at the Entrance of Islam. The only thing that remains for him/her to become Muslim is to say the Kalima Tauheed (words of Islamic Monotheism) confessing it to Allah (SWT). He has to pronounce the Testimony of Faith or 'Shahada', while believing in it with his/her heart word by word as follows: La ilaha il-lAllah, Muhammad-ur-Rasoolul-lah . English Meaning: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. The above Arabic sentence is the most fundamental teaching of Islam. It is the foundation and essence of Islam. This phrase differentiates a Muslim from a kafir (non-Muslim). To take his/her Shahada (i.e. making the confession of faith), one has to make his best attempt at pronouncing, in Arabic, the statement, "Ashadu an (I bear witness that) La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah". Even saying the meaning in any language is sufficient in the initial instance (but he has to learn it anyway as a baby of Muslim parents learns). He does not have to have

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witnesses to this event, and he should not make a big ceremony out of it, because it is a very personal commitment. It is, however, recommended, if he can, to make his shahada with Muslim witnesses. But no one should delay becoming a Muslim for this or any such reason. On confessing Shahada a nonMuslim becomes as sinless as a new born baby. Immediately upon becoming a Muslim, he should take a bath or shower (i.e. Ghusl). Saying Shahada is attaining inner purity of heart and mind and getting free from all past sins. Bath is the means of getting physical purity. If able, he should then offer a two Rakat (standings) Salah (prayer). It is worthy to mention that Salah becomes obligatory on a person from the hour he declares his Shahada. Similarly Saum (Islamic Fasting in Hijri month Ramadhan) becomes obligatory from the day he confesses his Eeman. According to scholars the obligation of Salah and Fasting is due on the person who has attained the age of puberty. It may vary from twelve to fifteen years. From the moment of declaring shahada he/she becomes a lucky man/woman, he will feel an absolute freedom of his salvation to God. He will feel an internal thrilling of spiritual peace. After declaring his confession of Faith he becomes a member of the Islamic Ummah of one and half billion Muslims. Now remains two important things he has to abide by. These are marriage and name (of a new Muslim). Marriage Status of a new Muslim:

Marriage status of a New Muslim woman with her non-Muslim husband: A woman who embraces Islam and is already married to a non-Muslim must be in one of the following situations, and she has to do accordingly: 1. The husband embraces Islam with her at the same time: their marriage is deemed valid so long as there is no shariah prohibition to their marriage in the first place, such as blood or foster relations between them, and they are not in need of a new marriage in Islam. And this ruling is agreed upon by the scholars. 2. She embraces Islam before him and before the consummation of marriage with him: they must separate immediately, whether her husband is of the people of the book (Jew or Christian) or otherwise, as it is not permissible for a Kafir to marry a Muslim woman. And this ruling is also agreed upon by the scholars. 3. She embraces Islam before him and after the consummation of marriage with him: There is consensus amongst the Ummah that the Mushrik (nonMuslim) is not to be permitted in any way of conjugal relationships with a Muslim woman whether she is free or a bondswoman. Scholars have agreed that the

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couple must separate and they have differed as to when separation should occur and whether this separation is considered Faskh (annulment of marriage) or Talaq (divorce). In the Hadeeth below, we see that the Prophet (SAW) permitted a brief respite of four months for the husband to accept Islam before declaring the marriage prohibited. Notice that he gave an ultimatum as to the time frame and did not intend for the wife to wait indefinitely. During the waiting period, so long as her husband remains on his faith, she is forbidden from any kind of conjugal relations with him or anything leading to it. If the new Muslimah (Muslim woman) wants to seek divorce because her husband will not accept Islam, that is her right to do so, as she is prohibited to continue permanently with a non-Muslim husband, regardless of whether they have children or not. And the children go to the parent "with the better religion", which in this case would obviously be Islam. So, from an Islamic perspective, she has the right and responsibility to take the children with her and to receive support for children from the biological father. Allah (SAW) says in Baqarah 233, "the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother's food and clothing on a reasonable basis."
Al Muwatta Hadith 28.44 says: Malik related to me from Ibn Shihab that he had heard that in the time of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, women were becoming Muslim in their own lands and they did not do hijra while their husbands were still kafirun although they themselves had become Muslim. Among them was the daughter of al-Walid ibn al-Mughira and she was the wife of Safwan ibn Umayya. She became Muslim on the day of the conquest (of Makka), and her husband, Safwan ibn Umayya fled from Islam. The Messenger of Allah sent Safwan's paternal cousin, Wahb ibn Umayr with the cloak of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as a safe-conduct for Safwan ibn Umayya, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, called him to Islam and asked for him to come to him and if he was pleased with the matter to accept it. If not he would have a respite for two months. When Safwan came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with his cloak, he called out to him over the heads of the people, "Muhammad! Wahb ibn Umayr brought me your cloak and claimed that you had summoned me to come to you and if I was pleased with the matter, I should accept it and if not, you would give me a respite for two months. "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Come down, Abu Wahb." He said, "No, by Allah! I will not come down until you make it clear to me." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "You have a respite of four months." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out toward Hawazin at Hunayn. He sent to Safwan ibn Umayya to borrow some equipment and arms that he had. Safwan said, "Willingly or unwillingly?" He said, "Willingly." Therefore he lent him the equipment and arms which he had. Then Safwan went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he was still a kafir. He was present at the battles of Hunayn and at-Ta'if while he was still a kafir and his wife was a muslim. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not separate Safwan and his wife until he had become muslim, and his wife was settled with him by that marriage.

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Marriage status of a new Muslim man is still valid if his non-Muslim wife is a Christian or Jew. If the wife has faith other than Christianity and Judaism, the man has to immediately separate from her. For example if the woman is Hindu or Buddhist. He will allow a respite for his wife to embrace Islam. Name of a new Muslim: Islam emphasizes that Muslims should have good names and give good names to their children. It is reported in a hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "You will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names and the names of your fathers, so have good names." (Reported by Abu Dawud) During the time of the Prophet (SAW) when people used to accept Islam, he would not require all people to change their names. He used to change only those names that carried wrong meanings or un-Islamic ideas and concepts. The Prophet's wife `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said about the Prophet, "He used to change bad names." (Reported by at-Tirmidhi) For instance, `Umar had a daughter whose name was "`Asiyah" (meaning disobedient or rude). The Prophet (SAW) changed her name to "Jamilah" (the Beautiful- Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith no. 4301). Abu Dawud has mentioned many names of people and places that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) changed because they had bad meanings. (Hadith no. 4305) Imam alBukhari mentioned that Sa`id ibn al-Musayyib said that when his grandfather came to the Prophet (SAW), the Prophet asked him about his name. He said, "Hazn" (meaning Hard). The Prophet said, "You are Sahl. (meaning soft, easy)." The man said, "I do not want to change the name that my father gave me." His grandson Sa`id used to regret and say afterwards that they kept on experiencing the hardness in their family. (Reported by al-Bukhari) One can only change one's own name, but one cannot change the family name or name of one's parents, unless they are alive and accept the change. So the new Muslims should change their first names, if they contain wrong or bad meanings. As far as their last names are concerned they should not be changed, because it is also forbidden in Islam to take the name of someone other than one's own biological father. Allah says in the Qur'an, "Proclaim their real parentage. That will be more equitable in the sight of Allah. And if you do not know their fathers, then they are your brothers in the faith" (AlAhzab: 5)

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(C) Matters a New Muslim Must Learn

A new Muslim should maintain regular contact with an Imam, any Muslim scholar, any Muslim centre or any authentic Islamic website to learn more and more about Islamic practices and rituals. The Prophet (SAW) said, Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim (male and female). The knowledge of regular Islamic rituals is mandatory at the first priority. After one becomes a Muslim, he is held responsible for learning when and how to do Salah and Wudu (ablution), acting upon the pillars of Islam and Faith, and for implementing what he learns. A new Muslim must learn manner of purification, two ablutions (Wuduu and Ghusl) and when each one is needed, and how to perform Prayers from books or scholars or Islamic websites.

Eeman or Faith in Islam has three conditional features: (1) Confess and accept the Shahada (Tauheed Oneness of God) by heart, (2) Declare it by mouth and tongue, and (3) Practice it in deeds verbally and physically using ones limbs. One to be a Muslim in true sense has to fulfill all these three conditions. These are elaborated below. A new Muslim should learn these. Feature 1. A Muslim pledges the above covenant with Allah, the Creator of the heavens and earth, the Ruler of all that exists, the Lord of Majesty and Highness, stating La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad -ur-Rasool-Allah. First one must understand what this means. Detailed meanings of the Tauheed of Islam: Believing "La ilaha il Allah" (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) has three points: Point 1: Tauhid-ar-Rububiyya (Oneness of Lordship of Allah)

A confession with heart that the Creator (of everything) is Allah (SWT) -- it is that one has to say: "I testify that the Creator of all the universe, including the stars, the planets, the sun, the moon, the heavens, the earth with all its known and unknown forms of life, is Allah. He is the Organizer and Planner of all its affairs. It is He Who gives life and death, and He (i.e. Allah Alone) is the Sustainer, and the Giver of Security, etc." And this is called his confession for the "Oneness of the Lordship of Allah," Tauhidar-Rububiyya.

Point 2: Tauhid-al-Uluhiyya

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A confession with his heart that he has to say: "I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone." The word "Worship" (i.e. Ibadah) carries a great number of meanings in the Arabic language: It conveys that all kinds of worship are meant for Allah (and none else, whether it be an angel, Messenger, Prophet Jesus - son of Mary, Ezra, Muhammad, saint, idol, the sun, the moon and all other kinds of false deities). So we pray to none but Allah, invoke none but Allah, ask for help from none (unseen) but Allah, swear by none but Allah, offer an animal as sacrifice to none but Allah, etc. and that means, -- all that Allah and Allahs Messenger order us to do (in Quran and in As-Sunna [legal ways of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)]) we must do, and all that Allah (SWT) and Allahs Messenger (SAW) forbid us, we must not do. And this is called (our confession for the) "Oneness of the Worship of Allah", Tauhid-alUluhiyya. And that you (mankind) worship none but Allah (SWT). o Those whom they invoke besides Allh have not created anything, but are themselves created. [The Noble Qur'an 16:20]

Point 3: Tauhid-al-Asma was-Sifat

A confession with his heart that he has to say: "O Allah! I testify that all the best of names and the most perfect qualities with which You have named or qualified Yourself in Your Book (i.e. the Quran) or as Your Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has named or qualified You, with his statement, I confirm that all those (names and qualifications) are for You without changing their meanings or neglecting them completely or giving resemblance to others." As Allah (SWT) says:

"There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (v.42:11)

This holy Ayat (verse) confirms the quality of hearing and the quality of sight for Allah (SWT) without resemblance to others, and likewise. Allah (SWT) also says: "To one whom I have created with Both My Hands," (v.38:75)

and Allah also says: "The Hand of Allah is over their hands." (v. 48:10)

This confirms two Hands for Allah (SWT), but there is no similarity for them. Similarly Allah (SWT) says:

"The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne." (v.20:5)

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So Allah rose over the Throne really in a manner that suits His Majesty. And Allah is over Allahs Throne over the seventh heaven, as the slave-girl pointed towards the heavens, when Allahs Messenger Muhammad (SAW) asked her as to where Allah is? He only comes down over the first (nearest) heaven to us on the day of Arafat (Hajj, i.e. the 9th of DhulHijja), and also during the last third part of the night as mentioned by the Prophet (SAW), but Allah is with us by His Knowledge only, not by His Personal-Self (bi-Dhatihi). It is not like that, as some people say that Allah is present everywhere here, there, and even inside the breasts of men. He sees and hears all that we do or utter, etc. And this is called our confession for the "Oneness of the Names and Qualities of Allah" Tauhidal-Asma was-Sifat and this is the right Faith, the Faith which was followed by the Messengers of Allah (from Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus to Muhammad, peace be upon them all, and the companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the righteous followers [i.e. the salaf ] of these Messengers.

Believing "Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah" (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)"

A confession with ones heart that he has to say: "O Allah! I testify that Muhammad is Your Messenger." That means that none has the right to be followed after Allah, but Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as he is the last of Allahs Messengers. As Allah says:

"Muhammad is not the father of any man among you but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets and Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything. (v.33:40). "And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad, SAW) gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it." (v. 59:7)

And Allah says:

"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): If you (really) love Allah, then follow me." (v. 3:31) As for others than Muhammad (SAW), their statements are to be taken or rejected as to whether these are in accordance with Allahs Book (i.e. the Quran) or with the Sunnah (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) of the Prophet (SAW) i.e. Sunnah or not. As the Divine Inspiration has stopped after the death of Muhammad (SAW), and it will not resume except at the time of the Descent of Jesus, son of Mary and he (i.e. Jesus) will rule with justice according to the Islamic laws, during the last days of the world as it has been mentioned in

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the authentic Hadith (i.e. narration) of Prophet Muhammad in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Hadith No. 425.

Feature 2. It is essential to declare or utter, La ilaha ill Allah, Muhammad-urRasul Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (SWT). As it has come in the statement of Prophet Muhammad to his uncle Abu Talib at the time of the latters death: "O uncle, if you utter it (La ilaha ill Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allah), then I shall be able to argue on your behalf before Allah, on the Day of Resurrection." Similarly, when Abu Dhar Al-Ghiffari embraced Islam, he went to Al-Masjid-al-Haram and he proclaimed it loudly in front of the Quraish infidels until he was beaten severely.

Feature 3. It is essential that the limbs and all other parts and organs of ones body testify to it, and this is very important as regards its meaning (i.e. the meaning of La ilaha il-lAllah, Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allah). So whoever has confessed this (with his or her Lord), he shall not commit sins like robbing, killing, stealing, illegal sexual intercourse, eating pig meat, drinking alcoholic beverages, taking undue advantage of orphans property, cheating in trade, bribery and earning money through illegal means, telling lies, back-biting etc., or otherwise the limbs, all other parts and organs of his body will testify against him that he was a liar in his words which he pledged to Allah (SWT). In case he commits the above sins, he should know that it is a sin that obliges him to repent to Allah(SWT) and ask Allahs Forgiveness, as (his) body parts (i.e. skin, private parts, hands, tongue, ears, etc.) will testify to the above mentioned crimes (i.e. actions) against his self on the Day of Resurrection.

It is essential for a new Muslim and all Muslims to believe in all the Messengers of Allah (peace be upon them all) and not to differentiate between them. As it is mentioned in Allahs Book (Quran): "That shall be their recompense, Hell; because they disbelieved and took my Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery." (Al-Quran 18:106)

Then a Muslim must learn and act upon the five principles (pillars) of Islam, and study and believe in the six articles of Faith.

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The Five Pillars of Islam (or the five basic duties of a Muslim found in Sahih AlBukhari ): Allahs Messenger (SAW) said: Islam is based on the following five (principles): 1. To testify La ilaha ill Allah wa anna Muhammad-ur-Rasul-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allahs Messenger). 2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat, i.e. Salah).
Says al-Khattabi, "Basically, one's prayer does not suffice if he does not recite al-Fatihah. If one can recite neither al-Fatihah nor other portions of the Qur'an, he should recite at least seven verses of a similar meaning from the Qur'an. If he can not learn any part of the Qur'an (due to some innate inability, poor memory, or because it's a foreign language), he should say the tasbeeh (Subhaan Allah - Glory be to Allah), the tamheed (al-Hamdu lillah - All praise is due to Allah), and tahleel (La ilaha illal-lah - There is no God except Allah). It is related that he said, "The best remembrance after the speech of Allah is Subhaan Allah, al-Hamdu lillah, La ilaha illal-lah and Allahu akbar." This is supported by Rafa'ah ibn Rafa', who narrated that the Prophet said, "If you have something from the Qur'an, recite it. If not, then say the tamheed, takbir and the tahleel and then bow." [This hadith is related by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and al-Baihaqi. The former considers it as hassan]

3. To pay Zakat (a specific charity paid yearly for the benefit of poor Muslims; 2.5% of wealth). 4. To perform Hajj (i.e. pilgrimage to Makka) if financially and physically fit. 5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. The Six articles of Faith, (found in Sahih Muslim) are the belief in: 1. Allah To believe in the ONENESS of Allah (SWT). (i.e. Tauhid-arRububiyya, Tauhid-al-Uluhiyya, Tauhid-al-Asma was-Sifat). o Part of the belief in Allah is the belief in all that with which He has described Himself in His Book or with which His Prophet (peace be upon him) has described Him without any distortion, negation, speculation (as to the exact nature of these attributes), nor analogy (i.e. between Allah's attributes and those of His creation bearing the same names)
o (a) Distortion The Jahmiy (follower of the deviations of Al-Jahm ibn Safwan) negates Allah's statement about himself that he "sat on the throne" by adding an extra letter to the word in the Qur'an. [Istawaa 'alaa al-'arsh] innovated to [Istawlaa 'alaa al-'arsh] The innovators who changed the case of a noun in the Qur'an in an effort to negate Allah's attribute of speech:

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[Wa kallama Allahu Musa takleeman] innovated to [Wa kallama Allaha Musa takleeman] Others distorted meanings of Allah's attributes without actually changing the words. Examples include those who said that Allah's anger (Ghadhab) means His intention to punish, His mercy (Rahma) means his intention to have mercy, His hand (Yad) is His generosity or His power, etc. (b) Negation/Denial (At Ta'teel) Negation of the Exalted Perfection of Allah Most High via the negation of His Names and Glorious Attributes. Negation through negation of appropriate interaction with Allah and neglect of worship of Him and obedience to Him, or the association of others with Him in acts of worship and/or obedience. Negation of the relationship of the creation to its Creator, such as the negation of the philosophers who claimed that this physical universe has no beginning, and that it has always and will always work according to its own internal rules. They turn Allah into an essence with no attributes - which is an impossibility. Speculation and Analogy (At-Takyeef wa At-Tamtheel) At-Takyeef means attempts to ascribe a detailed understanding of the exact nature of the various attributes with which Allah has described Himself. Just use the words and understanding given in the Qur'an and not your own philosophies as to what Allah is. At-Tamtheel means to make a direct comparison or analogy between one of Allah's attributes and a human attribute having the same name, such as the comparison of Isa (Jesus) by the Christians to Allah Most High, or that of Uzair by the Jews or that of the idols by the polytheists to Allah Most High. Likewise the Mushabbiha among the Muslims who compare Allah with His creation by saying that He has a face like our faces, hands like our hands, hearing and sight like ours, etc.

2. Allahs angels
o o Angels are real beings, not illusions, a metaphysical force, or figments of human imagination. They are created from light. A Muslim must believe specifically in all the angels named and/or described in the Qur'an and the Sunnah:. Jibreel ("Gabriel"): in charge of delivering revelation. Mika'il: in charge of bringing the rain. Israfil: the blower of the horn on Qiyama (Judgement Day). Malik-ul-Maut: the Angel of Death who takes people's souls at death. The Noble Recorders: those who record people's actions. The Protectors (Al-Mu'aqqibat): who keep people from death until its decreed time. Ridhwan: in charge of Paradise. Malik: in charge of Hell. Munkar and Nakir: the questioners in the grave. The Carriers of the Throne. Those who record the future of the fetus. Those who enter the Haram: 70,000 every day. Those who move about, descending upon gatherings at which Allah and His Book are mentioned and studied. Belief in the angels is an integral part of iman (faith). [See 2/285 AlBaqarah]

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Kufr (disbelief) with respect to the angels is kufr (a state of disbelief). [See 4/136 An-Nisaa]

3. Allahs Messengers
o o Belief in the prophets, peace of Allah be upon them. Belief in the process of prophethood. Allah in His wisdom did not neglect His creation. Prophets sent to guide us in this life and the next. Specific belief in the 25 prophets named in the Qur'an: (1) Adam, (2) Nuh, (3) Idris, (4) Saleh, (5) Ibrahim, (6) Hud, (7) Lut, (8) Yunus, (9) Isma'il, (10) Is-haq, (11) Ya'qub, (12) Yusuf, (13) Ayub, (14) Shu'aib, (15) Musa, (16) Harun, (17) Alyas', (18) Dhu Al-Kifl, (19) Daud, (20) Zakariya, (21) Sulaiman, (22) Ilyas, (23) Yahya, (24) Isa, and (25) Muhammad, prayers and salutations of Allah be upon him and upon all the messengers of Allah. General belief that there are many other prophets and messengers, but never assuming anything without knowledge from Allah (i.e. Qur'an and Sunnah). The subject matter of the prophethood. Warnings and glad tidings. So the disobedient will have no excuse before Allah. (Prophets sent to every nation.) Enjoining the worship of Allah and the avoidance of At-Taghoot (Shaitaan, etc.) [Study: 4/165, An-Nisaa; 16/36, An-Nahl]

o o

Attributes of the Prophet Muhammad: Seal of the prophets; Imam of the pious; Foremost among the sons of Adam; Imam and Khatib of the prophets when they assembled; Possessor of the Praiseworthy Position which all of mankind will wish they had attained (and which is mentioned in the Du'a of hearing the adhan); Owner of the pool in paradise; Intercessor for all mankind on the day of Qiyama (Judgement Day). Allah sent him with the best of the books and the best of His law. Allah made his nation "the best nation brought forth for mankind." Allah gave him (and us) all of the good that was given only partially to the previous nations. His nation is the last in creation, the first in resurrection. From the moment of his prophethood, Allah made him the criterion (Al-Farooq) for distinguishing Allah's allies and their actions from His enemies and their actions: None can have any relationship to Allah except through belief in the Prophet (sas) and following what he brought in public and in secret. Whoever claims love or closeness to Allah while disobeying the message is actually drawing closer to Shaitaan, farther from Allah.

4. Allahs revealed Books

o Muslims should have general belief in the phenomenon of the sending of the revealed books. Keep in mind, all the revealed books were allowed by Allah to be corrupted, except the Qur'an. Six specific books mentioned in the Qur'an: As-Suhuf of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses). Az-Zaboor given to Daud (David). At-Taurat (The Torah) revealed to Musa. Al-Injeel revealed to Isa (Jesus). Al-Qur'an - the final revelation. Attributes of the Qur'an: Flawless and untampered with: [See 41/42 Fusilat] The final authority over any remnants of the previous books. [See 5/48 Al-Maidah] A guidance and a mercy. [See 10/37 Yunus]

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The Qur'an must be followed and applied. [See 6/155 Al-An'aam]

5. The Day of Resurrection (Qiyama)

Belief in the resurrection (Al-Ba'th). Reconstruction of the body and return of the soul to it. People will come forth out of their graves like locusts. Faces bent down. Rushing to the Caller. [See 53/76 Al-Qamar; 70/43 Al-Ma'arij; 17/49 Al-Israa; 36/78 Yasin; 20/108 Taha] The resurrection is of the body and the soul, not some metaphysical resurrection of the latter. "The sun will come down toward the people on the day of Qiyama until it is only about a mile up. The people will be in their own perspiration according to their acts: some of them will be in it up to their ankles, some up to their groin and others up to their chins, and he pointed to his mouth." [Hadith - Narrated by Muslim] A disbeliever once came to the Prophet (saws) with an old bone, crumbled it with his hand and said: "O Muhammad, will Allah bring this back to life after it has rotted?! The Prophet said: "Yes, Allah will resurrect this and he will cause you to die, bring you back to life, and put you into the fire of Jahannam!"

6. Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments and Decree i.e. whatever Allah (SWT) has ordained must come to pass).
A Muslim believes in Allah's predestination of all things and events (Qadhaa), His decree (Qadar), His wisdom in His actions, and His will. Nothing in the universe can occur, even the voluntary actions of His slaves, except after Allah's knowledge, and His decree of that event. A Muslim further believes that Allah is Just in His predestination and His decree, Wise in all of His actions. His wisdom follows His will: Whatever He wills is, and whatever He does not will is not. There is no power nor any movement except by Allah. This is substantiated by the textual and logical proofs which follow:

TEXTUAL EVIDENCE 1. Allah (SWT) informed us of this in the Qur'an:

Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh Al-Mahfz). [Qur'an 54/49] And there is not a thing, but with Us are the stores thereof. And We send it not down except in a known measure. [Qur'an 15/21] No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allh. [Qur'an 57/22] No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allh, and whosoever believes in Allh, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allh from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], and Allh is the All-Knower of everything. [Qur'an 64/11] And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There

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is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record. [Qur'an 6/59] Evidence also in: Quran 9/51, 7/43, 21/101, 18/39, 81/27-29

2. The Prophet (SAW) has informed us about the reality of Allah's predestination and decree in many hadith:
"Verily, each one of you is formed in his mother's womb forty days as a drop, then he is something suspended for a similar period, then he is a piece of flesh like a chewed piece of meat for another period of forty days, then the angel is sent to insert the soul. This angel is ordered to record four things: the sustenance which he will receive during his lifetime, the length of his life, all actions that he will do, and whether he will end up miserable (in hell) or joyous (in paradise). I swear by the One other than whom there is no deity, one of you may do the works of the people of paradise right up until there is only an arm's length between him and paradise, but his destiny overtakes him, so he does the actions of the poeple of the fire and enters it. And, verily, one of you may do the works of the people of hell until there is nothing between them and hell except for one arm's length, but his destiny overtakes him, and so he does the works of the people of paradise, and enters it." [Muslim] "Young man, I will teach you some words: Preserve (your obligations toward) Allah and He will preserve you. Guard (your obligations toward) Allah, and you will find Him on your side. When you ask, ask Allah. When you seek aid and succour, seek it from Allah. And know, that if the entire nation got together to benefit you in some way, they could never benefit you at all except for that which Allah had already decreed for you. And, if they all got together to harm you in some way, they could do you no harm except for that which Allah had already decreed for you. The pens have been lifted, and the tablets have dried." [At-Tirmidhi, and he rated it Sahih] "The first thing which Allah created was the pen. Then, He said to it: Write. It asked: My Lord, what should I write? He said: Write the proportions of all things up until the Hour." [Ahmad, AtTirmidhi, and it is hassan] "Adam disputed with Musa. Musa said to Adam: "O, Adam, you are the father of the human race, Allah created you with His hand, and blew into you of His spirit, and made His angels prostrate to you, why did you expel yourself and us from the garden?" Adam said to him: "You are Musa whom Allah favored with His speech, and wrote for you the Taurah with His hand, so (tell me) by how many years before my creation did you find it written about me: [... then Adam disobeyed his Lord and got lost.] (Qur'an 20:121)? Musa said: "By forty years." Then, Adam said: "So how do you blame me for something which Allah had decreed for me before my creation by forty years?" The Prophet said: "And so, Adam defeated Musa in the dispute." "Act, for each of you will find easy that for which he was created." (Muslim) "O, Abdullah ibn Qais, should I not teach you a word which is one of the treasures of paradise? (It is to say): There is no movement nor any power except from Allah." "Someone said: That which Allah wants and you want. To which the Prophet (saws) replied: That which Allah alone wants." [An-Nasaa'i, and he rated it sahih]

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EVIDENCE OF REASON
Reason does not reject the idea of predestination and decree and of Allah's wisdom and His will. Just the opposite, reason demands that this is the case without doubt because of the clear evidences of it in the universe around us. Belief in Allah and in his perfect might and power demands the belief in His predestination and His decree, His wisdom and His will.

Learning these things and more will come in time, insha'Allah; just one should make it a priority to learn how to do salah. If his intentions are sincere, the proof will be that he learns salah soon after becoming a Muslim. A Muslim who abandons his/her salah abandons his religion and is in a state of disbelief (kufr), i.e. is no longer a Muslim. So he should not abandon learning the salah. But he should not go to the other extreme and expect to learn everything overnight; he exercises patience while he is trying to learn and does not be timid in humbly asking Muslims questions to achieve knowledge. A new Muslim is expected to be corrected often by other Muslims, whether he has just become a Muslim or has been one for years. This is because of our love for one another and our obedience to Allah (SWT) that we correct one another. We should remain humble and accept correction such as by saying, "Alhamdulilah" ("All praise is due to Allah alone") and/or "JazakAllah" ("May Allah reward you) to the Muslim correcting us. We should not correct others except when we are certain that our correction is right, and we should do so with kindness and using the speech of the Quran and Sunnah and not reformatted personal opinions. The Qur'an is complete for our lives, providing a lifetime of learning and growing as a person... growing in submission to our Lord. Insha'Allah (Allah willing), one may be blessed to say his shahada in the presence of another Muslim, who can lead him in his first salah. If not, he need not worry... he is only held accountable for that which he knows and for seeking out that which he does not know yet is able to seek. For instance, a "mentally challenged" person is not held accountable to Allah (SWT) for that which they cannot comprehend! Likewise with a baby. Warning against deviant Groups: New Muslims as well as all Muslims are warned to be aware of the deviant Groups who claim them to be Muslims, but in fact they are not Muslims according to the Quran and the Sunnah. Some of the deviant groups are Braylwiyyah (mainly prevalent in Indian subcontinent), Khawaarij, Qadiyaaniyah (Ahmadiyat), Ismailis or Ismailites, Raafidhah, Sufis (Naqshbandiya, Kubrawjya, Khawfiya, Qadiriya and Jahriya sect) etc. There is another group named Jamaaat al-Tableegh. The head centre is in New Delhi, India. Here are fatwas of some of the scholars concerning this group:

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1 Shaykh Abd al-Azeez ibn Baaz said: Jamaaat al-Tableegh do not have proper understanding of the issues of aqeedah, so it is not permissible to go out with them, except for one who has knowledge and understanding of the correct aqeedah of Ahl al-Sunnah wa'lJamaa'ah, so that he can guide them and advise them, and cooperate with them in doing good, because they are very active, but they need more knowledge and someone who can guide them of those who have knowledge of Tawheed and the Sunnah. May Allaah bless us all with proper understanding of Islam and make us steadfast in adhering to it. (Majmoo Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz,8/331) 2 Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: Going out for the sake of Allaah does not refer to the kind of going out that they mean nowadays. Going out for the sake of Allaah means going out to fight. What they call going out nowadays is a bidah (innovation) that was not narrated from the salaf. Going out to call people to Allaah cannot be limited to a certain number of days, rather one should call people to Allaah according to one's abilities, without limiting that to a group or to forty days or more or less than that. Similarly the daaiyah must have knowledge. It is not permissible for a person to call people to Allaah when he is ignorant. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): Say (O Muhammad): This is my way; I invite unto Allaah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allaah Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge [Yoosuf 12:108] i.e., with knowledge, because the caller must know that to which he calls people, what is obligatory, mustahabb, haraam and makrooh. He has to know what shirk, sin, kufr, immorality and disobedience are; he has to know the degrees of denouncing evil and how to do it. The kind of going out that distracts people from seeking knowledge is wrong, because seeking knowledge is an obligation, and it can only be achieved by learning, not by inspiration. This is one of the misguided Sufi myths, because action without knowledge is misguidance, and hoping to acquire knowledge without learning is an illusion. From Thalaath Mihaadaraat fil-Ilm wal-Dawah. Collected from Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

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New Muslims must be away from these groups as they (new Muslims) are in the process of learning. Their learning must not be adulterated. New Muslims must learn what Bidah (ill innovation in Islamic rituals) is and various forms of Bidah prevalent among many Muslims in different parts of the world. Bidah is very attractive fitnah and spreads very rapidly. It is very difficult for an unwitting Muslim to differentiate between correct Islamic rituals (i.e. Sunnah) and Bidah. Dawah centres, Dayees and Islamic scholars must inform and warn new Muslims about innumerable forms of Bidah and Shirk practiced by namesake Muslims astray away from the True Path of Islam. I have seen with my own eyes in Nizamuddeen Auliah Darghah (Dareeh, grave centre where Mosque is built and strayed people invoke to saints) in New Delhi, India, many western Christian tourists to donate to Darghah. So what is about new Muslims who may be more prone to this?

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(D) Islamic Foundations, Organizations, Centres, Websites and Islamic Scholars and Preachers
Many Islamic preachers and scholars all over the world are associated with Islamic centres and vice versa. So instead of describing the personalities and centers separately, I have presented the persons connected with the centres jointly to save space. Same is the case of websites. Websites, institutes and foundations not connected with a particular person are also given with addresses and WWW search. According to my own experience yahoo search is very effective in looking for webs. Introducing some head words and then pressing search while online brings about much information. Wherever possible, brief introductions have been highlighted on the concerns and activities of the personalities and centres. 1. Abdur Raheem Green, lanky, blonde, green-eyed, 33-years-old, appears to be a character straight out of a Hollywood movie Ben Hur. He was born to British parents in Darussalam in Tanzania in 1964. He was educated at a famous Roman Catholic Monastic School called Ampleforth College and went on to study history in the London University. However, he left his education unfinished. He was dissatisfied with Christianity since the age of eight. He was practising Buddhism for nearly three years though he never formally embraced it. His study of the Noble Quran immediately attracted him to Islam and he embraced Islam in 1988. He has been a Dawah practitioner in Britain since then. He wears a look that instantly evokes comparison with the popular portrayal of the Prophet Jesus (PBUH) in the imagery of Christian Europe. He has two wives, both British-born Muslims of Indian origin and six children. Currently, he is working with an Islamic media company based in England and engages himself in dawah activities including lectures on Islam in Londons famous Hyde Park. He is well known for his efforts at the renowned "Speakers Corner" in Londons Hyde Park. He also delivers talks and lectures for Muslims, and concentrates on the pure teaching to the say of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and the early Muslims. 2. Ayesha Lemu, the Director of the Islamic Education Trust, Minna, an English woman, was formerly Bridget A. Honey. She accepted Islam in 1961. She completed her education from University of London. She was the Principal of Government Girls College, Sokoto, from 1968 to 1976 and the Principal of Womens Teachers College, Minna, from 1976 to 1977. She taught Islamic studies throughout these periods, and has written several books and articles on Islamic topics. She is the first Amirah of FOMWAN, (Federation Of Muslim Women Associations In Nigeria). Theory of Evolution - Refutation of Darwins Theory is her famous work

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3. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, a famous author of Islamic books, grew up in Canada where he accepted Islam in 1972. , a Ph.D. in Islamic Theology, University of Wales, U.K.. He taught M.Ed. students in the Islamic Studies department of Shariff Kabunsuan Islamic University in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines. Since 1994 he has founded and directed The Islamic Information Center in Dubai, U.A.E. and the Department of Foreign Languages at Dar al Fatah Islamic Press in Sharjah, U.A.E. Postal Address : P. O. Box 23424, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Tel (Res.): 339864 Tel (Off.): 445779 Fax: 323724 Pager: 91946608 Mobile No. 0097150-6264139 e-mail: alftah@emirates.net.ae , own web: www.bilalphilips.com 4. Dr. Jamal Badawi is the director of the Islamic Information Foundation, Halifax, Canada. Dr. Badawi is a professor of Management at Saint Mary University in Halifax. He has authored several books and articles on Islam and designed and participated in the production of nearly 350 half-hour segments of a TV series on Islam. He has lectured extensively in North America and abroad, and is an excellent speaker on a variety of topics including Islam & Christianity. He is expert in Christian-Muslim Dialogues. Dr. Badawi is also a member of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Fiqh Council. He is a Professor from St. Marys University, Canada. An Egyptian by birth, he obtained his Ph.D. in business Administration. Active in journalism and broadcasting he has had a series of programs concerning Islamic belief and practices shown on Canadian television throughout the world. Postal Address : Department of Management, Saint Marys University, Nova Scotia, Halifax B3H 3CE, Canada. Tel (Res.): 902-4452494 Tel (Off.): 902-4205776 Fax: 902-4205119 5. Abdul Hakim Quick graduated with honors in Dawah and Islamic sciences at the Islamic University of Madeenah. He has also studied at the University of Toronto where he achieved a Ph.D. (Philosophy) in West African History and an MA (Philosophy) in African History. He has been a consultant on African and Islamic exhibits for the Ontario Science Centres project, "A Question of Truth" He has appeared as a guest lecturer at York University, University of Toronto, and McGill University for the Departments of History, Womens Studies, Geography, and Middle-East Islamic Studies. He was a regular columnist in the Life Section of Canadas Largest newspaper, the Toronto Star. He has developed and facilitated workshops and training sessions for diverse organizations such as Children Aids Society, Family Service Association, The Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries, etc. Postal Address: President / Imam / Counsellor Islamic Social Servies & Resources Association (ISSRA) 2375 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M6N 1K9, Canada. Tel: 7679358 / 7671531 Fax: 7670328 6.Markazi Anjuman Khuddam Ul Quran Quran Academy, 36-K Model Town, Lahore 54700, Pakistan Tel: 5869501 * Fax: 5834000

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Founded by Dr. Israr Ahmad. He is a world renowned Islamic thinker and scholar from Pakistan. In 1975 he founded Tanzeem-e-Islami for establishing Deen through a truly revolutionary process derived from the Seerah of the Prophet Mohammed (SAS). 7. Imaam Siraj Wahhaj is one of the most admired Muslim leaders and speakers in America. Once a minister for the Nation of Islam (NOI) in the early 70s, the Imam left upon discovering NOIs differences from mainstream Islam. He is an accomplished Muslim activist MashaAllah, once leading a community-based antidrug campaign in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, in which he staked out drug houses in the cold of winter for 40 days and nights, forcing the closure of 15 drug houses. In 1991 Imam Siraj Wahhaj offered an invocation (opening prayer) to the United States House of Representatives. He was the first Muslims to do so. He is the founder and Imaam of Masjid At Taqwa in Brooklyn, New York, and is currently serving as the elected leader of the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA). He was the vice president of the Majlis as-Shura of New York. He has also served on the executive board of the Islamic Society of North America. Postal Address: Masjid At-Taqwa 1266 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11216, United States of America. Tel (Res.): 622 0800 Fax: 857 8984 8. Yusuf Islam Cat Stevens born in London, 21st July 1948. His mother was Swedish and his father was a Greek Cypriot restaurant owner. Steven went to Roman Catholic Primary School. He was a record seller of pop songs and music of approximately 40 million long playing records throughout the world. Following a bout of TB during his career, Cat Stevens undertook an ongoing search for peace and ultimate spiritual truth. This yearning often expressed in his songs and reflected through his investigations into eastern faiths such as Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Astrology, resulted in this embracing the Islamic faith in December 1977. He is a leading and active member of the Muslim community in Britain and is principally involved in three areas: Education of Muslim children, Dawah to non-Muslim and Humanitarian Relief work. Brother Yusuf is also Chairman of the United Kingdom Islamic Education Waqf (UKIEW) which offers financial help to Muslim schools. He is also Chairman of the Association of Muslim Schools which gives advice on educational matters and representation to over 40 schools in Britain. WAQF AL-BIRR EDUCATIONAL TRUST Waqf al-Birr Education Trust a registered UK Charity, was founded by Brother Yusuf Islam in 1992 specifically to cater for Dawah as well as educational research and development. It is instrumental in providing expert advise and assistance to both new and well established Muslim schools in matter relating to staff recruitment, curriculum development and teacher training. This is done through its involvement with the International Board of Educational Research and Resources (IBERR). In September 1996 Waqf al-Birr opened its Brondesbury College for Boys in London. The college was founded by Brother Yusuf in recognition of the need for

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the provision of a board system of educational excellence, one that would meet the demands of parents who want their sons to have the necessary skills and moral qualities for tomorrows world. The school holds 125 boys of the secondary age. MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT - Mountain of Light was set up as a Company by Brother Yusuf Islam in December 1994, and its activities were fully operational by July 1995, its principle aim was to provide high quality Dawah material, primarily in audio-visual form. Brother Yusuf turned his attention to studio work and this has resulted in an audio recording of his highly popular CD and cassette release of Life of the Last Prophet. This spoken- word production, which is designed for both Muslim and a non-Muslims listening public, is Brother Yusufs first official record since departing from the music business nearly twenty years ago. This latest production is a Book and CD / Cassette recording of A is for Allah, which teaches Islam. This spoken- word production, which is designed for both Muslim and a non-Muslims listening public, is Brother Yusufs first official record since departing from the music business nearly twenty years ago. This latest production is a Book and CD / Cassette recording of A is for Allah, which teaches Islam. RELIEF WORK Muslim Aid, an international aid agency, was established by Brother Yusuf Islam in 1985 in co-operation with other Muslim organisations, he being the founding Chairman. Its aim was to alleviate poverty and provide relief for the victims of wars and natural disasters. In 1994 / 1995 the organisation helped some 400,000 people in need around the world, distributing around 2 million in aid. Last year Brother Yusuf resigned his role as Chairman and left Muslim Aid, but is still very actively involved in Relief with his new charity Small Kindness which concentrate on orphans and families. He currently supports 2,500 orphans and children in Kosova and is supporting 100 Homes building project in Turkey. Postal Address : 2 Digswell St, London N7 8JX, United Kingdom. Tel: 171-6076655 Fax: 171-7000425 e-mail: risala@yusufislam.org 9. Imam Mokhtar, a renowned orator of Islam, received his doctorate in Physics from Syracuse University. He received his Islamic education in Algeria before coming to the U.S. He has been an Imam in the state of New York and is a Central Shura Member of the Islamic Circle of North America. Dr. Maghraoui is counted among the well respected Muslim scholars in North America. 10. Shabir Ally, an accomplished and experienced debater for Islam, is currently the President of the Islamic Information and Dawah Centre International, 957 Dovercourt Road, Toronto, Ontario M6H 2X6, Canada. He is a former student of Dr. Jamal Badawi. Mr Shabir has held debates with figures such as Tony Costa, Robert Morey, Sam Shamoun, Dr. Peter Atkins, Prof. Kenneth Howkins, Rev. Bill Musk and many more. He frequently delivers talks on Islam and comparative religion across Canada, United States and the United Kingdom. e-mail: shabir.ally@afi.org.uk website:http://www.members.home.net/shabirally/index.htm http://www.islaminfo.com Tel (Res.): 536 8433 Fax: 516 1543 e-mail: islaminfo@inforamp.net

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11. Yusuf Estes He was raised as a strong Protestant Christian, born in Ohio, raised and educated in Texas and was a successful marketing entrepreneur and preacher of Christianity. At present he is the National Muslim Chaplain for American Muslims, sponsored by a number of organizations in Washington, DC and delegate to the United Nations Peace Summit for Religious Leaders. He has travelled around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam. He hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside of rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere. Most of the work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons. Primarily his goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are. Although Islam has grown now to tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, he sees many of those who claim Islam as Muslims, that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of "Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God" (Arabic = 'Islam'). Chaplain Estes is well known around the Muslim world for his efforts in bringing many new people to Islam. His articles on Islam in modern times, along with his work online with other Internet websites. Yusuf Estes sheikyusuf@aol.com National Chaplain for Today Islam Project visit them at: http://www.TodayIslam.com/ & WAMY [World Assembly of Muslim Youth] 12. Gary R. Miller (ABDUL AHAD OMAR) is a mathematician and a theologian. Born in a Christian family, he was active in Christian missionary work in his youth. Later he discovered many inconsistencies in the Bible. In 1978, he happened to read the Quran expecting that it, too, would contain a mixture of truth and falsehood. To his surprise, the Quran did not contain any falsehood nor any discrepancy. Gary Miller embraced Islam and became a Muslim. He has given several public presentations and radio and television appearances on Islam. He has also the authored several articles and publications on Islam. Postal Address : King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, P. O. Box 192, Dhahran 31261, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel (Res.): 8606915 Tel (Off.): 8602810 Fax: 8602340 e-mail: gmiller@dpc.kfupm.edu.sa. 13. Dr. Jeffery Lang, a famous Islamic orator, is an associated professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Kansas, one of the biggest universities in the United States. He was born in a Catholic family in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was brought up as a Roman Catholic and educated in a Catholic school. He found that his religious beliefs could no longer provide satisfactory answers to his questions. He read the Noble Quran and thereafter embraced Islam in 1982, a year after receiving his Ph.D. from Purdue University. He married a Saudi Muslim woman, Raika, 12 years ago and has three daughters. Lang has written several Islamic books which are best sellers among the Muslim community in the US. One of his important books is Even Angels ask; A journey

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to Islam in America. In this book, Dr. Lang shares with his readers the many insights that have unfolded for him through his self discovery and progress within the religion of Islam. 14. A pragmatic personality, acclaimed writer and orator, Maulana Abdul Kareem Parekh has been ardently promoting the real grasping of the message of the Holy Qur'an amongst the people since the last 40 years. Postal Address : Fire Brigade Road, Lakadganj, Nagpur 440 008 (India) Tel (Off.): 768075 / 762756 / 761219 Tel (Res.): 762836 / 762307 Fax: 761219 Maulana Parekh deals with modern challenges and conflicts with a Quranic approach along with scientific reasoning and apt logic for the inquisitive or doubtful mind. Recently he has been awarded by American Federation of Muslims from India (AFMI) USA as PRIDE OF INDIA. Besides Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, English, Arabic, Gujrati and Sindhi Maulana Parekh has a good command over Sanskrit. His deep knowledge of other religions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddism, Jainism, Sikhism and other faiths alongwith and in comparison to Islam puts him in a class apart amongst Islamic Scholars. In fact he is considered to be one of the most versatile Scholar for addressing Religious Meets, Conferences and Seminars as well as having dialogues and interactions with Non-Muslim Scholars. In his capacity as Chairman, Trustee, Founder member etc. of Institutions like Managing Committee Nadwatul Ulema (Lucknow), All India Muslim Personal Law Board (Delhi), All India Majlise Mushawarat (Delhi) faculty of Theology Aligarh Muslim University Court, Majlise Talimul Quran (Nagpur), Central India Institute of Medical Sciences, Citizens Peace Committee (Nagpur), and Secular Society of India (Nagpur), his contributions are well acknowledged. 15. Islamic Education Centre 659 Brea Cyn Road No. 2, Walnut CA-91789, United States of America. Tel (Res.): 5957800 Tel (Off.): 5941310 Fax: 5956391 e-mail: sakr@ix.netcom.com Director: Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr, a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1966. While studying in America, he was a founding member and president of the Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada, currently known as the Islamic Society of North America (or ISNA) a mother organization of many Muslim organizations in North America. Dr. Sakr was also a founding member of the world Council of Mosques whose headquarters is in Makkah. He was the first director and representatives of the Muslim World League to the U.N. Dr. Sakr is in education and has taught in several American Universities. In 1973, he was selected as an Outstanding Educator of America. He is also an administrator and was acting president of the American Islamic College in Chicago. In 1976/77 he was selected as a Community Leader and a Noteworthy American. He has also received honorary citizenship from the Governor of Alabama, and golden keys from the Mayors of Mobile and Pritchard, Alabama.

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A board member of Care and Share International (CASI), a member of Operation Safe Community, a member of the Walnut Interfaith Council of America (IFANCA). Dr. Sakr has appeared on ABCs Nightline as well as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). In addition, he has made numerous radio and television appearances. He has also organized and coordinated many national and international conferences. Additionally he is a well-known writer and has written a series of books and booklets on Islam, food, health, behavior, terrorism, fundamentalism, khutba, and orations. At last count, he had written over forty (40) books and booklets-not counting the innumerable articles he has authored. Dr. Sakrs approach is to build a bridge of understanding through commonalities with Muslims and non-Muslims. 16. Ahmad Von Denffer, honorary Vice-President of U.K. based International Council for Islamic Information, born in Germany in 1949 completed his education on Islam & Social Anthropology from the University of Mainz. He is also the founding member of International Islamic Charitable Organization, Kuwait. He is a famous orator and German translator of Arabic Islamic books. To his credit he has authored many Islamic books. 17.Dr. Jafar Sheikh Idris is considered one of few Muslim Scholars of this era who comprehended the knowledge of Islam and Western Ideologies. Consultant for various Islamic Organizations around the world. Chairman of the founding council of the American Open University. Professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the Research Center of The Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences in America. Professor of Islamic studies, Departments of Aqida, Da'wa and Information, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia. Taught graduate courses of Aqeedah (Islamic Creed), Theology and Contemporary Ideologies. Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Dept. of Islamic Culture, Riyadh University. 18. Shaykh Abdalla Idris Ali, former Director/Imam of the Islamic Centre of Toronto, is currently an ISNA School principal. He is also on the Board of Advisors of the American Muslim Council, and past Board member of the Council of Islamic Schools in North America. He co-organized the Canadian Islamic Banking Conferences for 1996 and 1997. He has written various articles in Islamic Horizons and is a member of the ATP Editorial Board. He is a native of the Sudan and currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. 19. The Islamic Research and Propagation Centre, PO Box 200808 South Ozone Park, New York , NY 11372. Phone : +1(718) 291-4000 Fax : +1(718) 262-0179 email: info@jaadilhum.com email: ummii@aol.com Website: http://www.jaadilhum.com Founder and director: Hamza Abdul Malik has devoted twenty two years to the research and compilation of information in the subject of comparative religion and represented Islam at open forums in many Jewish and Christian congregations throughout America.

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20. Islamic Center of Columbia, "Masjid Al-Muslimeen" 1929 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Telephone (803) 254-7242 Fax (803) 254-7242 e-mail icc@microbyte.net Director: Muhammed S. Adly He has taught in the Holy Mosque in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He migrated to the United States of America in 1975. He has held the position of Imam at Places: (1) Islamic Mission Of America , Brooklyn , NY. (2) Masjid Al-Muslimiin , Brooklyn, NY. (3) Dar Al-Arqum , Brooklyn , NY. (4) Principal for Madrastul Ikhuah , Brooklyn, NY. (5) Representative of Muslim World League NY. (6) Chaplain & Consultant at SCDC Columbia, SC. 21. Dr. Muneer El-Kassem , an assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry department at the University of Western Ontario. Ever since he came to Canada, Dr. Muneer El-Kassem has been very actively involved in Islamic dawah, visiting a large number of Muslim communities across North America, participating in interfaith dialogue opportunities, and appearing on numerous radio and TV programs. 22. Ahsan Zafarullah is an Islamic Scholar from Auckland, New Zealand. He is a member of the Muslim HyperBanner. 23. Sister Aminah Assilmi is currently the Director of International Union of Muslim Women. She was a Southern Baptist, a radical feminist and a broadcast journalist. She discovered Islam in college while trying to convert others to Christianity. She accepted Islam in 1977 and presently, she is an ambassador of Islam. She was married and had three children, when her husband asked for a divorce, as she adjusted her life style to Islam. Subsequently, the courts denied her custody of her children because of her conversion, unless she gave up Islam, which she refused to do. Upon deciding to wear the hijab, she lost her job as an award-winning broadcaster in Denver. Since then, her ex-husband, her children, and her parents - ALL have embraced Islam (Allahu Akbar!) She travels extensively speaking on college campuses, increasing public awareness and understanding of the faith. 24. Dr. Murad Hoffman (German Ambassador) was born in a Catholic family in 1931. Murad Wilfried Hoffmann embraced Islam in 1980. There were huge protests and riots by the German public that a man of such high profile should embrace Islam. When he reverted to Islam, he was a member of the German Foreign Service and a specialist on issues of nuclear defense. He has written several highly acclaimed books on Islam. He was the member of the Board of Directors of the Ibn Rushd Islamic University of Andalucia, Cordoba, Spain. He was the Corresponding member of the Academy of Islamic Civilization Research, Amman, Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan. He was the honorary member and advisor to the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD). He currently lives with his Turkish wife in Istanbul. His son from his late first wife is also a diplomat.

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25. Dr. Hassan Hathout is the Director of Outreach at the Islamic Center of Southern California. He came to America in 1989 with his physician wife, Salonas, in order to make Dawah to the American people. His latest book in the English language is titled, " Reading The Muslim Mind ". Dr. Hathout currently lives in Pasadena, CA. He also lectures tirelessly around the world, communicating a progressive Islamic ideology. He is a gynecologist, a Board Member of the magazine, The Minaret. 26. Dr.Maher Hathout, a leading spokesperson for the American Muslim community, emigrated to the U.S. in 1971 with his physician wife, Dr. Ragaa Mostafa Hathout. Besides being a physician, Dr. Hathout is an international figure who is highly regarded as a positive voice of Islam offering a unique and valuable perspective on national and international issues involving Muslims. Among the numerous offices he holds, is the Senior Advisor of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), which was established in 1988 to make Islamic ethical values available to the American political process. He is the Spokesperson and former Chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California. He has recently become a Charter Member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, the western partner of the Council on Foreign Relations, and joined the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Alliance. He has traveled to Australia, Egypt, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, and South Africa to lecture on Islam and Muslims. Dr. Hathout has written extensively on Islam, human rights, democracy, Middle East politics, and Bosnia. His articles and interviews have appeared in such prominent newspapers as The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Christian Science Monitor. He appears frequently on television and radio talk shows, including C-SPAN, KABC, KCBS, KNBC, KCET, KCAL, KNX, KFWB, KPFK, AND KFI. His efforts on behalf of the Islamic Center have made it a respected California institution. He is the only Muslim to chair the Interreligious Council of Southern California. 27. Al-Huda International Institute of Islamic Education for Women Karachi Campus,Metro Towers, 7th Floor, Near Teen Talwar, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan. Tel:-92-21-5872923, 5896704 Email : alhuda@cyber.net.pk, dr_farhat@yahoo.com Islamabad Campus: 58 Nazimuddin Road, F8/4, Islamabad, Pakistan Tel : 92-51-2261759 Fax: 92-51-2264773 Email : alhuda@isb.comsats.net.pk This institute is the brainchild of Dr. Farhat Naseem Hashmi and her husband, Dr. Idrees Zubair who are both enlightened Islamic scholars engaged in selfless dawah work. She has fired the hearts of thousands of women all over the world who attend her lectures and listen to her tapes. Her strong but mellow voice commands pin-drop silence. Women fervently take notes, hanging on to her every word.

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28. Belfast Islamic center started Internet services about Islam in 1995, which have grown significantly popular and beneficial in a span of few years especially the BIC News, inspired by late DR S.S. Mutawalli Ad-Darsh. He was a patron of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies in the UK and Eire (FOSIS) and the Muslim Student Societies (MSS); and a friend of womens organizations such as the north London-based An-Nisa Society and the Association of Muslims with Disabilities. He was also the President of the UK Islamic Shariah Council. 29. Mohammed Fathi Osman is the Vice President of American Association of Muslim Social Scientists. Formerly, Resident Scholar, Islamic Center of Southern California. He is also the Director of Research Center, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Mohammed Osman argues that the writings of the Quran provide complete answers to concerns regarding global pluralism. 30 Prof. Khurshid Ahmed is a trained Economist and he has been a member of the Cabinet and Senate of Pakistan, a Father of Modern Islamic Economics, and an internationally recognized Islamic Activist. From 1955 to 1977, Khurshid taught economics in the Faculties of Economics and Commerce at the Urdu College and in the Department of Economics at Karachi University. Increasingly, in the late 1960s and the 1970s, as a member of the Jamaat, he combined teaching and writing as an economist with da`wah [propagation], the spread of Islam nationally and internationally. He has also been associated with The Islamic Foundation, Leicester. 31. Brother Yusuf Buckas is a lawyer in South Africa. He is a speaker on Islam and Chrisitianity. He is Hafeez-al-Quran. He has Spoken extensively in the United States on issues involving Christianity versus Islam. He has had debates with American Christian scholars. 32. Harun Yahya is a pen name used by Mr. Adnan Oktar. Harun Yahya, is formed from the names "Harun" (Aaron) and "Yahya" (John) in the esteemed memory of the two Prophets who struggled against infidelity. Harun Yahya's books on faith-related topics communicate the existence and oneness of God and are written with the main purpose of introducing Islam to those who are strangers to religion, and reconciling their hearts to the truth. For Muslims, these books are advice as well as a reminder. The writer has published works on all the basic issues referred to in the Qur'an that expand the dedication and contemplation of Muslims. In addition, it will be a great service to the religion to contribute to the presentation and reading of these books, which are written solely for the good pleasure of God. All the books of the author are extremely convincing. For this reason, for those who want to communicate the religion to other people, one of the most effective methods is to encourage them to read these books.

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Born in Ankara in 1956, Adnan Oktar is a prominent Turkish intellectual. Completely devoted to moral values and dedicated to communicating the sacred values he cherishes to other people, Oktar started his intellectual struggle in 1979 during his education at Mimar Sinan University's Academy of Fine Arts. During his university years, he carried out detailed research into the prevalent materialistic philosophies and ideologies around him, to the extent of becoming even more knowledgeable about them than their advocates. As a result of his accumulation of knowledge, he has written various books on the fallacy of the theory of evolution. His dedicated intellectual effort against Darwinism and materialism has grown out to be a worldwide phenomenon. Quoting from the 22 April 2000 issue of New Scientist, Mr. Oktar became an "international hero" in communicating the fallacy of the theory of evolution and the fact of creation. The author's intellectual struggle against materialism and Darwinism has frequently been mentioned in such mainly evolutionist publications as National Geographic, Science, New Scientist and NSCE Reports. The English and German editions of the November, 2004, issue of National Geographic referred to the author's works concerning the Fact of Creation. The following quotation from the book The Evolution Deceit was also included: "The theory of evolution is nothing but a deception imposed on us by the dominators of the world system." The author has also produced various works on Zionist racism and Freemasonry and their negative effects on world history and politics. The Zionism criticised by the author in his books is the baseless claims of Zionist extremists pretend to world sovereignty, regard other human beings as worthless entities, maintain that the Jews are the chosen people and that God is theirs alone. 33. Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) 56 / 58 Tandel Street (North), Dongri, Mumbai 400 009 (India) Tel (Off.): 3736875 / 79 (6 lines) e-mail: zakir@irf.net www.irf.net Dr Zakir Naik, an MBBS Doctor, President of Islamic Research Foundation, is a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. He is the main driving spirit behind the Islamic Research Foundation getting worldwide acclaim for the proper presentation, understanding and clarification of Islam, as well as removing misconceptions about Islam. At only 36 years, he explains the teachings of Islam and clears misconceptions convincingly with the help of Reason, Logic and Science. He has a tremendous ability to quote extensively and verbatim from the Glorious Qur'an and other religious scriptures. Dr. Zakir is renowned for his critical analysis and spontaneous and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences and skeptics after his public talks, in the open Question & Answer sessions. He has delivered more than 600 public talks throughout the world. He has also participated in dialogues, debates and symposia with prominent personalities of other faiths. His most famous debate was held in Chicago, U.S.A. on April 1, 2000 with an American Medical Doctor and Missionary, Dr. William Campbell, on the topic, The Bible and the Quran in the light of Science.

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Dr. Zakir has appeared on various international T.V. programmes and Satellite T.V. Channels Programmes. He has appeared on live interactive talk shows on radio in many countries. He is conducting National and International Da'wah Training Programme for training Muslims to effectively convey the message of Islam. 34. Dr. Salwa Rashad is an Egyptian writer based in Madison, USA. She holds a PhD in engineering and a masters degree in computer science. A freelance writer for Aljumuah magazine, Rashad also presents Islamic views at schools, colleges, and churches. She is a peace activist with Beyond Terrorism group and Madison Area Peace Coalition (MAPC). She can be reached at salwa_rashad@hotmail.com. 35. Dr. S Parvez Manzoor is a Sweden-based Muslim writer, thinker, and critic. 36. Sister Khadijah Watson is presently working as a teacher for women in one of the Da'wah (Invitation) Centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 37. IPCI (Islamic Propagation Center International) in Durban founded by Late Shaikh Ahmad Deedat (RAHIMAHULLAH). Call +27 31 3060026, P.O. Box 2439, Durban 4000, South Africa. 38. Mazhar U Kazi, author of the book 130 Evident Miracles in the Quran. The author is a well-known Muslim educator, speaker and writer. The author has taught at institutions of higher learning in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.A. The author has served as a faculty member at K.A. College of Medicine, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The author's books have been published from Karachi, Lahore (Pakistan), Dehli (India), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), New York, Indianapolis, and Dallas (USA). Presently, he is serving as a chaplain, in the state of Texas, for the federal, county and state prisons. He presently resides in Houston, TX.

(E) Islamic Organizations and Centres

1. Presidency of Islamic Research, Ifta and Propagation P.O. Box 20824, Riyadh 11465, Saudi Arabia Tel 4030142 2. World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) Tel 4641663 / 4641669 / 4624555 Fax 4641710 P.O. Box 10845 Riyadh 11443, Saudi Arabia. Web: www.wamy.org

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WAMY has many branches in various parts of the World. The addresses can be accessed by contacting WAMY above. A duaat training has been established by WAMY jointly with the As Salaam Educational Institute at As Salaam. This programme has been initiated as the need for skilled duaat are urgently required in various parts of South Africa. The 3 year course includes Islamic studies, Arabic, Dawah, Methodology, Vocational Skills. A Business Administration Module is being considered so that the student will be eligible for under-graduate studies at universities in South Africa. Currently there are 18 students in the first year of study from various parts of South Africa. The enrollment for next year is expected to be another 25 students in the first year with students from all parts of Southern Africa. The two teachers that WAMY have employed are Sheikh Sultan from Egypt and Sheikh Umar from Commore Islands. Both teachers are highly qualified with extensive teaching experience. Any student wishing to study at As Salaam should contact the As Salaam Educational institute or WAMY. 3. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Tel 4043003 / 4043006 / 4043008, Fax 4022555 Riyadh 11183, Saudi Arabia There are many Cooperative Offices for Call and Guidance spread over the whole Kingdom Saudi Arabia. All of these are operated at the supervision of the aforesaid Ministry. Instructions are given in various languages, specially, English, Urdu, Hindi, Tagalu, Bangla, Tamil, Malayalam etc. 4. Care Center for New Muslims, P.O. Box: 43339 Riyadh 11561 Tel: 01- 2423002 / 2423004 / 2423008 Fax: 2423001 e-mail: enayih@hotmail.com 5. Islamic Studies, Call & Guidance of the Philippines, Congressional Road, Salitran 1 Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines. Tel: 046- 4163371 Fax: 046- 4163629 6. The Muslims Converts Association of Singapore Singapore 424484 Tel: 0065-440 6924, 348 8344 Fax: 440 6724 7. The Institute of Islamic Information and Education P.O. Box 41129 Chicago, Illinois 60641-0129 U.S.A. web: www.iiie.net The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) is dedicated to the cause of Islam in North America through striving to elevate the image of Islam and Muslims by providing the correct information about Islamic beliefs, history and civilizations from the authentic sources. Enquiries are welcome.

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8. S.A.D.A.-Sisters Association for Dawah Web: www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/3062/ 9. Hadeer ( www.hadeer.com ): Hadeer is a Lebanese non-profit organization dedicated to providing a correct image of Islam in the media. Based in Beirut, Lebanon, Hadeer was established by a group of young Muslims who are aware of the importance of media in shaping public opinion. All Hadeer members work on a volunteer basis. The site includes e-cards, Islamic and Ramadan songs, stories about famous converters, and Islamic links. 10. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). Groups affiliated: Birmingham-based Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, which has 41 branches across the country 11. AL-Jumuah Magazine, 7 Bridges Place, Parsons Green, London SW6 4HW Fax: 02074718264, web: www.al-jumuah.com 12. ISLAMIC VOICE English Monthly Post Box # 4705, VivekNagar, Post office-Bangalore-560 047. Karnataka. India. Ph: 25544483, 25574815. Fax: 25302770. Editor: editor@islamicvoice Website: www.islamicvoice.com Many more Islamic centres in India are accessible through Islamic Voice by search or link sites. 13. The Islamic Cultural Society of the United Nations, President: Yehia Abu Alam of Egypt, holds the position of technical adviser at the UNs Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 14. Islamic Cultural Center of New York, with its twin locations on New Yorks upper East Side and West Side. The chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Cultural Center is Ms. Nabeela Al-Mulla, ambassador of Kuwait to the United Nations. Sheikh Omar Saleem Abu Namous, imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, said in an interview that on the occasion of Eid, prayers are offered about four or five times with a multitude of about 10,000 people.For Friday prayers during the year, he estimated that approximately 1600 people come to the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. For weekends the figure is between 300 and 400, and for other days of the week the daily congregational prayers comprise 150 to 200 persons. During Ramadan, the center arranges for iftar every evening, as well as Tarawih prayers and recitation from the Holy Quran every night.

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15. Institute of Objective Studies P.Box No.9725 162-Joga Bai Extension, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025, India www.iosworld.org /INDIA. Phone: 011-26981187, 26987467, 26989253 Fax: 91-11-26981104 Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) was established in the year 1986 with a view to promote empirical and conceptual research. Research is carried out on ideologies and problems relevant to Indian polity, society, economy, religion and culture. Attention has been focused on the problems of Muslims and other minority groups. The studies include the problems of development processes, community relations, social tensions, status of women etc. Within the said period the Institute has established itself as a Centre of research and intellectual activities, which is known for its objectivity in the academic world lace. Through the search directory of IOS we can collect the addresses and information of innumerable Muslim Madrasahs, institutes, organizations spread over whole India.

16. Arabic Islamic Institute , Hiroo Mosque - Tokyo ( www.aii-t.org ): The Arabic-Islamic Institute in Tokyo in mainly concerned with supporting Islam and dessiminate Islamic teaching among Muslims and non-Muslims in Japan. It runs educational programs including teaching Arabic language, Hajj and Umra steps and Dawa. 17. Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (www.almi.abertay.ac.uk ): is a new development in teaching and research in Arabic and Islamic Studies in Scotland. It is committed to the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study of a variety of related fields. ALMI contains three research centers: Center for Islamic Jerusalem Studies, Center for the Study of Islam and Muslims in Scotland and Center for Editing Islamic Texts and Manuscripts. 18. American Muslim Alliance (www.amaweb.org ): The American Muslim alliance is an Islamic organization based in the United States of America. Its main goal is to organize the American Muslim community in the mainstream public affairs, civic discourse and party politics all across the United States, in order to develop more orientation with the Islamic culture and benefit inside the United States. 19. World Council of Islamic Call: The World Islamic Call Society is public benefit organization. It was established in 1972 as recommended in the first Islamic Call Forum held in Tripoli, capital of Libya, in December, 1972. Tripoli became the Headquarter of the society.

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The general structure of the Council is as follows: The General Conference: The General Conference is the organizations General Assembly. It meets once every four years to work out the general strategy of the Society in the period following its convening. The World Council: The World Council consists of thirty six members selected by the General Conference, amongst them a Secretary-General and a Rapporteur. The Council translates the strategy adopted by the General Conference into practical actions. The Council meets once a year at the invitation of the Secretary-General. The Executive Committee for the World Council for Islamic Call: The Executive Committee is composed of five members chosen by the World Council at its first meeting. It includes a General-Secretary (the Conference President), a Rapporteur (the Conferences General Rapporteur), and three members representing the Arab region, Africa, and Asia. The Committee supervises the implementation of programmes adopted by the Council. The General Secretariat: The General Secretariat consists of specialized departments in the fields of Da'awa (call), Islamic centers, information, research and publications, conferences and international institutions, investment, and the Islamic Call Faculty. Three years after the establishment of the society, there are more than three thousands affiliates; they vary between Muslim callers and teachers from all professions world wide. They observe their religious, cultural and humanitarian duties through there work in schools, educational institutions, universities, and medial centers. The council works under Islamic call departments, in the universities of Damascus, Beirut, Dakar and others. There are 2800 female and male students in those universities who come are from 83 different countries. Besides, 3700 female and male graduates.

20. American Muslims for Jerusalem (www.amjerusalem.org ) : American Muslims for Jerusalem is a not for profit organization aiming at ensuring that the concerns of the American Muslim community regarding Jerusalem and its environs are understood and respected in the formulation of U.S. policy. AMJ undertakes presenting accurate and timely information to the mass media and other interested parties. 21. American Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism (www.amila.org ): An organization that is helping to strengthen the American Muslim community through activism, Islamic education, spirituality, and networking with other Muslim groups. AMILA has organized activities that cater to active Muslims who seek to learn about Islam and apply its teachings in a positive, constructive manner. Community service projects have included working regularly at the Loaves &

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Fishes soup kitchen in San Jose, visiting Muslims in prison, participating in the South Bay Islamic Association's monthly Family Night, working as counselors at the annual Muslim Youth Camp, political organizing through the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and organizing the "Eid for Everyone" gift drive, which provides gifts for hundreds of Muslim children in the Bay Area on Ramadan. 22. Belfast Islamic Center (BIC), N. Ireland ( belfastmosque.tropod.com ): Belfast Islamic Center is concerned with rising the Islamic awareness of Muslims around the city. It provides Muslims with fatwas, publications and aid. BICs site contains a collection of Friday Khutbas (Text) and a variety of articles tackling issues concern the local Islamic society. 23. CAIR - The Council of American Islamic Relations ( www.cair-net.org ): The Council on American Islamic Relations is a non-profit, grassroots membership organization. CAIR was established to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America. CAIR is dedicated to presenting an Islamic perspective on issues of importance to the American public. In offering that perspective, CAIR seeks to empower the Muslim community in America through political and social activism 24. Council of Muslim Theologians - South Africa ( www.jamiat.org.za ): The Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians) is involved in various activities in the service of Islam and Muslims in South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal region. The Mission Statement of the Jamiatul Ulama is to disseminate Islamic teachings among South Africa. 25. Department of Islamic Development, Malaysia (www.islam.gov.my ): is a governmental association aims at managing Islamic affairs efficiently for the good of the Islamic Nation. Its vision is to assist in the creation of a progressive and morally upright nation based on Islamic principles in line with the national vision. 26. Federation of Islamic Associations (www.islamerica.com ): IDE organization is composed of the federated Muslim communities in North America. It was established in 1952 in Iowa. Most of Its members were born and raised in the United States and Canada. Its concerned with Islamic affairs all over the world and particularly in the US and Canada. It aims at promoting Islam principals, traditions and heritage among Muslims and Non-Muslims. 27. Federation Of Students Islamic Societies in the UK ( www.fosis.org.uk ): As part of its commitment to support Muslim Students and Islamic Societies in the UK & Ireland, FOSIS provides a large number of services. It offers accommodation in hostels in London and Swansea for Muslim students. FOSIS conducts exhibition, and prints publications that assist Islamic society. 28. International Islamic Forum for Dialogue (www.dialogueonline.org ): Dialogue among civilizations became an international phenomenon and a

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pressing requirement . For that , International Islamic Council for Daw'a and Relief decided establishing of the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue (IIFD) to assume tasks of the dialogue and to ingrain it's conceptions. 29. Islam in Tanzania ( www.islamtz.org ): Islamtz.org presents Islam in the state of Tanzania. It sheds the light to the history of Islam in that African state, with a set of articles and links. It includes various articles and resources about Islam and Muslims in General- as well. 30. Islamic Awareness Foundation (www.ualberta.ca/ ): The Islamic Awareness Foundation a part of The Canadian Council was founded for the express purpose of conveying the 'Quranic Message', and to serve as a meeting point among the many Faith groups in Canada. It aims at promulgating the spiritual teachings of Islam, and increasing the knowledge of Islamic traditions among the Muslims and non-Muslims in Canada. 31. Islamic Circle of North America (www.icna.org ): ICNA is an Islamic organization comprises of Islamic workers in the North America who committed themselves to voluntary services for the sake of Islam. This site therefore focuses on Islamic activities in and outside ICNA. It also contains writing pieces on Islamic subjects and issues of interest (with video and audio materials) that make the site consultable. 32. Islamic Council of Gracanica (www.medzlis.com ): Medzlis.com is the official web site of The Islamic Council of Graanica/Bosnia and Herzegovina. It includes Information about imams of the Council, mosques, projects. The site contains audio material in Bosnian. 33. Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (www.ifew.com ): is an Islamic educational organization based in Australia and aims to disseminate Islamic knowledge and concepts around Australia. 34. Islamic Human Rights Commission ( www.ihrc.org ): is a United Kingdom based group monitors and fights human rights abuses in the Muslim world and abuses against Muslims in non-Muslim countries. IHRC volunteers and campaigners come from many different parts of the world and many different backgrounds to share in the common struggle against injustice and oppression.

35. Islamic Organizations In Japan ( www.ic.u-tokyo.ac.jp ): 36. Islamic Training Foundation ( www.islamist.org ): is a nonprofit organization of Muslim management professionals dedicated to tarbiyyah. These professionals are university business professors and management executives with years of experience in researching and managing organizations. ITF is very careful in how it selects seminar leaders, and consults frequently with experts in

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various areas of Islam to ensure that the content of its seminars is Islamically correct. 37.Japan Islamic Trust ( www.alles.or.jp ): Japan Islamic Trust draws its spirit from the teachings of Al-Qur-'an and Al-Hadith of Prophet Mohammad ( Peace be upon him). It is a non-political and non-profitable International Organization aims at establishing prayer places and Masjid(Mosque) near all major stations and near the places where Muslims live and work in considerable number. JIT plans - as well -to undertake Welfare Programs in cooperation with the government agencies. 38. Japanese Muslim Information Office (www.isuramu.net ). 39. Muslim Educational Trust (www.metpdx.org ): (MET) of Portland, was founded in 1993 in response to the community needs in the Portland area. These needs for education about Islam were generated not only from within the Muslim community, but also by the non-Muslim community. 40. Muslim Women's Help Network : "Fights homelessness and assists women and children, in accordance with principles in the Koran. Read about the plans, and complete the survey. " 41. Muslim World League - Canadian Office ( www.al-muslim.org/mwl/ ): The Muslim World League is the Canadian branch of the international Islamic organization carrying the same name and has its headquarters in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It has more than 30 branches all over the world. The league concentrates on helping the Muslim minorities world wide. 42. National Muslim Organizations in North America (www.msa-natl.org/resources/Orgs.html ):This is a list of National Muslim Organizations in North America. Dawah Centers are also included in this list. The list is arranged in alphabetical order. 43. Young Muslim Organization UK ( www.ymouk.com ).

44. Women's Association & Society for Islamic Learning & Awareness (www.islamonline.net/sitedirectory/ ): Official site of the Women's Association and Society for Islamic Learning and Awareness outlines membership, activities, history and goals. 45. UK Islamic Mission ( www.ukim.org ): A portal for the UK Muslims aiming to bring viewers current affairs and topics relevant to Muslims in the UK and beyond.

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46. Organization of Human RightsOppressed People, Turkey (www.mazlumder.org ). 47. Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities ( www.oicc.org ): Islamic organization, its activities are focused on the achievement of sustainable development of human settlements. 48. Oxford University Islamic Society ( www.users.ox.ac.uk/ ).. 49. Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs : The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs is located in Egypt, aiming to Identify the Islamic religion locally and internationally, establish and develop the culture and religion relationships between Egypt and the world, and Provide services for Islam and Muslims concerning conduct, belief and culture. The SCIA publishes educational and cultural periodical papers in Arabic and other languages. The site includes historical articles, online books and an online Islamic encyclopedia. 50. The Age of the Great Awakening (www.islam.org/Union/ ).

51. The Minaret of Freedom Institute Home Page ( www.minaret.org ): Dar al Islam is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1979 to facilitate the growth of accurate and authentic knowledge of Islam among the American people. Its dedicated to the betterment of the American Muslim society through education in the broadest sense, cooperation and networking, and through programs which benefit both Muslim and non-Muslim people of North America. 52. The University of Central England Islamic Society : This is a temporary site hired by University of Central England Islamic Society to cover their voluntary Islamic tides around the metropolitan cities of the UK. The group was established to provide an ideal opportunity for those who would like to learn the truth about Islam regardless of their race, colour or creed. 53. UK Islamic Education Waqf (UKIEW) ( www.ukiew.org ). 54. Dawah Academy, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan: plans and develops educational, training, and research programs of Dawah.

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Topic four

Means and Methods Used to Invite Non-Muslims to Islam

(A COMPREHENSIVE DAWAH PROJECT)

(A) Basics of Dawah Before we get acquaintance about the means and detailed methods applicable for propagation of Islam we should know what Dawah is. We must also understand the obligation and importance of Dawah. The practice of such a mandatory obligation must also enjoin special reward. (a) What do we understand by Dawah? (Primary Stage of Dawah) Dawah, which is the core subject of this thesis, means, within this thesis, the very starting stage of call to the Tauhid of Islam. We can find it in the Makkan stage of Prophet Mohammad (SAW), or the stage where he was in Makkah, he was not making any claims to government authority. He was calling people to Tauheed: the unity of Allah. He was calling people to prayer. He was calling people to the purification of their hearts. He was calling people to leave shirk [associating partnership with Allah (SWT)]. All these are known as the jihaad of the tongue: jihaad al-kalima; it is not the jihaad of the sword or now the gun or the atom bomb or whatever. It was the jihaad of the tongue. Allah (SWT) said, "jaahidhum bihi jihaad al-kabir." "Jaahidhum bihi" means to struggle against them with the Qur'an. In other words, "speak the Qur'an to them, and struggle against them with the truth in word;" and this was the jihaad of Makkah. In this modern age this call to Tauheed can be done using various means and methods.

(b) Necessity and Obligation of Dawah Dawah or inviting people to Islamic Tauhid (Monotheism) to submit to Allah, the Almighty(SWT) was the duty and responsibility of all the prophets. Allah (SWT) has chosen prophets from among their communities or nations to call men to worship Allah Alone without making any partnership in worship of Allah (SWT). His Message was concluded with the Revelation of the Quran; Muhammad (SAW) bin Abdullah being the Last and Final Prophet and Messenger for the whole world, both for mankind and jinn. Hence, it was fitting that Muhammad (SAW) should be sent to all mankind and his message should remain valid for the rest of time. Therefore, generation after

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generation of people lived under Islam, implementing its teachings and adapting their lifestyles to its fundamental principles. Since the Islamic message is addressed to all mankind, it is necessary that people should be informed of it, and invited to follow it. The Prophet did that, and so did Muslim rulers after he had passed away. Advocacy of Islam has never stopped, not even when Muslims were on the decline. As Allah will no more send any prophet, the duty and responsibility of Dawah has been imposed on the Muslim Ummah of Muhammad (SAW). Because of this responsibility of Dawah, Allah (SWT) has graded this Ummah as the best of all the previous Ummahs. Allah (SWT) says, You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind, (because) you enjoin Al-Maroof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe Allah. (Alquran 2:110) Advocacy of the Islamic message is the central duty of all Muslims whether male or female. Allah (SWT) has addressed both male and female believers: "The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise" (Quran 9:71). Allah (SWT) has given Muslim men and women His message as a trust. To be true to their trust means that they should make Islam known to mankind, calling on them to submit themselves to Allah, which is the essence of the divine message. Prophet Muhammad (SAW)) was the first advocate of Islam in its final form embodied in the Quran. His companions were fully aware of their duty and went about its fulfillment as best as they could, setting for us a wide range of examples of approaching people and putting to them why they should submit themselves to the God, the Lord of all the worlds. The best among them in this respect was Abu Bakr (RAA), the closest to the Prophet among all his companions. Allah (SWT) further says, Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity. [Quran 3:104] Muslims must always be aware that they will have to answer Allahs question about their effort to make the message of Islam known to mankind. Allah (SWT) says,

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Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and beware (of evil): if you do turn back know you that it is our messengers duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest manner.[Quran 5:92] In addition to the Quranic injunctions to perform Dawah, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) further explains and also enjoins Muslims to invite others to Islam. Abu Bakr (RAA), narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: It is incumbent upon those who are present to convey this message (of mine) to those who are absent. May be that some of those to whom it will be conveyed will understand it better than those who have actually heard it. [Bukhri 5/688, 1/67 and 2/797] Also, Abdullah Bin Amr narrated that the Prophet (SAW said: Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single verse... (Bukhri 4/667) All the Muslims individuals are obliged to take part in inviting non-Muslims to Islam in whatever form they can do speaking, writing, circulating Dawah books, booklets and any Dawah material and financing Dawah endeavour.

The Correct Way of Dawah (i.e. according to the Sunnah) It is obligatory that the Dawah should be based upon the way in which Allah the Most Mighty and Majestic has defined it to His Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Allah said: Say (O Muhammad ): "This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah)." So whosoever comes with a Manhaj that opposes the Manhaj of the Messenger, or a way that opposes the way of the Messenger (SAW), then indeed it is obligatory upon the Ulemaa that they clarify these mukhalafaat, (mistakes that oppose the Religion), and that they (the Ulemaa) should make clear the faults and errors (of these Duaat). And whosoever does not clarify this affair, whilst he knows (the true reality of the situation), then indeed he is sinful, unless a sufficient group has already

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embarked upon clarifiying the situation. For indeed this affair is Fard Kifaaee (a collective obligation); that if a group of them, (the scholars), establish it then the obligation falls off the rest of them. However, as it relates to the one who clarifies [the mistakes of some of the Duaat], if he needs support and help, then it becomes binding upon all [of the scholars] that they should help and support him in it. And whosoever claims that it is not permissible to speak about these individuals [from amongst the Duaat] who have established a Manhaj that opposes the Manhaj and the way of the Messenger of Allaah (SAW), then indeed he is a Mubtil (i.e. one who intends invalidate the ordering of good, the forbidding of evil, the clarification of the truth, and cooperation upon righteousness and taqwaa).

(d) Reward of Dawah Works Prophet Muhammad (SAW) not only encourages Muslims to seek knowledge in order to convey Islam to others but also invokes prayer for those who teach and transmit Islamic knowledge to others. Abdullah Ibn Masud narrated that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: May Allah be well pleased with the servant who heard our words, remembered them, retained them well and then passed them on to others. How many scholars are there who are the scholars of religion without having an understanding of it, and how many scholars of religion are there who convey knowledge to those who are well versed compared with them. There are three things on account of which no rancor enters a Muslim heart: the sincerity of purpose for Allahs sake, seeking goodness for the Muslims and adhering to their main body (jama'ah), for their prayers encompass them all round. (Tirmidhi 228) Allah will reward Muslims prosperous lives if they perform Dawah for his sake. Allah, the Merciful, not only commends those who call others to Islam, but subsequently promises unlimited rewards to them. Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, I am one of the Muslims?[Quran 41:33] And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) itsuch are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for, with their God. Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they have done. [Quran 39:35]

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Whoever calls to Guidance of Islam shares the reward of the one who follows him and acts upon it, without the reward of the followers being decreased the least.

(B) Miscellaneous Means and Methods used for Dawah to non-Muslims (Presentation with Examples) The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did anything possible to preach the call of Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAW) informed the public of his call and delivered the Message of his Lord utilizing all the means of disseminating information available at his time. He applied the means in the most efficient and remarkable way using the best methods. So the people addressed were responsive. He came out openly with the truth on Mount Safa and called out to the Quraysh. He used to present his message in the markets and places where people of different tribes from all over the Arabian Peninsula would be present. He (SAW) used to go around during the Pilgrimage, meeting the tribes, spreading the message, and promoting the faith. In this way, news of his message spread swiftly throughout the Arabian Peninsula, throughout the towns and into the countryside. The objections of the tribes reached him from the time that he first started to proclaim the message. Even before Mecca was captured, written messages were being delivered outside the Arabian Peninsula to the rulers of Persia, Rome, Egypt, and Abyssinia. His poet would outdo the poets, his orator would contend with the orators, and the people proclaiming his message would travel to the ends of the Earth. A study of the life of the Prophet (SAW) gives the clear impression that there was a sweeping media effort employed to disseminate the word of Allah, so much so that the Quraysh could do nothing more than to say: "Do not listen to this Qur'an and try to speak over it." In preaching Islam, the Prophet sent some of his companions to undertake this task. This took different forms and employed different methods, as fitted different situations. Sometimes the Prophet sent one person to undertake Islamic advocacy among his own people. It is the duty on Muslims to preach Islam using any available means. It behooves the followers of Muhammad (SAW) who had been in the forefront of employing every means of disseminating information to spread their faith and message, that in this age - the age of the global village - they should be in the forefront of developing and employing the powerful media instruments and programs available to spread the message and guidance throughout the world. Moreover, they should be making a distinctive and unique contribution, not something borrowed or copied of others.

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Indeed the advocacy of Islam must always abide by basic Islamic rules of Halal and Haram. The Means used should never be an Infidel's Emblem. The means and methods must follow basic Islamic rules of Haram and Halal. e.g. It was the Arabs' custom in Pre-Islamic Arabia if they wanted to call the attention of people to an important matter, or warn them against a serious problem to do the following: - Climbing to a lofty place such as a mountain or the like. - Repeating in a high-pitch voice: Wasabahah! - Taking off all their clothes, in order to give the impression of seriousness of the matter in their onlookers. This is tantamount to being forced by their enemy to become naked! The Prophet (PBUH) did not abandon this means which had been traditionally mingled with nakedness. He, however, dropped nakedness from it and used it. He expressed the importance of the new call to Allah by merely saying: "I am the nude admonisher." It has been narrated that when the verse 214 of sura 26 was revealed the Prophet (PBUH) climbed As-Safaa hill and loudly called upon People: Wasabahah

Classical Means of Propagation: Like spreading any information, the Message of Islam is also to be communicated to individuals, groups, publics, nations and countries through discourse. There are two basic means of communication for spreading any information: (1) speech or speaking (sermon) and (2) writing letter, articles, books etc. Both of these means were effectively used by our Prophet (SAW) as mentioned above. Combining these two we can make another means of communication i.e. speaking writing (lecture). Such as a teacher teaches his students. Speech can be of different forms according to the size and category of audience: sermon, public speaking, interactive or interactional sermon, dialogue, conversation etc. Sermon or speech is the so called customary means of preaching as used by all the Prophets. Writing letter, pamphlet, booklet, books and articles in magazines according to the size and category of target people is also an old but feasible means of reaching individuals and masses. Each of these two means has some plus points over another. Sermon cannot reach masses. It aims at a local and specified audience. In fact, if the orator possesses the gift of gab and impressive tone, he can easily influence the audience. Sounds enter heart more easily than the written words. Moreover speaking is the only way for blind audience. On the contrary, written materials are not time and place specified. These can be widely distributed. Target people can read at any time, any place and any number of times according to

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individuals mood and choice. Even some people prefer reading to listening. Indeed some Dayees can express much more effectively through speaking than writing and some Dayees vice versa. None of these two classical means can be replaced by another. Each one is complementary to another. Both are to be used effectively. To make the speech or lecture attractive and influencing the Dawah orator can apply various tips. The Dayee (caller) can beforehand write and draw the main points and any illustrating material on films, and project the images onto a wall or screen using a projector during speech. This way of presenting the lecture is attractive to the audience as well as easily understandable to them. The speaker must always give the audience opportunity to raise questions at the interval or in the end whichever is suitable. Describing Jannat and Jahannam (Hell and Heaven) during speech or in writing while calling the people to Islam is very necessary. Many people do not have the proper knowledge of Hell. If a Dayee describes the fierceness of Hell as described in the Quran and the Hadeeth, the audience will feel awe. They will feel fear of punishment after death. This fear may lead to Islam. Hindus even do not believe the concept of hell and heaven. They believe in rebirth. This false concept of Hindus is to be refuted, if possible with scientific arguments. In this connection I cite here an event of mine in Saudi Arabia: One day one of my coworkers, a Christian from Philippines, and I were traveling to our factory by a taxi. The driver is a Saudi and not educated. He does not know English. He was so curious to tell my colleague about the hell that he (the Saudi) started to speak him (the Christian) in Arabic. He told openly that if he (the Finipino) does not accept Islam, he will be burnt in Fire for ever and ever. The Saudi (May Allah protect him and grace him) told me to tell my colleague in English about what he was explaining. We need this type of curiosity and responsibility to spread Islam.

All other means of communication are modified and developed forms of two basic and classical means sermon and writing. Audio cassette as a means: The invention of audio recording and playing back system brought a big opportunity for wide circulation of speeches and sermons of Dayees (Duaats). Cassette is the modified form of speech. Speaking about Islam to colleagues and co-employees: Muslims should convey the message of Islam to any individual or group at work place if the situation permits. There are many instances in the American and European countries that Muslims gone there for work have been able to convert their colleagues to Islam. So the biggest asset some Muslims took with them to the West is not manpower but Islam.

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Here I mention some of my own experiences. There are many Christians from Philippines working in our Factory. Some of them are religious i.e. they follow Christian rituals and some do not bother about religious rituals. I try to have discussions with any one of them on religious matter. Many of them are at least at their conclusion that Islam is good. 1. Mr. Arnold is a religious Christian. He has gone to Philippines on final exit. I worked with him for about four years. Whenever I got opportunity I used to talk to him about Islam. Gradually he became interested to listen about religious matters. He himself used to come to my table and discussed with me. During working or talking he used to pronounce O Jesus Christ! I made him understand that he should not address to Jesus, instead he should say O my God. He accepted it. He was convinced that the Divinity of Jesus is false. I offered him some pamphlets, booklets and cassettes. He used to read these with regards. Finally he asked for a copy of the Quran and I gave him. He said to me before going on exit, I may one day accept Islam. May Allah grant him Eeman. 2. Mr. Edwin has been working with me now. In the start he seemed to be strong anti-Islam. On some context one day we had a long conversation. I made him convinced that the Quran today is the same as it was with the Prophet (SAW) and it will remain intact till the Day of Qiamat. Also the translation of the Arabic Quran is not a Quran. We, Muslim find out rulings from the Arabic Quran not from the translation. Fantastically he was surprised and got inclined to the Truth of Islam. May Allah show him light. Mass media reaching out to every place: With the development of fast printing press and discovery of radio wave, came the concept of mass media (means) of communication. There are two broad types of mass media (means of mass communications): (1) print media: Daily paper, magazines, journals etc and (2) electronic media: Radio and television (TV). Dayees must execute greater effort to call non-Muslims to Islam through print media. Still a large portion of world population specially in third world countries are dependent on print media for worldwide information. Radio and TV broadcasts cross the cities and reach out to remote huts. Even a poor man living in a hut at a remote village or near a forest or at the foot of a hill where electricity has not yet reach can afford a radio. So broadcasting Dawah programs through radio transmission is an effective way. A vast majority of people living in villages in third world countries do not have access to mass media except radio. Translation: Islam is the religion for the whole world and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the Mercy of Alameen (men, jinns and all living beings ). Islam is to be carried out to each and every corner of the world, to all nations and groups of people. Allah says:

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And among His Signs is the creations of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are signs for those who know. (Quran 30:22) Islam is to be preached through the language the people understand. Arabic being the language of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and hence the language of two sources of Islamic Shariah, the Holy Quran and Hadeeth; most of the Islamic books are in Arabic. So millions of non-Arabic speaking Muslims and nonMuslims are deprived of getting Islamic knowledge. So translation is an indispensable means of Dawah. Books of great scholars of Islam Imam Gazali (RTA) and Shaikhul Islam Imam Ibne Taimiah (RTA) are full of abundance of Islamic knowledge and their refutations of false dogmas and doctrines of Christianity, false principle of Greek philosophy, Sufism and many other matters. It is surprising that their works have not yet been completely rendered into English which is today the leading international language. So what to say about other languages! Translation of Islamic books, booklets, documentaries which contain Dawah related knowledge is one of the obligations the Dawah Organizations have to do. Various books written by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi have influenced many personalities throughout the world to embrace Islam. Two such prominent examples are: A renowned Hindu lady writer of India named Kamala Das embraced Islam after reading some books written by Maulana Maududi, specially the book Purda (Veil). Now her name is Sumaiya. A leading journalist in Brazil embraced Islam after reading the book, Towards Understanding Islam by Maulana Maududi. The simple and persuasive exposition of the Islamic way of life as explained in this book has convinced the journalist.

Distributing the Quran: Circulating and distributing the Quran is also very powerful means of Dawah. Many people around the world have embraced Islam on reading the Quran. Such as the pop singer Cat Stevens is now Yusuf Islam. A copy of the Quran with commentary and explanation is more helpful. So translating the meaning of the Quran into all the languages of the world is a challenging work of Islamic scholars, Dawa organizations and Duaat. The Quran is revealed for the whole humanity. So it should be given to all irrespective of their religion, faith, creed and colour. We must remember that second Khalifa of our Prophet, Umer Al-Farooq, the leader of the believers, embraced Islam after reading a chapter of the Quran.

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NB: Unfortunately some scholars (sheikh) prohibit giving the copy of the Quran to non-believers (non-Muslims) based on their logic that non-Muslims are impure. They should understand the verse of the Quran 56:79, Which (that Book with Allah) none can touch but the purified. Here the purified means the angels. This denotes to the source of the Quran. i.e. the revelation of the Quran via the Angel. This ayat has nothing to do with the prohibition or permission of human touch. This is absolutely right and logical that the Holy Book is to be offered to non-Muslims. Non-Muslims have a right on Muslims that Muslims shall give them the Quran verbally or in written form. The Qur,an, the Words of Allah, can certainly make greater effect on their minds. Though non-Muslim, many of them respect the Quran with awe.

Television as a powerful means: There should be internationally televised special news programs, reports, and discussion programs introducing Islam. TV is a very powerful media targeting a larger portion of audience all over the world. Also nowadays TV has comparatively been cheap. Moreover people of any age group educated or uneducated can watch TV and more or less understand the contents. Moreover specially in developing and under develop countries more than 70% people are deprived of internet facility. In India more than 70% people live in villages where internet facility has not yet reach. Even in cities all the people are not connected to internet. A large portion of the people cannot afford internet. Internet is costlier than any other media. No doubt, the advancement of media puts an added responsibility in Da'wah and preaching on all Muslims. The existence of networks and satellite channels and their rapid use by people of deviant and misleading creeds and ideas requires that Muslims also use these resources in addition to traditional means, e.g. sermons, books, cassettes. But this issue has various dimensions, and factors that influence it, such as the existence of government control, abundance of wealth and full freedom to use it etc. Dawah organizations with the help of higher authority should try the best to operate an especial TV channel for Dawah works or at least launch Dawah programs through TV sponsored by others. TV has an accelerating influence which can reach the end of the world. Here I cite a marvelous practical presentation of recent time, how a Christian priest embraced Islam on watching telecast of simple funeral system of Islam. It is reported by Arab News (an international daily published from Saudi Arabia) on 21 August 2005. The report titled as Moved by Simplicity of Royal Funeral, Priest Embraces Islam says:
((The priest, who watched the late kings funeral on satellite television, was impressed by the lack of pomp and pageantry in the royal funeral.

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Islamic preacher Dr. Abdullah Al-Malik said the simple funeral of the king had a dramatic effect on the priests mind, which led him to Islam. Although he had read several Islamic books before, they didnt have the same impact. The priest watched the funeral of King Fahd and another person on television and did not find any difference, Malik said. There was only a single funeral prayer for the two and both were buried in similar graves. This great example of equality influenced the priest and prompted him to embrace Islam, Malik said. Muslim preachers in Italy had given the priest Islamic books and cassettes in the past 15 years, but what moved him was the simplicity of the royal funeral. I had read several Islamic books and heard many Islamic cassettes over the past years, they never moved me. But the simple royal funeral shook me and changed my mind, Malik quoted the priest as saying. He said he believed the kings funeral would change the mind of many others. He urged Muslim media to focus on stories related to Islams tolerance and equality in order to attract more people to the religion. I will work the rest of my life for the propagation of Islam, the 62-year-old former priest said.))

From the aforementioned report we learn several important things which can be applied for preaching Islam. (1) Demonstration of Islamic rituals might melt the heart of a non-believer. Salah (Islamic prayer) which is performed in congregation is the best example of unity, togetherness, brotherhood and fraternity where Muslim people gather and stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, rich with poor, rulers with ruled, black with white; without any discrimination, shouting, quarrel; not for earthly gain, not for self-show but only to please Allah (SWT). We can understand the spirit of Salah and its impact on the society as well as its effect on an individual of non-Muslims from the following example. In the same aforementioned news report there is story of another Italian convert. The director of the Islamic Education Foundation (IEF) in Jeddah, Badr AlOlayan, narrated that the Italian came to IEF office to embrace Islam after being impressed by the large and orderly congregation of Muslims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform prayers. How can you assemble such a large number of people by just making a call (Adhan). Its impossible. Only God can do that, Badr quoted the Italian as saying.

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So if the broadcast of Salah at the Grand Mosque can affect a non-believers mind, Annual Hajj where Muslim people from all over the world converge and perform all the attractive rituals shall cast greater influence. (2) Using television telecast as a very sound and fast way of reaching nonMuslims throughout the world. Satellite, cable, digital etc are of different mode of telecast systems. Broadcast should be conducted in different languages in order to reach the people of all languages. So an Islamic Caller is supposed to be efficient both in Dawa work and the language in which he will call. CAIRO, 24 May 2005 Al-Azhar, Islams highest Sunni authority, will launch a satellite TV channel to counter anti-Islam onslaughts and highlight the true essence of Islam, once opposition over its funding has been resolved, officials at Al-Azhar said (Arab News, Saudi Arabia)

Promptness in refuting the doubts, questions and blasphemy against Islam: This is also an urgent part of the works of a Dawah organization to recruit/hire a well trained personality who can effectively shoot at the anti-Islam and blasphemous statements, articles, writings and activities. Here is an example: The most foul-mouthed and blasphemous anti-Islam writer Salman Rushdie, the satan has recently published his statements, co-published by anti-Islam CNN news channel. A few of his statements are as below: The Indian-born Rushdie made his statement in an essay published Thursday in The Times of London titled, "Muslims unite! A new Reformation will bring your faith into the modern era." According to Rushdie, Islam comprises millions who are "tolerant" and "civilized" but many others whose viewpoints are "antediluvian, who think of homosexuality as ungodly, who have little time for real freedom of expression, who routinely express antiSemitic views, and who, in the case of the Muslim Diaspora, are -- it has to be said -- in many ways at odds with the cultures among which they live." "If, however, [the Quran] were seen as a historical document, then it would be legitimate to reinterpret it to suit the new conditions of successive new ages. Laws made in the 7th century could finally give way to the needs of the 21st. The Islamic Reformation has to begin here, with an acceptance that all ideas, even sacred ones, must adapt to altered realities." (CNN) We can rubbish Rushdie in the following way and bring forth a fast and wide publicity:

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O Rushdie! You are right hand of Satan and left hand of devil. Dont you know that homosexuality is one of the causes of AIDS? Dont you know that it is antihuman? You are homosexual, so you are anti-social element. Let the doctors examine you. They will find the most dangerous bacteria in you. But there is an antibiotic against every bacterium. There is a medicine for each disease. There is a solution to every problem. O Rushdie! Islam is the greatest medicine for your insistent mental disease. We know you are suffering from the harshness of your anti-Islam identity. You are suffering from the hollowness of yours. You will never achieve success; you will never get peace in this stand of yours! Please change your mind. Get back to Islam, you will find absolute peace. Islam assures you a place of sublime tranquility and pacifism. Apologize for your blasphemy! Still there is time for you. Repent to God. Insha- Allah, you will be forgiven. If you do not accept our advice, please renounce your Arabic name. Or else See the wretch, the devil, Rushdie! How satanic is he! The homosexual rubbish! One who is homosexual is lower than pig. He is anti-human, anti social. He is a bacterium of Aids. One who has such beastly attitude cannot understand the Islam and the Quran at the least. Such a rubbish has no write to say anything for Muslims. One who is anti-Quran must shut up his mouth. He must not shed crocodile tears. Let him drown in the Dead Sea. May God punish him in the way He (God) punished the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (the people were homosexual and they denied Prophet Lot). Rush-die must rush to die. Defending our Prophet (SAW): We must become passionate when the Prophet (SAW) or his Sunnah is attacked. A Muslim is generally supposed to be patient, clement, and composed. However, when his religion or his Prophet is attacked, he is not supposed to sit back and bear it patiently. He must go forth and counter it. Defending our Prophet is defending Islam. Defending Islam is another name of propagating Islam. Defense of the Sunnah is one way of showing love for the Prophet (SAW). We must disseminate knowledge of the virtues and good character of the Prophet (SAw). The following are some possible ways scholars and Islamic workers can promote the Sunnah and defend it: a. Writing books about the Prophet (peace be upon him) in all major languages and for different target audiences. b. Writing articles about different aspects of his life for publication in magazines and newspapers. c. Preparing radio and television programs focusing on the life of the Prophet (SAW) and his virtues. d. Establishing websites on the Internet about his life, his Sunnah, and his exemplary personality.

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e. Offering Friday sermons on these topics. f. Holding conferences, seminars, and conventions to address these concerns. These are just some of the numerous means that may be employed to support and defend our Prophet (SAW). We ask Allah to bless us to love our Prophet (SAW) and help us to defend him and disseminate his Sunnah.

Dialogue as a means: Dialogues make connections and bridge divides.

Inter-religion discussions and dialogues are to be developed in order to attract more and more Jews, Christians and other non-Muslims to Islam. We, Muslims, have many things common with Jews and Christians. Part of being a Muslim is to be able to discuss topics rationally and justly as required by the Islamic tenets for dialogue. The Holy Quran itself containing many dialogues teaches us how to conduct and develop dialogues. Dialogue between prophet Moosa (PBUH) and Pharaoh and his people is a clear teaching. To analyze misconceptions about Islam, to fight stereotyping of Muslims and our political and ideological stand, we must start new and honest dialogues as well as renew support for existing dialogues. This is needed not to merely affirm our respective positions, but to explore and to challenge them. A debate known as Great Debate was held in USA. Eight thousand people showed up, to watch Sheikh Deedat debate the topic, Is the Bible the Word of God? with the American Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, who was the head of a $100 million ministry.
Mr Riaz Jamal, a director of the Al-Ansaar Foundation in Durban, South Africa, who had done a thesis on Sheikh Deedat as part of his Masters in Islamic Studies said, during the funeral of Shaikh Deedat on August 8, 2005, There is a need for the Muslim and Christian worlds to continue to bring audiences together for religious debate and dialogue. Sheikh Ahmed Deedat was a global caller to Islam. I dont think any other Muslim wrote to the Pope, inviting him to Islam, but Sheikh Deedat did. Its our responsibility to continue in propagating his message.

After Seeing Deedat-Swaggart Debate, Mr Kenneth L. Jenkins, a US former Minister, embraced Islam. I am here presenting another example of dialogue. Swiss Muslims Launch Dialogue to Clear Stereotypes
By Tamer Abul Einein, IOL Correspondent GENEVA, June 16 (IslamOnline.net) Muslims in Switzerland will launch on June 24 a ten-day campaign to reach out to non-Muslims in the capital Geneva and stand up to malicious media onslaughts.

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Organized by the Islamic Cultural Foundation in Geneva, the "Dialogue Tent" campaign will seek to clear stereotypes about Islam in the eyes of non-Muslim citizens, the foundations media spokesman Abdel Hafiz Al-Wardiri told IslamOnline.net. "We try to convey the true image of Islam to the non-Muslim citizens, who seek answers to many questions about Islam." The dialogue, Wardiri added, will be all-encompassing, covering Islamic culture, art and civilization. The Muslim activist was hopeful the dialogue campaign would be expanded to include other Swiss cities. He said the campaign is sponsored by a number of Swiss and international societies, chiefly Geneva municipality, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Islamic World League. Anti-Islam Media Wardiri further said the foundation will extend invitations to a number of Swiss media people, who are accused of tarnishing the reputation of Islam and Arabs. "The dialogue with this cross-section of society is very important as they will listen to the opinions of the Muslim participants on their media mission," he said. During a June 6 symposium held in the Swiss city of Thun, Bishop Albert Reger sharply criticized the anti-Islam media campaign in the country. He called for recognizing Islam as one of the main religions in Switzerland, which is home to 350,000 Muslims representing a sizable 4.5 percent of the countrys some eight million people, in addition to more than 10,000 illegal Muslim immigrants. Islam is the second religion in Switzerland after Christianity. Forty-three percent of the Muslim community are of Turkish origin. The priest also blamed the Arab-Israeli conflict for feeding up what he termed as extremism and fundamentalism. Muslim Press Office To counter the anti-Islam onslaughts, the League of Muslims in Switzerland (LMS) will set up a press office to monitor newspapers and media. LMS officials told IOL that the effort is part of a comprehensive program designed to raise the awareness of Muslims in Switzerland, especially imams and those working in Islamic centers. A recently released study by Zurich University showed that the image of Muslims is badly blemished in all Swiss media. Blick Neue Zrcher Zeitung, Facts, Le Matin, Le Temps and Welt Woche come high on the list of Swiss dailies and magazines that are frequent attackers of Islam, according to the study.

Bold Dayee entering prison for preaching: Prisoners in the dark of prison find Light of Islam either through a Muslim prisoner or a trained Dayee visiting prison for Dawah. Dawah in prison has got special attention in USA. Dr.

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Mukhtar Curtis, Shaikh Jalaluddin Khan and Imam Salim Muhammed are duaat in the American prison system. Now Salatul Jumuah is organized inside Prison. The rate of conversion to Islam is on increase. We should not desert the persons in the desert of confinement (i.e. prison). They are human beings. They need our closeness. A special training program is an urgent need for the volunteers of Dawah to provide them with the skills and support they need to handle working in this very special environment.

Support Networks to rally behind those who want to revert to Islam. Many non-Muslims understand that Islam is the Truth. But they are hesitant to embrace Islam because of the fear of their future consequences they have to eleave their families, wives or husbands, children, jobs etc. Support network is a must. This is a wide and concrete network among Muslims and new Muslims. Muslims should be ready to assist the new Muslims with anything they need including Muslim women or men they need for their marriage.

Documentary on Muslim reverts (new Muslims): Real documentary can be filmed by interviewing new Muslims asking them multiple questions about their life before their entry into Islam and after, their feelings, impact of their conversion on the society, their assessment on the purpose of life etc. A group discussion among reverts on various subjects can be filmed and then replicated for spreading. The stored videos can be circulated as well as broadcasted through TV. Exhibiting Islam in book fairs and trade fairs: Islam and its positive qualities can be exhibited in various international or national book fairs and any type of trade fair. Special pamphlets and booklets for Dawah and concerned cassettes, CD, DVD etc can be distributed. A trained Dayee can present Islam and answer any question raised by any individual audience or public. I am the witness of such a Dawah Exhibition in a book fair in New Delhi, India. Fantastically and surprisingly I saw a Hindu lady along with her children approached the counter and asked the Muslim representative some questions. Finally she took some books and pamphlets and went with thankful expression. Full-fledged Dawah Program by Dawah Foundations: Like any other commercial and science enterprises, Dawah project is also a synergetic and an interdisciplinary venture, a multilateral challenge. Interdisciplinary in two senses: (1) various means are to be interconnected to produce a comprehensive and effective program, (2) personnel of different disciplines are required. For example: A Dawah Foundation is set up with multiple sources. Some persons will finance the project. Some will work personally. Some people may work voluntarily. But many will be regular and full time workers. So finance should be very strong.

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Some will coordinate with the organization intellectually; great Islamic scholars will provide their knowledge; Islamic orators will help with influential speeches; good writers will offer writings etc. Then Dawah organizations need designers, engineers, computer programmers, camera persons, good photographers etc. A well founded Dawah organization will then apply as many means as possible print media, electronic media etc, to spread Islam. In order to make the subject matter best audible, visible, understandable and reachable; the Dawah Organizations or centres are required to be prompt in adopting and applying any tools, devices and electronics available. The organization can employ a particular person who is well trained in operating and maintaining such devices. Duaat must learn the religious scriptures of different religions to cope up with the concerned belief system. E.g. even in Hindu Scriptures Vedas and Shastras there is the mention of the Last Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The knowledge of a religious scripture helps conduct argument with the followers of that religion. Sheikh Deedat had strong knowledge of Bible. So he was a successful Dayee to convince the Christian world. The faults and mistakes of a scripture can be found only after studying that. Two books by Harun Yahya Islam and Buddhism and Islam and Karma are helpful for those who want to call Buddhists and Hindus respectively to Islam. Dawah foundations should have the facility to teach its Dayees about other religions so that he can make strong arguments by pointing out the false and fallacy of a particular religion while calling the people of that religious belief. When a Dayee wants to go personally to a new place for inviting individuals or groups he must get information about the faith and mentality of the people. According to that he will prepare himself. He can take help and suggestion of a local Muslim who is respected there. A few people had worked in a blessed and positive manner, though their work was very limited: a magazine here, a cassette there, or maybe a movie. From these efforts, the word of guidance spread far and wide and reached a perceptive audience. The fruits of their efforts were seen later - may Allah be praised - and this taught us an important lesson: that it is our responsibility to get involved and work with them and to work hard to promote and defend ourselves. We have our case that we believe in and our own objectives that we pursue. As long as we do not have the courage to go forward and the spirit to compete and seize the opportunities before they are lost, then we should know that the train of events is traveling at an extremely fast pace and will not wait for those who are indecisive. We must throw indecision to the wind and participate in an excellent and original manner. Allah works for this Faith in ways that even its most ardent and saintly followers,

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not to mention its enemies, cannot begin to reckon or comprehend. Allah is in complete domination of his affairs, but most people do not know. The Islamic awakening came after a long period of time and overturned many estimates and standards, threw many plans into confusion, and the wagers of many came to loss after those who plotted against this Faith thought that they were close to victory. This awakening crashed right into their euphoria, and suddenly they saw most of what they had worked for had been passed by time and had become nothing more than chaff blowing in the wind. Allah is the Determiner of all things. Then the Soviet Union collapsed, and from its fall many Islamic states were born, states that had long been counted as lost. The people of these countries started to return to their religion and to search for its unique character, thus becoming a weighty addition to the strength of the Islamic nation. This was something that nobody had counted on.

(C) Influential Topics for Discussion with Non-Muslims

Discussion is a powerful means of influencing our non-Muslims brothers. There are many impressive topics in the Quran and the Hadeeth. The Islamic Callers must learn these and present them in the most effective way. The Topic for discussion and explanation can be chosen according to the belief, understanding and background of the people. Here are presented several such truths. (a) Miracles in the Quran The Quran has many miraculous attributes proving that it is a revelation from Allah. It contains linguistic miracles (perfection of the Quran from literary aspect), scientific miracles, historical miracles, mathematical miracles and predictions. Linguistic Miracles: The Quran puts forward a challenge: " And If ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a (single) Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers besides Allah, if what you say is true. " ( Quran 11:13) ] Since then more than fourteen hundred years have passed, and nobody has been able to meet the challenge, and nobody will, because the Quran is the only existing book containing the Words of Allah which no man can match or imitate. The most eloquent people in the Arabic language spent years going over and searching the Quran, trying to find any weak or inadequate word or sentence, but they could not. They even went further, trying to find a way to substitute a

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word or a sentence in the Qur'an, hoping to convey a similar meaning as the original one, but they failed to do so. As a result of this, many people, especially linguists, throughout the last fourteen hundred years believed in the Quran as a revelation beyond any human capacity. Scientific Miracles: Scientific truths that we have only been able to uncover by the technology of the 20th century were stated in the Quran more than 1400 years ago. Many scientific facts that are expressed in an extremely concise and profound manner in its verses have only recently been discovered in the 20th century. These facts could not have been known at the time of the revelation of the Quran, and this is still stronger proof that the Quran is the Word of Allah. Modern scientists have been amazed by the accuracy of scientific information presented in the Quran. There are many facts about the science of human reproduction, astronomy, and other scientific fields in the Quran. (1) About the stages of human embryo development Allah (SWT) says, Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay); then we placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed; then we made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature! (Quran 23:12 14) Dr. Keith L. Moore said in his book entitled The Developing Human, It is cited in the Koran, the holy book of the Muslims, that human beings are produced from a mixture of secretions from the male and the female. Several references are made to the creation of a human being from a sperm drop and it is also suggested that the resulting organism settles in the woman like a seed, six days after its beginning. (The human blastocyst begins to implant about six days after fertilization.) The Koran, (and prophet saying), also states that the sperm drop develops into a clot of congealed blood (an implanted blastocyst or a spontaneously aborted conceptus would resemble a blood clot). Reference is also made to the leechlike appearance of the Embryo ..." Dr. Moore decided to add a chapter to the next edition of his book to discuss the scientific accuracy of the Quranic version, which was revealed fourteen hundred years ago. In the seventh Saudi Medical Meeting, Dr. Moore wrote a paper about Human Embryology in the Qur'an and the Hadith. (2) One of the scientific miracles hinted at in the Quran is the special creation of mothers milk. One of the facts that science has discovered about mothers milk is that suckling for up to two years after birth is very beneficial. Allah gave us this important informationwhich was discovered by science only very recently14 centuries ago with the verse:

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And We have enjoined upon man goodness towards his parents: his mother bore him by bearing strain upon strain, and his weaning was in two years: (hence, O man,) be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the eventual coming. (Luqman 31:14)

Mothers milk is an incomparable mixture created by Allah, not only to meet all the babys nutritional needs, but also to protect it from possible infection. The balance of food substances in mothers milk is at the ideal level and in the best possible form for the still-growing babys physical systems. At the same time, mothers milk is very rich in nutrients that promote brain growth and nervous system development. Baby foods produced with todays technology simply cannot compete with this miraculous foodstuff. Every day reveals a new benefit that mothers milk bestows on babies. Research has revealed that babies fed on mothers milk are better protected from respiratory and digestive infections. That is because the antibodies in mothers milk provide a direct defense against infection. Other anti-infective properties of mothers milk are that it constitutes an obstacle to bacteria, viruses, and parasites, while establishing a friendly environment for good bacteria, known as normal flora. It has furthermore been established that elements of mothers milk regulate the immune system and allow it to work more effectively against contagious diseases. (3) From the Animal Kingdom there are so many facts stated in the Quran. One of these facts is about the source of the constituents of animal milk which has been described in the Quran fourteen hundred years before. It has been understood only in recent times. Let us see how Dr. Bucaille explained that when he made comments on Verse 66 of Sura 16 which is translated as follows: Verily, in cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of what is inside their bodies, coming from a conjunction between the contents of the intestine and the blood, a milk pure and pleasant for those who drink it.
From a scientific point of view, physiological notions must be called upon to grasp the meaning of this verse.The substances that ensure the general nutrition of the body come from chemical transformations which occur along the length of the digestive tract. These substances come from the contents of the intestine. On arrival in the intestine at the appropriate stage of chemical transformation, they pass through its wall and towards the systematic circulation. This passage is effected in two ways: either directly, by what are called the lymphatic vessels, or indirectly, by the portal circulation.This conducts them first to the liver, where they undergo alterations, and from here they then emerge to join the systematic circulation. In this way everything passes through the bloodstream.. (4) The Quran states several facts about astronomy which were discovered in the late twentieth century. One of these facts is about the expansion of the universe. Let us see what Dr. Bucaille said about that: The expansion of the universe is the most imposing discovery of modern science today it is a firmly established concept and the only debate centers around the way this is taking place. It was first suggested by the general theory of relativity and is backed up by physics in the examination of the galactic spectrum; the regular movement towards the red section of their spectrum may be explained by the distancing of one galaxy from another. Thus the size of the Universe is probably constantly increasing and this increase will become bigger the further away the galaxies are from us. The speeds at which these celestial bodies are moving may, in the course of this perpetual

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expansion, go from fractions of the speed of light to speeds faster than this. The following Verse of the Qur'an Sura 51, verse 47 where God is speaking, may perhaps be compared with modern ideas; The heaven, We have built it with power. Verily We are expanding it. Heaven is the translation of the word sama and this is exactly the extraterrestrial world that is meant. We are. expanding it is the translation of the plural present participle musiuna of the verb aus'a a meaning" to make wider, more spacious, to extend, to expand. Another example from a different scientific field is about the living things in general which we can find in more than one verse in the Quran. For example Sura 21, Verse 30 was chosen by Dr. Bucaille to present how the Quran talked about these scientific facts. The Verse is translated as follows: Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We clove them asunder and We got every living thing out of the water. Will they then not believe? The notion of getting something out of something does not give rise to any doubts. The phrase can equally mean that every living thing was made of water (as its essential component) or that every living thing originated in water. The two possible meanings are strictly in accordance with scientific data. Life is in fact of aquatic origin and water is the major component of all living cells. Without water, life is not possible. When the possibility of life on another planet is discussed, the first question is always: does it contain a sufficient quantity of water to support life? (5) The verse 6:125 of the Quran contains the scientific fact that higher a man

goes up lower he feels the atmospheric pressure and less oxygen he gets. (6) The Quranic verse no. 24:40 tells about the fact hidden in the oceans depths where there is another kind of waves which tosses the divers as the upper waves that toss swimmers. (7) Verses no 75:3-4 tell about the human finger-prints which have recently been used to recognize human distinctive character. (8) Ayats no. 55:19-20 describe about two types of seas (salt water and sweet water) which are differentiated by a barrier. This fact has only recently been discovered. On the basis of his research on this verse a scientist has embraced Islam. (9) Once a scientist embraced Islam being surprised by the scientific truth of the Hadeeth of the Prophet (SAW): Abu Hurairah narrated, the Messenger of Allah said, If a dog drinks water from a pot (utensil), rub the pot one time with soil (earth) and then wash it six times with water. (Saheeh Muslim 279). (10) The Prophet (SAW) told that before the Day of Resurrection comes, the Arab Land ( Hijaz Area) will become full of greenery and pastures. The geological scientists have proved that the ice bergs of poles are melting. The surplus water is approaching the equatorial part of the globe. So a time will come when the Arab land will get ample amount of water and it will gain enough fertility to produce various sorts of grasses, crops, plants and trees. (11) Allah (SWT) empowered our Prophet (SAW) with a miracle of splitting the moon. It is mentioned in the Quran:

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The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder [the people of Makkah requested Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of the moon]. (Quran, Ch 54 the Moon, verse 1) It is said that the scientists who first landed on the moon witnessed the splitting of the moon by observing a clear mark along its body. There are innumerable verses in the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet (SAW) which contain scientific truth. Many of them have been discovered and many are still to be researched. I would like to quote a Verse from the Quran which may sum up the purpose of having these scientific facts in the Quran as signs for the people. " We (Allah) will show them (the unbe lievers) Our signs in the farthest regions, and within their own selves until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. (Quran 41:53) Historical Miracles
1. Noah's Ark has been found on the Turkish-Iranian border, 32 kilometres from Mount Ararat, according to the leader of a team of scientists that has been investigating the site for six years. The remote site contains a buried, ship-like object, resting an altitude of 2,300 metres. At 170 metres long and 45 metres wide, it conforms almost exactly to the 300 cubit by 50 cubit boat that God told Noah to build. Survey picture are given below. The verses of the Quran which tells about this are: {When the word went forth: "O earth! swallow up thy water and O sky! withhold (thy rain)!" and the water abated and the matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi and the word went forth: "Away with those who do wrong!"} (Qur.aan 11:44) {Such are some of the stories of the Unseen which We have revealed unto you: before this neither you nor your people knew them. So persevere patiently: for the end is for those who are righteous} (Qur.aan 11:49)

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2. The body of Firaun as a Sign: The Verses which inspire Dr. Bucaille to do the research around this incident are: We (Allah) took children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh with his hosts pursued them in rebellion and hostility till, when the fact of his drowning overtook him he said: I believe there is no True God except the God in whom the Children of Israel believe. I am of those who submit themselves to Him. (It was said to him) Now! Thou has rebelled and caused depravity: This day We save thee in thy body so that thou mayest be a sign for those who come after thee But verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our signs. (Quran 10:90-92) This is what the Holy Quran said about the story of Moses and the Pharaoh and the sign Allah left for the people who come after the Pharaoh to see who has a revelation from Allah and who does not have. Let us hear from Dr. Bucaille how he conducted research to verify this Quranic story: In June 1975, the Egyptian high authorities very kindly allowed me to examine the parts of the Pharaohs body that had been covered until then. They also allowed me to take photographs...What may already be derived from this examination is the discovery of multiple lesions of the bones with broad lacunae, some of which may have been mortal although it is not yet possible to ascertain whether some of them occurred before or after the Pharaohs death. He most probably died either from drowning, according to the scriptural narrations, or from very violent shocks preceding the moment when he was drowned or both at once. The connection of these lesions with the deterioration whose sources have been mentioned above renders the correct preservation of the mummy of the Pharaoh somewhat problematical, unless precautionary and restorative measures are not taken very soon. These measures should ensure that the only concrete evidence which we still possess today concerning the death, of the Pharaoh of the Exodus and the rescue of his body, willed by God; does not disappear with the passage of time. It is always desirable for man to apply himself to the preservation of relics of his history, but here we have something which goes beyond that: it is the material presence of the mummified body of the man, who knew Moses, resisted his pleas, pursued him as he took flight and lost his life in the process. His earthly remains were saved by the Will of God from destruction to become a sign to man, as it is written in the Quran. Those who seek among modern data for proof of the veracity of the Holy Scriptures will find a magnificent illustration of the verses of the Quran dealing with the Pharaohs body by visiting the Royal Mummies Room of the Egyptian Museum, Cairo!

For more and detailed description of the Quranic miracles we can refer the following books and websites.
(1) The Bible, the Quran and Science by Dr. Maurice Bucailie, (2) Scientific Miracles in the Quran by Harun Yahia, (3) www.islam-guide.com, (4) www.harunyahya.com

Predictions Many predictions in the Quran have been fulfilled. So many are still to be uncovered. The Quran foretold the victory of the Romans over the Persians in the Chapter entitled the Romans: The Romans have been defeated in the land nearby, and they after their defeat, will be victorious.

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This refers to the battle which took place between the Persians and the Romans in 614 A.D. when the Romans were defeated. Eight years after that, the Romans defeated the Persians, and the prediction in the Quran was fulfilled.

(b) The Islamic Legal System Islamic legal system is a challenging truth which can be discussed with nonMuslims. Islam does not prescribe any penalty for disbelief and shirk. Persons committing these sins will get punishment after death. But these two are the gravest sins according to Islam. Still, Allah says, There is no compulsion in religion (2:256) and again He says to His Prophet (SAW), Wouldst thou then constrain the people, until they are believers. (Yunus 10:99) Allah set a legal penalty for baseless accusation of adultery, which is not as grave as disbelief. Thus, prescribed penalties in Islam are dependent in a way that observes the peoples interests. Islam wants a peaceful human society. All the legal penalties prescribed in Islam are meant for the benefit of the people. The aim of Islam is to root out the crimes which are harmful for individuals and society. International conferences and councils and study groups have been held against crimes, but these man-made laws fail to bring peace to the world. Hence is the necessity of Islam in mind and in society. With the advancement of materialistic technology, many people from different religions have engaged in fulfilling their desire. They are worshiping Desire with unrestricted enjoyments. Annul sex, homosexuality, multiple sex, sex with animals have brought AIDS. Had Islam been applied, there had not been AIDS. The partial happiness attained by materialistic development in western or eastern countries is not real and permanent happiness. This is illusory and temporary. Any penalty or punishment sanctioned in Islam has never-ending benefit. One example is the case of alcoholic liquor. In Muslim countries it has almost been eradicated because of Islam. Western world is suffering from the harms of alcoholic drinks.

The Economic System The marvelous Economic System in Islam can bring social security. The benefit of Zakat which is obligatory on Muslims, the harms of usury and bribery have already been explained in section titled Islamic Economy (Financial System) in chapter one. The Golden Age of Islamic History is full of real economic success. One example of reality of Islamic financial system is mentioned here. The Caliph of Islam, Umar bin Al-Khattab applied a just financial policy of such

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excellence that security and solidarity of the Islamic State became a reality which in turn established an affluent society. People did neither know poverty nor there was any struggle of classes. Financial disturbances and poverty was totally eradicated. In Yemen there was none to accept the Zakat. That was with the credit of Islamic financial control. Divine Shariah ensured a noble standard of living which was neither known to the world before nor has the humanity dreamt of reaching it as yet under the man-made constitutions and systems.

(d) Many Intellectuals, Thinkers Praise Islam and the Prophet Many world renowned personalities from all arenas of work and profession have told and written praising Islam and the Prophet Muhammed (SAW). These can be discussed with non-Muslims whom we are going to invite to Islam. Here are some examples. Michael Hart, the author of The 100, A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History says: My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the worlds most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level.....It is probable that the relative influence of Muhammad on Islam has been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity.....It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as "the most successful of all religious personalities of the world." George Bernard Shaw has praised Islam in his writing. (e) Real Stories of Muslim Converts Stories of many famous Muslim converts can be put forward for discussion to attract non-Muslims. From every country and every religion, great personalities and celebrities have embraced Islam. So the example will be focused according to the belief and culture of the audience. Such an example:
Facts of the Real Church World : I soon discovered that there was a great deal of jealousy prevalent in the ministerial hierarchy. Things had changed from that to which I was accustomed. Women wore clothing that I thought was shameful. People dressed in order to attract attention, usually from the opposite sex. I discovered just how great a part money and greed play in the operation of church activities. There were many small churches struggling, and they called upon us to hold meetings to help raise money for them.

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I was told that if a church did not have a certain number of members, then I was not to waste my time preaching there because I would not receive ample financial compensation. I then explained that I was not in it for the money and that I would preach even if there was only one member present... and I'd do it for free! This caused a disturbance. I started questioning those whom I thought had wisdom, only to find that they had been putting on a show. I learned that money, power and position were more important than teaching the truth about the Bible. Cases of adultery and fornication went unpunished. Some preachers were hooked on drugs and had destroyed their lives and the lives of their families. Leaders of some churches were found to be homosexuals. There were pastors even guilty of committing adultery with the young daughters of other church members. All of this coupled with a failure to receive answers to what I thought were valid questions was enough to make me seek a change. That change came when I accepted a job in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Collected from Mr Kenneth L. Jenkins' (Former Minister and Elder of the

Church - Indiana) Story of embracing Islam)

(D) Approaches Used to Invite Non-Muslims to Islam

The Islamic callers must employ the best possible principles, techniques, styles and personal manner when calling non-Muslims to Islam. These are explained here. Preach with wisdom and preach beautifully: Allah (SWT) teaches us how to invite people to Islam: Invite (all) to the way of your Rabb (i.e., Islam) with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. [Quran 6:125] We have to find out the most suitable way to approach non-believers so that they listen to us instead of getting tearing and trigger-happy. Slow and gentle step, smiley and dutiful face, and welcoming and helping hand are postures to be exercised while entering the vicinity of non-Muslim brothers and sisters. We have to make non-believers feel that Islam is a welcoming religion that doesn't belittle anyone of race, sex, or religion. We must encourage them to ask questions. Many Christians, Jews and other non-Muslims are not ready to accept that Muhammad (SAW) is a true Prophet of Allah (SWT). A caller of Islam can explain to non-Muslims the Hadeeth (Al-Bukhari, Vol.6, Hadeeth No.75) where it is described how Heraclius, the King of Byzantine, the Roman Empire, himself proved that Muhammad (SAW) is the true Prophet. For better understanding of

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nice approach to non-Muslims, I cite here the letter of the Prophet(SAW) written to Heraclius calling him to embrace Islam: Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. (This letter is) from Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Heraclius, the sovereign of Byzantine. Peace be upon him who follows the Right Path. Now then, I call you to embrace Islam. Embrace Islam and you will be saved (from Allahs punishment); embrace Islam, and Allah will give you a double reward, but if you reject this, you will be responsible for the sins of all the people of your kingdom: (Allahs Statement): O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah (Alone) bear witness that we are Muslims. (Al-Quran 3:64).

Call with conviction not coercion: The task of Islamic advocacy starts like this: - Presenting Islam first in impressive way and then stating and expressing to people that God wants them to be Muslims, submitting themselves to Him. No coercion should ever be employed to compel people to accept Islam. Faith relies on conviction, and conviction cannot be the result of coercion. Islam can never be and was never spread with the power of sword, as some anti-Muslims claim. It was through presenting the true image and nature of this fine Religion that made people want to embrace Islam. Allah (SWT) is the best Teacher of Dawah He says, Let there be no compulsion in Religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Taghut(all false gods)and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things. (Quran 2:256) Here is a brilliant example of Islamic advocacy practiced by one of those who best understood the Deen: When Umar, the second caliph (RAA) ruled the still expanding Muslim state he had a talented slave called Asbaq who reports: Umar (RAA) was my master and I was a Christian. He used to speak to me about Islam and call on me to become a Muslim. He also said to me: If you become a Muslim, I will get you to help me to discharge the trust God has given me in looking after the Muslim community. It is not permissible for me to put you in a position of trust with regard to the Muslim community when you belong to a religion other than theirs. But I refused. He used to say: Well! I will not compel you, as no compulsion is admissible in religion. Shortly before his death, he set me free and told me: You can go wherever you wish.

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It is important to recognize the significance of this report. The ruler of the Muslim state, which was soon to become most powerful on earth, yet dealing most fairly with all people, could not influence his slave to adopt Islam, even though he was prepared to offer him a position of responsibility in government. In almost all other types of government, religious or secular, no such freedom of belief could be allowed. Yet Umar(RA) did not take it against his slave that he did not wish to become a Muslim. He only told him that he could not make use of his abilities in a public position, because it affected the Muslim community and anyone in such a position must share in its faith. He nevertheless set him free. This freedom of belief is supported by another report in which Umar(RA), the caliph, was willing to speak to an old woman about Islam, inviting her to accept it. Aslam, Umars servant, reports that when he accompanied Umar(RA) on his trip to Syria, he once brought him water for his ablution. Umar(RA) said to him: Where did you get this water. I have never used a finer and sweeter water, not even rain water. Aslam said: I got it from the home of an old Christian woman. When he finished his ablution, he went to her and said: Old lady! You may wish to become a Muslim, because God has sent Muhammad with the religion of the truth. She uncovered her head to reveal that she had gone totally gray, and said: I am but an old woman who is awaiting her death. Umar (RAA) said no more than: My Lord! Be my witness. There are two points to mention here. The first is that Umar (RAA) took it upon himself to explain the message of Islam to an old woman, inviting her to accept it. The fact that she was very old, approaching death, did not cause him to think that her acceptance of Islam could be of little consequence to the Muslim state or community. The other is that he recognized her right to choose for herself. Hence, he only wanted God to witness the fact that he had done his duty by speaking to her about Islam.

Practical Action: The best way to promote the proper words of Islam is to do it with actions. It is important to realize that actions speak louder than words and when it comes to Islam, it is no different than anything else. Practical explanation of Islam will, indeed, attract non-Muslims and encourage them to probe into the truth. Abstaining from unnecessary Difficulties: While doing Dawah works we should not make for ourselves any unnecessary difficulties and hardships. We are supposed to follow the moderate way. Allah has spared the Muslims any

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difficulty or hardship in all that He has enjoined upon them. Allah says: He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion of Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship. (Quran: 22:78) Being Compassionate and Patient: For carrying the message of Islam we have to show utmost compassion and patience. Compassion was the main characteristic of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It influenced all his actions in all situations. Indeed it influenced the way he dealt with his enemies. While he never despaired of anyone being able to accept the truth of the divine message, he was so delighted with every newcomer to Islam. He felt that by adopting Islam, a person does not only set himself on the right course to a better type of life in this world, but also hopes to earn Gods mercy on the Day of Judgment. Hence, the Prophet was keen to address even his most hardened opponents, explaining to them the essence of his message, and calling on them to believe in Gods oneness. When the going was hard and the unbelievers were putting up fierce opposition to his call, persecuting his followers and subjecting them to torture, it was tempting to invoke Gods curses on those who sought to suppress the truth and persecuted its advocates. It is only natural that the oppressed should seek Gods help against their oppressors. And certainly the Muslims were oppressed, like they are today in many parts of the world. Hence, the Prophets companions who found themselves under immense pressure sought his help in dealing with their difficulty. Abu Hurayrah mentions: It was said to the Prophet: Gods Messenger! Pray to God against the idolaters. He replied: I have not been sent to curse people; I have been sent as mercy to mankind. (Related by Muslim and by AlBukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad). This is how the Prophet saw his mission. It was an act of grace and mercy by God to all mankind. As such, it cannot fit with invoking Gods curses on any group of people, even though they may be opposed to Islam and using all their power to undermine it. If a certain person deserved to be cursed because of his evil deeds, this does not justify saying a general curse, even against idolaters who worshipped statues instead of God. Yet the Prophets view of his mission is not something that he himself invented. Had it been so, opponents of Islam might use it as a cause for criticizing the Prophet. But it is God who has described him as such, saying: We have sent you as a (manifestation of Our) grace toward all the worlds. (21: 107) The Prophet understood this well and endeavored to enhance his native quality of compassion so as to be merciful and compassionate to all people at all times. Even his enemies realized this and benefited by his compassion.

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Muslims must view their mission in the same light. They are the advocates of a message delivered by a messenger whom God endowed with compassion. They have to demonstrate this quality in all their dealings, with all people. They are not hostile to any group or race; rather they are the bearers of the message of mercy. Our task is to present this message to all as the Prophet did from the moment he was entrusted with it to the last day of his blessed life. Our duty is to follow his example, not to divert the Islamic message into uncharted ways of hostility or hatred. One of the best examples of the Prophets mercy was when he traveled to Taif to try to win its people to Islam. His reception there was very hostile. The chiefs of the city spoke very harshly to him and they set their lads and slaves to chase him out of the city. They threw stones at him and chased him until his feet were bleeding. When he was on his way back, he sat to rest and addressed a very passionate prayer to God for help. Two angels came to him and offered to do his bidding. One of them said to him: If you wish, I will close these two mountains over them and crush them all. The Prophet would have nothing of this. He said: I hope that God will bring out of their offspring people who worship Him alone, associating no partners with Him.

Natural approach: Duaat must be natural in mind and in appearance. Islam is a Natural Quest of human being. There is no clergyman in Islam. Every person is directly connected to God through salvation. These positive qualities of Islam are to be explained while calling the people to Islam. Islam is in complete harmony with mans demand whether it is physical or mental. So Islam is the easiest religion for man and also Islam is the most rational. All the Islamic principles and ritual activities are based on logic and reasons. These qualities of Islam are to be emphasized when explaining Islam to the people. The aspect of language is a natural phenomenon. The original languages of the Old Testament and the New Testament and the Final Testament (i.e. the Quran) belong to the Semitic language. So Islam promises the linguistic unity by learning Arabic. The Holy Qur'an is their forgiveness, if the humans return to obeying God, then they are again united in a brotherhood and sisterhood of one Semitic language, Arabic.

Rational approach: We have to be realistic, rational and logical in our approach to non-Muslims. Islamic beliefs and practices are based on rationality and reasons. There is wisdom behind every Islamic mode of worships and acts. We can explain each act of Islam with rationality. A rational mind will easily accept Islam. Every acts of ritual worship has physical as well as spiritual benefit. Fasting teaches self-control and patience. It is also good for health. Doctors have proved that many diseases can be cured by fasting. Salah (prayer) teaches

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discipline, punctuality and cleanliness. Its a physical exercise as well as spiritual practice. Congregational Salah teaches unity, love and brotherhood. On the contrary the religious activities of other religions like Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism are lacking rationality. How can man who can reach the moon using his learning and knowledge worship a cow? Is it not irrational? We can cite such innumerable nonsense practiced by non-Muslims.

Finally in the work of Dawah and Tabligh we must ask the help of Allah (SWT). It is Allah Who decides our success. In these circumstances one may confirm the dominance of Christians in the field of media and preaching. Nevertheless the reality, which can not be ignored, is that the ratio of those who are influenced by Christianity does not reach a tenth of what has been achieved by the Islamic Da'wah; there is no comparison between them. Despite its weakness, Islamic Da'wah has been attracting large numbers of Muslims and non-Muslims. Many statistics, to the astonishment of the missionaries working to counter the Islamic Da'wah show the great achievement in this field, though it lacks material sources and has been seized at many levels. We believe that the secret to the rapid growth of Islam is that it is the true religion of Allah and it is appropriate to the nature of the human being. It directly addresses hearts and minds without depending upon dollars or a piece of bread. People have tested many cultures, civilizations, and ideas, etc. but these could not give the human being what he needs such as peace, satisfaction and happiness for the soul. Whoever knows Islam in its reality and is aware of its true source or is in touch with true followers, then surely he will find his long desired goal and will gain peace and happiness for himself. Islam, since it contains perfect legislations to regulate the life of people, lofty ideals, high characters which assure justice and brotherhood among human beings, should have been more wide spread than now. The media which always deforms Islam and falsifies the truth, plus Muslims' mistakes, bad practices and poor example hinder the spread of Islam. If these hindrances were removed, Islam would spread on a wider scale due to its comprehensiveness, greatness, and compliance with the nature of humans. No one should doubt that this religion will become supreme in this world sooner or later since it is the Religion of Allah. Allah says (interpretation of meaning): And Allah hath full power and control over His affairs; but most among mankind know it not. [Quran 12:21]

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Topic Five

Employing Modern Technology to Teach Non-Muslims or New Muslims about Islam

Let us first understand what modern information technology is and its impact on our life before we describe its application in Islamic Dawah. In a few short years, digital technology has become an integral part of media production and distribution. It has also established itself as a communication medium rivaling print and broadcast. As such, digital technology is the new media technology of today and the future. It is drastically changing media technology, communication theory, media effects, and the social and political implications of new media technology. Obviously, the Internet is new media technology. So are satellite and cable data transmission, computer assisted research and multimedia publishing. Digital technology provides interactivity and non-linear (3-dimentional) communication. Media technology developments include telegraph, telephone, radio, television, and the Internet. All of these continue to evolve with computer technology. Traditional, non-digital communication, such as print, is also influenced by new media technology. The final product is paper, but the production processes use some combination of digital graphics and photographs, computer databases and so on. The vast geographical world is now the "global village" in which electronic communication would break down the barriers and obstacles encountered in traditional media by allowing people to see, experience, and understand more. Ranging from the dynamic to the mundane, the improvement of global information systems crosses cultures, languages, and generations. With the information communication sector growing at twice the rate of the rest of the economy, the globalization of information infrastructures has just begun. The global distribution of telephone circuitry, although not as prevalent as television sets, constitutes the largest interconnected global public communications network. Furthermore, the telephone companies, while at the forefront of media providers, are at the leading edge of the digitalization process as a result of experience in providing service and maintenance communication systems to millions of customers. Traditional and new media incorporate characteristics of and influence each other; that is, media converge. As such, it is becoming increasingly important for us to understand new media technology and the changes it brings to the media industry. The media industry is undergoing a major transformation due to the introduction of digital technology.

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New media technology is rapidly evolving the media industry and the practices of mass communications. It is the application of digital (computer) technology to mass communications: specifically media production, distribution, storage, and use. It is also changing time scale on the introduction of new developments. In contrast to the 300 years it took the printing press to start mass-producing, the World Wide Web entered the consciousness of the masses in 1994, within a few decades of the invention of computing. The Internet emerged as a communication medium. Even though the Internet is still in its infancy, its impact on society, commerce, and the government is already phenomenal. In addition, the interactivity and immediacy inherent in digital technology have changed the models of media production.

(A) Employing Information Technology in Dawah, Some Practical Experiences The latest Information Technology (IT) has caused the communication means (media) to move at so fast pace and as so comprehensively that any information can be sent to any house or cottage of the world. This fulfills part of the promise of Allahs Messenger (SAW) mentioned in the Hadeeth of Tamim al-Dari related by Ahmad: "This faith will reach every place reached by day and night and Allah will not leave even a house made of earth or hair except that He will make this faith enter it bringing glory or humiliation; glory that Allah will bestow upon Islam and its followers and humiliation that Allah cause to befall disbelief and its followers." Tamim al-Dari said: "By Allah, I have witnessed this in my own family. Those who accepted Islam attained honor and distinction, and those who disbelieved were afflicted by humiliation and ignominy." We, Muslims, have to strive for objectivity and moderation in presentation. Moderation is an authentic Islamic approach. It is necessary to facilitate it and emphasize that excess and neglect are two sides of the same coin, and that they are both alien to the way of Islam. Moderation in thought is the natural result of a balanced and moderate character that has been nurtured on knowledge, fortified by patience and understanding. Its oil almost produces light even though it has not been touched by fire. Today, we are facing an information explosion. We are faced with numerous powerful information media. The field of communication has surpassed anything that could have been imagined or hoped for. We are being exposed to a media barrage from nations that have no scruples or values. As for the state of our own programs and our own application of communication media, a mere glance at what we have is very poor.

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It is pitiful that about more than sixty TV channels for entertainment are functioning in the Middle East (Muslim) nations. Unfortunately there is no TV channel working solely for the cause of Islam. This is the condition of petrodollar! Here worth mentioning that former PM of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Muhammed has been advocating using petrol as our weapon of defense. But the ears of Muslim political leaders are deaf. Their ears are open to entertainments; their eyes are open to vulgar dances. May Allah guide them. May Allah grant us victory. May Allah forgive us. For this reason, every effort is to be made to correct this deficiency, to compensate for the gross inadequacy, and to make up for lost time. Utilization of current information media is a matter of extreme importance that cannot be taken lightly. It can no longer be postponed. Islamic Dawah centres should present authentic Islamic teachings in a contemporary and easily accessible style. With the advent of new Information technology the speed and scope of all the means and media have been abruptly changed. So the Islamic Dawah organizations have to go in parallel with the development of IT. They have to grasp any new facility available for spreading Islam. Here I mention some latest IT devices, electronics, software systems, tools etc which can successfully be used in Islamic Dawah: Eye-catching and heart-touching programs on Islamic qualities and hence for Dawah works can be made using the Linux operating system, the most famous of open-source software products. And, notably, some of the worlds most celebrated commercial and non-commercial institutions are running their daily operations on Linux-mounted machinesincluding Google, Amazon, Reuters, Merrill Lynch, DreamWorks, the American Departments of Defense and Energy and the National Security Agency in the US. The open-source process is based on UNICS (uniplexed information and computing services), later modified to Unix. Islamic audio lectures specially designed for Da,wah can be recorded and played back using MP3 player. A color JPEG image viewer MP3 player powered with 20GB (gigabyte) HDD (hard disk drive) is available. MP3 players with memory capacities ranging from 128 megabyte (MB) flash memory to 20-GB HDD and capable of holding a record equal to 350 hours; a necklace-type wearable player exclusively targeted at female users are in use. Dynamic Digital Presentation brings motion, sound and dimensionality in awareness and advertising programs. This allows anyone to create and schedule content to drive plasma, LCD and television displays. Design excites visual layouts with animation and video. Important verses and quotations of Prophet (SAW) can be displayed, stored, duplicated. One such example of display is: Swiss Discover Islam in Fribourg Exhibition

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((GENEVA, March 21, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) Thousands of Swiss have flocked to an exhibition on Islam in the canton of Fribourg, southwest of Bern, to learn more about the faith amidst a media blitz tarnishing its image. The fair, which opened on February 16 and closes later on Monday, March 21, provides answers to questions from curious Swiss on the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the basic tenets of the monotheistic religion. The questions vary in terms of age; the old are very much interested in the Hereafter, punishment and reward in Islam, and the young in the life of the Prophet and the milestones in Islamic history, Mohammad Ali Batout, head of the Islamic Tabere cultural organization, the organizer, told IslamOnline.net. The five pillars of Islam have been emblazoned across the decorated columns of the exhibition along with a gallery of photographs portraying the everyday life of Muslims in Switzerland. The photographs give insights into the lives of the second generation of Swiss Muslims of different origins whether from Somalia, Turkey, the Balkans or North Africa, Batout said. Science Section The exhibition, which costs $35,000 donated by a Swiss Muslim businessman and churches, also touched on burning scientific issues like artificial fertilization and cloning. The Islam and Science section has attracted peoples attention, Batout said. Swiss were surprised to know that verses from the Noble Quran that were descended on the Prophet 14 centuries ago tackle global and scientific phenomena that have been just discovered by scientists. The Muslim activist said that most of the audience erroneously thought that Islam was all about do this and dont do that. The organizers also prepared an open day for the audience to visit mosques in Fribourg. Women in Islam The issue of women in Islam has also taken center stage in view of the oppression clichs promulgated by Western media. Tabere female activists refuted the media reports, stressing that Islam has placed men and women on equal footing. They also told the attentive audience why hijab was not a mere symbol but rather a religious obligation. The counts were reinforced by documentaries of hijab-clad Swiss Muslims and how they managed to adapt to Swiss values without giving up their religious obligations. In November, a poll conducted by the Sonntagsblick newspaper showed that a clear majority of the Swiss people accepted hijab at workplace. Dutch Muslim female lawyer Famille Arslan told IOL on Monday, March 14, that It was a sort of clich to say that women are oppressed under Islam, but it is a fact to say that immigrant women in the Netherlands- particularly Muslims were being discriminated against in the labor market and universities. Positive

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The fair received a positive feedback from the visitors, who agreed that such events helped remove fears from the other and build bridges of confidence. The Swiss were also keen on uncovering the cultural, historic and artistic sides of Islam, Batout said. The exhibition showcased picturesque handmade trinkets as well as leather, copper and wooden products for which Muslim countries are famous. Samples of the unique Islamic architecture and artifacts were also displayed through computer monitors at the corners of the exhibition. A fashion show of Turkish, Algerian, Moroccan and Albanian traditional costumes was also held on the sidelines of the exhibition. Tabere, which was founded by Muslim and Christian activists basically to enhance dialogue, has contacted Muslim organizations to host the next exhibition. Swiss Muslims launched on June 24 a ten-day campaign to reach out to non-Muslims in Geneva. Islam is the second religion in Switzerland after Christianity. The country is home to a sizable Muslim minority of 350,000 people of whom 43 percent are of Turkish origin. Fribourg has a Muslim population of some 7,500 people, mostly Turks and Albanians.))

Real documentary can be filmed by interviewing new Muslims asking them multiple questions about their life before their entry into Islam and after, their feelings, impact of their conversion on the society, their assessment on the purpose of life etc. A group discussion among reverts on various subjects can be filmed adding some important visual explanations of the Verses from the Quran using power point or macromedia flash or some other multimedia software. These filmed programs can be broadcasted through television and internet; and recorded in video cassette, CD, VCD and DVD for further distribution. These cassettes and CDs can be replicated for spreading. Wide varieties of media services from editing to design are available. Print media has been enhanced whether it is a full color multi-paged Dawah foundation newsletter or a simple one page e-newsletter. We have to present Islam wherever possible using latest presentation technology, whether it is improving the look of an existing Power-Point or the creation of a new media-rich presentation. Here is an example: Muslim Activist Builds "Bridges" With World
By Ahmad Maher, IOL Staff ((CAIRO, June 12, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) Dedicated to educating non-Muslims about the true values of Islam and Muslims how to reach out to the other, acclaimed Muslim activist Fadel Soliman is championing a new organization which aims at bridging the gap between the two sides.

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Our mission is to present Islam as it is without any sort of cosmetic improvements, Soliman told IslamOnline.net in an interview about the nascent Cairo-based Bridges Foundation. To that end, we use all possible means, including media, power-point presentations, CDs, etc. with a focus on training Muslim preachers and imams on how to present Islam to the other, added the Egyptian-born activist. Soliman, Muslim Chaplain at the American University in Washington D.C. from 2001-2004, said prevailing misconceptions about Islam in the West make more pressing the need for revealing the true essence of a much-stereotyped Islam. The word jihad, for instance, conjures up images of wars though under Islam there are many sorts of jihad, including fighting evil desires. Even jihad when it comes to the battlefield is by no means a loose term but governed by rules set up by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who instructed Muslim fighters not to kill the innocent, the elderly, children and women, he explained. Soliman said there are until now three confirmed members of the organizations Board of Trustees: German Muslim intellectual Murad Hofmann, Egyptian Gamal Badawi and awardwining British journalist Yvonne Ridley. The organization consists of two main divisions: Public Presenters for Peace (PPP), which has to do with presentation materials and skills, and International Institute for Training Presenters (IITP), which trains willing imams and preachers in presenting the Muslim faith to non-Muslims. The Bridges Foundation will launch its Web site in ten days time. Power-point Presentations The work of Soliman, the former national chaplain of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) in North and Central Americas office, is mostly done through power-point presentations. A graduate from Catholic St. George Language Schools in Cairo in 1983, he is the author of several presentations on Islam. In Islam: a Religious of Peace or a Religion of War, we provide hard evidence that Islam is undoubtedly a religion of peace, said Soliman, who studied communication and electronics at the Faculty of Engineering in Ain Shams University, Egypt. In Quran: the Discovery of Freedom, he draws a comparison between the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the human values enshrined in the Noble Quran, which preceded the man-made charter by 1400 years. The Quran guaranteed, to mention but a few examples, the freedom of thought and freedom of religious belief years and years before the UN charter saw the light, Soliman said. The activist said the uniqueness of the power-point presentations and trainings is that they help create generations of well-qualified preachers and activists, who can reach out to the other. In Denmark, I made my presentation to a group of Muslims and afterwards three of them took the initiative and decided to translate the materials in Danish to present them to non-Muslims, he recalled. Sensitivity Courses Soliman also organizes sensitivity courses, which educate non-Muslims on how to deal with Muslims in sensitive issues.

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We provide sensitivity training to police, like the FBI in America, on how to deal with Muslim detainees and to teachers on how to address issues like reproductive health when they talk to Muslim girls, he added. Soliman said the presentations have become even sought-after by travel agencies, which have put them on their tourist programs. In Egypt, we were approached by a travel agency at a request from the tourists themselves, he elaborated. The activist also cooperates with Islamic centers in the US and across the world in organizing open days to introduce the Muslim faith to non-Muslims. All we need is that Islamic centers advertise for an open day in newspapers and then we step forward with our presentations, he said. Soliman has presented Islam to more than 15,000 people in American churches, universities and governmental departments, including the Pentagon, as well as in international events such as the Frankfurt International Book Fair, 2004. He was, for four years, the host of a weekly television show on channel 30 in the USA entitled The Islamic Show and a weekly radio show entitled Let the Quran Speak. ))

(B) A Comprehensive Dawah Program for New Muslims Using Modern Technologies Modern technology has enforced means (media) in speed and with quality. One of the aspects of modern information technology is multimedia. It has brought television up to the latest form of digital broadcasting. Radio transmission has also been developed. Interactive Multimedia: In addition to its high learning value, interactive multimedia is often times more affordable than video or print since it is quick and easy to update and distribute. It is easy to deliver Dawah materials to potential audience in a dynamically updatable way. Services like Video duplication, Video editing, Video to DVD transfer, DVD & CD duplication, and Home movie transfer, Web posting, playing back on PCs and DVD players are all very easy. We can archive our videos from most formats including VHS, S-VHS, Hi-8, 8mm, and more. Videos can then be edited to our specifications and delivered in the format of our choice. Options include everything from interactive DVD's to web streaming. In whatever form we present Islam, in the first instance we have to give a quick introduction to Islam highlighting Islams merits and positive qualities. Long and boring lecture is to be avoided. The presentation of Islam should be practical. Removing misconceptions and doubts about Islam should be the pivotal part of any Dawah program and presentation. Majority of non-Muslims 7/5

have a wrong connotation of Islam. Until and unless these doubts are erased, the truth of Islam will not enter the mind. In addition to Dawah calling new Muslims or unwitting Muslims to practice Islam in its complete form, it is also an urgent duty of the day to explain the hollowness and harms of western cultures with scientific and medical proves. Majority of the Muslim youth are going after the up to date nude and indecent fashions. They do not get proper Islamic training and education. So they become the prey of world move of non-Islamic cultures and fashions. So is the urgency of Call to new Muslims and born Muslims for practicing good and avoiding forbidden things. This stirring account should stimulate the Muslims, especially the youth, to derive inspiration from it and discard their shackles of inferiority complex which is one of the primary reasons preventing many from practicing Islam.

(C ) A Comprehensive Dawah Program for New Muslims Using the Internet

Allahs Messenger (SAW) said: Whoever among you sees something wrong should change it with his hands. If he is unable, then with his tongue. If he is unable, then in his heart, and that is the weakest of faith. Majority of Muslims fall in the weakest faith. Even the parents have stopped threatening their children. Or they do not know what Islam permits and what Islam forbids. Un-Islamic cultures and fashions are encroaching into our Islamic cultures via various media. The way of our dressing, eating and exchanging are becoming anti-Islam day by day. A new Muslim is prone to practise the practices of a Muslim. So teaching Islam to a Muslim is as necessary as to a new Muslim. However our urge to a new Muslim is Do what the Quran and the Sunnah say, not what Muslims do. So learning from the Quran and the Sunnah is mandatory on a new Muslim. Here in this particular context I like to mention what Yusuf Islam (a famous reverted Muslim) said. He told that if he would study what the Muslims practise, perhaps he would not convert to Islam; what attracted him to Islam is the teaching of the Holy Quran. So spreading the teaching of the Quran and the Hadeeth through Internet is an indispensable job the Duaats and Dawah Foundations have to perform. Da`wah, whether on the Internet, in personal meetings, in the marketplace, or elsewhere is fard kifyah. That means if a sufficient number of people carry it out, then the duty is fulfilled for everyone. For people in most circumstances, participating in Da`wah is a preferable voluntary act. In certain instances, where someone sees an issue that must be addressed, it can become a specific obligation upon that person to address it. For instance, those Muslims who use the Internet are the ones upon whom the obligation for engaging in Da`wah on

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the Internet falls. If a Muslim surfing the Internet sees that there is insufficient Da`wah taking place, then he must act to remedy the situation. The ease of international communication and the numerous choices available among the most important of which is the Internet - can be counted as one of the blessings of Allah (SWT) in this age. The Internet has drawn the attention of the world with its numerous uses and applications including millions of sites providing a wealth of scientific and commercial information, live audio and visual conversations, e-mail and interest groups, and unlimited media broadcasts. The expanse of the World Wide Web is vast, capable of accommodating an unlimited number of efforts of various kinds and then still demand more. Internet is probably much larger than the vast oceans accommodating uncountable number of whales as well as shrimps. Internet voyages up into the vast space.

The Internet followed, bringing ideas and principles to a level of competition unlimited by any barriers or restrictions. It is a vast arena where the most successful people are those who are closest to the truth and are most capable of convincing others of it. Internet does offer some facilities which are not available from other media. e.g. downloading and streaming, huge information, large books, e-library etc. A person can use internet at any time according to his choice as long as possible. This type of receivers choice is not there with TV. We have full confidence in our faith and the purity of its principles, but the issue at hand is our ability to propagate our beliefs, call to them, and defend them. With the introduction of the Internet and its immense, global potential, we have no more room to make excuses and say we are incapable. These potentials and innovations must be employed to their maximum potential and to their fullest extent. The Zam-zam water is with us who will convince the world with the blessings of Zam-zam? It is we to serve. The website is to present Islam in its pristine purity according to the prophetic methodology, the clear approach that our Prophet Muhammad left for us and that was followed by his Caliphs, Companions, those that followed them in righteousness, and the great scholars, both jurists and propagators, throughout the ages. The Qur'an and Sunnah will be its guide; these two sources are the basis for all agreement and the only recourse in all disputes. "If you dispute in some matter, then refer it back to Allah and His Messenger." This objective is none other than to serve our faith, defend it, and call to it. The website is for propagating Islam. The committee in-charge of looking after Dawah activities should include experts in politics, economics, the media, sociology, technology, the arts, and

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other fields, all of whom are committed to participate in the Islamic Renaissance in all fields and at all levels. The Internet has opened in the opportunities for communication, and the committee has to pledge to use them to achieve the highest levels of integrity and precision in content and in creative professionalism in design. Dawah committee will work for the credibility of the site's contents, information, and ideas and gain the distinction that will make it attractive and acceptable. The opinions of others are to be taken into consideration, neither suppressed nor discarded, as long as they stay within the Islamic framework and are presented in a composed and scientific tone. The website will disseminate the message of Islam to Muslims and Non-Muslims in various languages, and with the use of distinctive media and suitable styles that take into consideration both the purity of Islam and the environment and mindset of those being addressed. The website should be filled by contributions taken from scholars, Islamic propagators, students of Islamic knowledge, intellectuals, literary figures, and specialists in many fields, focusing mainly on Dawah. In the start difficulties may come but the situation will be easy. Some software systems which can be used for Dawah through Internet: Streaming means to play a video or audio file as it downloads from the Internet. Users can view the audio or video files directly from the Web server for immediate playback. We can make Dawah related videos or presentations available throughout the world easily and efficiently. Very less expense can make vital Dawah information and communications available to be viewed online safely and securely by thousands of viewers at a time. Website designing, developing and hosting are conducted using digital media. We can use appliances such as wireless media players, and sign servers to deliver Islamic content created using MPEG, Flash and even PowerPoint.

The following points and suggestions are important to teach new Muslims: 1. Islamic books or magazines can be available online or can be downloaded. There are many Islamic websites. But still the English translation of all the books of Hadeeth and Tafsir books of the Quran are not available in the webs. Works of great scholars like Imam Bukhari, Imam Gazali, Imam Ibne Taimia, Ibnul Qaium, Ibne Kathir etc are to be translated into English and other languages and launched into websites. In this way Islamic religious studies are to be made easily available. The days are not far away when a computer set will be as affordable as a radio set today; the Internet will be as cheap as other media.

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2. A comprehensive lesson plan with graded steps and full-fledged syllabus can be projected into website for Muslims or new Muslims. We can call this eMadrasah. Persons may have full freedom to visit this e-Madrasah according to their choice and opportunity. They should get full access to any content of the Islamic education launched into the e-Madrasah. The system of enrollment, certificating and rewarding the participants (students) can also be arranged. If the finance required for this cannot be arranged, the participating candidates can be charged a minimum fee. 3. A websites is such a big library that written contents of millions of books can be stored in it. It can be opened at any time. It is very easy to search any book or any portion of a book through search option. So internet can do a challenging task for spreading Islamic knowledge among new Muslims. 4. Advertising the website trough different media. Imams of the Mosque can be requested to tell the people during Khutba or any occasion about the website. 5. The foremost thing we are obliged to do is to make the awareness and interest of learning Islam into the minds of new Muslims. New Muslims must always remember that they are now (just after confessing the Shahada) the same Muslims as the born Muslims. There is no discrimination among Muslims. All of them have the same right and the same obligation. Of course there is considerable relaxation for an individual Muslim according to the situation and the place he lives in. Five things that the Qur'an demands from every Muslim are as follows: 1. The Muslim is required to believe in the Qur'an, 2. Heis required to read it, 3. He is required to understand it, 4. He is required to act upon its teachings, and 5. He is required to convey its teachings to others.

In Islam there is no monopoly of knowledge - it is free to all who wish to avail themselves of the opportunities to learn. By self-study one can become a scholar.

(D) New Innovative Dawah Methods Suitable for Non-Muslims and New Muslims 1. Dawah Organizations can get link with various NGOs (non-government organizations) to preach the peace Islam wants. The universal teachings of brotherhood and fraternity as prescribed in Islam can be carried out to any 11/5

community and group of any religion and any country. The approach should be attracting and convincing to the people Dawah workers want to go to. Any unwelcoming factor should be avoided. As an example I can cite when the Secretary General of Muslim World League based in Makkah, Shaikh Turky went to USA just after 9/11 to stretch the hand of friendship and brotherhood to various Authorities and attended interfaith discussions and meeting with American personnel, he was wearing western suits (pants & shirt). Saudi dress of THOB would have been unwelcoming to the people there in USA. Many other Muslim Personalities who have been successful in preaching Islam in various parts of the world wear the dress not strange or unwelcoming to the people to whom they (Dayees) go. 2. Muslim individuals or a group of Muslims equipped with psychiatrist or related professionals can approach the prison or jail authority to get permission to preach Islamic behavioral science. This will be a gateway to preach Islam. If this group carries with them up-to-date devices of audio visual presentation, films, CD, VEDIO etc. it will be appealing to both the jail authority and the prisoners. 3. In the name of teaching universal brotherhood, personal duty of protecting environment and keeping our surroundings neat and clean as prescribed in Islam, we can get appointment from schools and institutions administration to present Islamic teaching there. 4. Presenting Islam in Exhibitions: We can present Islamic Dawah programs using multimedia application in book fairs, trade fairs, exhibitions etc. A proficient Dayee will be present in the Islamic show to answer the questions of the audience. Macromedia flash presentation, power-point presentation are some of feasible means. 5. Displaying multimedia based Dawah programs in a monitor or TV set in the air ports, sea ports, bus stands, railway stations, banks, post offices, market complex and other public places specially in the Islamic states. Even ATM machines are also means of audio-visual display. We can display Islamic videos in the bank ATMs controlled by Muslims. In this way we can make an overspread Dawah network. 6. Sometimes we learn reports of great figures of money being donated in the cause of Islam. But due to the inefficiency of the method and means chosen by the host organization, the outcome is not up to the expectation. If the donator or the accepting centre asks the expert Dawah foundations or expert Dayees regarding the proper means and methods of the proposed plan of utilizing the money, the result will be excellent and it will have replicating measure. Here I cite such an example.
Louvre to Exhibit Islamic Artifacts in Riyadh Museum Mohammed Rasooldeen, Arab News

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RIYADH, 11 August 2005 The world famous Louvre Museum in Paris will mount an exhibition of Islamic artifacts at the national museum here next January, according to Erick Pinon, cultural attach at the French Embassy. Pinon said Prince Waleed ibn Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, donated a gift of $20 million to the Louvre as part of his effort to promote Islam in the West. The French are deeply appreciative of the contributions made by the members of the royal family towards developing Islam in France, Pinon said, recalling that two months ago King Abdullah during his visit as crown prince had donated 1 million euros to the Arab World Institute in France.

Here we see esteemed Prince Waleed and respectable King Abdullah donated very big amounts to promote Islam especially in the West. There are many such instances of Prince Waleed of offering monetary donations. In this particular case $20 million is a very big amount, which if utilized in expert way after consulting scholar of expert Dawah or any person of expertise in Islamic promotion, the prince would see better outcome than his own intention or expectation.

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Final Comments
Dawah organizations and Dayees have to grasp all the opportunities and means of spreading the Message of Allah. All the means and media in use in the world are to be utilized for inviting people to Islam. To reach all the people of the world we need all the means. If we concentrate to only one or few means leaving others we will not be able to carry the Message of Islam to all people, some will remain left. Each means is complementary to others. We should not engage only in TV or Internet. Still the majority of the world population is using print media as their means of information. The electronic media are being used by the people mainly for entertainment. Dawah organizations must use all the means and launch Dawah materials out of print, or audio or audiovisual or multimedia output worldwide to create a comprehensive and multifarious Dawah Network. Cooperation among Dawah Organizations and Duaat nationally and internationally is also required to achieve optimum result. One very important duty of Dawatul Islam is to eradicate, from Muslims, the concept of Madh-hab or different schools of thought. How can it be that the enemies of Islam gather regularly, whilst we practice our favourite hobby of creating divisions, multiplying thereby the number of titles and banners? Insects of Madh-habi blindness are inhibiting our way of unity and progress. How is it that the enemies of Islam are able to establish states on the basis of ideas and literature of men (man-made laws), many a time the worst of men, whilst we carry the Book of Allah with us, with its interpretation and are still divided amongst ourselves? It is this book that is the mighty rope of Allah and His firmest bond which does not wane, yet Muslims are still in their pitiful state. The workers in the field of Da'wah should look around and contemplate, and observe how the enemies of Islam have gathered, sparing no effort and not pausing for a single moment from their plotting, planning and destabilising efforts in order to ensure dominance over the subjugated nations. Truly, seeing the truth is far better than continuing with the deception of claiming that things are as good as they could be. Also, noting the defects, their treatment even if the medicine is bitter or painful is far better than persisting in neglect and ignorance, tirelessly engaging in accusations and counter accusations amongst ourselves. May Allah (SWT) grant us strength, patience and endurance. O Allah! Guide us to the Truth of Islam. Let us learn to do sacrifice in the cause of Islam. Let us forget and shun Madhabi ideology totally. Let us be one single Ummah.

Conclusion
To build confidence and a spirit of hope among Muslims, we have to generate a concept of total dependence on Allah (SWT) along with our firm effort to safeguard our religion and life. On the excuse of September 11 attack, USA started to crash many Islamic interests. The Muslim world became nervous, shy and silent. Some clever scholars of Islam worked rightly. They generated selfconfidence and full dependence on Allah. Now we witness the victory of Islam western people started to learn about Islam. This attack has suddenly turned people's attention (especially Americans) to Islam. People in the West are talking a lot about what kind of a religion Islam is, what the Qur'an says, what obligations come with being a Muslim, and how Muslims are required to conduct their affairs. This interest has naturally brought about a rise in the number of people worldwide turning to Islam. So, the commonly heard prediction after 9/11 that "this attack will change the course of world history" has, in a sense, started to come true. The process of returning to religious and spiritual values, which the world has been experiencing for a long time, has become a turning to Islam. Insha Allah, we shall see the victory of Islam: Here is a plain statement to men, a guidance and instruction to those who fear Allah! So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: for ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith. (Al Imran 3:138-139) It is He Who hath sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it). (AtTawbah 9:33 and Al-Fath 48:28 and As-Saff 61:9) The Prophet (SAW) said, This message will reach to wherever the night and day have reached. Allah shall not leave any home built by clay or stones or by animal skin (tent) except Allah will make this religion to enter it, to give honour to those who are honourable and to disgrace those who are disgraceful. The honour Allah shall give to Islam and dishonour Allah shall give to unbelief. (Musnad Ahmad 16344) It is our belief and conviction that the truth will prevail. The justice and righteousness shall be established on this earth. Islam gives us confidence that Allahs purpose cannot be defeated by any one. Allah has decreed: It is I and My Messengers who must prevail: for Allah is One full of strength, able to enforce His Will. (al-Mujadilah 58:21) We shall see Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Christians and polytheists will convert (revert) to Islam. All temples, synagogues, churches will convert to Masjid (Mosques). We shall see the polytheists to destroy and burn their idols in the

same way as one of the great companions (Sahabas) of Prophet, At-Tufayl (RAA) lit the fire to Thul-Kaffayn (an idol that belonged to the Dauss tribe of Arabia) while he chanted: From your worship, Thul-Kaffayn, I depart, My birth is more ancient than your birth, Today I will stuff fire inside your heart.

All of these developments have been revealed in the Qur'an: "When God's help and victory have arrived, and you have seen people entering God's religion in droves, then glorify your Lord's praise and ask His forgiveness" (Qur'an, 110: 2-3) and it is important to know that what this verse says will come true very soon. We are the witness. It is even happening now. Allahu Akbar, Allah is the Greatest God will indeed fulfill this promise. Therefore, believers (Muslims) must do whatever they can to take part in these developments. They should participate in the endeavour of Dawah work with full confidence and inspired by the reward Allah (SWT) promises. Rabbana takabbal minna innaka antas-samiul Aleem. O Allah! Accept my efforts and forgive my faults. And my covenant at the end: "Truly, my prayer, my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for God the Cherisher of the Worlds. No partner has He, this I am commanded. And I am the first of those who bow to Allah in Islam." (Holy Qur'aan 6:162163) Was-salatu was-salamu ala Muhammad, the best of the Prophets and the Messengers. Ameen!

List of Books: (can be referred for effective Dawah guide). A. The following books are effective tools for Muslims in the efforts to invite Christians and Jews to Islam: 1. Let the Bible Speak by Abdur Rahman Dimashkiah 2. Muhammad in the Bible by Ahmad Deedat 3. Muhammad in the Bible by Prof Abdu L Ahad Dawud 4. Christian Muslim Dialogue by H.M. Baagil, M.D. 5. Was Jesus Crucified? by Ahmed Deedat 6. Jesus, A Prophet of Islam by Sulaiman Shahid Mufassi 7. Muhammad in the Bible by Jamal Badawi 8. Biblical Studies from Muslim Perspectives by S. Mufassir B. The following books can be referred for effective Dawah to non-Muslims. 1. ISLAM MY FASCINATION by Abdullah Adiyar 2. ISLAM OUR CHOICE compiled by Ebrahim Ahmed Bawany 3. 130 Evident Miracles in the Quran by Mazhar U Kazi 4. The Bible, the Qu'ran and Science: The Holy Scriptures Examined in the Light of Modern Knowledge by Maurice, Dr. Bucaille 5. 200+ Ways the Quran Corrects the Bible : How Islam Unites Judaism and Christianity : How Islam Unites Judaism and Christianity by Mohamed Ghounem 6. The Unifying Theory of Everything: Koran & Nature's Testimony by Muhammed Asadi 7. Dictionary of the Holy Quran, Second Edition by Abdul Mannan Omar 8. The Need for Islam by Dr Muhammad Ali Alkhuli 9. Islam and Buddhism, and 10. Islam and Karma by Harun Yahya 11. Muhammad in the Vedas and Puran 12. Islam versus the West, 13Islam and Modernism, 14. Islam in Theory and Practice, and 15.Islam Versus Ahl-Al- Kitab Past and Present by Maryam Jameelah ( former Margaret Marcus) Websites in the service of Islam: 1. 2. 3. 4. www.invitationtoislam.com www.mountainoflight.com www.answering-christianity.com www.islamonline.net Appendix 1

5. www.islamonline.com 6. www.quran.al-islam.com 7. www.al-islam.com 8. www.islamtoday.net 9. www.al-daawah.net 10. www.al-sunnah.com 11. www.muttaqun.com 12. www.jews-for-allah.org 13. www.islamicfinder.org 14. www.harunyahya.com 15. www.islamfortoday.com 16. www.jesus-or-allah.com/ 17. www.examinethetruth.com 18. www.welcome-back.org 19. www.bilalphilip.com 20. www.wamy.org 21. www.liveislam.com 22. www.taimiah.com 23. www.divineislam.com 24. www.islamweb.net 25. www.ahya.org 26. www.irf.net sponsored by renowned Dawah worker Dr Zakir Naik, Bombay, India. 27. www.deutschemuslime.de This site is in German language. 28. www.madeenah.com 29. www.tafsir.com 30. www.fatwaonline.com 31. www.hijra.net 32. www.al-islamforall.org 33. www.prophetmuhammadforall.org 34. www.islamhouse.com 35. www.islamicvoice.com 36. www.abouttajweed.com 37. www.geocities.com/noorullahwebsite/index.html 38. www.riseofislam.com 39. www.islam-guide.com

Appendix 2

References used for composing this thesis : 1. The Noble Quran, English Translation of the meanings and Commentary by Dr Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Alhilali and Dr Muhammad Muhsin Khan 2. The Holy Quran, English Translation of the meanings and Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali 3. Towards Understanding Islam by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi 4. www.islamonline.net , 5. www.divineislam.com , 6. www.answering-christianity.com , 7. www.harunyahya.com

Appendix 3

"There is a lot of misunderstanding about Islam. It is a deeply reflective, peaceful, a very beautiful religious faith." British Prime Minister, Tony Blair

Please save yourself from the hell fire by embracing Islam!

"Let me say...that there is much that the world can learn from Islam. It is now practiced by one of every four people on Earth...Indeed, I remember that our daughter took a course on Islamic history in high school and read large portions of the Qur'an..." Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton

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