suratul 'ikhlas'

Surat Al-'Ikhlāş (The Sincerity) - سورة الإخلاص

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

112:1

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Sahih International

Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One,

112:2

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Sahih International

Allah , the Eternal Refuge.

112:3

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Sahih International

He neither begets nor is born,

112:4

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Sahih International

Nor is there to Him any equivalent."

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child birth

Child Birth and Pregnancy in the Quran and Hadith

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily! We have created you (i.e. Adam) from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge i.e. offspring of Adam), then from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) then from a little lump of flesh, some formed and some unformed (miscarriage), that We may make (it) clear to you (i.e. to show you Our Power and Ability to do what We will). And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as infants, then (give you growth) that you may reach your age of full strength. And among you there is he who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth).” (Quran – Al-Hajj:5)

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.” (Quran – Luqman:14)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “No child is born but has the Islamic Faith, but its parents turn it into a Jew or a Christian…”

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AZAAN ,( THE MIRACLE OF AZAAN)

THE MIRACLE OF AZAAN

Amazing as it sounds, but fortunately, for the Muslims of the world, it is an established fact.

Have a look at a map of the world

And you will find Indonesia on the eastern side of the earth. The major cities of Indonesia are Java, Sumatra , Borneo and Saibil. As soon as dawn breaks on the eastern side of Saibil, at approximately 5:30 am local time, Fajar Azaan begins. Thousands of Muazzins in Indonesia begin reciting the Azaan. The process advances towards West Indonesia . One and a half hours after the Azaan has been completed in Saibil, it echoes in Jakarta .. Sumatra then follows suit and before this auspicious process of calling Azaan ends in Indonesia, it has already begun in Malaysia ..

Burma is next in line, and within an hour of its beginning in Jakarta, it reaches Dacca, the capital city of Bangladesh . After Bangladesh , it has already prevailed in western India , from Calcutta to Srinagar. It then advances towards Bombay and the environment of entire India resounds with this proclamation. Srinagar and Sialkot (a north city in Pakistan ) have the same timing for Azaan. The time difference between Sialkot , Quetta , and Karachi is forty minutes, and within this time, Fajar Azaan is heard throughout Pakistan, before it ends there, it has already begun in Afghanistan and Muscat.

The time difference between Muscat and Baghdad is one hour. Azaan resounds during this one hour in the environments of Hijaaz-e-Muqaddas (Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah), Yemen , United Arab Emirates , Kuwait and Iraq.

The time difference between Baghdad and Alexandria in Egypt is again one hour. Azaan continues to resound in Syria, Egypt, Somalia and Sudan during this hour. The time difference between eastern and western Turkey is one and a half hours, and during this Alexandria and Tripoli (capital of Libya ) are located at one hour's difference. The process of calling Azaan thus continues throughout the whole of Africa . Therefore, the proclamation of the Tawheed" and "Risaalat" that had begun in Indonesia reaches the Eastern Shore of the Atlantic Ocean after nine and half hours.

Prior to the Aazaan reaching the shores of the Atlantic , the process of "Zohar Azaan" has already started in east Indonesia , and before it reaches Dacca , Asr Azaan" has started. This has hardly reached Jakarta one and half hours later, the time of "Maghrib" becomes due, and no sooner has "Maghrib" time reached Sumatra , the time for calling "Isha Aazaan" has commenced in Saibil! When the Muazzins of Indonesia are calling out "Fajar Azaan", the African Muazzins are calling the Azaan for Isha.

If we were to ponder over this phenomenon thoughtfully, we would conclude the amazing fact that there is not even a single moment when hundreds of thousands of Muazzins around the world are not reciting the Azaan on the surface of this earth. SUBHANALLAH !!!

Even as you read this material right now, you can be sure the Azaan is being called out somewhere !

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1

Love of God brings about the best in the individual whose actions benefit those around. Out of love for God the Muslim will do everything, from waking moment to sleep, courageously battling lower desires to please her/his lord.  Love for God in Islam - The Highest Attribute of Spiritual Attainment        ShareThis In Islam fear of God, obedience to God and sacrificing for God's cause are stages (that should be maintained) on the spiritual path to something better; love for God. There are many reasons people become Muslim. Among those reasons are feelings of the need to be a part of something better than what they have, believing that Islam holds more truth than other beliefs, or rejecting something once believed. Attributes that are obtained by the Muslim are fear of God, and love for God. The last being the highest reason to worship. Yet obtaining Love for God is a process. It is something to be achieved. One does not simply wake up loving God. But once love of God is had it is like no other type of love that has been experienced. Those Who Love God Love of God causes one to enjoy life more fully. It causes the Muslim to realize that God is the only non-changing reality. He is the Sure Reality and Truth (al-haqq). "Yet there are men who take (for worship) others besides Allah, as equal (with Allah): They love them as they should love Allah. But those of Faith are overflowing in their love for Allah." (Quran 2:165) Hence, faith is first mentioned as a necessary component of achieving Love for God. It is misplaced when feelings for created things, or beings, causes a diversion from focusing on the Conscious Reality that created all. The Conscious Reality that sustains all. Faith is the decision of the believer to worship that which is unseen and unseeable in this life. Developing Love for God Developing love for God begins with the study of the divine. Science now tells us that there is a component in the brain that creates within humans the desire to believe in a higher power. When we intentionally work to develop that part of our being, new paths are created and opened within the person. The Muslim begins to feel the need to worship (Ibadda), pray (salat), and remember (Dhikr - a form of meditation) God. God begins to take precedence overthe Muslim's life. She/He begins to look on God with reverence and becomes a seeker on the path after God's Greatness. "Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of Allah,: that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limit set by Allah;- (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers". (Quran 9:112) Attributes of Those Who Love God Love of God brings about the best in the individual whose actions benefit those around. Out of love for God the Muslim will do everything, from waking moment to sleep, courageously battling lower desires to please her/his lord. Sacrificing what she/he is in possession of for the sake of the Beloved. "It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing." (Quran 2:177) Example of One Who Loves God God rewards those who work to develop love for Him and who yearn for their meeting with Him. The Quran gives an example of one who strives and struggles through life while awaiting the final meeting with God. One who struggles to deal with the twist and turns that daily life presents. One who strives to keep his family intact while increasing their spiritual growth. In the Father of John (Yahya) the Baptist there is the following example of one pleading to his Lord out of Love in the midst of affliction and adversity. So We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's (Barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us. (Quran 21:90) When afflicted with pain, sorrow, and adversity, the Muslim turns to God with Love.

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right way of islam

Avoid Ten Ways That Nullify Islam (Nawaaqid-ul-Islaam}

  All praise is due to Allah Alone. Peace and blessings be upon the Last Prophet, his family, Companions and those who follow his guidance.

A Muslim should know that Allah (may He be Praised) enjoins all the creation to embrace Islam, hold it firmly and avoid what contradicts it. Allah sent His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to call for that, informing them that whoever follows him will be guided and whoever turns away from him will be misguided. In many Ayahs (Qur’anic verses), Allah warned people against causes of apostasy and all forms of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and Kufr (disbelief). Under the topic of the rulings of the apostate, scholars (may Allah be merciful with them) mentioned that a Muslim may abandon Islam by committing one of the nullifiers that make his blood and money violable and turn him out of the fold of Islam. The most dangerous and common ten nullifiers are mentioned by Shaykh and Imam Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhab and other scholars (may Allah be merciful with them). Here we will list them in brief so that a Muslim can keep away from them and warn people against them in hope for safety and wellbeing. We will briefly elaborate on them.

First: Shirk in the worship of Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills He (Exalted be He) also says: Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers. This includes invoking the dead and seeking relief, vowing or offering sacrifice for them.

Second: Whoever takes intermediaries between him and Allah, invokes, and asks them for intercession with Allah and puts his trust in them has committed Kufr (disbelief) according to the Ijma` (consensus) of scholars.

Third: Whoever does not hold the polytheists to be disbelievers, has doubts about their disbelief or considers their ways and beliefs to be correct has committed disbelief.

Fourth: Whoever believes that some guidance other than that of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is more complete than his guidance or that someone else’s judgment is better than his judgment, such as those who prefer the judgment of the Taghut (false gods) over his judgment, then he is a disbeliever.

Fifth: Whoever hates something that the Messenger (peace be upon him) came with, even though he may act on it, has disbelieved. Allah (Exalted be He) says: That is because they hate that which Allâh has sent down (this Qur’ân and Islâmic laws, etc.); so He has made their deeds fruitless.

Sixth: Whoever mocks or ridicules any part of the Messenger’s religion, its rewards or punishments has committed an act of disbelief. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Say: “Was it at Allâh (عز وجل), and His Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations) and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that you were mocking?” Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed.

Seventh: Sorcery, which includes magic spells that cause a person to hate or love someone/something. Whoever practices it or is pleased with it commits disbelief. The proof for this is the saying of Allah (Exalted be He): but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).”

Eighth: Supporting and assisting the polytheists against the Muslims. The proof for this is the saying of Allah (Exalted be He): And if any amongst you takes them as Auliyâ’, then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allâh guides not those people who are the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers and unjust).

Ninth: Whoever believes that it is permitted for some people to be free of (implementing) the Shari`ah (Islamic law) brought with Muhammad (peace be upon him), then he is a disbeliever. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.

Tenth: Turning away from Allah’s religion, not learning it or implementing it (is an act of disbelief). The proof for this statement is the saying of Allah: And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, then turns aside therefrom? Verily, We shall exact retribution from the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners).

There is no difference in committing these nullifiers between the utters them in humor, seriously, or even out of fear except for a person who says them under coercion. All of these (ten) matters are the gravest nullifiers that most often occur. A Muslim must beware of and keep away from these acts. We seek refuge with Allah from the things that entail His anger and severe punishment. May Allah’s Peace be upon the best of His Creation Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

The Fourth Nullifier includes those who believe that man-made laws and constitutions are better than the Shari`ah of Islam, equal to it, or that it is permissible to resort to them for judgment even if he believes that the judgment of Shari`ah is better. Likewise, whoever believes that it is not correct to implement the Laws of Islam in the twentieth century, that this is a cause for the fall of Muslims, or that it is limited to relationship between the servant and his Lord and should not interfere in the other affairs of life. The fourth category also includes those who hold that carrying out Allah’s laws, such as cutting off the hand of a thief or stoning a guilty adulterer is not befitting for this modern era. This category includes those who believe that it is permissible to rule by something other than the Laws of Allah (Shari’ah) in matters of transactions, Hudud (prescribed penalties) and so on, even if he does not believe that it is better than ruling by the Shari`ah. This is because, by doing that, he makes lawful that which Allah forbade, according to the consensus of scholars. Similarly, whoever makes lawful that which Allah has prohibited and this prohibition is indisputably established, such as adultery, Khamr (intoxicant), Riba (usury/interest) and ruling by anything other than the Shari`ah, then he is a disbeliever according to the consensus of Muslim scholars.

May Allah guide all of us to what pleases Him. May Allah guide us and all Muslims to His straight path! He is All-Hearer, Ever Near. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

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ayatal kursi

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Friday, May 24, 2013

Aayat al-Kursi - The Greatest Verse in the Qur'an

Every Muslim child, from the time he or she is old enough to recite and memorize the adhkaar, the first duaa they are taught would probably be Aayat al-Kursi. It certainly was the case with me. I was diligently taught to recite the Kursi at bedtime, after the Salah and whenever I felt scared. 

It was only when I grew up that I began to wonder what exactly was so special about this dua. I was taught it was very powerful, but I never knew why this particular verse was selected out. So if there's anyone else who's wondering like I used to, here is a brief summary about the virtues of Aayat al-Kursi - The Greatest Verse in the Qur'an.

Aayat al-Kursi is the greatest verse in the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic because it contains the three categories of Tawheed - ruboobiyyah, uloohiyyah, and asmaa' was-sifaat. Allaah gathered them all in this verse, using negation and affirmation, where he negates shortcomings and deficiencies for Himself, and affirms completeness and perfection for Himself, Most Glorified and Exalted.

• In the first part of the verse is the mention of tawheed al-uloohiyyah.

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ  

(Allaah! None has the right to be worshiped but He)

This establishes the principle of uloohiyyah, which is itself the foundation of Tawheed, and from which stems Islam's attitude to life in general. This principle obliges us to be worshipers of none but Allaah. Man should direct his service, worship and obedience to Him alone, adjudicate only by His laws and derive his values, ethics and ideas only from Allaah.

• Then Allaah mentions tawheed al-asmaa' was-sifaat

 الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ

(The Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists)

Al-Hayy ul-Qayyoom - “The Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists", confirms two of Allaah's great Names. This affirms for Allaah the attribute of life and that He sustains others.

Al-Hayy - The Ever-Living is He who has a continuous life with no beginning or end. Allaah is ascribed with a life that is self-sustaining. It has no external source, unlike the lives of creatures that have been granted to them by the Creator. As He was, together with His Attributes, before all else, so shall He remain throughout endless time.  

Al-Qayyoom - The One Who sustains and protects all that exists. It is He who sustains the lives of creation and manages all the conditions of the universe. He oversees everything: provides for it, preserves it, watches over it, manages it in the way and for the purpose that He pleases.

These two Names "the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists" are among the greatest of Allaah's Beautiful Names. Upon them, the rest of His Names are based and around them all their meanings revolve. Allaah’s being Alive requires all attributes of perfection, because any lacking of an attribute of perfection originates from the weakness of life. Therefore, if Allaah has perfect life, He necessarily has all perfection. 

The attribute of "the One Who sustains and protects all that exists" incorporates His perfect self-sufficiency and His perfect omnipotence. He does not need help from anybody in any way, and every creature depends on Allaah's existence and management. 

These two Names have a great effect on the life of every Muslim who believes in them and comprehends their meanings. His conscience becomes constantly aware of Allaah, in worship, love and obedience; for he knows that his Lord sustains his own life and the entire universe, in accordance with His Wisdom and plan. The servant thus adheres to the system Allaah designed for his life, Islam, from which he derives his values and criteria and seeks guidance for his actions in all circumstances. 

• Then Allaah says,

لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ

(Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him)

This is a negation and a reiteration of the fact that Allaah is the Sustainer of everything. Slumber and sleep contradict the quality of complete and perfect life and the attribute of the Self-Subsisting because sleep is only required of the creature who gets tired and needs rejuvenation and rest. 

• In the fourth part, Allaah mentions tawheed ar-ruboobiyyah,

لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْض

(To Him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth)

This is an affirmation of His Ruboobiyyah, that He owns the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.

Allah enjoys an unfettered and absolute authority over His possessions, which He shares with no other being. Belief in those facts, once it takes root in the heart, has an immensely beneficial effect on a believer's life. 

• Then Allaah says,

مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ

(Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission?)

This is a negation. Allaah negates that anyone could intercede without His Permission, due to His complete Greatness, may He be Glorified and Exalted. No one could possibly intercede with Him, except after He allows them.

This also makes clear the status of Lordship (Ar-Ruboobiyyah) and worship. Every human being is a servant of Allaah. He does not exceed the boundaries of that status and therefore cannot intercede with Allaah without His permission. Our faith (‘aqeedah) thus makes a clear distinction between the nature of the Supreme Creator and His worshipers. They neither mingle nor do they have a single characteristic in common. 

None can intercede except by Allaah’s Permission: His Leave is universal. Even Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم who has the greatest rank with Allaah cannot intercede except with the prior leave from Allaah. He will be granted this permission after he صلى الله عليه وسلم prostrates before Allaah and praises Him with the great praises and glorification which Allaah guides him to it on that Day.Then it will be said: Raise your head and speak; you will be listened to, intercede and your intercession will be accepted. [Sahih Al-Bukhari : Vol. 06, No. 03 and No. 236.]

• Then Allaah says: 

 يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ

(He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, 

and what Will happen to them in the Hereafter) 

This is an affirmation establishing the complete Knowledge of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, the One who knows everything from the affairs of the past, present, and future. Nothing is hidden from Him, as His Knowledge is vast and encompasses everything. This is a confirmation that His knowledge encompasses all time and place and things. 

• Then Allaah says: 

وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ 

(And they will never encompass anything of His knowledge except that which He wills)

This is a negation. Allaah nullifies the idea that His Creation could gain some of His Knowledge without Him giving them access to it. So if He does not allow them to have knowledge of something, then it is considered ghayb (unseen), and no one knows the ghayb except Allaah.

It is also a reference to the weaknesses of human beings and the limitations of their knowledge which does not exceed that which Allaah wishes them to know. A Muslim's awareness of this fact makes him ever-conscious of his Lord, mindful of the limits of behavior and conduct He has set, and quick in turning to Allaah in gratitude and repentance. It also makes him avoid arrogance and self-satisfaction. 

• Then Allaah says, 

وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ

(His Kursi (footstool) extends over the heavens and the earth)

The Kursi is a created thing from Allaah's Creation, and indeed it is a great creation! The heavens and the earth in relationship to the Kursi are like seven coins tossed into am open plain of earth, or like seven coins tossed onto a large plate. What would seven small coins look like in this situation? So Allaah's Kursi is bigger than the heavens and the earth. 

His Kursi is not His Throne, as these are two separate things. The Throne is even greater than the Kursi.

And the Kursee is nothing in comparison to the Throne, except like an iron ring tossed into a spacious plain of earth. So if the Kurs is like this, then what about the Throne of Ar-Rahmaan, Most Glorified and Exalted?!

Therefore, all of the creation in relationship to Allaah is very very small and nothing in comparison to Him. If only one thing from Allaah's Creation, the Kursi, is bigger than the heavens and the earth, but still smaller than the Throne, then Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, is greater than everything.

• Then Allaah says,

وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا

(and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them)

This is a negation, meaning that nothing is difficult or burdensome on Him, Most Glorified. Protecting and preserving the heavens and the earth from corruption and distortion does not tire Him, nor does His holding them in place cause Him any fatigue

And Allaah the Glorified is not in need of the heavens nor the earth, nor the Throne nor the Kursi, nor is He is need of anything from the things He created. It is the creation that is in dire need of Him, the Most Glorified and Exalted.

• Allaah then concluded this great verse by mentioning two of His beautiful Names: 

وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

(And He is the Most High, the Most Great) 

Al-‘Alyy [The Most High] means that He is High and Exalted above His creation. No one transgresses by trying to rise to His status without being reduced to humiliation in this world and disgraced with punishment in the Hereafter. 

Al-‘Atheem [The Most Great] means that all greatness is Allaah's, and that nothing is of equal status with Him, but everything is below Him. When man becomes aware of Allaah's greatness and Exaltation, he realizes his own worth and settles in the station of worship of his Lord. He does not transgress against Allaah's bounds, but fears Him, obeys His commands, and rectifies his conduct towards Him and towards His creation. 

******

These then are some of the facets of the greatness of this verse. Each Muslim should learn it by heart, contemplate its meanings and recite it often. There are many Ahadith relating to its excellence and merits. 

One is a long hadith narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه in which the Prophet  صلى الله عليه وسلم was reported to have said to him: 

"When you go to your bed, you should recite Aayatul-Kursi from the beginning to the end, by reciting it there will be posted a guardian over you from Allaah who will protect you during the whole night and the devil will not be able to come near you till morning." [Al-Bukhaari]

And on the authority of Ubayy Ibn Ka’b رضي الله عنه who reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: 

"Abul-Mundhir! Do you know which verse of Allah’s Book is the greatest?" Ubayy رضي الله عنه replied: "Allah and His Messenger know best". The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then asked "Abul Mundhir! Do you know which verse of Allah's Book is the greatest?"

Ubayy Ibn Ka'b رضي الله عنه said: "Allah! Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him." 

Thereupon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم struck me on the chest and said: "Felicitation on your knowledge, O Abul-Mundhir."  [Muslim]

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The Need for Revelation

The Big Questions (part 3 of 3): The Need for Revelation

Description: Islamic answers to the second of some of the “Big Questions” in Life all humans inevitably ask, How do we serve Our Creator? By Laurence B.  Brown, MDPublished on 19 Mar 2007 - Last modified on 22 Feb 2009 Viewed: 19849 (daily average: 8) - Rating: 4.5 out of 5 - Rated by: 15 Printed: 1156 - Emailed: 48 - Commented on: 3 Category: Articles > Beliefs of Islam > The Purpose of Life

In the previous two parts of this series, we answered the two “big questions.”  Who made us?  God.  Why are we here?  To serve and worship Him.  A third question naturally arose: “If our Creator made us to serve and worship Him, how do we do that?” In the previous article I suggested that the only way we can serve our Creator is through obeying His mandates, as conveyed through revelation. But many people would question my assertion: Why does mankind need revelation?  Isn’t it enough just to be good?  Isn’t it enough for each of us to worship God in our own way? Regarding the need for revelation, I would make the following points: In the first article of this series I pointed out that life is full of injustices, but our Creator is fair and just and He establishes justice not in this life, but in the afterlife.  However, justice cannot be established without four things—a court (i.e., the Day of Judgment); a judge (i.e., the Creator); witnesses (i.e., men and women, angels, elements of creation); and a book of laws upon which to judge(i.e., revelation).  Now, how can our Creator establish justice if He did not hold humankind to certain laws during their livetimes?  It’s not possible.  In that scenario, instead of justice, God would be dealing out injustice, for He would be punishing people for transgressions they had no way of knowing were crimes. Why else do we need revelation?  To begin with, without guidance mankind cannot even agree on social and economic issues, politics, laws, etc.  So how can we ever agree on God?  Secondly, nobody writes the user manual better than the one who made the product.  God is the Creator, we are creation, and nobody knows the overall scheme of creation better than the Creator.  Are employees allowed to design their own job descriptions, duties and compensation packages as they see fit?  Are we citizens allowed to write our own laws?  No?  Well then, why should we be allowed to write our own religions?  If history has taught us anything, it is the tragedies that result when mankind follows its caprice.  How many who have claimed to banner of free thought have designed religions that committed themselves and their followers to nightmares on Earth and damnation in the hereafter? So why isn’t it enough just to be good?  And why isn’t it enough for each of us to worship God in our own way?  To begin with, peoples’ definitions of “good” differ.  For some it is high morals and clean living, for others it is madness and mayhem.  Similarly, concepts of how to serve and worship our Creator differ as well.  More importantly and to the point, nobody can walk into a store or a restaurant and pay with a different currency than the merchant accepts.  So it is with religion.  If people want God to accept their servitude and worship, they have to pay in the currency God demands.  And that currency is obedience to His revelation. Imagine raising children in a home in which you have established “house rules.” Then, one day, one of your children tells you he or she has changed the rules, and is going to do things differently.  How would you respond?  More than likely, with the words, “You can take your new rules and go to Hell!” Well, think about it.  We are God’s creation, living in His universe under His rules, and “go to Hell” is very likely what God will say to any who presume to override His laws with their own. Sincerity becomes an issue at this point.  We should recognize that all pleasure is a gift from our Creator, and deserving of thanks.  If given a gift, who uses the gift before giving thanks?  And yet, many of us enjoy God’s gifts for a lifetime and never give thanks.  Or give it late.  The English poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, spoke of the irony of the distressed human appeal in The Cry of the Human: And lips say “God be pitiful,” Who ne’er said, “God be praised.” Should we not show good manners and thank our Creator for His gifts now, and subsequently for the rest of our lives?  Don’t we owe Him that? You answered “Yes.” You must have.  Nobody will have read this far without being in agreement, but here’s the problem: Many of you answered “Yes,” knowing full well that your heart and mind does not wholly agree with the religions of your exposure.  You agree we were created by a Creator.  You struggle to understand Him.  And you yearn to serve and worship Him in the manner He prescribes.  But you don’t know how, and you don’t know where to look for the answers.  And that, unfortunately, is not a subject that can be answered in an article.  Unfortunately, that has to be addressed in a book, or maybe even in a series of books. The good news is that I have written these books.  I invite you to start with The Eighth Scroll.  If you’ve liked what I’ve written here, you’ll love what I’ve written there. Copyright © 2007 Dr.  Laurence B.  Brown; used by permission. Dr.  Brown is the author of The Eighth Scroll, described by North Carolina State Senator Larry Shaw as, “Indiana Jones meets The Da Vinci Code.  The Eighth Scroll is a breath-holding, white-knuckled, can’t-put-down thriller that challenges Western views of humanity, history and religion.  Bar none, the best book in its class!” Dr.  Brown is also the author of three scholastic books of comparative religion, MisGod’ed, God’ed, and Bearing True Witness (Dar-us-Salam).  His books and articles can be found on his websites,www.EighthScroll.com and www.LevelTruth.com, and are available for purchase through www.Amazon.com.

Previous: The Big Questions (part 2 of 3): The Purpose of Life

Parts of This Article
The Big Questions (part 1 of 3): Who Made Us?
The Big Questions (part 2 of 3): The Purpose of Life
The Big Questions (part 3 of 3): The Need for Revelation
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THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

The Big Questions (part 2 of 3): The Purpose of Life

Description: Islamic answers to the second of some of the “Big Questions” in Life all humans inevitably ask, Why are We Here? By Laurence B.  Brown, MDPublished on 12 Mar 2007 - Last modified on 22 Feb 2009 Viewed: 41508 (daily average: 17) - Rating: 3.8 out of 5 - Rated by: 31 Printed: 1198 - Emailed: 38 - Commented on: 1 Category: Articles > Beliefs of Islam > The Purpose of Life

The first of the two big questions in life is, “Who made us?” We addressed that question in the previous article and (hopefully) settled upon “God” as the answer.  As we are creation, God is the Creator. Now, let us turn to the second “big question,” which is, “Why are we here?” Well, why are we here?  To amass fame and fortune?  To make music and babies?  To be the richest man or woman in the graveyard for, as we are jokingly told, “He who dies with the most toys wins?” No, there must be more to life than that, so let’s think about this.  To begin with, look around you.  Unless you live in a cave, you are surrounded by things we humans have made with our own hands.  Now, why did we make those things?  The answer, of course, is that we make things to perform some specific function for us.  In short, we make things to serve us.  So by extension, why did God make us, if not to serve Him? If we acknowledge our Creator, and that He created humankind to serve Him, the next question is, “How?  How do we serve Him?”  No doubt, this question is best answered by the One who made us.  If He created us to serve Him, then He expects us to function in a particular manner, if we are to achieve our purpose.  But how can we know what that manner is? How can we know what God expects from us? Well, consider this: God gave us light, by which we can find our way.  Even at night, we have the moon for light and the stars for navigation.  God gave other animals guidance systems best suited for their conditions and needs.  Migrating birds can navigate, even on overcast days, by how light is polarized as it passes through the clouds.  Whales migrate by “reading” the Earth’s magnetic fields.  Salmon return from the open ocean to spawn at the exact spot of their birth bysmell, if that can be imagined.  Fish sense distant movements through pressure receptors that line their bodies.  Bats and blind river dolphins “see” by sonar.  Certain marine organisms (the electric eel being a high-voltage example) generate and “read” magnetic fields, allowing them to “see” in muddy waters, or in the blackness of ocean depths.  Insects communicate by pheromones.  Plants sense sunlight and grow towards it (phototrophism); their roots sense gravity and grow into the earth (geotrophism).  In short, God has gifted every element of His creation with guidance.  Can we seriously believe he would not give us guidance on the one most important aspect of our existence, namely our raison d’etre—our reason for being? That he would not give us the tools by which to achieve salvation? And would this guidance not be .  .  .  revelation? Think of it this way: Every product has specifications and rules.  For more complex products, whose specifications and rules are not intuitive, we rely upon owner’s manuals.  These manuals are written by the one who knows the product best, which is to say the manufacturer.  A typical owner’s manual begins with warnings about improper use and the hazardous consequences thereof, moves on to a description of how to use the product properly and the benefits to be gained thereby, and provides product specifications and a troubleshooting guide whereby we can correct product malfunctions. Now, how is that different from revelation? Revelation tells us what to do, what not to do and why, tells us what God expects of us, and shows us how to correct our deficiencies.  Revelation is the ultimate user’s manual, provided as guidance to the one who will use us—ourselves. In the world we know, products that meet or exceed specifications are considered successes whereas those that don’t are … hmm … let’s think about this.  Any product that fails to meet factory specifications is either repaired or, if hopeless, recycled.  In other words, destroyed.  Ouch.  Suddenly this discussion turns scary-serious.  Because in this discussion, we are the product—the product of creation. But let’s pause for a moment and consider how we interact with the various items that fill our lives.  As long as they do what we want, we’re happy with them.  But when they fail us, we get rid of them.  Some are returned to the store, some donated to charity, but eventually they all end up in the garbage, which gets … buried or burned.  Similarly, an underperforming employee gets … fired.  Now, stop for a minute and think about that word.  Where did that euphemism for the punishment due to an underperformer come from?  Hmm … the person who believes the lessons of this life translate into lessons about religion could have a field day with this. But that doesn’t mean these analogies are invalid.  Just the opposite, we should remember that both Old and New Testaments are filled with analogies, and Jesus Christ taught using parables. So perhaps we had better take this seriously. No, I stand corrected.  Most definitely we should take this seriously.  Nobody ever considered the difference between heavenly delights and the tortures of hellfire a laughing matter. Copyright © 2007 Dr.  Laurence B.  Brown; used by permission. Dr.  Brown is the author of The Eighth Scroll, described by North Carolina State Senator Larry Shaw as, “Indiana Jones meets The Da Vinci Code.  The Eighth Scroll is a breath-holding, white-knuckled, can’t-put-down thriller that challenges Western views of humanity, history and religion.  Bar none, the best book in its class!” Dr.  Brown is also the author of three scholastic books of comparative religion, MisGod’ed, God’ed, and Bearing True Witness (Dar-us-Salam).  His books and articles can be found on his websites,www.EighthScroll.com and www.LevelTruth.com, and are available for purchase through www.Amazon.com.

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