Understanding Islam and Muslim

Islam and Muslim
UNDERSTANDING
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Understanding
Islam & Muslims
ISLAM AND MUSLIM
Islam is an Arabic word which means peace and submission. As a religion, Islam calls for a complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of God. A Muslim is one
who freely and willingly accepts the supreme power of God and strives to organize his or her life in total accord with the teachings of God. He or she also works for building
social institutions that reect the guidance of God.
CONTINUITY OF THE MESSAGE

Islam is not a new religion. It is, in essence, the same message and guidance God revealed to all His messengers and prophets beginning with Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Last Messenger Muhammad.
DO ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS?

No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the Prophet and Patriarch Abraham. Their three prophets are directly descended from his sons - Muhammad from the eldest
Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Muslims, Christians, and Jews have much in common. All worship one God, Creator of the Universe. Allah is the Arabic name
for God. Jews and Christians are referred to as the People of the Book in the Quran.
HOW DO MUSLIMS VIEW JESUS AND MARY?

Muslims respect and revere Jesus and consider him one of the greatest of Gods Messengers to humanity. The Quran conrms his miraculous birth. There is a chapter
in the Quran entitled Mary". She has been given the highest honor in women of all nations.
WHO IS MUHAMMAD?
Muhammad was the Last Messenger of God, sent to complete the religion of Abraham. He was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in 570, during the period Europeans call
the Middle Ages. Though revered as the Last Messenger, Muhammad is not worshipped. As he grew up, Muhammad became known for his truthfulness, generosity, and
sincerity, earning the title of The Trustworthy One. At the age of 40, he received the rst revelation from God through angel Gabriel. As soon as he began to preach the
revealed message to believe in the One God, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution which grew so erce that in the year 622, God gave them the
commandment to migrate from Makkah to the city of Madina. After several years, Prophet Muhammad and his followers returned to Makkah, forgave their enemies, and
established Islam denitively. Before he died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the
West and as far East as China.
WHAT IS KORAN (OURAN)?

The Quran is the last revealed book of God. It is a record of the exact words revealed by God through Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad over a period of twenty-three
years. The Prophet did not know how to read or write. When the angel brought the revelations, he memorized them then dictated them to his companions, and they were
written down by scribes. Not one word of its 114 chapters has been changed over the centuries so that the Quran is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which
was revealed to Prophet Muhammad fourteen centuries ago between 610 and 632 Common Era. The Quran is the heart and soul of Islam. It provides guidelines for a just
society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system.
WHAT IS KAABA?
Muslims believe the Kaaba is the rst place of worship. Abraham and Ishmael were commanded by God to build the Kaaba over 4,000 years ago. It is situated inside the
compound of the Sacred Mosque in the city Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Because of its unique signicance as the First House of Worship, Islam prescribes that Muslims face
the direction of the Kaaba whenever they pray. Turning toward the Kaaba in worship symbolizes unity as one community worshiping the One God.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM?

There are ve acts of worship that provide the framework of Muslim spiritual life.
1. THE DECLARATION OF FAITH: I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
The Prophethood of Mohammad obliges Muslims to follow his exemplary life in every respect.
2. PRAYERS are prescribed ve times a day as a duty toward God. Prayer strengthens and enlivens belief in God and inspires peopled to higher morality. It puries
the heart and controls temptations, wrong-doing and evil. All Muslims across the globe pray in the same manner, as did the Prophet fourteen hundred years ago.
3. FASTING during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It was in Ramadan when the rst words of the Quran were revealed to Prophet
Muhammad. Fasting means abstinence from food, beverages, and sex from dawn to sunset, and curbing evil intentions and desires. It teaches love, security, and
devotion. Fasting develops self-control, patience, unselshness, social conscience, and willpower to bear hardship. It also enables the Muslims to feel with the poor.
4. ZAKAT or Charity is a proportionately xed contribution from the wealth and saving of the well to do and rich. It is spent on the poor and needy in particular, and
the welfare of the society in general. The payment of Zakaat puries ones income and wealth and helps establish economic balance and social justice in the society.
5. HAJJ OR PILGRIMAGE to the Kaaba in Makkah, is obligatory once in a lifetime, provided one has the means to undertake the journey and has good health.
NOTE FROM ADVERTISER:
My goal is not to convert anyone to Islam, for guidance only comes from God Almighty.
These articles are only to dispel as much misunderstanding as possible. So please read with an open mind.
UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
& Muslim& Muslim
Prophet Muhammad
MERCY TO THE WORLDS
Prophet Muhammad
Peace & Blessings
said be merciful to people so God is merciful to you
banned killing prisoners
prohibited killing any civilians
established law and order
campaigned to end slavery
liberated all his slaves
prohibited rape
established peace among warring tribes of Arabia
and different religious groups
expressly forbade burning anyone alive
declared Muslims, pagans, and Jews of his state
as one people with full freedoms
ordered to protect churches
abided by his treaties and agreements
prohibited calling a Muslim kar (disbeliever)
About Islam ................................................................................. 1-2

Islam Q& A .................................................................................. 3-4
JESUS A PROPHET OF GOD ......................................................... 5-6
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM............................................... 7-8
5 PILLARS OF ISLAM ................................................................. 9-10
ISLAM IS NOT A REGION OF EXTREMISM ............................... 11-12
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE ................................................ 13-14
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER ................................................ 15-16
SCIENCE IN ISLAM ................................................................... 17-18
DEATH AND THE HEREAFTER IN ISLAM .................................... 19-20
TRAPS OF SATAN...................................................................... 21-22
ATHEISM ................................................................................... 23-24
WHY ISLAM BEAUTY & BENIFITS............................................... 25-26
PROPHETHOOD IN ISLAM ........................................................ 27-28
IS JIHAD HOLY WAR...................................................................... 29
HOW DOES ISLAM GUARANTEE HUMAN RIGHTS ........................ 30
RAMADAN THE MONTH OF FASTING ........................................... 31
WHO WAS MUHAMMAD............................................................... 32
WHAT IS ISLAM & WHO ARE MUSLIM ........................................... 33
WHAT ARE THE FIVE PILLARS ......................................................... 34
WHY IS ISLAM OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD ...................................... 35
KALIMAHS BELIEFS OF ISLAM........................................................ 36
PROPHET MUHAMMAD............................................................ 37-38
WOMENS RIGHT IN ISLAM ...................................................... 39-40
THE QURAN ............................................................................. 41-42
THE MERCY OF ALLAH ............................................................. 43-44
THE HIJAB ................................................................................. 45-46
THE DANGERS OF RIBA............................................................ 47-48
THE BURQA & NIQAB ............................................................... 49-50
WHAT IS QURAN............................................................................ 51
NAME OF ALLAH...................................................................... 52-58
about
Islam
Islam is a natural and complete way of life. It encourages one
2. Belief in The Angels
to give due attention to their relationship
It teaches that people nd true lasting happiness and peace
Angels are made from light, have allocated tasks and never
disobey their Creator. Details about a few have been revealed,
such as Gabriel, who delivers Gods message to the Prophets,
and the Angel of Death, who takes the souls of people.
through being close to God, following His guidance and
3. Belief in The Revealed Books
with their Creator (God).
performing good deeds.

Muslims constitute approximately one fth of the worlds
population, making Islam one of the largest religions.
Belief in an worship of the One True God is the purpose
of life and cornerstone of Islam.
The Arabic word Islam

literally means submission
to the One True God alone.
One who voluntarily surrenders
their will to God
is called a Muslim,
who can be from any racial or
ethnic background.
a brief
introduction
Allah sent divine revelation to His Messengers as a guidance

and mercy to mankind. These include the Torah and Gospel as
originally revealed to Moses and Jesus respectively, and
the Quran as revealed to Muhammad
(peace be upon them all).
The Quran is the literal word of God and the nal revelation to
all of mankind. There are many clear signs and miracles that it
is from God, examples of which include:
Contains a simple, pure and universal message
which appeals to Mans inherent beliefs about Almighty God.
Contains a unique style of language that is universally known
as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and
linguistic beauty - yet the Quran was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known,
historically, to be illiterate.
Contains many scientic facts which have only been
discovered recently despite being revealed
over 1400 years ago.
1. Belief in Allah
Allah is the unique Arabic name of The One True God. Allah
has no rivals, partners, equals, children or parents. He is not like
His creation, as nothing shares His divine essence and perfect
attributes. Some of His names and attributes include:
The Creator, The Most Merciful, The Most High, The All-Powerful,
The Most Just, The All-Wise, The Sustainer and The All-Knowing.
He is the Creator and Sustainer of all,
the One who has granted us countless blessings, such as our
faculties of hearing, seeing and thinking, as well as the ability
to walk, talk and be productive.
As such, we should acknowledge, thank and worship
him alone by following his guidance.
It is rational to conclude that such a complex and balanced
universe is not possible by any other than a powerful and
intelligent being. It is therefore illogical to believe that
the universe created itself, or was the result of random or
coincidental events.
Preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its

original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which have
been distorted, changed or lost.
The most rational explanation for the many unique and
miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it can only be from God.
Together with the authentic sayings and actions
of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),
it is the primary source of Islamic knowledge.
4. Belief ln The Prophets

Muslims believe that thousands of Prophets
were sent by Allah, at least one to every nation, to convey
Gods revelation. These Prophets include Adam, Noah,
Abraham, David, Joseph, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad
(peace be upon them all). Their mission was to return people
to the worship of the One True God, to serve as practical
examples of how to obey God, and to guide people to the
path of salvation. Prophets do not share in any part of Gods
divinity, and any type of prayer or worship towards
the Prophets, or to God through them, is strictly forbidden and
considered a violation of Gods right to be worshiped alone.
FOR A FREE QURAN IN ENGLISH, PLEASE CALL, EMAIL OR VISIT : www.kdcsus.org | 646-236-7978 | kaddijah@aol.com
- Prophet Jesus
5. The Pilgrimage
Muslims believe that Jesus is an honorable prophet of God,

born miraculously through his virgin mother Mary.
He performed many miracles with the permission of God,
such as healing the sick, curing the blind and speaking as a
newborn defending his mother from accusations.
Although Muslims respect and love Jesus, they do not worship
him. He is not considered the son of God, nor part of a trinity,
nor does he share in any of Gods perfect attributes.
Pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah,

in Saudi Arabia, must be performed
once in a persons life, if they are
physically and nancially able.
- Prophet Muhammad
1. The Declaration
of Faith
It occurs annually in the 12th month

of the Islamic calendar, unifying people
of every color, race, status and age, as
they join in worship of the One True God.
It must be based on a sincere and rm belief in the heart,
This great journey consists of many components, including
followed by action. With this declaration, a person rejects all
sacrices, traveling and praying at various sites. Such an
false deities, asserts that Allah is the only One worthy of worship, experience is life altering and humbles a person, making them
and accepts His nal Messenger, hence becoming a Muslim.
more patient and thankful.
The declaration of faith is bearing witness there is no God
worthy of worship but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the nal Prophet sent to

all of mankind. He came with the Quran to demonstrate how its 2. The 5 Daily Prayers
teachings should be applied, and was a perfect example of an
honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful and brave human Prayer establishes a personal and spiritual connection between
being. As with Jesus, Muslims do not worship Muhammad.
the Muslim and their Creator, and is a constant and practical
reminder of a persons duty to obey God.
5. Belief in The Day of Judgement

The Day of Judgment is the inevitable event when each one of
us will stand before our Creator and be questioned about our
good and bad deeds. Every one of our actions will be
accounted for, regardless of size.
On this momentous Day, Allah, the All-Just,
will settle all matters fairly and no person
will be wronged. Everyones rights will be
returned. All will be treated justly, by either
the reward of Paradise, or the punishment
of the Hellre.
6. Belief in Divine Destiny
Each prayer can take a few minutes to

perform, consisting of recitation of
the Quran, supplications, praising
Allah, and various movements. In
preparation for prayer, Muslims wash
certain parts of their body, such as th
face and hands, to ensure spiritual and
physical purity.
Islams concept of worship is not restricted to only the ve

pillars. Worship is an all-inclusive term for any actions that are
pleasing to Allah. Everyday activities can become acts of
worship by purifying ones intention and ensuring ones actions
are in line with Gods guidelines. Examples include smiling,
being good to ones neighbors, supporting ones family, being
honest, and even removing rubbish from the road. It should be
noted that Allah is not in need of anyones worship, rather, we
are in need of Him and our worship is for our benet.
8. The Annual Charity

The annual charity is an obligation on every Muslim who meets
certain criteria (e.g. has wealth above a certain threshold).
A mere 2.5% of ones annual wealth is donated to those

who are eligible, such as the poor, the needy or those in debt.
and anything that will occur in the future. He has power over all It puries ones wealth and carries many benets for both the
things - nothing occurs without His knowledge and permission. giver and the receiver. One benet is it reduces the gap
between the rich and poor, ensuring everyone has their
Every person has been given the free will to choose between
basic needs met.
right and wrong, and will be held to account accordingly.
The above-mentioned aspects of faith and acts of worship

make up the essence of Islam.
Allah knows everything from the past, the present,
Free will does not contradict the fact that events can
only occur with Gods knowledge and permission.
Nor does it mean that Gods power over everything prevents
or restricts peoples free will. Gods knowledge of peoples
decisions does not mean that they are being forced to
make such decisions, and God is not necessarily pleased
with everything that He allows to occur.
When practiced, Islam fullls the spiritual, physical,

psychological and social needs of all people, and is a
practical and rational way of life. Furthermore, it is the only way
of life which is accepted by God Almighty, and the only path
that leads to everlasting Paradise.
4. The Annual Fasting

Every year during the month of Ramadan,
Muslims fast from dawn until sunset,
abstaining from food, drink and
sexual relations.
It serves as a spiritual purication, nurtures patience and
self-restraint, and provides man health benets.
ISLAM
&
QA
The Quran is the primary source of Islamic knowledge and

lays out the principles of Islamic teachings. The Sunnah is the
secondary source, and is a collection of thousands of sayings
and actions by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),
as conveyed by his companions.
Islam is a natural and complete way of life that encourages

one to give due attention to their relationship with God and
His creation. It teaches that souls nd true happiness and
peace through performing good actions that are approved by
As they are rigorously authenticated, it provides an accurate
God and which benet both the society and the individual.
way of life and guidance for Muslims to follow.
All Islamic teachings are based on evidence derived from
The message of Islam is simple: to believe in and to worship
these two authentic sources.
The One True God alone, and to accept Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) as His nal Messenger. The word Islam
means submission to God, and its followers are known as
Muslims, who can be from any racial or ethnic background.
God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly.

Rather, we have a higher
purpose - to acknowledge and worship
God alone, so that we live upon the
guidance of our Creator. This guidance
enables us to live a successful and
blessed life in all aspects, as well as
entry into Paradise and freedom from Hell.
The test of ones faith is in using ones
intellect and reasoning abilities to contemplate and recognize
Gods signs and to live according to His guidance.
frequently
asked
questions
The Quran is the nal revelation to mankind, and is a guide and

criterion between right and wrong. It is the literal word of Allah,
as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
through the Angel Gabriel, and supersedes all previous
revelations, such as the Gospel and the Torah. It explains and
claries many issues like the purpose of our existence; the
correct concept of God; the actions liked and disliked by God;
the stories of the Prophets and their lessons; accounts of
Heaven, Hell, and the Day of Judgement.
One of the great miracles of the Quran is that it has been
preserved and unchanged since it was revealed over
1400 years ago. It also contains many scientic and historical
facts that were unknown to the people of that time and have
only been discovered recently, which is one of the proofs that
it is from God.
Allah is the personal name of The One True God. Allah has no
partners, equals, parents or children.
All of Allahs attributes are perfect, such as The Creator,
The Most Merciful, The All-Powerful, The Most Just, The All-Wise
and The All-Knowing. No human or object shares in Allahs
lordship and His divine attributes, as such, He alone deserves
to be worshiped exclusively.
1st Pillar: The Testimony of Faith - to

declare that there is no God worthy of
worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His
nal Messenger.
2nd Pillar: Prayers - to be performed ve times daily:
once each at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon,
after sunset and at night.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the nal Prophet in the

long line of Prophets, sent to call all mankind to the worship of
God alone.
3rd Pillar: Prescribed Charity - this is an annual compulsory

charity paid to those less fortunate and is calculated at 2.5%
of ones total wealth. It is paid by those who have excess
wealth beyond their basic needs.
He was an ideal father, husband, teacher, leader and judge,

and a perfect example of an honest, just, compassionate and
brave human being. Although greatly respected, he, like the
other Prophets, is not worshiped by Muslims.
4th Pillar: Fasting the Month of Ramadan - throughout this

month, Muslims must refrain from all food, drink and sexual
relations with their spouses, from dawn to sunset.
They also endeavor to refrain from all bad deeds.
5th Pillar: The Pilgrimage - if a Muslim has the means to do so,

they are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in
Saudi Arabia, at least once in their lifetime. It involves prayer,
supplication, charity and traveling, and is a very humbling and
spiritual experience that unites the Muslim nation.
Worshiping others beside God or associating partners or equals

with God is the worst sin in Islam.
This includes ascribing some of Gods attributes to other
objects or beings (e.g. idols); claiming that God has a son,
mother or any other partner; or disbelieving in God.
Thousands of Prophets were sent by Allah, at least one to every

nation, with the same message: to worship Allah alone and not
associate any partner with Him. Some of these Prophets
include Adam, Noah, Joseph, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses,
Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
Jesus (peace be upon him) was one of the greatest Prophets
sent by Almighty God. He was born miraculously without
a father and performed many miracles all by the permission
and will of God.
God tests people in different ways through various trials.

This includes health, family, natural disasters,
wealth or other means. Patience during
adversities (by not giving up hope or
despairing), and gratefulness for
blessings (by using such blessings
in a way pleasing to God), is a
means of getting closer to God
and attaining eternal Paradise. Of
course, pain and suffering in this life
is temporary; while Paradise
is everlasting.
Death is the passage from this brief life into the next
eternal life. Each person will be resurrected
to be held to account on the Day of
Judgement. This Day ensures that
justice prevails, as anyone who
was wronged or oppressed in this
life, will be compensated and
dealt justly by Allah, the
All-Knowing and Most Just. If
a person lives a good, honorable
life by worshiping and obeying Allah,
they will be entered into Paradise,
through Allahs Mercy If they choose to disbelieve,
Hell-re awaits them.
In Islam, men and women are viewed as equals before God,

in terms of both receiving equal reward
and accountability for their actions.
Allah, the Creator of both genders,
has assigned different roles and
responsibilities for each, taking into
account their differences. Women are
given the utmost respect and honor, with
no form of oppression condoned towards them.
While most religions generally have the same teachings

regarding good manners and kindness to others and so on,
Islam additionally focuses on the Greatness of God with no
compromises with his Oneness and Perfection.
Unlike other religions, Islam primarily teaches that God is
completely different and unique compared to His creation and
that all praise and worship is due directly and exclusively to Him.
Islam is also comprehensive, simple yet profound, has revelation
that is preserved, does not reject any of Gods Prophets but
states that they all came with the one and same message.
Halal, or lawful, foods are those permitted by God for Muslims

to consume.
Generally, most foods and beverages are considered halal,
with the main exceptions being pig and alcohol. Meats and
poultry must be slaughtered humanely and correctly,
which includes mentioning Gods name before slaughter
and minimizing the suffering of animals.
The concept of original sin does not exist in Islam.

God is just; so no person is held accountable for any sin they
themselves were not responsible for.
The essence of Jihad is to struggle and sacrice for ones

religion in a manner which is pleasing to God.
Becoming a Muslim means acknowledging the greatness of

The Creator and developing and maintaining a close
relationship with Him by obeying Him. This will lead to happiness
and contentment in this life and the next.
Allah has opened the doors of Islam to all of mankind,
regardless of their past or current situation. Therefore, anyone
can become a Muslim at any time by simply believing in, and
uttering the following testimony of faith:
Linguistically, it means to struggle and can refer to striving

to do good deeds, giving charity, or joining an Islamic military
I bear witness that there is no God worthy of worship except
action. The most commonly known form is the military Jihad
which is permitted in order to preserve the well being of society, Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allahs Messenger.
to prevent oppression from spreading, and to promote justice.
In war, the targeting of innocent non-combatants is a

despicable act which Islam clearly prohibits.
In fact, Muslims are not even allowed to destroy plants and
animals unnecessarily, let alone innocent humans. This is just
but one example of many ethical guidelines of war stipulated
in Islam. However, it is important to distinguish between terrorism
and legitimate resistance to occupation, as the two are
very different.
Jesus
A PROPHET OF GOD
Muslims
Jesus
The Bible calls Jesus a Prophet (Matthew 21 :1 0-1 1), so how

could Jesus be God and be Gods Prophet at the same time?
Jesus said, I am going to the Father, because the Father is
greater than me. (John 14:28)
Jesus is a gure who is loved and revered by billions of people

the world over, yet there is much confusion surrounding the
status of this colossal personality. Muslims and Christians both
hold Jesus in high regard but view him in very different ways.
This pamphlet aims to clarify the issues surrounding Jesus:
Was Jesus God, or was he sent by God?
Who was the real historical Jesus?
Some Christians claim that Jesus is God

or part of a trinity - that he is the incarnation of God on earth,
and that God took on a human form. However, according to
the Bible, Jesus was born, ate, slept, prayed and had limited
knowledge - all attributes not betting God.
God has attributes of perfection whereas Man is the opposite.
How can anything be two complete opposites simultaneously.
Islam teaches that God is always perfect. To believe that God
became a man is to claim that God is or was
(at some point in time), imperfect. A Christian must ask
him/herself, does the idea of a god who was once a weak
helpless child, one who could not survive without food, drink
or sleep, be the same Almighty God described in
the Old Testament? Surely not.
One may ask,
If God can do anything, why cant he become a man?
By denition, God does not do ungodly acts. God does not do
anything that would make Him, something other than God.
If God became man and took on human attributes, he would,
necessarily, no longer be God.
Some ambiguous verses of the Bible can be applied
erroneously to show that Jesus is in some way divine. But if we
look at the clear direct verses of the Bible, we see again and
again that Jesus is being referred to as an extraordinary
human being and nothing more. The Bible contains many
verses in which Jesus speaks and behaves as if God is a
separate being to himself.
For example: Jesus fell on his face and prayed.
(Matthew 26:39)
If Jesus was God, then would a God fall on his face and pray?
And who would he be praying to?
Jesus said, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to

my God, and your God. (John 20:17) If Jesus was God, then
why would he say, to my God, and your God, and who was
he ascending to?
If Jesus was God, he would have clearly told people to
worship him, and there would be clear verses in the Bible
stating this; yet he did the opposite and disapproved anyone
worshiping him: And in vain they worship me. Matthew 15:9
Some Christians claim that Jesus is the Son of God.

What does this actually mean? Surely God is far removed from
having a physical and literal son. Humans have human children.
Cats have kittens. What does it mean for God to have a child?
Rather than being taken literally, we
nd the term Son of God is
symbolically used in the earliest
biblical languages for a
righteous person, and has
been used for David, Solomon
and Israel - not exclusively
for Jesus: ...Israel is my
rstborn son, (Exodus 4:22). In
fact, anyone who is righteous is
referred to as Gods son : All who
are led by Gods Spirit are Gods sons
and daughters. (Romans 8:14)
In the same way, when the word Father is used to refer to

God it shouldnt be taken literally.
Instead, its a way of saying God is the creator, sustainer and
the supreme master of all. There are many verses for us to
understand this symbolic meaning of the word Father,
for example: One God and Father of all. (Ephesians 4:6)
Also, Jesus was sometimes called Lord by the disciples.
This term is used in the original languages of the Bible,
for God as well as
for people who are held in high esteem.

For example, in the Greek New Testament, the term kyrios
is used for both Lord as well as to name the owner of the
vineyard (Matthew 20:8), and the master who beat the
disobedient servant (Luke 20.42-47).
In other parts of the Bible, Jesus is even called a servant of
God by the disciples:
The God of our fathers, has gloried his servant Jesus.
(Acts 3:13) This clearly shows that when Lord is used to refer to
Jesus, it is a title of respect, not of divinity
In Judaism, Jesus (peace be upon him)

is denied as the Messiah. This is in
stark contrast to Christianity where
he is worshiped as a deity, or
the son of God. Islam takes the
middle ground and acknowledges
Jesus as an honorable Prophet
and Messenger of God, as well
as the Messiah, but Muslims do
not worship him - as worship is for
God alone who created Jesus and
everything that exists.
According to the Quran,

the Angel Gabriel was sent to Mary, the noble virgin,
in the form of a man, informing her of a child who was to be
born miraculously without a father.
Some claim that his miraculous birth is evidence of

Jesus divinity. However, Jesus was not the rst to come into
existence without a father,
as Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) before him had
neither a father nor mother.
God says:
Instead, he merely repeated a verse from the Old Testament

conrming that God is One.
If Jesus is worshiped due to having no father, then surely Adam

is more deserving of worship since he was created without
either parent.
This aligns with the mission of Jesus as taught in Islam, where

Jesus was sent to the Children of Israel to conrm the message
of the past Prophets - to believe in the One True God.
As an honorable obedient Messenger of God, Jesus submitted
willingly to Gods commands as such, he was a Muslim which refers to anyone that submits to the will and
commandments of God.
Jesus was miraculously conceived with no father and also

performed great miracles by the will and permission of God.
He spoke as a baby in the cradle to defend his mother against
the people who accused her of fornication. The Quran also
states that Jesus gave life to the dead, cured the leper and
the blind - all by the will of God.
The fact that Jesus (peace be upon him) performed miracles
does not mean that he was anything more than a humble
servant of God. In fact, many Messengers performed miracles,
including Noah, Moses and Muhammad (may peace be
upon them all) and these miracles only took place by
the permission of God, so as to demonstrate the authenticity
of the Messenger.
Jesus was as an honorable Prophet sent by God to call to the

worship of God alone.
This is evident in the Bible and conrmed by the Quran.
The Prophets of the Old Testament such as Abraham, Noah and
Jonah never preached that God is part of a Trinity, and did not The Islamic belief about Jesus explains who the real
believe in Jesus as their savior.
Jesus was, whilst maintaining the pure belief about God and
His complete Greatness, Uniqueness and Perfection. We invite
you to look further and investigate Islam. It is not just another
Their message was simple: there is one God and He alone
deserves your worship. It is not logical for God to send Prophets religion. It is the same message preached by Noah, Abraham,
for thousands of years with the same essential message, only to Moses, Jesus and Muhammad - may peace be upon all of them.
suddenly change it, claim that He is now a part of a trinity, and Islam means submission to God and is a natural and
complete way of life that encourages one to give due attention
to stipulate the belief in the divinity of Jesus to be saved.
to their relationship with God and His creation. Islam teaches
that God is the All-Just and All-Merciful and does not need to
The truth is, Jesus preached the same message as all the
sacrice himself to forgive sins nor is anyone born into sin.
Prophets in the Old Testament. There is a passage in the Bible
God judges everyone based on their own deeds and everyone
that really emphasizes this core message. A man came to
is accountable for their own actions.
Jesus and asked, Which is the rst commandment of all?
Jesus answered,
Islam teaches us to love and respect all the Prophets of God,
The rst of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel,
but loving and respecting them does not mean worshiping them
the Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Mark 12:28-29)
because worship is due only to God. Acknowledging Jesus as a
So, the greatest commandment, the most important belief
Prophet of God and becoming a Muslim does not mean
according to Jesus, is that God is one.
changing or losing your Christian identity. It is about going
back to the original and pure teachings of Jesus.
If Jesus was God he would have said, I am God, worship me.
Islam is one of the worlds largest religions yet it is also one of

the most misunderstood.
For various reasons - be they political, economic, biased media
or fear of the other - mistruths and misconceptions have been
spread about Islam. The key to understanding Islam and
Muslims is to resist stereotypes and examine each situation
according to Islamic teachings and authentic sources?
The media generally portrays any Muslim who ghts as a terrorist,

regardless of whether they ght justly or unjustly, or whether they
are oppressing others or being oppressed.
In war, the targeting of innocent non-combatants is a
despicable act which Islam clearly prohibits. In fact, Muslims are
not allowed to destroy plants and animals unnecessarily, let
alone innocent humans. However, it is important to distinguish
between terrorism and legitimate resistance to occupation, as
the two are very different.
The Quran clearly demonstrates the seriousness of killing an
innocent person, and emphasizes the value of human life:
Some people allege that Islamic values

are somehow incompatible with decent
Western values.
Such claims could
not be further from the truth.
Muslims cherish noble and universal
values such as:
being honest and just
keeping ones word
allowing freedom of religion
respecting parents, relatives, neighbors, and the elderly
being charitable, generous, and looking after the
poor and need
not lying, cheating, swearing or backbiting anyone
In Islam, men and women are viewed as equals before God, in

terms of both receiving equal reward and accountability for
their actions. The only thing that distinguishes people in the
sight of God is their level of piety.
Muslims are required to contribute positively towards society

and to always conduct themselves with the highest of morals
and best of actions.
This verse proves that real honor and status is not attained
because a person is rich or poor, black or white,
male or female, but attained through piety and devoutness.
The word Allah is simply the Arabic

word for Almighty God - an Arabic
word of rich meaning, denoting the
one and only God.
Allah is also the same word that Arabic
speaking Christians and Jews use to refer to God.
However, although Muslims, Jews and Christians believe in the
same God (the Creator), their concepts regarding Him differ
signicantly. For example, Muslims reject the idea of God
having any partners or being part of a trinity, and ascribe
perfection only to God, the Almighty.
Women are given the utmost respect

and honor, such as the right to equal
pay, choice of spouse, pursuit of
education, and the right to
divorce and inheritance.
Unfortunately, there are some
Muslim women who are
oppressed and not given their
rights. This is not the fault of Islam.
The problem is that in some countries,
people follow certain cultural practices
and traditions which have nothing to do
with Islam.
The Quran is the divine literal word of God Almighty, revealed

to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), through
the angel Gabriel. It is a criterion for the truth, containing
guidance for humanity to live by. The Quran cites lessons from
preceding generations and the history of the Prophets in order
that we may learn from their experiences. It further teaches us
about ourselves and our Creator, as well as the purpose of our
existence which is to acknowledge God, worshiping Him alone.
God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly.
The test of ones faith is in using ones intellect, free will and
reasoning abilities to contemplate and recognize Gods signs one of the greatest signs being The Quran.
The Quran contains within it many miracles, so that we can
have no doubt about its authenticity.
Only about 20% of Muslims in the world are Arabs, meaning

that up to about 80% of Muslims are non-Arabs. For example,
there are more Indian and Indonesian Muslims than
Arab Muslims.
Arranged marriages are cultural practices which are

predominant in certain countries throughout the world.
Although not restricted to Muslims, forced marriages have
become incorrectly associated with Islam.
Islam teaches that an individual is not superior to another

because of race or color, and is strictly against any form of
racism. Islam has a universal message for all of mankind - that
is, that everyone can gain peace and success only by
acknowledging and worshiping the One True God.
In Islam, both males and females have the right to choose or

reject their potential spouse, and a marriage is considered null
and void if a womans genuine approval is not granted prior to
the marriage.
The essence of Jihad is to struggle and sacrice for ones

religion in a manner which is pleasing to God.
Linguistically, it means to struggle and can refer to ones
striving to do good deeds, give charity, or to join an Islamic
military action. The most commonly known form is the military
Jihad which is permitted in order to preserve the well being of
society, to prevent oppression from spreading, and to promote
justice. This can be either defensive or offensive, depending on
the circumstance.
Although it is a duty on Muslims to

convey and share the beautiful
message of Islam to others, no one
can be compelled to accept Islam.
To accept Islam, a person must
sincerely and voluntarily believe and
obey God, so, by denition, no one can
(or should) be forced to accept Islam.
Consider the following:
Yet another misconception is

that Muslims worship Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him).
To observe the hijab, Muslim women are required to modestly

cover their body with clothes that do not reveal their gure in
front of non-closely related males. However, hijab is not just
about outer appearances; it is also about noble speech,
modesty, and dignied conduct.
Although there are many benets of the hijab, the key reason
Muslim women observe hijab is because it is a command from
Allah (God), and He knows what is best for His creation.
This is entirely untrue, and is easily

refuted by the actual saying of the
Prophet (peace be upon him): Do
not over-praise me as the Christians
over-praised Jesus, the son of Mary. I am His slave,
so refer to me as Gods slave and Messenger.
A related claim is that Muslims worship the moon God which
is also totally incorrect. Worshiping the moon, or anything
other than Allah, is strictly prohibited in Islam:
The hijab empowers a woman by emphasizing her inner

spiritual beauty, rather than her supercial appearance. It gives
women the freedom to be active members of society, while
maintaining their modesty.
The hijab does not symbolize suppression, oppression or silence.
Rather, it is a guard against degrading remarks, unwanted
advances and unfair discrimination. So the next time you see a
Muslim woman, know that she covers her physical appearance,
not her mind or intellect.
Indonesia has the largest Muslim population yet no battles

were fought to bring Islam there.
There are around 14 million Arab Coptic Christians that have
been living in the heart of Arabia for generations.
Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the western
world today.
Although ghting oppression and promoting justice are valid
reasons for waging jihad, forcing people to accept Islam is
not one of them.
Muslims ruled Spain for around 800 years yet never coerced
people to convert.
Learning about Islam from unqualied sources without

verication is dangerous and leads to misunderstandings.
Islam acknowledges the complete perfection, greatness and
uniqueness of God with absolutely no compromises. He is the
Most Just and the Most Merciful. Worshiping Him alone is the
most important belief in Islam, as mentioned in the Quran in
numerous places.
Do not be misled into accepting misconceptions and false

information about Islam - the belief shared by more than a
quarter of mankind. Does not the guidance for all humanity,
the message of Islam, deserve to be careful pondered over
and reected on?
the
PILLARS
of ISLAM
THE FUNDAMENTALS
OF A MUSLIM'S LIFE
Every sound structure must have a solid foundation in order to

remain strong. Islams foundation is the ve pillars it was built
upon, forming the basis of Islamic teaching as taught by
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), wherein he said:
Islam is built upon ve pillars:
1. The Declaration of Faith (Shahadah);
2. Establishing regular prayers (Salah);
3. Paying Charity (Zakah);
4. Fasting the (lunar) month of Ramadan (Sawm);
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
These ve pillars are a cornerstone of a Muslims life.
1.
Declaration of Faith
SHAHADAH
The declaration of faith is bearing witness (testifying) that

there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah (God), and that
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Servant and
Messenger. It must be based on a sincere and rm belief in the
heart, as well as being uttered verbally.
The rst part of the declaration implies that:
No person, object or being has the right to be worshiped
except Allah alone. The Arabic name Allah refers to the One
True God of all mankind and everything that exists.
Allah alone is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists, and
He has power over all things.
Allah alone has perfect attributes and is free from all
deciencies.
Allah has no partner, equal, father, mother or son.
The second part of the declaration is
that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Allahs Servant and
nal Messenger. He is the nal Prophet in a long chain of
Prophets sent to call the people to the obedience and worship
of Allah alone. Some of these Prophets include Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David,
Solomon and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent with
the Quran (the nal revelation), in order to teach the people
Allahs message, and serve as an example for all to follow.
Some benets of the Declaration of Faith:

Complete surrender to the will of Allah and
becoming His true servant and subject.
Produces a high degree of self-respect and condence,
while also remaining humble and modest.
Produces strong determination,
patience and perseverance, making
a person brave and courageous, as well as dutiful and upright.
Makes a person obey and
observe Allahs commands.
2.
The Prayer
SALAH
The ve daily prayers form the most important ritual of worship

in a Muslims life; one each at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon,
sunset and nightfall.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Prayer is a
pillar of the religion (Islam). Whoever establishes it, establishes
religion; and whoever destroys it (e. g. neglects it),
destroys religion.
Prayer establishes a personal and spiritual connection between
the Muslim and his Creator, based on faith, love, hope and
reverence. When prayer is performed correctly
with complete concentration, humility
and sincerity, it will have an enduring
effect on the person, lling his
heart with contentment, peace
and closeness with Allah.
Prayer is the center of a
Muslims life and the best way
to achieve submission to Allah.
It can be offered almost anywhere
clean: such as in elds, ofces,
factories or universities; and takes
only a few minutes to perform. It consists
of recitation from the Holy Quran, supplicating to and praising
Allah, with various body postures such as standing, bowing,
prostrating and sitting. Through prayer, the Muslim remembers
the greatness of his Creator and supplicates to Him for his
needs and wishes.
Repeatedly humbling oneself before Allah prevents a person
from falling into sin, and is a type of purication for ones soul,
as mentioned in the Quran: Verily the prayer prevents one
from the shameful and evil deeds. Quran 29:45.
Prayer is also an opportunity for repentance and seeking
forgiveness from Allah.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked his

companions, If one of you had a river by his door in which he
bathed ve times a day, would any lth remain on him? They
replied, No. Then the Prophet added, Likewise, Allah wipes
away sins with the ve daily prayers.
4.
Fasting
Sawm
As with any act of worship, fasting

requires obedience and submission
to Allahs commands through the
The Prescribed Charity
highest degree of commitment and
ZAKAH
sincerity. Every year during the month
of Ramadan (the 9th month of the lunar
All things belong to Allah, including wealth, which is considered calendar), Muslims fast from dawn until
sunset, abstaining from three key human needs - food,
as a trust. The prescribed charity (zakah) is an obligation on
every Muslim who meets certain criteria (e.g. attained maturity, drink and sexual relations.
One should also abstain from all sinful actions.
is sane, has wealth above a certain threshold).
3.
A mere 2.5% of wealth must be paid annually to those who are

eligible, as prescribed in the Quran (e.g. the poor and needy).
The Prophet (peace be on him) said: Allah has made zakah
obligatory simply to purify your remaining wealth.
The meaning of the word zakah, is both purication and
growth. This is similar to the pruning of plants, whereby
regularly trimming provides balance and encourages growth.
By fullling this obligation, Muslims purify their remaining wealth,
as well as ensure both nancial and spiritual growth.
Some benets of zakah:
Puries one from selshness, arrogance and a greedy heart.
Trains one to be sympathetic and compassionate towards
the poor and needy.
Reminds one of the blessings from Allah and encourages one
to be grateful.
Bridges the gap between different socio-economic classes
and groups, and is a form of social security.
Reduces poverty and ensures equality by making it obligatory
upon the rich to share some of their wealth with the less
fortunate
...so that this (wealth) may not circulate solely among the rich
from among you. Quran 59:7
A person may also give as much as they please as additional
voluntary charity.
Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory on every physically and

mentally capable adult Muslim. Children, the sick, the mentally
unt, the elderly, menstruating women, and travelers are
exempt.
Some benets of fasting:
Promotes spiritual self-purication and growth.
Scientically proven health benets.
Sympathy for those less fortunate, prompting more charity.
A means of learning self-restraint and patience.
Puries the soul and helps it acquire the habit of obeying
Allah by restraining desires, and promotes steadfastness.
Creates an increased feeling of unity and collective identity
among those fasting.
Creates an increased awareness about the state of affairs
across the globe and the hardships endured.
Forgiveness of sins. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
He who fasts Ramadan, with faith and hoping for reward
(from Allah), then his past sins are forgiven.
5.
The Pilgrimage is an annual event in the 12th month of the lunar

calendar (Dhul-Hijjah in Arabic), which unies people of every
color, race, status and age, as they join in worship of the One
True God. All pilgrims wear simple and similar clothing, which
strips away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand
equal before Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, Whoever
performs Hajj and does not utter Obscenities or commit sin,
will come back just like the day when his mother bore him
(i. e. pure of sins).
Hajj involves following in the footsteps of Prophet Abraham, as
taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them).
This great act of worship consists of many components
including sacricing an animal, supplicating, visiting and
praying at various sites, circling the Kabah, walking between
two mountains, as well as many other rituals, all of which are
performed over a period of 6 continuous days.
Such an experience is life-altering and humbles a person,
making them more patient and thankful to Allah. Brotherhood
is increased, as is the sense that all Muslims, regardless of their
differences, are one nation.
Pilgrimage
Hajj
Pilgrimage to the Holy city

of Makkah (in Saudi Arabia)
and other sacred sites must
be performed at least once
in a persons life, if they are
physically and nancially
capable.
Performing the pilgrimage is a
temporary suspension of all
worldly activities, and is a time
for one to reect, worship, seek the
forgiveness of Allah and attain His closeness.
The ve pillars of Islam have been prescribed by Allah, and a

Muslim is required to believe and act according to them.
They are practical as well as easy, and the blessings and
wisdom behind them are manifold. When put into perspective,
they contribute to the well being of both the individual and the
society, enhancing the character and manners of
the individual, and making both society and individuals
accountable and closer to Allah.
These noble pillars of Islam are purely for the benet of His
creation, as Allah (Glory be to Him!) is free of all needs. These
ve pillars provide the solid structure and training program
for the betterment and success of all humanity
10
ISLAM
IS NOT A
RELIGION OF
M
I
S
I
M
E
R
T
X
E
Islamic terrorists! Muslim fundamentalists! Extremists!

Radical lslamistsl These are just some labels that have been
wrongly applied to Muslims and certain Muslim groups in
recent years.
When reading through the Quran or the sayings of

the Prophet (peace be upon him), one must understand the
context in which the wording applies.
The following verse of the Quran is a favorite among those
seeking to mislead people about Islam:
The medias portrayal of Islam often misleads those whose

knowledge of the religion is limited, into making negative
assumptions about this very peaceful and tolerant way of life.
Peter Manning, a journalist of over 30 years, states in his book,

Us and Them:
My experience tells me theres a vast gulf between the
realities of the daily lives of Arab and Muslim Australians
and how they are represented in our [Australian] media.
In more than 60 percent of cases [from the coverage of 2
major newspapers], the words violent, death, attack, kill,
suicide or gunmen were in close proximity to the words
Arab, Palestinian, Muslim or Islam.
On occasions, this verse has been dangerously trimmed down

to the following:
The obvious question is, Kill who?. To answer this question, one
should read the verses before and after verse 2:191.
Is it then, any wonder that most people associate Islam with

terrorism?
The problem of ignorance is highlighted by a survey which
revealed that more than one in three Australians admit to
knowing nothing about Islam and its followers.
Those with the least knowledge and personal contact with
Muslims were the most likely to feel threatened by Islam, said
Dr Dunn, who was commissioned by the Australia-Indonesia
Institute to carry out the study.
The prevalence of media bias and ignorance regarding Islam
can be countered by understanding Islam through its proper
teachings. That means referring to the Quran (which Muslims
believe to be the word of God) and the authentic sayings of
the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Through the
proper understanding of these teachings, one will discover
Islam to be completely against any form of extremism.
11
The above verse mentions ghting as a means of self defense

(i.e. with those who ght you). The verse after 2:191 is:
These verses were revealed at a time when the Muslims had

been expelled from their homes on account of their faith. They
endured more than ten years of persecution and eventually
had to ee to a safe land.
The above verses were referring to the Arab pagans of Mecca
during the Prophets time, who oppressed the Muslims and
planned to attack them where the Muslims sought refuge.
Hence, the above verse can only be applied in such
circumstances.
This example demonstrates that verses in the Quran should be

understood in their proper context since verses were revealed
in stages in relation to particular situations, over a period of 23
years. It is also important to note that the Quran was revealed
in Arabic. Therefore, translations into different languages may
be misleading and/or inaccurate.
As we read in verse 2:190, Allah commands Muslims not to go

to extremes by saying, Do not transgress the limits.
A situation of war is no excuse to go beyond boundaries. Islam
teaches the avoidance of blind retaliation.
The act of inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians,

the wholesale destruction of buildings and properties, the
bombing and maiming of innocent men, women and children
are all forbidden and detestable acts according to Islam and
the Muslims. This is regardless of any type of terrorism, including
western state-sponsored terrorism which has killed, injured and
displaced innitely more people than all other types of
terrorism.
There can be no doubt that Muslims (like anybody else) have a

legitimate right to ght against aggression or when oppressed.
Islam teaches that warfare is permitted in order to preserve
the well-being of the community or to prevent oppression from
spreading - this may be in the context of defensive or offensive
warfare depending on the particular situation.
Islam, just like any way of life that
wants to ensure its survival, has the
right to defend itself when war is
declared against it.
In the Quran we read:
However, when the enemy ceases
its hostility, Muslims are
commanded to cease ghting.
Abu Bakr (may God be pleased with him),
Prophet Mohammads closest friend and rst successor,
spoke of the Islamic approach to war by highlighting the
following:
In the battleeld, one should not:
commit treachery
mutilate the dead
deviate from the right path
kill a woman, child or
aged man
harm or burn trees,
especially the fruitful
slay the enemys ock,
except for food
harm those who devote
their life to worship
There are many other examples of both Jewish and Christian

terrorism, however, we must never generalize and call all
Christians and Jews terrorists. Similarly, we should not put all
Muslims on trial but only those that committed the crime should
be judged.
The problem with putting terrorism into perspective is that there

is no agreed-upon denition of what constitutes terrorism.
Also, terrorism takes many forms, as the following examples
illustrate.
If an individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism, this

person would be guilty of violating the laws of the very religion
they claim to follow - Islam. Would it be fair to condemn all
Muslims as a result, when the religion itself is against such
acts? Muslims follow a religion of submission to God, peace,
mercy, and forgiveness. The vast majority have nothing to do
with the violent events some - notably the media - have
associated with Muslims. Islam is not a religion of extremism.
Robert Fisk, from The Independent, writes: Israel and Israels

militia allies (on 16 September 1982) started their three-day
orgy of rape, kning and murder in the Palestinian refugee
camps of Sabra and Shatila that cost 1,800 lives. It followed
an Israeli invasion of Lebanon designed to drive the PLO
(Palestine Liberation Organization) out of the country and
given the green light [by the United States] which cost the
lives of 17,500 Lebanese and Palestinians, almost all of them
civilians.
According to Professor Noam Chomsky, Its uncontroversial
that the United States is a leading terrorist state. In fact, its
the only state that was condemned for international terrorism
by the highest bodies: the International Court of Justice in
1986.
Similarly, The horric massacre of 8,000 Muslims - some
unarmed - at Srebrenica in 1995 never led to a stream of
pieces about the violence and repressive tendencies of
Christianity - William Dalrymple, The Independent UK.
The carnage wrought by Western, ostensibly Christian,
leaders over the last six decades - including a world war and
a cold war, a Holocaust, two atomic bombs, repression of
wars of independence, the fueling of proxy wars, nuclear
brinkmanship, and the support of dictators and state and
non-state terrorists - makes it spurious to view Islam as a
more inherently violent religion or civilization. - Rama Mani
Geneva Center for Security Policy
12
One of the rst questions that comes to mind

when considering our purpose of life is,
where did we come from?
Are we here based on random natural coincidences or is there
a higher intelligent being, a creator? There are many logical
and rational reasons for believing in a creator.
Three reasons are briey mentioned below.
The rst evidence that points to the existence of a Creator

relates to understanding the origin of the universe.
Imagine walking in a desert and nding a watch. We know a
watch consists of glass, plastic and metal.
Glass comes from sand, plastic from oil, and metal extracted
from the ground - all these components are found in the desert.
Would you believe that the watch formed itself? That the Sun
shone, the wind blew, lightning struck, the oil bubbled to the
surface and mixed with the sand and metal, and over millions
of years the watch came together by random or natural
coincidences?
The second evidence that points to the existence of

an intelligent creator, God, is the order and perfect balance
of our complex universe.
Many features in the universe clearly indicate it to be specially
designed to support life, such as the earths distance from
the sun, the thickness of the earths crust, the speed at which
the earth revolves, the percentage of oxygen in the
atmosphere, and even the earths tilt. If these measurements
were slightly different to what they currently are,
life could not exist.
In the same way that a watch has an intelligent maker to keep
accurate time, so too must the earth have an intelligent maker
to keep accurate time around the sun.
Could this occur by itself?
When we see the order, precise
laws and systems within ourselves
and throughout the universe, is it
not rational they have an organizer?
This organizer is again best
explained by the existence of God
the one who brought about this order.
Human experience and simple logic tells us that something

that has a beginning does not simply come from nothing,
nor can something create itself. Therefore, the most rational
explanation is that a higher being created the universe. This
being must be powerful and intelligent as it brought the
whole universe into existence and created the
laws of science which govern it. We can also reason that this
being is timeless and not bound by space, because time,
space and matter began at the creation of the universe. All of
these attributes make up the basic concept of God, the creator
The third evidence that points to
of the universe. This is in perfect agreement with modern
the existence of a Creator, God,
science which concludes that the universe is nite and has
is the actual revelation that has been
a beginning.
sent to humankind as a sign of His existence.
There are clear signs that the book of Islam, the Quran,
is the word of God.
Below is a brief summary of reasons that support this claim.
The Quran:
Is over 1400 years old and contains many scientic facts that
were unknown to people of that time and which have only
been discovered recently by science.
Examples include: water being the origin of all living things
(Quran 21:30); the expanding universe (Quran 51:47); and
the individual orbits of the sun and moon (Quran 21:33).
Contains many historical facts that were unknown to
the people of that time as well as numerous predictions which
have proven to be correct.
13
Is free from any errors or contradictions despite gradual

revelation over 23 years and covering a wide variety of topics.
Has been preserved, word-for-word, since its revelation in its
original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which
no longer exist in their original form.
Has a simple, pure and universal message which appeals to
Mans intellect and inherent beliefs about Almighty God.
Has a deep and moving effect on people.
Was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
who was known to be illiterate, yet contains a unique style of
language that is universally known as the pinnacle of Arabic
eloquence and linguistic beauty.
The most rational explanation for the many unique
and miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it is from God.
Upon acknowledging that we have been created by

the All-Wise Creator, God, we would expect to be informed
of our purpose. How can we know what God expects from us?
Do we live in trial and error, or make our own purpose?
Do we go with the ow by following others?
No. God sent Prophets and revelation to inform us of our
purpose.
Everyone would acknowledge that our body parts, such as our

eyes, ears, brains and hearts, have a purpose. Wouldnt it then
make sense that the individual, as a whole, also has a purpose?
Some Christians claim that
Jesus is God or part of
a trinity - that is, he is the
incarnation of God on earth and
that God took on a human form.
However, according to the Bible, Jesus was born, ate, slept,
prayed and had limited knowledge - all attributes not betting
God. God has attributes of perfection whereas Man is the
opposite. So how can anything be two complete opposites
both at the same time? This is not rational.
However, some may ask, If God can do anything, why cant
he become a man? By denition, God does not do ungodly
acts, so if God became man and took on human attributes, he
would, necessarily, no longer be God.
Furthermore, the Bible contains many verses in which Jesus

speaks and behaves as if God is a separate being to himself.
For example, Jesus fell on his face and prayed
(Matthew 26:39).
If Jesus was God, then would a God fall on his face and pray?
God sent thousands of Prophets, at least one to every nation,
with the same message: to worship God alone and to follow His And, who would he be praying to?
guidance. They included Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus
Some Christians claim that Jesus is the Son of God.
and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
We should ask ourselves, what does this actually mean? Surely
God is far removed from having a physical and literal son.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last in the
chain of Prophets, was the perfect example of an honest, just,
Rather, we nd that the term Son of God is symbolically used
compassionate and brave human being. He was sent with the
in the earliest biblical languages for a righteous person. It is
nal revelation from God, the Quran, to demonstrate how its
used throughout the Old Testament for many righteous people
teachings should be applied.
such as David, Solomon and Israel - not exclusively for Jesus,
...Israel is my rstborn son, (Exodus 4:22) is one such example.
The Quran is a book of guidance and explains many concepts
such as the purpose of our existence; who God is; the actions
The Islamic belief about Jesus explains who the real Jesus was,
liked and disliked by God; the stories of the Prophets and their
whilst maintaining the pure belief about God and His complete
lessons; accounts of Heaven, Hell, and the Day of Judgement.
Greatness, Uniqueness and Perfection. Jesus was as an
It aims to clarify misunderstandings about the nature of God,
honorable Prophet sent by God to call to the worship of God
such as clarifying the nature and role of Jesus compared to
alone.
the nature of God.
God, the All Wise, did not create us to simply wander aimlessly
or to only fulll our basic instincts and desires. Rather, we have
a higher purpose - to acknowledge and worship God alone,
so that we live upon the guidance of our Creator. This guidance
enables us to live a successful and blessed life in all aspects.
This includes personal acts of virtue like prayer, as well as
benecial acts to society, like being good to ones neighbors,
supporting ones family, honesty, and caring for animals.
God forbids us from worshiping anything else (e.g. statues,
the sun, moon, saints, priests or even Prophets). He does not
need any partners or intermediaries. Everyone can always
worship God directly.
God describes this life as a test, and people are tested in
different ways. We cannot control what happens to us, but we
can control how we react. Patience during adversities, and
gratitude for blessings, are a means of getting closer to God
and attaining eternal Paradise. We are also warned of a terrible
punishment in Hell if we choose to disbelieve and ignore His
commands.
The test of ones faith is in using ones intellect to contemplate

and recognize Gods signs and live according to His guidance.
This is done by submitting to Gods commands, which in Arabic
means to become a Muslim.
God, the One and only Creator - Allah in Arabic - has made
Islam accessible to everyone, regardless of their history,
background or present situation. Therefore, anyone can
become a Muslim by simply believing in, and uttering the
following testimony of faith:
I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah,
and I testify that Muhammad is Allahs Messenger.
Isnt it time for you to fulll your purpose of life, submit to the
truth and acknowledge your Creator?
14
adly, many Muslims do not pray or fulll the conditions of Day of Resurrection will be the prayers. If it is found to be
the prayer, despite its importance. The purpose of prayer perfect, he will be safe and successful. But if it is defective, he
is to strengthen your relationship with God; to be grateful will be unfortunate and a loser."
for all His blessings; and to remind yourself of His Greatness. Just
as the body requires physical needs, such as food and water,
the soul requires spiritual needs, nourished by acts of worship,
the most important of which is prayer. It could be that the body
of a person is healthy but the person is spiritually dead.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The comparison of
one who remembers Allah and one who does not, is like
that of the living and the dead.
the
imp tance
of
ayer
Shield against evil

Without seeking Allahs help, it is impossible to refrain from evil.
How can sins be committed if youre willingly standing before

Allah 5 times a day?
Enriches your soul

Direct communication with Allah
The closest a person is to His Lord is when he is in prostration.
Prayer connects you with Allah. The Arabic word for prayer
(As-Salah) is actually derived from the Arabic word meaning
connection. Allahs Messenger (peace be upon him) said,
When any one of you stands to pray, he is communicating
with his Lord, so let him pay attention to how he speaks to Him.
Dont sever this relationship with your Creator.
A pillar of Islam
Prayer is the second most important pillar of Islam, and is the
most regular compulsory action in a Muslims life. Prayer is an
act that must be fullled daily, regardless of the circumstance.
In fact, Allah did not even exempt the Muslims from praying
during battle! He says,
Prayer satises your spiritual need to be in contact with your

Creator. This gives your soul peace and contentment,
especially with your busy lifestyle.
Makes you humble

Pride and arrogance is rid by realizing Allahs greatness and
your dependence on Him. In the prayer, the Muslim puts the
highest part of his body and source of intellect, his head, on to
the ground and says, How perfect is m Lord, The Most High.
Of course, this can only be achieved when you understand

what is recited and concentrate with humanity.
Washes away sins

Such is the cause during war. What then during peace?
Success lies in the Prayer
Everyone commits sins, however, Allah has provided, through

prayer, a way to wipe out those sins.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The rst of his deeds
for which a man will be called to account on the
15
The Messenger gave a beautiful example when he said to his

companions, Consider if one of you had a river by his
door in which he bathed ve times a day. Would any lth
remain on him? They said, No. Then the Prophet replied,
Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the ve daily
prayers.
You are being ungrateful
You are irting With disbelief
Refusing your Creators invitation to establish this close

relationship with Him is the ultimate ingratitude.
Allah created you and gave you everything.
Many Scholars of Islam hold the opinion that if you do not pray,
you are a disbeliever, quoting the following hadith:
The covenant which distinguishes between us and the (i.e.,
between believers and disbelievers) is the prayer, and whoever
neglects it has disbelieved.
Solves your problems

If you strengthen your relationship with Allah, Allah will
strengthen your relationship with the rest of the creation.
Through prayer, He, who is All-Powerful, will rectify all your
problems.
The Prophets feet would swell because he would stand in

prayer for lengthy periods. When asked about this, he replied,
Should I not be a grateful servant of my Lord?
Additionally, the Prophets companions (may Allah be pleased

with them) did not consider the abandonment of any act as
disbelief, except for prayer.
You are being lazy

Unites the Muslims
Congregational prayer cultivates brotherhood, equality and
humility between Muslims. The worshipers stand in rows and as
one body, shoulder to shoulder, without any distinction of race,
color, wealth, family or status. This act of unity helps demolish
all barriers which stand between people.
What excuse will you give your Creator, the Creator of the
heavens and the earth, on Judgement Day? The One Who
blessed you with 24 hours in a day, yet only commanded
that you pray ve times a day - a command that takes
approximately 30 minutes to fulll!
No time (work, study, busy, etc):
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The son of Adam will
not be dismissed from before his Lord on the Day of Resurrection
until he has been questioned with ve things: his life and how he
spent it, his youth and how he used it, his wealth and how he
earned it and how he disposed of it, and how he acted upon
what he acquired of knowledge.
My heart is clean:
You will be miserable
Pure and simple deception. You havent given prayers priority.

Allah will bless your time and make you more effective, efcient
and successful.
Allah judges who has clean hearts, and He wants you to pray!
Actions will reect what is in your heart. No one has a cleaner
heart than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who used
to pray regularly.
My alarm:
Its hard for your alarm to go off, if you dont SET it!!! Purify your
intention and sleep according to the Sunnah.
Allah says,
My family/spouse/parents/friends
prevent me:
You are disobeying your Creator
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, There is no obedience

to anyone in disobedience to Allah. You will be judged alone.
The whole purpose of your existence is to worship Allah, yet

daily, you are disobeying your Creator.
Im sinning too much:

In time, your prayers will prevent you from committing these
sins - just pray! You are sinning because you are not praying.
You are only harming yourself
Contemplate over this hadith, If they knew the merits of the

lsha and Fajr prayers, they would come to them (in the
mosque) even if they had to crawl.
Allah doesnt need your prayer or anything from anyone - Glory

be to Him! It is you that stands in need of His Mercy.
What excuse for abandoning prayer do you honestly have when
you face our Lord on that difcult Day?
16
science
in
ISLAM
The Quran, the book of Islam, is the nal book of revelation from Little was known about the staging and classication of human
God to humanity and the last in the line of revelations given to embryos until the twentieth century, which means that the
the Prophets.
descriptions of the human embryo in the Quran cannot be
based on scientic knowledge from the seventh century.
Although the Quran (revealed over 1400 years ago), is not
primarily a book of science, it does contain scientic facts that
Expansion of the Universe
have only been discovered recently through the advancement
of technology and scientic knowledge. Islam encourages
reection and scientic research because understanding the
At a time when science of Astronomy was still primitive,
nature of creation enables people to further appreciate their
the following verse in the Quran was revealed:
Creator and the extent of His power and wisdom.
The Quran was revealed at a time when Science was primitive;

there were no telescopes, microscopes or anything close to
todays technology. People believed that the sun orbited the
earth and the sky was held up by pillars at the corners of a at
earth. Against this backdrop the Quran was revealed,
containing many scientic facts on topics ranging from
astronomy to biology, geology to zoology.
Some of the man scientic facts found in the Quran include:
Origin of Life
Water is pointed out as the origin

of all life. All living things are made
of cells and we now know that
cells are mostly made of water.
This was discovered only after the
invention of the microscope. In the
deserts of Arabia, it would be inconceivable
to think that someone would have guessed that all life came
from water.
Human Embryonic Development
God speaks about the stages of mans embryonic

development:
One of the intended meanings of the above verse is that God

is expanding the universe (i.e. heavens). Other meanings are
that God provides for, and has power over, the universe - which
are also true.
The fact that the universe is expanding (e.g. planets are moving
further away from each other) was discovered in the last century.
Physicist Stephen Hawking in his book A Brief History of Time
writes, The disoovery that the universe is expanding was one of
the great intellectual revolutions of the twentieth century.
The Quran alludes to the expansion of the universe even before
the invention of the telescope!
Iron Sent Down
Iron is not natural to earth, as it came to

this planet from outer space. Scientists
have found that billions of years ago,
the earth was struck by meteorites which
were carrying iron from distant stars which
had exploded.
God uses the words sent down. The fact that iron was
sent down to earth from outer space is something which could
not be known by the primitive science of the seventh century.
Skys Protection
The sky plays a crucial role in protecting the earth and its
inhabitants from the lethal rays of the sun, as well as the
freezing cold of space.
The Arabic word alaqah has three meanings: a leech, a

suspended thing and a blood clot. Mudghah means a
God asks us to consider the sky in the following verse:
chewed substance. Embryology scientists have observed that
the usage of these terms in describing the formation of the
embryo is accurate and in conformity with our current scientic
understanding of the development process.
17
The Quran points to the skys protection as a sign of God,

protective properties which were discovered by scientic
research conducted in the twentieth century.
Mountains
God draws our attention to an

important characteristic of mountains:
The Quran accurately describes the
deep roots of mountains by using
the word stakes. Mount Everest, for
example, has an approximate height of
9 km above ground, while its root is deeper than 125 km!
The fact that mountains have deep stake-like roots was not
known until after the development of the theory of plate
tectonics in the beginning of the twentieth century. God also
says in the Quran (16:15), that the mountains have a role in
stabilizing the earth ... so that it would not shake, which has
just begun to be understood by scientists.
The Quran mentions:
This description is amazing because 1400 years ago there was

no specialist equipment to discover the internal waves deep
inside the oceans.
There was a cruel oppressive tribal leader

who lived during the time of Prophet
God revealed a verse to warn him:
God does not call this person a
liar, but calls his forehead (the front
part of the brain) lying and sinful,
and warns him to stop. Numerous
studies have found that the front part of
our brain (frontal lobe) is responsible for both
lying and voluntary movement, and hence sin. These functions
were discovered with medical imaging equipment which was
developed in the twentieth century.
10
7
Suns Orbit
In 1512, astronomer Nicholas Copernicus put forward his theory

that the Sun is motionless at the center of the solar system and
the planets revolve around it.
This belief was widespread among astronomers until the
twentieth century. It is now a well established fact that the Sun
is not stationary but is moving in an orbit around the center of
our Milky Way galaxy.
Lying & Movement
Two Seas that do not Mix
Regarding the seas, our Creator says:

A physical force called surface
tension prevents the waters of
neighboring seas from mixing,
due to the difference in the
density of these waters. It is as
if a thin wall were between them.
This has only very recently been
discovered by oceanographers.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known in

history to be illiterate; he could not read nor write and was not
educated in any eld that could account for the scientic
accuracies in the Quran.
Some may claim that he copied it from learned people or
scientists of his time. If it was copied, we would have expected
to see all the incorrect scientic assumptions of the time also
being copied. Rather, we nd that the Quran does not contain
any errors whatsoever - be they scientic or otherwise.
Some people may also claim that the Quran was changed as
new scientic facts were discovered. This cannot be the case
because it is a historically documented fact that the Quran is
preserved in its original Language - which is a miracle in itself!
While this pamphlet has only focused on scientic miracles,

there are many more types of miracles mentioned in the Quran:
historical miracles; prophecies that have come true; linguistic
and literary styles that cannot be matched; not to mention the
moving effect it has on people. All these miracles cannot be
due to coincidence. They clearly indicate that the Quran is from
God, the Creator of all these laws of science. He is the one and
same God who sent all the Prophets with the same message to worship the one God only and to follow the teachings of His
Messenger.
The Quran is a book of guidance that demonstrates that God
did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly. Rather, it
teaches us that we have a meaningful and higher purpose in
life - to acknowledge Gods complete perfection, greatness
and uniqueness, and obey Him.
It is up to each person to use their God-given intellect and
reasoning abilities to contemplate and recognize Gods signs the Quran being the most important sign. Read and discover
the beauty and truth of the Quran, so that you may attain
success!
Internal Waves in the Ocean
It was commonly thought that waves only occur on the surface

of the ocean. However, oceanographers have discovered that
there are internal waves that take place below the surface
which are invisible to the human eye and can only be
detected by specialize equipment.
18
DEATH and THE

HEREAFTER
IN ISLAM
Death is the reality from which none

can escape. It draws nearer every
day; every hour; every minute.
According to the CIAs The World
Factbook 2007, almost two people
die each second. Thats a staggering
57.9 million people each year! Every
single being will reach this inescapable
fate, regardless of their age, health, background, social status
or piety.
Where are the past kings, the billionaires and the powerful?
Where are the once beautiful the famous, and the intellectual
elite?
Death is not a disaster, but simply a passing from this world

onto the next. It should make us reect and ponder about the
purpose of life, and what will become of us after death.
Allah (God) has informed us in the Quran that He has created
us with the purpose of worshiping Him alone and that He made
this life a test to see who will fulll that purpose:
Every day we see examples of death. We

perceive a peaceful death as one with
neither pain nor violence. However, this
is not necessarily the case. When a
person dies, the soul leaves the body,
and so the physical appearance of
the body may not reect the situation
of the soul. The peacefulness or unease
of the soul will be a direct result of how
well a person fullled their purpose in this life,
and has little to do with the cause of death.
Consider an example of two people who have a one-way
ticket to a destination they have never been to before. The rst
person takes the time to learn about the language, culture and
practices relating to the destination. He acquires the right
currency and vaccinations, and when it comes time to travel,
he arrives without any surprises. He is safe and content, because
he has taken the time to prepare.
In contrast, the second person is careless in his preparations
and simply lives for the moment until the time comes to depart.
He arrives at the unknown destination scared and confused. His
unpreparedness causes him to end up with a dreadful fate, as
all of the things he has brought with him were of no use.
Describing such a heedless person, Allah says in the Quran:
God has also informed us the purpose behind the creation of

death and life:
Also consider the response of those people consigned to hell,
when they are questioned regarding what put them there:
One does not prepare for death by prepaying funeral services

or selecting a cofn in advance. It is about fullling ones
purpose in life to worship Allah alone, to live according to His
commandments, and perform good deeds. The concept of
worship in Islam is all encompassing and is not merely restricted
to praying.
In fact, any action that is pleasing to Allah is considered an act
of worship, and a person will be rewarded for it.
19
We all have an appointed time with death, and we will all travel
to this unfamiliar destination. Ask yourself - have you prepared
for it?
We will be amazed by the accuracy of such a record of all our

actions, as we will be reminded of matters long forgotten.
Allah says,
Life is a test which ends in death, but
it does not mark the end of ones
existence. Once death arrives, the
opportunity to do good ceases.
It will be too late to repent and
our fate will be determined
solely by our beliefs and deeds
that we do in our current life.
Mans life is divided into two parts:
a brief stay in this world, and an
eternal life in the next. Any sane
mind will conclude that eternal bliss is
far more benecial than short lived pleasures on Earth.
For the disbelievers is the worst of punishments:
Thinking deeply on this should make us ashamed of committing

any sin while knowing that it will be recorded against us and
exposed on the Day of Judgement in front of Allah.
For those who doubt Allahs abilities to resurrect and judge
them, Allah quotes the disbelievers as saying:
Allah created mankind and made us responsible for our

actions by granting us freedom of choice, and intelligence to
discern right and wrong. If there were no afterlife in which the
good were rewarded and the bad punished, that would
contradict the perfect justice of Allah.
Hence it is an absolute demand of justice that there be a Day
of Judgement on which every soul is brought to account.
Those who believe in Allah a

the only God worthy of being
worshiped, and perform
good deeds, will be
rewarded with Paradise.
Everyones deeds in this life are meticulously recorded and

preserved, as Allah says:
Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him)
narrated that Allah said:
Death is inevitable. Our purpose in life is to worship Allah alone,

perform acts of righteousness and to avoid all that is forbidden.
Our fate is being decided on the basis of our present actions,
so we can either make use of our opportunities on Earth to
ensure an eternal place for ourselves in Paradise, or we can
waste them and condemn ourselves to eternal punishment in
Hell.
This is in sharp contrast to the people who deny the Oneness

of Allah, who will be told:
20
The wise person is he who studies his enemies strategies and

takes precautions and measures to defeat them. Your Lord has
warned Indeed Satan is an enemy to you, so take him as an
enemy... Quran 35:6
Satan was created from smokeless re. Though he was not an

angel, he was present among them in Heaven due to his
obedience to Allah (God). When Allah created Prophet Adam
(peace be upon him), He commanded those in Heaven to
prostrate before Adam, but Satan refused out of pride and
arrogance, saying, I am better than him (Adam), You created
me from re, and created him from clay. Quran 7:12
Allah cursed Satan and banished him from Heaven. Satan
requested an opportunity to mislead mankind, and Allah
granted this request.
Thus, tempting mankind into disbelief is Satans main focus.

However, if Satan cannot mislead people to commit clear acts
of disbelief, he resorts to more subtle means, such as the belief
in superstitions, good luck charms, astrology and fortune telling.
Such beliefs contradict the fact that Allah alone has power and
knowledge over all things, and is the Only One Who can bring
benet or harm.
Satan will lure a person to invent wrong

beliefs and practices into Islam which were
neither ordained by God nor the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him). In
fact, the belief that Islam is incomplete or
imperfectly revealed by God, thus requiring
innovation, is considered disbelief; because
it is a rejection of what Allah has revealed.
Many innovations are implemented with the same meticulous
care as a religious observance, and viewed as being just as
signicant as what God revealed. Herein lays danger, as the
people who follow innovations believe their acts are accepted,
although in reality they are committing a sin. These innovators
will feel no need for repentance, as they do not recognize their
wrong doing.
Satan wants to ...avert you from the

remembrance of Allah and from prayer.
Quran 5:91
Allah has made certain actions
obligatory on every Muslim, the most
regular of which is the ve daily prayers.
Therefore, Satan seeks to make us
neglectful of prayers so that we fall further
into sin.
The foundation of Islam is the belief
in the Oneness of God - having no partner, equal, son or rivals.
Conversely, the greatest sin is to ascribe partners or equals with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained to us
Allah.
how idol worship originated, which highlights the gradual and
patient approach of Satan. After a group of righteous people
Examples include:
died, Satan inspired those around them to erect statues in their
honor and as reminder of their righteousness. When that
Directing worship to other than God (e.g. prostrating or
generation passed away and the people had forgotten why
supplicating to other than God).
the statues were erected, Satan deceived them into believing
Delegating some of Gods attributes to other objects or
that their forefathers used to worship them, and that through
beings (e.g. idols/lucky charms).
them, the rains were brought forth. People then began
worshiping these statues.
Claiming that God has a son, mother or any other partner.
21
This gradual deception is used in many ways. For example,

Satan tricks people into committing forbidden sexual acts: it
begins with a look, which leads to a thought, then a smile, then
a seemingly innocent conversation, then seclusion and
eventually, the sin itself.
If Satan cannot trap someone into sinning, he keeps them busy

with trivial acts which have no benet.
Similarly, in desiring to make people cease their obligatory

Instead of using our time wisely, fullling our priorities and
religious acts, Satan initially convinces people to give up their
reaching high goals, Satan occupies us with useless actions.
optional acts of worship, which leads them to become lazy with
the obligatory ones. He also tries to trivialize small sins, which
eventually leads them down a slippery slope to major sins.
When Allah forbade Adam from one particular tree, He did not
say, do not eat from this tree but rather, do not come close
to this tree. Quran 2:35.
We must therefore distance ourselves from anything that may
lead to committing sin.
The rst step is to recognize Satan as our enemy:

Satan presents sins to people in a
favorable light, such as how he
deceived Adam and Eve into eating
from the tree.
Satan whispered to Adam, saying,
0 Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of
Eternity and to a kingdom that will never
waste away? Quran 20:120
Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become
angels or become of the immortal... Indeed, lam to you from
among the sincere advisers. So he made them fall, through
deception. And when they tasted of the tree... their Lord called
to them, Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that
Satan is to you a clear enemy? Quran 7:20-22
Although Adam was surrounded by many permissible foods,
Satan convinced him to eat from the tree which was forbidden.
Similarly, Satan tricks people into forbidden acts instead of
those which are permitted, such as fornication over marriage,
music over the Quran, haram income over halal, and into the
small percentage of prohibited food and drink over the vast
majority that is wholesome and pure.
Every human has desires and

temptations. Satan plays on this
and convinces man to indulge in
instant gratication without
considering the consequences.
This inevitably leads to regret and
humiliation, either in this life or on the
Day of Judgement.
if you know your enemy, you can defeat

him. Satans power consists principally in
his ability to deceive, so we need to
understand his cunning tactics and
approach, in order to better protect
ourselves.
The company you keep strongly

inuences your decisions and
actions.
Good companions will
remind you about Allah
and encourage you to do
good, whereas bad
company will lead you into
the arms of Satan.
To ask Allah for His protection and to rely on Him alone for help,
is a tool in defeating Satan.
Surah Al-Falaq and An-Nas of the Quran may be used to
regularly seek protection from Satan and we should recite them. Keeping busy with religious deeds, especially prayer, is an
We must realize that as long as we are alive, Satan will never
excellent means of defeating Satan.
give up attempting to mislead us. We must always be on our
guard and constantly ask Allah for guidance and protection.
If one occupies their time with good, they are less likely to be
inuenced by Satans tricks.
If we succumb to Satans plots, by the

Grace and Mercy of Allah we still have
the opportunity to rectify our mistakes
by acknowledging our wrongdoings
and repenting to Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him)
said, Satan said to the Lord of Glory,
By Your Glory O Lord, I will keep trying
to misguide Your slaves so long as their
souls are in their bodies. The Lord said,
By My Glory and Majesty, I will continue to forgive them so
long as they ask My forgiveness. Ahmad
For repentance to be accepted, it must be sincere, with the
intention of never committing that same sin again.
And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Satan, then seek

refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.
Quran 7 :20
The battle against Satan can only be won if we are aware of

his traps, and if we apply the strategies to defeat him.
On the Day of Judgement, Satan will confess to his sins and
mischief. He will declare before all of creation that Allah is the
One who tells the truth and that he (Satan) is a liar.
We ask Allah the Almighty, by His most beautiful Names and
sublime Attributes, to forgive our sins and grant us refuge from
the traps of Satan.
22
ATHEISM
AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
has a beginning does not simply come from nothing, nor can
something create itself. We can reason that a higher being
God calls on us to acknowledge Him through His signs and has
created the universe. This being must be powerful and
made it our responsibility to ponder and reect in order to
intelligent as it brought the whole universe into existence and
recognize Him. Some people are receptive to these signs and
created the laws of science which govern it. We can also
see Gods work all around them, while others dismiss everything
reason that this being is timeless and spaceless, because time,
as random and meaningless. God has placed in every person,
space and matter began at the creation of the universe. All of
a natural inclination to believe, but this innate predisposition to
these attributes make up the basic concept of God, the creator
believe can either be nurtured or suppressed.
of the universe.
Importantly, God guides people who are sincere and willing to

receive guidance. In other words, those who do not want to
believe in God will not be guided. God says, God guides
to Himself whoever turns to Him. Quran 13:27
Some may ask, Who created God? God, the Creator, is

different to His creation. Unlike the universe and the rest of
creation, God is eternal, has always existed and has no
beginning
This requires objectivity and an unbiased attitude to the

possibility of Gods existence, which can be quite confronting
and humbling for some people, but without this genuine
openness and willingness, no amount of information can make
someone believe. In fact, God warns us
that those who approach His signs
from a position of pride and
arrogance will only nd justication
for their disbelief.
Therefore, we hope that those who
are sincere, open minded and
genuinely seeking the truth can
benet from this information and that
it helps present a new perspective to understanding God.
The following are three rational reasons for believing

in a creator.
1. Beginning of the Universe

The rst evidence that points to the existence of a Creator
relates to understanding the origin of the universe. Imagine
walking in a desert and nding a watch. We know a watch
consists of glass, plastic and metal. Glass comes from sand,
plastic from oil, and metal extracted from the ground - all
these components are found in the desert. Would you believe
that the watch formed itself? That the Sun shone, the wind blew,
lightning struck, the oil bubbled to the surface and mixed with
the sand and metal, and over millions of years the watch came
together by random or natural coincidences?
According to modern science, the universe is nite and has a
beginning. Where did the universe ultimately come from?
Human experience and simple logic tell us that something that
23
2. Perfection of the Universe

The second evidence of a creator is the order and perfect
balance of our complex universe. Could a large complex
universe form by coincidence, without supervision?
Many features in the universe clearly indicate it to be specially
designed to support life, such as the earths distance from the
sun; the thickness of the earths crust; the speed at which the
earth revolves; the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere;
and even the earths tilt. If these measurements were slightly
different to what they currently are, life could not exist.
In the same way that a watch has an intelligent maker to keep
accurate time, so too must the earth have an intelligent maker
to keep accurate time around the Sun. Could this occur by
itself? When we see the order, the precise laws and systems
within ourselves and throughout the universe, is it not rational
they have an organizer? This organizer is again best explained
by the existence of God - the one who brought about this order.
It should be noted that Islam encourages scientic research
and reection. The role of science helps us describe the many
observe patterns that God places in His creation and
appreciate the extent of His power and wisdom. Advances in
scientic discoveries, just like any mechanism or process we
nd in the natural world such as the water cycle or
gravity - provides signs of an organizer and designer, not an
argument against God.
3. Revelation from God

The third evidence is the actual revelation that has been sent
by God to humankind as a sign of His existence.
One of the main purposes of the book of Islam, the Quran, is to
invite people to reect and appreciate Gods creation as a
way of believing in Him. Throughout the Quran, God calls our
attention to His marvelous designs and complexities in the
universe and within ourselves, which are sufcient to indicate
that we are a product of design, purpose and intelligence.
For example, God says:
Why doesn't God just reveal Himself?

In Gods wisdom, He has chosen to make Himself known
through His signs. This is part of the test of this life.
Why did God create us?
Everyone would acknowledge that our body parts, such as our He has made it our responsibility to use the abilities He has given
eyes, ears, brains and hearts, have a purpose. Wouldnt it then us to acknowledge Him. This means that only those who are
make sense that the individual, as a whole, also has a purpose? sincere, humble and reect deeply will recognize and believe
in Him.
God, the All Wise, did not create us to simply wander aimlessly
or to only fulll our basic instincts and desires. Rather, God
Why is there suffering in the world?
describes this life as a test. Every person is being tested as to
The fact that different people are tested in different ways
who will choose to acknowledge God and follow His guidance. through various trials, does not disprove the existence of God
God says:
nor contradict an all-powerful God.
Indeed, We (God) created man ...

in order to test him; and we
gave him hearing and vision. Indeed, We (God) showed him
the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.
- Quran 76:2-3
Rather, the good as well as the bad that God permits to occur,
constitutes our test on earth. We cannot control what happens
to us, but we can control how we react, which is what He judges
us on. This world is volatile and temporary, however, the full
justice in the hereafter, which is everlasting, will more than
compensate for any injustices or misfortunes in this life.
Why does God punish people?

No one can disagree with the concept of punishment, which
is necessary for justice. God has created us with the ability to
choose how we want to live, and in turn, be accountable.
Moreover, there are clear signs that the Quran is the word of
God.
The Quran:
Is free from errors or contradictions.
Has been preserved, word-for-word,
since its revelation in its original Arabic
language, unlike other scriptures.
Has a simple, pure and universal
message, which appeals to Mans intellect
and inherent beliefs about Almighty God.
Is over 1400 years old with many scientic facts that were
unknown to people of that time and have only been
discovered recently by scientists. Examples include: water
being the origin of all living things (Quran 21 :30); the
expanding universe (Quran 51 :47); and the individual orbits of
the sun and moon (Quran 21 :33).
Contains many historical facts that were unknown to the
people of that time as well as numerous predictions, which
have proven to be correct.
Was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
who was known to be illiterate, yet contains
a unique style of language that is universally
known as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence
and linguistic beauty.
The most rational explanation for the many
unique and miraculous aspects of the Quran
is that it can only be from God.
For many, the underlying issue is not really about believing in

God, but about the implications of believing in Him. It would
mean being held to account and judged for ones actions,
which may be inconvenient for the lives they want to lead.
Therefore, the test in this life involves following and humbling
ourselves before God in preference to our own desires, pride
and ego.
Why does God need to test us?

God is not in need of anything - He does not need to create
anything and does not need to test anyone.
He does not benet from our belief and is not affected by our
disbelief. Rather, it is a part of His innite wisdom that He
created us and gave us the opportunity to know Him. God
knows the future - the point is, for us to live through and
experience our lives and make our own choices.
Those who sincerely strive to obey God will earn Gods mercy
and enter paradise. But those who are careless about their
purpose in life and deny God, have ultimately made their own
choice and will be held to account. No one can blame God.
God did not create people to punish them - rather, He intends
ease and mercy for them. The fact that God knows our choices
does not make our actions any less voluntary and does not
absolve us from responsibility.
Islam is a practical religion that encourages a balance between
hope in Gods mercy and fear of His punishment - both of which
are required to lead a positive and humble life. God is the Most
Merciful but also the Most Just. If there were no day of
Judgement, it would contradict the perfect justice of God, and
life would be unfair.
Do we really have a choice?

The fact that God knows our choices does not make it any less
voluntary.
Although God wants people to believe in Him, He does not
force anyone. If God willed, He could guide all of humankind,
as He has power over everything. But in His Wisdom, He has
created us with the ability to choose and made us
accountable for our choices. God is not necessarily pleased
with everything that He allows to occur.
Are we only here for 80 or so years, and thats it? Or is there

more to life? Are we just advanced apes with no ultimate
purpose? Are we material beings with only physical needs or
do we also have spiritual needs?
For those who are genuine and still undecided about God, our
advice is to sincerely ask for the following:
God, if you exist, please guide me.
You might be surprised by the results.
24
WHY
ISLAM?
THE BEAUTY & BENEFITS

OF ISLAM
are all religions

the same?
how do I know
which is correct?
why should I
choose Islam?
25
Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes

of worldly happiness that may cause one to forget God, and the
extremes of sadness that may cause one to lose hope and
blame God. By not being overly attached to the material world,
a Muslim is empowered not only to better handle any
calamities, but to be benecial and generous to society. This
leads to a more balanced and optimistic outlook on life.
3. Pure and Clear Concept of God

1. Close Relationship with the Creator
Unlike other religions, Islam is not named after its founder or the
community of its birth. Islam is an attributive title that signies
obedience to God, the Creator of the Universe.
At the core of Islam is the focus of an individuals personal

relationship with God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to
have sustained awareness of God which is a key to lasting
One of its main beauties is that it acknowledges the complete
happiness.
perfection, greatness and uniqueness of God with absolutely no
compromises. This is reected in Islams pure teachings of the
Islam teaches that God is the source of
attributes of God:
peace. By focusing on this important
relationship and following Gods
GOD IS ONE & UNIQUE
guidance, believers will be able to
acquire inner peace and tranquility.
God has no partners, no equals and no rivals.
Seeking lasting happiness through
other means, such as following
God has no father, mother, sons, daughters or wives.
ones desires or the accumulation
of material possessions, will never ll
God alone is worthy of all worship.
the void we have. This need can only
be lled with the awareness of God.
The primary reason for this close relationship is that Muslims
have a direct connection with their Creator. There is no
intermediary, such as praying to, or through, others, in
worshiping God.
GOD IS ALL POWERFUL

God has full authority and power over all things.
Obedience to God does not increase His Power, nor does
disobedience decrease His power.
2. Positive Outlook on Life

GOD IS THE MOST HIGH
Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that
happen in their life, both good and bad, as they are, in fact,
tests from God.
There is nothing above or comparable to God.
The attributes of God do not resemble that of His creation.

It encourages a person to understand events in the context of
No part of God is present in anyone or anything.
the overall purpose of life, which is to acknowledge God and
obey Him. He created humans with intellect and free will to test
them as to who will willfully choose to follow His guidance. This GOD IS PERFECT
life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot
control everything that happens to us, we can control how we
God does not have any human limitations, such as resting on
react. Islam encourage a person to focus on what is in their
the seventh day after He created the universe.
control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient
during hardships. Patience or gratitude - this is the formula for
God always maintains attributes of perfection and does not do
a happy life.
anything to compromise this perfection such as becoming a
man as claimed by other religions. God does not do ungodly
acts, so if God became man and took on human attributes, he
would, necessarily, no longer be God.
4. Emphasis on both evidence and faith

Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof.
It encourages people to use their God given intelligence to
think and ponder over their life and the universe. Although this
life is a test, God has provided sufcient
signs and guidance to people who
are open-minded and sincere to
be able to acknowledge the truth.
Unlike other religions, there are
many clear proofs, signs and
miracles that the book of Islam,
The Quran, is from God.
Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful

and will forgive and pardon those who
sincerely want to repent. The beautiful
steps for repentance include being
sincere, remorseful, refraining from
committing the sin as well as having
the intention not to repeat it. Islam
encourages a continuous process of
self-development and self-purication.
This process happens directly between the
individual and God - there is no need for sins to be shared or
confessed to a righteous person/priest. Furthermore, God
does not need to sacrice himself to forgive sins, nor is anyone
born into sin.
6. Accountability and Ultimate Justice
THE QURAN:
Is free from any errors or contradictions, despite it being
revealed over a period of 23 years.
Is preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its
original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which have
been distorted, changed or lost.
Contains a simple, pure and universal message that has a
profound effect on all those who are sincerely searching for
the truth.
Contains a unique and inimitable style of language that is
universally known as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and
linguistic beauty - yet the Quran was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to
be illiterate.
Contains many amazing scientic facts which have only
been discovered recently, despite being revealed over 1400
years ago.
The most rational explanation for the many unique and
miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it cannot be from other
than God.
5. Forgiveness of Sins
Islam teaches that God is the Most Just and that each person
will be held responsible for their own actions on the Day of
Judgement. Each person is accountable, as they have
freedom of choice and intelligence to discern between right
and wrong.
It is an absolute demand of justice that there be a Day of
Judgement where every person is rewarded or punished,
otherwise life would be unjust as not everyone receives true
justice in this world.
The obligatory charity - Puries a person from selshness;

encourages empathy to the poor; reminds one of the
blessings of God; helps reduce poverty; bridges the gap
between rich and poor.
The fasting in Ramadan - Promotes spiritual growth and selfpurication; scientically proven health benets; empathy of
those less fortunate; trains people to acquire the habit of
obeying God.
The pilgrimage - Unites people of every color, race, status
and nationality, as pilgrims wear simple and similar clothing,
while performing a range of good deeds in congregation.
Given that Islam is from God, every command found in the
religion is ultimately good and benecial to the individual and
society when practiced correctly. Quranic examples include
being honest, forgiving, truthful, kind to ones wife, patient, fair,
moderate, modest, sincere, and respecting parents, family and
the elderly. There are also many principles in the teachings of
Islam that prevent or reduce many of the individual and social
ills facing the world today.
8. Universal and Timeless Message

Islam has a message that applies to all people at all times,
from the creation of Adam up until the Day of Judgement. It is
applicable today as it always has been.
Islam teaches that ultimately we will be judged for how well we

fullled our responsibilities and exercised our free will. We will
be judged by God, the All Knowing and All Wise, who knows
and sees everything we do. This encourages a more
harmonious society and gives people contentment knowing
that justice will ultimately prevail.
7. Practical and Balanced way of Life

Islam provides the right balance between faith and action, as
both are required for a stable life. It provides guidance for all
situations and circumstances. It is a practical religion with
practical acts of worship that are designed to full the spiritual,
physical, psychological and social needs of people.
Examples of practical acts of worship that have numerous

Islam encourages a balance between hope in Gods mercy
and fear of His punishment - both of which are required to lead benets include:
a positive and humble life.
The ve daily prayers Enriches the soul by satisfying the spiritual need of being in
We are born sinless but have the free will to commit sins. God
regular contact with God (especially in todays busy lifestyle);
created us and knows we are imperfect and commit sins, but
makes one humble by bowing and prostrating to God;
the key is how we react to committing those mistakes.
removes any barriers/pride/racism between believers
praying in congregation; helps one refrain from committing
sins given the person stands regularly before God.
Islams timeless and beautiful message is the same message of

all Prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and
Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
They all called their people to Submit to the One True God
which, in Arabic, means to become a Muslim. This submission
to God enables one to fulll the purpose of life by
acknowledging the greatness of God and sincerely worshiping
him alone. In doing so, one will acquire the countless benets
of Islam mentioned above.
26
Prophethood
in
ISLAM
NOAH
ABRAHAM
MOSES
JESUS
MUHAMMAD
PEACE BE UPON THEM
Allah (God), the Creator of the universe and everything in it,

created humans for a noble purpose: to worship Him alone
and lead a virtuous life based on His teachings and guidance.
However, one cannot full this purpose without receiving clear
guidelines from Allah.
Allah, the Most Merciful and Just, did not leave us to wander
the Earth aimlessly. In order to inform us of our purpose, Allah
appointed certain individuals to communicate and
demonstrate His message to all of mankind. These individuals
are known as Prophets, which include Adam, Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Jesus and Muhammad - may peace be upon them all.
While Prophets are chosen by Allah Almighty, they are in no

way divine and should not be worshiped. Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) was commanded to say, I am only a
man like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One
God. Quran 18:110
It is clear even from the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments,
that the Prophets were not divine, and would worship and
prostrate to the One True God.
And he [Jesus] went a little farther, and fell on his face, and
prayed... Matthew 26:39
And they [Moses and Aaron] fell upon their faces...
Numbers 16:22
Prophets receive revelation

The main difference between an ordinary human being and a
Prophet is that a Prophet receives revelation from Allah.
Prophets have noble character

Prophets were the best examples
amongst their people in character and
righteousness. They lived in obedience
to God, with excellent morals and
were always truthful in speech and
conduct. For this reason, Muslims
reject totally the false attribution of
major sins to the Prophets, as appears
in some scriptures of other religions.
Prophets perform miracles

Many Prophets performed miracles, usually in a eld which
their people excelled. For example, the people of Moses
(peace be upon him) excelled in magic; therefore, Moses
(peace be upon him) was able to perform miraculous acts
which even magicians could not perform. The people of Jesus
(peace be upon him) excelled in matters of medicine;
therefore, Jesus (peace be upon him) was able to perform acts
of healing beyond the skill of his own people. The people of
Muhammad (peace be upon him) excelled in poetry;
therefore, Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered the
Quran, containing such eloquent words which no poet could
ever compete with. In addition, many Prophets conveyed
truthful prophecies of future events. Such miracles were
performed only with the permission and assistance of Allah,
proving that they were human, and not divine.
27
Prophets are not divine
And Abram [i.e. Abraham] fell on his face: and God talked
with him... Genesis 17:3
Prophets have necessary qualities

Allah gave all Prophets certain characteristics in order for them
to successfully fulll their mission, such as persistence, courage,
leadership, patience and wisdom.
Some examples include:
The persistence of Noah (peace be upon him) in calling his
people to Allah, even though very few accepted.
The courage of Abraham (peace be upon him) to
single-handedly confront his entire community regarding their
false beliefs, while he was still very young.
The leadership of Moses (peace be upon him) in directing
the escape of his people from the most oppressive tyrant of his
time Pharaoh.
The patience of Jesus (peace be upon him) in enduring the
hardships and persecution imposed upon him by his people.
The wisdom of Muhammad (peace be upon him) in uniting
the many rival tribes of Arabia, who had a long history of
conict, into one peaceful community.
Since all Prophets were sent by the One True God, they all
conveyed the same message and had the same mission to
remind and educate their people of the purpose of life.
Their message was to:
Clarify the true concept of God and reject false beliefs
Teach the true purpose of life

Demonstrate how Allah should be
worshiped
Convey Allahs denition of
righteous and sinful conduct, and
advise people accordingly
Describe the rewards for obedience
(Heaven) and warn of the punishment
for disobedience (Hell)
Explain commonly misunderstood issues
such as the soul, angels and spirits, the afterlife and fate
The main focus of all the Prophets was to clarify the concept
of God: that He has no partners or equals, and that all worship
should be directed exclusively toward Him. In the Quran, there
are numerous examples of Prophets proclaiming this message:
Noah (peace be upon him) said [Quran 7:59],
However, Prophet Muhammad

(peace be upon him) was not sent to a specic people,
but to mankind as a whole, and his message has been
preserved both in the form of the Quran and the Sunnah.
Muslims believe that thousands of Prophets

were sent periodically by Allah, at least one to
every nation, as a mercy to mankind for their
guidance.
In certain circumstances, the message of the
Prophets was lost, corrupted, forgotten, neglected, or denied
by the people. These were some of the reasons why a new
Prophet would be sent to re-convey Allahs message.
Muslims believe in and respect every Prophet sent by God.
Muslims also believe in all of the divine books which were
revealed to the Prophets, mindful of the fact that none of these
books exist today in their original form, aside from the Quran.
It is He (Allah) Who has sent down the Book (the Quran) to you
(Muhammad) with truth, conrming what came before it. And
He sent down the Torah and the Gospel. Quran 3:3
Abraham (peace be upon him) said [Quran 21:66],
Moses (peace be upon him) said [Quran 7:140],
Jesus (peace be upon him) said [Quran 3:51],
The Quran is the spoken word of Allah, and is free of any

corruption, errors or contradictions. It is a book of guidance for
mankind... and the distinction (between right and wrong).
Quran 2:185
The Sunnah is a collection of the sayings and actions of
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as recorded by his
companions and their students. The fact that there are
thousands of these recorded and rigorously authenticated
makes it very easy for anyone to follow Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) correctly.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) is the nal Prophet for all
mankind from his time up until
the end of time, including current
and future generations. He was a
perfect example of an honest, just,
merciful, compassionate, truthful
and brave human being. He, like
other Prophets before him, did not
have any evil characteristics and strove
solely for the sake of Allah.
Allah created life and gave humans free will and intellect, as a
test to see who will willingly follow His path and who will deviate.
If every person received direct revelation, life would not be a
Prophets were sent as a mercy by Allah, to convey His message
true test of faith. The real test of ones faith is in using ones
intellect and reason to contemplate and recognize Gods signs, and to teach people how to live a righteous life. They have the
best of characteristics and are to be followed and obeyed.
rather than being spoken to directly by God, which would not
require any effort, and would render belief meaningless.
Following a Prophet is obedience to God and rejecting a
Prophet is disobedience to God. Prophet Muhammad (peace
Although Prophets received direct revelation, this did not
be upon him) is the last of the Prophets, so Gods guidance was
exempt them from lifes tests, as Prophet-hood brings with it
complete with his coming, and our salvation is complete with
many difculties and trials.
the obedience to God and His Final Prophet.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) said [Quran 18:110],
This message was consistent throughout the generations, and

highlights the importance of having the correct belief in God.
Prophets were sent to specic

groups of people, and over time,
the messages with which they came
were lost or corrupted.
28
Is Jihad
holy war?
No. Denitely not. Jihad should never be confused with Holy
War - an idea that does not have a place in Islam. The concept
of Holy War does not exist anywhere in the Quran, nor is it
found in classical Islamic teaching. It is a foreign concept
introduced by the Crusaders who waged Holy War against
the Muslim indels in the Holy Land.
Why is Islam often Misunderstood?

In todays turbulent world, Islam is often the front page - mostly for the wrong reasons. Islam means peace; yet some have taken
this peaceful way of life and hijacked it into a violent way, and political gains. Seeing a faith through explosive world events, and
judging it by the actions of misguided few, is the primary reason why Islam is often misunderstood.
Islam is sometimes intentionally misrepresented. Some politicians, religious leaders and media have found an ideal scapegoat in
Islam. By associating Islam with the inhumane acts of a handful, they have been successful in driving larger numbers and listen
to of people to vote for them; to donate towards their ministries; and to read thewir newspapers, watch their television programs
and listen to their radio shows.
However, with an increasing number of Muslims speaking out against this falsehood, the true and peaceful nature of Islam is
becoming more evident. Muslims are standing up against terrorism, against the persecution and killing of inncent people, and
against those who perpetrate such injustice in the name of any faith.
The very word Islam is rooted in the Arabic word for peace. A fth of the worlds population is reclaiming this peace as their
chosen way of life.
Contrary to popular opinion, Jihad is not a means of forcing
Islam on others. It should never be viewed as an expansionist,
proselytizing movement. However, historically, and even in
todays times, some Muslims have taken it as such. This distortion
of the virtuous concept of Jihad is in total contradiction to the
authentic Islamic teachings.
What does Islam say about War?
Jihad is the noble effort of improving oneself, ones family and

community, ones nation and the world at large. Jihad is the
struggle taht a mother undergoes during pregnancy, child-birth,
and the raising of her child; it is years of hard work that a
student puts towards a good education; it is the sacrice that a
reghter makes when risking his own life to save another; and
it is the courage that soldier has on the battleeld in the defense
of his life, his country, his freedom and his beliefs.
Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:
Beware on the Day of Judgement, I shall, myself, be the
accuser against him who wrongs a non-Muslim citizen (of a
Muslim State) or lays on him a responsibility greater than he can
bear, or deprives him of anything that belongs to him.
Islam permits ghting in self-defense, in defense of ones faith, or on the part of those whose basic rights have been violated. It
lays down strict rules of combat that include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and
livestock. Terrorism; indiscriminate killing through means like suicide bombings, and weapons of mass destruction; torture and
humiliation as tactics of war; and mutilation and disrespect of the dead are totally forbidden in Islam.
Fighting is only permitted after all non-violent means have bee exhausted. As Muslims see it, injustice would be triumphant in the
world if good people were not prepared to ght for a righteous cause.
ISLAM
THE DISCOURSE ABOUT ALLAH WOULD NOT CONCLUDE EVEN IF ALL THE TREES ON THIS EARTH WERE MADE INTO PENS AND THE ENTIRE SEA SERVED AS INK
- HOLY QURAN 31:27
29
How Does
Islam Guarantee Human Rights?
Islam and
Other Faiths!
According to the Qur'an, God has created all of humankind equal, and has given each the right to pursue their own destiny. The
life, honor and property of all people in a Muslim society are considered sacred, whether the person is Muslim or not. Racism,
sexism and prejudice of any sort are unacceptable in Islam. The Qur'an speaks of human equality in the following terms:
The Quran states unequivocally:
"O humankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know
one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware."
(Qur'an 49:13)
There is not compulsion in religion, Truth stands out clearly from

falsehood...
(Quran 2:56)
Freedom of conscience is an essential tenet of Islam. Truth can

only be seen if it is clouded by coercion. As such, protection of
The right to life is the most basic of human rights; the Qur'an equates the unjust killing of a single person to killing all of humankind: the rights of non-Muslims is an intrinsic part of Islamic law.
"And whoever kills a soul, should be as though he has killed all of humankind." (Qur'an 5:32)
History provides many examples of Muslims respect towards
Dealing equitably and protecting the rights of every individual is the cornerstone of a Muslim society. God further states in the
other faiths. For instance, prior to the Spanish Inquisition, Jews
Qur'an: "O you who believe! Stand up rmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not hatred of a people invite you to act
and Christians lived and prospered in Spain for centuries under
inequitably; act justly, that is nearer to piety, and be conscious of (your duty to) God, surely God is aware of all that you do."
Muslim rule. Another well known example is when Omar, the
(Qur'an 5:8).
second Muslim leader after Prophet Muhammad, entered
Jerusalem. He refused to pray inside the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher. He was concerned that some overzealous Muslim in
the future might destroy the Church and build a Mosque in his
Jihad is a beautiful, yet greatly misunderstood, Islamic concept.
honor.
The Arabic word, Jihad is derived from the root word Jahada which means to strive - to struggle, to strain, to exert, to
endeavor, to persevere, and to defend are all different terms used to describe Jihad.
God states in the Muslim holy book, the Quran:
O you who believe! Shall I show you a trade that will save you from a great punishment? You should believe in God and His
messenger, and you shall strive (to the best of your ability) in the way of God, with your possessions and yourself. That is better for
you, if only you knew.
(Quran 61:10-11)
God says in the Quran:

Permission (to defend) has been granted to those who are
being fought against; that they have been oppressed Verily,
God has the power to help them. Those who were unjustly
expelled from their homes for no other reason than their saying:
God is our Lord. If God were not to repel some human beings
through others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and
mosques, wherein the name of God is mentioned, would have
certainly been destroyed. God will denitely help those who
will help Him. Verily. God is Immensely Strong, Mighty.
(Quran 22:39-4C)
FOR A FREE QURAN IN ENGLISH, PLEASE CALL, EMAIL OR VISIT :
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30
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, the Most Merciful!
Ramadan: The Month of Fasting

Fasting is a common form of worship among the various religions across the world. Its spiritual benets are widely recognized even though its frequency, practice and duration may differ from
faith to faith. Islam places great importance on the act of fasting, calling it one of the pillars of worship, along with prayer, charity and pilgrimage.
God says in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God (2:183).
Islam teaches that God (Allah in Arabic) sent many prophets since the beginning of the human race, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon all of
them). Hence, Islam shares core values such as belief in God as well as a commitment to justice and virtue with Christianity and Judaism; similarly, fasting in one form or another is common to all
three Abrahamic faiths and, indeed, to the vast majority of religions across the world. In Islam, fasting is one of the major acts of worship and a means of attaining God-consciousness. Along with
the physical aspects of fasting, its spiritual dimensions purify the soul, instill self-reection and inspire virtuous living.
An Annual Retreat
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the sighting of the new moon. During this month, Muslims worldwide are obligated to abstain completely from food, drink and sexual relations
from dawn to dusk, culminating in a release of restrictions at sunset. The fast, as per the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is broken with dates followed by a meal which varies from culture to culture.
Fasting is observed as an act of obedience to God, one for which He has reserved special blessings. The fasting person is rewarded manifold for all good deeds. In addition, according to a saying of Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him), whoever fasts and prays during Ramadan with pure intentions will have their past sins forgiven. At the same time, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught his followers to remain conscious of
the deeper signicance behind their fast, saying, Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then God has no need that they should leave their food and drink. Therefore, fasting is multidimensional along
with the physical aspects of fasting, one must nurture the social and spiritual elements as well in order to fully benet from fasting.
In essence, fasting in the month of Ramadan is a yearly opportunity for Muslims to physically and spiritually revive themselves. Fasting redirects the heart away from worldly affairs and towards the remembrance of God.
During Ramadan, Muslims focus on strengthening their relationship with their Creator. The self-restraint practiced in Ramadan makes the heart and mind accustomed to the remembrance of God and to the obedience of
His commandments. Fasting during Ramadan is, therefore, a spiritual regimen and a reorientation for the body and mind. It is a time for spiritual reection, prayer and good deeds. The spiritual cleansing during the month of
Ramadan results in renewed determination to worship God throughout the year.
Benets of Fasting
Fasting is intended to instill self-discipline, empathy and compassion in the individual. Muslims are motivated to increase their generosity during this month. They are encouraged to share the blessings that God has provided
them by giving generously in charity because wealth is regarded as a trust from God. Indeed, fasting makes people more aware of the many bounties of God. Experiencing hunger and thirst allows us to feel the desperation
of hunger and leads us to empathize with those who dont know when they will eat their next meal. Fasting allows us to experience once a year what many throughout the world experience almost daily. Hunger, for them,
is not a choice; it is simply a fact of life, says Hamza Yusuf, a renowned Muslim leader based in California. Fasting also reminds us of the importance of appreciating what we have and minimizing waste. From His generosity,
God continuously graces us with His favors, and fasting reinforces the concept that wasting the Creators bounties is a sign of ingratitude to Him.
When the month of Ramadan arrives, it brings a heightened sense of community with it. Muslim families often wake up together before sunrise for an early breakfast. They also invite one another to break their fast together,
which creates friendship and stronger ties among neighbors, families and friends. Many people also bring meals to mosques to share with the community, especially the poor, the needy, the travelers and those who do not
have families. Together, they also make it a point to go to the mosque for the nightly Ramadan prayers.
The Month of Quran
God began revealing the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during Ramadan in the year 610 C.E. The Quran, the nal revelation from God, is often read and memorized in its original Arabic language,
preserving the divine order and structure of this book. In Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to focus as much time as possible on reading, listening and understanding the Quran as a means of coming closer to God. One
of the ways Muslims become nearer to the Quran during Ramadan is through extended congregational prayers offered in the late evening after the breaking of the fast. Over the course of the month, the entire Quran is
commonly recited in these night prayers. This is an opportunity for Muslims to become spiritually connected to God and reect on His words of guidance.
Muslims believe that the last ten nights of Ramadan are the holiest of all, and strive to increase their worship during that time even more. The most sacred night of all, the Night of Power, falls on one of the odd-numbered
nights in the last third of Ramadan. God mentions in the Quran that the Night of Power is better than one thousand months (97:3). In other words, the worship of this one night is worth more than the worship of a thousand
months. As a result, Muslims seek this special night by staying awake in worship during the odd-numbered nights from the last ten days of Ramadan.
Even as the days routine of work and home continue, Muslims make extra time for spiritual nourishment and self-introspection. Commitments ranging from the recitation and study of Quran to increased charity to nightly
attendance of additional prayers are commonly made to reap the rewards of the fasting month. And, as the month draws to a close, a sense of sadness overcomes the worshippers, wistful at the departure of the blessed
month which seemed to have own by.
Eid-ul-Fitr Celebration
The end of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new moon, which is followed by a day of celebration known as Eid-ul-Fitr. Families wake up early in the morning, put on their best clothes and go to the mosque for a
brief Eid sermon and congregational prayer. They thank God for giving them the opportunity to experience the holy month of Ramadan. The day is lled with celebration, socializing, festive meals and modest gift-giving,
especially to children. Before attending the Eid prayer, the head of the household or guardian gives a special charity on behalf of each dependent family member called Zakat-ul-Fitr. This is the giving of a meal to a needy
person to make sure that none are excluded from this happy occasion and to encourage people to continue the spirit of generosity after Ramadan as well.
The Eid celebration is not merely about feasting and socializing. There is a deep signicance for those who truly observed the holy month with their fasting, abstaining from all bad habits and striving hard to earn the pleasure
of God. Muslims feel a sense of happiness and a renewed energy to face the rest of the year with faith and determination until next Ramadan!
31
Article Courtesy: www.whyislam.org
WHO WAS MUHAMMAD?

Muhammad (peace e upon him) was born in Makkah in the year 570, during the period of history Europeans call the
middle ages. Muhammad was the son of Aamenah and Abdullah, from the tribe of Quraysh. He was a direct
descendant of Ishmeal, the eldest son of prophet Abraham. Muhammads father died just before he was born, and
his mother passed away when he was six. He was raised by his grandfather, the chief of Makkah; and upon his
grandfathers death, Muhammad came under the care of his uncle, Abu Talib.
Muhammad was a shepherd in his youth. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and
sincerity; earning the title at Amin, the trustworthy one. Muhammad was frequently called upon to arbitrate disputes
and counsel his fellow Makkahs.
At age 25, Muhammad married Khadijah, an honorable and successful businesswoman. They are blessed with two
sons and four daughters. It was an ideal marriage and they lived a happy family life.
Muhammad was of a contemplative nature and had long detested the decadence and cruelty of his society. It
became his habit to meditate from time to time in the cave of Hira near the summit of jabal an-Noor, the Mountain
of Light on the outskirts of Makkah.
32
What is
ISLAM
and
Who are
MUSLIMS?
33
Islam
simply means to achieve peace peace with God, peace within oneself, and peace with the creations of
God through wholly giving oneself to God and accepting His guidance.
Islam is not a new faith. Muslims believe r that it is the same truth that God revealed through all His
prophets to every people. For a fth of the worlds population, Islam is not just a personal religion, but a
complete way of life.
' Muslims come from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe. They have varied languages,
foods. dress, and customs; even the way they practice Islam may differ. Yet they all consider themselves
to be Muslim.
Islam is a qualitative term

the quality of accepting Cod's supreme authority above one's own. As suds, being a Muslim does not mean
having to give up one's culture or traditions; rather it means adopting the simple and logical principles of
Islam to better one's life and attain peace.
Less than 15% of Muslims live in the Arab world; a fth are found in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the worlds
largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. Substantial parts of Asia, and almost all the Central Asian
republics, are Muslim. Signicant Muslim minorities are found in China, India, Russia, Europe, North America
and South America.
WHAT ARE THE
FIVE PILLARS
OF ISLAM TESTIMONY?
The ve pillars of Islam are the basis of Muslim life. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have
said:
Islam is founded on ve pillars to testify that there is no deity except of God and
Muhammad is the messenger of God: to establish the ritual prayers; to give charity (to the
needy); to perform the pilgrimage to the home (of worship in Makkah); and to fast during
the month of Ramadan.
A practicing Muslims life is centered on these pillars. The rst and foremost of these is the
testimony.
There is no deity except God. Muhammad is the messenger of God
This simple declaration of faith is required of all those who accept Islam as their chosen way
of life. The words have to be uttered with sincere conviction and under no coercion. The
signicance of this testimony is the belief that the only purpose of life is to serve and obey
God; and this is achieved through following the example of prophet Muhammad.
Muslims believe that throughout history, God sent His chosen messengers to guide
humankind. The testimony that these prophet taught was similar. the rst commandment
found in the Bible is I am the lord, thy God; show shall not have other gods before me.
This belief in the Oneness of God is central to Islam and permeates all of Muslim life.
34
WHY IS
ISLAM OFTEN
MISUNDERSTOOD?
In todays turbulent world, Islam is often on the front page - mostly for the wrong reasons. Islam means peace; yet some have taken this peaceful way of life and hijacked it into a
violent way, and distorted their ideology for personal and political gains. Seeing a faith through explosive world events, and judging in by the actions of a misguided few,
is the primary reason why Islam is often misunderstood.
Islam is sometimes, intentionally misrepresented. Some politicians, religious leaders and media have found an ideal scapegoat in Islam.
By associating Islam with the inhumane acts of a handful, they have been successful in driving larger numbers of people to vote for them; to donate towards their ministries;
and to read their newspapers, watch their television programs and listen to their radio shows.
However, with an increasing number of Muslim speaking out against this falsehood; the true and peaceful nature of Islam is becoming more evident.
Muslims are standing up against terrorism, against the persecution and killing of innocent people, and against those who perpetrate such injustice in the name of any faith.
The very word Islam means peace.
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35
36
Prophet
Muhammad
PEACE BE UPON HIM
who is Muhammad?
In another narration, some people requested the Prophet

(peace be upon him) to invoke God to punish the disbelievers
but he replied, I have not been sent as one to curse but as a
mercy."
Muslims believe that Muhammad

(peace be upon him) is the nal
Prophet in a long chain of Prophets
sent to call the people to the
obedience and worship of God
alone (Allah in Arabic). Some of
these Prophets include Adam,
Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac,
Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon
and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
forgiveness
(peace be upon him)
Just as Moses (peace be upon him) was sent with the Torah
(the original non-corrupted revelation sent to Moses) and
Jesus (peace be upon him) with the Gospel (the original,
non-corrupted revelation not the present-day versions),
Muslims believe that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was
sent with the Quran to demonstrate how its teachings should
be applied.
YOU SHOULD
KNOW THIS MAN!

was the most forgiving of all people
and the kindest. If someone abused
him, he would forgive him, and the
harsher a person was, the more
patient he would become. He was
extremely lenient and forgiving, especially
when he had the upper hand and the power to retaliate.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was all for forgiveness and
no amount of crime or aggression against him was too great to
be forgiven by him. He was the best example of forgiveness
and kindness, as mentioned in the following verse of the
Quran, Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin
kindness, and turn away from the ignorant. Quran 7:199
The Prophets (peace be upon him) wife, Aisha, was

once asked to describe the Prophet (peace be upon him), and
she replied that he was the Quran walking, meaning he
meticulously implemented the noble teachings of the Quran
into his daily life. We will demonstrate how he translated these
noble teachings into noble actions.
In the following sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him),
he taught that all humans are equal in the sight of God, All
humanity is from Adam and Adam is from clay. There is no
superiority for an Arab over a non- Arab, nor for a black over a
white; except through piety.
equality
mission of mercy
As well as calling people to pray, fast and
give charity, the Prophet (peace be
upon him) taught that ones faith in
God should also affect ones
treatment of others. He said,
The best of you are they who have
the best character.
Many sayings of the Prophet

(peace be upon him) emphasize the
relationship between belief and action, for
example, Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should
not hurt his neighbor, and whoever believes in Allah and the
Last Day, should serve his guest generously, and whoever
believes in Allah and the Last Day, should speak what is good
or keep quiet.
God does not judge you according to your appearance and

your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and looks into your
deeds.
It is related that once a companion of the Prophet (peace be
upon him) called another companion in an offensive way, Son
of a black woman! The Prophet (peace be upon him) became
angry and replied, Do you condemn him because of the
blackness of his mother? You still have within you traces of
ignorance from the pre-Islamic period.
The nal Messenger (peace be upon him) taught humans to

show mercy and to respect each other, He who does not show
mercy to others, will not be shown mercy.
37
tolerance
humbleness
You should not do evil to those

who do evil to you, but you
should deal with them with
forgiveness and kindness. This is
how the nal Messenger of God
(peace be upon him) reacted to
personal attacks and abuse.

used to prevent people from
standing up for him out of
respect. He used to sit wherever
there was a place available in
an assembly and never sought a
prominent or elevated place. He
never wore anything to distinguish
himself from his companions or appear
in higher rank than them. He used to mix with the poor and the
needy; he used to sit with the elderly and support the widows.
People who did not know him could not tell him apart from the
rest of the crowd.
Islamic sources include a number of

instances where the Prophet (peace be upon him) had the
opportunity to take revenge upon those who wronged him, but
refrained from doing so.
He taught man to exercise patience in the face of adversity:
The strong is not the one who overcomes people by his
strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in
anger. Practicing patience and tolerance does not mean that
a Muslim should be a passivist and not defend himself in case
of attack. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated
that, Do not wish to meet the enemy, but when you
meet (face) the enemy, be patient (i.e. stand rm when facing
the enemy)."
gentleness
Addressing his companions, he said, Allah has revealed to

me, that you must be humble. No one should boast over one
another, and no one should oppress another.
On one occasion, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him

reacted angrily after being insulted by a person.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised her, Be gentle and
calm, O Aisha, as Allah likes gentleness in all affairs.
He also said, Show gentleness! For if gentleness is found
in something, it beauties it, and when it is taken out from
anything, it makes it decient.
What has preceded is only a

glimpse of how Muhammad
(peace be upon him) lived his life.
The examples of kindness and mercy
mentioned may come as a surprise to
some people given the portrayal of Islam in the media and its
constant misrepresentation.
It is important when trying to understand Islam that one goes
directly to its sources: The Quran, and the sayings and actions
of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and that anyone
does not judge Islam based on the errant actions of a few
Muslims.
Such was his humbleness that he was fearful of being

worshiped, a privilege only betting God:
Do not exceed bounds in praising me as the Christians do in
praising Jesus, Son of Mary. I am only the Lords servant; then
call me the Servant of Allah and His Messenger.
the ideal
husband
A companion who served

Muhammad (peace be
upon him) for ten years
said that Muhammad
(peace be upon him) was
always gentle in his
dealings with him. When I
did something, he never
questioned my manner of
doing it; and when I did not do
something, he never questioned my
failure to do it. He was the friendliest of all men.
the ideal
example
The Prophets beloved wife,

Aisha, said of her noble husband,
He always helped with the housework
and would at times mend his clothes, repair his shoes and
sweep the oor. He would milk, protect and feed his animals
and do household chores.
Not only was he a devoted husband, he also encouraged his
companions to follow his example,
The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them
in morals. And the best among them are those who are best to
their wives.
comments from
non-muslims
Mahatma K Gandhi, a major political and spiritual leader of the
Indian independence movement, remarked:
It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the
Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense
devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his
fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission.
These and not the sword carried everything before them and
surmounted every obstacle.
George Bernard Shaw, the British playwright, declared:
The world is in dire need of a man with the mind of
Muhammad; religious people in the Middle Ages, due to their
ignorance and prejudice, had pictured him in a very dark way
as they used to consider him the enemy of Christianity. But after
looking into the story of this man I found it to be an amazing
and a miraculous one, and I came to the conclusion that he
was never an enemy of Christianity, and must be called instead
the Savior of humanity. In my opinion, if he was to be given
control over the world today, he would solve our problems and
secure the peace and happiness which the world is longing
for.

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38
WOMENS
Women in Islam are thought to be subjugated, degraded,

oppressed but are they really? Are millions of Muslims simply
that oppressive or are these misconceptions fabricated by a
biased media?
RIGHTS
IN ISLAM
RESPECTED
Over fourteen hundred years ago, Islam

gave women rights that women in the
West have only recently began to
enjoy. In the 1930s, Annie Besant
observed, It is only in the last twenty
years that Christian England has
recognized the right of woman to
property, while Islam has allowed this
right from all times. It is a slander to say that Islam preaches
that women have no souls.
(The Life and Teachings of Mohammed, 1932)
If we compare Islam to other religions, we see that it offers

justice between the sexes. For example, Islam dismisses the
idea that Eve is more to blame than Adam for eating from the
forbidden tree. According to Islam, Adam and Eve both sinned,
they both repented and God forgave them both.
Both men and women are equally encouraged to seek

knowledge. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Education
is compulsory for every Muslim.
Also, great female Muslim Scholars existed at and around the

time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Some were from his
family and others were his companions or their daughters.
Prominent among them was Aisha, the wife of the Prophet
(peace be upon him) through whom a quarter of the Islamic
Men and women all descended from a single person - the
Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). Islam does not accept for law has been transmitted. Other females were great scholars of
jurisprudence and had famous male scholars as their students.
either of them anything but justice and kind treatment.
HONORED
Men and women worship Allah in the same way, meaning
they worship the same God (Allah), perform the same acts of
worship, follow the same scripture, and hold the same beliefs.
CHERISHED
Islam has honored women by giving them the right to choose

a spouse and keep their original family name once married.
Additionally, many have the impression that parents force their
daughters into marriage. This is a cultural practice, and has no
basis in Islam. In fact, it is prohibited.
Allah (the Arabic word for the One true God of all creation),
judges all human beings fairly and equitably. Allah emphasizes
the just treatment and reward due to both men and women in
At the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), a
many verses of the Qur'an:
woman came to him and said, My father has married me to my
cousin to raise his social standing and I was forced into it. " The
Prophet sent for the girls father and then in his presence gave
the girl the option of remaining married or nullifying the
marriage. She responded, O Messenger of Allah, I have
accepted what my father did, but wanted to show other women
(that they could not be forced into a marriage).
While men and women have equal rights as a general

principle, the specic rights and responsibilities ranted to them
are not identical.
These verses show that reward is dependent upon ones
actions and not ones gender. Gender does not play any part
in how a person is rewarded and judged.
39
Men and women have complementary rights and

responsibilities. Aside from external and internal anatomical
differences, scientists know there are many other subtle
differences in the way the brains of men and women process
language, information and emotion, just to mention a few.
A socio-biology expert, Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University,
said that females tend to be higher than males in verbal skills,
empathy and social skills, among other things, while men tend
to be higher in independence, dominance, spatial and
mathematical skills, rank-related aggression, and other
characteristics.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also encouraged men to

treat their spouses in the best way, The best of you are those
who are best (in treatment) to their wives.
Aisha (the Prophets wife) was

once asked how the
Prophets conduct was in
It would be foolish to treat both genders the same and to ignore his home. She said, He
was like one of you at
their differences. Islam teaches that men and women have
complementary, yet different, roles because it is best suited to home, yet he was most
lenient and most
their nature. God says:
generous He was ready
to give a helping hand to
his wives in the ordinary
work of the house, [he]
sewed his own clothes and
mended his own shoes. In
general, he helped in whatever
work his wives did.
Before Islam, women were considered shameful,

female children were buried alive, prostitution
was rampant, divorce was only in the hands of the husband,
inheritance was only for the strong, and oppression was
widespread.
Islam came and abolished these practices.
Even now, in developed countries,
women are not granted respect, dignity
and honor, let alone equal pay for equal work.
Islam, however, regards women as precious
and valuable, not to be disrespected or
disgraced. The mistreatment of women
in some Middle-Eastern countries or
Muslim families is due to cultural factors that
some Muslims wrongly follow, not
because of Islam.
Why would many women around the world
willingly enter Islam if it is an oppressive
religion?
We end with the words of our Lord and your Lord,
the Creator and Sustainer of
all men and women:
God created men and women to be different, with unique

roles, skills and responsibilities. These differences are not viewed
as evidences of superiority or inferiority, but of specialization. In
Islam, the family is of central importance. The man is responsible
for the nancial well being of the family while the woman
contributes to the familys physical, educational and emotional
well being. This encourages cooperation rather than
competition. By fullling their mutual responsibilities, strong
families are created and hence strong societies.
Also, emotionally, neither men nor women live a happy life
without one another. Allah describes this
beautifully by saying:
Clothing provides comfort, warmth

and security as well as making one
look good - this is how the relationship
between the husband and wife is
dened in Islam.
A mother has the greatest inuence on a child especially in

the earlier years through her affection, care and love.
Undoubtedly, the success of a society is due to mothers.
Therefore, it is only right for Islam to honor and raise their status.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
was once asked, O Messenger
of Allah, who among people is
most deserving of my good
treatment? He said, Your mother.
The man asked twice more, Then
who? and was given the same
response. Only until the fourth time did the
Prophet respond, Then your father.
Reward is not only given to the good and kind treatment
towards mothers. In fact, Islam has designated a special
reward for raising daughters that is not granted for raising sons.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, Whoever
Allah has given two daughters and is kind towards them, they
will be a reason for him entering Paradise.
40
THE
What is the
QuraN Quran?
The Word of God
The Quran is the literal word of God, The Almighty (Allah in

Arabic), revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) through the Angel Gabriel.
THE FINAL REVELATION

TO MANKIND
How do I know
that it is from God?
Preservation
The Quran is the only religious
sacred text that has been in
circulation for a lengthy period, and
yet remains as pure as the day it
was revealed. Nothing has been
added, removed or modied from it, since
its revelation over 1400 years ago.
The revelation of The Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.
Quran 39:1
Not only has the Quran been preserved in written form, but
also in the hearts of men, children and women. Today, millions
of people have memorized the Quran from cover to cover.
Guidance for Mankind
Scientic Miracles
The Quran is a guidance for mankind... and the distinction

(between right and wrong). Quran 2:185
The Quran does not contradict modern science but rather,

supports it. One of the most remarkable aspects about the
Quran is that it contains many verses which accurately describe
natural phenomenon in various elds such as embryology,
meteorology, astronomy, geology and oceanography. Scientists
have found its descriptions incredibly accurate for a book
dating back to the 7th century.
It provides direction to help mankind judge between right and

wrong, without which, man would surely be in loss.
The Final Revelation

The Quran is the last scripture revealed by Almighty Allah
(God), conrming what little truth remains in parts of previous
scriptures and refuting and correcting fabrications and
additions which have crept into current day versions of such
scriptures.
"O you who have been given the Scripture! Believe in what
We have revealed conrming what is (already) with you...
Quran 4:47
How was the Quran Revealed?
In fact, many of the scientic miracles

mentioned in the Quran have been
discovered only recently, through
the modern advancement
of technological equipment.
Consider the following:
The Quran gives a detailed
description of the development
of the human embryo. These
details were unknown to the
scientic community until recent times.
The Quran states that the astronomical objects (stars, planets

The Quran was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) moons etc...) were all formed from clouds of dust. Previously
and exists only in the language in which it was revealed unknown, this fact has now become an undisputed principle of
Arabic. However, the translation of the meaning of the Quran modern cosmology.
is available in many languages.
Modern science has discovered the existence of barriers that
The Quran was not sent down as a complete book in one
allow two seas to meet yet maintain their own temperature,
revelation; rather, the revelation spanned over a period of 23
density and salinity.
years.
These signs of God were clearly stated in the Quran more than
For this reason, it is essential to know in what circumstances the 1400 years ago.
verses were revealed, in order to have a proper understanding
of the Quran; otherwise, its teachings could be misunderstood.
41
Uniqueness
Purpose of Revelation
Ever since its revelation, no person has been able to produce

a single chapter like that of the Quran in its beauty,
eloquence, splendour, wisdom, prophecies, and other perfect
attributes.
To Believe in One True God
The people that rejected

Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him) failed this
challenge, even though they
were extremely eloquent in the
language of the Quran. This
challenge remains unanswered
to this very day.
No Contradictions
When people write, they are bound to
make mistakes such as spelling and
grammar, contradictory statements,
incorrect facts, omission of
information, and other various
errors.
The Quran has no contradictions
whatsoever - be it in scientic
explanations of the water cycle, embryology, geology and
cosmology; historical facts and events; or prophecies.
Couldnt
Muhammad have authored it?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known in
history to be illiterate; he could not read nor write. He was not
educated in any eld that could account for neither the
scientic and historical accuracy, nor the literary beauty of this
magnicent Book. The precision of historical recounts of
previous peoples and civilizations mentioned in the Quran is
also too great to be authored by any man.
The following are examples of worship from the

Quran:
And your god is One God. There is no god but He, the Most
Gracious, the Most Merciful. Quran 2:163
The most important topic mentioned throughout the Quran is
the belief in the One, True God. God informs us that He has
no partner, no son, no equal, and that none has the right to be
worshiped except Him alone. Nothing is comparable to God
and none of His creation resembles Him. The Quran also rejects
the notion of attributing human qualities and limitations to God.
To Reject All False Gods

And worship Allah and associate none with Him.
Quran 4:36
Since Allah alone is the only One worthy of worship, false
deities and false gods must be rejected. The Quran also rejects
the notion of attributing divine qualities to anyone or anything
other than Allah.
To Narrate the Stories from the Past

The Quran contains many narratives with benecial lessons,
including the true stories of previous Prophets such as, Adam,
Noah, Abraham, Jesus and Moses.
Of these stories, Allah says, Indeed in their stories, there is a
lesson for men of understanding. Quran 12:111
To Remind us of me Day of Judgement

This Noble Book reminds us that everyone will taste death and
will be held accountable for all their actions and sayings:
We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of judgment, so
that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least. . .
Quran 21:47
To Fulll the Intended Way of Life
Conclusion
In summary, the Quran teaches mankind how to worship the
One True God, hence fullling their true purpose in life, and
attaining success in both this world and the next.
Verily, We have sent down to you
(O Muhammad) the Book for
mankind in truth. So whosoever
accepts the guidance, it is only
for his own self; and whosoever
goes astray, he goes astray only
for his own loss. Quran 39:41
Importantly, the Quran teaches that the purpose of life is to

worship God alone, and live ones life according to the way of
life prescribed by Him. In Islam, worship is a comprehensive
term that includes all actions and sayings (whether private or
public) that Allah loves and is pleased with. Therefore, by doing
what Allah commands, a Muslim is worshiping God and fullling Dont you owe it to yourself to at least
his purpose in life.
read this Noble Book?
42
the mercy of
ALLAH
(GOD)
God Almighty is full of love and kindness to His creation. All

blessings and goodness in this world and the next are clear
proofs of His Mercy. Indeed, Islam teaches that God is more
merciful toward us than our own mothers. How can it be
otherwise, when some of Gods names and attributes include:
The Acceptor of Repentance;
The Compassionate;
The Loving;
The Forbearing One;
The Most Gracious;
The Most Merciful;
The Source of Goodness;
The Most Generous;
The Bestower
These names all indicate that God is characterized by mercy,
goodness and generosity. They testify to the vastness and
perfection of His Mercy, which He blesses all of His creation.
This same creation is addressed by God, when He says, O
son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as
great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no
partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great
the earth."
Ultimately, everyone has the free will to acknowledge their

blessings, use them in a manner ordained by Allah (the Lord of
mankind) and worship Him alone. Below, we have outlined a
glimpse of such blessings, because ... if you were to try and
count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them.
Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Quran 16:18
Guidance Through
Divine Scriptures & Prophets
From the beginning of creation,
man was not left to face
the struggles of life alone.
Due to Gods Mercy,
man received revelation
through Prophets, who
conveyed and taught it
to their people to guide
and protect them.
The most perfect and
merciful of revelations
was the Quran and the
last of the prophets was
The Quran - the nal revelation - superseded and abrogated
previous revelations, and is the ultimate mercy and guidance
for mankind. Just as God sent Messengers in the past, He also
sent mankind a living, perfect and practical example of how
the Qurans teachings of mercy and justice should be
practically applied in our
daily lives. This example was
Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him) - a mercy to mankind.
Throughout life, people continually receive Allahs blessings, be

it good health, sight, hearing, nourishment, clean air, children,
wealth and countless others. Some use their God-given gifts of
intelligence and reasoning to acknowledge these blessings,
grasp the purpose of their existence, and thereby submit
themselves to Allah. Others, however, do not appreciate the
Mercy of Allah toward their own selves, even though He feeds
and sustains them despite their disobedience toward Him. They
are given mobility, enjoyment, freedom of thought and action,
despite their outright denial of Him. Their very existence would
not be, were it not for the Mercy of Allah.
Following are just some of the

Prophets sayings which are
indicative of his mercy, kindness,
tolerance and beautiful teachings:
Kindness is not found in anything
except that it adds to its beauty, and is not
withdrawn from anything except that it makes it decient.
The most perfect of believers in belief is the best of
them in character.
He is not a perfect Muslim who eats his ll while his
neighbor goes hungry.
Allah will not show mercy to him who does not show
mercy to others.
How desperately do we, as a society, and in these times, need
such beautiful advice?
43
Mercy Towards The Creation
Keep up prayer and pay the compulsory charity (to the

needy) and obey the Messenger; so that mercy may be
shown to you. Quran 24:56
The creation of human beings and all their faculties is a great

mercy in itself. The fact that we can get out of bed, work, eat,
play and sleep should make us grateful. And out of His Mercy
He made for you the night and the day that you may rest
therein and [by day] seek from His Bounty and [that]
perhaps you will be grateful. Quran 28:73
Sincerely asking for Mercy from God. Our Lord! Make not
our hearts to deviate after you have guided us aright,
and grant us mercy from Yourself; surely You are The
Bestower. Quran 3:8
Due to Gods Mercy, He has promised to

forgive and pardon whosoever follows
A spouse is one of the greatest of mercies, a means to
the appropriate means as mentioned
tranquility and affection. And of His signs is that He created for in the following verse: And surely,
you, from yourselves, mates that you may nd tranquility in
I am indeed forgiving to him who
repents, believes (in My Oneness,
them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.
and associates none in worship with
Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
Me) and does righteous good deeds,
Quran 30:21
and then remains constant in doing
Another mercy is the fact that He created us sinless and will not them.
Quran 20:82.
hold us to account until the age of maturity and decision
making. This is in stark contrast to the Original Sin concept in
Part and parcel of having the correct belief is believing and
Christianity.
obeying the nal Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon
Forgiveness of sins is another example of Allahs Mercy, as Allah him).
knows we are imperfect and commit mistakes. The fact that
believers commit sins does not mean that we should lose hope In short, the people who receive more of Allahs Mercy are
of Allahs Mercy or that we have exhausted Allahs Forgiveness. those who have acknowledged His blessings and favors; used
them in a way which pleases God; spent their God-given
O My servants who have transgressed against their
wealth in charity and to look after the needy; employed their
souls! Do not despair of the Mercy of God: for God forgives
hands to care for orphans; utilized their gift of speech to speak
all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
good; and performed other honorable acts ordained by God.
Quran 39:53
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah will show mercy
to those who show mercy to people. Show mercy to those who
Even animals are not exempt from Allahs Mercy. They have
are on earth - the One Who is in Heaven will show mercy to
faculties of hearing and sight, are provided with sustenance
you.
and offspring, and are granted many other blessings.
Allahs Mercy sent to earth, ...His creatures are merciful to
each other, so that even the mare lifts up its hoof away
from its baby animal, lest it should trample on it.
The Merciful Creator ensures that every creation is
looked after - from the sh in the depths of the ocean, to the
insects in the earth, and the birds in the skies - all are sustained
by Him.
Below, are some ways to attain Gods Mercy.

Obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain
mercy. Quran 3:132
By following the teachings of mercy and justice found in the
Quran: And this is a blessed Book We have revealed;
therefore follow it and protect yourself (against evil), that
mercy may be shown to you. Quran 6:155
Alongside Allahs attribute of Mercy is His attribute of Justice.

Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the
Presence of their Lord. Shall We then treat the People of
Faith like those who do not believe? What is the matter
with you? How do you judge? Quran 68:34-36
Allah is the Most-Merciful, however, He is also Swift in Reckoning.
One cannot try to deceive Allah and take advantage of His
Mercy by constantly committing the same sins without sincere
repentance or resolving never to go back to the sin again.
And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue
to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he
says: Now I repent; nor of those who die while they are
disbelievers. Quran 4:18
Muslims are encouraged to have hope of reward for good
deeds, while being concerned about sins they may perform.
When they commit sins, they repent sincerely, and are hopeful
of being forgiven. And nally, they feel content with the words
of their Creator, and keep it close to their heart:
Surely Allah is Most Gentle, Ever Compassionate to people.
Quran 22:65
www.kdcsus.org
44
the
Hijab
The word Hijab comes from

the Arabic root word Hajaba,
which means to conceal or
cover. In an Islamic context, Hijab
refers to the dress code required for
Muslim females who have reached puberty.
Hijab is the requirement of covering or veiling the entire body
with the exception of the face and hands. Some also choose to
cover their face and hands and this is referred to as Burqa or
Niqab. The Hijab is not required in situations where there are
only females and certain male relatives present. However,
hijab is not just about outer appearances; it is also about noble
speech, modesty, and dignied conduct. These righteous
manners are also required of men.
Note that in the above verses, it is men who are addressed rst
in regards to lowering their gaze and
guarding their modesty. This
counters the Claim that all
responsibility for such modesty
is shouldered by women.
The wisdom behind the Hijab is to minimize sexual enticement

and moral degradation in society as much as possible for both
men and women.
Although there are many benets of Hijab, it is rst and
foremost a commandment from God. Therefore, wearing it is
an act of faith and obedience to The Creator, as mentioned in
the Quran:
devotion to
God,
modesty, dignity
45
God, the All-Wise, knows what is best for His

creation, and has therefore provided
guidance in order to benet humankind.
The wearing of hijab, just like any other
act of obedience to The Creator, brings
one closer to their Lord and helps bring a
sense of satisfaction and contentment to
the person wearing it.
The Hijab helps protect men, women and society by creating

stability in both families and communities in a number of ways.
Shields from unwanted advances.
Shields women from perverted looks and supercial scrutiny.
May help reduce the likelihood of sexual assaults against
women.
Shields from sexual exploitation of women based on
appearance.
Shields from temptations and harmful desires.
The Hijab promotes a womans femininity rather than

suppressing it, and grants women dignity and self-respect for
who they are, as opposed to being judged by supercial
standards, such as appearance. This grants women the power
to shape their own dignity via more meaningful standards, such
as righteousness, knowledge and societal contribution, rather
than having a consumer society dictate their worth through
Islam promotes modesty and decency and seeks to minimize
immorality within society. The Hijab, amongst other things, helps material means, such as how they look or how much money
they earn.
attain this goal.
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Tawakkul

Karman, The mother of Yemens
revolution, when asked about
her Hijab by journalists and how
it is not proportionate with her
level of intellect and education,
replied:
Man in early times was almost
naked, and as his intellect
evolved he started wearing clothes.
What I am today and what Im wearing
represents the highest level of thought and civilization that man
has achieved, and is not regressive. Its the removal of clothes
again that is a regression back to the ancient times.
The Hijab enables women to have

condence in themselves as human
beings. It increases the self-esteem
of women by allowing them to
focus on what really matters in life.
The obsession with physical
appearance can have dangerous
and unhealthy consequences, as
some women go to harmful lengths
in order to feel accepted by an
increasingly demanding society. The Hijab
helps prevent such mental and physical harms associated with
a lack of condence, by limiting self-consciousness based on
appearance.
In a number of societies today, many women are taught from

early childhood that their worth is proportional to their
attractiveness. They are compelled to follow unrealistic and
demeaning standards of beauty in order to satisfy unreasonable It does NOT hinder contribution to society.
peer pressure and community expectations. In such a
supercial environment, where so much emphasis is placed on It is NOT a symbol of oppression.
external beauty, the internal beauty of the individual counts for
very little.
It is NOT required in places where there are only females and
close male relatives.
Islam however, teaches that a woman is to be respected
according to her virtuous character and actions rather than by
It is NOT a sign of female inferiority to men.
her looks or physical features, of which she has little or no
control. She does not have to use her body and charms to gain
It is NOT a means to restrict a womans freedom to express
recognition or acceptance in society, as the Hijab directs
her views and opinions.
self-worth away from appearance and onto qualities such as
piety, virtue, modesty and intellect attributes which are more
It is NOT a means to restrict women from pursuing an
equally accessible to all.
education or a suitable career.
Every woman who wears a hijab or burqa is a unique individual,
It is NOT a portable prison.
and it is unfair and inaccurate to make a sweeping judgement
about all such women based on one item of clothing they have
It is NOT an act of deance, confrontation or protest against
in common.
non-Muslims.
It is NOT something new - it has been practiced by many
righteous women historically.
The Hijab is not something new. Muslim women follow the
example of righteous women in the past such as Mary, the
mother of Jesus. Some of the evidence from the bible includes
the following two verses.
It is NOT against community values - community values

necessitate that people should not be judged by what they
wear, nor discriminated against or mistreated, based on their
choice of clothing or appearance.
And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head

uncovered dishonors her head. 1 Corinthians 11:3-6.
l also want women to dress modestly, with decency and
propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive
clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who
profess to worship God." 1 Timothy 2:9-10
It is NOT worn with the intention of being intimidating or

anti-social.
I wore it at the age of 17 and now regret not wearing it earlier.

- Faten, 27, Melbourne
Its not about being ready enough to wear it, its about being
fortunate enough to wear it. - Madina, 22, Melbourne
Wearing Hijab represents my freedom, my choice, not my
oppression by the wants of men and media.
- Nusaybah, 45, Melbourne
I like wearing the hijab because Im doing it for the sake of
Allah, and every time I think about that, it puts a smile on my
face.
- Aisha, 13, Melbourne
It allows me to realize my goals by having a career and going
to school without worrying about the prying eyes of men. It
forces people not to judge me based on my appearance, but
on my thoughts and character.
- Ms. Flavia, 22, USA
My body is my business, and I shouldnt have to defend what I
wear to anyone. It is part of my religion, and the fact that I
choose to wear it does not make me any less human.
- Ms. Yasmin 21 Australia
The Hijab is an act of obedience between the Muslim woman

and her Creator. It is a source of empowerment and dignity,
and million of Muslim women around the world choose to wear
the Hijab as part of their faith. Far from being oppressive, the
Hijab is an act of liberation, purity and most importantly, belief.
Respect for women is an important aspect of Islamic teachings,
and this is illustrated via the Hijab.
True equality will occur when women do not need to display
themselves to be valued nor defend their decision to keep their
bodies to themselves.
the
Hijab
devotion to
God, modesty, dignity
46
THE
DANGERS
OF
RIBA
Riba is haram in all of its aspects, as the Prophet (peace be

upon him) said (Muslim):
Is it not amazing that a Muslim will
never eat pork because it is haram
(unlawful); never marry his mother
or sister because it is also haram, yet
that same person has no problem
devouring riba (e.g. interest, usury)?
Did you know that engaging in riba is a
major sin which could lead you to Hell?
Do not be of those whom Allah have been cursed!
If dealing in riba is so punishable, why do many Muslims fall

into this sin and take the issue so lightly?
Riba is an Arabic noun derived from the verb Raba, meaning

to increase, to grow, and to exceed.
It includes interest which is paid by banks or on loans such as
car loans, home loans or credit card debt.
There are many proofs showing that riba is haram and one of
the most serious sins in Islam!
For those with true faith in Allah and the Quran, this clear verse
prohibiting riba is sufcient:
In the Quran, Allah does not declare war on anyone except

those who deal in riba:
The rst and foremost reason riba is haram is because Allah

declared it so. It is based on Allahs innite wisdom that He
deems an action to be obligatory or prohibited, prescribing
matters in mans best interests, in this life and in the Hereafter,
as He is the All-Wise, All-Knowing.
The scholars of Islam have suggested the following
reasons as to why riba is haram:
Whole nations, dozens of them, large and small, have foreign
debts so large that their riba payments on these debts are a
crushing burden on the entire country. Debt kills.
Some 11 million children die each year around the world due to
conditions of poverty and debt. Former President Obasanjo,
commented on the debt Nigeria faces:
All that we had borrowed up to 1985 or 1986 was around $5
billion and we have paid about $16 billion yet we are still being
told that we owe about $28 billion. That $28 billion came about
because of the injustice in the foreign creditors (lenders)
interest rates.
If you ask me what is the worst thing in the world, I will say it is
compound interest.
Jubilee 2000 news update, August 2000
Riba conicts with the spirit of brotherhood and sympathy,
and is based on greed, selshness and hard heartedness.
Riba is one of the major contributors towards ination.
Riba causes trauma and depression due to mounting debts.
Riba is a sure gain without any possibility of loss, hence all the
risk is taken by the borrower, rather than sharing the risk and
the prots with both parties.
Would you like Allah, The Almighty, to wage war against you
after He has made it abundantly clear that riba is haram?
Riba creates a monopoly in society, where the rich are

rewarded for being wealthy, while those who are not are forced
to pay extra!
The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned that consuming riba

is one of the seven sins that doom a person to Hell.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
47
During the global nancial crisis in 2008 and 2009, the Daily
Vatican newspaper, LOsservatore Romano, reported the
Vatican as saying that the Islamic nance system may help
Western banks in the crisis as an alternative. The Vatican
advised: The ethical principles on which Islamic nance is
based may bring banks closer to their clients and to the true
spirit which should mark every nancial service.
Where a riba-based market fails, Islamic nancial institutions do
not suffer the same consequences since the risk is shared by
both parties. Lenders will be more careful, as they also share
the risk of losing money if the borrower cannot pay back the
original sum.
Given all the problems that riba creates, it is no wonder Islam
prohibits such a detestable act.
Living in a capitalist society makes it difcult to completely

avoid riba. However, this should not be used as an excuse to
freely indulge in it.
An obvious way to steer clear of this evil is to not take out a
loan which involves paying riba. Other solutions include:
Opening up riba-free bank accounts.
Not entering into contracts which stipulate riba penalties,
even though one intends to pay on time.
Making bill payments on time so as not to incur a late
penalty.
In Islam, one is forgiven for performing a forbidden act in times

of desperation. Therefore, if one is forced to use riba, otherwise
risk extreme hardship or death, it becomes temporarily
permissible, until that hardship is overcome.
Keep in mind that enduring the hardship caused by refraining
from riba, for the sake of Allah, will gain reward. A person of
Islamic knowledge and understanding of ones personal
situation, must be the one to determine if a person is indeed in
difculty. Otherwise, this exception to the rule may be taken
advantage of, and many people may wrongly consume riba
and suffer the consequences laid out by Allah.
Paying rent in order to support

oneself and their family is not wasted
money. lnshaAllah, Allah the Most
Appreciative, will reward this like
charity: When someone spends on his
family seeking his reward for it from Allah,
it is counted as a charity from him.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
None can doubt that riba is haram
and a major sin, and no
disobedience to Allah is
worth the risk of His
punishment.
Borrowing money from family or friends where possible.
With regard to the interest that the bank has given you, do not
return nor consume it. Rather, spend it on charitable causes,
such as giving it to the poor, buying disposable items
(like toilet paper) for Islamic centers and mosques, and helping
debtors. However, do not expect reward for this.
The most effective way to avoid riba and determine which
transactions are permissible, is by consulting Islamic scholars
and utilizing their knowledge.
As for those who strive toward success by earning Allahs pleasure

they take comfort from the following verse:
There is a common misconception amongst Muslims with

regards to buying a rst house using riba. Some claim that it is
permissible, a necessity. The fact that one can easily rent a
house instead of buying, disproves this claim. If the theory were
true, would that then mean that drinking the rst bottle of
alcohol is permissible, even though water is available? Or
eating pork when there is a permissible substitute? While
We are also shown how to be successful in the Hereafter:
it may be easy to fool others into believing this, we must
remember that:
Meeting any conditions required to continue trading without

the use of riba.
Dealing with Islamically compliant banks.

Renting if you cannot afford to buy a house without riba.
Accepting/organizing a goodly loan (aI-qard al-hasanah),
which is a loan by means of which one intends to show
kindness to another, which does not involve taking riba.
Such is the punishment for those who consume riba and do not
sincerely repent from this great sin.
When examining this issue of riba, we should remember that

true success lies with the help of Allah alone.
If we abide by that which is lawful, and avoid that which is
haram, our wealth will be blessed and benecial in this world
and the Hereafter. What good is extra money earned through
riba if there is no blessing in it, and it is cursed - a source of
misery?
On the Day of Resurrection, people will rise from their graves
quickly, except those who engaged in riba. They will stand up
and then fall down like epileptics because:
We must remember that

the life of this world is
short and eeting, and
that the purpose of our
existence is not to lust
after beauty and wealth,
but rather to worship Allah
correctly and live by His rules.
Just because riba is widespread
and common,
it does not make it permissible.
48
THE
Burqa
&
Niqab
I AM NOT
WHAT
I APPEAR
TO BE
The burqa and niqab have become a topic of much

controversy and heated debate. A number of countries have
banned the wearing of these religious garments, while others
have considered banning or limiting their use.
Many arguments have been made against the wearing of the
burqa and niqab, claiming they are anti-social, backward,
oppressive, and not part of Islam. This pamphlet discusses the
burqa and niqab from an Islamic viewpoint and addresses the
many concerns and allegations made against the wearing of
these garments.
Islamic texts make it very clear that the hijab is compulsory for
Muslim women to observe. Consequently, Islamic scholars
have agreed that both the burqa and niqab are part of Islam,
but have differed as to whether they are also compulsory or
optional acts of virtue. This explains why some Muslim women
wear the hijab, while others decide to wear the niqab or burqa.
Note: This section will refer to both the niqab and burqa simply
as the burqa for the remaining sections.
There are three main types of Islamic dress relating to women

when in public:
This is the most common type of Islamic dress,

which covers the womans body, leaving only
her face and hands visible.
This type is like the hijab, except it also covers

part of the face, leaving only the eyes visible.
This type is the least common, and involves covering

the whole body as well as covering the face with
mesh, so that the eyes are not visible.
The hijab can generally be found amongst Muslim women all
over the world, while the niqab and burqa are more common
in specic regions. It is not obligatory for a Muslim woman to
dress in one of the above fashions in front of other women. It is
only obligatory in the presence of men who are not closely
related to her, as prescribed in Islam.
49
There is no doubt that both the burqa and niqab have an

Islamic basis, and that both have been commonly practiced
and recognized by Muslims throughout history.
Muslim women who choose to wear the burqa do so out of

their own free will, believing it is an act of worship and a form of
liberation from the objectication of women in modern society.
In fact, preventing Muslim women from practicing their religion
is what is truly oppressive.
Niqab is a very liberating and empowering experience. It
allows me to realize my goals by having a career and going to
school without worrying about the prying eyes of men. It forces
people not to judge me based on my appearance, but on my
thoughts and character. - Ms. Flavia, 22, US
The burqa is not part of a short-lived fashion trend. It is a

religious garment and act of worship which is not subject to
time and therefore, does not become outdated. In fact, the
burqa is gaining much popularity in modern societies,
especially amongst Western convert women.
My body is my business, and I shouldnt have to defend what I
wear to anyone. The burqa is part of my religion, and the fact
that I choose to wear it does not make me any less human.
- Ms. Yasmin, 21, Australia
While the burqa may appear intimidating to some people, it is

not worn with the intention of being threatening or frightening.
People are often intimidated by what they have no knowledge

of, and the burqa is a piece of clothing which should not
warrant fearful reaction. Underneath the burqa is a person
simply trying to practice their religion. It is interesting to note
that other forms of dress and appearance are no longer
considered intimidating, as they have become accepted by
the wider community. Tattoos, extremely short dresses,
revealing clothes, body piercing and outlandish hairstyles are
all examples of this phenomena.
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought,

conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to...
manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice
Burqas are no more of a security risk than a motorcycle helmet, and teaching.
big fashion sunglasses, or a big beanie, and can be removed
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 18:1
when identication is required for security reasons.
Furthermore, banning a religious item based merely on
Of course, the request for removal should be done by another emotional rhetoric may open the door to further discrimination
woman and not in the presence of men (where possible).
and human rights abuses. It is worth noting that Nazi Germany
rst began with minor discrimination against Jews and other
minorities, then, when that was accepted, proceeded with
more severe repression.
Wearing the burqa does not in any way suggest that women
are inferior to men. Claiming that the burqa is a symbol of male
domination goes against the fact that many women voluntarily
wear the burqa, even though some have no male relatives, or
wear it against their male relatives wishes.
Wearing the burqa does not go against acceptable

community values.
Community values necessitate that people should not be
judged by what they wear, nor discriminated against or
mistreated, based on their choice of clothing or appearance.
There is nothing in the burqa that prevents a woman from

interacting with other members of society, or from participating
in the community. In fact, neither the hijab nor the burqa are
required when among women only.
Every woman who wears a burqa is a unique individual, and it
is unfair and inaccurate to make a sweeping judgement about
all such women based on one item of clothing they have in
common.
Wearing a burqa does not stop a woman from contributing to

society or from pursuing higher education. There are many
women who wear the burqa and are very highly educated, or
lead very successful careers.
From the very advent of Islam,
Aisha, the wife of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon
him), was and still is
renowned as one of the
greatest Islamic scholars to
have ever lived. The fact that
she wore the burqa did not,
in any way, hinder her from
becoming such a prominent
scholar or from teaching the
men and women of her society.
No doubt, seeing women wearing the

burqa is strange for many people. It is
not a common sight, as only a minority
of Muslim women wear it, and as such
it is new and unfamiliar to many.
Banning the burqa not only breaches international law but is

highly discriminatory, leading to a number of harmful social
impacts. It will only serve to vilify Muslim communities and
create distrust between Muslims and the communities in which
they live.
While claiming to protect Muslim women, a ban would make
life intolerable for those who wear the burqa, forcing them to
choose between defying their beliefs simply to leave the house,
or not leaving the house at all. Additionally, such a ban will also
amount to double standards, as other religious symbols and
clothing are not only tolerated, but respected, such as the
clothing of nuns, Buddhist monks, orthodox priests and rabbis.
This fact does not make the burqa something

which ought to be feared or hated. The erce media campaign
of fear which has been launched against the burqa has caused
many people to pass judgment on this Islamic practice without
having any knowledge of its signicance. It is important to
The burqa is clearly not oppressive or anti-social. It does not
consider who benets from such prejudiced propaganda.
pose security risks or create barriers between the wearer and
Some political parties, for example, capitalize on peoples
society.
misunderstandings and fears in order to make political gains.
Rather, it is the personal choice of women wanting to gain
closeness to God, and should be respected as such. Having a
debate over whether to ban a well established religious practice
is in itself discrimination, and goes against the very values which
ought to be protected. Being tolerant does not only mean
accepting people who look and act exactly like you; but
accepting the choices of other people, especially, if you do not
Modern societies were founded on the basis of freedom and
understand or agree with them.
liberty. This entitles their members to freely practice their own
religion and dress as they wish.
In a time where women have more and more freedom to make
Banning the burqa goes against these very core values, and is choices, is it not strange that the most basic freedom, the
freedomto choose what to wear, is being taken away from
a form of hypocrisy and double standards. In fact, there are
Muslim women in many modern societies? If forcing someone
international laws which explicitly ensure peoples right to
to wear the burqa is oppressive, is not forcing someone to
expression and to practice their religion.
remove it equally oppressive?
50
WHAT IS THE
Quran?
Muslims believe that the Quran is the very word of God Almighty: a complete record of the exact words revealed by
God through the Archangel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of God be upon him).
The Quran was memorized by Prophet Muhammad and his followers, dictated to his companions, and written down by
scribes, who cross-checked it during the Prophet lifetime. Not one word of its 114 surahs (chapters) has been changed
over the centuries. The Quran is in every detail the same unique and miraculous text that was revealed to Muhammad
over fourteen centuries ago.
The Quran is the principle source of every Muslims faith and practice. It deals with all subjects that concern us as
human beings, including wisdom, doctrine, worship and law; but its basic theme is the relationship between God and
his creatures. At the same time, the Quran provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and equitable
economic principles.
He (God) has sent down to you the book (the Quran) with truth, conrming what was revealed before, And He sent
down to the Torah (of Moses) and the Gospel (of jesus) before this as a guide to humankind; and he sent down the
Criterion (the Quran) (Quran 3:3-4)
51
NAMES OF ALLAH
Allah - The Greatest Name
1. Ar-Rahman
The All-Compassionate
2. Ar-Rahim
The All-Merciful
3. Al-Malik
The Absolute Ruler
4. Al-Quddus
The Pure One
5. As-Salam
The Source of Peace
6. Al-Mu'min
The Inspirer of Faith
7. Al-Muhaymin
The Guardian
8. Al-Aziz
The Victorious
9. Al-Jabbar
The Compeller
10. Al-Mutakabbir
The Greatest
11. Al-Khaliq
The Creator
12. Al-Bari'
The Maker of Order
13. Al-Musawwir
The Shaper of Beauty
14. Al-Ghaffar
The Forgiving
15. Al-Qahhar
The Subduer
16. Al-Wahhab
The Giver of All
17. Ar-Razzaq
The Sustainer
18. Al-Fattah
The Opener
19. Al-`Alim
The Knower of All
20. Al-Qabid
The Constrictor
21. Al-Basit
The Reliever
22. Al-Khad
The Abaser
23. Ar-Ra
The Exalter
24. Al-Mu'izz
The Bestower of Honors
25. Al-Mudhill
The Humiliator
26. As-Sami
The Hearer of All
27. Al-Basir
The Seer of All
28. Al-Hakam
The Judge
29. Al-`Adl
The Just
30. Al-Latif
The Subtle One
31. Al-Khabir
The All-Aware
32. Al-Halim
The Forbearing
33. Al-Azim
The Magnicent
34. Al-Ghafur
The Forgiver and Hider of Faults
35. Ash-Shakur
The Rewarder of Thankfulness
36. Al-Ali
The Highest
37. Al-Kabir
The Greatest
38. Al-Haz
The Preserver
39. Al-Muqit
The Nourisher
40. Al-Hasib
The Accounter
41. Al-Jalil
The Mighty
42. Al-Karim
The Generous
43. Ar-Raqib
The Watchful One
44. Al-Mujib
The Responder to Prayer
45. Al-Wasi
The All-Comprehending
46. Al-Hakim
The Perfectly Wise
47. Al-Wadud
The Loving One
48. Al-Majid
The Majestic One
49. Al-Ba'ith
The Resurrector
50. Ash-Shahid
The Witness
51. Al-Haqq
The Truth
52. Al-Wakil
The Trustee
53. Al-Qawiyy
The Possessor of All Strength
54. Al-Matin
The Forceful One
55. Al-Waliyy
The Governor
56. Al-Hamid
The Praised One
57. Al-Muhsi
The Appraiser
58. Al-Mubdi'
The Originator
59. Al-Mu'id
The Restorer
60. Al-Muhyi
The Giver of Life
61. Al-Mumit
The Taker of Life
62. Al-Hayy
The Ever Living One
63. Al-Qayyum
The Self-Existing One
64. Al-Wajid
The Finder
65. Al-Majid
The Glorious
66. Al-Wahid
The Unique, The Single
67. Al-Ahad
The One, The Indivisible
68. As-Samad
The Satiser of All Needs
69. Al-Qadir
The All Powerful
70. Al-Muqtadir
The Creator of All Power
71. Al-Muqaddim
The Expediter
72. Al-Mu'akhkhir
The Delayer
73. Al-Awwal
The First
74. Al-Akhir
The Last
75. Az-Zahir
The Manifest One
76. Al-Batin
The Hidden One
77. Al-Wali
The Protecting Friend
78. Al-Muta'ali
The Supreme One
79. Al-Barr
The Doer of Good
80. At-Tawwab
The Guide to Repentance
81. Al-Muntaqim
The Avenger
82. Al-'Afuww
The Forgiver
83. Ar-Ra'uf
The Clement
84. Malik-al-Mulk
The Owner of All
85. Dhu-al-Jalal wa-al-Ikram
The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
86. Al-Muqsit
The Equitable One
87. Al-Jami'
The Gatherer
88. Al-Ghani
The Rich One
89. Al-Mughni
The Enricher
90. Al-Mani'
The Preventer of Harm
91. Ad-Darr
The Creator of The Harmful
92. An-Na'
The Creator of Good
93. An-Nur
The Light
94. Al-Hadi
The Guide
95. Al-Badi
The Originator
96. Al-Baqi
The Everlasting One
97. Al-Warith
The Inheritor of All
98. Ar-Rashid
The Righteous Teacher
99. As-Sabur
The Patient One
52
Allah
Sublime is the Single Lord of Pristine Purity
Wherein pride is wind and passion is eternity
Prayers become passages into tranquillity
Grant Your love 'n' peace as honor 'n' dignity
8. As-Samad-al-Maboud
Unique and without any needs; worthy of Prayer
Sublime is the Single Lord, Absolute and Prayed
Beautifully laid is the heavenly path and arcade
For prayerful souls to enjoy the soothing shade
Rivers and streams, fruits and company sedate.
15. Al Khaliq-al-Bari
Primal Creator and Grantor of Life
Sublime is the Single Lord, Creator and Grantor
Creating chromosomes like a mystic enchanter
Stirring life in depths of oceans or in silent Castor
To implant Light in the Universe as an instigator.
2. Al Azziz al Jabbar
Almighty Lord Who Guides All Humanity
Sublime is the Lord, Single Almighty Guide
Who turns virtue to might as desires subside
Dignity becomes truth and beauty to conde
Grant us gratitude and courage side by side.
9. Al Ghafoor-al-Wadud
Most Forgiving and Most Sincere Friend
Sublime is the Single Lord, Most Forgiving Friend
Doors of forgiveness are open for you to ascend
Doors of love are open for all humans to transcend
Rivers and streams, fruits and company to wend.
16. Al A'li- al-Azeem

Most Revered and Highly Esteemed
Sublime is the Single Lord, Revered and Esteemed
Holiest thoughts, Almighty is aware to be redeemed
Events that stars and humans have ever dreamed
Have come home as I have prayed and screamed.
(Reference to Aa. 55.6 and to Aa. 1.3)
3. Ar-Rauf ur-Raheem
Lord of Extreme, Eternal Kindness and Mercy
Sublime is the Single Lord, Kind and Gracious
Dispersed His blessings, His whims fastidious
Evident His majesty and deeds tenacious
Show us the Straight Path so innitely spacious.
(Sura Al Fatiha 1, Aa. 1.6)
10. Al Wakeel-al-Kafeel
Most Efcient and Responsible
Sublime is the Single Lord, Firm and Responsible
Ways of Allah, Kind, Invisible, Firm and Compatible
With ways of humans efcient, logical and addible
Sometimes becoming inconceivable and incorrigible.
4. Al-Ghafoor-al-Haleem
Most Forgiving and Most Graciously Helpful
Sublime is the Single Lord, Forgiving and Gracious
For every human to become humble and judicious
Lest worries and evils turn ctitious and fallacious
Then Signs in Scripture are lasting and tenacious.
(Reference to Aa. 1.6)
5. Al-Kareem-al-Hakeem
Merciful and Miraculously Healing
Sublime is the Single Lord, Merciful and Miraculous
Light and Love, Straight Path, nothing dubious
Focus of Faith and Scripture forever tenacious
Pristine, Divine and Unied forever capacious.
(Reference to Aa. 1.6 and to Aa. 55.2)
6. Al-Khavi-al-Wa
Almighty and Loving
Sublime is the Single Lord, Almighty and Loving
Omnipotent, Omnipresent, innitely forgiving
In His Presence, human stature starts dwindling
Eternally Alive is His Singular Face forever smiling.
7. Al-Lateef-al-Khabeer
All Seeing-All Informed
Sublime is the Single Lord, All Seeing-All Informed
One Who ordains how chromosomes are reformed
One Who dictates how universes are transformed
Unseen constellations and stars yet to be formed.
(Sura Ar Rahman 55, Aa. 6)
53
1. Al Malik al Khudoos
Allah! Encompassing Pristine Purity
(Reference to Surath-al-l 105, Aa.105.1 and 105.3)
11. Ar Raqib-al-Hafeez
One Watchful and Protector
Sublime is the Single Lord, Watchful Protector
Sustainer of universes and for believers a Shelter
Supreme is the fate of one who is a Quranic reciter
Singing the Names of Allah, the Only Divine Rector.
12. Ad Daim-al-Khaim
One Ancient and Eternal
Sublime is the Single Lord, Ancient and Perpetual
Since eons to past Judgment, He is beyond visual
From behind Bangs to past Universes, all continual
For His creation, Hes Lord of mercies, all-effectual.
(Reference to Aa. 55.6, and Aa.1.3)
13. Al Muhi-al-Mumemuth
One Who Ordains life and death
Sublime is the Single Lord, Giver of life and death
Eternity for faith 'n' trust, hope 'n' love that wreath
Death for greed 'n' pride, hideous 'n' false that wrath
Love for Allah and His Prophet is the purest Sabbath.
14. Al Hi'gh- al-Khayuum
One Who is Alive and forever Established
Sublime is the Single Lord, Alive and Established
Living, Eternal, rmly seated on Throne lavished
Through all universes replenished and untarnished
Sorrow is for those well fed yet remain famished.
17. Al Wahid al-Ah'ad

The One Unique Single and Singular
Sublime is the Single Lord, Unique and Singular
Every place or every moment similar or bipolar
The Unity of Allah is always singular and annular
Limits of thought is status of soul somewhat circular
Like a moment of innocence it is perhaps cellular.
(Reference is to Sura 53, Surath-an-Najm, Aa.53.14)
18. Al Momin-ul-Mohemeen
Ordaining Peace and Protective of the righteous
Sublime is the Single Lord, Peaceful and Righteous
Protective, peaceful and precocious
For here and Hereafter, righteous and ingenious
Faith for heart and soul, Refuge from inauspicious.
19. Al Haseeb-ul-Saheed
Sufcient (for His creations) and Omnipresent
Sublime is the Single Lord, Sufcient, All Present
To witness deeds, lives sadly spent, sorrows pent
Hopes that once were life turn to voices that repent
Should tears, wash away the Holy Scripture sent.
20. Al Haleem-al-Kareem
Perfectly Accomplished and Generous
Sublime is the Single Lord, Capable and Generous
Accomplished to create the Universe capacious
The single One worthy of all praise and efcacious
His mercy and generosity make Him tenacious
Through every word He is Straight and never devious
Plead You grant this prayer and servitude precious
Long life for dignity in the world would be gracious.
21. Al-Awal-al-Khadeem
The One Primal and Ancient
Sublime is the Single Lord, Primal and Ancient
From the beginning of time to eternity, it is apparent
Allah's Signs all point straight to human betterment
With Light, Guidance, Scripture and Enlightenment
His mercy still calls you as your life is clement
"Now is the time for evil to freeze and fragment;
Servants in clay, embrace thy Benevolent. "
22. Al-Awal-al-A'Khir
The One Primal and Final through Eternity
Sublime is the Single Lord, Primal and Final
Single line from origin of time to edges terminal
One soul, one trust, one journey, one human cynical
Allahs Singlehood, Majesty and a human irrational
Seeking the destination pure, bright and cardinal
With a rm deep voice that becomes ordinal
"Abandon ugly gods and their tools criminal."
23. Az-Za'hir-al-Bat'in
The One Evident and (yet) Hidden
Sublime is the Single Lord, Evident yet Hidden
Evident is His grandeur even in worlds forbidden
Evident is His grandiose in Order never overridden
Hidden is His mercy in the protection unbidden.
(Reference is to Aa. 1.2)
24. Al Kabeer al Muth'aal
The One Supreme and Accomplished
Sublime is the Single Lord, Supremely Accomplished
Quran has descended; practice is to be polished
The path to pristine purity is clearly established;
For every soul in life, the sinful nets are ashed
For every thought, the devil has plots furbished:
Hark! Man may become reason for a soul slashed
Life may itself become reason for an end banished.
25. Al Khazi al Hajaath
The Grantor of Longings
Sublime is the Single Lord, Grantor of Longings
Grant Your mercy for those long lost longings
Bless the heart and its saddest carvings
Hopes that sink in the darkest screenings:
Storms blow away the dimmest lightings
Pray grant safety for believers belongings
The prophets teachings and hidden meanings
The ultimate knowledge and its truest surroundings.
(Reference is to 53.14 of Surath-an-Najm)
26. Ar Rahman ur Raheem

Most Merciful and Ever Merciful
Sublime is the Single Lord, Most and Ever Merciful
Dutiful servants seeking bliss from Allah, All-Powerful
Prayerful seeking protection from Allah, All-Graceful
His mercy this life exists, prayer that faith is plentiful
His order the worlds exist, joy the eternity is peaceful:
Bless Thy mercies that Rahman means merciful
For the wise and those who are prayerful.
28. Rab al A'la
Lord and Creator, One Who is the Highest
Sublime is the Single Lord, Creator Who is Highest
Delete this world and create skies of virtue spacious
Payers of servants seek Your generosity tenecious
Sorrows of the world may not become so vexatious
And drive the fate of believers to become precarious:
Trust of Faith, Your recitations become harmonious
To destroy every sin and wear the angels beauteous.
29. Burhan us Sultan
The King who shows the (Right) Path
Sublime is the Single Lord, One to lead to the Path
Teachings of Scripture, arrays of mercy in any math
The orign behind zero or anger beyond innite wrath
Grant reason in numbers so humans can nd a path
Should the clay vanish for good in a cosmic mud bath
Human race, civilizations and their nuclear aftermath
Befriend the Mystic Guide always on the Right Path.
(Reference to Aa. 55.2, Sura e Rahman)
30. As Sami al Baseer
The One Who hears and sees (everything)
Sublime is the Single Lord, One Who hears and sees
All-hearing, All-seeing, Allah is All-knowing to please
He takes each one to his abode in a gentle breeze
Rich or poor, high or low, for each to appease
Ever since Unity has started His heavenly keys
For a wayfarer to enter a world of virtue as reprise
Faith, deeds, Scripture and Kabah, if you please.
31. Al-Wahid-al-Qh'haar
The One Single One and Irresistible
Sublime is the Single Lord, the One Irresistible
Saddest are those who found His Oneness deniable
Stars 'n trees, suns 'n moons hear Allah's voice audible
Heaven 'n hell, sky 'n earth respond in words amicable;
Themes of the world, and all diversions are corruptible
As one listens to beauty of Faith and Love as agreeable
Now that Qur'an is revealed, make the Hereafter stable.
(Reference to Aa. 55. 5, Aa., 55.6)
32. Al-Aleem-al-Hakeem
The One Informed and Miraculously Knowledgeable
Sublime is the Single Lord, the One All Knowing
Single, pristine, miraculous, knowledgeably bestowing
Eternal kindness and mercy, virtue and purity owing
For those with ears to hear the Prophet's teaching;
When every breeze that brings down his looks loving
Guiding learned and believing to paradise glowing:
Pray, end the trial of life in this world by bestowing
A divine death at Your door while still be praying.
(Reference is to Aa. 1.6 of Surath-a-Fatiha)
33. As-Sattaar-al-Ghafaar
The One Hidden and Most Forgiving
Sublime is the Single Lord, the Most Forgiving
Lest man should lose the Path and die struggling
It has been that believers trap the devil struggling:
It is for a short while that Satan keeps laughing
With nowhere to hide, that Allah is Himself hiding:
Seek refuge that Allah is All-Potent and Forgiving
Pray, we never stop searching You Everlasting.
34. Ar-Rahman-ud-'Dian
The Merciful and Most Kind One
Sublime is the Single Lord, Merciful and Most Kind
The most graciously kind against every odd to nd
One Who grants all the mercies without any bind
Favors in thoughts, deeds for entire humankind:
Brighten this life with a beautiful state of mind
Close of life that still has a story to spellbind
Light of Truth in trials of world left behind
Without apathy or regrets of the mortal kind.
35. Al-Kabeer-al-Akbar
The Great and then the Greatest
Sublime is the Single Lord, Great and the Greatest
Beyond words, higher than love, He is the strongest
Beyond thought and reality, He is forever the wisest
Higher than galaxies, His honor are waves deepest
Beyond limits of understanding, lies castles truest
Ahead of comprehension, shines the Prophet brightest
For all the atrocities cruel, Allah is Great, the Greatest
(Reference is to Aa. 6, Sura 55 and to Aa. 14 of Sura 53).
36. Al-Aleem-al-Al'aam
The One Who Knows and Ever All-Knowing
Sublime is the Single Lord, Knowing and All-Knowing
Order in Your universe keeps graciously owing
Your Truth and Unity keep beautifully repeating
Songs, shows, sorrows, storms keep stowing
Only to vanish as the lovely soul keeps chanting
From Medina to hearts has the message singing
Beyond then stars and worlds are castles calling
Dress your soul to circle His Kursi, All-Alluring.
54
37. As-Sha-al-Ka
One Who Heals and Cures, and is Sufcient
Sublime is the Single Lord, Who Heals and is Enough
Praise and thanks, from believers, He heals every sough
Ask you for any cure He is the Healer without any bluff
Ask for forgiveness, for He forgives without any gruff
Pray grant your servants thoughts gentle but tough
To drive every evil and every Satan off his agrant cuff
Thanks to Allah, One Who can raise even a dead slough.
45. Al-Azziz-al-Ghani
Almighty and Free from all Needs
46. Al-Ghafoor-as-Shukoor
Forgiving and Appreciative
47. Al-Azeem-al-Aleem
The Great and All-Knowing
48.Zul-Malik-ul-Malkhuth
Ruler (and Keeper) of Skies and Earths
38. Al-Azeem-al-Baqi
The Greatest and Everlasting
Sublime is the Single Lord, Greatest and Eternal
As the stars fall down and lightening goes nocturnal
As earth and oceans tremble, men turn cruel aboriginal
As dusk and dawn turn dark, none has virtue exceptional
As sun and moon merge, no woman has love maternal
As hills turn to pebbles, none to quench the terminal
Pray grant the tears of Love for You, Almighty Eternal.
(Reference to Sura-e-Rahaman, Aa. 55.6 and to Aa. 55.5
39. As-Samad-al-Ahad
Totally Unique (Free of all needs) Single
Sublime is the Single Lord, Unique and Single
None His master, none His keeper, never any wrangle
Omnipresent His mercy and His wisdom never mangle
Beginning without ending, He is the Origin and toggle:
Galaxies and stars, suns and moons that do not wrangle
Humans and devils, wisdom and temptations that jargle
Knowledge and faith, lovingly bestowed as they mingle.
(Reference to Aa. 55.6, 55.5, 55.8 of Surath-e-Rahman
40. Rab-ul-Arz-us-Samawath
Lord of the Earth and the many Skies
Sublime is the Single Lord, Lord of the Earth and Skies
His Oneness, His mercy, His love and His vast galaxies
His greatness, His mastery, His kindness and His mercies
The light of Prophet-hood, the message and the allies
From continents to hearts, they built shrines for the wise
From customs to thoughts they built bridges and ties
Pray! Grant the believers gift of heavenly surprise.
41. Khaliq-ul-Mukhulqat
The Creator of all that is Created
42. Min-Khalq-ul-Lailn Nihar
Creator of Night and Day
43. Creator and Provider
The Creator Who Provides for all Needs
49. Zul-Izhat-ul-Azhmuth
With Dignity and Grandeur
50.Zul-Haibuth-ul-Khudrath
Efcient (Wise) and Miraculous
51. Zul-Kibria-al-Jabbruth
One with Greatness with Capability to Compel
Sublime is the Single Lord, the Great and the Compeller
To bestow His Last Prophet, Messenger and a divine caller
The enlightened, noblest, with Quran as the golden pillar
From here begins justice, learning and a divine tumbler
For this whole world, to drink purity become a foreteller
For Justice on Last Day, His command for every peddler;
Seek a Noble Path now to Him, the Merciful over-ruler.
52. Sataar-el-Azeem
The One (Obscure) Hidden and Great
Sublime is the Single Lord, Obscure yet the Greatest
Every place, every instant holds His Mystery brightest
Hidden lie the wisdom, and a Noble Path straightest
To guide His creation through every curve steepest
A gift for humankind, with understanding smartest;
For the disbeliever, who has sunk into sin deepest
For rejecter of Faith, the slave of Satan in dark deepest
(Sura al-Fatiha 1, Aa.6)
53. Aalim-el-Ghaib
The All-Knowing of what is Hidden
Sublime is the Single Lord, All-Knowing of the Hidden
Praise be to Allah, free of all needs and faults open or
hidden When formed and where deformed human
fate but never overridden That You are the Master,
Caretaker of the Universe and Eden Though the
worlds carry imprints of sorrow and burden; Pray
men do not lose love in emotions deeply hidden
Make their destiny, You are Almighty and Hidden.
54. Hameed-el-Majeed
The Praiseworthy and the Noble
Sublime is the Single Lord, Praiseworthy and Noble
Never achieved is the goal of life but hope remains
audible Never overcome is the trial of life but the
Word is adorable In every breath recites the Praise
and Glory commendable. Accept the prayer of a
Mu'min who remains accountable For all reason
and emotion, notion and action conceivable Grant
the vision of Prophet that makes Judgement admirable.
55. Hakeem-el-Khadeem
The Wise and the Ancient One
Sublime is the Single Lord, Wise and Ancient One
Healer and Merciful, Originator and Primal to everyone
Informed and Great, Irresistible, Singular and all Alone
For the believers, He is love, dignity, truth, next to none
For the Mumins, His is the servitude, His is twilight zone
Prayer and breath are serenity and sweetness redone
Grant their souls a place next to Your beloved one
56. Khader-es-Sataar
The Able and the (Obscure) Hidden One
Sublime is the Single Lord, the Able and (Obscure) One
Omnipotent, Almighty, Supreme One and next to none
To command the Universe to Be and it is been and done
Lord of worlds and skies, and Lord of many a mighty sun
Irresistible Creator of Mystic, everything become and won
Pray, grant Thy servants captive with and nowhere to run
Unseen paradises of life that never fade away nor burn.
57. As-Sami-al-Aleem
One Who Listens and the All Knowing
Sublime is the Single Lord, Listening and All-Knowing
Lord of sky, with Your Greatness and of Mercy
growing Through forgiveness, and kindness
forever healing For a human race lost under a
sun scorching, His Oneness, Mercies and mysteries
never waning Pray bless your servants devoted to
the Prophet bowing To Your Will with gratitude for
Quran forever overwhelming.
58. Al-Ghani-al-Azeem
The Self Sufcient and the Great One
Sublime is the Single Lord, Self Sufcient and Great
Self Sufcient, Ancient, Mighty, Healing and Benecent
Most Merciful, Forgiving, Blissful, Hidden yet is Great
He is the Script for the universe, and those who slate
Humans who preach mysteries and order that dictate
By Your wish beautify their own fate, no one can abate
For them are their virtues and deeds, no one can negate.
44. Al-Fateh-al Aleem

One to resolve (hardships) and All-Knowing
55
59. Aalam-es-Salaam
The Infer-er and the Source of Peace
Sublime is the Single Lord, Logical and Peaceful
Stars and trees pray to Him, every moment in full
For those who conceive, the Scripture is beautiful;
Some lost in lust and greed soon become deceitful
Some sell religion only to make their lives deathful,
Pray make human conscience, lively and dureful
Not to make life and eternity ugly and dernful.
(Sura e Rahman, 55, Aa.6)
64. Sabur-es-Sataar
The Patient and the (Obscure) Hidden One
Sublime is the Single Lord, the One Patient and Hidden
Pray teach humans their signicance not to be over ridden
With a passing view of the universe and a garden of Eden
To wear a crown of deception and its false burden
And forget the Lord only to be downtrodden;
Devil falsies the human only to harden
Body, mind and soul all too sudden.
70. Khalis-el-Mukhlis
The Perfect and Pristine Purity
Sublime is the Single Lord in Perfect and Pristine Purity
With His Merciful Face Bright in farthest eternity
With His Omnipotent Power in extreme certainty
His Perfect Order spread in outer edges of innity
To lead human race through every cosmic obscurity
To guide the human thoughts through every virtuality
Peace be upon those who seek His Shelter and Serenity
60. Malik-en-Naseer
The Lord Sovereign and the Ruler and Helper
Sublime is the Single Lord, Sovereign and Helpful
Rich or poor, for everyone, He is great and meaningful
For the righteous and dutiful, there is no limit for the
Merciful Call upon Him, He is One Who sees and listens,
fully watchful The Names of beauty are His, for He is
greatest and cheerful Life of neglect and sin becomes
shameful and frightful Life in darkness, shatters its
own image beautiful.
65. Khaliq-en-Nur
The Creator of Light (Enlightenment)
Sublime is the Single Lord, the Creator of Light
Merciful, Patient, Appreciative, Giver of life, face and light,
Witness His Light and every mound is the mountain* of
light. Light upon light to drive darkness far from a soul
in light Angel upon angel, Prophet and his word are
powers of light Pray, expel the arrogance nor ignorance
that block the light For it is You, Who is the Creator of
innite shades of light.
(* Jabel-e-Nur is the Mountain close to Makkah where the
Prophet received his many revelations from Allah.)
71. Sadiq-el-Waad
The One True to His Promise
Sublime is the Single Lord the One True to His Promise
Eternal to His Promise as Himself that none can place
amiss A shrine of refuge, He offers too good to deny or
dismiss So many doubts, yet He is Devotion in every
thoughtful bliss So many lies, yet He is Truth in every
prayerful reminisce So many angels, yet He rules them
with a loving remiss Devotion is the truth, Truth is
love and Love is bliss.
(Lines 6-7 are from Sura 112 in the Glorious Quran.)
61. Ghani-er-Rahman
The Self Sufcient and the Benecent
Sublime is the Single Lord, Self Sufcient
and the Benecent
Mercy upon mercy, purity upon piety, He is magnicent
Perfect and awless, gift of expression by His consent
In blessing upon blessing, sky upon sky, mercy is
meant. Every sense, every moment, with dignity,
He is Omnipresent Those lost in arrogance and pride
will have lives ill-spent Jinn or human
can you reject His Quranic Signs ever-present.
(Surath an Nur, Sura 24, Aa. 35 and Sura 55, Aa. 4)
66. Ghani-el-Mojiz
The Self Sufcient and the Subduer
Sublime is the Single Lord, Sufcient and One to Subdue
Almighty, Omnipotent, Forgiving, Forceful to settle any
due One free of all needs; grant the fate of Mumins that
once ew From here into eternity, free from every evil
those devils threw To steal away this life away from You,
the Light in every hue; Those misled will forever see
their fate that You will endue Shame and hypocrisy
in life, deathless in ery Hellish glue.
62. Khareeb-el-Hasnaath
One Whose Blessings are near
Sublime is the Single Lord Whose Blessings are near
Galaxies bow, jinns and human pray to Lord very dear
Throughout the world are spread His gifts far and near
Pray listen to a pinning heart O Lord, the One to hear
Grant Thy peace and blessings to believers who adhere
To mysteries in Your Word written in every biosphere
And focus all the thoughts to wash away every fear.
(Sura Ar Rahman. 55, Aa. 6)
63. Wali-el-Hasnaath
The Bestower of Blessings
Sublime is the Single Lord the Bestower of Blessings
The creations, humans and jinns and their addlings
Sing Your praise and glory for wonders in all bearings
Teach the beauty of truth and patience in all dwellings
Grant the virtue of knowing and doing in all feelings;
Pray to You the One near to us will all the blessings
Show us the Light of Kabah and Prophet in all doings.
72. Haq-el-Mubeen
The One All True, Evident (and Obvious)
Sublime is the Single Lord, True and Evident
Grant virtue of patience and light of truth heavenly sent
Awaken faith and love in soul and mind to climb and ascent
Purify passion and brighten the path to reach and present
Peace and joy for a Journey seeking Your divine consent
For an anguished soul seeking Your Throne of content
With a face of love bearing its mortal assent.
73. zil-Quwath-el-Matin
The All Powerful and Firm
Sublime is the Single Lord, All Powerful and Firm
Show the heavens, and the love of Unity in a mind inrm
Through the dark passages in life grant the light to conrm
That Prophet walked the lonely streets of Medina and afrm
The Tawaafs of Kabah with Love for Allah, Powerful and Firm
That for Judgement, Your purity and majesty will reconrm
That million earths and skies hide their orbits and squirm.
(Reference to Aa. 1.4; Tawaaf is walking around Kabah
done mostly during Hajj and Umrah.)
67. Fazil-ash-Shukoor
Sophisticated and the Appreciative
Sublime is the Single Lord, Sophisticated and Appreciative
Forgiving, Patient, Prevalent, Light upon lights and
Positive Restrain hate and horror that disbelief takes
away as negative For Peoples of the Book, bless away
the sins* as You forgive Bless the Mumins, patience
of prophets* You made affective For their pining hearts,
brighten the souls with Light native Gifted with love in
life and spirituality in eternity attractive.
(*Yunuspbuh was forgiven and blessed, see Sura 10. Ayubpbuh 74. Khavi-el-Azziz
was noted for his enduring patience, see Aa. 44, of Sura 38 ).
The Omnipotent and Mighty
Sublime is the Single Lord, Omnipotent and Mighty
68. Ghani-el-Khadeem
Almighty and Compelling; Almighty Subduer of impurity
The Self Sufcient and the Ancient One
Every star and angel, every earth and sky bow in humility
Sublime is the Single Lord, Self Sufcient and the Ancient
Every devil and jinn; kar and hypocrite may show absurdity
Sufcient and Great, Healing and Merciful, Wise and Ancient
But never touch and tarnish a Mumins soul in deep sublimity
Informed and Great, Great and Knowing, Primal and Ancient
Yet again the human does turn to disbelief and disintegrity
Since before any bang to end of time, Your Unity is ambient
Burnt in passion and pettiness, acquires devil's familiarity
From galaxies to farthest stars is a Straight Path adjacent
The Quran: Sorry and anguished are be those in sin ardent
Passion for Truest and Love of Prophet is the best ornament.
(Aa 55.6, Aa.1.6, Tasnim is a drink in Paradise Aa 83.27)
56
75. Alaum-el-Ghaiub
The One Who Knows the Hidden
Sublime is the Single Lord, One Who Knows the Hidden
Source and path to peace and put aside traits forbidden
Knowledgeable of every Bang to every garden of Eden
In ordeals, grant us the patience of pious unbidden
In prayers, grant us the faith never to be overridden
For the Mumins, bury swarms of sin in a deep den
And grant the virtues of prophets in life east of Eden.
(Reference to Nabi Ayub, see Aa.41-44, Sura 38)
76. High-al-Lzi-lamauth
The One Alive forever, never to die
Sublime is the Single Lord, Forever Alive and never to die
Lord of prestige, dignity; universes where angels in purity
y Eternally alive without sorrow or death; they shall
never come by For humankind, He sent the Qu'ran, the
light-post for soul to tie The gift of love and worship from
here to deep in the sky For both the worlds free from
every sinful stain or dye And this world to be a heaven
free from evil cry.
77. Sataar-el-Ayub
The One Who hides the shortcomings
Sublime is the Single Lord Who hides the faults and aws
One Who forgives, Almighty and Great, He sets His
Own laws Ever present His guidance, His Signs and His
Divine Laws His Unity is intact east and west, as the sun
withdraws His Light makes every glimpse free from all
aws His Qur'an initiates virtue and human laws
To make sin and hate two evil outlaws.
(Aa. 55.2, Sura e Rahman)
78. Mastaan-el-Ghafoor
The Grantor of Help and Forgiveness
Sublime is the Single Lord Who helps and forgives
Creator of Light, Love, Mercy and many gifts He
gives To counter the illusions that evil contrives
Against blessings He bestows that every Mumin
receives. Seek help from the One Who often forgives
Leaving behind none who grieves and the human who
lives To praise and glorify You by the one who strives.
79. Rab-el-Aalamin
Lord of many (all) Universes
Sublime is the Single Lord, the One for all universes
Single One to provide, to guide and to overrule all curses
Unto You bow down stars and galaxies of all universes
For Your mercy men or angels plead with Quranic verses
Believers revere Prophet's teachings and his discourses;
Pray Guide us to the Straight Path to You One Who nurses
The wisdom behind Scripture, the beauty behind all verses
The pinning souls striving against evil and its untold curses.
(Reference to Aa. 1.4; Aa. 55.6, and Aa. 1.6)
57
80. Rahman-es-Sataar
Benecent and Hidden
Sublime is the Single Lord, Benecent and Hidden
Praise be Allah, Almighty yet kind, gentle and golden
Everywhere, He prevails as a mystic breeze in a garden
Every moment until eternity His Word is never overridden
All creation lies prayerful and serene in a joyous Garden
Seeking the Straight Path to righteous deeds that deaden
Unholy ties with those who burden, dampen and sadden.
(The Sura 1, Aa. 2-7 Sura Fatiha in the Gloriour Quran)
91. Rub ul Malakat-ur Ruh
Lord of the Arch Angel of angels
Sublime is the Single Lord of the Arch Angel of angels
Your refuge and closeness seeks this Mu'min who marvels
The Straight Path from here to Eternity that propels
Love for Allah and passion for Prophet who tells
"Search for the Light in the night that swells;
Search for an Immortal Face that spells
Love, Peace and Joy in cosmic bells".
Truth, Beauty and Virtue in silver bells."
92. Zul ala ul Naima
Lord of All the Blessings
Sublime is the Single Lord of All the Blessings
From inception to eternity life is a marvel and still evolving
Saints and sages have sought its blessings and misgivings;
Reason and wishes give way to prayers and teachings
The Name of Allah precedes every grand undertaking
Your blessings and my devotion to make up a writing
Like Your mercy and light both a heavenly sighting.
93. Al Malik ul Maq'hsood

The Soverign Destination of everyone
Sublime is the Single Lord, the Destination of everyone
A million Namroods or a million gems, You are the One
Lord of Creations, You are the Single Omnipresent One
Anyone who denies You becomes a single drifting one
Can anyone be sane when life is chaos on a distant run
Yet Your mercy, life can be human, all said and done
You are the Origin and the Destination for everyone.
94. Al-Hanan al Manaan
Merciful and Bestower of Favors
Sublime is the Single Lord, Merciful and Bestower of Favors
Merciful, Forgiving, Gracious and Obscure with open doors
In honor He sent the Prophet, revealed Quran for all sectors;
The Truest Identity of Absolute Unity even for lost defectors
Perfect Unity, Unique entity, without kindred or ancestors
One unto Himself, Sublime in Mercy, Supreme of all rectors
His Name is Mercy, His love for you is the best of all suitors
His Name is Mercy, enough to send life in cosmic tremors.
(Sura e Ikhlas Sura 112, Aa. 1-4, Sura e Rahman 55.1-4)
95. Al-Badi
The Originator
96. Al-Baqi
The Everlasting One
97. Al-Warith
The Inheritor of All
98. Ar-Rashid
The Righteous Teacher
99. As-Sabur
The Patient One
www.kdcsus.org
58
59
NOTE FROM ADVERTISER:
My goal is not to convert anyone to Islam,

for guidance only comes from God Almighty.
These articles are only to dispel
as much misunderstanding as possible.
So please read with an open mind.
FOR A FREE QURAN IN ENGLISH,

PLEASE CALL, EMAIL OR VISIT :
www.kdcsus.org
646-236-7978
kaddijah@aol.com
Knowing Islam is one thing,

Understanding is the other.
www.KDCSUS.ORG
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Islam and Muslim

KHADIJAH DAWAH & COMMUNITY SERVICES

CONTINUITY OF THE MESSAGE

DO ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS?

HOW DO MUSLIMS VIEW JESUS AND MARY?

WHAT IS KORAN (OURAN)?

WHAT ARE THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM?

About Islam ................................................................................. 1-2

Islam is a natural and complete way of life. It encourages one

2. Belief in The Angels

to give due attention to their relationship

It teaches that people nd true lasting happiness and peace

through being close to God, following His guidance and

3. Belief in The Revealed Books

with their Creator (God).

performing good deeds.

The Arabic word Islam

Allah sent divine revelation to His Messengers as a guidance

Preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its

4. Belief ln The Prophets

Muslims believe that Jesus is an honorable prophet of God,

Pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah,

It occurs annually in the 12th month

Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the nal Prophet sent to

5. Belief in The Day of Judgement

6. Belief in Divine Destiny

Each prayer can take a few minutes to

Islams concept of worship is not restricted to only the ve

8. The Annual Charity

A mere 2.5% of ones annual wealth is donated to those

The above-mentioned aspects of faith and acts of worship

Allah knows everything from the past, the present,

When practiced, Islam fullls the spiritual, physical,

4. The Annual Fasting

The Quran is the primary source of Islamic knowledge and

Islam is a natural and complete way of life that encourages

God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly.

The Quran is the nal revelation to mankind, and is a guide and

1st Pillar: The Testimony of Faith - to

Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the nal Prophet in the

3rd Pillar: Prescribed Charity - this is an annual compulsory

He was an ideal father, husband, teacher, leader and judge,

4th Pillar: Fasting the Month of Ramadan - throughout this

5th Pillar: The Pilgrimage - if a Muslim has the means to do so,

Worshiping others beside God or associating partners or equals

Thousands of Prophets were sent by Allah, at least one to every

God tests people in different ways through various trials.

In Islam, men and women are viewed as equals before God,

While most religions generally have the same teachings

Halal, or lawful, foods are those permitted by God for Muslims

The concept of original sin does not exist in Islam.

The essence of Jihad is to struggle and sacrice for ones

Becoming a Muslim means acknowledging the greatness of

Linguistically, it means to struggle and can refer to striving

In war, the targeting of innocent non-combatants is a

The Bible calls Jesus a Prophet (Matthew 21 :1 0-1 1), so how

Jesus is a gure who is loved and revered by billions of people

Some Christians claim that Jesus is God

Jesus said, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to

Some Christians claim that Jesus is the Son of God.

In the same way, when the word Father is used to refer to

for people who are held in high esteem.

In Judaism, Jesus (peace be upon him)

According to the Quran,