Discover Islam
Man is a social being by nature. He cannot live perpetually on his own, completely independent of others. People are interdependent. Consequently, friction arise between them when their personal interests come into conflict with each other, or when what they perceive as their individual rights infringe upon those of others. Conflicts between them inevitably break out. In some cases, one party to the conflict might be strong and aggressive while the other is weak and condescending, incapable of defending his rights.
Because of this, it becomes necessary for there to be a way to prevent people from oppressing one another, to ensure that the weaker members of society receive justice, and to determine right from wrong when issues get complicated or uncertain. This can only be realized through a judge that has the power to give legal verdicts in cases of dispute.
For this reason, we find that the existence of a judge is considered by Islamic law and the laws of all the other revealed religions to be both a religious obligation and a necessity of human life. God says: Continue reading
This is a good question and one that Bible readers have also asked about. The term “We” in the Bible and in the Quran is the royal “We” – as an example when the king says, “We decree the following declaration, etc.” or, “We are not amused.”
It does not indicate plural; rather it displays the highest position in the language. English, Persian, Hebrew, Arabic and many languages provide for the usage of “We” for the royal figure. It is helpful to note the same dignity is given to the person being spoken to in English. We say to someone, “You ARE my friend.” Yet the person is only one person standing there. Why did we say “ARE” instead of “IS”?
The noun “you” is singular and should therefore be associated with a singular verb for the state of being, yet we say, “are.” The same is true for the speaker when referring to himself or herself. We say, “I am” and this is also in the royal plural, instead of saying, “I is.” Continue reading
I converted to Islam two months ago and did not think it important to share my story, but in the past few days, I realized that I myself benefitted from other new Muslims’ stories, so why not let someone benefit from my journey to Islam? Inshallah (God-Willing) someone will read it and come to the truth as I have.
I came from a Catholic family from central Europe. I don’t know if you have ever visited central Europe and seen the condition there? Most of the people claim to be Protestants, Roman-Catholics, Orthodox Christians or some other sort of Christian. Islam is not popular or well known among people. I would to go to church and I learnt about the religion in school but I never really pondered over it. The only reason I was a Christian was because my parents were Christians.
It was only when I became 16 that I really began to think for myself and to question my faith. I no longer could take what was said to us “this is how it is, so accept it!” So often, would I go to church and listen to the sermons of the preacher and I remember that after Mass I would ask my mom so many questions. I must admit that many times the sermons were nice and the priest tried to give us direction in life but it felt as though I was a slave not having any will of my own. Do not understand me wrong, I know that people are not perfect and that they are in need of guidance; I just did not understand why a priest, as human as I, who was as prone to error as I, could yield so much authority. Continue reading
The average human being in the developed world battles sadness and worry on a daily basis. While the majority of the world’s population confront extreme poverty, famine, conflict and despair those of us privileged to lead relatively easy lives must tackle fear, stress, and anxiety. Why are those of us blessed with riches beyond compare immersed in loneliness and desperation? We are living in a time of confusion, we try as we might, yet gathering material possessions can do nothing to mend broken hearts, and shattered souls.
Now, more than at any other time in human kind’s history, stress, anxiety, and psychological problems are taking a tremendous toll on the human condition. Religious beliefs should afford a sense of comfort however; it seems that 21stcentury man has lost the ability to connect to God. Pondering the meaning of life no longer overcomes a feeling of abandonment. This desire to acquire material possessions, which in some way validates our reason for being, has become the balm that soothes our troubled souls. Why is this so? Continue reading
Given consent by the constitution, the Jews had the complete freedom to practice their religion. The Jews in Medina at the time of the Prophet had their own school of learning, namedBait-ul-Midras, where they would recite the Torah, worship and educate themselves.
The Prophet emphasized in many letters to his emissaries that religious institutions should not be harmed. Here in a letter addressed to his emissary to the religious leaders of Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai who has sought the protection of the Muslims: Continue reading
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy
Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Bin Abdul Muhsin Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him) said in his explanation of Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah: Lesson: 11]
Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa-ah affirm and believe in Allaah’s Attribute of love.
Allaah loves the doers of good, the people of piety and the repentant. He loves those who purify themselves, those who fight in His cause and those who follow the noble Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). He loves the characteristics of Imaan, the acts of worship He has commanded His slaves and those who carry out such commandments. He loves the act of repentance and those who repent, and He loves piety and the people of piety. He loves perfection in worship and those who carry out acts of worship with perfection and are doers of good. He loves all the things he has commanded and those who carry out such actions. Indeed, the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to say in his supplication:
اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أسْألُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَحُبَّ الْعَمَل الَّذِي يُقَرِّبُنِي إِلَى حُبِّك
‘’O Allaah! I ask for your love and the love of the one who loves you, and the love for the deeds that will draw me close to your love.’’ Continue reading
What would you call a religion whose beliefs, practices and followers are being bashed and bad-mouthed in practically every sphere of activity, in almost every corner of the globe, yet it attracts ever-increasing numbers of people?
A Paradox? A Miracle ? Or simply, The Truth: Islam.
The fact that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today, is proof that our Creator has taken it upon Himself to perfect the Truth that He sent all His prophets and messengers with — from Aadam [AS] to Muhammad [SAW].
If you discovered something so amazing you felt like jumping up and down in excitement, what is the first thing that you would want to do? If you worked out the answer to a puzzle and knew others were trying to do the same thing, how would you feel, how would you react? If you discovered the meaning of life or the secrets of the universe, what would you do with that knowledge? If you worked out a way of banishing fear and sadness and replacing it with eternal happiness what would you do?
You might, in the course of your daily lives, hear Muslims talking about the Islamic way; the Islamic way to dress, the Islamic way to eat, and the Islamic way to wash. This is because Islam is a holistic way of life. It is not separated into physical, emotional and spiritual areas; rather Islam teaches that all aspects of life combine to fulfil one purpose; the worship of God.
"And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind except to worship Me (Alone)." (Quran 51:56)
slam is a religion revealed by God for all people, in all places, at all times. As such, Islam is accessible to everybody and is particularly mindful of the importance of respect, rights, and responsibilities. The words of the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, contain the rights and responsibilities granted by God to humankind. They are not subject to the whims and desires of men or women therefore they do not change. These unique rights mentioned in Islam also include the rights of children. Children’s rights are not guaranteed by the actions of their parents, their communities, or even their governments. God Himself guarantees children’s rights.
