Page 1 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 14 Issue 14 Vol. XXII, No. 27 in this issue Letters to the Editor.......................... 2 isLamic WorLd neWs .......................... 3 SEARCHING FOR MY ROOTS ....................4 RAMADAN MUBARAK........ ........................ 6 EAT DATES - THEY ARE GOOD FOR YOU...............7 THE MEANING OF ISLAM ...........................8 IN MEMORY OF SHAIKH KISHK.................................. 11 FROM 'LA LA" LAND TO ALLAH'S LAND .......... 12 LETTER TO CEASAR ................................ 14 cook’s corner.................................. 16 BIOLOGY ............................................. 16 SAYINGS OF THE PROPHET ........................ 17 The Islamic Bulletin Published by the Islamic Community of Northern California A Non-Profit Corporation P.O. Box 410186 San Francisco, CA 94141-0186 E-Mail: info@islamicbulletin.org Website: http://www.islamicbulletin.org Happy Ramadan! Dear Readers of the Islamic Bulletin, With this issue we will endeavor to inform, inspire, unite, and excite our readers for the promotion and encouragement of Islam. We hope that with Allah’s help we will be able to increase the knowledge of new members to Islam, as well as provide continued learning and inspiration to those born to Islam. To the best of our abilities, we seek to provide examples and explanations of the five pillars of Islamand various aspects of Islamic belief and practice in every issue of the Bulletin. To this end we offer such features as Teachings of the Prophet, Qur’anic Miracles, Qur’anic Sciences, and Hadith for your reading pleasure. We strive to keep abreast of current affairs that directly or indirectly affect the Muslimworld and its peoples through IslamicWorldNews. This includes local, national, and international events. Our newsletter focuses strictly on Islamic issues and does not make political statements. Kids’ Corner is designed for the interest and learning of children as well as parents. You’ll also find topics of general interest such as: Women in Islam which focuses on women’s issues and experiences, Cooks’ Corner to share with readers delicious recipes contributed by our staff and in accordance with Islamic traditions, and Why I Embraced Islam to express the awe and gratitude for Allah’s mercy of those not born to Islam but allowed to accept the beauty of Islam into their lives. Our many thanks to Allah for allowing us the opportunity to make this newsletter possible. It has become popular here in the United States and read in many foreign countries. At an Islamic School in London, England, the Bulletin is used as part of their earning curriculum. In addition, permission was given to a publisher in India to translate the Bulletin into other languages. We currently mail approximately 700 copies of the newsletter free of subscription charges to prison inmates throughout the United States, and the number of Muslim converts in prison continues to increase. This is a very important aspect of the newsletter, as it may be the only access some of these Muslims have to information about Islam. Our newsletter has become very popular as a means of dahwa (invitation) to Islam. We realize that we have been remiss in a consistent publication of the newsletter; not due to lack of enthusiasm but only because of financial difficulties All of the writers and editors work voluntarily to spread and teach Islam. We therefore ask our readers who wish to remain subscribers to please send in their $20 subscription fee which covers printing and postage costs. As we update our mailing list for 1997 we want you to be included, so please send in any change of address along with your $20 fee. WOMEN IN ISLAM ........................................ 18 STORIES OF THE SAHABAH................................... 19
Page 2 Page 3 Issue 14 Dear Editor, Assalamu Alaikum I have been reading and following your magazine articles since I started receiving them. You have a variety of topics in your magazine and a broad group of readers. Within my 5 year stay in the USA, I have been very privileged to pray and visit most of the masjids in the Bay Area and also to listen to the “Bayans” (talks) from a variety of speakers and imams. One thing that has remained consistent over all these years is listening to our brothers and imams in “Bayan” referencing the ways of the disbelievers as “THE AMERICAN WAY”. Even though I am not an American by birth, I find this phrase insulting. Being an American is not a different religion nor should we treat this like one. When we talk about Muslims owning liquor shops and other haram places, we don’t refer to them as “THE PAKISTANI WAY”, even though there are Muslim brothers from Pakistan in this business. Or when we talk about adultery and shirk, we don’t refer to them as the “ARAB WAY”. My point is that these should not be referenced and targeted to any one specific country. Instead words like “Non-Believers” or “Disbelievers” can be used. This way, reference is made across the board and not to one specific group of people We in Fairfield (and in other places) have been very fortunate to have a mixed culture of people (including Americans) use our Masjid and take part in our programs. We should be very careful that we do not alienate any one group of people. I hope that this message is read and at least understood by all brothers giving “Bayan” in any masjid in the USA. A. Shakeel Fairfield, C Letters To The Editor TRIP TO PERU Alhamdullilah, five brothers fromSanFrancisco left tovisit theMuslim community in Lima, Peru for the purpose of spreading Islam. We had no idea if there were any masjids or even if we would encounter anyMuslims at all. We were a bit apprehensive but put our trust inAllah that everythingwouldgowell.Oneof thebrothers amongst us was fluent in Spanish and was used as a mouth-piece in translating and talking to the local people. We arrived in Lima, Peru around 6:30pm and immediately offered our Asr prayers. We then looked for a Muslim-sounding name in the local phone book at the airport. To our surprise the person who answered the phone was the person in charge of the mosque in Lima, Peru. His name was Saeed and insisted on picking us at the airport. We told him that we would take a taxi. We were so happy and relieved to find out that there was a masjid. The masjid, which was a huge house with twelve rooms, was donated by an Arab brother. We arrived at the masjid and were greeted by Saeed, a Palestinian who had been living in Peru for the last 45 years and Juan, the masjid caretaker. They had prepared tea and fruits for us. Peru is a gigantic country of well over 24 million people. In the capital city of Lima, there are approximately 400 Muslims. Most of the Muslims in Peru are originally a mix of Palestinians and Syrians who left their homelands searching for a better economic life for their families. Evidently, they found what they were searching for because the majority of the Muslim brothers in Peru are industrious and financially well-off. However, due to the lack of practicing their religion, these brothers have secularly been away from Islam and their children are either non-Muslim or Muslims by name only. Overall, the people are very nice, good hearted and hospitable but they have fundamentally segregated themselves from Islam. Unfortunately, many Muslims have even adopted the local traditions and religion. Need to contact us? Web Address: www.islamicbulletin.org E-Mail: info@islamicbulletin.org Editor, Islamic Bulletin P.O. Box 410186 San Francisco, CA 94141-0186, USA One of the first Muslims we visited in Peru was brother Issa, the President of the masjid. He was sick when we visited him so we offered him some Zamzam water. He immediately felt better. We were invited to many Muslim houses and received such nice hospitality. Some Muslim brothers came from remote areas and as far away as a 2-hour flight from Tacna (located near Chile) to see us. More than 20 Pakistani brothers there are involved in the car business and their wives, masha-Allah, are very conservative and observe the Hijab. At Jumha prayers, the talks are usually bilingual in both Arabic and Spanish. It was directly after Jumha salat that 3 brothers in Lima had embraced Islam, Alhamdullilah. Many of the Muslim brothers in Peru related their stories to us on how they outlived the many difficulties in their life and on how Allah protected and directed them to Islam. Many of these brothers had wholeheartedly made their intentions for continuing the effort of spreading Islam. The qualities of good Muslims so undeniably shine. We had a visit from one man named Khalid who came and told us his early life story. He also had several questions to ask us. He seemed to be an Arab but had an unfortunate incident of being separated from his family. It was amazing how Allah (swt) protected him. After a few meetings with us learning about Islam, he decided that he wanted to become Muslim. Another Peruvian brother stated that the country of Peru is emerging from Dunya (worldly pleasures) and thus fertile for Islam. In addition, there were a few Peruvian ladies who embraced Islam and said that they liked what Islam offers women in today’s modern life. On the other hand, the Muslims who migrated to Peru for the sake of worldly pleasures are now so engrossed in seeking fortunes to such an extent that there is no difference between the Muslims and non-Muslims. Unfortunately, many of our brothers in Peru who were originally of Palestinian and Syrian descent have blended in well enough in the pursuit of fortune to the point that they have lost their Islamic identity. They no longer are practicing Muslims and as a result, their children are now being raised as non-Muslims. This is a very big lesson for all of us. Allah has said in the Quran: “And those who strive in Our (cause), -We will certainly guide them to Our paths, for verily Allah is with those who do right.” (Quran 29:69) On our fi al day in Peru, the local brothers cooked an outdoor lunch for us. Many of the non-Muslim neighbors who had seen our gathering decided to stop by and join us. Alhamdullilah, all went well and enjoyable. We really had a very rewarding experience in Peru. The Muslim brothers were sad to see us leave. Our final day was made even more special when before leaving, four Peruvian men who had joined our lunch decided to become Muslims. Alhamdullilah. Mosque of Lima, Peru Mosque Bab ul Islam, Tacna, Peru Mosque Bab ul Islam, Tacna, Peru
Page 4 Page 5 Issue 14 (Brother Khaled tells his story to one of the brothers in the group.) My name is Khaled Abdullah Al-Khaly; or it may be some other name. You see, I really do not know for sure. Let me relate to you something of my past so that you might be able to understand me better. I have an inscription on my chest that I have had since I was very young. I remember noticing the inscription on my chest in a mirror when I was about fiv years old. The inscription is in Arabic and gives a name -- (Khaled Abdullah Al Khaly) the name of a great desert, or the name of a city (Rubh Al-Khaly), a year (1960), and the crescent and star of Islam. I do not know or remember when the inscription was tattooed on my chest. For some reason I was taken from the Middle East to Mexico at an early age and given a Spanish name. I do not know who my parents are so I cannot ask them these questions. This mystery is the reason why I am in search of the truth before I die. I will relate to you some old memories that exist inside my head. These are memories of my youth. I have never forgotten these reoccurring images of my past and they have become the oldest memories that I have of my life. I am about 4 years old. I am in the desert. I can see many men dressed in black. There are so many that I cannot count them. They are mounted on horses, their faces are covered, and they are carrying swords. It is night and I can hear people screaming in agony, in pain, and in fright. I can also hear men talking but I cannot understand what they say. There is fir everywhere. I see people hiding, running, and defending themselves from the men and the fire I am suddenly grabbed by the arm and taken away. It seems that I cannot move fast enough because my feet are sinking into the sand. I cannot make out the face of the person who is leading me but I am taken to a group of men standing away from the fire The men are strong and tall but I can only see their backs. I remember turning around and seeing the large streaks of fire burning the town and hearing the voices of terror in the distance. I was then mounted and taken away on a white horse. I do not know if the person with me was a man or a woman. I turned around and could see many people on horses following us. Soon, I see hills. Yes, I remember seeing hills. I then remember being inside of a basket with many small openings. From these openings I could see people moving about. I was in the basket for a very long time and I could feel the pressure of being held captive because I could not force myself out. Every once in a while someone would open the lid of the basket and hand me some bread. I have another memory. Someone is holding me in their arms. At first I could not see the face but then she removes the head covering and I see tears. She is crying for me with much tenderness in her heart. I will never forget those eyes. Those eyes have been recorded permanently in my mind. Sometimes I wonder if those were the eyes of my mother. I remember that there were many people around us as she was holding me. Suddenly, she gave me to one of the men. I remember fighting and screaming because I felt attached to this woman. I did not want to leave her arms. Later, I remember seeing a large cargo ship. I could smell the sea water and I could see men carrying sacks of clothes and baskets on their heads. I then notice a man that looks different from the rest of the people. He is wearing white clothes and a white hat. The man is tall and looks English. He looks at me and smiles. I am now on the ship. I know that I am on a ship because the food, the candles, and the people sitting next to me seem to be rocking. I am on this ship for a very long time. I can not see the sun so I do not know if it is day or night. In a few days or weeks we arrive in a city, but because of my youth I do not know what city it is. I came to know later on that the city was somewhere in Mexico. In Mexico, for some reason, I was given to an old man named Faruk. I only remember his name and something interesting that he told me. He told me that he was a descendent of the pharaohs. I lived with Faruk for a short time. Faruk died a few months later. Before his death he told me to remember that their was only one God to honor and that God was Allah. Those are the only words I remember Faruk telling me. There were two other children living with us. I think that they might have been my brother and sister but I am not certain. We were all about the same age. When Faruk died we were separated and to this day I do not know what ever happened to them. I was then taken in by a Mexican family. I remember living with this Mexican family for some time. I knew that they were not my real family because I could sense that the love a mother and father have for their child was missing in their kindness towards me. I lived with two other families. All the families were Catholic. One of the families had two children and they took good care of me. I was taken everywhere with them. By this time the memories of my past were slowly fading. I was being acculturated in Mexican society and taken to church on a regular basis. However, I never felt comfortable in church and was never forced to participate. I believe that it was through the great power of Allah that my heart was being kept from church until I discovered the gift of Islam. This gift came in the form of Islamic images of Muslims praying on television. It was from these brothers on television that I learned how to pray. You see, there are not many Muslims in Mexico and I never understood the adoration of the saints or the virgin of Guadalupe. I felt more comfortable copying the Muslims on television than the Catholics in church. For years I tried to figure out what the inscription on my chest signified but no one around me knew how to read Arabic. One day, I finally met a man who could read Arabic. This man deciphered the tattoo and gave me some hope of finally figuring out my past. The information was significan and made me contemplate life for a very long time. Soon, I made up my mind to leave Mexico. Approximately ten years ago I decided to take destiny into my own hands. I stowed away on a ship heading towards the Middle East so that I could find some answers to my past. However, the ship stopped in Peru for ten days. I could not withstand the hunger for that long of time so I jumped off. I have been in Peru ever since. I am poor so I do not have any plans to go to the Middle East in the near future. Throughout my life, however, I have had two recurring dreams that I feel are important and symbolize something of my past. In one dream, I am high atop a mountain feeling a cold breeze blow as I look out onto the land below. My curiosity grows from atop the mountain and I begin to descend. I begin to see thousands of people but I cannot make-out their faces because they are covered. They have long clothing that covers their bodies. I try desperately to see their faces but I cannot. I begin to advance through the thousands of people. With every step, they spread themselves open to let me through. When I reach the center, I see their leader or someone I believe is the leader. The person is in agony and dying. This person has a sock that is weathered by time. On his skin I see injuries of some sort. I think in my heart, “the poor man must be suffering”, then another man holds me by the arm and tells me that I have to put the sock on. Fear fills my being as I think that maybe the sickness the man is suffering will one day strike me because I am wearing his socks. I think of Allah and believe that Allah will keep me away from harm’s way. The men then take me and slip the dying man’s socks on my feet. When the socks are fitt d on me the men take me and raise me above their heads to place me on a pyre of fire so as to test my strength. I am brought down and the thousands of people suddenly fall on their knees towards me in adoration. A man that is by my side says that with these socks I will have great power and many children. The thousands of people remain in reverence of me. This is a dream that has reoccurred many times in my life. I am searching for interpretations of my dream. Another dream that reoccurs takes place as I am climbing a mountain. When I reach the mountain top I see thirteen white horses and horsemen. One of the men dismounts and raises me towards him. The man then places a crown on my head. I am delighted of this act but then the crown is transformed into a thin simple crown that is placed in front of three rocks or three diamonds. The rocks are in the shape of pyramids and each pyramid is of three colors; green, white, and violet. I do not know what these dreams mean. I do believe, however, that they are related to my vague past. I am sure that there is someone out there in this present world that might have an answer to my past life. I am a man searching for his family, a homeland, and answers of my past. If anyone has the slightest knowledge of what I have said please let your heart guide you towards me. And may Allah, the all powerful, enlighten your decision to help me. IMPORTANT REMINDER We at the Islamic Bulletin would like to assist our brother Khaled in re-uniting him with his mother and family. We urge every-one to share this information. Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact: Editor of The Islamic Bulletin, P.O. Box 410186, San Francisco, CA 94141-0186. Searching For My Roots
Issue 14 Page 6 Page 7 Issue 14 RAMADAN MUBARAK! HAPPY RAMADAN! The month of Ramadan has once again begun. This month is a very special time in a Muslim’s heart and soul. It is a time that Allah has bestowed much blessings in our lives. It is also a time for forgiveness, repentance, and an opportunity to earn countless rewards. It is very important to increase one’s worship during Ramadan by reading Quran, praying ‘extra’ prayers--such as Tahajjud and Taraweeh, and being kind and doing good deeds. These good habits during Ramadan should also, God-willing, continue after the month of fasting has ended. Fasting develops self-control and helps us to overcome selfishness, greed, laziness and other faults. It is an annual training program to refresh us for carrying out our duties towards the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer. Fasting gives us the feeling of hunger and thirst. We experience for ourselves what it is like to have an empty stomach. This develops our feeling for the poor and hungry people. Fasting teaches us to control the love of comfort. Also, it helps us to keep our sexual desires within control. Hunger, comfort, and sex are three factors which must be kept under control to behave as the Almighty’s servants. The purpose of fasting is to make a Muslim able to control his passions, so that he becomes a person of good deeds and intentions. Anger, a common human weakness, can also be brought under control by fasting. A Muslim is expected to keep away from all bad actions during his fast. He should not lie, break a promise or do any deceitful act. On both the individual and social levels, fasting has many virtues and benefits. Of these we can mention the feeling of sympathy for the poor. After all, man’s sense of compassion springs from his feeling of pain, and fasting is a practical means to develop compassion in his spirit. In this regard, it is reported that Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was the most generous among people, and he was especially generous during Ramadan. Moreover, fasting establishes equality among the rich and the poor. In a way, it is a compulsory experience of poverty in that it is meant to make all people share an equality, not diversity, of feeling and to sympathize with one another through a collective sense of pain, not through a discord or diversity of desires. It is also during fasting that Muslims can really sympathize with the starving people everywhere in the world and see the hardship that they go through everyday of their lives. However, the mere abstinence from food and drink is not the real meaning of fasting that God enjoined on the righteous. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) declares: “God does not accept the fasting of those who do not restrain themselves from telling falsehood or from doing false deeds.” The basic truth of fasting in Islam springs from God’s Watch over the faster, as well as the latter’s carrying out of his fast for the cause of none but God. To this effect, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) explains: “God will forgive all the sins of those who fast during Ramadan out of true belief and in anticipation of God’s Reward in the Hereafter.” Fasting also promotes the Islamic form of sociability. Muslims are urged to invite others to break the fast with them at sunset, to gather for the Qur’anic study, prayer and visitations. This provides a better chance for socialization in a brotherly and spiritual atmosphere. Hazrat Zaid bin Khalid al-Juhani (R.A.A.) related that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: Anybody who offers meal for the breaking of the fast of another person, earns the same merit as the one who was observing the fast without diminishing in any way the recompense of the fasting person. (Tirmizi) A quote from another Hadith states: “The month of Ramadan is the month of endurance and the reward for endurance is paradise. It is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is freedom from hell.” EAT DATES - THEY ARE GOOD FOR YOU! During the month of Ramadan, there is an abundance of dates everywhere we turn. There is good reason for this, as Muslims generally break their fast by eating dates. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “If any one of you is fasting, let him break his fast with dates. In case he does not have them, then with water. Verily water is a purifie .” The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to break his fast by eating dates before offering the Maghrib prayer, and if ripe dates were not available, he would substitute them with dried ones. When even these were not available, he used to have a few sips of water, according to some accounts. Dates contain sugar, fat, and proteins, as well as important vitamins. Hence the great importance attached to them by the Prophet (PBUH). Regarding the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) breaking his fast with fresh dates, dried dates, or even water, there is of course a subtle reason for this. Since dates travel faster to the liver and are converted more quickly than other nutrients, particularly if they are moist, the liver accepts their contents more readily and hastens their distribution to the rest of the body, which is thirsting for energy. So dates are the perfect food with which to break the fast, since they quickly supply the body with the energy it needs. Dates are also rich in natural fibers and therefore the eating of them helps to fight many of the ailment with which we commonly suffer today. Modern medicine has shown that eating dates is effective in helping to prevent abdominal cancer. Dates also surpass other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents. They are the most wholesome food among fruits because of their hot and moist substance. Eating dates in the morning on an empty stomach kills intestinal worms and other parasites, for dates have an antidotal potency which inhibits their growth. Dates contain calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, magnesium, and volatile oils. Dates and date palms are mentioned in the Qur’an 20 times, thus showing their importance. The Prophet (PBUH) likened a good Muslim to the date palm saying, “Among trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall.” Dates were the food Almighty Allah provided for Sayyidah Maryam (Allah be pleased with her) when she felt labor pains and after she gave birth to Jesus (PBUH) under the palm tree. Allah Almighty revealed to her the following: “Shake the trunk of the palm tree, and it will drop ripe dates on you, so eat, drink, and comfort your eyes with what Allah gave you.” (Qur’an 19:25) Experiments have also shown that dates contain some stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery and reduces post-natal bleeding. Dieticians consider dates the best food for breast-feeding mothers. This is because dates contain elements that assist in alleviating depression and enrich the breast milk with the nutrients needed to make the child healthy and resistant to disease. Another factor making dates the ideal food is their digestibility. Within half an hour of eating them, the tired body regains new vigor. The reason for this is that low blood sugar is the main cause of hunger, not an empty stomach as is often assumed. When the body absorbs the nutritional essence of a few dates the sensation of hunger is abated. Many who break the fast with dates afterwards find themselves unable to eat much. It would seem that taking dates after fasting helps one avoid overeating. Aishah (R.A.) used to prescribe dates for those suffering with giddiness. It is now well known that low blood sugar and low blood pressure are among the causes of giddiness. She was also reported to have used dates combined with cucumber to treat her over-slim condition. She said “they fed me with every type of food to gain weight, yet I did not put any on. Then they added cucumber and fresh date to my diet and that did it.” As previously mentioned, dates are rich in several vitamins and minerals. When the level of trace elements in the body falls, the health of the blood vessels is affected, which leads to increased heart rate and a consequent inability of the heart to perform its functions with normal efficienc . As dates are rich in calcium, they contribute to healthy bones. For this reason it is recommended that children and older adults, especially women, eat plenty of dates to strengthen their bones. Dates are also important in maintaining good vision and are effective in guarding against night-blindness. In the early years of Islam, dates were served as food for Muslim soldiers. As the best stimulant of the muscles, they are the best food for one about to engage in battle. The Prophet (PBUH) would sometimes combine dates with bread. At other times he mixed ripe dates with cucumbers or combined dates with ghee. He took all varieties of dates, but preferred the variety called ‘ajwah. Dates are variously classified as food, drink, fruits, sweets, nutrients, and medicine. Cured dates are called ‘ajwah in Arabic. Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) related the saying of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), “Ajwah date is an excellent remedy.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim) According to another narration, “Ajwah date is certainly an excellent and sufficient food.” Dates are also among the fruits of Paradise, as noted in the hadith: “Ajwah is from Paradise and contains an antidote against poison.” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi) Islamic Dietary Laws
Page 8 Page 9 Issue 14 We are providing this section for our new brother and sisters so that they may have more information regarding the teachings of Islam; the religion of absolute submission to the one God; Allah. We sincerely hope that you will benefit from it, and that it may deepen your knowledge and increase your interest in Islam. Although we live in the twentieth century - in probably the most secular and irreligious age in history - many of us are still inclined to stop from time to time to think about religion. And yet we find that there are so many different opinions about religion. Religions seem to cling fanatically to their own beliefs. Each in turn seems to claim that it possesses all truth, while all others are lost in hopeless error. In an age torn by hatred, war and strife among the races, many of us look back to religion for guidance to peace and brotherhood and are disappointed when we find in most of them intolerance and narrowness of spirituality. So, we may ask, is there a religion which teaches the Oneness of God and the oneness of mankind, and yet, at the same time is tolerant of other points of view? This is exactly the teaching of Islam. In fact, Islam teaches that this message of the Oneness of God and the brotherhood of all races is the original message which Allah sent to all prophets and religions since the dawn of human history. However, man has changed this original teaching of Oneness and developed out of numerous mutually antagonistic sects. As Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, the revelation of Allah to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): “And verily this Ummah of yours is a single Ummah and I am your Lord, and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other). But people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself. “ (Quran 23:52-53) Islam still preserves this teaching of the Oneness of God and the brotherhood of all mankind. Islam seeks to implement this spirit among all races, and yet, at the same time, remains tolerant and respectful of all other heavenly religions and their followers who share the belief in the One and only God. The Holy Qur’an teaches: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Tagut and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.” (Qur’an 2:256) THE MEANING OF ISLAM It is false to call Islam Mohammedanism, as has been done so frequently in the West. We have already pointed out that Muslims believe that Islam is the eternal message which Allah sent to all prophets, peace be upon them, from the dawn of mankind, and not a new belief which began with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims call their religion Islam, and the Arabic word Islam implies the attainment of peace through submission to Allah. The word Muslim is an adjective derived from the noun Islam, and implies one who has peace within himself from his submission to Allah. Muslims believe in the One, Eternal God, Who created the heavens and the earth and all that exists. In Arabic, God is called Allah. There is absolutely no difference between Allah and the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all. Muslims do not believe that Prophet Muhammad was the only Prophet; rather they believe that he was the last of the Prophets of the Old and New Testaments. The Holy Qur’an is the revealed and sacred scripture of Islam, and it teaches: “Say Ye: ‘We believe in Allah and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: and we submit to Allah.’” (Qur’an 2:136) SOME BASIC BELIEFS OF ISLAM The most fundamental concept of Islam and the backbone of all its other principles and practices is the Oneness of God - tawhiid. Islam is monotheism in its purest form, and the logic of pure monotheism is the thread which runs through the entire fabric of the Islamic way of life. Islam teaches a fundamental difference between Allah, the Creator and that which He has created. The sky, the moon, the stars, the harmony and perfection of the natural world, the grace and beauty of the human body and the excellence of the human mind, the alternation of day and night, the change of the seasons, and the mystery of life and death all point to something beyond, greater than themselves. To the believer these are all signs (ayaat) of Allah. Islam teaches that Allah is not to be likened to anything which He has created. He is All-Powerful, All-Knowing. He is beyond any imperfection, and is the fulfillment of all Perfection. He is not a substance, nor is He like any of His creatures. He is not a far away and distant God, nor is He an unapproachable ideal. He is AllKind, All-Merciful, and All-Compassionate. Islam teaches that Allah is eternal. He was not Himself begotten, nor has He, in turn begotten a son or a daughter. Islam rejects the concept of the incarnation of God, which is found in Hinduism, Christianity, and other religions, and believes that the concept of incarnation limits the concept of God and destroys the believer’s conviction of God’s Activeness and Perfection. The Qur’an describes Allah being perfect and active: “Allah, there is no god except He. The Living, the Everlasting. Neither dozing nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is he that shall intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what will be before their hands and what was behind them. And they do not comprehend anything of His knowledge except what He willed. His Seat surrounds the heavens and earth. The preserving of them does not tire Him. He is the All High, the All-Glorious. “ (Qur’an 2:255) Islam rejects the notion that Jesus (PBUH) was the son of God. Rather it honors and respects him as one of the great messengers and prophets of Allah to the Children of Israel. Islam rejects the concept of trinity and considers it a contradiction of pure monotheism. It also rejects the argument of some Christians that God made Himself incarnate in Jesus, peace be upon him, so that God could be known by men, and also rejects the argument that Jesus, peace be upon him, died on the cross for mankind’s sins. To begin with, Islam believes that man can come to know Allah and feel close to Him by means of proper prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, and righteous deeds. The very practice of Islam is meant to purify the believer’s soul and to bring him/her closer to Allah. With regard to the second argument, Islam teaches no human being can bear the burden of another’s responsibility. Allah is very aware of our human weaknesses and imperfection. He does not condemn us because we are created imperfect; rather He guides us to self-perfection and He forgives us and showers His Mercy upon us when we fail and then ask His forgiveness sincerely. Muslims believe in the divine origin of the Old and New Testaments, although Muslims doubt the historical authenticity of some parts of the Old and New Testaments and do not believe them to be exact representations of what Allah originally revealed. The Qur’an upheld this view of the text of the Old and New Testaments hundreds of years ago, and in recent years, this view has been upheld by textual studies of biblical scholars. Muslims believe in the Angels of Allah, and His Prophets, peace be upon them. They believe in the resurrection of the dead at the end of the world; they believe in the coming of the Day of Judgement and eternal life in Paradise or Hell. Although Muslims believe that Allah is All-Powerful and maintains complete control over His creation, they also believe that Allah has created man with free will and the ability to choose and act, and that Allah is just in making man morally responsible for what man does during his/her lifetime. It is false to say that Islam teaches its followers to resign meekly and passively to whatever is their fate or destiny. Rather Islam challenges the believer to fight against wrong and oppression and to strive for the establishment of righteousness and justice. FAITH IN ACTION Faith without action is a dead letter. Islam teaches us that faith by itself is not enough until it is transformed into action. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Faith does not depend on raising hopes, but it is something which is firmly established in the heart and testified to by action. Indeed, there are people who have been deceived by their hopes, so that they finally leave this world without merit. They used to say, ‘We have good expectations from Allah.’ Yet they only deceived themselves. For had they truly placed good expectations in Allah, they would have excelled in good deeds.” Each Muslim is taught that he/she is personally responsible for his/her own actions, both in this world and in the hereafter. Islam teaches that every individual must carry the responsibility of his/her own actions and that no one can carry that burden for them. THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN ISLAM Islam teaches that the woman is not inherently inferior to man; rather man and woman are of similar nature. They both are equal in intellectual and spiritual capacity. Furthermore, they are both equally responsible for their deeds before Allah. It is also true that Islam regards the woman as having a primary role to play in the constitution and running of the family. Islam places great emphasis on the role of the Muslim woman as a wife and particularly as a mother, and Muslims are often of the opinion that the best position for the woman is in the home with her children and family. However, the Muslim woman is not prohibited from leaving her home to pursue education, a teaching profession, or other worthwhile and constructive goals which profit not only her but society as well. The Qur’an establishes the spiritual equality and mutual responsibility of man and woman in verses like the following: “And whoever does deeds of righteousness, whether male or female, and is a believer, such will enter Paradise, and they will not be wronged even a small thing like the spot on a date- stone.” (Qur’an 4:124) “And their Lord answered them, ‘Indeed I suffer not the work of any worker, male or female, to be lost. You are equal to each other.’” (Qur’an 3:195) The relationship of the Muslim man to his wife is not that of master to slave. Rather the entire responsibility of economic support is placed on the shoulders of the man alone and he cannot demand of his wife that she also become economically productive to support the family, although she is able to do this if she desires. The Qur’an enunciates this responsibility of men to women in the following verse: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, for that Allah has preferred one over the other in bounty, and because they support them from their means. So righteous women are obedient, guarding in secret what Allah has guarded.” (Qur’an 4:34) The important point that should be made is that Islam has great respect for the woman. It does not teach that she is without a soul or that she is the root of all evil or that she is inferior to man and must be kept in seclusion and subjugation. It is also worthy of mention that the Qur’an does not teach that man fell from Paradise because of the temptation of Eve. Rather the Qur’an directs all the responsibility toward Adam himself, while adding that Allah turned to Adam in mercy and forgave him his sin. Therefore, Adam’s sin stops with Adam himself, and Allah, who is the Beneficent and the Merciful, does not hold mankind responsible for the sin of Adam. We cannot deny that the condition of women has at times been regrettable in the Muslim world, as well as in the rest of the world at large. We do not wish to justify these circumstances, but only to make the point that they did not What is Islam?
Page 10 Page 11 Issue 14 Allah and help the worshipper to keep himself from deviating from the Right Path. 3. The bestowal of charity on one’s fellow man. Islam places great emphasis on generosity and charity as a means of purifying one’s soul and getting closer to Allah. The Muslim is enjoined to give voluntarily whenever he/she can; however, he/she is required each year to pay an obligatory charity tax of two and a half percent of his/her annual net earnings that exceed necessities, to go to the poor and the needy, etc. The Zakat - charity - thus enables the Muslim community to take care of all its members and insures that no one will be deprived of his/her basic human right to exist. 4. Fasting during the ninth month of the lunar year ‘Ramadan’. This fast is enjoined upon Muslims of good health and sound body who have attained the age of physical maturity and are not prevented from performing the fast by various circumstances like travel, sickness, mental illness, or specifically in the case of women, menstruation, or childbirth. The fast of Ramadan begins at dawn and last until sunset. During this period the Muslim abstains from eating, and drinking, sexual activity and smoking. Fasting teaches self discipline and control, while purifying the soul and body and strengthening one’s consciousness of Allah. 5. The pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage is required of all Muslims at least once during their lifetime, if they have the financial means. The annual pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the greatest events of the Muslim world, uniting Muslims from every race and from every corner of the world. This is a great experience in the life of a Muslim which enables him to draw himself closer to Allah. We would like to remind the reader that the Holy Mosque in Mecca was built by Prophet Abraham and his son, the Prophet Ishmail, peace be upon them. WHO IS A MUSLIM? Since there is no priesthood in Islam, no clergy and no officia religious institution, all one has to do to become a Muslim is to be personally convinced of the truth of what Islam teaches and bear witness that “There is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Prophet.” One of the great beauties of Islam is its simplicity, its naturalness, and its lack of formalities. Islam is the religion of Adam and of mankind in its earliest and most advanced stages of development. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “So set your face to the religion of Islam as a man by nature upright, the nature of Allah with which He has inspired mankind and molded them. There is no changing to the creation of Allah. That is the right religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an 30:30) The Benefit of Embracing Islam Among the many benefits of embracing Islam are that once you bear witness that: “There is no god except Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet,” all your past sins are forgiven and all your past sins are transformed into merits! You also receive the reward of believing the religion of the Prophet Jesus, if you are a Christian, or Prophet Moses, if you are a Jew, and the religion of Prophet Muhammad, which means that you receive two rewards. For those of you who do not already know, the Egyptian Shaikh, Abdul Hamid Kishk passed away on the 6th of December of 1996, at the age of 63. The Shaikh was very well known around the world for his fiery Jumu’a Khutbas (Friday Sermon) and his outspoken stance against injustice and oppression in the Muslim world. Cassette recordings of his talks have been circulating throughout the world in Arabic speaking circles, and his knowledge, style and eloquence have driven man to change their lives. It is perhaps the mercy of Allah that he therefore passed away while in Sujood (prostration), on the day of Jumu’ah, as he prayed remembering the occasion of Isra and Miraj. The Shaikh was born in 1933 in Shibrakheet, a small village near Alexandria, Egypt in a very poor family. His father passed away before Abdul Hamid reached schooling age. He joined one of the schools of Azhar and by the age of 8 had memorized the Qur’an. It was at this time that he was inflicted by an illness which took away his sight. However, rather than demoralize him, the loss of his sight encouraged him to learn more and persevere further. He graduated as a scholar from the Faculty of Usul al-Din, in Azhar and was appointed as an Imam, giving Khutbas all over Egypt. Around 1964 he took up the mimbar of ‘Ain al-Hayat Mosque in Cairo as his platform and started to speak vociferously about the social conditions in Egypt and the suppression of the Islamic Movement. This didn’t stop him from having a distinctly spiritual approach to life, something which his speeches reflect. In 1966 he was arrested and was imprisoned and tortured for two years. When Shaikh Kishk was released in 1968, he didn’t walk out of prison with his head bowed down to the Regime but became even more critical and energetic. Yet all the time his discourse was balanced and patient. Though he was arrested and released many times after this, it was over the next 10 years that most of his audio and video cassettes were recorded; more than 450 tapes are in circulation! His speeches became so popular that the mosque was extended 3 times to accommodate the congregation. During 1981-82 the Shaikh was again imprisoned, but this time on his release he was forbidden to give any more speeches. Even this did not silence him, for up to 1996, this blind man wrote over 115 books and booklets, including a tafsir, (one of his book, on Angels, has been translated into English by Dar al-Taqwa, London). The inspiration he gave to us all, the love and respect that people felt for him, will always keep his memory alive. I know that millions will pray for this noble and uncompromising man, but you too must pray for him. May Allah forgive and bless the soul of the Shaikh. originate from the teachings of Islam itself. BROTHERHOOD AND EQUALITY OF MANKIND Islam teaches that the human family is one, that there is no superiority of white over black or black over white. Islam rejects radically all notions of racial prejudice and teaches that the only basis of distinction between human beings is their individual moral qualities. The concept of Islamic brotherhood has two primary dimensions; the relationship of Muslims to Muslims and the relationship of Muslims to non-Muslims. As for the first category Islam teaches that the brotherhood between all Muslim is to be absolute and total. The Arab has no privileges over the non-Arab, and, since there is no clergy or priesthood in Islam, all Muslims are basically equal, from top to bottom, from rich to poor, from educated to uneducated. As for the relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims, the teaching of Islam is that this is to be a relationship of mutual respect and particularly of tolerance. It is preferable that Muslims and non-Muslims live in peace, protect each other, and cooperate with each other. As the Qur’an says: “There is no compulsion in religion ...” (Qur’an 2:256) and “You have your religion and I have mine.”(Qur’an 109:6) REASON Muslims consider their religion to be very rational and consistent with the dictates of the believing and reasoning mind. Furthermore, the Qur’an teaches that the rational faculty is one of the greatest gifts of Allah to man, and it encourages us to use this faculty and to develop it. Islam does not ask its followers to believe and then follow everything blindly and unquestioningly. The Quran says, for instance: “And if you are in doubt about what We have send down to Our worshipper, then bring a chapter like it, and call your witnesses besides Allah, if you are truthful.” (Qur’an 2:23) Islam encourages reasoning, thought and personal opinion. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The differences of opinion among the learned of my followers are Allah’s mercy.” Islam has great respect for learning science and for man’s exploration of the secrets of nature and of creation. In fact Allah challenges man on many occasions in the Qur’an to deepen his faith, knowledge, and wisdom from study and contemplation of the natural world, its harmony, symmetry, and beauty. For example: “He it is who created the seven heavens in harmony. Never can you see a lack of symmetry in the creation of the Compassionate. So look yet again, can you perceive any flaw? Then look again, and still another time; your vision will return unto you weakened and dim.” (Qur’an 67:3-4) The individual capacities and unique abilities of people are a gift of Allah, to be developed, perfected, and used for the benefit of humanity. Islam does not try to crush the individuality of its believers, but rather to guide each believer to perfection and purify his own uniqueness. This multiplicity of expressive and developed personalities enriches society and places it on a higher level, like the beauty of an intricate but unified arabesque ISLAMIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS WAR In the eyes of some commentators on Islam in the West, Islam has been portrayed as a militant religion, a religion of blood, fire, and sword. We have already tried to draw attention to the fundamental concern of Islam for tolerance and religious freedom, and have also commented upon the emphasis Islam places on peace and cooperation among mankind. However, Islam is a practical religion, a religion which never ignores for a single moment the complexities and demands of the harsh realities and facts of life. Islam is fundamentally concerned with establishing societies in which the rights of freedom of belief, human rights, and protection of life, dignity, and property are secure from both internal and external threats. Therefore, Islam teaches its followers to be merciful and inclined toward forgiveness and peace even in times of war. Islam therefore stipulates principles which Muslims are to follow before, during, and after war. Peace is to be established on the basis of justice. Muslims are not to be aggressive or to violate treaties which they have concluded with others, but war is to be waged in defence of the Muslim community and what it stands for. During war, there is to be no killing of civilians and those who do no participate directly in the war. Prisoners are to be treated humanely. Destruction of lands, fruit trees, animals, and towns and villages is to be avoided. Muslims are to be inclined to peace if the enemy is truthfully inclined to peace, and they are to make treaties and agreements to preserve that peace and then observe those treaties as long as the enemy observes them. The concept of ‘jihad’ is one of the highest concepts in Islam. The term has at times been translated as ‘Holy War’. However, this translation is incomplete for Jihad also means by language ‘struggling’. It is a concept which places great emphasis on activism and self-sacrifice, although it does not apply to sacrifice in war alone. The Prophet (PBUH) said that the greatest jihad is the striving of the Muslim to purify himself. The lesser jihad consists of all the striving the Muslim does in his external life, charity, righteous living and acts, the constant effort to achieve the Right Path in his dealings with his fellow men. This is true striving in the Way of Allah. THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Islam sets down five principle duties which are obligatory upon all Muslims, and form the structure, or pillars, of his/ her life. They are: 1. Belief in the Oneness of Allah, and the bearing of witness to this belief by the words. “I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Prophet and Messenger.” 2. The five daily prayers at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and nightfall. These five daily prayers help one to develop Allah consciousness in his/her everyday life. The importance of these cannot be over-emphasized. They are a constant reminder to the worshipper of the Presence and Power of In Memory of Shaikh Kishk
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