The scrupulousness which a believer displays towards his religious observance makes his faith apparent. He enthusiastically establishes salat, fasts and performs ritual washing made compulsory by Allah throughout the course of his life. Allah has described sincere Muslims' enthusiasm for religious observances in many verses. One of these reads:
Those who are steadfast in seeking the face of their Lord, and establish salat and give from the provision We have given them, secretly and openly, and stave off evil with good, it is they who will have the ultimate Abode. (Surat ar-Ra'd, 22)
The salat is a religious observance that believers are commanded to perform throughout the course of their lives, the times of which have been stipulated. Human beings are prone to forgetfulness and heedlessness. If they fail to use their will and become caught up in the flow of daily life, they move away from subjects to which they should actually turn their attention and cling to. They forget that Allah enfolds and surrounds them in all ways, that He sees and hears them at every moment, that they will have to account to Allah for all they do; they forget death, the existence of Paradise and Hell, that nothing can happen that is not destined, and that there is something auspicious in everything and every event. By falling into heedlessness they can forget the true purpose of life.
The salat performed five times a day eradicates that forgetfulness and heedlessness, and keeps the believer's will and awareness alive. It ensures that the believer constantly turns to Allah and assists him in living in the light of our Lord's commandments. The believer who stands in the presence of Allah in order to pray establishes a powerful spiritual bond with our Lord. It is revealed in one verse that the salat reminds people of Allah and keeps them from all forms of evil:
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish salat. Salat precludes indecency and wrongdoing. And remembrance of Allah is greater still. Allah knows what you do. (Surat al-'Ankabut, 45)
Throughout history the prophets have communicated the salat made compulsory by Allah to their respective peoples, and have been role models for all believers by abiding by this observance in the best and most correct manner. Some verses on this subject read:
- For Prophet Ibrahim (as):
[Ibrahim said:] "My Lord! Make me and my descendants people who establish salat. My Lord! Accept my prayer." (Surah Ibrahim, 40)
- For Prophet Isma'il (as):
Mention Isma'il in the Book. He was true to his promise and was a messenger and a prophet. He used to command his people to do salat and give the alms and he was pleasing to his Lord. (Surah Maryam, 54-55)
- For Prophet Musa (as):
I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish salat to remember Me. (Surah Ta Ha, 14)
- For Prophet Isa (as):
He said: "I am the servant of Allah, He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am and directed me to do salat and give the alms as long as I live." (Surah Maryam, 30-31)
- Maryam, depicted as a role model for all women, was also commanded to establish salat:
Maryam, obey your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow. (Surah al 'Imran, 43)
At what times has the salat been made obligatory?
In the Qur'an it is revealed that the times of the salat have been set out for believers as a religious observance:
When you have finished salat remember Allah standing, sitting and lying on your sides. When you are safe again do salat in the normal way. The salat is prescribed for the believers at specific times. (Surat an-Nisa', 103)
The timings of the salat are "dawn," "noon," "afternoon," "evening," and "late evening." The salat timings are clearly set out in several verses of the Qur'an. Some of these verses read:
So be steadfast in the face of what they say and glorify your Lord with praise before the rising of the Sun and before its setting. And glorify Him during part of the night and at both ends of the day, so that hopefully you will be pleased. (Surah Ta Ha, 130)
So glory be to Allah when you start the night and when you greet the day. Praise be to Him in the heavens and the Earth, in the afternoon and when you reach midday. (Surat ar-Rum, 17-18)
Our Prophet (saas) who, by the revelation and inspiration of Allah, best understood and interpreted the Qur'an, described for believers the times of day when the five salat prayers begin and finish. One of the best known hadith in which the timings of the salat are set out is that narrated by Jarir ibn 'Abdullah:
The angel Gabriel came to the Messenger of Allah and said to him, "Stand and pray," and they prayed the noon prayer when the sun had passed its meridian. He then came to him for the afternoon prayer and said, "Stand and pray," and they prayed the afternoon prayer while the length of a shadow of something was similar to the length of the object. Then he came at sunset and said, "Stand and pray," and they prayed the sunset prayer when the sun had just disappeared. Then he came at night and said, "Stand and pray," and they prayed the night prayer when the twilight had disappeared. He came again when dawn broke (and they prayed the morning prayer). Then Gabriel came on the next day at noon and said (to the Messenger of Allah), "Stand and pray," and they prayed the noon prayer when the length of the shadow of something was close to the length of the object. Then he came for the afternoon prayer and said, "Stand and pray," and they prayed when the shadow of something was twice as long as the length of the object. Then he came at the same time (as the previous day) for the sunset prayer, without any change. Then he came for the night prayer after half of the night had passed ("or," he said, "one-third of the night"). Then he came when the sky was very yellow and said, "Stand and pray," and they prayed the morning prayer. Then Gabriel said, "Between these times are the times for the prayers."
Establishing salat in awe means performing this religious observance in the presence of our Almighty Lord by feeling His might and grandeur, with fear and respect. A believer who wishes to properly fulfill this obligation must take measures against everything that might prevent this awed awareness and display the maximum scrupulousness to ensure the concentration and attention required in salat.
The correct performance of these prayers is a great opportunity to remember our Lord, praise Him, and worship Him as one god in the knowledge He is free of all imperfections. Indeed, in one verse Allah commands to do salat in order to remember Him:
I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish salat to remember Me. (Surah Ta Ha, 14)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Education of Muslims in Kentucky Prisons
ABSTRACT
Education is the birth right of every Muslim and Muslimah. Islam puts considerable emphasis on its followers to acquire knowledge. Investment in education is the best investment one can make, because it eventually leads to intellectual property. Intellectual property is the intangible property, which no one can steal or destroy. It was as a result of application of knowledge that Muslims were the superpower of the world for twelve centuries.
Today, globally Muslims have the lowest literacy rate. Hence it is no surprise that the literacy rate among the Muslims who are incarcerated is very low. Those Muslim inmates in the Kentucky prison system are no exception. It is a serious task to educate our Muslim brothers and sisters in Kentucky Prisons. This is a formidable task. The main source of Islamic knowledge they acquire is through Jumuah Khutbahs delivered by volunteer Imams or volunteer educated Muslims.
The incarcerated Muslim brothers and sisters want to acquire Islamic education. They are very sincere in their intentions and goals to acquire Islamic knowledge. The vast majority of the Muslims in the Kentucky prison system would like to acquire Islamic knowledge through the study of Qur'an, Arabic, Hadith, Sunnah, Seerah, Fiqh, Islamic history, and allied subjects. In many Kentucky Prisons the Muslims have allotted days and times for acquiring the Deeni or Islamic education. Unfortunately there are no teachers, paid Imams or even volunteer teachers or volunteers Imams available to meet the acute need of the Muslim brothers and sisters who are striving hard to acquire the knowledge of their Deen. In almost every prison the Muslim inmates have established a small library containing copies of Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh us Sunnah, and some books on Islam. They also have acquired videocassettes on Islam, particularly those of Shaikh Ahmed Deedat.
This paper seeks solutions for this acute condition in the Kentucky prison system, including the drafting of Tabligh Jamat followers to do Da'wah in the prisons free will, instead of doing in the free stranding Masajids.
The Prophet (S) encouraged the literacy among Muslims.
The prisoners of war that were captured in the Battle of Badr,
Were released by the Prophet (S) on one condition: That each
One of the prisoners was supposed to teach 10 Muslim children,
To read and write.
The situation in the State of Kentucky is very bleak with regard to Da'wah work in prisons. There are no paid Muslim Chaplains or Imams in the State of Kentucky. The Da'wah work is done mostly by volunteer educated Muslims or Imams. As it is a voluntary job, there is no incentive on the part of the volunteers to visit the prisons regularly for doing Da'wah work or to give Deeni Taleem to the Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons.
The education, particularly the Islamic education of Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons can be achieved by one or more of the following methods:
Qur'anic correspondence course:
The Islamic Research Foundation, Inc. has a Qur'anic correspondence course consisting of 20 lessons. Each lesson varies with 12 to 24 pages. At the end of each lesson there is a 20-question quiz. A certificate will be awarded to those who have successfully completed the course. The passing grade is very high. A maximum of one or two questions can be answered wrongly. More than that the candidate has to repeat the whole course from the beginning.
It costs money to make copies of the Lessons, question papers, mailing, postage, etc. Due to lack of financial support and volunteers to handle the volume of mail, the Qur'anic correspondence course has not been popularized.
Tableegh Jamat
A number of brothers are volunteering their time, money and resources for the cause of Tableegh Jamat which is a party of Muslims for propagating the religion of Islam among the Muslims who are supposed to be derelict in their Islamic duties and responsibilities. Almost every Mosque or Islamic center is visited by Tableegh Jamats from within America or outside America coming from far off countries, such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Tableegh Jamat brothers take off from their homes for about 40 days or 4 months visiting the Masajids in different cities in North America, Central America, and South America. They also hold an annual Ijtemah in different cities in North America with a gathering of few thousands. Such annual gatherings are also held in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. I believe they are an excellent source for the education of Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons. As their mission is to revive Islam among the Muslims, the Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons will be highly benefited.
Video Cassettes
Most of the prisons in Kentucky have the facilities to watch the videocassettes. Hence the small library of the Muslim inmates contains several video cassettes of famous Da'ees, such as Shaikh Ahmed Deedat, Shaikh Yusuf Hamza, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Imam Siraj Wahaj, Da'ee Yousuf Islam, etc. Videocassettes are an excellent for the education of Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons. Videocassettes are an instrument in the audio/video educational curricula.
Audio Cassettes
There are several hundred if not thousand audio cassettes available in the market on varied topics covering many, many Islamic subjects, such as recitation of the Qur'an and its tafseer in English, Ahadeeth, Aqeeda, Fiqh us Sunnah, Fatwahs, Questions on Shariah, Arkanul Islam, etc. There are many audiocassettes devoted the Jumuah Khutbahs. Some others are the life experiences and reasons for revert to Islam of Yousuf Islam, Yusuf Hamza, Siraj Wahaj, Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, Sr. Assilini, and Dr. Amina McCloud.
Copies of Qur'an
Many Muslim publishes are selling copies of the Noble Qur'an at a cheap price when purchased in bulk volume like 100 copies. The cheap price comes at a price, the Qur'an copies contain only the English translation and no Arabic text. The copy of the Qur'an and English translation and commentary comes at a higher price. There are some Islamic organizations or Institutions which are willing to donate the copies of the Qur'an to the Muslim inmates.
Islamic Books
The Library of the Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons have a few copies of the Noble Qur'an, a few copies of the Hadith, and some books covering different Islamic topics, such as the Yusuf al-Qardawi's most popular book " Lawful and Prohibited in Islamic Law" Maurice Bucaille's "The Bible, Qur'an and Science." Shaikh Ahmed Deedat's booklets: "Is the Bible God's Word?" "What the Bible says about Muhammad", " Resurrection or Resuscitation", "Crucifixion or Crucifiction".
Life Changing Books
In this category come books such as the Qur'an, Books on Seerah, particularly Haykal's "The Life of Muhammad." "Forty Hadith", Maurice Bucaille's "The Bible, Qur'an and Science." Etc. There are many booklets and books written by shaikh Ahmed Deedat published by the Islamic Propagation Center International, Durban, South Africa. They are also available from New York, Toronto and Bombay (Mumbai).
The following are the Specifically Religious Books-to-Prisoners Organizations:
American Muslim Foundation
1212 New York Ave, NW Suite 525
Washington, DC 20005
Islamic Center
22551 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Free Koran (Qur'an) and study guides. Can send through Chaplain
Mostazafam Foundation Book Program
500 5th Ave., 34th Floor
New York, NY 10110
Free Koran (Qu'ran) for Muslim prisoners
* * *
Book Sold to Muslims in Prison at a Discount
Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an
P O Box 731115
Elmhurst, NY 11373-0115
TEL: (718) 446-6472
FAX: (718) 446-4370
http://www.koranusa.org
E-mail: ttq@n-site.com
The Muslim Reading Room
P O Box 1246
Champaign, IL 61824
Darul Kitab El Islami
Box 1653
Burlington, NJ 08016
Tel: (609) 261-5640
E-mail: darul-kitab@yahoo.com
Noor Foundation
P O Box 758
Hockessin, DE 19707
Tel: 1-888-937-2665
Dar-us-Salam Publications
P O Box 79194
Houston, TX 77043
Tel: (713) 722-0419
FAX: (713) 722-0431
www.dar-us-salam.com
Magazines
Magazines such as JUMUAH, ISLAMIC HORIZONS, FINAL CALL, MUSLIM JOURNAL, MESSAGE INTERNATIONAL, THE MINARET, CRESCENT INTERNATIONAL, and other magazines published in North America are very popular among the Muslin inmates and they read them with great enthusiasm.
Computer software and Internet
There are scores of computer software in the form of CD-ROM on many Islamic subjects. The most popular is the 'AALIM. Unfortunately PCs (Personal Computers) and Internet are not accessible to the Prison inmates at the present time. The Internet has hundreds of WEB pages on Islam. The most popular being, Islamicity, Ummah, Al-Islam, etc., etc.
Pen Pals
There is a need for pen pals who can write to the Muslim inmates answering their questions on Islam. The type of postal correspondence keep the minds of the Muslim inmates active at the same time they get educated on Islam.
Newsletter
There is a need for a Newsletter for all the Muslim inmates throughout the United States and Canada. At least one copy can be sent to each prison, which has Muslim inmates. The Newsletter is a good vehicle for Islamic Taleem and also with regard to imparting Islamic knowledge pertaining to food, hygiene, the five pillars of Islam, dates and times of Jumuah prayers and Eidains. It can also cover news items of Muslim inmates in the various prisons of America.
Ware House
There is a dire necessity of having a warehouse, which will act as a clearinghouse for supplying, Books, Videos, Audiocassettes, Printing and mailing Newsletters for the Muslim inmates throughout North America. The Muslim inmates can fill-up the required requisition form and the materials can be shipped to the Muslim Chaplains or Imams of the respective Prisons, which in turn can stock the library of the Muslim inmates. This warehouse can also supply Musallahs (prayer rugs) and Kufi caps, which are in great demand among the Muslims throughout America and Canada.
Taleem Classes
Taleem classes are didactic lectures on Islam, given by the Muslim Chaplain or an Imam. The Taleem classes can be scheduled as lessons, covering topics, such as Arabic, Aqeedah, Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh us Sunnah, etc. In many Prisons, educated Muslim volunteers are giving Taleem classes. In many prisons a particular day such as Thursday and a particular time such as between Maghreeb and Isha prayers is allotted for Taleem classes. Although the Muslim inmates are keen and interested in obtaining the Deeni knowledge through the Taleem classes, the problem is the paucity of Islamic textbooks and teachers. The teacher must prepare for the class and also prepare one or more quizzes for each lesson, correct them and go over them.
TV and Radio Broadcasting
There are TV programs on Islam in large cities in America and Canada. For smaller cities they can be accessed through the Cable TV. However this facility is not accessible to the Muslim inmates.
There are also Radio Broadcasting Stations in large cities broadcasting programs on Islam. They also broadcast interviews of Islamic scholars covering many subjects that affect the lives of Muslims in America.
Education is the birth right of every Muslim and Muslimah. Islam puts considerable emphasis on its followers to acquire knowledge. Investment in education is the best investment one can make, because it eventually leads to intellectual property. Intellectual property is the intangible property, which no one can steal or destroy. It was as a result of application of knowledge that Muslims were the superpower of the world for twelve centuries.
Today, globally Muslims have the lowest literacy rate. Hence it is no surprise that the literacy rate among the Muslims who are incarcerated is very low. Those Muslim inmates in the Kentucky prison system are no exception. It is a serious task to educate our Muslim brothers and sisters in Kentucky Prisons. This is a formidable task. The main source of Islamic knowledge they acquire is through Jumuah Khutbahs delivered by volunteer Imams or volunteer educated Muslims.
The incarcerated Muslim brothers and sisters want to acquire Islamic education. They are very sincere in their intentions and goals to acquire Islamic knowledge. The vast majority of the Muslims in the Kentucky prison system would like to acquire Islamic knowledge through the study of Qur'an, Arabic, Hadith, Sunnah, Seerah, Fiqh, Islamic history, and allied subjects. In many Kentucky Prisons the Muslims have allotted days and times for acquiring the Deeni or Islamic education. Unfortunately there are no teachers, paid Imams or even volunteer teachers or volunteers Imams available to meet the acute need of the Muslim brothers and sisters who are striving hard to acquire the knowledge of their Deen. In almost every prison the Muslim inmates have established a small library containing copies of Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh us Sunnah, and some books on Islam. They also have acquired videocassettes on Islam, particularly those of Shaikh Ahmed Deedat.
This paper seeks solutions for this acute condition in the Kentucky prison system, including the drafting of Tabligh Jamat followers to do Da'wah in the prisons free will, instead of doing in the free stranding Masajids.
The Prophet (S) encouraged the literacy among Muslims.
The prisoners of war that were captured in the Battle of Badr,
Were released by the Prophet (S) on one condition: That each
One of the prisoners was supposed to teach 10 Muslim children,
To read and write.
The situation in the State of Kentucky is very bleak with regard to Da'wah work in prisons. There are no paid Muslim Chaplains or Imams in the State of Kentucky. The Da'wah work is done mostly by volunteer educated Muslims or Imams. As it is a voluntary job, there is no incentive on the part of the volunteers to visit the prisons regularly for doing Da'wah work or to give Deeni Taleem to the Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons.
The education, particularly the Islamic education of Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons can be achieved by one or more of the following methods:
Qur'anic correspondence course:
The Islamic Research Foundation, Inc. has a Qur'anic correspondence course consisting of 20 lessons. Each lesson varies with 12 to 24 pages. At the end of each lesson there is a 20-question quiz. A certificate will be awarded to those who have successfully completed the course. The passing grade is very high. A maximum of one or two questions can be answered wrongly. More than that the candidate has to repeat the whole course from the beginning.
It costs money to make copies of the Lessons, question papers, mailing, postage, etc. Due to lack of financial support and volunteers to handle the volume of mail, the Qur'anic correspondence course has not been popularized.
Tableegh Jamat
A number of brothers are volunteering their time, money and resources for the cause of Tableegh Jamat which is a party of Muslims for propagating the religion of Islam among the Muslims who are supposed to be derelict in their Islamic duties and responsibilities. Almost every Mosque or Islamic center is visited by Tableegh Jamats from within America or outside America coming from far off countries, such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Tableegh Jamat brothers take off from their homes for about 40 days or 4 months visiting the Masajids in different cities in North America, Central America, and South America. They also hold an annual Ijtemah in different cities in North America with a gathering of few thousands. Such annual gatherings are also held in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. I believe they are an excellent source for the education of Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons. As their mission is to revive Islam among the Muslims, the Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons will be highly benefited.
Video Cassettes
Most of the prisons in Kentucky have the facilities to watch the videocassettes. Hence the small library of the Muslim inmates contains several video cassettes of famous Da'ees, such as Shaikh Ahmed Deedat, Shaikh Yusuf Hamza, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Imam Siraj Wahaj, Da'ee Yousuf Islam, etc. Videocassettes are an excellent for the education of Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons. Videocassettes are an instrument in the audio/video educational curricula.
Audio Cassettes
There are several hundred if not thousand audio cassettes available in the market on varied topics covering many, many Islamic subjects, such as recitation of the Qur'an and its tafseer in English, Ahadeeth, Aqeeda, Fiqh us Sunnah, Fatwahs, Questions on Shariah, Arkanul Islam, etc. There are many audiocassettes devoted the Jumuah Khutbahs. Some others are the life experiences and reasons for revert to Islam of Yousuf Islam, Yusuf Hamza, Siraj Wahaj, Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, Sr. Assilini, and Dr. Amina McCloud.
Copies of Qur'an
Many Muslim publishes are selling copies of the Noble Qur'an at a cheap price when purchased in bulk volume like 100 copies. The cheap price comes at a price, the Qur'an copies contain only the English translation and no Arabic text. The copy of the Qur'an and English translation and commentary comes at a higher price. There are some Islamic organizations or Institutions which are willing to donate the copies of the Qur'an to the Muslim inmates.
Islamic Books
The Library of the Muslim inmates in Kentucky prisons have a few copies of the Noble Qur'an, a few copies of the Hadith, and some books covering different Islamic topics, such as the Yusuf al-Qardawi's most popular book " Lawful and Prohibited in Islamic Law" Maurice Bucaille's "The Bible, Qur'an and Science." Shaikh Ahmed Deedat's booklets: "Is the Bible God's Word?" "What the Bible says about Muhammad", " Resurrection or Resuscitation", "Crucifixion or Crucifiction".
Life Changing Books
In this category come books such as the Qur'an, Books on Seerah, particularly Haykal's "The Life of Muhammad." "Forty Hadith", Maurice Bucaille's "The Bible, Qur'an and Science." Etc. There are many booklets and books written by shaikh Ahmed Deedat published by the Islamic Propagation Center International, Durban, South Africa. They are also available from New York, Toronto and Bombay (Mumbai).
The following are the Specifically Religious Books-to-Prisoners Organizations:
American Muslim Foundation
1212 New York Ave, NW Suite 525
Washington, DC 20005
Islamic Center
22551 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Free Koran (Qur'an) and study guides. Can send through Chaplain
Mostazafam Foundation Book Program
500 5th Ave., 34th Floor
New York, NY 10110
Free Koran (Qu'ran) for Muslim prisoners
* * *
Book Sold to Muslims in Prison at a Discount
Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an
P O Box 731115
Elmhurst, NY 11373-0115
TEL: (718) 446-6472
FAX: (718) 446-4370
http://www.koranusa.org
E-mail: ttq@n-site.com
The Muslim Reading Room
P O Box 1246
Champaign, IL 61824
Darul Kitab El Islami
Box 1653
Burlington, NJ 08016
Tel: (609) 261-5640
E-mail: darul-kitab@yahoo.com
Noor Foundation
P O Box 758
Hockessin, DE 19707
Tel: 1-888-937-2665
Dar-us-Salam Publications
P O Box 79194
Houston, TX 77043
Tel: (713) 722-0419
FAX: (713) 722-0431
www.dar-us-salam.com
Magazines
Magazines such as JUMUAH, ISLAMIC HORIZONS, FINAL CALL, MUSLIM JOURNAL, MESSAGE INTERNATIONAL, THE MINARET, CRESCENT INTERNATIONAL, and other magazines published in North America are very popular among the Muslin inmates and they read them with great enthusiasm.
Computer software and Internet
There are scores of computer software in the form of CD-ROM on many Islamic subjects. The most popular is the 'AALIM. Unfortunately PCs (Personal Computers) and Internet are not accessible to the Prison inmates at the present time. The Internet has hundreds of WEB pages on Islam. The most popular being, Islamicity, Ummah, Al-Islam, etc., etc.
Pen Pals
There is a need for pen pals who can write to the Muslim inmates answering their questions on Islam. The type of postal correspondence keep the minds of the Muslim inmates active at the same time they get educated on Islam.
Newsletter
There is a need for a Newsletter for all the Muslim inmates throughout the United States and Canada. At least one copy can be sent to each prison, which has Muslim inmates. The Newsletter is a good vehicle for Islamic Taleem and also with regard to imparting Islamic knowledge pertaining to food, hygiene, the five pillars of Islam, dates and times of Jumuah prayers and Eidains. It can also cover news items of Muslim inmates in the various prisons of America.
Ware House
There is a dire necessity of having a warehouse, which will act as a clearinghouse for supplying, Books, Videos, Audiocassettes, Printing and mailing Newsletters for the Muslim inmates throughout North America. The Muslim inmates can fill-up the required requisition form and the materials can be shipped to the Muslim Chaplains or Imams of the respective Prisons, which in turn can stock the library of the Muslim inmates. This warehouse can also supply Musallahs (prayer rugs) and Kufi caps, which are in great demand among the Muslims throughout America and Canada.
Taleem Classes
Taleem classes are didactic lectures on Islam, given by the Muslim Chaplain or an Imam. The Taleem classes can be scheduled as lessons, covering topics, such as Arabic, Aqeedah, Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh us Sunnah, etc. In many Prisons, educated Muslim volunteers are giving Taleem classes. In many prisons a particular day such as Thursday and a particular time such as between Maghreeb and Isha prayers is allotted for Taleem classes. Although the Muslim inmates are keen and interested in obtaining the Deeni knowledge through the Taleem classes, the problem is the paucity of Islamic textbooks and teachers. The teacher must prepare for the class and also prepare one or more quizzes for each lesson, correct them and go over them.
TV and Radio Broadcasting
There are TV programs on Islam in large cities in America and Canada. For smaller cities they can be accessed through the Cable TV. However this facility is not accessible to the Muslim inmates.
There are also Radio Broadcasting Stations in large cities broadcasting programs on Islam. They also broadcast interviews of Islamic scholars covering many subjects that affect the lives of Muslims in America.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Big Bang Theory: From a Qur'anic Perspective
One of the great mysteries facing scientists today are the answers to the two following questions:
1. WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE?
2. WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF LIFE?
The answer to the first question is difficult than the answer to the second question. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an creation of the universe was a greater problem than the creation of man.
The following verse in the Qur'an alludes to the Big Bang Theory:
DO THEY NOT THE UNBELIEVERS SEE THAT THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH WERE JOINED TOGETHER (AS ONE UNIT OF CREATION) BEFORE WE CLOVE THEM ASUNDER? WE MADE FROM WATER EVERY LIVING THING. WILL THEY NOT THEN BELIEVE?
Surah: 21. Al-Anbiyaa, Ayath 30
The origin of universe has been explained by several cosmological theories. One theory that seems philosophically far more attractive is called the Steady-State model. This theory was proposed in the 1940s by Herman Bondi, Thomas Gold and Fred Hoyle. They stated that the universe has always been just about the same as it is now. As it expands, new matter is continually created to fill up the gaps between the galaxies.
This theory has been replaced by the "Standard Model" or the "Big Bang" Theory. Using the Doppler effect the astronomers confirmed that the galaxies are moving away and that the universe is expanding. The birth of the universe has been estimated to be between 15 and 30 billion years ago.
The experimental confirmation of the Big Bang Theory came from the detection of the Cosmic Microwave Radiation Background by a pair of radio astronomers, Arno. A. Penzias and Robert W. Wilson. In 1964 they were working in the Bell Telephone Laboratory which had in its possession of an unusual radio antenna on Crawford Hill at Holmdel, New Jersey. By measuring the cosmic microwave radiation background radiation which is the noise left over from the early universe, they calculated the temperature in the universe to be 3.5 degrees Kelvin.
In the beginning there was an explosion. This explosion is not the same as one observes on earth. As a result of this explosion, space and time were born and started to expand to this day, and they will continue to expand in the future. The temperature of the universe was about a hundred thousand million degrees Centigrade. It is so hot than none of the components of ordinary matter molecules, or atoms or even the nuclei of atoms, could have held together. In the early universe there was abundance of electrons,
Positrons (anti-electron) and neutrinos, ghostly particles with no mass or electric charge. Finally, the universe was filled with light. Light consists of particles of zero mass and zero electrical charge known as photons. The number and the average energy of the photons was about the same as for electrons, positrons or neutrinos. These particles were continually being created out of pure energy (original source of all matter in the present-day universe-galaxies, nebulae, stars, planets, earth, etc.).
As the time passed and the temperature of the universe cooled, nucleosynthesis took place and hydrogen and helium and other heavy elements were formed. After 3 minutes of the Big Bang, the universe consisted of 73 percent hydrogen and 27 percent helium. The resulting gases under the influence of gravitation ultimately condensed to form the galaxies and stars of the present universe.
The Big Bang Theory is very close to a comprehensive understanding of Surah 21, Al-Anbiyaa and Ayath 30, which is cited above. In his note # 2690, Allama Yusuf Ali says " The evolution of the ordered worlds as we see them is hinted at. As man's intellectual gaze over the physical world expands, he sees more and more how Unity is the dominating note in Allah's wonderful Universe. Taking the solar system alone, we know that the maximum intensity of sun-spots corresponds with he maximum intensity of magnetic storms on this earth. The universal law of gravitation seems to bind all mass together. Physical facts point to the throwing off of planets from vast quantities of diffused nebular matter, of which the central condensed core is sun." Of course when Allama Yusuf Ali wrote this commentary it was 1935, long before the Big Bang Theory was espoused and long before the discovery of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation.
Conclusion: The Big Bang Theory does not contradict the Qur'anic revelation (21:30) and it can be used as a Tafsir in understanding 21:30.
REFERENCE: Weinberg, S.: The First Three Minutes. A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe. Basic Books, Inc. Publishers, NY 1977
1. WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE?
2. WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF LIFE?
The answer to the first question is difficult than the answer to the second question. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an creation of the universe was a greater problem than the creation of man.
The following verse in the Qur'an alludes to the Big Bang Theory:
DO THEY NOT THE UNBELIEVERS SEE THAT THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH WERE JOINED TOGETHER (AS ONE UNIT OF CREATION) BEFORE WE CLOVE THEM ASUNDER? WE MADE FROM WATER EVERY LIVING THING. WILL THEY NOT THEN BELIEVE?
Surah: 21. Al-Anbiyaa, Ayath 30
The origin of universe has been explained by several cosmological theories. One theory that seems philosophically far more attractive is called the Steady-State model. This theory was proposed in the 1940s by Herman Bondi, Thomas Gold and Fred Hoyle. They stated that the universe has always been just about the same as it is now. As it expands, new matter is continually created to fill up the gaps between the galaxies.
This theory has been replaced by the "Standard Model" or the "Big Bang" Theory. Using the Doppler effect the astronomers confirmed that the galaxies are moving away and that the universe is expanding. The birth of the universe has been estimated to be between 15 and 30 billion years ago.
The experimental confirmation of the Big Bang Theory came from the detection of the Cosmic Microwave Radiation Background by a pair of radio astronomers, Arno. A. Penzias and Robert W. Wilson. In 1964 they were working in the Bell Telephone Laboratory which had in its possession of an unusual radio antenna on Crawford Hill at Holmdel, New Jersey. By measuring the cosmic microwave radiation background radiation which is the noise left over from the early universe, they calculated the temperature in the universe to be 3.5 degrees Kelvin.
In the beginning there was an explosion. This explosion is not the same as one observes on earth. As a result of this explosion, space and time were born and started to expand to this day, and they will continue to expand in the future. The temperature of the universe was about a hundred thousand million degrees Centigrade. It is so hot than none of the components of ordinary matter molecules, or atoms or even the nuclei of atoms, could have held together. In the early universe there was abundance of electrons,
Positrons (anti-electron) and neutrinos, ghostly particles with no mass or electric charge. Finally, the universe was filled with light. Light consists of particles of zero mass and zero electrical charge known as photons. The number and the average energy of the photons was about the same as for electrons, positrons or neutrinos. These particles were continually being created out of pure energy (original source of all matter in the present-day universe-galaxies, nebulae, stars, planets, earth, etc.).
As the time passed and the temperature of the universe cooled, nucleosynthesis took place and hydrogen and helium and other heavy elements were formed. After 3 minutes of the Big Bang, the universe consisted of 73 percent hydrogen and 27 percent helium. The resulting gases under the influence of gravitation ultimately condensed to form the galaxies and stars of the present universe.
The Big Bang Theory is very close to a comprehensive understanding of Surah 21, Al-Anbiyaa and Ayath 30, which is cited above. In his note # 2690, Allama Yusuf Ali says " The evolution of the ordered worlds as we see them is hinted at. As man's intellectual gaze over the physical world expands, he sees more and more how Unity is the dominating note in Allah's wonderful Universe. Taking the solar system alone, we know that the maximum intensity of sun-spots corresponds with he maximum intensity of magnetic storms on this earth. The universal law of gravitation seems to bind all mass together. Physical facts point to the throwing off of planets from vast quantities of diffused nebular matter, of which the central condensed core is sun." Of course when Allama Yusuf Ali wrote this commentary it was 1935, long before the Big Bang Theory was espoused and long before the discovery of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation.
Conclusion: The Big Bang Theory does not contradict the Qur'anic revelation (21:30) and it can be used as a Tafsir in understanding 21:30.
REFERENCE: Weinberg, S.: The First Three Minutes. A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe. Basic Books, Inc. Publishers, NY 1977
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Assalamalaikum to my dear respected Brothers and Sisters In Islam.
I pray and hope you are all well, happy, and at Peace, If this greeting doesn't then the following article will :))))))))))))
Who is above Us All ( He is above Us all, no one is above Him ) ? Who can Only Help Us ?
And is there for Us Always when we need Help :)
The question of God's existence has preoccupied men's minds for many centuries. Those who believe in God seem to agree that the limited finite human intelligence cannot prove the existence of the infinite boundless God. It can only illustrate or demonstrate his existence to the satisfaction of the curious human mind.
Those who deny God claim to rely on science, philosophy, or special theories of knowledge. Their arguments are sometimes inapplicable, sometimes irrelevant, always complex, and often incomprehensible. However, the developed mind will find its way to Allah. Failure to find the way does not mean that there is no way. Denial of reality does not make it unreal.
As we look around in our environments, we see that every family has a head: every school has a principal, every city or town has a mayor; every province or state has a premier/governor; and every nation has a head of state. Moreover, we know beyond doubt that every beautiful art is the creation of some great artist. All this is obvious, yet it does not satisfy the hunger for knowledge and the curiosity of man about the great things in the world. One often wonders at the beauties of nature with its scenic charm and marvels; the almost endless horizons in the sky and their far-reaching expansions; the ceaseless succession of day and night in the most orderly manner; the course of the sun, the moon, and the great stars; the world of animate and inanimate objects, the continuous process and evolution of man, generation after generation. One often wonders because one would like to know the maker and maintainer of all these things with which we live and which we immensely enjoy.
Can we find an explanation of the great universe? Is there any convincing interpretation of the secret of existence? We realise that no family can function properly without a responsible head, that no city can prosperously exist without sound administration, and that no state can survive without a chief of some kind.
We also realise that nothing comes into being on its own. Moreover we observe that the universe exists and functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has survived for hundreds of thousands of years. Can we, then, say that all this is accidental and haphazard? Or can we attribute the existence of man and the whole world to mere chance?
If man were to come into being by accident or by sheer chance, his entire life would be based on chance, and his whole existence would be meaningless, and no rational being would leave his existence at the mercy of fluctuating chance. Every reasonable human being tries to make his life as meaningful as possible and set for himself a model of conduct according to some design. Individuals, groups and nations do plan their course of action. And every careful plan produces some desired effects. The fact of the matter is that man does engage in planning of one sort or another, and can appreciate the merits of good planning.
Yet man represents only a very small portion of the great universe. And if he can make plans and appreciate the merits of planning, then his own existence and the survival of the universe must also be based on a planned policy. This means that there is a Designing Will behind our material existence, and that there is a Unique Mind in the world to bring things into being and keep them moving in order. The marvellous wonders of our world and the secrets of life are too great to be the product of random accident or mere chance.
In the world, then there must be a Great Force in action to keep everything in order.
In the beautiful nature there must be a Great Artist who creates the most charming pieces of art and produces everything for a special purpose in life. This Force is the strongest of all forces, and this Artist is the greatest of all artists. The true believers and deeply enlightened people recognise this Artist and call Him Allah ( His True and Real Name ) or God. They call Him God because He is the Creator and the Chief Architect of the world, the Originator of life and the Provider of all things in existence. He is not a man because no man can create or make another man. He is not an animal, nor is He a plant. He is neither an idol nor is He a statue of any kind because none of these things can make itself or create anything else. He is not a machine. He is neither the sun nor is He the moon or any other star, because these things are controlled by a great system, and are themselves made by someone else. He is different from all these things, because He is the Maker and Keeper of them all. The maker of anything must be different from and greater than the thing which he makes. We also know that nothing can come to life on its own, and that the marvellous world did not create itself or come into existence by accident. The continuous changes in the world prove that it is made and everything which is made must have a maker of some sort.
The Maker and Sustainer of the world, the Creator of and Provider for man, the Active Force and Effective Power in nature are all one and the same, and that is known to be Allah or God. This is the secret of all secrets and the Most Supreme of all beings. The Holy Qu'ran, the True Book of God say's:
"Belief in God and His great power alone can provide mankind with the best Possible explanation of many mysterious things in life. This is the safest way to true knowledge and spiritual insight, the right path to good behaviour and sound morals, the surest guide to happiness and prosperity.
Once man believes that God exists he must know His attributes and names. Generally speaking every perfection and absolute goodness belong to Him, and no defect or wrong applies to Him. In specific terms, one should know and believe the following:
1. God is only One, has no partner or son, and neither gives birth, nor is He born. He is eternally besought by all and has no beginning or end, and none is equal to Him ( Holy Qu'ran )
2. He is the Merciful and the Compassionate, the Guardian and the True Guide, the Just and the Supreme Lord, the Creator and the Watchful, the First and the Last, the knowing and the Wise, the Hearing, and the Aware, the Witness and the Glorious, the Able and ' the Powerful. ( Holy Qu'ran example )
3. He is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous and the Benevolent, the Rich and the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Patient and the Appreciative, the unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace. ( Holy Qu'ran example )
Each one of these names and attributes of God is mentioned in various places in the Holy Qu'ran. We all enjoy the care and mercy of God Who is so Loving and Kind to His creation. If we try to count His favours upon us, we cannot, because they are countless ( Holy Qu'ran )
God is High and Supreme, but he is very near to the pious thoughtful people; He answers their prayers and helps them. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them peace and happiness, knowledge and success, life and protection. He welcomes all those who want to be at peace with Him and never rejects any of them. He teaches man to be good, to do the right and to keep away from the wrong. Because He is so Good and Loving. He recommends and accepts only the good and right things. The door of His mercy is always open to any who sincerely seek His support and protection. ( Holy Qu'ran )
The Love of God for His creatures is immense and beyond human imagination. We cannot measure or count His favours. He creates us and takes good care of us, not only from the time of our birth onward, but even long before that. He makes us in the best form of creation and gives us all the senses and faculties that we need for our growth. He helps us when we cannot help ourselves, and provides for us and for our dependents. He creates in man the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane.
By His mercy we gain true knowledge and see the real light. Because He is Merciful He creates us in the most beautiful shape and provides us with the sun and the moon, the land and the sea, the earth and the skies, the plants and the animals. He is the Creator of all these things and many others for our benefit and use. He makes things that are of service to us in this life, and gives man dignity and intelligence, honour and respect, because man is the best of all created things and is God's viceroy on earth.
The mercy O god gives us hope and peace, courage and confidence. It enables us to remedy our griefs and sorrows, to overcome our difficulties and obtain success and happiness. Indeed, the mercy of God relieves the distressed, cheers the afflicted, consoles the sick, strengthens the desperate, and comforts the needy. In short, the mercy of God is active everywhere all the time in every aspect of our lives. Some people may fail to recognise it only because they take it for granted. But it is real and we can feel it with our hearts and appreciate it with our minds.
The Loving Merciful God never forgets us or lets us down or ignores our sincere calls upon Him. By His Mercy and Love He has shown us the Right Way and sent to us messengers and teachers, books and revelations - all are meant for our help and guidance. The last Messenger from God is Muhammad ( SAW ), and the most genuine existing book of Allah is the Qu'ran. From the traditions of Muhammad ( SAW ) and the teachings of the Qu'ran, we learn about the Forgiving God. If a person commits a sin or does something wrong, then he is violating the law of God, committing a grave offence against God and abusing his own dignity and existence. But if he is sincere and wishes to repent, regrets his wrong deeds and wants to return to God, faithfully seeks pardon from God and honestly approaches him, then God will certainly accept him and forgive him. Even those who reject God or his Oneness are assured of forgiveness, should they realise there erroneous attitude and resolve to come back to God. In this connection the Qu'ran say's:
"God forgives not that partnership should be setup with him; but He forgives anything else, to whom he pleases and; to setup partners with God is to devise a sin most heinous indeed. ( Qu'ran )
"Say oh my servants who have transgressed against their souls! despair not the mercy of God: for God forgives all sins: for he is most forgiving, most merciful. Turn to your Lord ( in repentance ) and submit to him, before the penalty comes on you; after that you shall not be helped. And follow the best of the courses revealed to you from your Lord, before the penalty comes on you on a sudden while you perceive not !" ( Qu'ran )
In return for all these great favours and kindness God does not need anything from us, because He is the needless and the independent. He does not ask us to pay him back, for we cannot reward him or value his immeasurable favours and mercy. What He commands us to do, however, is only to be good, to be thankful and to be appreciative, to follow his recommendations and in force his law, to be the proper manifestation of his goodness and excellent attributes, to be his honest agents and true representatives on earth.
He does not want to enslave us because he is the One who grants us dignity and honour. He does not wish to subjugate us, because He is One who is emancipates us from fear and superstitions. He does not desire to humiliate us because He is the One who creates us and exalts our ranks above all other beings. So whatever rules and prescriptions He passes unto us are designed for our own benefit and good. They are meant to help us enjoy our lives with one another in Peace and Kindness, in brotherhood and co-operation. They are destined to make us attain his most pleasant company and adopt the surest approach to Eternal Happiness in life after death.
There are various ways to know God and there are many things to tell about him. The Great wonders and impressive marvels of the world are like open books in which we can read about God. Besides, God Himself comes to our Aid through the many messengers and revelations He has sent down to man. These messengers and revelations tell us everything we need to know about God. So by reflecting on nature, by hearing the words of the messengers, and by reading the Divine revelations we can gain most convincing knowledge about God and find the Straight Path to Him.
The aforesaid discussion brings forth the following facts:
There is God. He is ONE.
2. He is the creator, sustainer and provider of this universe
and there is no partners unto Him.
3. He is the One and the Only One who can guide us in the
Right Path in all walks of our life. It is in following His
guidance the success and salvation of man, Here and in
the Hereafter lies, says the Qu'ran:
"Allah Himself bears witness that there is no God but He and likewise do the Angels and the men possessed of knowledge bear witness in truth and justice that there is no God but He the Almighty the All-Wise". ( 3: 18 Holy Qu'ran )
"Say, 'God's guidance is the ( only ) Guidance And we have been directed to submit ourselves to the Lord of the Worlds" ( 6: 71 Holy Qu'ran )
Now it is the duty of everyone of us to acknowledge Him, acquire the Knowledge of His guidance and lead a life of complete submission to His guidance.
If We don't we are the Only Losers Here, We Must hold on to the Rope Of Allah Firmly, and never let go :)))))))))))))))))
Who is above Us All ( He is above Us all, no one is above Him ) ? Who can Only Help Us ?
And is there for Us Always when we need Help :)
The question of God's existence has preoccupied men's minds for many centuries. Those who believe in God seem to agree that the limited finite human intelligence cannot prove the existence of the infinite boundless God. It can only illustrate or demonstrate his existence to the satisfaction of the curious human mind.
Those who deny God claim to rely on science, philosophy, or special theories of knowledge. Their arguments are sometimes inapplicable, sometimes irrelevant, always complex, and often incomprehensible. However, the developed mind will find its way to Allah. Failure to find the way does not mean that there is no way. Denial of reality does not make it unreal.
As we look around in our environments, we see that every family has a head: every school has a principal, every city or town has a mayor; every province or state has a premier/governor; and every nation has a head of state. Moreover, we know beyond doubt that every beautiful art is the creation of some great artist. All this is obvious, yet it does not satisfy the hunger for knowledge and the curiosity of man about the great things in the world. One often wonders at the beauties of nature with its scenic charm and marvels; the almost endless horizons in the sky and their far-reaching expansions; the ceaseless succession of day and night in the most orderly manner; the course of the sun, the moon, and the great stars; the world of animate and inanimate objects, the continuous process and evolution of man, generation after generation. One often wonders because one would like to know the maker and maintainer of all these things with which we live and which we immensely enjoy.
Can we find an explanation of the great universe? Is there any convincing interpretation of the secret of existence? We realise that no family can function properly without a responsible head, that no city can prosperously exist without sound administration, and that no state can survive without a chief of some kind.
We also realise that nothing comes into being on its own. Moreover we observe that the universe exists and functions in the most orderly manner, and that it has survived for hundreds of thousands of years. Can we, then, say that all this is accidental and haphazard? Or can we attribute the existence of man and the whole world to mere chance?
If man were to come into being by accident or by sheer chance, his entire life would be based on chance, and his whole existence would be meaningless, and no rational being would leave his existence at the mercy of fluctuating chance. Every reasonable human being tries to make his life as meaningful as possible and set for himself a model of conduct according to some design. Individuals, groups and nations do plan their course of action. And every careful plan produces some desired effects. The fact of the matter is that man does engage in planning of one sort or another, and can appreciate the merits of good planning.
Yet man represents only a very small portion of the great universe. And if he can make plans and appreciate the merits of planning, then his own existence and the survival of the universe must also be based on a planned policy. This means that there is a Designing Will behind our material existence, and that there is a Unique Mind in the world to bring things into being and keep them moving in order. The marvellous wonders of our world and the secrets of life are too great to be the product of random accident or mere chance.
In the world, then there must be a Great Force in action to keep everything in order.
In the beautiful nature there must be a Great Artist who creates the most charming pieces of art and produces everything for a special purpose in life. This Force is the strongest of all forces, and this Artist is the greatest of all artists. The true believers and deeply enlightened people recognise this Artist and call Him Allah ( His True and Real Name ) or God. They call Him God because He is the Creator and the Chief Architect of the world, the Originator of life and the Provider of all things in existence. He is not a man because no man can create or make another man. He is not an animal, nor is He a plant. He is neither an idol nor is He a statue of any kind because none of these things can make itself or create anything else. He is not a machine. He is neither the sun nor is He the moon or any other star, because these things are controlled by a great system, and are themselves made by someone else. He is different from all these things, because He is the Maker and Keeper of them all. The maker of anything must be different from and greater than the thing which he makes. We also know that nothing can come to life on its own, and that the marvellous world did not create itself or come into existence by accident. The continuous changes in the world prove that it is made and everything which is made must have a maker of some sort.
The Maker and Sustainer of the world, the Creator of and Provider for man, the Active Force and Effective Power in nature are all one and the same, and that is known to be Allah or God. This is the secret of all secrets and the Most Supreme of all beings. The Holy Qu'ran, the True Book of God say's:
"Belief in God and His great power alone can provide mankind with the best Possible explanation of many mysterious things in life. This is the safest way to true knowledge and spiritual insight, the right path to good behaviour and sound morals, the surest guide to happiness and prosperity.
Once man believes that God exists he must know His attributes and names. Generally speaking every perfection and absolute goodness belong to Him, and no defect or wrong applies to Him. In specific terms, one should know and believe the following:
1. God is only One, has no partner or son, and neither gives birth, nor is He born. He is eternally besought by all and has no beginning or end, and none is equal to Him ( Holy Qu'ran )
2. He is the Merciful and the Compassionate, the Guardian and the True Guide, the Just and the Supreme Lord, the Creator and the Watchful, the First and the Last, the knowing and the Wise, the Hearing, and the Aware, the Witness and the Glorious, the Able and ' the Powerful. ( Holy Qu'ran example )
3. He is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous and the Benevolent, the Rich and the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Patient and the Appreciative, the unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace. ( Holy Qu'ran example )
Each one of these names and attributes of God is mentioned in various places in the Holy Qu'ran. We all enjoy the care and mercy of God Who is so Loving and Kind to His creation. If we try to count His favours upon us, we cannot, because they are countless ( Holy Qu'ran )
God is High and Supreme, but he is very near to the pious thoughtful people; He answers their prayers and helps them. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them peace and happiness, knowledge and success, life and protection. He welcomes all those who want to be at peace with Him and never rejects any of them. He teaches man to be good, to do the right and to keep away from the wrong. Because He is so Good and Loving. He recommends and accepts only the good and right things. The door of His mercy is always open to any who sincerely seek His support and protection. ( Holy Qu'ran )
The Love of God for His creatures is immense and beyond human imagination. We cannot measure or count His favours. He creates us and takes good care of us, not only from the time of our birth onward, but even long before that. He makes us in the best form of creation and gives us all the senses and faculties that we need for our growth. He helps us when we cannot help ourselves, and provides for us and for our dependents. He creates in man the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane.
By His mercy we gain true knowledge and see the real light. Because He is Merciful He creates us in the most beautiful shape and provides us with the sun and the moon, the land and the sea, the earth and the skies, the plants and the animals. He is the Creator of all these things and many others for our benefit and use. He makes things that are of service to us in this life, and gives man dignity and intelligence, honour and respect, because man is the best of all created things and is God's viceroy on earth.
The mercy O god gives us hope and peace, courage and confidence. It enables us to remedy our griefs and sorrows, to overcome our difficulties and obtain success and happiness. Indeed, the mercy of God relieves the distressed, cheers the afflicted, consoles the sick, strengthens the desperate, and comforts the needy. In short, the mercy of God is active everywhere all the time in every aspect of our lives. Some people may fail to recognise it only because they take it for granted. But it is real and we can feel it with our hearts and appreciate it with our minds.
The Loving Merciful God never forgets us or lets us down or ignores our sincere calls upon Him. By His Mercy and Love He has shown us the Right Way and sent to us messengers and teachers, books and revelations - all are meant for our help and guidance. The last Messenger from God is Muhammad ( SAW ), and the most genuine existing book of Allah is the Qu'ran. From the traditions of Muhammad ( SAW ) and the teachings of the Qu'ran, we learn about the Forgiving God. If a person commits a sin or does something wrong, then he is violating the law of God, committing a grave offence against God and abusing his own dignity and existence. But if he is sincere and wishes to repent, regrets his wrong deeds and wants to return to God, faithfully seeks pardon from God and honestly approaches him, then God will certainly accept him and forgive him. Even those who reject God or his Oneness are assured of forgiveness, should they realise there erroneous attitude and resolve to come back to God. In this connection the Qu'ran say's:
"God forgives not that partnership should be setup with him; but He forgives anything else, to whom he pleases and; to setup partners with God is to devise a sin most heinous indeed. ( Qu'ran )
"Say oh my servants who have transgressed against their souls! despair not the mercy of God: for God forgives all sins: for he is most forgiving, most merciful. Turn to your Lord ( in repentance ) and submit to him, before the penalty comes on you; after that you shall not be helped. And follow the best of the courses revealed to you from your Lord, before the penalty comes on you on a sudden while you perceive not !" ( Qu'ran )
In return for all these great favours and kindness God does not need anything from us, because He is the needless and the independent. He does not ask us to pay him back, for we cannot reward him or value his immeasurable favours and mercy. What He commands us to do, however, is only to be good, to be thankful and to be appreciative, to follow his recommendations and in force his law, to be the proper manifestation of his goodness and excellent attributes, to be his honest agents and true representatives on earth.
He does not want to enslave us because he is the One who grants us dignity and honour. He does not wish to subjugate us, because He is One who is emancipates us from fear and superstitions. He does not desire to humiliate us because He is the One who creates us and exalts our ranks above all other beings. So whatever rules and prescriptions He passes unto us are designed for our own benefit and good. They are meant to help us enjoy our lives with one another in Peace and Kindness, in brotherhood and co-operation. They are destined to make us attain his most pleasant company and adopt the surest approach to Eternal Happiness in life after death.
There are various ways to know God and there are many things to tell about him. The Great wonders and impressive marvels of the world are like open books in which we can read about God. Besides, God Himself comes to our Aid through the many messengers and revelations He has sent down to man. These messengers and revelations tell us everything we need to know about God. So by reflecting on nature, by hearing the words of the messengers, and by reading the Divine revelations we can gain most convincing knowledge about God and find the Straight Path to Him.
The aforesaid discussion brings forth the following facts:
There is God. He is ONE.
2. He is the creator, sustainer and provider of this universe
and there is no partners unto Him.
3. He is the One and the Only One who can guide us in the
Right Path in all walks of our life. It is in following His
guidance the success and salvation of man, Here and in
the Hereafter lies, says the Qu'ran:
"Allah Himself bears witness that there is no God but He and likewise do the Angels and the men possessed of knowledge bear witness in truth and justice that there is no God but He the Almighty the All-Wise". ( 3: 18 Holy Qu'ran )
"Say, 'God's guidance is the ( only ) Guidance And we have been directed to submit ourselves to the Lord of the Worlds" ( 6: 71 Holy Qu'ran )
Now it is the duty of everyone of us to acknowledge Him, acquire the Knowledge of His guidance and lead a life of complete submission to His guidance.
If We don't we are the Only Losers Here, We Must hold on to the Rope Of Allah Firmly, and never let go :)))))))))))))))))
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