All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad, the seal and final of all the prophets, upon his family, companions and all those who follow his true guidance until the Day of Judgement.


The basic purpose of life for every human being in this world is to achieve the ultimate happiness and salvation. This could be accomplished through endeavors focused on how to drive away the discontentment from their lives.

A writer, a thinker or a philosopher and other literary persons including those who obtained doctorate are continuously in search to achieve this ultimate happiness as well as to avoid frustration in their respective lives. Though the nature of happiness for each such category of persons might differ and direction varies, they exert their energies to achieve this ultimate goal.

Therefore, each of this class recognizes his/her profession and lives accordingly. Sometimes the degree of happiness achieved by such personalities is incomplete or even imaginary.

The ironical but relevant example in this case could be of a drug addict. In his initial practice feels ecstatic but as he becomes fully addicted to the narcotics after an excessive use the euphoria vanishes and the state of his mind changes into melancholy and gloom prevails over his life.

The reason why such persons fall trap to this artificial merriment is that they inadvertently neglect the fundamentals of the real happiness that brings the unfeigned salvation to life. One should bear in mind that the firm belief in Allah is the core and the secret to achieve the real happiness. That is the only means that leads to the Straight Path.

Therefore, only the true believer in Allah achieve the real and constant happiness, which guides one on to the Straight Path and brings eternal happiness in this life and the Hereafter.

Dear Reader, this book explains and enlighten you about the real happiness that is meritorious and guides you to the true belief in your Lord, the Creator of this universe. It also guides you to the correct tenets of a religion, based on reasoning and convinces you to understand the real happiness of life and guide you to the straight path and uprightness.

Reading of this book will take you on a journey of life starting from coming into being through to the demise from this world. It speaks about the wisdom behind creation of man, etc. It will also introduce you to the true concept of Islam, which Allah has satisfactorily finalized as being the correct and natural religion revealed to humankind and commanded them to embrace it.

Other benefit of reading this book is to get acquainted with the grandeur and the strong basis on which the Islam is founded, its true message, the appropriateness and the practicality and its existence in all times, place and the civilizations.

Dear reader, after you finish reading this book, do your own research. Furthermore, if you feel that you need to know more about Islam, do not hesitate to ask any Muslim scholar or those knowledgeable personalities in Islam.

Islam is an open religion. Its doors are wide open for those who are inquisitive to know about it. It is a religion, which neither lacks in providing information related with any subject matter of life nor it retreats from addressing questions or issues however enormous and varied they might be.

In Islam, there is an answer every question and for every issue there is a solution, and for every problem there is a rule.

To sum up, Islam is a complete way of life. Therefore, I solicit your attention while you read this book.

I seek Allah’s help, and on Him, I put my full reliance and trust.

Allah’s peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad and all his family members and Companions.

The history of human race begins with the creation of Adam, the first human being and father of humankind. Allah has created him by His Honorable Hand from clay, and blew in him His Holy Spirit. Moreover, Allah has taught Adam the complete names of every other living being, which He created, such as birds and animals etc.

Not only this, Allah has commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam, as a mark of showing dignity and respect to the humankind.

To Allah’s Command all the angels prostrated before Adam except Iblis (Great Satan). In arrogance, Iblis refused to prostrate before Adam which proved his disobedience to Allah.

Therefore, Allah expelled Iblis from the kingdom of the heavens and threw him in humiliation and disgrace. Iblis became the subject of Allah’s eternal wrath and curse and for his haughtiness, he will forever dwell in unhappiness and the Hell-Fire.

After this confrontation, Iblis requested Allah to allow him a respite until the Day of Resurrection. Allah said,

“You are of those allowed respite.” [Al-A’raf 7:15). Then Iblis said,

“By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all, Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islâmic Monotheism)." [Saad 38:82,83].

Then Iblis said:

"Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You)." (Allah) said (to Iblîs) "Get out from this (Paradise) disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all." [Al-A’raf 7:16, 17, 18].

Consequently, Allah has expelled Iblis from the heaven after granting certain powers enabling him to create confusion, scandalmonger, whispering, and to astray people from the right path.

Thus, Allah has granted Iblis respite until the Day of Resurrection, so that he would indulge in committing multitude of evils and sinful acts.

Accordingly, Allah will taste him a severe penalty, and made him a criterion and yardstick to test the resolve of humankind to differentiate and recognize between the evil and impurity from that of good and pure.

From Adam’s own soul Allah has created Eve (Hawwa), the spouse for Adam and commanded them to stay together in other’s company in the blessed Paradise, as their abode, which no human being can perceive of its blessings and the enjoyment therein.

However, Allah has warned them about the envy and the enmity of Iblis and cautioned them to keep off from eating fruit from one of the trees in Paradise. This restriction, which Allah imposed on them, was merely to test their resolve toward His instructions.

The scandalmonger Satan on the pretext that he is sincere advisor started to create confusion by suggesting and encouraging them to eat fruit from the tree, which Allah has restricted them to keep off from. Satan swore in the name of Allah reiterating his words that he is a well wisher for them. He encouraged them to eat the fruit convincing that they would be immortals if they do so.

Satan continued his endeavors until he misled them with deception and disobedient Adam and Eve had become by tasting what was made forbidden to them from Allah.

Having violated the orders from Allah, they strongly felt guilty. Both of them regretting for their sinful act had submitted to Allah for forgiveness. Allah has accepted their plea but as a disciplinary action He expelled them out from the blessed abode of Paradise down to earth, as their new dwelling.

They both started their new life staying at earth and in the due course of time Allah has bestowed them with a large number of offspring. From that progeny, the human race started to proliferate and expand into several generations. This was how the human history begun.

Allah has caused Adam a natural death, after he lived his span of his life in this world.

From this episode of Adam and Eve’s it has been explicitly proven that Satan, the gossipmonger was the enemy of human being. Satan became the main cause of disciplinary action, which Allah took against Adam. If we examine closely, since the Adam’s descent into this world until today the same circle of confusion and enmity is still continuing on earth between the human beings on one side and the Iblis on the other.

Since the creation of this world, the Satan, along with his offspring, has constantly continued his confrontation with the human beings, as he promised Allah to work for misleading His slaves from the Straight Path.

Based on his enmity and hatred with the human race, Satan has kept on his deception and the man is being entrapped inadvertently by the gossips of Iblis and his offspring deviating from the Straight Path to indulging in to commit the sinful and evil acts.

Thus the human beings are continuing to keep a distance from things that pleases Allah, which ultimately become the source of disappointment for them in this world and the Hereafter with Hell-Fire being the final abode for the disobedient slaves.

Allah did not create the human being in vain but with a mission. He sent the Messengers and Prophets, each one with His mission explaining the nations in different eras with true meaning and clear concept to worship Allah Alone.

Moreover, every Messenger and Prophet has taught the people showing the real aim and the goal of life. They encouraged them to achieve for the ultimate happiness, both in this world and the Hereafter.

Allah has instructed both human beings and jinns to listen whenever they see any Holy Scripture or the Divine Messenger or a Prophet sent down by Him. They must accept their (Messengers and Prophets) teachings and strictly adhere to what they reveal. All the Messengers and Prophets have come with Allah’s mission as they were ordained by Him.

Those guided people have not gone astray or misled who believed in Allah and the Holy Books and adhered to what His Messengers have the revealed through Divine Scriptures. Such people have led content lives and were never disappointed; rather they achieved the ultimate happiness in this life and the Hereafter.

However, until ten centuries after Adam, his offspring had lived strictly obeying to Allah’s commandments and adhering to the concept of the Islamic Monotheism.

But later, the traces of polytheism (Shirk) have crept into the tenets and the societies, consequently began worshipping other deities besides Allah.

At this critical juncture of life, when the man has become corrupt, Allah has sent down Prophet Nuh (Noah), His first Messenger, ever assigned for the people on earth. Nuh started calling upon his nation to worship Allah Alone and to shun other manifestation in all its entirety. He warned them of the grave sinful acts that they were committing of ascribing partners in their worship (polytheism) with Allah.

Allah, thereafter, has kept on sending divine Messengers and Prophets one after another in various eras, places, and for different nations.

Allah through His Messengers and the Prophets has sent down to some nations, the partial constitutions, while for others divine laws were revealed more comprehensively. Allah’s decision to reveal His message gradually and partially to nations in different times was based on the nature, capabilities to understand and the degree of corruption that prevailed in their lifestyle.

However, the original message and the fundamentals of teachings that every Messengers and the Prophets brought were the same: inviting people to Islamic Monotheism, to worship Allah Alone and shunning prayer to false deities besides Allah.

Then Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham – peace be upon him) came inviting his people to abandon idol worship and the adoration of false deities while appealing them to worship Allah Alone.

Ismail (Ishmael) and Ishaq (Isaac) being the natural successors of Ibrahim (peace be upon them all) were assigned as the Prophets. After them, Allah has sent many other Prophets from the offspring of Prophet Ishaq (Isaac).

The most prominent Prophets from his lineage include were: Ya’qub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), Dawud (David), Sulayman (Solomon), and ‘Esa (Jesus), may peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.

It is worth mentioning here that after the Prophet ‘Esa (Jesus – peace be upon him), no other Prophets were sent from among the Children of Israel.

After this, the succession of Prophets has shifted to the progeny of Ismail (Ishmael), the second son of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace and blessings be upon him).

And from this lineage, Allah has chosen Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as the final and the seal to all His Prophets and the Messengers sent down in different times for guidance of the entire humanity and to explain the real meaning of the ultimate happiness in life and salvation.

Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) divine message in the form of Holy Book (Qur’an) was the final word of Allah that completed the religion of Islam and put a seal to the series of prophets, hence he is termed as the seal to the prophethood.

Therefore, the message Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought was comprehensive, perfect and universal for all humankind and jinns, regardless of color, creed or caste whether Arab or non-Arab, black or white and rich or poor.

It is meant for all times, situations, places and nations. It instructs to follow the right path and warns against the evildoings. It is binding on every human being to follow this message and Allah will not accept any other religion than what is revealed by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

The limited number of pages of this book will not allow me to write in detail about the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) mission and his biography. However, you may refer to a number of books written by several Islamic scholars on this subject. As we have discussed earlier that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has brought the divine message, the word of Allah in the form of Qur’an, the final revelation to the humankind. Now, we can focus on the blessed biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

1. PREPARING THE PROPHETHOOD

Allah has prepared the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) with every essential aspect that was symbolic with his divine mission. Allah took the following steps before assigning Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) with his divine mission:-

(i) The invocation of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), the glad tidings and prophecy of Prophet ‘Esa (Jesus) and the dream of the lady Aminah, the mother of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all). Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said; “I am the confirmation of the invocation by my father Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), the glad tiding of ‘Esa, and the dream by my mother when she conceives me in her pregnancy as if she were seen a light that enlightening the land of Basra in the greater Sham or Syria”. The meaning of the above saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) explicitly denotes as he telling:

(a) ‘I am the confirmation and the evidence of the invocation by the Al-Khalil, the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)’. It refers to a story when the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of Allah’s House, the Ka’bah at Makkah, he was saying, as Allah informed us in His Qur’an: “And (remember) when Ibrâhim (Abraham) and (his son) Ismâ il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka bah at Makkah), (saying), "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us.

Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manâsik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage - Hajj and Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah answered their invocation by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur ân) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islâmic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood, etc.), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." [Al-Baqarah 2:127-129].

Allah has then answered the above mentioned invocation of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) – peace and blessings be upon them both - the clear confirmation of which Allah has assigned Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from their offspring as a Prophet to entire humanity.

(b) The second part of the Hadith in which it is mentioned that ‘Prophet Muhammad is the glad tidings of Prophet ‘Esa (Jesus)’. He has prophesied concerning the prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as Allah informed us about this in His Holy Qur’an, “And (remember) when Eisa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said, ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Taurât [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed’.” [As-Saff 61:6].

It is worth mentioning here that ‘Eisa (Jesus) was the last Messenger from among the Children of Israel. No Prophets came in between ‘Eisa (Jesus) and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them both). Therefore, the Prophet ‘Eisa (Jesus) – peace be upon him - has given glad tidings of a Messenger after him, whose name shall be ‘Ahmad’. Moreover, it is a well-known fact that ‘Ahmad’ is one of the popular names of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

(c) As for the last part of the Hadith mentions about the dream seen by the Lady Aminah, the respected mother of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This dream, of course, was true. The account of dream goes like this: when she had felt pain of the parturition and once the childbirth was over, it ascertained her of what she saw with two eyes that the light enlighten the land of Basra in the Greater Sham or Syria.

(2) PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S (PBUH) APPEARANCE AS AN ARAB

When Allah ahs assigned the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as His Messenger Arabs were the best civilization and people on the earth. However, they had accepted the religion of Islam in order to purify their soul and to reform the social and civil status. Though they (Arabs) were illiterates and emotionally engaged in the adoration and worshipping of several deities and idols. Moreover, they were disintegrated into many factions and several dissidents groups of Bedouins.

In the meantime, the Arabs were distinguished with their freedom of thinking and self-liberty. At that time, the rest of the nations around them were shackled and enslaved by those who were indulged themselves in the false and superstitious practices, spiritually and materially. Moreover, such people not only denied learning but were also restricted to follow what their priesthood and fortune-teller narrating them to do as being the rules of the land and verdict of religion.

All the more, the people at that time were barred from engaging into any civilian or the financial dealings. They were not dared to question the legality of such regulations even if the rules were illogical or confront with the natural laws. The Arabs were known to have resolve and distinguished with their independent dealings while their contemporaries in the rest of the world were leading humiliated and subservient lives under the so-called oppressive kings or emperors. The then tyrant rulers treated the people as animals. They (rulers) enslaved the people and confiscated their properties and wealth without any valid reason. In other words, there was neither freedom of speech for the people nor they could express their view in times of peace or war.

The people were also denied of their rights in business dealing or in matters of employment or in their savings/earnings. However, the Arabs were bold people with strong courage and known to have self-esteem, sturdy and resolute. While the despotic rulers of that era in other parts of the world were corrupt, spendthrift and indulge in extravagance, immoderation, and leading a luxurious and opulent lifestyle. In contrast, their subjects were weakened because they were pushed into live in misery, distress, and discomfort and a life that was full of hardship, difficulties and upheavals.

On the other hand, Arabs were popular for their just and fair attitude in dealings with others. They were impartial and treated their guests with politeness and hospitality since they had inherited customs considered being of grandeur and cultured in nature. They were so generous that they used to donate money and relief aid for the depressed and downtrodden. They offered protection to asylum seekers and refugees and had great respect for neighbors. They kind hearted and treated the people without any discrimination.

Such traits of Arabs had no match for the rest of the contemporary world when people were indulged in selfishness and egotism as the emperors at that time used to fleece their subjects with tax and royalty. Other social evil prevalent was the bribery also given to the ruling elite. The Arabs were the only nation at that time living with elegance. Arabs were also popular for their purity and fluency of language (mother tongue).

They influenced the people’s mind with their power of oration, logic and rational poetic skills. On the other hand they (Arabs) used to express their free will when they receive any divine, legal or the logical information whereas their counterparts in the rest of the world were chauvinistic and known for their rigidity. They erected religious boundaries around them.

The ethnic discrimination and apartheid attitude were rampant among the non-Arabs. The most significant and the distinguishing factor of the Arabs of the past was their sound mentality and possession of high qualification. Among the most civilized people of that time, Arabs were the experts whether in terms of technical know-how or the knowledge in industrial sector.

The Islamic reforms are based on the restructuring of the soul, which should come from one’s inner heart, free will and mind. There should be a sanctifying factor that reforms the conduct and refines the character more than what one has spent in tilling the land for the cultivation of plants and animals or for excavation of the minerals. Therefore, Allah has prepared the Muslim Ummah (nation) based on the reformation of what the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has revealed and taught to them.

(3) PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) & HIS NOBLE LINEAGE:

The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessing be upon him) lineage is the most renowned and of the noble character. Allah said, “Allah chose Adam, Nûh (Noah), the family of Ibrâhim (Abraham) and the family of Imrân above the Alamîn (mankind and jinns) (of their times). [Aal ‘Imran 3:33].

Therefore, Allah chose these people, the best from among His slaves whose lineage was noble and made them the true guide and His Messengers and Prophets to convey the divine message for those who fear Him and do righteous deeds. Likewise, Allah had chosen the tribe of Quraysh from among the Kinanah, as He selected the tribe of Banu Hashim from among the Quraish. Allah then had chosen the leader of the progeny of Adam, Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) from among the Banu Hashim.

Therefore, the clan of the Prophet Ismail (Ishmael) was the best and virtuous from among the first and the last of nations, as the children of the Prophet Ishaq (Isaac) were the best among the middle generation. As for selection of Quraish as the best tribe, Allah has also honored them with nobility and virtues. Significantly speaking they were settled in Makkah, and become the proud custodian of Masjid al-Haram, the House of Allah because their lineage directly linked with Prophet Ismail (Ishmael).

Moreover, the descent was from the noble lineage and their characters and manners were of high caliber. They were eloquent in their language, considered to be the pride of that era. In fact, they paved the way for the reconciliation and in uniting the disintegrated people. ‘Amr bin ‘Abdu Manaf, was given a title as Hashim on the grounds that he first prepared a soup by mixing the mashed pieces of bread with meat. This food was considered as a delicious preparation in Arabia at that time.

He used to distribute it among those affected by famine and droughts. People were satisfied with the care he gave to them and used to take this special food served by him in certain season every year. It is said that this food was always available in his mess be it peace or a distress time. However, ‘Abdul Muttalib, the son of Hashim, and the grand father of Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) has increased the serving of food not only to the needy people but also to the wild animals and birds. He was the first to start worship at the cave of ‘Hiraa’. It was also reported that he forbade himself from taking intoxicants. The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) clan and his family were most respectable and known to have high moral values and the best quality of characters.

They were the most virtuous people among their contemporaries. Therefore, Allah has chosen Muhammad from the tribe of Banu Hashim being the Last Prophet, who is also the best leader from among the progeny of Adam.

(4) PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH), MATURITY & MORALITY:

Allah chose Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) because of his noble conduct and aristocratic nature that was found even before his assertion as the prophet. He was an intellectual blessed with high morality, self-purity and was renowned to be the most reliable personality. He grew up as a gentle orphan. Although he lived all his youth in poverty, he married to one of the noblest and loveliest Arab women, as he was a proven sincere, honest and most trustworthy person. Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) maintained his clean habit throughout his business dealings with Quraish.

He never demanded anything from them be it relate to the worldly needs or spiritual. He kept away from their synagogues where they offered with devotion the traditional style of worship; neither he participated in any of their evening merry making organized for entertainment nor attended in their night counsels. Against the human nature, he never showed any interest to stake power in the local administration or in the tribal government affairs. With his aristocratic nature he was most trusted, noble, honest, loyal, which all characterized by moral values and high mannerism. These extraordinary qualities qualified him before the people for his prophethood as he was started to be the most popularly known as ‘Al-Ameen’ meaning the faithful or the loyal. This was the state of affair of his lifestyle until he attained the full strength in the purity of mind and the perfect manhood. He was neither greedy for wealth, nor interested to gain cheap popularity by show off. He never indulged in boasting himself. He was fully grown-up and a matured personality when he received the divine revelation (Wahy) from the Lord of the entire universe.

(5) THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) BEING AN ILLITERATE:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was an illiterate who never learnt how to write and read. This was the most significant miracle and remarkable evidence to prove the credibility of his prophethood. He was an illiterate man. He neither knew how to read a book nor to write a word. He never recited any poem nor drafted a prose. He was an ordinary man just like any other human being from among the ignorant commoners in Arabs. One day he presented to the people most significant mission and the divine laws that were constituted by Allah. He explained to people the significance of the divine laws and how they bring the ultimate happiness in this life and the Hereafter for those who adopt them their lives. He explicitly narrated that the divine laws are made to bring justice, equity and equality among the people, to stop confusion that leads to chaos and social anarchy. He promised them that the free will among the men would prevail by the emancipation of the people from slavery of man. He argued with them saying that the slavery of humans by human, according to the divine laws, is forbidden except for the Lord of the universe. This citation was part of the preparations by Allah to raise him among the people to the highest rank and to that of the prophethood. The aim to mention about the divine laws was to produce evidence and to prove credibility of his divine mission.

2. SUMMARY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S (PBUH) LINEAGE AND BIOGRAPHY:

The Lineage: Muhammad is the son of Abdullah and likewise Abdullah is the son of Abdul Muttalib, son of Hashim, son of Abd Manaf, son of Qusay, son of Hakeem, son of Murrah, son of Ka’b, son of Luay, son of Ghalib, son of Fahr, son of Malik, son of An-Nadr, son of Kinana, son of Khuzaimah, son of Mudrika, son of Ilyas, son of Mudar, son of Nizar, son of Mued, son of ‘Adnan, who belonged to Al-Arab, while al-Arab directly linked with the offspring of Ismail, son of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) peace be upon him). The mother of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is Aminah, the daughter of Wahab bin Abdu Manaf bin Zuhrah. Zuhrah were paternal ancestors or brothers of grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him). Abdullah, the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) father after marrying Aminah had stayed at her family house for three days and knew of her conceiving the would-be – Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him). She never felt any burden or pressure of her pregnancy as were seen by the then healthy women of chaste and physical fitness. As mentioned earlier, Aminah, the mother of the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) had a dream while she was pregnant. She delivered the healthy baby, with normal physical fitness, who was the most attractive and beautiful. Her delivery coincided with the event of the ‘Year of the Elephant’ in 571. Abdullah passed away before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Grandfather Abdul Muttalib took him in his custody. Aminah breast-fed him for three days before his grandfather, as was the practice among Arabs of the times, decided to appoint a nurse named Halimah As-Sa’diyah. It was the custom of the then Arabs to foster their babies giving them to the desert women for nursing, where they meet the means of physical strength and natural health.

As Halimah As-Sa’diya took the baby with her, she found several amazing things happening, which are as follow: Accompanied by husband she arrived in Makkah on a cart pulled very slowly by skinny female-donkey. But when returning from Makkah with the suckling baby on her lap the weak and frail donkey started moving swiftly. The swift movement by a frail donkey on which Halimah was travelling with the newly born baby has left the caravan behind that amazed the people and other onlookers.

In another related story, narrated by Halimah that she had not enough milk to breast-feed her own suckling baby and he starts to cry of hunger. But the lactation was abundant while nursing baby was the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

This had facilitated Halimah to breast-feed both babies: her own baby and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) satisfactorily. Halimah, in another incident recalled saying that the barren land of her tribesmen Banu Sa’d turned fertile and the livestock productive after she was honored with the suckling of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

The poverty of the region changed into prosperity, bliss and ease of life. When the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) reached two years of age, Halimah brought the baby back to his mother and the grandfather in Makkah. However, she pleaded with Aminah to grant her another period of suckling as this has led the region to enjoy blessings and prosperity. Halimah was granted another term of suckling, thus she returned to the tribesmen with full felicity in her heart.

Once the term of additional two years was over, Halimah took the baby back to his mother. The baby then was four years of age. Aminah died when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was six years old. After his mother’s death, his grandfather Abdul Muttalib took him under his care. But Abdul Muttalib also died after being the guardian of the baby for two years. Before his death, Abdul Muttalib has handed over the will and advised his son Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), to look after the welfare of the boy, by all means. Therefore, Abu Talib took all responsibilities to take care and protect the boy more than what he has done for his own family members.

Generally speaking the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) faced difficulties, hardship and discomfort in throughout his life. He always kept himself away from the opulence and the luxuries of this world. Believably because Allah has cared for him and blessed him from His bounties of spiritual richness, the permanent and the ultimate happiness in this life and the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has familiarized himself with grazing and rearing of sheep along with his foster brothers, who lived in the valley of the desert at the surrounding area of Banu Sa’id. Later, he worked as shepherd and maintained the accounts of inhabitants of Makkah to earn his livelihood. From this income, he used to spend on his personal day-to-day needs and also supported in the expenditures of Abu Talib, his uncle.

At the age of 12 year two months and ten days, he started to accompany with Abu Talib on his trade mission travelling to Greater Sham or Syria. During that time monk ‘Buhaira’ has recognized him and given glad tidings to Abu Talib, about the boy’s impending Prophethood and warned against his enemies, the Jews. The monk has commented so after he found the seal of the Prophethood he spotted in the middle of the boy’s shoulders. Subsequently, he traveled on one of the trade missions financed by the Lady Khadijah, daughter of Khuwailid. In that trade mission he made large amount of profit, which caused Lady Khadijah happy and she provided him more incentives than given to any one else.

The trade engagement with him has also offered Lady Khadijah the ultimate happiness in life and the Hereafter. Lady Khadijah was an intelligent and renowned personality among the Quraish, The reason for this because she maintained her chastity and as modest in her conservation and many other apparent virtues during the pre-Islamic ignorance era. Once Maysara, the slave of the Lady Khadijah has disclosed her about what he found in the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) while accompanying him in the trade mission to the Greater Sham or Syria.

He explained to her about the noble characters, sublime virtues as well as what the monk Buhaira has commented about him to his Uncle Abu Talib during his first trip to Syria. All these stories narrated by Maysara, had encourage her to attach more with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to be a life partner, though she was a widow. Eventually, when she was 40 years old Lady Khadijah decided to marry him.

The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) age at the time of marriage was twenty-five years old, 15-year younger than her. However, their married life was the most successful and the happiest. The Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) did never marry any other woman after this blessed wedding throughout her lifetime.

He never loved any woman more than his love with Khadeejah. She died ten years later after the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) was bestowed with the prophethood and the divine mission.

Even after Lady Khadija’s death, he used to recall her on several occasions, and had given charity on her behalf. Not only this,

he also used to present gifts to her women friends as a gesture and gratitude in her affection and remembrance. Khadeejah was the only wife, who delivered all of his children except the son Ibrahim, who was born, by his another wife Mariyah, the Coptic.

The above mentioned biography is a summary from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) before he was bestowed with the divine mission and prophethood.

(3) START OF DIVINE REVELATION (WAHY):

At 40 years of age, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has met all the requirements before the divine revelation (Wahy) was started to descend on him. The requirements included the healthy and spiritually rich physical condition, straightforward in reasoning and sound mind. The first sign of the divine revelation (Wahy) was a dream that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has seen. Whenever he had any visions, they come true and visible or plain as clearly as the daybreak (dawn).

Whenever he had such an experience, he preferred to be in solitude. For this reason, he used to visit alone to the cave of ‘Hira’ in the mountain of Makkah, where he engaged in worshipping Allah in different ways and forms for several nights. His wife Khadijah used to serve him his favorite foods and beverages upon his return from the cave. Later, he received the Divine Truth from Allah while he was in the state of trance. It was the month of Ramadan when Allah sent down to him the first verses of the Qur’an through appearing before him archangel Jibreel (Gabriel).

The first revelation of the Qur’anic verse that Jibreel brought to him was the recital “Iqra’ meaning: Read. To this, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “I cannot read”. Then the Angel Jibreel asked him again: “Read”. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) repeatedly said: “I cannot read.” The Angel Jibreel consecutively for the third time asked him to ‘Read’, but the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) replied in the similar manner saying, “I cannot read.” However, after each answer from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) used to press him so strongly and insisted him fervently so that he could not endure. After the third attempt, Jibreel (Gabriel) left him alone to relax from the strong feelings. But the Archangel Jibreel read out the following Qur’anic verses: “Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists). He created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He taught man that which he knew not.” [Al-‘Alaq 96:1-5].

The above Qur’anic verses Allah sent down through Jibreel to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) speak clearly the teachings for men to learn the knowledge. The verse also explain the initial stage of the creation of human being. When the divine revelation (Wahy) was started to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) trembling in fear with panickly heart used to return to his wife Khadeeja but in sound health, mind and senses intact. Upon returning in such a condition, he urged his wife Khadeejah twice: “Wrap me up with blanket” and she obeyed him. When the panicky condition subsided and he returned to normalcy, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) told Khadeejah explaining everything in detail as to what had happened to him adding, “I felt horribly panicky to myself.” Khadeeja responded him saying,

‘Do not worry, I swear by Allah, He will not let you disgraced, since you reunite the families, help the destitutes and the feeble,

take care of the weak and assist the deserving and whoever in need of help.” This way, she tried to pacify him and drive away his fear and panic. She tried to convince him that Allah would not disgrace a man, who is on a mission, possesses good characters, and loves people and work for their well being. Accordingly, the divine law of Allah incorporates with the fact that ‘the reward for any deed will be recompensed with equally same kind.’ Subsequently, she took the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) to her cousin, Waraqa bin Naufal, a literate person who had converted to Christianity from Arab paganism. He was well versed with the script of Gospel in Hebrew language.

The aged and blind Waraqah was well a respectable man. Khadeejah narrated the story concerning the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) to him saying; ‘Listen to Muhammad what he saying’. Waraqa asked him, ‘What have you seen, O my nephew?’ The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) disclosed what he has seen. Upon listening, Waraqa commented, ‘that is an angel, the same angel, who was sent down to he Prophet Musa (Moses), by Allah. I wish I would be then young, and I could have lived to see the day when your own people expel you out of your native town.’

After listening, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) responded asking, “Will they drive me out?” He said, “Yes, of course”, he continued, ‘Never a man of mission, who revealed the divine message as you have brought except he confronted hostility and opposition from his own nation. Should I happened to be alive in the day when your own people will drive you out of this city then, definitely, I would have helped you and support your noble cause with all my might”. Shortly after his bold talk with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Waraqah died and for a long period of time the divine revelation (Wahy) ceased to come. Though the interim period of the divine revelation (Wahy) had passed three years, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) strengthened himself and was eagerly awaited to receive more divine revelations.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When I was walking, I heard a voice from the heaven, so I raised my eye to the horizon. There I saw the angel who had come to me in the cave of Hira.” He was afraid once more to see the angel. Though his first appearance had caused him too much panic and he tried to obliterate those consequential signs from his heart. He then returned to his wife Khadeejah and she covered him in the blanket. Thereupon, Allah revealed the following Qur’anic verses: “O you (Muhammad) enveloped (in garments)! Arise and warn! And magnify your Lord (Allâh)! And purify your garments! And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)!” [Al-Muddathir 74: 1-5].

These verses were ordained to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that said: ‘O you who wrapped up in the garments! Arise and warn the people with the Qur’an and convey them the divine message and mission of Allah. Purify your garments as well as your deeds from the filth of Shirk or polytheism. Shun the idols and false worship and disown the people who indulge in such practices. After the revelation of these verses, the divine message (Wahy) continued coming to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah has informed him about the intended divine mission to be conveyed to his people. Thus, they should worship only Allah and embrace Islam, being to the final religion acceptable to Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) then with utmost wisdom and reasoning started to invite the people to the Way of Allah in the best possible manner.

His mission was divine so the initial response from the people was positive. The first from the women, who embraced Islam, was Khadeejah, the Prophet’s wife and Abu Bakr from the men. ‘Ali Bin Abu Talib was the first child to embrace Islam from among the children. People started coming into the Islamic fold continuously, thus increasing the number of Muslims day after day. The situation proved to be alarming to the pagans Arabs as the spread of Islam was remarkable. It had provoked the pagans and polytheists in Makkah and they started torture and to afflict enormous sufferings to Muslims. Eventually, they indulged in driving the Muslims out of the city of Makkah by inflictong them severe physical injuries, which compelled even the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) to emigrate to al-Madinah.

However, the divine revelation (Wahy) continued to be received by him. He was constantly inviting the people to Islam, and instructed them to wage holy war (Jihad) in the Way of Allah against the infidels. The result was fruitful the Muslims after conquering many areas and winning several wars, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) returned with them to his native city of Makkah, triumphantly. Accordingly, Allah has completed the constitution of Islam, being the religion of glory and esteem and perfected the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who attracted myriad of people coming into its fold.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was engaged in conveying to people the divine message of Allah for 23 years of his life and after completing the message he died of natural cause at the age of 63. It is worth mentioning here that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had spent 40 years in pre-Islamic era before he was appointed being the Prophet of Allah. That is how Allah has conveyed His heavenly message and commanded to men and jinns to obey Him Alone.

Whoever, obeys Allah and His commandments will receive the ultimate happiness in this world and the Hereafter by securing a place in the Paradise. In the meantime, whoever disobeys Him will face His wrath and stay disappointed in this life and his/her abode is the Hell-Fire in the Hereafter. After the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, his successors, the Companions had taken the care and protection to continue the spread of the divine message. They conveyed the divine mission in the similar manner as their beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had taught them.

Accordingly, with wisdom, utmost care and reasoning they conquered several countries of the world. They were tirelessly engaged in the spread of the true aspects of Islam and through practicing and implementing its tenets into their daily lives, they gradually reached to every corner of the world. Islam, the religion of Allah, is the religion of the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) too, which will prevail and exist until the Last Hour (i.e. the Day of Judgment).

Your impression of a man, whom you think a mere illiterate, raised from among the most ignorant people (the Arabs) has reformed the entire world and refined the entire humanity and changing its history – be it the constitution, politics or the rest of the affairs of the daily life whether materially or spiritual. This divine mission will remain survived prevailing with its most eloquent language (Arabic) which appeared from the rugged mountainous lands of Hijaz and spread towards the far off boundaries of Europe and Africa, from the West, and to the borders of China from East. Thus, the international communities, therein, were subservient to it and several countries had adopted its values as part of their civilization incorporating them into the cultures.

The justice and the kindness as presented by Islam were reflected on such countries, which encouraged their inhabitants to learn more from Islam. Not only the social and moral values Islam had imparted knowledge and supported in their scientific development. The scientific revelation as narrated by Qur’an has vanquished the state of illiteracy and brought forth the sophistication reaching its zenith in the modern times. Islam has been teaching that the reforms among the humans will cause the restructuring of the entire universe. How can it be possible to accomplish this task without the divine revelation (Wahy) and heavenly support from Allah, the All Wise and All Knowing?

4. NOBLE CAHRACTER OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH):

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had possessed a very noble character. He was a perfect man with the best behavior and the finest manners. Allah his etiquette always reflected the most virtuous behaviour and deeds. If such noble characteristics, which he achieved in Pre-Islamic Ignorance era, what could be his behaviour after he was made by Allah the Prophet to guide the humankind? Allah has described the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in His Qur’an as a personality of high standard, remarkable nature, and sublime morality. Allah said,

“And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character.” [Al-Qalam 68:4].

Allah has trained him with sublime morality. His noble character, exalted nature, and the best manners were fully based on the Glorious Qur’an. He was trained in such a way that from his life the people take lessons and guidance. Just to mention a few eminent characters of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) are:

* He was the personality with utmost tolerance. He was just and fair, generous, and virtuous from among the people.

* He used to do petty things such as the repair work of shoes, stitching the clothes, assists his family in their domestic work such as preparing meat for cooking. * Though he was the strongest person, he showed bashfulness and modesty. He never stared at anyone in displeasure.

* He used to accept invitations from everyone regardless of who invited him. Similarly, he used to accept gifts presented to him even if it was of a minor value and usually he was reciprocal with something in kind in this regard.

* He used to express anger for the sake of Allah, but he never was infuriated for personal matters. * At times he starved. Moreover, in times of starvation, he used to tie stone(s) around his stomach to lessen the pangs of hunger. He used to eat what is available and would not refuse anything. Another superb trait was that he did not call names to the prepared food. Upon getting the dried dates, broiled things or brown or wheat bread, or sweets, or honey, he would eat them as in the same form. On the other hand, if he found yoghurt or milk without bread, he would consider them as full meal. He never hesitated to consume watermelon or ripe dates.

* He was in the habit of consoling the sick and attending the funeral.

* He never felt afraid of his enemies and dared to walk along with them fearlessly without being escorted as security measure.

* He was most humble in nature than any other human being and kept a cool and peaceful temperament without any sign of arrogance. While speaking he was most eloquent and to the point without exaggeration. * In his personal appearance, he was elegant and handsome. He never frightened or disappointed with any of the worldly issues.

* He managed to wear with what is available to him such as cloak, mantle, or woolen jubbah

(a long outer garment, with its front side open, having wide sleeves), a permissible dressing as per the Islamic view. * For the purpose of transportation, he never mind riding on whatever available to him either on horseback, camel, mule, or a donkey. At times, he walked barefooted, too.

* He mingled easily with poor and used to eat with the needy and the destitute. He honored those with noble character and shared the esteem of performing righteousness deeds with them.

* He kept good ties with his relatives without discriminating between the wealthy and the downtrodden.

* He was never rude or harsh to anyone. He accepted apology from any person who approached him seeking pardon.

* He shared the happiness of the people and enjoyed if someone cracks decent jokes or makes fun. But he never spoken anything except which is truth. He used to laugh but never giggled.

* He used to participate in the match, race or contest (such as physical or intelligent exercise, etc.) conducted within his family members. People used to taunt him, but he always maintained endurance and forbearance.

* He never wasted time. His acts were in accordance with to obey Allah, or performed righteous deeds that would have brought well being to him.

* He had not despised or mocked at a needy person because of his poverty and never belittled them because of their sufferings.

He never used to offer anything to ruler or a king because of his dominion. He invoked Allah with several inclusive supplications.

Though the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was an illiterate person, Allah has bestowed him with so many noble and virtuous characters. Being a shepherd and an orphan whose father was died even before his birth the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was raised in the poor country and grew up in the rugged desert. Despite all these difficult circumstances, Allah has taught him to endure by bestowing upon him the noble characters, sublime morality, the praiseworthy means and all the information of the first and the last people of this world. Allah has also taught him everything that was required to achieve the salvation and eternal bliss in the Hereafter, as well as the exultation, beauty and bliss in this worldly life.

* Those who urged or demanded him anything from him, he used to fulfill it. He was never rude and rough to anyone. He never shouted in the marketplace. He had never requited to anyone’s sin or fault or retaliated by the similar kind of sin, rather he preferred forgiveness and pardon over it.

* Among many noble characters, included one of his noteworthy practices was greeting the people with the Islamic salutation ‘Assalam….’ He never gave impression to his visitor(s) of any sort of boredom and let them to feel free and leave on their own convenience.

* Whoever shook hand with him, he used to extend the other hand in.

* Whenever he met any of his Companions, he used to shake hand, then he held his hand and interlaced it and pressed the hand to express warmth.

* While sitting on the ground he used to keep erect his two shanks (legs) and held them with the support of his hands. His meeting with the people was not at a particular place; rather he used to sit with his Companions at any place wherever they used to sit.

* He never used to stretch his legs in the confines of his Companions if the place is inadequate unless it was spacious.

* He honored his guests, although there was no family ties between them. He would spread the special piece of clothing for the visitor as a mark of hospitality toward him. * Whoever visited him, he offered the pillow that he used to sit over it. If the visitor hesitated to accept it, he used to encourage him repeatedly until he received it and used for his own comfort.

* He used to treat his guest with honor and hospitality until he started to feel that he was the most honored person in the world. He tried to speak to his visitor as much as possible, listened to him, and exchanged the views by giving directives with due respect and kindness.

* However, his sessions with the Companions were filled with bashfulness and modesty, humbleness and trustworthiness. * As per the Arab traditions he used to call his Companions with their surnames with honor and affection to them. However, he never used to call them with any other nickname if they do not have such names. Moreover, he used to call the women with their surnames. Each one of them had their surnames whether married with or without children. He also used nicknames to call the children to make them feel happy or to entertain them.

* He never got angry and was always cheerful. He was affectionate with people and worked for well being and welfare only.

* He liked everything that was easy to do and disliked that was tough. These were the few characteristics and physical features of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

STATEMENT BY THOMAS CARLYLE, THE ENGLISH PHILOSOPHER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE CREDIBILITY OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S (PBUH) MESSAGE:

Every intellectual, who is unbiased and open-minded, would acknowledge the credibility of the message the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has conveyed to the people. Several signs and the evidences regarding this fact are self-speaking of trustworthiness and credibility of the message. There is no doubt that the evidences and testimonies concerning this fact from those who opposed him are worthwhile, wherein the foes and enemies to him are witnessing to this truth.

The following is the testimony by the prominent English Philosopher and the Nobel Prize winner, Thomas Carlyle, the author of masterpiece book, “Heroes” in which he praised and expressed credibility in the message of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He discussed therein a lengthy description that directed at his own people (the Christianity).

 Carlyle began saying that it would be of great shame to any individual spokesperson of this modern world to pay heed to the fiction that Islam was a religion based on falsehood, and that Muhammad was a dishonest or counterfeiter. “We must combat against such a silly and stupid propaganda, shameful and embarrassing statements. The divine message that was conveyed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is still existing as a glowing lamp.

 It had passed across the world reached to over 200 million people for the past 12 centuries. Did anyone think that millions of peoples, who live and die for this message are liars and dishonest?”, he said in his book. As for him, he said he could not trust simply in this view of those who cast doubt on it.

If the liar and dishonest were prevailing the creation of Allah and had widespread acceptance of the message, as the world saw today, so what do you think about those people? Were they stupid, insane or crazy? It would be very regrettable and sorrowful state of affair. What a worst claim that would be! What would be the factor that has weakened the minds of those people?, he asked and continued saying that most of those would deserve elegies and pity.

 Therefore, whoever intended to reach the sublime character and to acquire knowledge of the universe, it was necessary not to trust on such scurrilous and abusive views. Such was the by-product of unbelievers in the age of repudiation and atheism.

This was a clear evidence of their maligning hearts and the vicious minds and the spiritual death of those living mortals as well, Carlyle added. However, the world had not witnessed yet any view more thankless and painful than that. “Did you see, O my fellow brothers?” Could a dishonest or a liar person establish a religion and spread it openly in public all over the world?, he said in his book. “I swear by God (Allah), even a liar person cannot construct a house using bricks and tiles, as building material, especially if he does not know the mechanics of lime, plaster, sand, earth, or any other related things.

As for him, who builds a house in a similar way is nothing but like constructing a hill over a tunnel. Yes, it is not worthy to be propped up for 12 centuries by 200 million people, rather, its pillars should have collapsed, so that it would be subverted as if it is never existed.” He continued saying that therefore, the people should not, however, consider the Prophet Muhammad as a liar or dishonest person anymore.

He (Prophet Muhammad – peace and blessings be upon him) was not a man, who could fabricate and pleaded by way of fraudulent methods to establish his wishes and desires. He never was ambitious yearning for the high rank to become a king or a ruler or to secure any top administrative power, because such things for him were deemed ignoble and miserable.

 The message he conveyed was true and plain, he noted. He (Prophet’s peace and blessings be upon him) talked about faith and trust in God sincerely, Carlyle pointed out. Emphasizing that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would never be a liar he could not fabricate or invent anything on behalf of anyone, the philosopher said in his book. This was the truth and reality, which shoves off, removes every falsehood, and falsifies every proof of unbelievers and infidels, he further said.

“Furthermore, we should not forget one thing that he never received any regular lessons or teachings from a teacher. Even the art of calligraphy or script is a newly invented skill, which was not known to any Arab countries during that time”, he said. Carlyle even swore to God to put across his point that the Arabs at that time were illiterates, and therefore, neither Muhammad had learnt those skill or knowledge from the light of any other human intellectuals, nor he scooped into the springs of any others.

 He was just like other great Prophets and Messengers sent down by God, who had illuminated the world in the days when it was passing through the deep darkness of ignorance and erroneous practices. We have observed that throughout his lifestyle he spread the message based on the firm principles. He was bold and trustworthy and led his life with honor and generosity, pity and kindness, pious and virtuous, free will and courage, hard endeavors and sincerity”,

Carlyle said. In addition to this character, he was simple, kindhearted and of flexible nature. The manner, in which he maintained ties with people with such ease and eloquence, was praiseworthy. He always meets people with smiling and radiant face, a reflection of his innermost soul, sincerity and loyal nature, Carlyle said in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Of course, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was not like so many other personalities, who pretended just to smile, but the core of their false hearts incorporates with the wrongdoing and falsehood in terms of deeds and words, he noted.

Carlyle further said that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was fair possessing the sincere intention.

He (peace and blessings be upon him) was intelligent and frank in his expression and with magnanimous heart.

He (peace and blessings be upon him) was sagacious and quick-witted, as if his personality always illuminates the lamps around him during the deep darkness of the night.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) fills the surroundings with his radiance and a remarkable natural soundness. He (peace and blessings be upon him) was never received education from an institution, nor was taught of reforms from any scholar.

The fact that he (peace and blessings be upon him) was self-sufficient and free from depending on others to carry out his (peace and blessings be upon him) duties, because Allah has taught him everything what he needed for the completion of the divine mission and heavenly messages from Him. Because of this unique aspect of the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him), the Christians chauvinists and the atheists have claimed that the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to acquire a fame and glamour, with an aim to seek the prestige and superiority in order to be a ruler, Carlyle said lamenting on those who thought on these lines about the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

“No, I swear by God he was never like that! The ultimate goal in the heart of that humble personality was full of pity and clemency aiming to work for the well being and welfare of his community. His entire ideology was never aimed to gain worldly benefits or based on selfishness. Rather he publicly denied any offer or appeasement to grab any power or government administration,

Carlyle said. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a man of silent and quite nature, whose companions were only those devoted and sincere by every means. On the other hand, most of the people the world saw now, acquired satisfaction based on the false definition and malicious convention, who passed through the top level of the falsehood and distortion.

As you see, that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) never tolerated if someone said the customary lies or invented tales, Carlyle added in his book. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was such a personality possessing superior qualities based on real issues, which were universal by the Will of Allah. All such noble characteristics denoted to the fact that he just revived by the sacred meaning of sincerity to Allah by every means. The Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) discourses attracted the concentration of everybody’s ear and heart, who after listening to him felt accomplished in their lives. Every talk other than this was like the dust floating in the air such as the words of repugnance, Carlyle noted.

Carlyle further said: “Therefore, we must disregard those oppressed opinions that Muhammad is a liar, and consider their drastic argument as being shameful and infamous, insulting, stupid and silly. Therefore, we should disown and repudiate from such prejudiced people and their ideas.” Carlyle added: “Certainly those Arabs who worshipped idols, have believed in his religion, their burning hearts have accepted his message being the truth, therefore, it is only fair to acknowledge it. This religion has been firmly established by specific regulations, which is the only thing every human being can believe on it. This is also the core of every religion, wearing different clothes, but in reality, its body is only one. By following the spirit of this religion, a man becomes a great leader for this great worshipping place, I mean the place of whole universe. This complies with the natural laws of the Creator in accordance with His divine regulations, rather it is not merely an argument defending its stance.

Islam was introduced to liquidate many false ideologies and their fabricated fictions. Therefore, Islam has swallowed such ‘ism’ and its factions, because it is the only religion of reality and truth. No sooner had the Islam emerged, than the Arab pagans started burning their idols and false deities as well as the false accusations of the Christians, Carlyle pointed out.

Everything, which was not part of the truth and reality, was more deserved being the fuels for fire, Carlyle said. Carlyle said: “Did these ignorant liars claim that Muhammad is juggler and conjurer, swindler and impostor? No, never, his humble and radiant heart was traced with any least particle of a juggler and swindler. His mind was full of luminous ideas and divine thoughts.

His life was the truth by every means as really as the whole beautiful universe.” Carlyle continued to say: “As you see these words and deeds, we can see on him also the brotherhood of an affectionate humanity, a real brother to all of us with pity and compassion. He is merciful and clement.

 He is a son of our first father and first mother. Therefore, I extremely love Muhammad because of he disowned and repudiated the nature of hypocrisy and boasting. He was brought up in a wasteland or desert, a man of independent rich thoughts.

He speaks out from whatever he knows himself, and never speaks whatever he does not know.” Carlyle added: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was not an arrogant human being and of course not the disgraceful. He (peace and blessings be upon him) addressed to the plain free world emperors, for instance, he (peace and blessings be upon him) speaks so boldly to the supreme rulers of Emperor Caesar of Rome, and the Persian kings of Khosrau. He (peace and blessings be upon him) dared to guide them to everything they required for the happiness in this world and the salvation in the Hereafter”.

Carlyle continued to say: “He (peace and blessings be upon him) incorporated his self-esteem reciprocating it with others. He always participated in the forefront of the fierce battle that erupted between his Companions and Pagan Arabs. He never was afraid of the mass troops of then polytheists.” The author of ‘Heroes’ said in his book.

 Carlyle added: “In the meantime, he was always showed the plain evidences of mercy, generosity and forgiveness to the people. Muhammad granted excuse or recompense to the people according to the evidences not because of his own whims and personal interests.” Carlyle further said: “Muhammad was not frivolous or abuser. His talk never stained with something playful or distraction.

His focus was on every matter whether it was dealt with winning things or defeating, existing or extinct. He always viewed everything sincerely and seriously.” “As for playing with the words, or with intellectual problems, or trifle with the reality, Prophet Muhammad never thinks of such attitude.

For me, I view it being a horrible and abominable thing. Such a thing is merely slumber of a heart, and drowsiness of an eye from comprehending the truth. It is a life in the apparent fold of lies.” Carlyle said. In Islam, there are certain characteristics, to which I see with most significance.

It offers equity and equality among the people. This indicates to the fact that Islamic view in every matter is based on the justice and moderation.” Carlyle noted. “Therefore, the soul of a true believer was attached with the entire territories of the earth, because all the people in Islam enjoyed the equal status and indiscriminate dealings”, Carlyle said. Carlyle concluded by saying that: “the light Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought in the form of divine message spread in all corners of the world. The radiant rays have reached from north to south and east to west and that too within a century of the Prophet’s contemporary world. It was widespread all over the world until a man represented it in India and another in Spain.”

“Islamic states were illuminated for long, with prosperity, bounty of things and nobility in many fields of their nations, Carlyle said. The people living therein have enjoyed much of the chivalry and magnanimity, courage and boldness, power and might, glamour of truth and splendor of guidance, over half of the world.” Carlyle said while reflecting his thoughts about the last Prophet sent down to the humanity by God (Allah) – the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Islam is basically founded on the human nature and hence a universal religion meant for the entire humanity. It is the religion of peace and security.

No human being will achieve equanimity or the happiness without embracing Islam. It is also important to know that merely embracing of Islam is not enough, but the followers should implement its tenets into their daily life to achieve peace and security. Islam is distinguished with other religions or ideologies based on the following characteristics. It is essential for everyone to understand these features:

(1) Allah, the Omniscient, has revealed Islam for humanity, thus ordaining what is convenient and suitable in a man’s life based on his day to day requirements. Allah said, “Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything).” [Al-Mulk 67:14].

(2) Islam speaks about man beginning with his creation until he dies narrating the very purpose of human’s life. Allah said: “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women.” [An-Nisaa 7:1].

Allah further said, “Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.” [Ta-ha 20:55].

Allah in His Book, the Qur’an, said, “And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).” [Adh-Dhariyat 51:56].

(3) Islam is a natural religion since it is based on reality of life and not myth. Islam and the nature go hand in hand and nothing contradicts between the two. Allah said, “Allah s Fitrah (i.e. Allah s Islâmic Monotheism or nature), with which He has created mankind.” [Ar-Rum 30:30].

(4) Islam incorporates the logic, sense and rational of life, which altogether reflected in its commands. It also denounces the ignorance and the blind imitation of faith and hence it blames those whose attitude toward life is inadvertent and based on illogical thinking.

Allah said, “Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh s Signs and Verses)”. [Az-Zumar 39:9].

Allah in other verses said, “Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.” [Aal ‘Emran 3:190-191].

(5) Islam is the religion that comprises of a definite belief and specific Divine Laws. Based on the comprehensive code of life Islam offers a perfect belief, which is the part of its Divine Laws (Shari’ah). It is not a religion based merely on thoughts or some theoretical concept of a human mind. It is a complete way of life. Its tenets include the correct set of true faith with an emphasis on wise dealings, noble characters and a disciplined behavior. Islam is the religion meant for every individual and all societies including Arab or non-Arab, white or black, rich or poor irrespective of their caste and creed. As mentioned earlier, Islam is the complete way of life as it is the religion of Allah. Its teachings encompass guidance for both in this world and the Hereafter.

(6) Islam is the religion, which takes into account every aspect of the human sentiments. Its teachings lead the human beings on to the path of truth encouraging them to achieve unlimited virtues.

(7) Islam is the religion of justice. In all circumstances, it offers its followers to act in a just and fair manner while dealing with one’s foes or friends and relatives whether close or distant. In the following verses of Qur’an, Allah said, “Verily, Allah enjoins justice.” [An-Nahl 16:90]. Allah said, “And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned.” [Al-An’am 06:152]. Allah said, “And let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety.” [Al-Maedah 05:8].

(8) Islam is the religion of honest fraternity. Muslims are considered brothers in faith to each other in the religion of Allah. The variety that exists among them such as nations living in different parts of the world, gender, caste or color does not discriminate among the members of this fraternity. In Islam, there is no concept of apartheid or the racial discrimination. Also, there is no ethnic priority or the gender preference. The serious and prime criterion that Islam views is the nobility of character. The superiority of human over another is only based on the degree of his/her piety, righteous deeds and the fear of Allah (or Taqwa in Arabic language).

(9) Islam is the religion of Knowledge. Islam has made it mandatory for every Muslim to attain knowledge. Islam puts emphasis whether man or woman to acquire knowledge, as it enlightens him/her to differentiate between the right and the wrong and to recognize the true faith. It elevates a person to a higher position in life. Allah said, “Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge.” [Al-Mujadilah 58:11].

(10) Allah has assured true believers of granting ultimate happiness, glory, esteem and prestige. Allah has also pledged those believers of eventual victory be they individuals or groups. Allah said, “Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.” [An-Noor 24:55]. Allah further said, “Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).” [An-Nahl 16:97].

(11) Islam is the religion that provides solution to every problem. The Divine Laws (Shari’ah) of Islam provide answer to every issue in life. The Shari’ah constitute certain procedures and the basic rules, which never conflict with the natural laws and the reality of life.

(12) The Divine Islamic Laws are inclusive in that there is integrity in general to the entire humanity if they fall into any controversy or dispute in particular. The Islamic laws serve as the best reference to solve challenges to bring well-being in life be they in fields such as jurisprudence, inheritance, social or any others. In such difficult situations in man’s life Islam not only protects interest but also ensures his rights.

(13) Islam is a universal religion, which is applicable in all places, times and practiced by every nation and in all situations. Islam is the only religion, which cares for man’s entire worldly affairs. Therefore, it was proved with evidence that Islamic laws since they were comprehensively revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) some 1400 years, are applicable even in today’s modern world. It is also true that as the world is making scientific progress other new evidences will come to man’s knowledge further proving the effectiveness, appropriateness and the nobility of the Islamic laws.

(14) Islam is the religion of love, fellowship, compassion and mercy. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs is afflicted, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Ahmad]. In another instance, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The merciful ones will be granted mercy from the Most Merciful. Have mercy on those on earth – the One above the heavens will then have mercy on you.” [At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and Ahmad. At-Tirmidhi graded this Hadith as sound and authentic].

(15) Islam is the religion, which encourages prudence, firmness, earnestness, and assiduous research. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one in all good things. Adhere to that which is most beneficial for you. Keep beseeching Allah for help and do not refrain from it. If you are afflicted in any way, do not say: ‘If I had taken this or that step, it would have resulted into such and such,’ but say only, ‘Allah so determined and did as He willed.’ The word ‘if’ opens the gates of satanic conduct.” [Muslim].

(16) Islam is free from all possible controversies or contradictions. Allah said, “Do they not then consider the Qur ân carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions.” [An-Nisaa 04:82].

(17) Islam protects its followers from falling into anarchy, confusion or from loss and faltering ways. Hence, Islam ensures the material and spiritual comforts of those who embrace it.

(18) Islamic teachings are plain, clear, comprehensive and easy to understand and practice.

(19) Islam is an open religion, whose doors are wide open for every human being intends to embrace it. It has no secret plans or any hidden agenda.

(20) Islam strengthens the power of mental reasoning and enriches the man’s spirituality. It teaches to uphold good character and conduct while encouraging to attain scientific education. The followers of Islam adhere to truth, perform righteous deeds, prove more purified and intelligent, and stand distinguished from among other nations.

(21) Islam commands its followers to be the model of good character and practicing Muslims showing morality and to shun the evil deeds. Allah said, “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. don t punish them).” [Al-A’raf 07:199]. Allah said, “Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.” [Fussilat 41:34].

(22) Islam offers and preserves the mental enrichment. Therefore, Allah has forbidden the use of intoxicants, narcotics or drugs to protect the human mind from becoming unsound and malicious.

(23) Islam sets forth the guidelines for earning one’s livelihood. Everyone should deal with trustworthy and honesty one another. A person can also secure his savings, provided the source of such earning should be clean and based on legal ways. Islam ensures people of noble characteristics with an abode in the Paradise. Pious people under Islam can live with comfort and ease in this world and the Hereafter. Islam forbids stealing and pilfering and warned the people indulge in such practices with severe penalties.

Islam has put forward a penal code stating that the thieves would face amputation of his/her hand(s) as a punishment. The severe penalties as mentioned in Islamic divine laws inculcate a sort of fear, which keeps a person from committing the crime, thus the wealth and property is secured. Besides, the corporal punishment being awarded by the authorities in this world Islam has warned of severe consequences for the criminals on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, the people in countries, which implement the Shari’ah (Divine Laws), enjoy safety and security to their wealth and property.

 There is also capital punishment in Shari’ah for certain criminal acts. The crime rates is very low in such countries where the Shari’ah is being implemented. Moreover, the exemplary punishment in Islam such as amputation of hand(s) for thieves serves as a warning to those who have a slightest inclination of the crime. These measures taken in an Islamic society give protection to everyone’s property and wealth.

(24) Islam protects both body and soul. Islam prohibits murder and or manslaughter of human being without any cause. If a man kills another man out of revenge, hate or other unjustifiable reason(s), the sentence for such an offence under the Islamic law is the capital punishment. This is one of the main reason why the crime rate and the rate of manslaughter or murders is very little in the Islamic states, which effectively implement the Shari’ah. However, if a person takes the law in his/her hands and kills another person considering the ‘law of equality’ then the fate of such a person under Shari’ah is to execute him/her by capital punishment. This clear ruling on killing of person serves as deterrent among the people from committing such a crime. This law clearly demonstrates and shows the basics of the safety and security for the ordinary people by stopping the criminals from killing the innocents, by awarding them the death penalty.

(25) Islam promotes health and hygiene of a human body to keep it clean and away from medical complications. There are several verses in the Book of Allah (Qur’an) and the traditions (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioning tips for the preservation of the human health. Allah said, “And eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not those who waste by extravagance.” [Al-A’raf 07:31].

The Islamic scholars are of the opinion about the above-mentioned Qur’anic verse that it is a collection of guidelines on how to preserve a good and sound health. They opined that maintaining a moderate diet without being extravagant is one of the significant bases for the preservation of sound health. To protect the overall health and to stay physically fit, Islam forbids the use of intoxicating substances, because they contain numerous harmful and hazardous elements. The use of intoxicants would have adverse affect on the human body, which might weaken the vital organs such as heart, kidney, liver and lead to their malfunctioning. Similarly, Islam disapproves illicit sexual relationship between people including fornicating, homosexuality and sodomy.

The consequences for such ‘malicious’ practices are recognizable in the society known to have brought physical diseases some of which include the epidemic ailments such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), etc. It is essential to note here that in order to protect the health of the human being, Islam has forbidden the consumption of pork (meat of pig). It is medically proven that there are certain worms, which exist in the pig’s muscles and tissue and its coiled hair.

Therefore, consuming pork is the root cause of many dangerous and sometimes life threatening diseases. It is of prime importance to mention here that the performance of ablution (Wudu) before each prayer five times a day has proved amazing results to protect and prevent the human body from contracting many diseases. Wudu (ablution) is an act of worship in Islam for every Muslim meant for cleansing, internally and externally, and is a pre-requisite before each prayer. Some of which are prevention from the dental decay and nasal syndromes. Other significant advantage of Wudu is that it protects from the pulmonary tuberculosis.

Doctors suggest that the major viral or bacterial infection, which sometimes might lead to serious health complications, is their accessibility through nose. Since every Muslim, who before observing his/her five times a day obligatory prayer will also perform Wudu, too, this daily routine practice cleanses the nasal passage 15 times a day. This has helped in considerably reducing the presence of dirt particles or its traces on mucous membrane of the nose. This is one of the reasons why the previously mentioned disease, most likely to occur among the Western people, is seldom found among the Muslims, especially those who are regular to their daily five-time prayers. The main reason for this fact is that the Muslims are blessed to have performed the ablution (Wudu) daily in ritual form five times a day before offering their obligatory prayer every day. Each time a Muslim performs Wudu, he/she washes his/her nose at least once or twice or a maximum of three times.

(26) Islam is based on truth. This is evidence from the modern-day scientific findings, which complies with what has been mentioned in the Book of Allah (Qur’an), revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) some 1400 years ago. As and when a new scientific discovery take place even in today’s modern times it matched with what Islam says, therefore, there is no contradiction between the scientific findings and Divine Laws (Shari’ah) and other textual proofs available through Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). In case there is any contradiction between Science and the Divine Laws, it simply signifies to an argument without any concrete proof.

The reason could be that the textual proof on which the argument is based is not authentic. This is because of the fact that the divine textual evidences and the scientific findings are both based on certain dogmas. They both are positive things and unlikely to contradict with each other. This is the general rule accepted not only by the Muslim scholars but also by many opened-minded Western scientists, authors and prominent personalities.

For instance, one of the most famous Western writers is Dr. Maurice Bucaille, a French philosopher and author of the largely circulated masterpiece “The Bible, the Qur’an and Science”. Dr. Bucaille in his above-mentioned book said that the Torah and the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, were distorted from their original form and hence, contradict with the modern day scientific findings. Meanwhile, the contents of the Qur’an present in its original form were proved to be true and most authentic by modern scientific findings. The author has also proved that the Qur’an is in perfect agreement with the scientific implications and has never contradicted with even a single scientific finding. In fact, some of the scientific had based their experiments on the perception and the truthfulness taken from what Islam has introduced centuries ago through the revelation of the Divine Laws by Allah.

For example, let us consider one of the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): “If a dog drinks from the utensil of anyone of you it is essential to wash it seven times, the first of which should be (washed) with earth (or soil).”

[Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaie, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad].

This saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has been proved from the modern-day research that there are certain harmful microbes, germs, or bacterium are present in the saliva or spittle of dog. These microorganisms can cause a number of epidemic diseases. This was also proved that such microbes could not be removed merely by washing the utensil with water.

The scientific research, in compliance with what the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) saying has proved that it would be appropriate to cleanse such a utensil with the sterilized soil. It was also scientifically proved that the utensil used to feed (drinking purpose) a dog could carry harmful germs causing several serious diseases. Dog is such an animal, which always carry numerous types of microorganisms or their spores. For instance, if a dog is fed in a utensil, or a man touched the dog, there is a high possibility getting the eggs of tapeworm transmitted from the dog’s body. If a man uses the same utensil for eating or drinking purposes that a dog has already used, it is highly probable that the spores of tapeworm transmitting into the man’s stomach.

Gradually, the spores make their way through stomach walls to the blood vessels affecting the man’s main body organs such as liver, cerebrum (brain) causing severe headache. Other complications include continuous vomiting, coma, spasm of muscles and convulsion and paralysis of certain parts of the body. It might also weaken heart resulting in a stroke or failure causing a man to die.

Moreover, there are several natural and geo-scientific discoveries, which independently without getting any first hand information from the Islamic scholars have supported and proved the truthfulness of Islam. The recent discovery of the pollination and fertilization in plants is best-described phenomenon in the Glorious Qur’an, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad

(peace and blessings be upon him) some 1400 centuries ago.

In several verses of the Qur’an, Allah said, “And We send the winds fertilizing (to fill heavily the clouds with water).”

[Al-Hijr 15:22]. In another verse Allah said, “And have produced therein (i.e. the earth) every kind of lovely growth (plants).”

[Qaaf 50:07]. Allah further said, “And of everything We have created pairs, that you may remember (the Grace of Allah).”

[Adh-Dahriyat 51:49]. Allah specifically said, “Glory be to Him, Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.” [Ya-Sin 36:36]. Qur’an is the word of Allah, the Lord of the whole universe.

The scientific descriptions in the Holy Qur’an were made well in advance, even before the man discovered the natural science and started his study to find out the fact that every plants contains the pair: a male and a female. A number of Europeans embraced Islam when they found in Qur’an lucid descriptions in precise details about the scientific findings of ocean and consequently learning that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), an unlettered and the dweller of the desert, has never embarked on any ship throughout his life. For example, Allah said, “Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him there is no light.” [An-Nur 24:40].

(27) Islam guarantees freedom systematically.

Islam also guarantees freedom of thoughts and expression. Allah has bestowed the human body with sense organs such as ears and eyes and brains in order for a man to hear, see, and think to search the real truth. With this natural gift to the human beings, Islam encourages them to use the senses thus providing him/her a definite freedom of thought to comprehend between right and the wrong.

Therefore, the human beings have been commanded by Allah to reflect his/her thinking in a positive and proper manner and held accountable if they misuse their sense organs. They will be interrogated for any misuse committed. Besides, Allah has also set forth certain rules for the man to do trade such as selling, buying and transporting of commodities or the related activities.

By this, there is a total freedom for such activity in Islam. However, the person engaged in trade should not cross the limits through dealings, which involve cheating, fraud or corrupt practices. Islam fully encourages a person to enjoy every amenity available in this world and lead a happy and prosperous life. For instance, a person can rejoice by consuming the delicious food, drinks, wear clothes, and use perfumes. However, in Islam the full freedom is allowed but by following certain code of conduct and not touching the things which are forbidden for men.

A person should not violate those rules set forth in Islam. Whatever forbidden in Islam is for the own good of men. Islam never allows a person to misuse freedom or transgresses others’ liberty and endangers the personal free will. For example indulging in illicit sexual drive against others is not a freedom in Islam. If a person performs such an act, based on personal whims and desires or as a fun, will definitely lead him/her to destruction. As this perception is derived from insanity and a senseless attitude which only serve in distraction and leading to a path away from righteousness and virtues.

Therefore, it is a proven fact that a human being, who spends his/her life driven by their own sexual lust ignoring what is lawful and unlawful and as such the evil consequences would not be considered as freedom. The resultant of such a life would be ill health, misery, loss of wealth and control over thinking between right and wrong and ultimate the discontentment in this world and the Hereafter.

Does a man achieve mental peace and comfort through the sexual enjoyment? The answer would be in negative. If one looks around one’s own surrounding world, he/she will find it is a combination of materialistic and capitalist civilization, which lacks the spirituality and a peace of mind. If such a state of affair were allowed to happen in the name of freedom, filled with frivolity and mischief, the life of the people would plunge deep into worries, anxieties and disturbance.

Consequently, the life of such a person would be an affliction not only to himself but also to others causing tribulations by both body and mind. It would also scourge of diseases resulting in the killings of innocent people. This has become a common practice in the world. Similarly, such an attitude has also given rise to the prevalence of many other criminal acts including robbery, plundering, loot, psychiatric problems, suicide and other rare diseases around the world. Moreover, becoming slave to one’s greed is not a freedom, because such an attitude directs one to lose the ability to think and to recognize its consequences on others. Can you consider the use of power and might, aggression and the injustice committed by tyrannical ruler against the weak, a freedom? The so-called superpowers neglect and undervalue the poor, depress their voices and views as we see around the world today. How can such acts be called as freedom?

 The answer is definitely ‘no’. Therefore, the real freedom for man can only be found by following the way of Islam, which teaches the right behavior, and the dealings as it is revealed to man by Allah. The secret to achieve greater freedom lies when the servants of Allah obey Him, the Lord of the Universe. A man would definitely be emancipated from the influence of fellow human begins if he submits and surrenders to the Creator of this universe and offers Him prayer with piety in a state of hope, fear and love. Thus, there is nothing to be worried or fearful except to his Lord, because he/she looks forward to Allah and no one else. This is the ultimate freedom and supreme victory.

Plainly speaking, Islam is the perfect and sublime religion, as well as the religion of true guidance and leadership. One important thing to understand here is to follow the correct path of Islam and not the vice versa. It is not appropriate to practice Islam based on one’s own whims and desires. And it is nothing to do with Islam if some followers practice the religion based on their own designs. If a Muslim commits an act not according to the teachings of Islam, the blameworthy should be that person and not the Islam.

In such a case, Islam stands clear of any responsibility but the blind and ignorant followers, who misused the teachings of Islam, whether intentionally or unintentionally by flouting the religion, should be blamed. We have discussed earlier some of the characteristics of Islam. Now, we would talk about some of the beauties and virtues of Islam to complement the above discussion.

Islam is the source to achieve ultimate happiness and victory. Islamic teachings include the etiquette and behavior that every one of us should adopt in life – individually, family and in the society as a whole and the entire humanity at large. Islam also teaches us the business dealings in the most appropriate manner, which pave the way to lead the life with an easy and comfort. However, it is not astonishing to notice those Muslims who are in the practice of following the Islam based on their own whims and desires. But for such Muslims, Islam stands firm against taking any blame. The Muslims who are on the distracted path should be blamed for their misguided acts. The magnificence and the virtues of Islam can obviously be perceived from its every commandment. Let us discuss some of its beauties and virtues:

(i) THE COMMANDMENTS:

Based on its commandment Islam teaches the man that regulates his day-to-day life. The regulations set forth in Islam are meant to ascertain the well being of humankind. The in-depth coverage of Islam in terms of every aspect of human life is immeasurable, like an ocean. Islam encompasses the commandment in such tangible phrases that are easy to understand and follow. Islam, at the same time, warned those who after comprehending the commandment go astray. Islam has promised remarkable rewards for those who adopt its commandment in life and severe punishment for those who go astray. Islam has introduced the following commandment:-

(1) Islam has ranked human being number one among all creatures that Allah has created and ordained him to stand distinguished from rest of the living being. Man has to maintain a standard and keep a high esteem and vigilance in order not to fall so low to become a slave to his own sexual desires and immoral acts. Man has to maintain his lofty position, as Allah has bestowed upon him by glorifying and dignifying his Lord only and none else. He should adhere to rules and regulations none except as set forth in Islam.

(2) Islam ordains upon man to feel himself as one of the dutiful benefactor who should not disdain, imitate or depend on others.

(3) Islam commands the man to utilize his energies by making use of his body organs and thoughts in such a proper manner performing righteous deeds according to the religion in the day-to-day affairs of life.

(4) Islam directs the Muslims to stay firm in the Islamic Monotheism by upholding the correct belief and faith, acceptable to commonsense and feel contented in heart through such conviction. The belief and faith as ordained by Islam would uplift the man to a high position and let him feel a person of glory and prestige while giving a sense to taste its sweetness.

(5) Islam enjoins a person to cover his/her genitals, pudendum, and other private parts of the body and as well as others, if they could and keep away from places, which are dubious and suspicious.

(6) Islam commands the Muslims to make an effort to redress the fellow Muslims, if he sees them in distress and difficulty.

(7) Islam insists its followers when they meet each other initiate their meeting with the Islamic salutation ‘As-Salam’.

(8) Islam encourages the man to console the sick, attend the funeral, visit the tombs and graves, and invoke supplications for his Muslim brothers.

(9) Islam commands the man to be just and fair to others in dealings. He should be affectionate to others as he is for himself.

(10) Islam insists that man should endeavor to seek his livelihood, which brings esteem to himself and to keep away from a thing that fetches humiliation and disgrace.

(11) Islam dictates a person to show mercy and compassion to others. He should also endeavor to treat his fellow humans in a manner, which brings happiness in their lives and removes harm.

(12) The Islamic principle is that the man should be kind to his parents, be sympathetic to relatives, honor the neighbors and be gentle with the animals.

(13) Islam ordains the man to be faithful with spouse and lenient with children and treat well the companions.

(14) Islam directs a person to be bashful and modest, show patience and tolerance, be generous and magnanimous. He should also feel courageous, strong over jealousy and zealous over the truth.

(15) The Islamic teachings are that a person should exercise chivalry and generosity of spirit, firmness and prudence in the best way and to react with wisdom in every aspect of life, as well.

(16) Islam puts emphasis that a man should be trustworthy, always fulfill his promise made to others, straightforward in dealings after properly thinking and show endurance and be first to perform the righteous deed.

(17) Islam expects of a man that he should maintain abstinence and chastity and to be upright and magnanimous and show impartiality and honesty.

(18) Islam commands the Muslims to express thanks and gratitude to Allah. A person should also love and fear Allah as well as to have hope and a total trust and reliance on Him Alone. Apart from the above-mentioned things, there are several other matters in this category, which Islam commands and encourages every Muslim to follow.

(ii) PROHIBITIONS IN ISLAM:

The other beauties and virtues of Islam are that they warn every Muslim against falling into the evil practices by familiarizing them about what has been prohibited in the religion. Islam warns the Muslims about the grave consequences if they indulge in bad deeds. Some of such beauties and virtues of Islam are stated here prohibiting the Muslims to keep away include:

(1) Islam prohibits infidelity and unbelief, debauch and wickedness, disobedience and rebellion and to following one’s own lustful desires and whims, as well.

(2) Islam prohibits the man to shun arrogance and pride, rancor and bitter feeling, self-conceit and vanity, envy and ridiculing the enemies.

(3) Unhealthy thoughts, pessimism, mistrust on others, desperate for something, bad omen, stinginess and avarice, squandering and wastage and immoderation, niggardliness and miserliness are some of the evils that Islam prohibits.

(4) Other practices that Islam forbids a man to avoid include laziness, feeling weak or impotent, remaining idle, being coward or fearful, rough and rude to others. Also Islam prohibits a man to stay with infirmity and frailty, keeping oneself gloomy and worried, immodest, rage or careless to shoulder responsibilities. Some other things that Islam prohibits are including lacking of bashfulness and immodesty, remaining on worry and sadness, or having in a state of anger.

(5) One has also to be cautious as not to be stubborn and being harsh to others, which prevent a person from extending a helping hand to needy and the destitute. These are some other things, which Islam prohibits.

(6) Islam strongly condemns backbiting and slanderous talk against other people, whom a person dislikes. Other bad habit that Islam prohibits includes the gossip, which refers to relating some information with someone in a way that promotes ill feeling among others.

(7) Passing sarcastic comments or making mockery of others, empty rhetoric and spreading rumors are some of other practices that Islam forbids.

(8) Abusing or cursing and insulting others are considered as evil deeds that Islam prohibits so also calling names by bad surnames or nasty attributes as a common practice among the people and to hate others.

(9) Indulging in obscenity, arguments and dispute as well as vulgar jokes are prohibited in Islam as these would lead to evildoing.

(10) Talking meaningless without purpose is also prohibited in Islam.

(11) Islam forbids giving false accusation, testimony and witness, concealing of evidence or to hide facts, abusing and cursing of the dead.

(12) It is also prohibited in Islam to make others feel of one’s favor or charity given and as well as purposely ignoring to express thanks and appreciation to those who did something good to someone.

(13) Islam prohibits attaching a person’s name to his/her as father, who, in fact, is not biologically related. It is prohibited in Islam stopping someone from giving advice in order to promote virtues and to prevent vice.

(14) Treachery, breach of one’s trust, to cheat, to break promise, or to create confusion, sedition, which lead into an anarchic situation and chaos, are forbidden in Islam.

(15) The Divine Laws in Islam ordain one to exercise piety and gratitude to the one’s parent(s). It is totally forbidden in Islam that to break families’ ties, negligence and carelessness toward the children and creating annoying or disturbing situation to one’s neighbors.

(16) Spying or espionage and to fumble about without real passion or to follow and pursue of the genitals and private parts of the people are some performance strictly forbidden in Islam. Pursuit grope for

(17) Islam prohibits disguising of male into female or the vice versa and spreading of what is confidential between a married couple among the people.

(18) The consumption of intoxicants such as drinks, which contain even the smallest amount of alcohol, drugs and narcotics and gambling are strictly forbidden in Islam, as they all lead one to a risky path.

(19) Islam prohibits promotion of commodities through advertisement based on false information. It is forbidden for the merchants that to employ devices in the weighing scale aimed at decreasing the actual weight of the commodity while selling. It is also forbidden to spend one’s wealth in activities what Islam has forbidden.

(20) Acts such as stealing, plundering or flirting or engaging with a woman, who is already betrothed with another person and buying something already sold, are prohibited in Islam.

(21) Islam prohibits cheating while dealing with the business partner(s). It is also prohibited in the religion that utilizing the loan without prior permission from the possessor and delaying the payment of wages to the workers after the assigned work is completed.

(22) Being gluttonous is prohibited in Islam, as such a habit leads a person to health complications.

(23) Islam ordains that Muslim Ummah (nation) should not hassle and harbor mutual enmity between one another. Similarly, it is forbidden that in the Muslim brotherhood a person should not desert another for more than three consecutive nights.

(24) Islam strictly prohibits terrorizing people with arms or even beating or slapping a person without any valid reason.

(25) Fornication, adultery or the homosexual behavior and sodomy, killing the innocent are the evil practices that Allah has forbidden in Islam.

(26) Giving or accepting bribery or expensive gift(s) or any other similar attitude for both a judge and his client as part of an agreement to reach a favorable decision in the court of law is forbidden in Islam. It is worth mentioning here that such a judge should not receive anything from a petitioner or the defendant even before his appointment as a judge or entertain any sort of a hospitality from such a person.

(27) Islam prohibits receiving or giving kickback or to hush up such a source involved in a shadowy operation.

(28) It is prohibited in Islam to humiliate or do any wrong to an oppressed person while being resourceful of extending help to a browbeaten.

(29) It is not allowed in Islam to spy on a house or to peep through a keyhole in a door without the permission of its owner. It is also prohibited to intrude and listen to the conversation between two people, as some people dislike their talks to be spread among others.

(30) Islam prohibits any act of a person that is harmful to the society or an individual, or psychological harassment or aimed at defaming the reputation of others. The above-mentioned aspects that Islam laid down for Muslims to follow are explained in brief, as elaborating on each such point with textual evidence would require many volumes.

There are five pillars in Islam. They are as follow:

(1) ‘La ilaha illa-Allah’ and ‘Muhammadun-Rasul-u-Allah’ are two testimonies of faith that mean: (i) there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, (ii) and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

(2) To establish regular prayer (Salat) five times a day.

(3) To pay out the Zakat (obligatory alms).

(4) To observe fasting (Soum) in the month of Ramadan.

(5) To perform Hajj (annual grand pilgrimage) by visiting the House of Allah in Makkah.

EXPLANATION OF THE PILLARS OF ISLAM:

(1) Two Testimonies of Faith:

A person should declare his/her faith by uttering the two-part testimony with firm conviction and belief that (i) there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,

(ii) and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. This clearly explains that no one has the right to be truly worshipped but Allah, who has no partner (associates). And that Muhammad is the Messenger and Prophet of Allah, who was assigned to convey His message to the entire humankind in perfect manner. This combined testimony of faith forms first and the foremost pillar of Islam.

There are several evidences to proof this pillar, which a person must accept with a firm conviction in order to enter the Islamic fold. Therefore, a person should declare the testimony with a pure heart and belief in Allah and for His sake. The utterance of the testimony should also be in total compliance with the Sunnah

(traditions and way of life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him). This is the criterion for a person’s faith to be accepted by Allah. Moreover, Allah has ordained that the people should worship Him Alone in the strict manner as He revealed through the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Sincerity in worship to Allah Alone fulfills the testimony of faith

(i) ‘La ilaha illa-Allah’, while strictly following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) enables a person to achieve the second part of the testimony of faith i.e. ‘Muhammadun Rasul-u-Allah’. Plainly speaking, ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ is to firmly believe in Allah and declare accordingly with total conviction that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.

A person should always bear in mind that merely uttering this testimony by tongue is not enough, it is essential to practice in accordance with its meaning and implications. Therefore, one should accept it with a firm belief, adhere to its implications with utmost sincerity, honesty and love to Allah Alone.

 While the meaning of ‘Muhammad-un- Rasul-u-Allah’ is to obey the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). A person, who utters the testimony of faith should belief and trust in the Divine message that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has brought from Allah and accomplished the religion of Islam in perfect manner. Therefore, everyone must worship Allah in accordance with the Divine Laws as revealed and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). A person who asserts the testimony of faith with conviction and firm belief enjoys a number of benefits significant to his/her life. The basic among them is the emancipation of a person’s mind and soul from the incorrect way of worshipping the false deities and groping in the dark as that of the unbelievers.

(2) ESTABLISHING OBLIGATORY PRAYERS FIVE TIMES A DAY:

Worshipping Allah five times a day obligatory prayers forms the second pillar of Islam. The prayers are performed on specific times of the day and method in a perfect manner. The five times obligatory prayers offered to Allah in different times of day and night are as follow: - Fajr (dawn/morning) prayer - Zuhr (Noon or mid-day) prayer - ‘Asr (after-noon) prayer - Maghrib (sunset) prayer - ‘Isha (night) prayer

ADVANTAGES OF PRAYER:

The advantages of offering prayers are many, which include wide opening one’s heart, delight and spiritual enrichment of mind.

• The ablution of external and international parts of the body of a person, who offers five-time prayers, keeps him/her enthusiastic and energetic.

• The prayer prevents a person from committing sinful acts, which includes the illicit sexual desire. The congregational prayers offered in the mosque promote broader understanding and fraternity enabling the worshippers to cement their relationship among one another.

(3) PAYING ZAKAT:

This pillar of Islam ordains upon rich Muslims to help the poor and destitute in the society through paying out to them a certain percentage of money from their wealth (financial assistance). It is an obligatory and a form of worship to Allah. A Muslim should calculate from his fixed accumulated wealth and deduct a specific amount annually and given away, to the eight categories, as mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

ADVANTAGES OF ZAKAT:

A person who pays out Zakat (alms) achieves several benefits in this life and Hereafter. Paying out Zakat purifies the wealth and trains the person showing him/her the ill effects of stingy behavior and the curse of being avaricious. It brings blessings by increasing his/her wealth. Paying out Zakat brings manifold benefits to the society while meeting the financial needs of the Muslim Ummah enhancing mutual affection and a high esteem among one another. It relieves a person from selfish and despotic behavior.

 It saves a person’s wealth from evil eyes. Paying out Zakat helps in easing the financial difficulties of the poor and deserving persons and promotes humility and sympathetic feelings in the hearts of those who receive it. Besides, it softens the heart of the donor filling it with mercy and a sense of realizing the hardship of the poor.

(4) FASTING IN RAMADAN:

Fasting in Ramadan, the ninth month of lunar calendar, is a kind of worship to Allah. During the fasting, a Muslim should abandon from food and drinks, sexual intercourse and similar things starting from dawn to dusk every day in Ramadan. Fasting is a specific kind of worship to Allah and a Muslim has to strictly observe certain rules to perform this practice in Islam in the best possible manner. A Muslim should exercise caution while fasting by abstaining from the things that nullify the validity and reward of this worship from Allah.

ADVANTAGES OF RAMADAN:

Muslims by fasting in Ramadan, the holy month, can achieve several benefits and advantages. The foremost benefit of this month is that the fasting trains a person to face any hardship in life. It teaches forbearance and perseverance by encouraging him/her to sacrifice things such as hunger, thirst and other desires for the sake of Allah while fasting. The practice enriches the soul and mind by purifying the thoughts and elevates a person to lofty ranks. Other benefits include for a fasting person is remaining trustworthy by a constant fear of Allah and his/her sincerity and a sense to acknowledging the feelings of others as well, particular of those who of the destitute and poor. Abstaining from food and drinks while the daylong fasting helps a person to achieve sound health of body and mind.

(5) PERFORMING HAJJ:

Hajj is an obligatory worship to Allah performed at least once in a lifetime for those Muslims, who are financially and physically sound. The pilgrims have to visit Makkah, the city that accommodates the House of Allah (i.e. Ka’abah), and other ritual sites near Makkah such as Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa.

ADVANTAGES OF HAJJ:

Benefits and advantages of performing Hajj are many: Since a pilgrim is clad in Ihram during most of the pilgrimage, Hajj reminds a person about the life in the Hereafter and the Day of Judgment. It trains a Muslim (a pilgrim) encouraging him/her to devote every efforts and endeavors spiritually, physically and financially for the sake of Allah Alone.

• Besides spiritual duties, Hajj also offers the Muslims, who come from around the world to understand each other mutually and help them establish relationship and promote fraternity. This was the brief discussion about five pillars of Islam and their advantages, as the detailed explanation on each such topic would require larger space. The pillars of Islam, all reflect the purity of religion of Allah, integrate the Muslim Ummah based on truth, utmost noble character teaching them to treat each other without any discrimination.

The teachings in Islam other than its pillars are aimed at reforming the Muslims in general and required to comply with the basics of its tenets. Otherwise, the Muslim Ummah would face the downfall, both in religion and the self-identity. Islam is based on belief and the Divine Laws. We have already discussed some of the Divine Laws, including its pillars, the fundamental principle of the religion. The Islamic creed and faith are inclusive of systematic belief in what has been revealed by Allah through the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) such as verdict, Divine Laws, heavenly information, about the unseen and other similar aspects. It also includes the Sunnah or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his way of life. The Islamic belief is based on six fundamentals, as mentioned here:-

(1) To believe in Allah

(2) To believe in the angels.

(3) To believe in the Divine Scriptures.

(4) To believe in the Messengers and Prophets of Allah.

(5) To believe in the Day of Judgment.

(6) To believe that everything, whether good or evil, should occur according to the Divine Predetermination and Predestination of Allah. We can now discuss about some of these fundamentals in detail:

DETAILS OF FUNDAMENTALS OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH:

(1) BELIEF IN ALLAH:

Believing in Allah forms the basic concept of all fundamentals of Islamic belief and most significantly, a noble knowledge in Islam. To explain it further, the belief in Allah refers to the firm acknowledgements in the existence of Allah and that He is the Lord of the Universe and Master of everything. He is the only Creator and Controller of the entire universe, therefore, Allah is the only deity worthy of worship, Who has no partner(s).

He is infallible and possessed all the qualities as signified in His meaningful Names and perfect Attributes. He is the only One, Perfect and Majestic, Who is free from all discrepancies, defects and deficiencies. He has no resemblance in any way or form with any of His creatures. This concept of Islamic faith, which is universal in nature, should remain embossed in the heart of every human being.

Every person is born with an instinct and a natural inclination to believe in Allah without possessing prior knowledge or thoughts. Thus, a person lives with the same inclination until he/she tends to change it with purpose to embrace the original Islamic belief with which the human being was born and saves himself / herself from leading a life with wrong belief. Allah said, “Allah s Fitrat (i.e. the nature or Allah s Islâmic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind.” [Surah Ar-Rum 30:30]

The phrase ‘fitrata Allahi’ in the above verse refers to the religion of Allah, i.e. Islam. Therefore, every person is bound to return to the Islamic fold and seek Allah’s help from any difficulties – whether material or spiritual. A person, whether a monotheist, a polytheist, or a disbeliever, if falls in distress or be in a difficult situation, he/she is bound to discard away all superstitions or the imaginary thinking. Rather, keep only the belief in Allah in his/her mind, as this forms the natural inclination of a person’s mind. Therefore, he/she should revert spontaneously to Islam to seek help from Allah urging Him to take him/her out from distress or difficulty.

In other words, a person is born with a natural inclination to believe in the only pure religion of Allah, i.e. Islam. This could be exemplified with the following narration of the facts of life. A person, whose natural disposition is to love the Creator, readily tends to acknowledge His existence, Who being the Only One worthy of worship. This phenomenon of life occurs during the birth of every person whose body with a natural propensity for accepting food.

Similarly, the heart of a newborn is bestowed a capacity to accept the natural inclination to belief in Allah. Besides, the newly born soul would be prompted to acknowledging of faith in Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has described about this fact saying, “Every child is born upon the Fitrah (i.e., the natural religion of Allah which He made for humanity), it is only his parents who turn him into a Jew, a Christian or a Zoroastrian.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This Hadith indicates that every newborn comes in this world with an inclining heart to accept the natural religion of Allah (i.e. Islam). This is why the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not say “turn him into a Muslim” while speaking about conversion of a person to religion. It is because of this fact that, following religions other than Islam is considered as conversion from the original and basic religion (i.e. Islam) due to the reasons as mentioned in the Hadith above. On the other hand, the parents of a newborn child turn him/her away from the original and natural religion to follow other faiths such as Jews, Christian, and Zoroastrian among other religions, which contradict to the natural inclination of humanity.

Moreover, all the right thinking people openly support the natural religion, which Allah has made for the humankind. It is the mind of those people, which reflects as a significant sign of belief in Allah. Any contemplating mind would reach to a conclusion after obtaining knowledge that this world inhabited by various creatures that existed on the heaven, mountains, oceans, the humans, animals, the agricultural produce or the inorganic substance, etc, that there is a definite Creator of this whole universe – Allah, the Almighty – Glory Be to Him. In this context, it becomes a duty of any sensible person with sound mind to believe in only the truth and not in any hypothetical theories.

The three viewpoints explained here could serve a person to understand and reach to a valid conclusion:

(1) To assume that the appearance of all the creatures that exist in this world is a coincidence and developed without the work of a definite creator. This viewpoint is hypothetical and hence unacceptable by any sensible and sound human mind. Any right thinking person with a common sense would fail to understand that something exists without a creator or made. On the other hand, it is worth contemplating that the creatures that has been existing are created in the most systematic and pre-planned order. They co-exist in total harmony with one another. Therefore, to consider that the existence of things in this world a coincidence is impossible.

(2) To Assume That the Creatures Came Into Existent on Their Own. This is also an invalid theory. A person with common sense could find it impossible to accept this hypothesis, because it is not possible for anything to exist in this world on its own. The hypothesis only contributes to an unending debate as who came first: a chick or an egg, as it is a fact that none of the two were existent until created by a Creator. How is it possible for something non-existent to be created on its own? Thus, these two types of viewpoints on the creation of the universe stood discarded. Therefore, we reach to a conclusion based on a belief, which is valid, sound and above all acceptable to the common sense. This is the third viewpoint based on Islamic principle as mentioned here briefly:-

(3) There is A Definite Creator of This Universe; And All the Creatures That Exist On Earth or Elsewhere. Allah is the Only Creator, Who created everything. He is immortal -- neither was ever nonexistent nor will expire. Allah stated in the Qur’an about this absolute evidence based on strong reasoning and acceptable to every sound mind and sensible person: “Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators?”[At-Tur 52:35].

The above verse of the Qur’an indicates that they had neither been created without a Creator, nor created by themselves. Thus, it is clear from this that He is Allah Alone, Who created them all, as every creature must have a Creator. Similarly, everything should have a trace proving its own effect and functioning, which is produced by a producer. It would be appropriate to say that anything manufactured should have its manufacturer and a thing achieved should be as a consequence of a performance by someone. The above interpretation of the creation of the universe is based on a valid reasoning and hence acceptable to every person having sound mind and common sense. Therefore, whoever has doubts or fails to understand this simple explanation on the issue in discussion needs to develop a commonsense, before engaging in such debates. This was also agreed by a number of eminent non-Muslims.

Their viewpoints were elucidated in a book titled ‘Allah Manifests In The Scientific Age” authored by 30 world’s renowned scientists, astronomers and the physicists. This book could serve as best reference material to understand the creation of the universe for the intellectuals or the layman and to study Islam and be a believer.

 Meanwhile, an atheist or a disbeliever should necessarily have studied Islam superficially, who appeared from a category scholars either with mediocre knowledge or the pseudo-intelligent. Therefore, such people, who grope in the dark with their false belief, would loss an opportunity to reach to a natural religion that Allah has created for the humankind. Thus, they never attain the truth and for that matter a true faith. Similar to the aforementioned book, there is another publication called “The Human Does Not Exist alone” translated into Arabic language under the title “The Knowledge calls To the True Faith”. Mr. Chris Morison, former president of Science Academy in New York and the Chairman of the American Institute in New York City is the author of this book. Mr. Morison had also served in several other capacities such as the executive member of the Board of National Research Council of the United States of America, a fellow in the American Museum for Natural History and a life member of the British Royal Institute. In his book Mr. Morison wrote that the progress of the humans is based on his/her congenital character, a natural inclination and a constant consciousness toward an obligation that lead him to search for a true faith – that is Islam, the religion of Allah.

He further wrote that the abundance of spirituality and piety lift the human being systematically to a lofty position and at one stage, he/she becomes able to communicate with Allah. As for supplicating or invoking Allah, seeking His help in abundance is a natural thing. The simple prayer, which a person performs, is to approach his Creator and to seek His closeness and proximity. He wrote that the atheists lack the characteristics such as gravity, generosity, decency, ethics and the virtue. He further said in his book that without true faith, the civilization would plunge into bankruptcy. The people would live in anarchy and a chaotic situation.

The system of life lacks the control with everyone would tend to act either as regulator or a governor. There would be confusion in running the state of affairs; things would deteriorate from bad to worst with work machinery coming to a standstill. Therefore, the best way is that we must adhere to true faith believing the fact that there is Allah and we must love Him. He said that the man has a limited capacity to comprehend that he would not be able to grasp the infinite nature of this universe. Therefore, it is appropriate on the part of man to believe in the existence of the Creator, Who brought everything into existence from the smallest particles such as atoms to galaxies and the sun. Mr. Morison said despite the proliferation of humankind and the man since his creation spread to everywhere, it is understood that he is motivated to turn on seeking help from One Who is loftier, mightier and the most powerful.

This clearly signifies to the fact that Islam is the natural religion and therefore the science must agree to it.

EVIDENCES OF THE ONENESS OF ALLAH AND BELIEF IN HIM:

There are several perceptible and palpable evidences, which clearly indicate to the Oneness of Allah and belief in Him. The following are some of the examples that prove to the Oneness of Allah: ANSWERING THE INVOCATION: The raising of hands towards the Heavens by the several oppressed and depressed invoking prayers to Allah seeking help. Allah responds to their prayers and relieves them from their difficult situation by removing harm and hardship, accordingly. As every Muslim is well aware that Allah ascertains and answers their supplication and invocation, which is proven in several instances. Allah said, “And your Lord said, ‘Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islâmic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!’” [Ghafir 40:60].

Allah said, “Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil.”[An-Naml 27:62].

Allah mentioned in the Qur’an about the instances of the Prophets from whom He accepted their invocation, for example Allah said, “And (remember) Nûh (Noah), when he cried (to Us - i.e., Allah) aforetime. We listened to his invocation and saved him and his family from great distress.” [Al-Anbiyaa 21:76].

Allah said, “(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): "I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession." [Al-Anfal 8:9].

Similarly, there are several other evidences available in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) indicating to the answering of the supplications from those invoked to Allah. In a Hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari, Anas bin Malik narrated: Once in the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) the people were afflicted with drought (famine).

 While the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the Khutbah (religious sermon) on a Friday, a Bedouin stood up and said, "O, Allah s Apostle! Our possessions are being destroyed and the children are hungry; please invoke Allah on our behalf (for rain)".

After listening the request, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) raised his hands in supplication. The time when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) raised his hands in prayer there were no clouds in the sky. By Him in Whose Hands my soul is! As soon as he lowered his hands, clouds build up like the size of mountains, and even before he got down from the pulpit, I have witnessed the drops of water falling on the beard of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It rained the whole day and that continued for the two consecutive days and until the next Friday.

The same Bedouin or probably another man stood up and said: "O Allah s Apostle! The buildings (houses) have collapsed, and the possessions have been drowned; so please invoke Allah on our behalf". So, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) raised his hands and said, "O Allah! Round about us and not on us". So, in whatever direction he pointed with his hands, the clouds dispersed and finally disappeared, and Al-Madinah s (sky) became (clear as) a hole (or a cavity) (in between the clouds). The valley of Qanat remained flooded channel, for one month, none came from outside but talked about the heavy rain (or downpour).” [Al-Bukhari].

Other perceptible evidences about the Oneness of Allah and to belief in Him are the signs, known as miracles of the Prophets and Messengers. Such incredible signs are usually impossible to perform by ordinary people. These are meant to carry out only by Allah through the hands of His Messengers and Prophets. Allah plans and implements such divine signs through them (Prophets and Messengers) in order to support their causes and tasks by acknowledging what they brought from Him such as divine messages and mission of truth. Therefore, the miraculous and incredible happenings by the Messengers and Prophets are clear and bold evidence over the existence of the One and Only Allah, Who bestowed the same to His slaves. There are several instances, which illustrated miracles during the times of Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him).

One such miracle took place while Musa (Moses – peace be upon him) was leading a convoy of his people and Fir’aun (Pharaoh) with his soldiers chased them until Musa (peace be upon him) reached at the sea. Then the companions of Musa said, as Allah stated in Qur’an: “And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Mûsa (Moses) said:

"We are sure to be overtaken." [Ash-Shu’araa 21:61].

They (Musa and his companions) were least concerned despite the Fir’aun (Pharaoh) was chasing them with his soldiers and soon would overtake them. Thereupon, Musa (Mosas, peace be upon him) said to them: “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” [Ash-Shu’araa 26:62].

Allah then ordered Musa (Moses) to strike the sea with his stick, as Allah stated in the Qur’an: Then We inspired Musa (Moses) (saying): "Strike the sea with your stick." And it parted, and each separate part (of that sea water) became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain.” [Ash-Shu’araa 26:63].

When Musa (Moses) stroke the sea with his stick, it parted into twelve dry separate crossroads and Musa (Moses) and his followers crossed the sea safely. As Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his party reached to the same spot Allah ordered the sea to unite and He drowned them to death into the sea. Another instance of godly miracle bestowed to the Prophet ‘Esa (Jesus, peace be upon him) was of bringing the dead to life being the integral part of his prophethood.

‘Esa (Jesus, peace be upon him) was bestowed by Allah with a divine power to bring life to the dead. Jesus (peace be upon him) had also the power to order the dead to come alive from their graves by the will and power of Allah. Similarly, Allah had bestowed the Prophet Muhammad, the last of all His prophets (peace and blessings be upon him) with several miracles including the gushing of spring water from his fingers. When the unbelievers in Makkah demanded Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to produce evidence of his being the divine Prophet of Allah, he pointed at the moon with his forefinger to split into two halves. So it happened and the people had seen that miracle by the will of Allah.

These were the few miracles that Allah has bestowed upon His Messengers and Prophets to strongly support them to prove their divine mission. Therefore, such miracles, which He revealed through His Messengers and Prophets, have strongly pointed to the existence of the Almighty Allah. The most significant and the outstanding miracle in this regard is the existence of the word of Allah – the Glorious Qur’an, which is present till today in its original form after it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), some 14 centuries ago.

TRUSTWORTHY OF THE MESSENGERS IS ANOTHER PROOF OF THE ONENESS OF ALLAH AND BELIEF IN HIM:

Allah has sent His apostles, to the people in different times, who claimed their true mission through asserting the Prophethood. The nations could not have accepted the claim made by the Prophets had they not been most trustworthy among them. However, at times, the nations have rejected the claims made by certain people who falsely declared themselves as prophets, but they were proved liars. It is a known fact that Allah chose people from among the nations as His Messengers who came with His Divine Message. They were the most truthful of the entire nations. Therefore, the Prophets and Messengers brought the Divine Inspiration (Wahy) from Allah.

Allah has supported and helped them (Prophets and Messengers) by giving top priority to their affairs. Allah has answered their invocation and annihilated their enemies. Allah would have disappointed and humiliated and ultimately destroyed those who falsely claimed to be His prophets. Allah has tightened the noose around their necks as was the cases of those false claimants of prophethood. Strong support and the positive response to the invocation by Allah were the clear proof of the trustworthiness of Messengers and Prophets. Moreover, it was all based on truth: the assigning of Messengers and Prophets by Allah; the Divine Message that they brought and the One Who sent them down as well as worshipping Him.

THE DIVINE GUIDANCE TO THE PEOPLE AND OTHER CREATURES IS ANOTHER EVIDENCE OF THE ONENESS OF ALLAH:

Through His Divine Guidance Allah has undoubtedly directed different animals including cattle, livestock, birds and other domesticated animals by bestowing them certain degree of intelligence and a definite language to communicate. Allah has also showed the animals the ways to maintain their welfare and to distinguish the pasture to feed on. Who else can bestow the instinct to the newborn other than Allah such as sucking of milk from the breast of his/her mother moments after the birth? It is a matter of contemplation that how a complicated process of sucking by a newly born baby that requires the contraction and relaxation of facial muscles, tongue and neck with perfect intervals. The process also involves the constant movement of lower jawbone and to regulate the inner palate to facilitate smooth breathing. All this action required a perfect inspiration for a newborn, who does not possess any kind of prior knowledge and experience. Who has inspired the newborn for such action? Without any doubt He is Allah Alone, as He stated in the Qur’an: [Mûsa (Moses)] said:

“Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright." [Ta-Ha 20:50].

There are certain question that a man has to contemplate and to study, such as: who has granted human beings the strength of mind? Who has taught him that which he did not know? Indeed, He is Allah, the real Creator of all creatures. As for certain degree of intelligence to the wild animals and birds, Allah has granted them amazing abilities to perform functions, which the human beings are unlikely to do. For instance, the lifestyle of a bee, an ant, a pigeon or any other similar creature demand inquisitiveness on the part of the human being to investigate and find the evidence Allah has bestowed on these tiny living things. The study of these creatures would lead the man to believe in the Lord of all the creatures. However, a detailed discussion on the topic would be out of context of this book.

2. BELIEF IN THE ANGELS:

The second fundamental of Islam is to believe in the Angels. The Angels exist in the form that is invisible to human being as they live in the imperceptible world to man. Angels are the creation of Allah, who always engaged in worship to Him. They do not possess any characteristics or qualities to consider them as being Lord, or worthy of worship. They cannot have the capacity to create anything nor they can feed anyone. Therefore, it is not permissible to worship Allah associating partners with Him. Allah has granted them success to adhere strictly to His commandment and bestowed them the capability to implement without fail as ordered by Allah. The exact number of angels is innumerable and correct figure known to Allah Alone. Believing in the angels include the following:

(1) To believe in the existence of angels.

(2) To believe in the names known to us Jibreel (Gabriel). The names of the angels, which are not known to us, individually, we should believe in them in general. In other words, we should believe that Allah has created a large number of angels, whose names are not fully known to us. Thus, it is not obligatory to know them by name.

(3) To believe in the descriptions of the angels: For instance, the attributes of Jibreel (Gabriel). The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has informed us that he had found Gabriel in his original form having 600 wings, which filled the horizon. Sometimes, the angles transform to take the shape of humans with the will of Allah. It happened in the case of Gabriel, when Allah sent him to Maryam (Mary), the mother of ‘Esa (Jesus) – peace and blessings be upon both of them – as Allah has stated in the Qur’an: “She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. [Maryam 19:17].

On another occasion Jibreel (Gabriel) had appeared in the shape of a perfect man wearing a white clothing with a dark and thickly hair when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting among his Companions. He neither seemed to be a traveler, nor identified by any of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

He (Gabriel) came and sat close to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) facing him, touching his knees with that of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) while placing his arm on his own thighs. Thereafter, he started asking the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) questions related to Islam, Iman, (faith) Ihsan (perfection in worshipping Allah), and the Doomsday including its signs. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) responded him to each of his questions, respectively. After Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has answered to all his questions, Jibreel (Gabriel) left the audience.

 Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed his Companions, saying: “It was Jibreel (Gabriel), who came to you to teach you your religion.” [Muslim]. There were several other events in that the angels have appeared in the form of humans. As it happened with the Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham) and Lut (Lot) (peace be upon them all).

(4) TO BELIEVE IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ANGELS:

It is necessary to believe in the responsibilities that the angels are carrying out such as glorying and worshipping Allah untiringly day and night without any feeling of fatigue. Certain angels carry out specific duties as Allah has commanded them to do. For example, Allah has entrusted the archangel Jibreel (Gabriel) to convey the divine revelation (Wahy) to His respective prophets and messengers in different times. Others such as Mikael (Michael), is responsible for rains and plants, Malik for the Hell-Fire and some are entrusted to guard the human beings.

ADVANTAGES OF BELIEVING IN ANGELS:

Believing in angels offer many advantages, some of which are mentioned hereunder:-

(a) To acknowledge the magnificence of Allah, His Power and Authority: As we all know that the magnificence also exist among the different creatures, which in fact a quality of Allah, Who has granted it also to His creatures.

(b) To express thanks and gratitude to Allah over His care to the human being: Expressing thanks and gratitude is in the human nature, which is bestowed to him by Allah. It is a fact that Allah has assigned certain angels to look after the human beings, who when achieving success in life express thanks to Allah. These angels’ duty is to record the good or the bad deeds and words of the human beings. This clearly signifies that whatever the human being is carrying out whether in the day or in the night, alone or in the group is being recorded by the angels and the same would be presented on the Day of Judgment to Allah.

(c) Showing affection to angels is a source of closeness to Allah: The angels carry out their duties as ordered by Allah. The angels perform their duties also to please Allah. Therefore, it becomes necessary for the human beings to love the angels to achieve proximity with Allah.

3. BELIEF IN THE DIVINE SCRIPTURES AND BOOKS:

Believing in the Divine Scriptures and Books forms the third basic principle in Islam. The Divine Books are defined as the holy scripture revealed to the Prophets and Messengers through archangel Jabriel (Gabriel) that Allah has sent down to them. These Divine Messages sent down in the form of books as a guidance and mercy to the people in different times so that they achieve the ultimate happiness in this life and the Hereafter. The Purpose of sending the Divine Scriptures The basic purpose of revealing the divine message is in fact to ordain the human being not to associate partners with Allah while worshipping, as He is Alone and the Only One worthy of worship. Every human being should lead a life by adhering to the divine guidance, sent down from Allah in the form of holy books. The divine guidance is aimed for the own benefit of humans, which shows them the right path and revives the radiance present in every heart and soul. Believing in the divine books needs the following:

(a) To believe that the divine books revealed to the Prophets are the word of Allah.

(b) To believe in the known divine books, whose names are described by Allah including the Qur’an, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the Injeel, (Gospel) revealed to ‘Esa (Jesus), the Taurat (Torah), revealed to Musa (Moses), the Zabur (Psalm), revealed to Dawud (David). As for unknown ones, we should believe in all of them, generally. Peace and blessings be upon all the prophets and messengers.

(c) To acknowledge in the information disseminated through these holy books as reliable and authentic divine scriptures in their original versions. However, the final Divine Book, which Allah has made valid guidance and a way of life for the entire human beings is the Glorious Qur’an only, while He has abrogated all other previous Scriptures. These heavenly revealed books and scriptures have many things in common and agree with one another such as:

(a) The original source of all these divine books is being the same -- Allah Alone.

(b) Their basic goal is the same, to show guidance to the human beings. Similarly, the issue of faith and belief is identical, because each one uncompromisingly calls to justice and fairness, teach noble characteristics to have good behavior and to adopt morality. They all instruct to combat against the oppression, corruption, and putrefaction of society, perversity and the deviation from the right path.

(c) A large number of laws contained in these books are in agreement to one another. However, some differ, that too in detailing the explanation for it. In other words, these were based on the needs of every nation. The divine laws and regulations were revealed in the most gradual manner that based on the requirements of each nation, which best suited to them at that time.

STATUS OF THE NOBLE QUR’N FROM AMONG THE OTHER HEAVENLY BOOKS:

The Glorious Qur’an is the last and final revelation of all the heavenly scriptures and books. It is the best and comprehensive Book in the sense that it has superseded all other divine books and scriptures. The Holy Qur’an is comprehensive because it has readily mentions the stories of the previous scriptures revealed to the other prophets before the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It comprises of all the laws and characteristics pertaining to the human life required purifying the heart and soul. This is the reason the Glorious Qur’an is described as the complete ‘way of life’ for the entire humankind. The Glorious Qur’an explicitly narrates an account of the nations who lived in the past and also it speaks about the future generations. Moreover, it contains wisdom, the jurisprudence, the verdict and laws dictating rules that a man should apply in every aspects of his daily life. Hence the Qur’an is the only valid Divine Book and other holy scriptures and books revealed to the Messengers and Prophets in the different eras stood revoked.

Qur’an prevails over all other scriptures and books. The stories mentioned in the Qur’an are undoubtedly true and should be acceptable to the man. The narrative that Qur’an rules out stood rejected because such subject matter was either distorted and or perverted. Qur’an was revealed in the highest literary form of the Arabic language, which is inimitable and meets all the rules of syntax and grammar. This Divine Book, the word of Allah is divided into 30 Parts and 114 Chapters.

Its verses are perfectly balanced and speak eloquently every concern of the human life, hence a living miracle in this world. Moreover, it makes human beings wonder over its narrative concerning the stories of the past and it explicitly deals with the future, too. The verdict and the Divine Laws as it encompass as regards to everything in life amaze the man. Therefore, it becomes incumbent on every nations of the holy books and scriptures to accept and follow their lives based on the Qur’an, as other previous disclosures to the Messengers and Prophets stood revoked. This has also been indicated in the previous divine books that the Glorious Qur’an would bring the glad things with its final revelation of Allah to man.

Allah has challenged the man if they could bring its equivalent even a verse of the Qur’an or prove its fallacy. Having said that Allah has ordained on every person to incorporate in their lives the rules as mentioned in this final testament from Him to man, as it is a Divine Message meant for the entire humanity. On the other hand, Qur’an, unlike the other heavenly books, is for both men and the jinn. Moreover, the previous Holy Scriptures were confined to particular place and the people with specific time limit while, Qur’an is universal and for infinite period in its application.

The Glorious Qur’an has been preserved from any additions, deletions or distortion. Because Allah took up Himself this responsibility who preserved it by means of stringent protection measures. It is the only Divine Book, available to man in its purest form since it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) more than1400 years ago, as Allah stated in the Qur’an, “Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur ân) and surely, We will guard it

(from corruption).” [Al-Hijr 15:9].

The phrase ‘Adh-Dhikr’ in the above verse refers to the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Holy Qur’an has the power to influence the hearts. Whoever listens to it with a total concentration of mind will have an effect and influence on his/her heart, although he/she might not understand its meaning due to the lack of knowledge of the Arabic language. These are some of the mysteries of the Qur’an, which would disclose its magnificence.

If stock of the events is taken it could be seen that the influence of Qur’an has led a large number of the people, including the eminent personalities, to attain progress and prosperity in their lives. The elite class of people has obtained wisdom and guidance. Allah has saved them after they fell prey to the ignorance and made them the best and virtuous generation. Some of the Characteristics of the Qur’an are as follow:

(a) Qur’an contains unending number of stories that deal with every aspect of human life and other living beings that make the human mind wonder.

(b) The more one reads the Qur’an the more ambitious a person grows to recite it because of its rhythmic cohesion, sweetness and meaningful anecdotes that it deals, frequently.

(c) It contains the rules that are just, moderate, and inclusive of everything, small matters or big issues pertaining to the life of a man.

(d) Everything is indicated in it whether in general descriptive form or precise with brief summaries. Every person including

the non-Muslims with honest and fair background has admitted these facts. Sir William More, author of a book entitled ‘The life of Muhammad’ wrote that the Qur’an has full explanatory evidences about the creatures and their logical proofs, which exemplify and are self-convincing about the existence of Allah, Who is the King of the Universe and the All-Mighty.

He will grant recompense to everyone based on his/her good or evil deeds. According to S. W. More, it is compulsory upon everybody in the world to practice only the virtuous things and avoid the evildoings. It is also obligatory upon every adult, who accepts and follows the Islamic teachings, to worship Allah Alone. That is the only means for a person’s happiness.

Mr. Geon, another author is of the opinion that the commandment as mentioned in the Qur’an are merely not limited to the obligations of religious or literary circles, rather this Holy Book contains the criterion to attain knowledge related to the worldly life and the Hereafter.

These include Jurisprudence, Islamic Monotheism (Tawheed), and regulations on rights, penal codes, and the astronomical system of the galaxy and the universe. It also includes showing how to deter oppressor and the unjust, and to preserve their rights and privilege, which are in fact based on the commandment of Allah without a trace of doubt. In other words, the Glorious Qur’an should be the general constitution of the entire Islamic world, as it forms the constitution of Islam. It encompasses a comprehensive system for the entire cosmos concerning the living or otherwise.

For perpetual salvation of every kind and one has to depend on this very basic system. It preserves the physical fitness and overall health of a person. It ensures the well being of an individual and society as a whole. He continued writing that it is a system which includes showing series of virtues and good manners and at same time it warns of punishment as consequences for certain practices in this life and the Hereafter as well. These entire sets of episodes are systematically arranged in the Glorious Qur’an and easy to comprehend. Plainly speaking, there are several other testimonies are existent to support this view, which if taken for discussion would require larger space.

THE SUNNAH OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Peace and blessings be upon him)

The Sunnah or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are those things that include the words, statement and the deeds that he uttered and performed, basically reflect the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. Others include the description of events, determination, and/or decisions taken by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). These are reported in the form of Hadith as narrated by the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) or their predecessors exactly as they took place in the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Sunnah is the exact interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, which the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has shown to the believers through incorporating the teachings and into practice. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) through his Sunnah has also very explicitly explained the divine laws and gave indications of others mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and might not be understood by the people, so that there should not be any scope for misunderstanding the religion. He explained by way of evidence(s) mentioned in the Qur’an, sometimes deducing and disclosing the general or special rules according to the context of the text of the Holy Book. The Sunnah formulates specific rules on certain issues while the holy Qur’an gave no detail or indication about such subject matter.

The Sunnah plays a very significant role educating the people as a second divine source of the Islamic laws after the Qur’an. The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) have been preserved intact by the Will of Allah in the form Sound and Authentic Hadiths, which form the divine source of reference of Islamic laws. The numbers of Hadiths reported are numerous. The Islamic scholars have taken utmost care and effort to preserve the collection of these Hadiths and distinguished between the authentic and the weak. While gathering information of these Hadiths they have exerted sincere efforts to maintain the authenticity and quoted only those chain of narrators, who were found to be sound and the most reliable.

THE ADVANTAGES OF BELIEVING IN THE HOLY BOOKS:

To believe in the Divine Books as revealed by Allah offer many advantages, some of them mentioned below:-

(1) The knowledge about the care of Allah: Believing is knowing. This would lead a person to seek more knowledge about the divine powers of Allah, the main source of revelation of each divine book or scripture. Allah has revealed Divine Books and/or the Scriptures to His Messengers and the Prophets in different eras and generations with a purpose to guide them on to the Straight Path.

(2) The knowledge about the wisdom of Allah would direct a person to know about different civilizations as He has sent down legislation to every nation with definite constitutions that suit them at that specific time.

(3) The major advantage of believing in the holy books is it sets free a person from his/her lustful whims and desires. It takes out the deficiencies from a person’s mind that would otherwise affect his/her thinking irreversibly to the extent that he/she fails to differentiate between right and the wrong and deviates from the Straight Path.

4. BELIEVE IN THE DIVINE MESSENGERS:

Believing in the Divine Messengers and Prophets is the fourth fundamental of Islam. The Divine Messenger refers to those persons who received the divine inspiration or revelation (Wahy) from Allah, Who chose them to convey His mission and certain laws. The first Messenger from among the divine messengers and prophets is Nuh (Noah) and the last of them is Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all). All nations in the past different times have received a divine Messenger without any exemption. Allah has sent each one of them with certain divine laws as guidance to the people. Similarly, Allah has also sent Prophets with certain laws to each nation to bring reforms in the lives of the people guiding them to the path of truth.

There should not be any doubt that the Divine Messengers and the Prophets were chosen by Allah from among the human beings. They have not claimed any characteristics as being equal to their Lord and hence have not possessed even the traces to be worthy of worship. Therefore, like any other human beings they (Messengers and Prophets), too have suffered from all worldly hardships and diseases and were in need of food and other necessities of life. They finally departed from the world after facing the death. The divine message revealed to the Messengers or the Prophets was absolutely the discretion of Allah Alone. Therefore, it is wrong to assume that the divine revelation was the delusion of the Messengers and Prophets. Allah has chosen the Divine Messengers and Prophets from among the best and noblest personalities of the human beings. Believing in the Divine Messenger include the following:-

(1) To believe that The Divine Message Is Absolutely True. To disbelieve in the Divine Message sent by Allah through His Prophet(s) is tantamount to disbelieving in all the Prophets and Messengers. For example, when a person denies ‘Esa (Jesus), or Musa (Moses) or Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all) or any one of the Divine Messengers and Prophets is like the denial of all of them. On the other hand, those who believe in Prophet ‘Esa (Jesus) and deny the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them both), are definitely denying, in turn, Prophet ‘Esa (Jesus) and not really following his teachings. It is because of the fact that he (Jesus) only gave the glad tidings of the coming of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). His heralding of the coming of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a glad tiding, and in fact, signified that Muhammad is the divine Messenger of Allah also sent to the followers of Jesus too, who will rescue them from going astray, and to guide them to the Straight Path.

(2) To believe In the Divine Prophets Whose Names Are Known or Unknown: There are many divine messengers and prophets whose names are known such as Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), ‘Esa (Jesus), and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all). There are other prophets whose names are not known, however, we should believe in them all in general. In other words, we should believe that Allah has sent a large number of His Messengers and Prophets in order for each one of them to guide their respective nations in different eras. However, it is not necessary for the believers to know each of them, particularly by their names.

(3) To Acknowledge Only the Authentic and Reliable Information about Them.

(4) To Apply the Constitution in Lives as Revealed on the Last Prophet of Them All. Allah has sent the last Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) for the entire humanity so that everyone should accept him and practice upon the divine laws he brought from Allah.

THE ADVANTAGES OF BELIEVING IN THE DIVINE MESSENGERS:

Several advantages can be achieved by believing in the Divine Messengers and Prophets of Allah as mentioned below:-

(a) To know the mercy of Allah and His care to His slaves: Allah has sent His Messengers and Prophets to the humanity in order to guide them on to the Straight Path and explain them the true conduct of worshipping Allah. They continued to guide the people on the Correct Path in order to keep them upright in life, because no human mind will find it easier to comprehend the divine message without their guidance.

(b) To express thanks and appreciation to Allah upon this blessings.

(c) To love, honor and appraise the Divine Messengers and Prophets in a manner that is appropriate to their status. Because the Messengers and Prophets are the chosen people by Allah. Throughout their lives, they were engaged in worship to Allah while conveying with utmost sincerity His Divine Mission to nations (slaves) in different times.

They (Messengers and Prophets) were the best and noble from among all the humankind, who led their lives high esteem possessing the best characters and perfect in worship to Allah.

5. BELIEF IN THE LAST DAY (OF JUDGMENT)

The Last Day refers to the Day of Judgment when every human being would be resurrected and stood accountable for their words and deeds performed in this world and recompensed by Allah accordingly. It is called the Last Day because the world ceases to exist after that day, while the dwellers of the Paradise and Hell-Fire would remain in their homes permanently. The belief in the Last Day requires a person to acknowledge firmly to the occurrences of that day as narrated in the Holy Book of Allah (Qur’an) and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). That is when human beings would stand accountable for their words and deeds, however small or big performed in this world and recompensed by Allah, accordingly. To belief in the Last Day, one requires to have faith in three issues as mentioned here:-

(1) To Believe in the Resurrection: The resurrection is coming back to life in the Hereafter or rising from the graves when the Trumpet is sounded. Trumpet is referred to a Horn that used to be blown by an angel responsible for it. After the Angel sounds this Trumpet, the dead would resurrect from their graves and assemble before the Lord of the universe. The people so resurrected would be in a naked, bare-footed and uncircumcised state. The process of resurrection explains the wisdom of Allah, who emphasized on the final return of the people to Him when they would be held accountable for what they have done in their lives in the world. On that Day Allah would question the human beings based on the teachings that He conveyed to them through His Messengers and Prophets and to judge whether the people have obeyed those divine instructions or not.

(2) To believe in the Accountability and Recompense: Every human being would be interrogated and held accountable for his/her deeds (good or evil) performed in the life of this world and recompensed on the Day of Judgment, accordingly. Therefore, whoever does a good deed he/she will be rewarded ten times more than the deed, while if he/she commits a sin, award would be tantamount to only one penalty. In any case, no one will be mistreated or lose their recompense.

There is wisdom behind accountability and recompense since Allah has cautioned the people by revealing the Divine Books through His Messengers and Prophets. Allah made it obligatory upon every human being to accept the divine message brought by their respective Prophets and to act upon according to their teachings. However, the final revelation that Allah has sent is available in the form of Qur’an, as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the last and final of all prophets. Qur’an is a universal message and every human being has to accept and obey its teachings.

 If accountability and recompense are without any concept, the above mentioned system would have been of no use. Moreover, Allah never does anything without any definite purpose as He is beyond doubt free from trifle unworthy things. Meanwhile, the slaves (servants) of Allah are of two kinds such as virtuous and lewd, faithful and infidel. Is it the appropriate wisdom of Allah to treat these two different kinds of people equally? The answer is absolutely ‘no’. As Allah stated in the Qur’an, “Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)? What is the matter with you? How judge you? [Al-Qalam 68:35-36].

(3) To believe in the Heaven and Hell-Fire:

These are the two final abodes where the pious/virtuous believers and those of infidels and wrongdoers would live perpetually, after standing accountable for their deeds they performed in this life of the world. The Paradise is the home that Allah has prepared for the believers and for those who exercised Taqwa (God-fearing). Such people comprised of the real faithful who firmly believed in every Islamic teaching and proved themselves obedient to Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

They will be the ones whose devotion in life to Allah would be complete and sincere. They would strictly follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah has given the glad tidings to His virtuous slaves by showing that their final abode would be Paradise, which offers a variety of blessings the man could not simply perceive despite he/she possessed the senses such as eye sight, hearing and the imagination. Those who dwell in Paradise would rank in different order based on their good deeds and the degree of righteousness in this world. While it is also very clearly indicated that the Hell, also a final abode prepared for the disbelievers and oppressors, who denied the message of Allah and disobeyed to his Messengers.

This is a place of severe punishment where an unending Fire will welcome the people of the above-mentioned category. It is further clarified that the enormity of Hell-Fire would be so huge that no human brain can perceive of. The people depending on the gravity of their sinful acts committed in this world would dwell in the Hell meeting different levels of punishments. Believing in the Last Day requires the following: - To believe in the signs of the Last Hour. - To believe in the serious consequences of the Day of Judgment. - To believe in everything, which will occur after the death, which include the following:

(a) The Trials of the Grave: This point refers to the interrogation by angels of the dead after he/she is buried. The angels would start asking questions to the soul after it returns to the body in the grave pertaining to his/her Lord, the religion and the Prophet. The true believers would assert their faith in Allah with firm statements saying ‘Allah is my Lord, Islam is my religion and Muhammad is my Prophet’. However, the disbeliever, tyrants, oppressors shaken by their wrong belief in false deities and who associate partners with Allah would bemoan uttering woes that ‘I do not know.’ Meanwhile, the hypocrite, apostate and the renegade would say: ‘I do not know, I have heard the people saying something, so I too said so.’

(b) The Blessings and Torment of the Grave: The true believers feel delighted, as the blessings of the Paradise would be bestowed upon them even when they are still in the Grave. The gates of the Paradise would be open for them, which widens their graves. On the other hand, the torment of the grave would be akin to the Hell-Fire. The grave would tighten its space squeezing the tyrant and oppressors. The hypocrites and disbelievers would feel the highest degree of heat of the Hell-Fire even when they are still in their graves.

THE ADVANTAGES OF BELIEVING IN THE LAST DAY:

Believing in the Last Day presents several advantages some of them mentioned below:-

(a) It inculcates encouragement in a person to be more obedient to Allah which in turn give strong desire for the reward on that Day.

(b) It brings fear from the very thought of committing sinful acts and at the same warns against indulging in wrong practices reminding the grievous penalty of that Day.

(c) A true believer would enjoy with the blessings in the Hereafter being a compensation for the worldly entertainment that abandoned for the sake of Allah. It inspires pleasant feelings in the heart of believers about the life in the Hereafter differentiating between ephemeral happiness of this world and the permanent blessings and reward bestowed on the Day.

(d) It trains a person for tolerance and patience over harmful things, which might hinder seeking the reward on that Day.

REPUDIATION OF THE RESURRECTION AFTER DEATH AND RESPONSE TO IT:

The disbelievers have repudiated the concept of resurrection after death claiming such a process is not possible. Such argument is false due to the following reasons:-

(a) The Divine Law refutes such a claim, as Allah stated in the Qur’an. “The disbelievers pretend that they will never be resurrected (for the Account). Say (O Muhammad): “Yes! By my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will be informed of (and recompensed for) what you did, and that is easy for Allah.” [At-Taghabun 64:7].

(b) Verily, the One Who initiated the creation is Allah Alone. Such an Initiator will never be disabled to return that creation into life again. (c) The Perceptible: Allah has shown to His slaves how the dead is resurrected in this worldly life. There is an example in the Qur’an concerning the people of the Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) when they said, “O Mûsa (Moses)! We shall never believe in you till we see Allah plainly." But you were seized with a thunderbolt (lightning) while you were looking.”

[Al-Baqarah 2:55].

Then Allah raised them up after their death. Another example narrated in the Qur’an is related to a story of a person who was murdered and the sons of Israel had a dispute over it during the life of the Prophet Musa (Moses peace be upon him). Then, Allah has commanded them to slaughter a cow and to strike him with some part of that cow so that it may disclose them who has committed the murder. When they acted as ordained by Allah so that He raised him up after death. Thereafter that person disclosed them about his real murderer, and he died after that. Another instance is about the story of those thousands of people, who came out from their homes in a bid to escape the death. Allah then ordered their death and raised them up after they were died. There is another true story of the power of Allah that He has given to the Prophet ‘Eisa (Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him) to bring back the dead to life again with the will of Allah. Several other examples are cited as regards to this matter.

REPUDIATION OF THE BLESSINGS AND TORMENT OF THE GRAVE AND RESPONSE TO SUCH CLAIM:

Some people deny the concept of blessings and torment of the grave. Such people claim is based on the assumption that no change takes place in the grave; neither it widens nor narrows down; after the dead as seen by those present during the funeral until the burial. This claim is false and refuted through several verses mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) narrating the following reasons:

(a) The Divine Laws: The textual proofs available in the Book of Allah (Qur’an) and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) have undoubtedly proved the occurrence of the blessings and torment of the grave and tomb. It is not permissible to contradict the Divine Laws, which presented the fact supported by bold evidences. Therefore, the claims have no truth whatsoever and based on fabrication.

(b) The Perceptible: The evidences, which are perceptible, obvious and very close to the meaning of this concept and strongly indicate to the occurrence of either blessings or the torment in the grave. On the other hand, to prove it logically the following example would serve the purpose: sleep is considered as the associate of death and people while deep in their slumber vision that they are enjoying certain blessings and get refreshing feeling after waking up.

 Sometimes, the opposite is the case with bad dreams as if they are in the terrible situation and feel pain. The sudden waking up after a bout of bad dreams, sometimes the experience is so harsh that a person gets up with jolted perspires while being in his/her bed and in a similar posture as he/she was before.

 Moreover, the state of affairs and the period of life in the grave would not be perceptible by sense or any other means. The concept of belief in the unseen would have no meaning if the state of affairs in the grave are perceptible by man and both believer and the disbeliever would have stood in the same line to receive the recompense. However, the human beings after death only taste the blessings and/or torment, as the case may be, in their graves exactly in the similar manner as an individual could not share his/her feelings either good or bad dream with others while asleep.

It is an obvious phenomenon that those who are awoke could see a person while he/she asleep but could not experience the state of his mind as regards to the vision he sees good or bad. On the other hand, it is also a fact that the capacity of perception of all the living beings is limited although Allah has enabled them to comprehend things around them. However, they cannot fully perceive everything around them. As man possesses a limited perception, he/she could not have any greater power than to see and hear and also imagine to a certain extent. In this context, it is also necessary to understand that the blessings and/or torment would not confine to those buried in the grave after death. Nevertheless, it is also applicable to all dead bodies whether they stored in mortuary, lying unburied on the ground or dying after being swallowed by an animal and remains in its stomach. The phrase ‘torment of the grave’ is referred to a usual practice and a general description based on the natural death buried normally in a grave.

(6) BELIEF IN THE DIVINE DECREE

Allah is Omniscient and He knows about everything even before it happens. In fact, whatever takes place in this universe is from the Will of Allah. Thus, the Divine Decree is defined as the predetermination and predestination over everything including the fate of the human beings. Therefore, it becomes necessary for every person to belief in the Divine Decree that whatever small or big takes place in this world is with the prior knowledge of Allah and His perfect wisdom. And indeed this concept is very clear, which explains how every affairs of the world are related to the prior knowledge of Allah. Allah makes decision based on His will and predetermination well in advanced as regards to the creation of anything. How does a person believe in the Divine Decree?

A person should have a firm conviction that Allah has prior knowledge over everything that happens in the future and nothing can take place without the Will of Allah. Whatever Allah wishes to happen it happens and whatever He does not, it could never take place.

This clearly shows that Allah has predetermined and predestined the magnitude of His creation. Therefore, nothing will happen without the prior knowledge, Divine Will and Decree of Almighty Allah. For instance, no one can stop the affliction predestined for a man.

Similarly, a person cannot be afflicted even a little bit if it is not predestined by Allah. Now it becomes the duty of human beings to obey what has been ordained by Allah and should not indulge in things, which violate the Divine laws sent by Him. Therefore, everyone should obey Allah and seek His blessings and a rich reward for good deeds.

The people should shun the offence with a fear that they would be severely punished for such evil acts. It is also necessary for the people to be thankful to Allah by appreciating and admiring the Almighty after engaging in good deeds while feel repentant and apologetic, seeking forgiveness from Him if committed a sinful act, though inadvertently. To believe in the Divine Decree should reflect through one’s words and deeds in a perfect manner.

 The efforts should be exerted for the well being of oneself and the society in the worldly life, which could only be achieved through following the straight path, attaining the legal means and logical reasons. Subsequently a person should spread this message and contribute to the society after acquiring his own livelihood. If the outcome of his efforts is praiseworthy which meets his desire, he should not forget to praise Allah. If the things adopt a different direction and not according to his desire the best solution is to be determined that whatever happened was preordained by the Will of Allah.

ADVANTAGES IN BELIEVING IN THE DVINE DECREE OF ALLAH:

Several advantages can be achieved by believing in the Divine Decree of Allah, which are as follows:

(a) Tranquility of heart, enrichment of soul and comfort in life.

(b) Feels free from being regretful or melancholy for failing to achieve any worldly thing.

(c) Always feel courageous, bold and successful.

(d) Repels the feeling of being desperate and hopeless replacing such condition with strength, tolerance and perseverance. Therefore, the true believers find comfort and tranquility by believing in the Divine Decree, Predetermination and Predestination while those who deny this would not enjoy the ultimate happiness and peace of mind. It is extensively known that the common practice of committing suicide in the non-Islamic countries was because of the disbelief in Allah and the Predetermination and Predestination of His Divine Power.

 Consequently, the people in those countries lack tolerance even to a little bit of affliction. On the other hand, the suicide rate among the believers is very rare to find as in the Islamic society, people firmly believed that whatever happens in their lives is Preordained. A true believer always satisfied with what has been preordained for him/her by Allah. Because he firmly acknowledges that Allah’s only predestines and predetermines only good for His slaves. If something untoward happens in life, a true believer eventually utter words of praise for Allah and express satisfaction accepting the outcome as preordained.

THE CONCEPT OF WORSHIP IN ISLAM:

The concept of worship in Islam is to submit oneself to the Will of Allah by adhering to the Divine teachings. The believers should also shun the sinful acts prohibited in Islam to attain enrichment of soul seeking closeness to Allah. It is inclusive of everything that satisfies Allah and earns His pleasure either by words or deeds openly or secretly. To fulfill the love and submission to Allah is the core of the spirit to engage in worship with sincerity. Following are the preconditions for the acceptance of worship:

(1) To be sincere and honest to Allah Alone.

(2) To follow and adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). In the other words, it is essential to offer all kinds of worships with total sincerity and for the sake of Allah. One should strictly comply with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Therefore, no one should worship anything or anyone except Allah. The conditions of worship should meet the criteria set by Divine Laws as legislated by Allah and practiced by His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him).

 The ritual prayer, for example, forms the most significant worship, which should be offered to Allah Alone and no one else. By doing so, one can achieve the sincerity to Allah. Therefore, one should perform the ritual prayer in accordance with the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

 This is the only way through which one can achieve the compliance and approval of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). What is the wisdom behind making the above-mentioned two preconditions for the validity of any worship? To answer this question, we have to consider the following points:

(a) Allah has ordained upon believers to be sincere before offering every worship, which should be purely for the sake of Allah Alone. Therefore, any kind of worship, which is not performed with sincerity and not meant for sake of Allah Alone, is tantamount to associating partners with Him. Allah said, “And invoke Him only making your religion sincere to Him [by not joining in worship any partner with Him and with the intention that you are doing your deeds for Allah s sake only).” [Al-A’raf 7:29].

(b) Allah owns the exclusive authority to legislate the Divine Laws. Therefore, anyone, who worships Allah in a way that He did not ordain in His divine laws, is considered as ascribing rivals with Allah.

(c) Allah, without any doubt, has completed His religion (Islam) on the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the last and final of all the prophets. Islam is free from all deficiencies and adding or subtracting anything in the pretext of rectifying it. Therefore, it is not permitted for anyone to invent a method(s) in the religion as a new criterion for worshipping Allah and attributing it to Islam. This would be tantamount to innovation in the religion, which is a sinful act.

(d) Had it been permitted to worship Allah according to one’s own whim and desire apart from what Allah has ordained, everyone would indeed have created individual ways of worshipping each differing from other person. Therefore, the entire way of life would have been in chaos leading to confusion and an anarchic situation, as people with confronting views clashing with one another. This would be against the principles of the religion, as Islam has come for reconciliation teaching the entire human society to live in harmony and peace.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF WORSHIP:

Worshipping Allah has different kinds in Islam. The basic ones are referred to as Five Pillars of Islam. These include two testimonies of faith that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Also, Salah, (the five times a day ritual prayers), Zakat (alms giving on a fixed deposit amount), Soum (fasting from dawn to dusk in the holy month of Ramadan) and Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Makkah) are different worships. Apart from these basic and obligatory worship others include showing kindness to the parents, establishing strong ties with the members of the family, and telling the truth, to fulfil the promise and maintain the trust among several others. The list of worship to Allah is unending.

There are several other easy but meaningful ways to earn the blessings of Allah include promotion of virtue and prevention of vice by performing good deeds and shunning the evildoings. Removing unnecessary hurdles from the walkways with an intention that they would harm others, benevolence and charity towards the orphans, needy and traveler and showing compassion to animals are other kinds of worship to Allah. Meditation and remembrance of Allah with His different Names and Attributes, glorifying, supplication and invocation, seeking refuge and help from Allah with total trust and reliance, and turning to Him for being regretful after committing a wrongful act, and seeking His forgiveness, etc., are some other kinds of worship to Allah. The acts of worship also include the perseverance and patience in times of hardship, thanks and gratitude after being receiving the blessing from Him, love and fear of Allah and hope and bashfulness.

VIRTUES OF THE WORSHIP:

Allah’s purpose of sending Messengers and Prophets in different times and to different nations, some of them with Divine Books and Holy Scriptures, was for the benefit of the people teaching them by differentiating between the good and the bad. Through the Messengers and Prophets Allah has shown them the methods of worship to Him Alone. Hence, the concept of worship in Islam signifies utmost love to Allah to earn the ultimate happiness in this life and the Hereafter. Allah has favored those established this concept with sincerity and disapproved whoever deviated from the right path with arrogance. The concept of worship in Islam has never brought any burden and restriction(s) on the free will of the human beings. Rather, the Divine Laws, which contain a remarkable meaning, were meant for the well being of human beings, beyond his capacity to compute the benefits. The following are some of the virtues of worship to Allah Alone:

(a) It sanctifies the soul elevating it to a lofty position and brings perfection in the human nature.

(b) Essentially, human beings have to depend on worship to Allah, as by nature, man is a weak creature. Spiritually speaking, a person has to seek help from Allah throughout the sphere of his/her life and that is the more demanding than the physical and material needs such as food and drink and necessities of life.

 Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to always worship Allah Alone and invoke Him for all needs of life be it spiritual or material. In fact, the most important feature of a human body is his heart and soul, and the peace and well being for which could be achieved through a sincere worship to Allah Alone.

 Without the remembrance of Allah, no human soul could achieve peace in this world. In the meantime, it is also noteworthy here that a person’s happiness would be transitory if he/she is showing devotion and engaged in worship to other deities besides Allah. Worshipping Allah Alone is the only basis, which could bring a real bliss and ultimate happiness in man’s life.

 The delight and solace so attained through the worship to Allah would be perpetual and complete. Therefore, it is essential for the human being, who intends for a permanent comfort in life and peace of mind to pursue the cord of Allah with perseverance of worship to Him Alone. People who offer their prayers to Allah with total sincerity are the ones whose hearts receive the spiritual bounty and happiness in this world and the Hereafter. A person should bear in mind that there is no substitute for worship to Allah and to earn full contentment in heart except submitting oneself to Him Alone and achieve pleasures of life in this world and the Hereafter.

(c) Worship to Allah Alone facilitates a person to achieve increased righteousness and the tendency to do more good deeds. More importantly, it would also encourage a person to shun the evildoings and indulging in the sinful acts, as he feels freeing himself from any sort of affliction. Furthermore, worship to Allah alleviates the burden from the shoulder of a man and sense of falling in misfortune. In this way, a person’s attitude toward everything changes for better and he/she feels content in heart.

(d) A person should always set himself free from any possible slavery or bondage to any creature by total submission to Allah Alone and no one else. With good hope, fear of Allah and a perpetual love to Him, a person learns to live a decent life with noble and refined manners ultimately become a model for others. He lives in this world while his head high with dignity and status.

(e) Most significantly, the virtue of worship is to achieve the pleasure and contentment of Allah in order to win a high place in Paradise and salvation from Hell-Fire. Islam has raised the status and prestige of women. Islam has bestowed honor to women and she has been respected in Islam more than in any other religions. The women in Islam, therefore, enjoy fraternity with that of men. The most virtuous from among the people is the one who treats his household very well and that include women.

Therefore, a Muslim woman in her childhood has the every right to receive equal upbringing to that of man such as suckling, nursing and care. Moreover, she is the delight to eyes of her parents, who keep her close to their heart and give every care while raising.

Thus, no parents intend to cause her any discomfort and take every care to see her safe and secured from any type of infliction.

Her marriage would be consummated in the Words and Names of Allah under the protection of His unbroken bond. After marriage a woman under the Islamic teachings lives in dignity and leads a prestigious life in the home of her husband. She enjoys full protection as Allah ordained man to take care of all needs of his wife. In the Divine Laws, Allah ordained man to honor his wife, treat her with kindness and see that she is not hurt physically or emotionally. Qur’an has narrated in detail about the kind treatment meted out to women and when they become mothers.

The Qur’an emphasized it after mentioning about the duties to Allah. Qur’an also warned against offending or hurting her. This has mentioned in the Qur’an after mentioned about ascribing partners with Allah and committing corruption on earth. Woman being a sister, Islam commands the man to honor her as being a member of the family and urges him to feel happy and zealous for having such a relationship. In case a woman’s status is of a maternal aunt in the family’s relationship, she deserves to be treated with kindness and total amity, because Islam treats her being in the place of a mother.

 A woman’s status becomes increasingly respectable if she attains the age of a grandmother or a great-grandmother. At this age, she deserves full attention from her children or grand children in the family lineage as well as from the close relatives. Extra care should be given to her at this age although the usual practice in this fast life tends to be quite different. Her requests for any needs and the opinion are ignored and considered as futile.

Islam has strongly censures and prohibits such a practice among the Muslims. Islam holds the woman in high position and she is indeed entitled for certain rights in Islam. She deserves full protection and the company of human beings at an old age when she cannot move. She deserves company either from the members of her family or the neighbors. She should be supported in all her needs of life. No societies in the non-Muslim world treat women as the Islam and the Muslim societies care for their welfare and freedom. The women in the Muslim communities around the world entertain full rights and freedom as ordained in Islam. Under the Islamic teachings the women feel secured, safely and live in dignity. In the meantime, Islam allows women to own properties, engage in trade and business activities and hiring, buying and enter a whole gamut of other categories of contract.

Women have every right to attain education and teachings, as long as it does not violate the doctrines of Islam. Moreover, it is mandatory on the Muslim women to acquire knowledge, which essential in life. Forsaking studies is considered as a sinful act as most men do.

The verdicts Islam imposed on human beings are equal for both men and women in terms of implementation and adhering to them. The general exception in the rule for women is in certain circumstances, as proven by the text of the Divine Laws.

Otherwise, both genders are equal in Islam in a manner that suits to their very nature. By all means Islam has honored women. It is necessary here to briefly mention that what Islam has ordained for women is for her own safeguard aimed at preserving her honor and to protect her modesty from immorality. Therefore, the dress code Islam has commanded for women is in full conformity required to maintain her decency by covering the body (veil).

To further explain this point, Islam has ordered her not to reveal her inner and outer beautifies. This could be best achieved by staying away from the company of the men, who are stranger. Hence, Islam has prohibited the mingling of people of opposite sex under a common roof, as this leads to temptation and invites the risk of sexual assault and or immorality.

The commandment of Islam to husband to bear all the expenses of his wife is yet another honor that this religion has bestowed on women. Apart from earning livelihood, the husband should give his wife a good company cautiously taking care of all needs as not to commit any unjust and oppressive act against her.

 Similarly, in certain circumstances when it becomes hard for the couple to compromise and live together under the marriage agreement Islam has permitted them to be separated from one another. However, before taking an irreversible decision every effort for the reconciliation between the husband and wife should be exerted so as the couple lives a happy married life. Despite all efforts for the reconciliation, the couple failed to reach to a common understanding that then husband is allowed to divorce his wife In certain oppressive conditions when the treatment of husband to wife is inhumane and the woman thinks that she could no more manage to keep the marriage contract, Islam allows her to seek separation from that man.

A compensation, in this regard, that agreeable by both parties (husband and wife) should be paid. Accordingly, she should pay him as a financial settlement or should be reconciled against a certain amount, thereafter, she is absolutely free to relinquish her husband. The decision for divorce should be considered as the last resort if the life of both partners has become a living hell.

Islam has made divorce as an applicable law if both partners felt ending of the marriage contract is in the best interest and they could live happily afterwards. The permission to man for polygamy (marrying up to four wives simultaneously) is yet another honor Islam has bestowed to women.

 A man is not allowed to keep more than four wives at the same time. However, the necessity of polygamy for man in Islam is optional and he should be able to meet stern conditions. The prerequisites of polygamy include treating all the wives equally and fairly. The equality in polygamy is defined that the husband should strictly impartial in terms of the expenditure on each such wife and while meeting others needs of life such their clothing and food. Another most important prerequisite for man to exercise utmost caution in terms of sharing time with his wives based strict equality.

 As it was mentioned earlier that polygamy is optional and if a man wishes to live happily with his only one wife, it is entirely his prerogative. The concept of polygamy in Islam contains beautiful wisdom. The polygamy offers several benefits to women. Nevertheless, certain people who indulge in blasphemy attack Islam without prior knowledge and a thorough study of the issue. It is amazing to note that such arrogant people and bigots with their superficial knowledge about the basics of Islam and its Divine Laws speak loudly to misguide the people. Islam has laid down the preconditions for polygamy as the only solution, as mentioned below:-

(1) Islam, in the strictest terms, has prohibited fornication and adultery. Illicit sexual relationship leads to unhealthy environment in the society besides causing many communicable diseases. The other social evils that stem from this practice which include the following:

(a) Unknown parentage,

(b) It leads to wanton thoughts and promiscuity; the result is disappearance of bashfulness and shame.

(c) Elimination of woman’s dignity and honor. The women by indulging in immoral acts besides losing shame for herself, she passes the similar unscrupulous traits in her offspring and to the close relations then to the society. Some of the ill effects of such unnatural practice are:

(i) It is a felony by all standards and a serious crime committed by a mother to her own fetus reproduced through by illicit sexual communion. Moreover, it would lead to broken lineage or parentage besides bringing humiliation and disgrace to women.

(ii) There are many contaminated diseases by psychopathic and physical disorders, which could hardly get any medicament. Rather, such a person should depart his life after subjected to a cureless illness such as gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, venereal disease, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), etc.

To focus again on the legal practice of polygamy, as allowed in Islam it really ensures dignity to woman. It is noteworthy here that when Islam has strictly prohibited all means that lead to immorality, it opened a legal gate through which man can achieve comfort and happiness -- polygamy. What Islam has permitted, in this context, is the concept of marriage for man one after another maximum four at the same time, which guarantees happiness for the inner soul and tranquility for both partners.

This could be achieved simply through a legal marriage contract. It is worth mentioning here that marriage is considered as a holy act ordained to the humanity while polygamy is purely optional. Islam has permitted polygamy and its prevention is no doubt an act of oppression and injustice to both man and the woman. On the other hand, preventing a man from practicing polygamy will in turn lead to committing of the illegal sexual acts. It is the fact that the ratio of the number of women is higher than that of men in all times and places, particularly this phenomenon is more obvious when the nations at war.

 Other reason for polygamy is that marrying of a man to only one woman would inevitably lead to a large number of spinsters in the society. This would, of course, cause embarrassment, disappoint and many other psychological problems among the unmarried women. In worst circumstances, the situation may even compel a woman to indulge in immoral activities resulting in serious consequences for herself and the society as a whole. There would be a possibility of illegitimate progeny and unwed mothers sometimes, as is commonly found in the Western society.

(2) The concept of marriage is mere meant only to gain physical enjoyment and pleasure, rather marriage brings decency, comfort and peace in one’s life. Allah also bestows the married couple with children, which unlike in other societies where women are figures of enchantment. Children in Islam have their own significant rights that the parents have to fulfill. When the woman delivers a child and engages in his/her upbringing she would enjoy all delights of motherhood and achieves utmost pleasure in life. Based on the above explanation a woman can reach to a decision as to which path she should follow -- a path in which she enjoys the protection in the company of a man (married life) or staying independent just to be a sex object spreading immorality among men?

(3) Islamic view of women is counterbalanced with equality, justice and moderation. This simply indicates the consequences that the spinsters or those young widows might face in the society To redress such a problem Islam has ordained polygamy. Allah has granted permission to man to practice polygamy marrying more than one woman up to four, who direly need man’s protection and company.

Should it not be the responsibility of the society to redress issues related to women who remained spinsters or widows? Now the decision is yours. Whether a woman should lead a married life enjoying full protection under man’s custody or as an spinster vulnerable due to several perceptible reasons? The benefit of marriage for a woman that she would bear children by Allah’s mercy and feel delighted after looking after them while an unmarried woman feels dejected and frustrated besides being vulnerable in the society dominated by man. Which is the most virtuous path of the two options explained above? It needs no further explanation.

 Let every person choose the path of his/her choice that is good individually and to the society as a whole. Should the polygamy be practiced well, indeed the society, free itself from the problem of growing number of spinsters or widows. Alternatively, if the man feels satisfied after marrying only one woman the communities would beset with wickedness, corruption, and immorality. Would you ponder a little while as to which way is better. Should a man marry two, three and/or four wives or stay satisfied with keeping a number of girl friends, changing from time to time fulfilling his lustful desires and physical pleasures?

(4) However, polygamy is not obligatory in Islam. The common practice is that in most cases Muslims are satisfied after marrying to only one woman. As mentioned earlier that as long as the ratio between man-woman is equal and that man thinks that he might not offer justice and treat equally to more than one wife there is no need for polygamy to be practiced.

(5) The physical nature of woman totally differs from that of man in terms of sexual urge. The other reason is biological, which needs to be mentioning here. A woman, in fact, would not be ready for sexual communion when she is in her menstrual period of approximately 10 to two-week time every month.

Similarly, a woman during her post-natal period of approximately forty days would not be available for sexual contact with her husband. In both these periods as mentioned above Islam has ordained the couple to stay away from engaging in sexual practice, as it might carry the risk of contracting harmful diseases and other health complications for both husband and wife. Moreover, the sexual urge for a pregnant woman lessens compared to the normal days.

Unlike woman, the man has different biological needs and if forced to stay with only wife throughout his life he might probably look for illicit means of satisfying his sexual desires. Should a man prohibited from practicing polygamy the chances for his indulging in illicit sexual relationship become more because of the obvious reasons as already mentioned relating to woman’s different periods and her lesser degree of sexual urge.

(6) Another reason for polygamy is because of the woman’s infertility. She might sexually satisfy her husband but could not bear his children. In such a case, a man may marry a second wife instead of divorcing his first wife because of her sterility. The first wife could remain under the full protection of her husband and lead her life. Now a question arises that a productive woman could marry second time if her husband is barren? In this case, she has the right to first break her marital relationship with her husband and marry second time with another man. It should be clear here that unlike man a woman could not keep more than one husband at the same time. Islam strictly forbids the polyandry.

(7) Sometimes a wife becomes chronically ill with medical problem such as paralysis. In such a situation, she would not be able to serve her husband anymore. A man can marry a second wife without the need for divorcing her first wife.

(8) In certain cases, the couple cannot lead a normal life because of the differences of opinion between the two. Due to the prolonged quarrels, immoral characteristics and her ineptness to tackle the domestic issues a man can bring a second wife while giving the first wife full protection keeping her under his custody. Such an act should, of course, be like honoring and being faithful to the first wife and safeguarding her rights, household and to maintain the family integrity intact for the well being of their children.

(9) Man’s capability of procreation is stronger than woman. A man could be sexually potent as long as he reaches 60 years of age or more, perhaps it may prolong after hundred years of age preserving his stamina and strength for the potentiality of procreation. In the case of woman, her reproductive capacity ceases after she reaches forty years of age or a little over. Consider now that if the polygamy would have been prohibited the growth of the Muslim Ummah would also come to standstill.

(10) The advantage for the first wife in the polygamy is that she relieves from the heavy burden of responsibilities, because of the equal distribution of household task between the two wives. It was usually observed that some sensible women, particularly when they reach an old age advice their husband to get married for second, third or fourth time, as the case might be. This is because in their old age they could not properly take care of the household tasks and the husband.

(11) The polygamy has its own reward from Allah both for men and women. For instance, a man sometimes marries to a poor and destitute woman with an intention to support and to protect her chastity because she does not possess any family. With this noble act, the man achieves a bountiful reward from Allah.

(12) Allah Alone is the One Who has ordained polygamy to man. He is All-Knowing and Most Compassionate Who made the Divine Laws for well beings of the entire humanity so that they help one another. Allah has explained to man about farsightedness and concerning the wisdom in Islam allowing him to practice the polygamy. Allah has also explained saying that how ignorant are those men who because of their lack of knowledge indulge in blasphemy and attack the Divine Laws. Islam has honored woman by granting the rights and stipulated specific laws of inheritance to benefit her.

A woman, whether she is a mother, a wife, a daughter or a sister have the right to inherit a fixed amount of wealth from man. Qur’an, the Book of Allah, has explicit dealt with this branch of information explaining to man about the statutory ways of distribution of real estate and or wealth. The woman in Islam has been granted with an entirely just and fair means of inheritance – half of what a man receives. Some ignorant with their lack of knowledge misinterpret this law describing it as an unjust to woman. They based their argument countering that how can a man inherit the equivalent of two women?

Why should the woman receive half of her legal share from the inheritance as compared to man? they argued. The response to such an argument is simple and plain that Allah, Who in His constitution of Divine Laws decreeing man to practice polygamy, is All-Knowing and All-Wise concerning the well being of humankind. How could a man, with his scant knowledge and meager resources challenge the Divine Law by calling it as unjust to woman? Islam is the complete way of life and perfect code of conduct, which interconnects one system with another.

 In this context, it is not fair for those ignorant to indulge in argument on a system or a regulation considering only one angle and disregarding the other. It is necessary for a man, before passing any remarks, to review the system thoroughly considering every angle to understand the clarity and straightforward of its verdict.

As we have discussed earlier, that Islam has death with this issue in its entirety of justice and fairness. For instance, the man carries on his shoulder the responsibility of earning livelihood. Similarly, Islam made it obligatory upon the husband to pay his wife the Mahr (bridal money). Suppose, a father of a son and a daughter dies leaving behind his wealth and property. As per the Law of Inheritance in Islam, the son’s share in the father’s wealth would be twice as much that of his sister. This, according to Islamic laws, complements the inherited share for both of them, the son and the daughter. Later, when they married lead an independent life living separately.

Consider this. The married son is required to pay his wife the Mahr (bridal money), and is responsible to bear other costs living such as accommodation, day-to-day expenses and for the upbringing of children throughout his married life.

As for his sister, after getting married, she is of course entitled to receive the Mahr (bridal money) from her husband. However, she is neither responsible to bear any expenses in life, be it the daily expenditure or for children upbringing. She indeed collects income through the source of Mahr (bridal money) and the amount she has received by virtue of her father’s inheritance. It is worth mentioning here that she is not required to spend even for her own needs or on her children’s upbringing, too.

 It is strictly the responsibility of her husband to maintain the needs of the entire family. t is crystal clear from the above facts, to recognize the truth mentioned in the Islamic laws that totally justifies the inherited share of man and woman two-part to one, respectively. Isn’t it a logical and most just and fair rule mentioned in Islam? This is how the Islam has given status to a woman and honored her.

What system on earth would justify the status of woman than the Islamic laws, which ensure justice and equality for her? The worldly laws formulated by man did not care for the honor of woman, while even a father, in some countries, tries to disown his daughter when she turns puberty period or teen-age. No man-made laws guarantees her protection when she badly needs support for her living, such as food and shelter. Perhaps such a roving for food and shelter might land her in difficult situation sometimes risking her to indulge in corrupt practices losing honor and morality.

Islam has honored the woman by granting every right to lead an honorable life and considered her perfectly as a noble human being. On the other hand, the worldly systems seemingly made to protect the woman have least consideration for her well being.

 Very often such rules proof to the contrary of the basics for which they are formulated and serve as spreading evil on earth in the garb of justice for women. Moreover, such systems have ripped off her from rights of possession and responsibilities and thrown her to live a humiliated and disgraced life, treating her as a curse and burden to parents. Islam has honored the woman by emancipating her whereas the worldly systems have enslaved her being an object of sex or a commodity exploiting her for entrepreneurial gains through advertisement business. In other man-made constitutions the wife is treated as a property of husband.

The concept of marriage is trade in which the would-be wife is bartered which involves a huge sum of money or property. Some international conventions and conference were organized to discuss the issues concerning the woman and to define the laws, which could safeguard her rights. However, Islam has honored the woman by protecting her from being exploited as a commercial commodity.

Islam has viewed her as comparatively a weaker gender, who needs all protection either under the parents’ custody or in her husband’s house after marriage. She should be given all the care from her childhood, youth and until she attains the old age. Utmost care also should be given to her whether she is poor or rich, healthy or sick. The man whether he is father, brother or a husband should protect woman and always make her happy. These are the general guidelines stating clearly the status of the woman in Islam concerning her chastity, maintenance, love, affection, compassion, care and protection. If cases of maltreatment of woman are reported from Muslim or Islam countries, it is because of personal ignorance or disobeying the teachings of Islam.

It has already been elaborated in detail about what Islamic teachings say about the rights of woman. It is a different matter if certain countries or person(s) do implement the Divine Laws into daily affairs of their lives. However, it is up to the country or a person(s) if they commit evildoing or misbehavior with woman by ignoring the teachings of Islam. Islam, a religion of Allah is far free from any deficiencies.

 As it is said it is never too late than never: if a man can rectify his mistakes by eventually following the teachings of Islam and strictly adhering to the Divine Laws as well. In the contemporary civilizations and cultures, the real meaning of the status of woman as portrayed in Islam is yet to be propagated in its right perspective. The misconception about Islam in those societies that they regard the Islamic concept of veil for women, which intended to protect her dignity from the lustful eyes of man, as backwardness and intransigence. They regard the women to be a doll or mannequin, who would be an object of amusement for everyone and that is the secret of happiness of the women. In fact, they failed to comprehend that such an attitude toward women is the reason for her falling in depression, sense of insecurity and discontentment.

 All these contribute only to the breach of her personality, the beauty of her inner soul and the outward appearance. How can one correlate the modern scientific development with that of nudity of woman? Is there any relation between the man’s progress and decreasing size of her dress, which clearly exposes her thighs and bosom? Does this practice of wearing of short, tight-fitting and transparent dresses by women form part of their educational curriculum? Just think what kind of honor a woman arouses in the minds of the viewers through her appearance in advertisements displaying close-up, sometimes semi-nude to nude looks.

The old age of woman is just another factual example that proves how that society exploits only the young woman for her charms merely as a commodity. As her charms and physical beauty decline because of the old age, they are discarded just like any other useless object or a commodity.

It is also thought provoking for those who ponder that what is the status of those women who are not as charming or beautiful in such civilizations. How could they treat with the aged women, who would be their mothers, grandmother or any similar old ladies? This is the reason why old women are dumped in refugee camps, charitable shelter houses, infirmary and nursing homes.

 This also serves as an answer for the questions raised as nobody is seen visiting these old ladies even to inquire about their well being. The source of income is sometimes their pension fund, which they spend to feed themselves. What a pity these old ladies enjoy no place in the hearts of those who were once so dear to them. Now they neither have any family ties or friends to express them a few words of kindness and benevolence. Compare this situation with what Islam says.

 In Islam, the more aged a woman becomes the more respect she enjoys in the Muslim society. She entertains an increasing respect and honor. Her children and relatives yearn to show respect to the elderly women, realizing that the aged mother or a grandmother has already fulfilled their obligation when they were young. Now in return they deserve respect and care from their children, grandchildren, household and the society at large.

Coming back to clarify the misconception that wearing veil by woman is a sign of backwardness. In fact, the veil brings honors to a woman and upholds her dignity in the society. It saves her from the lustful gaze of some men. Look at those societies where the women wear no cloaks led to the sleaze, promiscuity and ultimately stoops the human character to live like animals.

 Only a rough observation will reveal that in other civilizations, which claimed to have achieved modern development the women are cutting the size of their dress exposing themselves almost naked, which only contributes to immorality. This could particularly referred to the Western civilization where the moral of the society is at a decline systematically mainly because of the deterioration in the status of women.

Therefore, the women are exposing themselves to the extent of total nudity reflecting a common trend in the society. This has occurred as a consequence of post World War I, spreading the attitude drastically in the recent years. However, Islam has clearly explained the status of the Muslim society for maintaining decency, no matter of any period or consequence. Islam has also made it clear to man that a person adopt a vagrant because of his/her remoteness from Islam.

From the above discussion, we have already understood comprehensively the significance and magnificence of Islam highlighting its different aspects including practice, moderation as well as its application in the daily lives and dire need on the part of human being to adhere the teachings of Islam. Based on this a series of questions arise, which are summarized as follows:-

 Despite the fact that Islamic teachings contain significance, magnificence and moderation, what does stop the Muslims, the followers of Islam from being in the forefront of other nations at this time? Why do most of the followers of Islam remain far away from practicing justice, equity, and equality, as commanded in their religion? What is the correct view as regards to an accusation that Islam promotes terrorism and extremism? To answer these questions, we have to look at different angles as mentioned below:-

(i) To achieve supremacy among other nations one is required to be dedicated, subservient and practicing. Unfortunately, the Muslims in the contemporary world do not fully comply with the teachings of Islam. Hence they do not reflect or represent the real of Islam. However, it is highly probable for the non-Muslims to assume and misunderstand Islam if they merely look at the deviated behavior of the followers of Islam.

 Nevertheless, the world has also witnessed the Muslims, who adhered to the Islamic teachings in the right perspective as a ruling power, who have come out of ignominy and disgrace, disunity and disintegration, poverty and indigence. However, it is strongly advisable for those who sincerely wished to study the Islamic teachings and what this universal religion preaches he/she should look for the true divine sources such as the Book of Allah (Qur’an) and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

It is also desirable of such person(s) to closely study the lives of those Righteous Predecessors of the Muslim Ummah – the Companions of the Prophet and their true followers from among the earlier Muslim generation. Looking for other source of learning about true Islam, one should also refer to the authentic books on Islam, written by renowned Muslim scholars.

Therefore, it is only after a comprehensive study people can reach to a conclusion in determining the true concept of Islam. They would come to know that Islam encourages everything that is righteous and made for the benefit of man, which ultimately lead to his well being in this life and the Hereafter. Islam is the only religion on earth, which makes it compulsory for the human being to search for knowledge. Also, it calls them to strengthen their relationship among one another with a resolve and determination to stay integrated.

 Meanwhile, it is wrong to label Islam as a religion that promotes terrorism or extremism based on the activities of certain deviated Muslims, no matter of their number either big or small. Islam is a comprehensive religion in terms of every aspect of human life. Similarly, it is also incorrect to view Islam as a deficient or imperfect religion because of the extremist behavior of a group of Muslims. In fact, the literal meaning of the word ‘Islam’ is peace.

Therefore, Islam promotes only the peace among its followers and not hatred or terrorism. Those who deviate from the Straight Path of Islam will have to face the consequences. This is because Islam has never ordained them to follow a path of divergence. Rather, Islam has prohibited them against going astray and leaving the straight path or to violate its teachings based truth only. Therefore, it is incumbent on those to look at the pious and righteous Muslims who follow the true guidance of Islam and implement it in its right perspective upon himself and on others. Verily, the true Islamic teachings as adhered by the righteous will definitely illuminate the hearts with esteem, veneration and gravity oneself and other.

It is worth mentioning here that the Islamic teaching has no discrimination, whatsoever, except a plain revelation of divine guidance encouraging men both major or minor in their status to adhere to it without innovation. Similarly, the evildoing or a malicious act has no place in Islam, unless a deterrent and an exemplary punishment to warn others to shun the criminal behavior.

 The followers of Islam, who honor every sign of this religion, would be regarded in the highest level of noble morality and manners. They will discipline themselves with the best sanctity and an utmost conduct, which will be witnessed by both people who are close to them and distant, supporters of Islam or its critics with honor and dignity. As for looking at Muslim, who have been misusing the religion of Islam extravagantly and becoming derailed from the Straight Path are not of those from just and moderate. Rather, the acts, which are done in the name of Islam and such an attitude, would affect the religion negatively bringing bad image.

(ii) The reason why Muslims are backward is that they left the Islamic teachings. Had they been adhered to the teachings of Islam in the right perspective they would never fall back from the caravan of civilization and disintegration. In fact, such Muslims had neglected the role they were reminded of performing in Islam. Moreover, Islam is the religion of progress, development, growth and improvement. The world has witnessed during the centuries that when Muslims adhered strictly to the religion they have spread the true values of Islam – its wisdom, justice and knowledge. Did not the progress in the field of industry and other discoveries of nations of the world based on the science that Muslims discovered after the Crusade war?

 Weren’t these nations centuries ago in Dark Age of history and in utmost ignorance and savagery? Weren’t the supreme Muslim leaders with their ruling prowess governed over other nations? Wasn’t the city of Islam presented the real status of a bright city, filled with religion, justice and mercy?

Wasn’t such a city inclusive of clemency and benevolence improved the lot of every people even its dissenters, the great enemies? Did the true religion of Islam really cause Muslims for their backwardness? Did it prevent them from the real progress and development? Did the disbelief in Allah cause non-Muslims for any special advantage throughout the centuries? Didn’t they feel disgraced and humiliated? When Muslims started loosening their grip on the rope of Allah and they stoop so low which followed their disintegration and destruction.

On the other hand, financial gains or materialistic progress and development are not everything in life. It is essential to enrich one’s own soul based on true religious teachings, which sanctify the spirit and heart, and helps to build up noble character. When the disbelievers progressed in their materialistic life including science and technology neglecting the spiritual angle, they stumbled and strayed falling in pride.

Did the material supremacy help to avail them of being savior? Didn’t their civilization establish influence over other weaker nations based on injustice and oppression, cupidity and avarice, despotism and tyranny, enslavement and subjugation, as well as predominance? Didn’t the treachery, stealing, suicide, and killings spread in their community as well as increase in the psychological disorder and sexual diseases? A merely soul searching will provide evidence that the material and financial gains would harm the people if they abandon the Islamic guidance. Islamic teaching is the only way out to achieve sanctity and peace of mind.

(iii) The claim that Islam a religion that promotes extremism or terrorism is categorically rejected and refuted. Such an accusation is fabricated and based on prejudice against Islam. Islam signifies peace, which is a religion of mercy, compassion and tolerance. Muslims unsheathe their sword and wage jihad, a holy war for the Cause of Allah. This action is nothing but an apparatus of an honest doctor, who uses it to operate on an ailing organ of his patient’s body to cure its disease.

 The ultimate goal of jihad in Islam is not aimed at spilling the blood and destruction but the supreme purpose is to elevate the Divine Words of Allah and rescue the humanity from oppression and suppression. It is also meant to bring people to worship their Lord in the right perspective after they receive true guidance and lead a happy and prosperous life. Muslim nation (Ummah) has emerged to be the best community, which should be the living model for the entire humanity.

They strive and fight in the Way of Allah and exert efforts successfully to spread His message. Whenever they conquered, they always showed mercy for others. Moreover, when they ruled over other nations they acted justly. Freedom of thought prevailed and the wisdom overcome after it was totally depleted. A peep into the history revealed that how nations were living in the Dark Age with deception when a bright light (Islam) emerged illuminating the night sky, even a blind person has seen its guidance.

 Since then, the people thrived living in prosperity and honor. What was the behavior of Muslims when they conquered against their foes? Were they arrogant and ruled the nation with tyranny, breaching all norms of ethics? Did they kill the old men, women and children, as rulers?

 What did the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) do when he conquered over his foes, who annoyed him by harming and hurting? Hasn’t he pardoned them? Hasn’t he blessed them by granting war booties and other amounts? What the Muslims did when they conquered the Caesar and Khosrau? Did they deal treacherously or fraudulently? Did they attack women?

Did they cause blasphemy to the monks in the monastery? Did they spread corruption on earth? Did they demolish houses or cut trees? What did Salah Ad-Din Al-Ayyubi do when he conquered crusaders, who committed numerous cruelties and tortures against Muslims? Hadn’t he pardoned the commander of the enemy? Hadn’t he extended medical treatment to the ailing enemy commander? Hadn’t he freed the prisoners of war? These are the only few bold and noble gestures the Muslims had showed to the non-Muslims, though the Islamic history is filled with several other similar noble acts when the Muslims commanded influence.

However, the Islam was spread only through preaching the word of Allah. The non-Muslims embraced Islam with firm conviction after they were convinced of the true message of Allah. Did the non-Muslims in the contemporary world ever deal like this? Did the West exemplify such a behavior? The answer is obvious as you read in the history books.

 How did Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, Stalin and other war criminals escape? Hasn’t the Europe facilitated the safe passage to escape such criminals and their ilk, which have massacred millions of human beings and caused them endless physical and mental tortures? Hadn’t these people regarded as being the well protectors of European civilization?

If this was the case, then who were the real perpetrators, the barbarians, oppressors and tyrants? Who are the real terrorists and extremists? Who is producing weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs, cluster bombs, atomic bombs, germ and or bacteriological warfare arms and ammunitions?

 Who is polluting the air and the world environment by dumping wastes in the rivers and lands, etc.? Who is accessing the world through corrupted ways, which will lead to nowhere but an unjust and unfair goal? What is the cause of women to suffer from infertility? Who is stealing the wealth of the public and their freedom? Who is spreading the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)? Isn’t it the West and those following their pathway? Who is backing up the Zionists while they commit every act of terrorism and extremism? Nothing is hidden from the very eyes of the world.

This is the plain truth, which explains obviously who is terrorist and controls the lives of innocent with unjust predominance. Muslims wage Jihad to fulfill the real truth and eliminate the falsehood. They wage Jihad to defend their religion, souls and the land and country forcibly occupied by terrorists and extremists. Muslims’ struggle is based on truth, justice and equality.

What some of the so-called Muslim groups committing acts are serious mistakes based misconduct and poor wisdom. But such groups are comparatively in very few in numbers. Nevertheless, the policies of the West are discriminatory and inhumane. Although the wrongdoing by such Muslim minorities is due to own shortsightedness, no one could blame either the religion of Islam or the members of the majority of Muslims.

 This might be justified for sometime, though some unbelievers also have committed the same as some Muslim groups did responding with the same manners. It is wise on both parties to limit their blame restricting it the real perpetrators without generalizing, as in every community there are good people and bad people.

This is how every right thinking person and the moderate intellectual should respond while addressing the issue. Their statement should be issued in a manner aimed at defusing the tension and preserve sanctity of human life rejecting injustice, corruption, and shortsightedness.

 After finding these facts one would wonder and astonish thinking how the Europeans and the Americans never exerted any efforts to discover the real image and truth of Islam. However, Islam would be the major element of their investigation, which they knew guarantees the ultimate happiness.

 Are they really ignorant or turning a blind eye about the real image of Islam? Plainly speaking, as we have already mentioned about Islam that it is the religion of great magnificence and that it is the only way to achieve eternal salvation from Allah, the Almighty. Therefore, it is essential upon everyone to embrace Islam. This is an invitation to you. A sincere invitation that calls upon you to embrace Islam. You may inquire how to enter in the fold of Islam. In fact, every human being is born as Muslim. However, it is a natural inclination for those who after growing up in different religions to study Islam and finally embrace it.

You should know that every newborn child is created on the face of earth accepting the natural religion of Islam. On the other hand, every newborn baby coming in this world admit that his/her Lord is Allah, love Him while submitting to Him Alone. If a person continues to insist on this natural inclination of Islam, he/she is a Muslim by nature. They are not required to renew their faith of Islam. But after reaching the age of puberty or maturity they have to incorporate their faith by practicing the true teachings of Islam.

As for the faith of children raised between the non-Muslim parents and if that baby accepts the faith of his/her parents’ false religion other than Islam, he/she must abandon the previous religion and embrace Islam. He/she must bear witness to the testimony of faith by declaring that ‘La ilaha illa-Allah Muhammad-un-Rasul-u-Allah’, (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).

 Thereafter, he/she should start learning the very basic concepts and signs of Islam such as establishing the regular prayers and invocation to Allah alone, etc as we have mentioned earlier. Our final prayer is: All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the whole universe. Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family members, and Companions, as well as upon those who follow them until the Day of Judgment..