Islam, Balancing Life and Beyond

p. 5 3/8 x 8 3/8 Inches

First Edition 2008 - 50,000 Copies

Second Edition 2009 - 60,000 Copies
Third Revised Edition 2010 - 100,000 Copies
Fourth Revised Edition 2013 - 100,000 Copies
Fifth Revised Edition 2016 - 100,000 Copies
Sixth Revised Edition 2018 - 100,000 Copies

Prepared & Presented

by:
Suhail Kapoor

A Project of Islamic Propagation Center, Mississauga, Ontario.

Do you have questions that need to be answered?

or if you are a non-Muslim and would like to have
a free copy of a Quran, please call 416.721.5556
or write to suhailkapooor@gmail.com or
visit www.askusaboutislam.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is acknowledged that some of the text and photos were sourced online and from various

book is religious propagation in order to raise understanding and interfaith tolerance. There is

absolutely ‘free of cost’.

 CONTENTS
TITLES PAGE
Reviews 3
Foreword 5
Who is Allah ( )? 7
Islamic Monotheism 9
The Ka’bah 10
The Quran 11
Statistical Miracles in the Quran 13

Predictions in the Quran 22

Who is Muhammad ( )? 23
Muhammad’s Treaties & Covenants with Jews and Christians 24
Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon 25
The Hadith and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad 27
What is Islam and what it stands for? 28
Five Pillars of Islam 29
Beliefs of Muslims - Six articles of faith 29
Who are Muslims 29
What is a Mosque? 30
Prayers 30
What Muslims say in their Prayers 31
Essence of Prayer 32
Zakat 33
Fasting in Islam 34
What food do Muslims eat? 34
Why pork is forbidden in Islam 35
What else Islam Forbids 36
Human right in Islam 37
What Islam says about terrorism? 38
Jihad 38
Concept of Sin 40
Life Hereafter 41
Family values and elders in Islam 42
Status and rights of women is Islam 42

Four Wives or up to Four Wives and Why? 49

Premarital relations 53
Islam and other faiths 53
Who was Jesus? 55
Commonalities between Islam, Judaism and Christianity 56
Spread of Islam, its legacy and contribution to the modern world 61
What non-muslims say about Muhammad 64
What does it take to become a Muslim 67
Islam in the West 68
Why are so many coming to Islam 69
REVIEWS

“I think the book is very clearly written and presented. Moreover, the organization
of the book is likely to draw in readers with limited familiarity, as it presents basic
doctrines and undermines certain prevalent stereotypes early on. I think the
presentation of Islamic doctrine as quite different from the representation in the
western media of “Islamic fundamentalists” is generally well done and useful.
Certainly, some westerners are inclined to generalize falsely about Islam, and

as opposed to its doctrinal ideals. This would not be so bad if many westerners

their highest stated ideals, rather than their much more checkered actual
performance. While such a short book does not attempt a detailed defense
of many beliefs, it can serve as a useful introduction to Islamic doctrine, and a
resource for many westerners interested in pursuing deeper dialogue.”
Dr. David Checkland
Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Philosphy, Ryerson Univ., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

“Suhail Kapoor’s well organized and clearly worded book will be a valuable
asset in helping people understand the history and many wonderful aspects of
Islam. I feel great respect for his efforts toward understanding and peace.

with your feeling that it is important for people of different religious backgrounds
to attempt to fully understand each other’s traditions and treat each other with
compassion and respect. I respect your efforts to assist people in doing this through
helping them understand the history and many wonderful aspects of your religion,
Islam. Since Soto Zen buddhist practice is experiential rather than belief based,
there are many points where we would tend to disagree perhaps, however,
in your belief that mutual respect is very important, there is only agreement.
Best wishes to you in your efforts and in life in general.”
Rev. Tesshin James Smith
Atlantic Soto Zen Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

issues that non-Muslims have regarding Islam. In particular, the booklet covers
Muslim beliefs and practices and touches on important issues on violence

commended for his great efforts.”

Professor Liyakat Takim
Sharjah Chair in Global Islam, McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
“In these times when we are barraged with stereotypes by the media and by
people whose lives have sadly led them towards bigotry and resentment of
differences any effort to spread mutual understanding is very welcome indeed.
I commend you for all the energy you are putting into this important endeavour:
the world will be a better place for your admirable commitment.

“I found your book informative, and a very good introduction to Islamic belief
for the general reader. It is especially good at developing the grounds for
interfaith dialogue based on overlapping understandings of God. The language
is accessible and concepts are clearly explained.”
Professor John Black, Co-Chair Liberal Studies Department
Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

“In his book Islam: Balancing Life and Beyond, Suhail Kapoor presents the
tenets of Islam in an understandable way that is simple but not simplistic.
Mr. Kapoor bases his explanations of Islamic belief on the primary sources of
actual quotations from the Quran and other writings. In so doing, oftentimes

helps resolve misunderstandings caused by a lack of awareness on the part

of non-Arabic speakers. Mr. Kapoor does not shy away from controversial
topics but addresses them head-on with candor and clarity. While the book is
obviously written from the faith perspective of a believer, its aim is informative,
not proselytory and does not seek or pressure the reader to convert/revert to
Islam. The book does not insist that readers accept Islam but invites readers to
understand an Islamic perspective. Readers of this book will be left with greater
insight and appreciation for the faith of their Muslim neighbours.”
JW Windland, Founder
Encounter World Religions Centre, Geulph, Ontario, Canada

“Nicely produced book and easy to read and understand. Many

misconceptions of Islam by the West are handled deftly but some
statements about Judaism and Christianity are debatable. “
Rev Charles Brock
FOREWORD

Born and raised a Hindu, and keeping in mind the diametrically opposed
tangents of Hindu philosophy versus Islam, it was only by Divine Will that I was
blessed with Islam. For this I will always be short of words and actions to show
my gratitude to Allah(God), The Exalted in Might. As Prophet Muhammad
said: “When Allah wishes well for someone, He grants him understanding of
Deen (Religion).” For me I could never come to terms with the idea of God
incarnate or reincarnation, which is the central theme Hinduism revolves
around. I always thought that there certainly has to be a better way to
connect to God and achieve salvation. The very fact that we have been
given this life is a start and what actually awaits us at the end is something
that I have always contemplated. I remember being at the young age
of sixteen and coming from a strict traditional family, when at a religious
event, I mustered all the strength I had in me to tell my father, “the rituals
in our religion do not impress me and I should be allowed the freedom
of choice.” When he heard this, I clearly remember the astonishment and
disbelief on his face. After giving me a piercing look, it was as if his unwilling
approval was already given. It re-established my trust in my father whom I
always thought to be a reasonable man. That day was the turning point in
my life. Torn between what I was always made to believe and the search
for truth was something that consumed me all the time. My uneasiness grew
by the day and I always thought that there had to be something else more
acceptable to my soul and intellect.

Ultimately my inner commotion came to rest when I embraced Islam in

1990 while working in Saudi Arabia. The sudden electrifying transformation
that I felt within me at the very moment I was taking shahada (declaration
of faith) can never be fully explained. Best described, it was as if there was

and simultaneously there was something being forcefully thrust inside me.

my perception of life and its purpose. The religious values in which I grew
up were so heavily ingrained within me, that the transition to a completely
new way of life was not all that simple. I suppose that having searched for

Since that moment I have come a long way in my personal and spiritual

As time passed and I was learning, this ever growing sense of urgency within
me to present my new-found religion in a manner that will appeal to those
who have never even heard the word ‘Islam’ became more intense. Some
have at least heard of It but know very little about It or what It represents.
Others know only a distorted and violent image of Islam. In today’s
challenging times, when religious intolerance is on the rise everywhere,
communal violence, hatred and antipathy are the norm, there is the need
to reach out to people of other faiths, culminated in the book that you now
hold in your hands. This book is also an effort to bridge the ever-increasing
gap between religions, particularly the ones that are monotheistic by

pursued the ambition of sharing with others the light that continues to shine
on me. In other words, talking about Islam has become my only passion
and obsession.

Being involved intensely in propagation activities and after interacting with

people from various intellectual and spiritual backgrounds all the way to
the man on the street, I have understood to a great degree the numerous

of information. So inexhaustible is the knowledge on Islam that it was virtually

this book. However, I have tried to be both brief as well as comprehensive

Anything less may have failed to accomplish the fullness of the message
that I intended to convey. I trust this aim was achieved, especially when

I would also like to extend my deep gratitude to all those who so willingly
agreed to give their time in going through the text and giving numerous
valuable suggestions for improvements. May Allah reward them amply for
the assistance they provided me. Lastly, I only hope that Allah
mercy, accept my humble efforts in conveying His word to those who
remain unknowledgeable of it and that I have succeeded in portraying
the true image of Islam.

Suhail Kapoor
Who is Allah ( )?
Out of reverence, all Muslims when taking the name of Allah, will also say ‘Azza Wa Jal’ meaning

Allah is the Creator and Judge of mankind, the Omnipotent, the

Omnipresent, the Compassionate,the Merciful. Belonging to an old Semitic
root word meaning Divine and used in the Canaanite El and the biblical
Elohim, the term Allah is used by most of the Arabic-speaking Muslims,
Christians, Jews, and others alike. If one picks up an Arabic Christian Bible
it will be seen in the book of Genesis, the word Allah is mentioned six times

of time throughout the Bible. They could have chosen the word ‘God’
for Allah in Arabic but we see they chose not to. Muslims eliminate any
anthropomorphism (human qualities) to their understanding and concept
of Allah. His attributes in no way resemble the attributes possessed by
humans, despite similar labels or appellations. Prior to the advent of Islam,
Jews and other tribes in Arabia also referred to the supreme creator as
Allah. The belief that mediation is necessary in order for one’s prayers to

approached is negated in Islam in the following Quranic verse, “And

indeed We have created man, and We know what his own self whispers to

(Quran 50:16)

all of a tribal God, an Arabian or even a Muslim God. The term Allah in
Arabic simply means the One and Only True, Universal God of all. To think
that Allah is different from God with a capital ‘G’ is no more valid than
saying the French Christians worship a different God because they call him
“Dieu”. The uniqueness of the name Allah is that it remains singular and is
free from any form of pluralism like ‘Gods’ and gender attribution such as
‘Goddesses’. For Muslims to consider addressing Allah as Allahess will seem
not only linguistically impossible in Arabic language but will even sound
absurd. It is a name that He Himself has told us to call Him. Imagine calling
Chris by the name of Jim and expecting Chris to respond.

The word for God used in Aramaic is Alaha which comes from the same
Proto-Semitic word (ilâh-) as the Arabic and Hebrew terms. In fact the word
Allah existed much before Muhammad for thousands of years. It is probably
one of the oldest names man has used to address God. According to the
Quran, Adam used the word Allah to call the Lord. On the contrary, the
word “God” emerged along with the English language which is not as old
as the Semitic languages.

What are the basic attributes of Allah? In total there are ninety nine of the
“most beautiful names” (or attributes) of Allah. The Saviour, the Knower of

Forgiver of sins, the Highest, the Greatest, the Preserver, the Mighty, the
Generous, the Watchful one, the Responder to prayers, the Perfectly wise,

Ever living one, the Self-existing one, the all Powerful, the Supreme one, the
Patient one and the Guide to all repentance, etc.

“Allah is He, other than Whom there is no God; the Sovereign, the Holy One,
the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver
of Safety, the Irresistible. The Exalted in Might, the Supreme: Glory to Allah!
(High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.” (Quran 59;23)

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or Colours). To
Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on
earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory; and He is the Exalted in Might, the
Wise.” (Quran 59:24).

“Say: Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call
upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.” (Quran
17:110)
Islamic Monotheism

Islam’s teachings are simple and acceptable to human intellect. It is free

from superstitions and irrationality. The oneness of God, the prophethood
of Muhammad and the concept of life after death are the basic articles of

simple and straightforward. There is no hierarchy of priests, no farfetched

abstractions, and no complicated rites or rituals. It enjoins us to see things
in the light of reality. The Quran advises us to seek knowledge and invoke
God to expand one’s awareness: “Say ‘O, my Lord ! Advance me in
knowledge’.” (Quran 20:114)

God also says: “Are those

who know equal with those
who know not? But only
men of understanding will
pay heed.” (Quran 39:9)

Some attributes emphasize

the transcendence of
Allah. The Quran repeatedly
makes it clear that Allah
is beyond our limited
perception. That means He in no way resembles His creation. For if the
Creator is like the creation, He is no more worthy of worship. “There is nothing
whatever comparable unto Him.” (Quran 42:11) “No vision can grasp Him,
but His grasp is over all vision.” (Quran 6:103) A Muslim never thinks of God
as having any particular image, whether physical, human, material or
otherwise. Such attributes as “The Perfectly-Knowing,” “The Eternal,” “The
Just,” “The Omnipotent,” “The Omnipresent,” and “The Sovereign” also
emphasize transcendence. But this does not mean in any way that for the
Muslim, Allah is a mere philosophical concept or a deity far removed. Indeed,
alongside this emphasizes on the transcendence of Allah. The Quran also
talks about Allah as the “personal” God who is close, easily approachable,

repeated dozens of times a day by a Muslim in his prayers, is “In the name of
Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. . . .”

For Muslims, monotheism does not mean simply the unity of God, because
there can be different persons in unity. Monotheism in Islam is the absolute
Oneness of God and the Oneness of worship, which precludes the notion of
persons sharing in Godhead. The opposite of monotheism in Islam, is called
in Arabic, “shirk,” association of others with Allah. This includes not only
polytheism, but also dualism (believing in one God for good or light and
another for evil or darkness). The concept of “shirk” also includes pantheism,
the idea that God is in everything. All forms of God-incarnate philosophies
are excluded by Islam’s monotheism. These are all regarded as forms
of “associating” others with Allah (shirk), whether by believing that such
creatures of Allah possess divinity or by believing that they share the Divine
Attributes of Allah. It should be added that, to the Muslim, monotheism is
not simply a dogma. Islam’s pure, pristine and strict monotheism is much

Muslim’s whole outlook on life.

The Ka’bah

The Ka’bah (Arabic: ). Prophet Abraham and Ismail (peace be upon them)
reconstructed the House of God over the foundations laid by Adam as
instructed by Allah, the Almighty. The general shape of the Holy Ka’bah was
and still is today rectangular and approximately nine cubits high (39ft. 6in.,
total size 627sq. ft.). It is almost impossible to know the exact age except
that it is ancient. Today, the ‘Haram’ or the Holy Mosque in Makkah (Saudi

The Great Mosque of Mecca (or Haram) in Saudi Arabia with pilgrims arranged concentrically
around the Ka‘bah, the sacred centre of Islam.
Arabia), that houses the Ka’bah is the largest place of worship on earth
and after the completion of the current expansion it will hold more than
two million worshippers for prayers at one time.

The ‘Haram’ is a sanctuary where all forms of violence are prohibited. The
word haram has the dual meaning of forbidden and sacred. It is a symbol

world. It is mentioned in the Quran

was in Bakka [ancient word for Makkah], a blessed place, and as guidance
to the peoples.” (Quran 3:96) “Allah hath appointed the Ka’bah, the sacred
house, a standard for mankind.” (Quran 5:97) “Behold, we gave the site to
Ibrahim, of the (sacred) house.” (Quran 22:26)

The Quran

Billions read it. Millions memorize it. Ever thought why?

Well, its time to know. The Quran (Arabic: ), literally meaning “the
recitation”, is the most religious text of Islam. Muslims believe that the Quran
is the book of divine guidance and complete direction for mankind, and
consider the text (in
of God to all mankind. The Quran was revealed to Muhammad as other
divine messages were revealed to previous prophets by Angel Gabriel.
Muslims regard the Quran as the culmination of a series of divine messages
that started with those revealed to Adam, who is regarded in Islam

The aforementioned books are not explicitly included but are recognized
in the Quran.

The Quran is a Message from Allah to humanity. It was transmitted to

us in a chain starting from the Almighty Himself to Angel Gabriel to
Muhammad. Unlike the other revealed Books to previous prophets, this
message was given to the Prophet in piecemeal over a period spanning
approximately twenty three years (610 CE to 633 CE). He was forty years old
when the Quran began to be revealed to him, and he was sixty three when
the revelation was completed. The language of the original message was

languages of the world. It is a responsibility and a blessing for those who

hear of the Quran to investigate it and examine it for themselves. Being
the ‘Last Testament’ to man, Allah has promised that He will protect it from
human tampering, and today exact copies of the original Quran are found
all over the world. In every generation of Muslims, there have always been
hundreds of thousands who have memorized the Quran.

Presently there are approximately 10 million Muslims in the world, ranging

from the age of 6 to 75, who have committed the entire Quran, word for
word, cover to cover, (636 pages consisting 6236 verses) to their memory
and their hearts. Among them, is my son, Yusuf Kapoor who completed
the memorization at the age of fourteen. It is the only book on earth
that is memorized with such passion and fervor. Those who achieve this
extraordinary feat, do not necessarily need to be an Arab. Children of
tender age and from all ethnic backgrounds, be they Scottish, Italian,
Chinese, Russian, Polish or Scandinavian who never knew a word of Arabic

The Quran that is read today is the same as the Quran that was revealed
to Muhammad over fourteen centuries ago. In other words, it is the same
message of monotheism that was given to Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses
& Jesus (peace be on them all) .

“Surely, We have without doubt, sent down the message, and We will
assuredly safe guard it (from corruption) (Quran15:9).” Unlike other
scriptures which have witnessed many human interferences, the claim of
Muslims that the Quran is the only text on the face of the earth that has
withstood the test of time (over fourteen centuries) and remains unaltered
and uncorrupted, still stands. Its testimony has come even from scholars of
other faiths.

Statistical Miracles in the Quran

A study conducted by a well known Muslim scholar, Dr. Tariq Al-Suwaidan,

verses in the Holy Quran that mention one thing is equal to another, i.e.
men are equal to women.

Although this makes sense grammatically, the astonishing fact is that the
number of times the word man appears in the Quran is 24 and number of
times the word woman appears is also 24, therefore not only is this phrase
correct in the grammatical sense but also true mathematically, i.e. 24 = 24.
Upon further analysis of various verses, he discovered that this is consistent
throughout the whole Quran, where it says one thing is like another. See
below for astonishing result of the words mentioned number of times in the
Quran:

Duniya (one name for life or the world we live in) 115 / Aakhirat (one
name for the life after this world, or the hereafter) 115
Malaika (Angels) 88 / Shayteen (Satan) 88
Life 145 / Death 145

People 50 / Messengers 50
Eblees (king of devils) 11 / Seek refuge from Eblees 11
Museebah (calamity) 75 / Thanks 75
Spending (Sadaqah) 73 / Satisfaction 73
People who are mislead 17 / Dead people 17
Muslimeen 41 / Jihad 41
Gold 8 / Easy life 8
Magic 60 / Fitnah (dissuasion, misleading) 60
Zakat (Taxes Muslims pay to the poor) 32 / Barakah (Increasing or
blessings of wealth) 32
Mind 49 / Noor 49
Tongue 25 / Sermon 25
Speaking publicly 18 / Publicising 18
Hardship 114 / Patience 114
Muhammad 4 / Sharee’ah (Muhammad’s teachings) 4
Man 24 / Woman 24

And amazingly enough have a look how many times the following words
appear: Salat (Prayers) Muslims pray 5 times a day) 5, Shahr (Month) 12,
Youm (Day) 365, Bahr (Sea) 32, Ardh (Land) 13.

Sea + land = 32+13= 45

Sea = 32/45x100=71.11111111%
Land = 13/45x100 = 28.88888889%
Sea + land =100.00%

Modern science has only recently proven that the water covers
71.111% of the earth, while the land covers 28.889%. Is this a
coincidence? Question is that who taught Prophet Muhammad all this?
The name that comes instantly to mind is, ‘Allah’. Yet something more
about the Quran to ponder about.

Allah says: “We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and inside
them, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not

41:53)

Very important discovery: A new star forming out of a cloud of gas and dust
(nebula), which is one of the
remnants of the “smoke” that
was the origin of the whole
universe. (The Space Atlas,
Heather and Henbest, page
50)

“Then He turned to the heaven

when it was smoke...”(Quran
41:11). Only Islam claims that
the universe was originated
An image taken by the Hubble space telescope of the
from dust and hot gas, or “Cat’s Eye Nebula”; an exploding star 3000 light years
smoke. away, the image was published by NASA on Oct 31,
1999. Original image at http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/
apod/ap991031.html
Another very important
discovery: “And when the heaven splitteth asunder and becometh rosy
like paint.“(Quran 55:37) What Allah is saying here is that when galaxies
explode, they form a rose-shaped explosion. He is also telling us that the
universe will all turn into exploded galaxies looking like roses when the Day
of Judgment happens.

THE BIRTH OF A HUMAN BEING

created and shaped, making from it both sexes, male and female?”
(Quran 75:37-39)

The bones of the baby completing its development in the mother’s womb

Quran.

“[We] then formed the drop into a clot and formed the clot into a lump

brought him into being as another creature. Blessed be Allah, the Best of
Creators!” (Quran 23:14)

Many stages of a baby’s development in the mother’s

womb are revealed in the Quran. As described in
chapter al-Muminun, the cartilage of the embryo

are covered with muscle cells. Allah describes this

development with the verse: “[We then] formed the

23:14)

In chapter az-Zumar, it is pointed out that man is

created in the mother’s womb in three distinct regions. Indeed, modern
embryology has revealed that the baby’s embryological development
takes place in three distinct regions in the mother’s womb. “He creates
you stage by stage in your mothers’ wombs in threefold darkness. That is
Allah, your Lord. Sovereignty is His. There is no God but Him. So what has
made you deviate?” (Quran 39:6)

THE SEQUENCE IN DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN ORGANS

“It is He Who has created hearing, sight and minds for you. What little thanks
you show!” (Quran 23:78)

“Allah brought you out of your mothers’

wombs knowing nothing at all, and
gave you hearing, sight and minds so
that perhaps you would show thanks.”
(Quran 16:78)

“Say: What do you think? If Allah took

away your hearing and your sight and
sealed up your hearts, what God is
there, other than Allah, who could give
them back to you?”… (Quran 6:4) The information only recently obtained
about the formation of the baby’s organs
“We created man from a mingled drop inside the mother’s womb is in complete
agreement with that revealed in the
to test him, and We made him hearing Quran.
and seeing.” (Quran 76:2)

The information only recently obtained about the formation of the baby’s
organs inside the mother’s womb is in complete agreement with that
revealed in the Quran.

The above verses refer to a number of senses given to human beings by

sight, feeling and understanding.

In a paper published in the Journal of the Islamic Medical Association, Dr.

Keith Moore, professor emeritus, of University of Toronto, states that during
the development of the foetus, the eyes begin to form after the inner

understanding, begins its development after the ears and the eyes.

The foetus’ ears begin to develop as early as the twenty-second day of

pregnancy and become fully functional in the fourth month. After that, the
foetus can hear sounds in its mother’s womb. For that reason, the sense
of hearing forms before the other vital functions for a new-born baby. The
order set out in the Quran is striking from that point of view. (See Harun
Yahya, The Miracle of the Creation of the Human Being, Goodword Books,
New Delhi, 2001).

THE SENSATION OF SKIN PAIN

The sensation of touch: the

corpuscles responsible for such
sensation are called Meissners and
Merkels corpuscles. The sensation
of pain: this is transported by
the nerve endings in the skin.
The sensation of heat: this is the
(Fig. 2A) The nerve endings will be exposed if the
corpuscles.

often as their skins are roasted through. We shall change

them for fresh skins, that they may taste the punishment; for
Allah is Exalted in power; Wise.” (Quran 4:56)

pain buds are embedded in the skin, the Quran

signs, shall face a perpetual never ending pain

through renewed skins.

Allah says: “I do swear by the Day of Resurrection.

I do swear by the reproachful soul. Does man
Finger prints are considered as
distinct feature evidence of reckon We shall not gather his bones? Yes
each human being indeed; We are able to shape again the tips of

THE LAYERS OF THE EARTH

“It is Allah Who created the seven heavens and of the earth the same
number, the Command descending down through all of them, so that you
might know that Allah has power over all things and that Allahencompasses
all things in His knowledge.” (Quran 65:12)
it is explained that the Earth consists of seven strata. These, as scientists have

1st layer: Lithosphere (water)

2nd layer: Lithosphere (land)
3rd layer: Asthenosphere
4th layer: Upper Mantle
5th layer: Inner Mantle
6th layer: Outer Core
7th layer: Inner Core

THE EARTH DISGORGES ITS CHARGES

“When the earth is convulsed with its quaking and the earth then disgorges
its charges and man asks, ‘What is wrong with it?’ on that Day it will impart
all its news.” (Quran 99:1-4)

The word “zilzal” in Arabic means earthquake, or tremors, and the word
“athqalaha” means “its charges, its heavy burdens.” When one considers

Chapter az-Zilzal, in the Quran mentions the earth disgorging its charges.
Indeed, as a result of research in recent years, it has been discovered that
there are heavy metals at the centre of the Earth, and that these appear
as a result of movements on the Earth’s surface. According to geologists’
calculations, as the Earth cooled, heavy and dense substances sank to its
centre, while lighter ones rose to the surface. For that reason, the Earth’s
crust consists of the lightest substances (basalt and granite rocks), while
heavy metals (nickel and iron) are found in the core. As a result, the
subsurface, which consists of molten metals, is made of a material that is
much heavier and denser than the surface.

During earthquakes, the heavy substances below the surface have an

opportunity to rise, and the Earth thus disgorges its charges, as revealed
in the Quran. Moreover, those regions where metal reserves are most
concentrated are also those with the greatest volcanic activity. These

Allah in the Quran.

THE FORMATION OF MILK

“There is instruction for you in cattle. From the contents of their bellies, from
between the dung and blood, We give you pure milk to drink, easy for
drinkers to swallow.” (Quran 16:66)

“Say: ‘Who provides for you from the heavens and earth?’ Say: ‘Allah. It is
certain that one or the other of us, either we or you, is following guidance
or else clearly astray’.” (Quran 34:24)

The basic materials which

allow the nourishment of
the body come about as a
result of chemical changes
in the digestive system. These
digested substances then pass
through the wall of the intestine
into the blood stream. Due to
the circulation of the blood, the
nutriments reach the relevant
organs.

Like the other bodily tissues, the milk glands are nourished by nutriments
brought to them by the blood. The blood therefore plays a most important
role in the collection of nutriments from foodstuffs. Milk is secreted by the
milk glands after all these stages and its nutritional values are particularly
high. This is because it forms as a result of digested food being carried by
the blood. High-nutrition milk is thus produced from blood, which cannot be
consumed directly, and semi-digested food.

As we have seen, the information about the biological formation of milk in

chapter an-Nahl as above, is in great accordance with the facts established
by modern science. It is quite clear that such information, requiring detailed
knowledge of mammals’ digestive systems, could not have been known at
the time when the Quran was revealed.

THE FEMALE HONEY BEE

“Your Lord revealed to the bees: ‘Build dwellings in the mountains and the
trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat from every kind
of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord, which have been made easy for
you to follow.’ From inside them comes a drink of varying colours, containing
(Quran 16:68-69)

In the honey bee colonies where each of the

exception is the male honey bee. The males

do not contribute to the defence of the hive
or its cleaning, to gathering food, or making of
the honeycomb and honey. The only function
of the male bees in the hive is to inseminate
the queen bee. Apart from reproductive
organs, the males possess almost none of the
features of the other bees and it is therefore
impossible for them to do anything but fertilise
the queen.

The worker bees carry the entire load of the colony. Although they are
females like the queen, their ovaries have no maturity. This renders them
sterile. They have several duties: cleaning the hive, maintaining the larvae
and the young, feeding the queen bee and the males, producing honey,
constructing the honeycomb and repairing it, ventilating the hive and
safeguarding it, gathering supplies like nectar, pollen, water and resin, and
storing these in the hive.

In Arabic, there are two different forms of verbs. By means of the form,

a matter of fact, the verbs used for the honey bee in the verses of the
Quran are used in the female form. Through this, the Quran indicates that
the honey bees that work in the making of the honey are females.

We should not forget that it is impossible for this fact to have been
known about the honey bees in the time of the Prophet Muhammad.
Allah has pointed out this fact and shown us yet another miracle of the
Quran.

THE PERFECT EQUILIBRIUM IN THE UNIVERSE

discrepancy in the creation of the All-Merciful. Look again - do you see any
gaps? Then look again and again. Your sight will return to you dazzled and
exhausted!” (Quran 67:3-4)
The billions of stars and galaxies in the universe move in perfect equilibrium
in the paths set out for them. Stars, planets and satellites rotate not only
around their own axes but also together with the systems of which they are
an integral part. Sometimes, galaxies containing 200-300 billion stars move
across each others’ paths. Yet amazingly, no collisions take place that
might damage the great order in the universe. This miracle is something

In the universe, the concept of speed assumes giant dimensions when

compared to earthly measurements. Stars, planets, galaxies and
conglomerations of galaxies - whose numerical properties can only be
conceived by mathematicians, weigh billions or trillions of tons, and move
through space at extraordinary speeds.

For example, the Earth rotates at 1,670 kph.

If we consider that the fastest-moving bullet
today possesses an average speed of 1,800
kph, we can see how fast the Earth is moving,
despite its enormous size and mass.

The speed of the Earth as it orbits the Sun is

some 60 times faster than a bullet: 108,000
kph. If we were able to construct a vehicle
capable of moving at that speed, it would
be able to circumnavigate the Earth in 22

Our Solar System is even more fascinating. The speed of that system is such
that it exceed the bounds of reason; The larger the systems in the universe,
the greater their speed. The Solar System’s speed of orbit around the centre
of the galaxy is 720,000 kph. The Milky Way, with its 200 billion or so stars,
moves through space at 950,000 kph.

There is no doubt that there is a very high risk of collisions in such a

complicated and fast-moving system. Yet nothing of the sort actually
happens and we continue with our lives in complete safety. That is because

set out by Allah. It is for this reason that, as stated in the verse earlier, there
is no “discrepancy” in the system.
THE SPLITTING EARTH

“[I swear] by Heaven which returns and the earth which splits.” (Quran
86:11-12)

The Arabic word “sadA” in the above verse means “cracking, splitting
apart.” Allah’s swearing by the splitting of the Earth points to an important

descended to the depths of the seas and oceans in order to study mineral
resources in 1945-1946. One of the most important facts to emerge from

external surface of the Earth was split by large numbers of cracks (faults),
tens of thousands of kilometers long, running from north to south and east to
west. Scientists also realized that there was molten magma under the sea,
at depths of 100-150 km.

and a large part of molten rocks forms the mountains under the oceans. If
the Earth did not possess this structure, which allows large amounts of heat
to escape from its crust, life on Earth would become impossible.

Predictions In The Quran

The victory of Byzantium

The preservation of Pharaoh’s body
The conquest of Makkah
The exploration of space and voyage to the moon
Modern means of transport and plane technology
Image transmission
Smell transference
Who is Muhammad ( )?
Out of love for prophet Muhammad all Muslims when saying and listening his name
say ‘SalAllahu Alaihe wa Sallam’(may Allah honour him and grant him peace) and
that is what the above Arabic symbol represents.

Muhammad was born in Arabia in the year 570 AD in the noblest clan of
Makkah, the Qur’aish. During one of his meditative retreats to the Cave

Gabriel. He started his mission of preaching the religion of truth, Islam, at

the age of forty until his death, at the age of sixty-three. During this not so
long period of tweny three years, his prophethood transformed the entire
Arabian Peninsula from paganism and idolatry to the worship of One God,
from tribal quarrels and wars to national solidarity and cohesion, from
drunkenness and debauchery to sobriety and piety, from lawlessness and
anarchy to disciplined living, from utter moral bankruptcy to the highest
standards of moral excellence. Human history has never known such a
complete transformation of a people or a place before or since – and

Every detail of his private life and public utterances has been accurately
documented and faithfully preserved to our day. The authenticity of the
record so preserved is vouched for not only by Muslims but even by his
Muhammad the seal of all of God’s Messengers and
Prophets, was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this
earth. He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down
a moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms, established
a powerful and dynamic society to practice and represent his teachings
and completely revolutionized the world of human thought and behavior
for all times to come.

When he appeared, Arabia was nothing but a desert. Out of nothing a

new world was modelled by the dynamic spirit of Muhammad - a new life
and a new dimension, and the dawn of a new civilization unfurled which

of three continents -Asia, Africa and Europe. Michael H. Hart, the great
American scientist, philosopher, mathematician, physicist and historian of

Muhammad at no. 1.

Today after a lapse of over fourteen centuries, records of the life and
teachings of Muhammad , have survived without the slightest loss, human
interference or interpolation. They offer the same everlasting hope for
treating mankind’s many maladies, that they did when he was alive.

conclusion reached by a critical and unbiased history. The Quran itself

Muhammad is God’s last messenger to mankind and the seal
of prophethood.

Muhammad Treaties and Covenants with Jews and Christians

Muhammad after his immigration from

Makkah and arriving in Madinah was to weld together the different tribes

an orderly confederation. It was his greatest desire that there should be

peace and harmony in Madinah and the Muslims should be able to pursue
the worship of Allah without hindrance from any quarter. At the same time
he desired that others of different faiths should be able to live their own
lives freely and peacefully. To this end he signed treaties not only with the
Jews and Christians of Madinah but also with many other tribes. Giving
elaborate details will not be appropriate here but following is a summary
of the most important clauses of these treaties that are a testimony to the
respect that Islam attaches to the basic human rights and dignity of others:

WITH THE JEWS

1. This is a document from Muhammad, the prophet, governing the relations

between the believers and Muslims of the Quraish and Madinah and

2. All the inhabitants of Madinah will be considered as one nation.

3. To the Jews who follow us belong help and equality. They shall not be
wronged nor shall their enemies be aided.
4. The Jews shall have their freedom of their religion without any interference
from anyone.
5. It shall be the duty of the members of this ‘treaty’ to defend their allies
from any attacks from the enemies of Madinah.
6. No non-Muslim member shall give any assistance or protection to the
Quraish of Makkah who were virtually at war with the Muslims.
7. The people of Madinah shall not interfere with the life or religion of each
other.
8. They must seek mutual advice and consultation, and loyalty is a
protection against treachery.
9. It shall be the duty of everyone to assist the poor and the oppressed.
10. Massacres and killing shall be strictly forbidden.
11. The parties and the ‘Treaty’ shall be responsible for the maintenance
and peace and the valley of Madinah shall be a sanctuary for the
people of this document.
12. If any dispute or controversy likely to cause trouble should arise, it must
be referred to Allah and to Muhammad, the messenger of Allah.

WITH THE CHRISTIANS

(Also called ‘Charter of Privileges’: to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery

in Mt. Sinai.)

“This is a message from Muhammad ibn (son of) Abdullah, as a covenant

to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the
servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians
are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases
them.

No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry

anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these,
he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my
allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.

place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her
church to pray.

Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from

repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation
(Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”

Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon

of Mount Arafat. After praising, and thanking God, he said: “O People,

listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever
be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very
carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here
today.”

regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the
goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one
may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that
He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury
(Interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived...
Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that
he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following
him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women,
but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them
belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women
well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.
And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you
do not approve, as well as never to commit adultery.

(Salat), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat.

of another Muslim. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over another
except by piety and good action. Remember, one day you will appear
before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the
path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, No prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will
be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words
which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my
example, the Sunnah (my practices) and if you follow these you will never
go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and
those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better
than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah that I have
conveyed your message to your people.”
The Hadith (Arabic: ) and Sunnah (Arabic:

The Sunnah refers to the divine physical and moral laws set out in the
universe and in the Quran. However, the term is used most commonly
in reference to the example and customary practice of the prophet
Muhammad. The Prophet’s Sunnah has more than one usage in Muslim
tradition. As a technical term used in the shariah (Islamic law), it refers to
the binding rules derived from the Prophet’s sayings, or hadith. The Sunnah
then represents the laws that can be extracted from the hadith. As such,
it is the second most important source of law after the Quran. In a more

also to all the customs and habits of the Prophet, including his everyday
life practices that are not considered by the shariah as obligatory. Hence
the term Sunnah is often used in the sense of recommended or good
practice. Examples of this are the supererogatory prayers and fasting which
the Prophet performed over and above the prescribed rituals. These are
referred to as Sunnah prayers or Sunnah fasting.

Allah declares, “There certainly is an excellent example in Allah’s messenger

for he who fears Allah and the last day and remembers Allah abundantly.”
(Quran 33:21)

SOME OF THE HADITHS:

those who praise God in prosperity and adversity.” (Al-Tirmidhi 730)

“[The man asked] ‘Who is more entitled to be treated with the best
companionship by me?’ The Prophet said, ‘Your mother.’ The man said
‘Who is next?’ The Prophet said, ‘Your mother.’ The man further said, ‘Who
is next?’ The Prophet said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked for the fourth time,
‘Who is next?’ The Prophet said, ‘Your father.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 8:2)

“He who has been a ruler over ten people will be brought shackled on the

or tyranny brings him to destruction.” (Al-Tirmidhi 1037)

this has ruined nations who lived before you.” (Riyadhus- Salateen 203).
The word Islam (Arabic:
First stands for submission, second is for purity and third is for peace. Though
all of these words mean differently but collectively these represent the true
meaning of the word Islam. Those who choose to submit unconditionally
and willingly are called Muslims. Religiously speaking, it means to submit
completely to the will of God (i.e. to His laws).

that was given to previous prophets like Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus
(peace be on them all). Islam is not only a religion but it also provides a
comprehensive code needed to guide one’s life. Furthermore, its message
is one of peace and tolerance. The religion of Islam in fact encourages
and asks of us to examine things with logical scrutiny and only accept
them if they appear rational. In other words Islam appeals to human
reasoning and intellect. One must consciously and conscientiously
give oneself to serve Allah. It is a common misconception that Muslims
worship prophet Muhammad rather than God and that it was he,
Muhammad who wrote the Quran. This notion is totally incorrect.
Muslims worship ‘Allah’ which in Arabic literally means God. Islam is
an all-encompassing way of life that must be practiced continuously
to remain in Islam.

Islam today claims almost two billion followers worldwide and the number
growing. This makes approximately one in every four human beings a
Muslim. From the humble beginning in Arabia some fourteen hundred years

Muhammad, spread to the gates of Europe and Africa all the way to
China and Australia. It gives no credence to the race, color and culture of
a person. Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgement what will matter
most is how pious and God fearing one was in this life and not the social
status that one held. While their concentration is mostly in the Arab world,
Indian sub-continent, Africa and Indonesia, Muslims, though in minority,
are also found in Europe, North and South America, China and the former
Soviet Union, as well.
 Muhammad

giving the compulsory charity (2.5% of your assets), Fourth is fasting during
Ramadan (which is actually the ninth month of the lunar calendar) Fifth to

lifetime.

There are in total six articles of faith that are common to Muslims. The

the angels. The third is to believe in all the previously revealed holy books
by God, such as the Torah given to Moses, the Psalms to David, and the

to Muhammad. The fourth, to believe in the supreme and indisputable will

sent down revelations to different tribes and nations in different times. And

accountable for his deeds in the court of Allah, when no intercession will
be permitted. Muslims also believe that Adam, Abraham, Noah, Ishmael,
Isaac, Jacob, Solomon, Lot, David, Aaron, John the Baptist, Moses, Jesus
and Muhammad were all prophets of God (peace be on them all).

Who are Muslims?

A Muslim (Arabic: ) is a follower of the religion of Islam. Literally, the

word means “one who submits to the laws and commands of God”. One
who has faith in the Almighty and the Absolute God only, and one who
perseveres to do good deeds. Islam is a verb in Arabic, a doing word.
The one who does Islam is called a Muslim. (Allah calls us “Muslims” in the
Quran).

Accordingly anybody of any denomination of faith (Jew, Nazarene, Muslim,

. But then
in order to be a true Muslim one must follow the Quran and the teaching of
the prophet Muhammad. Those who choose to do so are Muslims .
What is a Mosque?

A Mosque’s interior view.

The word Mosque (Arabic:

frequently in the Quran and literally means a place of prostration. It is a

time of prayers. A mosque contains a symbolic and functional feature. It is

recognized as a unique symbol of Islam and serves as an institution in which
the focal points of religious and social activities are combined. Unlike other
places of worship, where all kinds of adornment and ornamentation along
with statues of saints and God incarnates abound, a mosque is simply made

Salat (Arabic: ), is the ritual prayer practiced by Muslims in supplication

Prayer is a necessary duty demanded of any adult Muslim, male or female,

of sound mind and body.

noon prayer (salat al-zuhr), the mid-afternoon prayer (salat al-’asr), the
sunset prayer (salat al-maghrib) and the late evening prayer (salat al-’isha’).
On Fridays, the noon congregational prayer (salat al-Jum’a) substitutes for
the regular noon prayer.

Five times a day a Muslim humbles in front of Allah, in whose hands is his life
It is this humility during the prayers that makes him conscious of his
shortcomings, errors and sins, thus giving urgency to seek forgiveness.
Muslim is closest to his Lord when he prostrates and this he does a minimum
of thirty four times during the
daily obligatory prayers alone,
not to mention the voluntary
prayers. No other act could
demonstrate more submission.
After the prayer a Muslim feels
more purposeful. Prophet `
said, “What would you think if
there was a river by the door
of any one of you and he

would there by any trace of

dirt left on him?” They said,”no trace of dirt would be left on him.” He then

proved that Muslims’ prayer timings correspond with that of the

greatly increased to the muscles and the rate of metabolism increases. The

a new study by a biomedical engineering department of a top Malaysian

university, it showed that the positions Muslims take during their prayers not

The study investigated the physiological interactions and effects of these

postures on the human body. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad

New Straits Times reported.

Its seven verses are a prayer for God’s guidance, and stress His Lordship
and mercy of God. This chapter has an essential role in daily prayers; being
recited at least seventeen times a day, at the start of each unit of prayer
(rakah) and which is described in various hadith, as ‘the mother of the
book’ (Umm Al Kitab):
Bismillahi r-rahmani r-rahim
1:1 In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the giver of mercy!
Alhamdulliahi rabbi l-’alamin
1:2 Praise belongs to God, Lord of the worlds,
Ar rahmani r-rahim
1:3 the Lord of mercy, the Giver of Mercy,
Maliki yawmi d-din
1:4 Master of the Day of Judgement,

1:5 It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help,

1:6 Guide us to the straight path:

1:7 the path of those You have blessed, those who incur no anger and who
have not gone astray.

Friday Prayers Jumaa ( )

Just like Saturday as the Day of Sabbath for the Jews and Sunday for the
Christians, likewise for Muslims it is Friday. Friday in Arabic is called Jumaa
meaning “Day of Gathering”. It is compulsory for every Muslim to take a
bath on this day, put on his best dress and also wear a perfume when going
to the mosque. During this mosque gathering, Muslims listen to a religious
sermon given by their religious leader (Imam) followed by a special Friday
noon prayer.

In other words it is a day off. Although it is not forbidden but Muslims are
encouraged to spend their time not working on this day but rather spending
it with their family. Muslim do not share the belief as in other religions that
God created the universe in six days and needed rest on the seventh day.

According to the Quran, the purpose of creating mankind is to worship

God. Allah say, “And I have created the Jinn and humankind only that they
should worship Me”(Quran 51:45). The Quranic idea of worship, rendered
from Arabic “ibadah,” implies man’s cognition of God’s existence and his
conscious willingness to surrender himself to His will and plan. Prayer is a
cardinal tenet in Islam, the second foremost duty after profession of faith,
the shahadah. It is a mark of piety, according to the Quran. It is the pivot
around which all other acts of Islamic worship revolve, hence its status of
being the foundation and the “supreme act of worship in Islam.”

Prayer is a distinctive component of a Muslim’s personality and routine;

his day begins and ends with a prayer. Prayer is a testament of genuine
obedience to God. As the primary point of communication between the
worshipper and his Creator. Prayer serves as an instrument by which a Muslim
seeks to get closer to God and nourish his struggling soul. Furthermore,
prayer is a source of divine mercy for the worshipper in the present world
and the world to come.

The Quran describes prayer as “a restraint from shameful and evil

deeds”(29:45).

conscious of the pervasive presence of God around him. Prayer is also

prayers at prescribed times regardless of weather conditions. It also entails

physical hygiene as the worshipper is required to cleanse himself before
approaching prayer. This process is called ablution (Wudu: ) which
entails washing of hands up to the elbows, mouth, face, scalp, neck, ears
with water and in the end washing the feet till the ankles. These are but few

Zakat

Compulsory charity (Arabic:

) meaning ‘grow’, ‘purify’,
or ‘foster’. Zakat provides
the needy with income
opportunities. Zakat, or Islamic

basic requirements (arkan

or “pillars”) of Islam. All adult
Muslims of sound mind and
body with a set level of income
and assets are expected to
pay zakat. It is due yearly on
certain types of property and is
distributed to eight categories
travellers, beggars, to pay debts of those who are unable to do so on their
own, freeing of slaves, and other charitable causes.

Zakat is payable on crops, harvests, herds, gold, silver, and merchandise.

It is one of the basic principles of Muslim economy, based on social welfare
and fair distribution of wealth. Money collected can be used for the

the destitute and maintain equilibrium between the rich and the poor. The
Prophet said “putting a morsel of food in your wife’s mouth and meeting
your brother with a smile, is also charity.”

Sawm (Arabic: ) is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by Islamic

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was
prescribed for those before you [i.e. Jews & Christians] so that you may
learn self-restraint.”(Quran 2:183)

Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of Islam. Literally

intimate intercourse with your spouse, and smoking, before the break of
dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of

and insulin level. This causes breakdown of glycogen from the liver to
provide glucose and breakdown of fat from adipose tissue to provide for
energy needs. Fasting not only brings a wholesome physiological rest for
the digestive tract and central nervous system and normalizes metabolism,
it is also an exercise of self discipline. And above all it brings about spiritual
attainment for it teaches man the principle of sincere love: because when
he observes fasting he does it out of deep love for God.

It cultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience and indoctrinates

deprivation but endures them patiently.

What Food Do Muslims Eat?

The issue of the permissibility for Muslims to eat the food of the people of
the Scriptures – the Christians and the Jews – is connected with the Quranic
Allah imposed a number of bans on food for the sake of man’s health, such

slaughtered without mentioning the name of the single God. Allah, He is

not been consecrated in the name of Allah; for that is sinful towards God.”
(Quran 6:118, 121)

It is known that Prophet Muhammad

which was offered to him by an Israelite woman.

It is not only prohibited in Islam but also in Judaism and Christianity. Jesus
too never ate pork. There is a saying in English that “a man becomes

character and destroys moral and spiritual faculties in a man.

The prohibition of eating pork in Islam is relevant in this context. The pig is a
scavenger. It is omnivorous and If given the freedom it will eat everything,
even excrement, for such is the inherent nature of the animal. In olden
times there were many diseases carried from swine to man, particularly
parasite infestations. Furthermore lard contains a very high ratio of vitamin
D and virtually no vitamin A. Lately vitamin D has been held responsible
for atheroma. Animal fats, particularly pork, contain saturated fatty acids
and these saturated fatty acids have been found to be one of the causes
of atheroma in man by increasing the absorption of calcium in the blood
vessels, thus leading to coronary diseases. Some people have argued that
the “modern pig” reared in farms is given only clean food, therefore its

clean, wholesome food, but you can’t change its nature. It is still a pig
and will always be one. A pig is not a plant and you cannot change it
inherent nature by bud-grafting. This is solely a Muslim’s standpoint may not
necessarily be shared by others.

However, most Christians may be unaware that even the Bible prohibits its
consumption, but even if they are aware of it, they choose to ignore it.

In the book of Leviticus: “…and the swine, as he divideth the hoof, and be
cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their

to you.” (Leviticus 11:7-8)

Pork is also prohibited in the book of Deuteronomy: “And the swine, because
it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall

A similar prohibition is repeated in the book of Isaiah (65:2-5)

consumption through the Quran centuries ago. On the contrary, if a Muslim

is faced with a situation whereby he has to choose between life and death,
eating of pork is permissible. It not only illustrates the importance that Islam
gives to human life but also takes into account circumstances that are
beyond our control .

What else Islam Forbids

One does not need to be a genius to know the ill effects of alcohol. It

same goes for dice, games of chances and lottery. These too can lead
to disastrous results. When you think about it, it is one person who wins the
millions but it’s the millions who pay to make him win those millions. Money
spent of buying lottery tickets may well be spent on one’s own self or the
family. Islam also forbids usury (interest earning). It is an evil that leads to
stagnation in the natural economic growth of a society because it is the
lender who reaps the huge rewards whereas the borrower becomes poorer
and poorer. In other words, the needy get exploited.

The same goes for black magic, fortune telling and all forms of idolatry,
adultery, murder, pride and arrogance, slandering chaste women, illegal
gain, backbiting, committing suicide, weighing incorrectly, oppression,
men wearing silk and gold, cursing, betrayal of trust, taking false oath,
abandoning relatives etc. But the greatest sin is associating partners in the
worship of God, “Surely, Allah does not forgive associating anything with
Him, and He forgives whatever is other than that to whomever He wills.”
(Quran 4:48, and 116)
It is very loudly and vociferously claimed that the world got the concept
of basic human rights from the Magna Carta of Britain; though the Magna
Carta itself came into existence six hundred years after the advent of Islam.
But the truth of the matter is that until the seventeenth century, no one
even knew that the Magna Carta contained the principles of Trial by Jury,
Habeas Corpus, and the Control of Parliament on the Right of Taxation.
If the people who had drafted the Magna Carta were living today they
would have been greatly surprised if they were told that their document also
contained all these ideals and principles. They had no such intention, nor
were they conscious of all these concepts which are now being attributed
to them. It will then be fair to say that the Westerners had no concept of
human rights and Civil rights before the seventeenth century. The practical
proof and demonstration of these concepts can only be found at the
end of the eighteenth century in the proclamations and constitutions of
America and France.

Rights laid down by man cannot be superseded by or even compared

with the rights sanctioned by God. Islam sanctions and recognizes the right
to life, the right to the safety of life, respect for the chastity of both men
and women, the right to the basic standards of life, The individual’s right to
freedom, abolition of slavery (it was Islam that brought dignity to every man

to co-operate or not to co-operate, the security of life and property, the

protection of honour, the sanctity and security of private life, the security of
personal freedom, the right to protest against tyranny, the right to freedom
of expression, freedom of conscience and conviction, protection from
arbitrary imprisonment, equality before law, rulers not above the law, the
right to avoid sin.

wounded, the prisoner of war should not be slain, no one should be tied and
killed, no looting and destruction in the enemy’s lands, sanctity of property,
sanctity of a dead body, return of corpses of the enemy, prohibition of
breach of treaties, rules about declaration of war. No polluting the water,
no attack in night or without notice, no cutting of trees, not hurting the old,
women and children, not engaging with the enemy who is unarmed. This
is a brief sketch of those rights which Islam gave to man. The world has not

1,400 years ago. On the other hand it hurts the feelings of many Muslims
that they are in possession of such a splendid and comprehensive system
of law and yet they are coerced to look for guidance from leaders and
nations who could not have dreamt of attaining those heights of truth and

“...if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread

mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone
saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.” (Quran 5:32)

Terrorism is a crime against humanity. Islam is a religion that means and

promotes “peace”. In the Quran, God commands believers to bring
peace and security to the world. Islamic morality is the cure for terrorism,
not the source of it. However, it should be noted that the actions of an
individual or a small group do not necessarily represent the beliefs of a

whatever the religion may be.

The act of inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians, the wholesale
destruction of buildings and properties, the bombing and maiming of
innocent men, women, and children, harming other creatures and total
disregard for the environment are all forbidden and detestable acts

events that they have come to be associated with. If an individual Muslim

were to commit an act of terrorism, this person would be guilty of violating
the laws of Islam.

Any Muslim who believes in God with a sincere heart, who scrupulously
abides by His verses and fears suffering in the Hereafter, will avoid harming

punish him for it. “For every atom of good or evil, you will be accountable.”
(Quran 99:7-8) People who commit acts of terrorism might be reacting alone

Besides there is more politics behind their actions and this is not Islam.

Jihad

Jihad (Arabic: ) as presented in the Quran implies the striving for

spiritual good. This Jihad particularly involves mind change in one’s self and

and even emotional comfort solely for the salvation and worship of God
alone. As a result, one who practices Jihad will gain tremendously in the
Hereafter.

By means of the media, a sinister image of Islam is presented to the eyes

of the public; this notorious image is mainly due to the ignorance and
misunderstanding of the media and public combined. A word which is
often heard and associated with the acts of certain individuals, erroneously

plays an extremely crucial role in the image of Islam. But what does this so
widely known word mean? It means more centrally to achieve total control
of one’s own self because it is the start of every action, good and bad.
There are two types of Jihad, the lesser and the greater ‘Jihad’. The lesser

Prophet
Muhammad
answered: ‘Speaking truth before a tyrannical ruler. (Riyadh us-Saleheen
1:195)

The Quran says:

“The day will come when every soul will serve as its own advocate, and
every soul will be paid fully for whatever it had done, without the least

brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far removed.
God alerts you that you shall revere Him alone. God is compassionate
towards the people.“(Quran 3:30)

the ultimate victors are.” Certainly, the wicked will never succeed.”(Quran
6:135)

In brief; the meaning the media gives to this word Jihad is false and grossly
overstated. This word does not mean a holy war, for there is nothing holy
about a war in Islam. There are times when war is tolerated, permitted and
even, in some case, to a point accepted, but never considered holy. Islam is
a religion of peace, no matter what certain media or deranged individuals
say or claim. Islam revolves around the concept of peace. “If they resort
to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer, the
Omniscient.” (Quran 8:61)

For a Muslim, to demand perfection in order to gain salvation is not

Islam teaches a person to be humble and to learn that we cannot achieve

salvation by our own righteousness. How can sin be washed away? The
Quran gives the prescription:

“Those who avoid the greatest sins and indecencies, except for oversights,

Another moving passage reads: “Those things that are good remove evil
deeds.” (Quran 11:114)

Islam teaches repentance, stopping evil ways, feeling sorry for what one
has done, and being determined to follow the path of Allah as much as
humanly possible. Religious-minded and virtuous people have always
tended to consider carnal and physical desires as impediments to spiritual
growth. They have considered suffering, deprivation from worldly pleasures
and abstention from the means of worldly sustenance to be acts of
goodness and indispensable for achieving proximity to God. This is not in
line with the Islamic message. The Muslim does not believe in the necessity
of the shedding of blood, much less innocent blood, to wash away sins. The
idea that someone else has died not only for your sins but entire nations,

in sincere repentance and in the dis-continuation of sinful acts.

The belief that everyone is born condemned and the only way to redeem
yourself is for you to believe in another human as your Lord and Saviour,

Islam. In other words even an innocent newborn baby is a sinner, for if he

about a mentally retarded person that cannot think for himself? Is he a

sinner by nature and will be doomed to hell simply because he cannot
think for himself?
Unlike Christianity, which teaches that all the children of Adam are sinful for
Adam’s sin, Islam teaches that all humans are innocent by birth and they
become sinful only when they consciously commit a sin. Islam regards the
concept of “original sin” and the need for atonement by God Himself - via
dying on the Cross – as a pure invention of those who came after Jesus
Christ, declaring themselves as Christians.

“If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks

4:110)

who submits completely to the will of God). In Islam one man’s sin cannot be
transferred to another; nor can the reward due to a person be transferred
either. Every individual is responsible only for his or her own actions, for God

astray doth so to his own loss. No bearer of burdens can bear the burden
of another: nor would We punish until We had sent a messenger (to give
warning).” Quran (17:15)

The Muslims believe, that there is life hereafter and that reward or
punishment does not necessarily wait until the Day of Judgement,
but starts immediately after burial. The Muslims believe in resurrection,
accountability, and the Day of Judgement. The Quran teaches that
earthly life is a test and that it is temporary. We Muslims believe in
the life hereafter and in a divinely inspired moral code organizing
 .
“When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion, and the earth
throws up her burdens (from within), And man cries (distressed): ‘What
is the matter with her? On that Day will she declare her tidings: for that
thy Lord will have given her inspiration. On that Day will men proceed
in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).
Then anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it and
anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.” (Quran 99:7-8)

With laws for almost every aspect of life, Islam represents a faith-based order
that man and woman may see as crucial to creating healthy families and

unit is the foundation of any given human society, this holds particularly true
for Muslims. As a matter of fact, the great status that Islam affords to the
family system is the very thing that so often attracts many new converts to
Islam, particularly women.

Islam considers the family as the basic unit of human society. The foundation
of a family is laid through marriage. Prophet Muhammad noted once, “The
best among you is who treats the members of his family best.” The following
verse of the Quran sums it all up: “Your Lord has commanded that you
worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them
reach old age with you, do not say ‘uff’ to them or chide them, but speak
to them in terms of honour and kindness. Treat them with humility, and say,
‘My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little.”
(Quran 17: 23-24)

Islam has given the women, rights and privileges, the likes of which she
is not the teaching of Islam to brand woman as the product of the devil
or the seed of evil. Nor does the Quran place man as the dominant lord
of women who has no choice but to surrender to his dominance. The
rights of woman of modern times were not granted voluntarily or out of
kindness to the female. Modern woman reached her present position
by force, and not through natural processes or mutual consent or divine
teachings. Woman is recognized by Islam as a full and equal partner of
man in the procreation of humankind. He is the father, she is the mother,
and both are essential for life. Her role is not less vital than his. By this
partnership, she has an equal share in every aspect; she is entitled to
equal rights; she undertakes equal responsibilities, and in her there are
as many qualities and as much humanity as there are in her partner.
To this equal partnership in the reproduction of humankind. God says:

“O mankind! Verily We have created you from a single (pair) of a male and
a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each
other...” (Quran 49:13)

Historical records show that women participated in public life with the early
Muslims, especially in times of emergencies. Women used to accompany
the Muslim armies engaged in battles to nurse the wounded, prepare
supplies, serve the warriors, and so on. Muslim women were not shut behind
iron bars or considered worthless creatures and deprived of souls. She is
equal to man in the pursuit of education and knowledge. When Islam

between man and woman. Over fourteen centuries ago, Muhammad

declared that the pursuit of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim male
and female. This declaration was very clear and should be implemented
by Muslims.

In England, where the personality of the woman was wholly obscured in

the personality of her husband, two laws, one in 1870, and the other in
1882, were passed under the name of “The Married Woman’s Property Act”
and thus the interdiction was raised from woman. In Italy in 1919 AD, a
law removed woman from the category of interdicted persons. In the Civil
Law of Germany after 1900, and in the Civil Law of Sweden after 1907,
a woman has the same legal capacity as her husband. It was the greed

pay less wages which caused them to put up the draft of the Act for the
moral considerations. This independence was however given to women
over fourteen centuries ago in Islam: “To the men a share from what they
have earned, and to the women a share of what they have earned.”
(Quran 4:32)

In another place, the Quran ordains: “To the men a share of what parents
and kinsmen leave, and to the women a share of what parents and
kinsmen leave.” (4:7) Time and again, the Quran reproaches those who
used to believe woman to be inferior to man (16:57-59, 62; 42:47-59; 43:15-
19; 53:21-23).

man could have as many as he desired. It was Islam that brought dignity
to woman and gave her the rights to life, to her own legal identity, to be
educated, to inherit from her family, to keep and manage her own wealth
(including her wages), to offer, or agree to, or refuse an offer of marriage,

into heaven, to be provided for by her family until marriage, thereafter by

her husband and lastly to face the same reward or punishment as that of
man. As some believe in the notion that Eve is to be ultimately responsible
for the original sin and the downfall of man, as such, an essentially inferior
status for women somewhat got institutionalized. The Quran puts women
and men on equal footing before God and thus as equally, and innately,
valuable to society.

Says professor William Shea, Galileo Professor of History of Science at the

University of Padua in Italy, ” I have traveled in Islamic countries and do
not think that women are oppressed. Generally speaking, Muslims treat
women much better than those in other parts of the world. I think, we have

the U.S.” Further reading: http://www.Islamonline.net/English/News/2004-

01/19/article06.shtml#ixzz0iN5XaK8Y

Woman is exempt from some religious duties, i.e. prayers and fasting, in her
regular periods or during any post natal blood discharge. She is exempt

higher honour in the sight of God (Quran 31:14-15; 46:15). The Prophet
acknowledged this honour when he declared that Paradise is under
the feet of the mothers. As a future wife she is entitled to demand of her
prospective husband a suitable dowry that will be her own. She is entitled
to complete provision and total maintenance by the husband. She does
not have to work or share with her husband the family expenses. She is
free to retain, after marriage, whatever she possessed before it, and the
husband has no right whatsoever to any of her belongings. As a daughter
or sister, she is entitled to security and provision by the father and brother
respectively. That is her privilege. If she wishes to work or be self-supporting
and participate in handling the family responsibilities, she is quite free to
do so, provided her integrity and honour are safeguarded. It is Islamic that

purity and integrity. The status of woman in Islam is unprecedented and

realistically suitable to her nature.

“And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according
to what is equitable; but men have a degree over them.” (Quran 2:228)

This degree is not a title of man’s supremacy or an authorization of dominance

over the woman. It is to correspond with the extra responsibilities of man
and give him some compensation for his unlimited liabilities. The above-
mentioned verse is always interpreted in the light of another. (Quran 4:34) It
is these extra responsibilities that give man a degree over woman in some
economic aspects. It is not a higher degree in humanity or in character. Nor
is it a dominance of one over the other or suppression of one by the other.
It is a distribution of God’s abundance according to the needs of nature of
which God is the Maker, and He knows best what is good for woman and
what is good for man. God is absolutely true when He declares:

“O mankind! fear your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single

person, and created of like nature his mate, and from them twain scattered
(like seeds) countless men and women.” (Quran 4:1)

) is the Arabic term for “cover” (noun), based

on the root word meaning “to veil, to cover (verb), to screen, to shelter, to
hide from view.” Unfortunately, society today too often publicly exposes
women’s bodies shamelessly and portrays nudity to somehow symbolize the
expression of a woman’s freedom where the most lustful desires of men are

contrary, some of today’s women have been enslaved and manipulated to

the wishes of men. Not to mention that most designers of womens’ apparels
are men (Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, Gianne
Versace, Calvin Klein, the list is long). In the end it is men who decide how
revealing a modern woman’s dress should be. Deliberately with every new
design she is made to bare more, without her even realizing it, for its all in the
name of art and fashion. One of the misconceptions is also the belief that any

coming from appreciation of the wisdom underlying God’s command.

In part because of the apparent restriction on Muslim women to remain

a symbol of female oppression. However, on the contrary as per those

Christian women who chose to follow their religion

Many western women are brought up from early childhood with the idea
that their worth is proportional to their attractiveness. Societies that view

Figures suggest that in the United States, one out of every four women will
be sexually assaulted at some time in her life. Women in our society live
with the awareness that they must always be cautious of dark alleys and
fearful of strangers. This is true oppression, a type that stems directly from

As part of submitting herself to her Creator, a woman’s modesty and a

sense of shyness are necessary components of faith and paramount to
achieving righteousness. Our body’s adornments or physical features are
a gift which our Creator has given us, and this gift is a trust that comes
with certain responsibilities. For both males and females, God has made
their physical features extremely attractive to each other for the purpose
of procreation through physical union, so that the species can procreate.

the human being, the consequence of exposing physical features can be

very serious and far-reaching, both in this world and in the hereafter. A look
at the society in the western world today will reveal by and large some of
the consequences. There is rampant adultery, uncountable rapes, millions
of illegitimate pregnancies, millions of abortions, and millions of illegitimate
children without responsible fathers to care for them.

and Muslim women who chose to follow theirs

naked, same applies in gymnastics, the tantalizing swimming costumes of

women. At dinner parties the man arrives with a three piece suit and a bow
or a tie whereas the woman accompanying him is made to wear a dress
baring it all. In fashion shows menswear cover the man from top to bottom,
women are made to cat walk in titillating costumes. In tennis the man is
modestly dressed whereas the woman player is made to wear a skirt that
almost reveals her undergarment and the list goes on. Billboards, television,
magazines, posters, newspapers and every other form of advertising today,
is using the woman’s body to attract buyers. No wonder then that a Muslim

The kind of society that is referred to here can be best understood from
a news item whereby Italy’s highest appeal court has ruled that married
Italian women who commit adultery are entitled to lie about it to protect

relationships(covered by BBC News, Rome Bureau Chief, Christian Frazer, 7

Mar. 2008). A Western understanding of ‘honour’ versus Islam’s, is so world
apart.

Human beings are conditioned by the society in which they live. Naturally
when you see a woman scantily dressed and revealing her physical features,
versus when you see a woman modestly dressed, covering her head, not
revealing any of her physical features, impressions that will come to mind
do not need mentioning. Needless to say, dress represents her modesty,
and through it she commands the respect in the society. Whereas when a
woman chooses to show her body in one form or another, the message is
only one: she wants attention and possibly much more.

The main purpose of covering the body is to cover their chastity and
other physical features so that they remain out of sight of others, to avoid
attracting undue attention, and to prevent the excitement of evil desires
in others. It is this path of purity and modesty that is essential in Islam for
achieving righteousness and God’s pleasure. As the source of guidance on
this path, the following verses were revealed:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze [refraining from lustful glances],
And protect their private parts [from illegal sexual acts] that is purer for
them. Surely, God is all aware of what they do. And tell the believing
women to lower their gaze [refraining from lustful glances] and protect/
guard their private parts and not to show off their adornments except that
which is apparent [for example: face and hands]; that they should draw
their clothes over their bosoms and not display their beauty.” (Quran 24:30-
31)

“O prophet! tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the
believers to draw their cloaks over their bodies, that will be better that they
should be known so as not to be molested. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful.” (Quran 33:59)

In medical science there is a saying that ‘an ounce of prevention is better

than a pound of cure’. God has made women more beautiful than men,
and has further blessed them with more physical adornments. Almost every
part of the female body is attractive to a male. Keeping this in mind, Muslim
women prefer the preventive measure of covering their whole body with
the exception of the face and hands. Covering their heads should not be
misconstrued as covering their brain or intellect. Such a dress code has
always been and is still noticeable in women who above all wish to please
God, who has ordained this preventive shielding for Muslim women. In
Christianity it is part of canon law that nuns should cover their entire body
including their head irrespective whether they are young or old. Ever
wondered why? In other words they wear the same dress for the same
purpose as advocated in Islam. On the previous pages are some pictures
of Muslim women as well as from Christiantiy, who cover themselves out of
this same modesty and obedience to God that Islam promotes. Not only
is the similarity very striking but it is surprisingly that the same dress Mary,
the mother of Prophet Jesus wore. In fact the values have actually never
changed. Same dress code is found in Hindus as well as in other eastern
cultures and societies.

One must be then wondering if there is also a dress code for men in Islam?
Well to your surprise, yes men too are not exempt and similar ruling applies
to them as well. In fact a man must not come dressed indecently even in
front of another man, let alone a woman. Unlike women, for whom their
whole body, head to toe, (except the face and hands) is awrah ( )

The awrah for men includes what is between the naval and the knees as
stated by the Prophet. So covering it is obligatory according to Islamic law.
Wearing shorts that disclose the thighs or show the shape of the hips and
the private parts does not cover the awrah. Neither a dress that is too tight
or transparent and displays the skin complexion. It is reported that prophet
Muhammad once passed by one of his companion, when the cloak he
was wearing did not cover his thigh. He said, ‘cover your thigh, for it is part
of awrah’.

criticism, much more in recent times, amongst the non-Muslims. At times it

appears that an answer to this issue is all that matter if one needs to know

in-depth reply. The pros and cons of the rationale behind it need to be
seriously examined.

In Islam, limited polygamy (having more than one wife) is permitted; whereas
polyandry (having more than one husband) is completely prohibited. Now
coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than
one wife? The Quran is the only religious scripture in the world that says,
“Marry only one”. There is no other religious book that instructs men to
have only one wife. Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their
scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more
than one wife. Krishna had several wives. It was only later that the Hindu
priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one.

In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished
since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a
few centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one.
Polygamy is permitted in Judaism. According to the Torah, Abraham had
two wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of Polygamy
continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 CE to 1030 CE) issued an
edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries
continued the practice of polygamy until as late as 1950, When an Act of
the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one
wife. So we see that the practice for a man of having more then one wife
was prevalent in all times. Let us now analyze why Islam allows a man to
have more than one wife.

As mentioned earlier, the Quran is the only religious scripture that although
permits but encourages to ‘marry only one’. The Quran states: “Marry
women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not
Emphasis here is to
marry not kidnap, buy, or seduce, molest, abuse or commit adultery. Before
the Quran was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygamy and many
men had scores of wives, some even hundreds. Marriage was an open
game, so to speak with no rules. Islam, as the last testament, set the rule,
forever.

Islam puts an upper limit of four wives and gives a man permission to marry

wish (to do so).” (Quran 4:128-130) This verse serves as a deterrent of fear of
Allah and as such, less than two percent men in the Muslim world exercise
this option. Therefore polygamy is not a rule but an exception. Many
people labour under the misconception that it is an open-ended verdict
for a Muslim man to have more than one wife. This is absolutely not true.
In one of the poles in the USA at one point women out numbered men
as much as by eight million. In New York alone the number of females as
compared to the number of males is alarmingly high, and of the male
population of New York there are high number of gays. The USA as a whole
has tens of millions of gays, and by some estimates even up to twenty

God alone knows how many million more females there are in the whole
world as compared to males. Both unmarried women and widows are

temptation is great for corruption and immorality. But aside from the moral
question, these women are also exploited. They are used as a tool for man’s
pleasures. Even if every man got married to one woman, it is estimated that
there would still be more than thirty million unmarried females in the USA,

who would not be able to have husbands (these statistics may vary from
time to time but the number of unmarried women remains alarmingly high).

option and disallowing the second.

Islam being against immorality, hypocritical pretense of morality and

divorce unless no better solution is available, does actually provide a
better alternative which is consistent with human nature and with the
perseverance of pure and legitimate sexual relationships. In a situation
like this, it is doubtful that any solution would be better than polygamy.
But above all this is mainly to protect the woman from exploitation.

Allah has created men and women as equals, but with different capabilities
and different responsibilities. Men and women are different, physiologically
and psychologically. Their roles and responsibilities are different. Men and
women are equal in Islam, but not identical.

The system of polygamy according to Islamic Law is a moral and human

one. It is moral because it does not allow man to have intercourse with any
woman he wishes, at any time he likes. He is not allowed to have intercourse

do that secretly, but must proceed with a contract and announce it, even
if among a limited audience. To attain full legitimacy it must be registered
with the law. It is desirable to have a special feast for the occasion in which

The woman’s extended family also come to know as they too are invited.
It is human because through it a man lessens the burdens of the community
by sheltering a woman who has no husband and transforms her into a

based on a legal marriage for which the bridegroom provides a dower, a

of a social unit (family) capable of producing working progeny. It is also

human because he is not only responsible for the woman but he is responsible
when she suffers from the troubles of pregnancy. He does not leave her
to bear it alone, but he bears a part of it by paying for her sustenance
and expenses during her pregnancy and for her delivery. It is also that he
recognizes the children begotten and presents them to the society as the
fruits of a noble and honourable love, children who are cherished by him
and will be by society in the future. Will it then be wrong to say that by
polygamy man distributes and lessens his lust to a certain extent, but he
multiplies his burdens, troubles and responsibilities to an unlimited extent.
Certainly, it is a moral system protecting morals, and it is a human system
honouring mankind.

Now let us compare this with life in the Western society. The promiscuity
of the West is without a law; moreover, it occurs while the law stands by.
It does not happen in the name of wives, but in the name of friendships,
live-ins and mistresses. It is not limited to only four, but is unlimited. It is not
announced in order to be celebrated by the family, but happens secretly
without anyone knowing about it. In addition, it does not commit the man

and poverty and to endure the troubles of pregnancy and delivery and
survival alone. Besides, he is not committed to recognize the begotten
children. They are considered illegitimate, bearing the stigma of being
bastard children as long as they live. Both mother and child are forced
into leading a disgraceful, unprotected life. The same society, however,
cannot accept a man having more than one wife, in which women retain

I consider extremely hypocritical.

Promiscuity in the West is a legal promiscuity, but it is not called “polygamy”.

It is void of any moral behavior, awakening of sensibility or human feeling.

responsibility. It is all in the name of ‘freedom’.

So then which option is better: to let a woman marry a married man, if she
young and abandon her as she gets older, with no sort of social or moral
security? Which of the two systems then is closer to morality, more allaying
to lust, more honourable to women, more denotative of progress and more
righteous to humanity?

Premarital Relations

or no importance. The governing rules are very loosely knit. However, in

Islam, there is no such thing as girlfriend-boyfriend relationships. You are
either married or you are not. The idea of ‘skin to skin, is no sin’ is alien to
Islamic values. According to a saying of the Prophet: “Whenever a man is
alone with a woman, Satan (Shaytan) is the third among them” (Tirmidhi).

When young people are getting to know each other, being alone together
is a temptation towards wrongdoing. At all times, Muslims should follow the
command: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to protect their
private parts. That is purer for them. Verily Allah is All-Aware of what they do.
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private
parts...” (Quran 24:30-31)

Islam recognizes that we are human and are given to human weaknesses,
so this rule provide safeguards for our own sake. Social entertainments
in Islam are generally either within the family and close friends of the
family, or among men and women in separate groups. Mixed gatherings
offer opportunities where base desires are unleashed, and once allowed
free reign, have the potential to even destroy families. Are the results of
promiscuity not in front of us? The illegitimate and abandoned children,
broken homes, adultery, abortions, divorces and sexual diseases and more.
Relationship out of wedlock is known as ‘fornication’, punishable by Islamic
Law in an Islamic state. It is in the larger interest of our society that Islamic
high moral standards are advocated and enforced.

Islam and Other Faiths

The average Christian and non-Muslim has heard of or has read about
Islam mostly through writers who have had colonial or missionary motives,
which might have given a certain slant to their interpretation of Islam to the
western mind. The trend of incorrect reporting style still exists today. For the
Muslims, constructive dialogue is not only permitted, it is commended.

“Say, O people of the book [a term

which particularly refers to Jews and
Christians] ‘come to common
terms as between us and you:
that we worship none but
Allah; that we associate
no partners with Him (in His
powers and divine attributes);
that we erect not from among
ourselves lords and patrons
other than Allah.’ If then they turn
back say you Bear witness that we
are Muslims (bowing) to the will of
God.” (Quran 3:64)

Why “People of the Book”? Because Islam makes a clear distinction

between a polytheist or an atheist, and followers of prophets who originally
received revelations from Allah. In conclusion and bearing this in mind,
what is the implication for Muslims in their attitude towards non-Muslims?
The Quran makes it incumbent on every Muslim to convey Allah’s message

conversion.

not to turn one’s back on the preceding prophets. It is an augmentation,

rather than a conversion, because it does not involve changing one’s
basic spiritual nature. In the Quran, pure human nature is a “Muslim nature,”
which knows its Lord and wishes to submit to Him.

The Quran states: “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” (2:256) A

substitute for the term “conversion” is “reversion” in the sense of a return
to the pure monotheism in which we were all created. Thus the Muslim is
taught to be tolerant toward others. Indeed, the Quran not only prohibits
compulsion in religion, but it prohibits aggression as well.

who say ‘We are Christians’: because amongst these are men devoted
to learning (priests), and men who have renounced the world (monks),
and they are not arrogant. And when they listen to the revelation received

recognize the truth. They pray: ‘Our Lord! We believe, write us down among
the witnesses.” (Quran 5:82-83)

Who was Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him)?

Many Christians are unaware that the true spirit of reverence which Muslims
display towards Jesus and his mother Mary spring from the fountainhead
of their faith as prescribed in the Holy Quran. Most do not know that a
Muslim does not mention the name of Jesus without saying alai-hiss-salaam,
i.e. (peace be upon him). Many Christians do not know that in the Holy
“We
gave Jesus the son of Mary clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the
Holy Spirit.” (Quran 2:87)

“Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary! Allah gives thee glad tidings of a Word
from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this
world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.
“(Quran 3:45). “Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle
of Allah.” (Quran 4:171)

that had come before him.” (Quran 5:46) “And Zakariya and John, and
Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous.” (Quran 6:85)

He is spoken of as “the word of God”, as “the spirit of God”, as a “sign of

chapters. The Quran honours this great Messenger of God, and even after
fourteen centuries, Muslims continue to hold Jesus as a symbol of truth.

Islam greatly separates the status of creatures from the status of the creator
and warns against believing that Jesus was divine. Muslims do not believe

created by God to deceive his enemies and God raised him alive unto the
heavens. “ That they said (in boast), ‘we killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary,

it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of
surety they killed him not. Nay, God raised him up unto Himself; and God is
Exalted in Power, Wise” (Quran 4:157-158).

“And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (Day of Judgment):
therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a straight
Way.” (Quran 43:61)

messengers of God. As regarding him being a son of God, this is what we

are told.

“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He
begetteth not, nor is He begotten And there is none like unto Him.”
(Quran :112)

We believe he gave life to dead, healed the lepers and gave eye sight

any divine status. He will descend with the permission of God, nearing the

believe in the second coming of Jesus (pbuh), as stated in one of the

above verses.

There are common roots and elements to that of Islam, Judaism and
Christianity - the so-called Abrahamic religions. All three are monotheistic
in belief, at least that is the way it was meant to be, i.e. there is only one
God. Jews and Muslims greatly stress the oneness and unity of God. The

because some Christians believe that the one God is triune (the Holy Trinity).

All three religions believe that this God is the origin and source of all that

we may be good and righteous. God is also merciful; by means of God’s

grace, we are given strength to be more like what we ought to be. While

are nonetheless other important areas of belief that are shared by Muslims,
Christians and Jews alike.
All three believe that human beings are the highest creatures here on earth.
We are the children of Adam. God created us full of mystery, which means
potential for continuous growth, both as a species and as individuals. We are
capable of both good and evil. When we grow in goodness, righteousness,
and love, we become more like what God intended human goodness to
be. When we abuse our freedom and do harm to other people, ourselves,
and the environment, it means that we are going against God’s plans as we
become evil-doers. Each person is capable, with God’s help, to turn away

and obedience.

Evil and suffering cannot ultimately prevail. God has provided a condition
(or state of being) for which our three religions have different names, but we
agree on the term Paradise. This future will bring about God’s unchallenged
rule; unconditional bliss for all who obeyed God.

The three Abrahamic religions believe that God and human beings can and
should communicate with each other. By revelation, God communicates to
people, among which the most important are revelation through prophets.
These revelations are recorded in the Holy Scriptures of each religion. While
the Scriptures of these three religions are not identical, nevertheless they
encourage respecting all other Scriptures. The duty of people is to read
or listen to these and to respond with prayer, praise, and an appropriate
acceptance of God’s commandments in our lifestyle.

God did not leave us without guidelines for behavior. God provided us with
sound basic rules to live by as well as a rational mind to learn how and when
to apply those rules to our everyday life. All three religions, for example,
abhor murder, the arbitrary killing of innocent people. Likewise, God wants
us to tell the truth and not to take from others what rightfully belongs to
them. We are to respect the dignity of every person and help especially
those who are not capable of helping themselves, such as widows, orphans,
and the poor. All three religions believe in the Golden Rule of doing to
others what we wish others to do unto us. All three religions foster modesty,
moderation, and honest work. We are to submit ourselves completely to the
will of God. All three religions closely link religion and morality. It is only fair to
say that there are other religions that advocate and have in their doctrine
the concept of God and that may share the same understanding as Islam.
We see that some are mentioned by name in the Quran. Religion is to be
manifested by showing concern for the well-being and dignity of others,
in a life of service to others, and in personal and social ethical behavior.

As monotheistic religions, sharing common ancestors, belief in divinely

given scriptures, and common rituals and practices, such as regular prayer
and charity; valuing pilgrimage and sharing many common holy places;
promising that behavior will receive its proper rewards and punishments
in the future, on earth and in the life hereafter; balancing and integrating
strands of legalism, and pious devotion... The three religions of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam would appear to be naturally suited to coexistence
and even to mutual reinforcement. And indeed at times, notably in Spain,
during much, but not all, of the period from about 750 to about 1250, the
three faiths coexisted and gladly learned from one another. But such warm,

rule.

Monotheism: Torah
there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6); Bible: “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Mark
12:29); “He is God, The One and Only” (Quran 112:1).

Prophets: Muslims believe and accept all the Prophets mentioned in the
Torah, the Bible, and the Quran.

: Besides Christianity, Islam is the only religion on

earth that accepts the miraculous birth of Jesus. Jesus is mentioned 25
times in the Quran.

is given to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ,

in the Quran ( ).

: All prophets had customs to greet believers with the words:

“Peace be with you”. (‘Assalamualaikum’ for Muslims).

: God ordered Moses to take off shoes “Do not come

any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are
standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5); “Take off your sandals, for the place
where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so”(Joshua 5:15). Muslims
take off shoes when they enter Mosque.

: “and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it

to wash their hands and feet. They washed whenever they entered the
Tent of Meeting or approached the Altar, as the Lord commanded Moses.”
(Exodus 40:31-32
temple…..” ( ), “Then David rose from the ground, washed and
anointed himself, and put on fresh clothes and entered the house of Lord
and prostrated…: (2 Samuel 12:20). Muslims purify themselves by performing

: Jesus fasted forty days. ( ). Muslims fast the whole

month of Ramadan each year.

Ground: “Abraham
fell his face…”(Genesis 17:3). “Moses bowed at once to the ground and
worshipped”(Exodus 34:8). “Jesus…fell on his face on the ground and
prayed…” ( ). Muslims bow their heads to the ground while
praying.

: “Thou shalt have no other Gods before

me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of
any thing that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth.” (Exodus 20 3-6), “Be careful not to
forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not
make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has
forbidden” (Deuteronomy 4:24). Muslims do not bow to statues, images or
anything except God.

11. : It is forbidden in Bible (Jeremiah 10:2-5). Muslim do

not decorate trees.

: God made everlasting covenants with Abraham

and his descendents. “You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the
sign of the covenant between me and you” (Genesis 17:11), (Acts 7:8),
(Romans 2:25,27-29) (Philippians 3:3), (Colossians 2:11). Muslim still keep this
covenant; they circumcise their sons at birth.

Abraham’s Son Ishmael : The name Ishmael was chosen by God Himself.
“And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and
shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath
Genesis 16:11). Muslims respect Ishmael like Isaac as
a son of Abraham.

: “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord,

Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”(Luke 1:15), (Genesis 9:20-26),
(Ezekiel 44:21), (Daniel 5:23), (Hosea 4:11), (Nahum 1:10), (Isaiah 5:22),
(Isaiah 28:1,3,7,-8), (Timothy 3:2-3). Muslims do not drink wine or alcohol.

Pork Forbidden: God ordered Moses: “…And the swine , because it

divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, he is unclean to you. Of their

to you ”( ), (Deuteronomy 14:8) & (Isaiah 65:2-5). Jesus never

ate pork in his life. Muslims never eat pork.

: “Do not take interest of any kind from him,

but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among
you” ( ). “Do not charge your brother interest, whether on
money or food or anything else that may earn interest.” (Deuteronomy
23:19), (Exodus 22:25). Interest is forbidden in Islam.

: “”If a man lies with a male as with a woman,

both of them have committed an abomination (to’evah); they shall surely
be put to death, their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). (Leviticus
18:22), (1 Corinthians 6:9,) Homosexuality is forbidden in Islam.

: “The person who sins is the one who will die. A child will
not be punished for a parent’s sin, and a parent will not be punished for a

evil people will suffer the results of their own evil”(Ezekiel 18:20). Muslims
believe that sin can be transferred or inherited from person to person.

: “The one who plants and the one who waters have the
same purpose, and each will be rewarded for his own work.” (
3:8). Muslims believe that every person is accountable for his/her deeds
and will be punished or rewarded accordingly.

“If a woman does not cover her head, she should have
her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or
shaved off, she should cover her head” (1 Corinthians 11:6 NIV), “Judge
for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head
uncovered?” (1 Corinthians 11:13). Muslim women cover their hair and
body in a modest way.

Fornication “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without

the body; but he that commits fornication sinneth against his own body”
Corinthians 6:18), “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from
pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and
[from] blood” (Acts 15:20). Fornication is forbidden in Islam.
 Murder
he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. (Numbers 35:15-17),
“
may kill the accused without being guilty of murder” (Number 35:27), “You
shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Murder is forbidden in Islam and although
punishable by death, it strongly encourages forgiveness. “Whether open or
secret, take, not life, which Allah has made sacred” (Quran 6:151)

In today’s troubled times, when not only the religion of Islam but everything
that is associated with it is under constant scrutiny, it will be worthwhile to
know how much Islam and today’s West have in common and how much
the latter owes to the spiritual enlightenment and intellectual brilliance of
the great Islamic civilization. According to Lord Snell: “We have built a
nobly-proportioned outer structure, but we have neglected the essential
requirement of an inner order; we have carefully designed, decorated and
made clean the outside of the cup; but the inside was full of extortion and
excess; we used our increased knowledge and power to administer to the
comforts of the body, but we
left the spirit impoverished.”

The spread of Islam

extended from the Atlantic

Muslim rule in Spain that

spanned from the 8th to 15th
century and reached the
shores of Hungary, Austria
and Portugal, from southern
France to western borders
of China, was one of the
golden periods in human
civilization. Cordoba in the
10th century was the most
civilized city in Europe. The
contribution of Muslims to
humanity is irrefutable and
cannot be denied. Even Qutub Minar built during the 11th and 12th centuries
by Muslim rulers in India, at 72.5 meters, it remains the
the greatest non-Muslim tallest brick & stone minaret in the world.
scholars of their times have acknowledged it over the centuries and
continue to do so even today.

Religious tolerance, respect for learning, the concepts of chivalry and

brotherhood – it was the Islamic Moors who brought these principles when
in medieval Spain, they acted as “Beacons of Light” in the Dark Ages of
European religious arrogance, intolerance and persecution. The Moors gave
Europe an architectural and artistic heritage that till today is still a source of
amazement to the modern world. Arabic numerals and calculations were

effective medical school in Europe was founded by Jewish doctors who

The Tabula Rogeriana, drawn by Al-Idrisi for Roger II of Sicily in 1154, one of the most advanced
ancient world maps.
received their training in Moorish Spain
and North Africa, writes Tim Wallace-
Murphy, the famous British author.

Robert Briffault in his book, “The Making

of Humanity” states: “It was under the

revival of culture and not in the 15th

century, that a real renaissance took
place. Spain, not Italy, was the cradle
of the rebirth of Europe...Science is
the most momentous contribution of
Arab civilization to the modern world;
but its fruits were slow in ripening. Not
until long after Moorish culture had
sunk back into darkness did the giant, Diagram of a hydropowered water-raising
machine from The Book of Knowledge of
which it had given birth to, rise in his Ingenious Mechanical Devices by Al-Jazari
might. It was not science only which in 1206.
brought Europe back to life. Other and

to European Life.”

Had it not been for the enormous contribution of the Muslims, modern
world would still be struggling to achieve
the heights of advancement that it has
reached today. To list all of the inventions
will be impossible in this book but it will
be enough to say that over a thousand
inventions that are often popularly
associated with the western world but
originated from Muslim scholarship and
science, were made which became the

although there is a deliberate effort by the

West not to give the due recognition that
it deserves.

This manuscript, dated circa 1200CE,

is kept at the Cairo National Library. unexplored, be it Agriculture, Algebra,
Image of copy is by Zereshk. The eye
according to Hunain ibn Ishaq.
Anatomy, Architecture, Art, Astronomy,
 Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Cosmology,
Equality, Finance, Flight, Free Trade,
Geography, Geometry, Golden Agem
Golden Web, Law and Justice, Literature,
Justice, Literature, Logic, Math, Medicine,
Mail, Navigation, Optics, Pharmacology,
Quality of Life, Philosophy, Public Health,
Physics, Physiology, Poetry, Politics, Printing,
Property Rights, Reason & Rationality, The

The spherical astrolabe was Time Keeping, Transfer of Information,

invented by Muslim astronomers.
This is the earliest surviving example Trigonometry and Military.
from the 14th century.

For further readings:

http://muslimheritage.com/topics.default.ctm?ArticleID=811

http://medievalhistory.net/Islamica.html

about Muhammad

“If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are

the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great
man in history with Muhammad?” Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator,
Conqueror of Ideas, Restorer of Rational beliefs....The founder of twenty
terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire is Muhammad. As regards all
standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask,
is there any man greater than he?”

“The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this
man (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only.” “A silent great soul,
one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the
world’s Maker had ordered so.”

“The picture of the Muslim soldier advancing with a sword in one hand and
the Quran in the other is quite false.”
“History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims
sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon
conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians
have ever repeated.”

“The good sense of Muhammad despised the pomp of royalty. The Apostle

and garments. Disdaining the penance and merit of a hermit, he observed

without effort of vanity the abstemious diet of an Arab.”

“If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within
the next hundred years, it could be Islam.”

“The greatest success of Muhammad’s life was affected by sheer moral

force.”

Reverend Bosworth Smith in ‘Muhammad and Muhammad

“Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one;
but he was Pope without the Pope’s pretensions, and Caesar without the
legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a

was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared
not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping
with his public life.”

Incidentally these well-established facts dispose of the idea so widely

fostered in Christian writings that the Muslims, wherever they went, forced
people to accept Islam at the point of the sword.

“No other religion in history spread so rapidly as Islam. The West has widely
believed that this surge of religion was made possible by the sword. But no
modern scholar accepts this idea, and the Quran is explicit in the support
of the freedom of conscience.”

“I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed
sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever
convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days
in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of
the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his
friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God
and in his own mission. Theseand not the sword carried everything before
them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the second volume
(of the Prophet’s biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read
of that great life.

“Serious or trivial, his daily behavior has instituted a canon which millions
observe this day with conscious memory. No one regarded by any section
of the human race as Perfect Man has ever been imitated so minutely. The
conduct of the founder of Christianity has not governed the ordinary life
of his followers. Moreover, no founder of a religion has left on so solitary an
eminence as the Muslim apostle.”

Muhammad
“His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character
of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the
greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity.
To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems that it solves.

the West as Muhammad...”

“Within a brief span of mortal life, Muhammad called forth of unpromising

material, a nation, never welded before; in a country that was hitherto but
a geographical expression he established a religion which in vast areas
suppressed Christianity and Judaism, and laid the basis of an empire that

the civilized world.”

The personality of Muhammad

truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I can catch. What a dramatic succession
of picturesque scenes, Muhammad, the King, the Warrior, the Preacher,
the Statesman, the Businessman, the Orator, the Reformer, the Refuge of
Orphans, the Protector of Slaves, the Emancipator of Women, the Judge,
the Saint, the Father and Husband. The theory of Islam and sword, for
instance, is not heard now in any quarter worth the name. The principle of
Islam that “there is no compulsion in religion” is well known.

“Muhammad’s career is a wonderful instance of the force and life that

resides in him who possesses an intense faith in God and in the unseen
world.”

What does it take to become a Muslim?

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong
belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah then all it takes is to
pronounce the testimony of faith (Shahada) i.e. ‘’Ash-hadu anlaa ilaha
illallah, wa asha hadu anna Muhammad an abduhu wa rasuuluh.” In English
it means: “I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshipped but
Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’’

mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except

for Almighty God.

“We did not send the Messenger before you without revealing to him: none
has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.” (Quran
21:25)

The second part of the testimony means that Prophet Muhammad is the
servant and chosen messenger of God. This implies that one obeys and
follows the commands of the Prophet. One must believe in what he
has said, practice his teachings and avoid what he has forbidden. One
must therefore worship God only according to his teaching alone, for
all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations
conveyed to him by God. What does then worship means ? It means
rendering sincere service; showing reverence for Allah. In a deeper shade
of meaning, it implies total submission and complete obedience to Allah’s
commandments both in utterances and actions, whether explicit or implicit
and whether private or public. God says about prophet Muhammad: “And
indeed you are upon a high standard of moral character.” (Quran 68:4)
By accepting Islam, one is actually showing repentance of the life he lived
before. The sins committed before, by Allah’s mercy, are all washed away

of the motto of Islam that is, Lailaha Illallaah. “...The only religion before
Allah is Islam. Those received the scriptures differed only after knowledge
had come unto them through trangsression among themselves. Whoever
disbelieve the revelations of Allah, then Allah is swift in calling to account.”
(Quran 3:19)

The Quran further goes on to say: “If anyone desires a religion other than
Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the

Islam In The West

It is the fastest growing religion in the world. Because Islam is a complete

way of life, it tells man about the purpose of his creation and existence, his
ultimate destiny and his place among other creatures and more importantly,
it provides him with guidance to lead a balanced and purposeful life,

paradise in the life after death. Simply put, Islam is to “obey God.”

Inspite that Islam in Western societies is seen as anti-progressive, and

oppressive, in which women’s rights are very limited, if any. Surprisingly,

out the main cause, but generally it is the overall appeal that Islam offers,
has been the motivating factor.

Those who have embraced Islam come from all disciplines: Catholic priest,
bishops, chaplains, born-agains, scientists, doctors, army personnel, naval

pop stars and the list goes on. If one really wishes to have an insight into
the varied reasons and causes that led so many to Islam, and to hear them
speak directly, more can be learned by visiting following sites:

Famous Convert Authors:

Famous Converts to Islam:

Priests and Preachers enter Islam:

Why are Christian Priests and Missionaries embracing Islam:

http://www.usIslam.org/converts/converts.htm

British Catholic Priest converts to Islam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn0iPIWQNII

Why Abdul Raheem Green came to Islam:

In a not so recent poll in the U.S. it was reported that hundred of thousands
of people per year are embracing Islam. For every one male convert to
Islam, four females convert to Islam, Why? Statistically speaking, of those
who embrace Islam, 65 - 75% are women because the dignity and rights

According to “The Almanac Book of Facts,” the population of women

converting to Islam increased 137% within the past decade, Christianity
increased 46%, while Islam increased 235%. Islam asks of us to ponder, and

food, or marriage; one that will affect the very core of their being for the
remaining part of their lives, and most importantly will also have serious
consequences in the life hereafter.

The age-old misconceptions about Islam and Muslims are in fact attracting
more people today than in the past. Events like 9-11 while raising suspicion
against Muslims have also piqued public curiousity about Islam. In Islam
people see devout adherance and unparalleled simplicity that is not
witnessed elsewhere. There is nothing magical about it but rather it is a
way of life that chooses to worship an unseen God while you go about
performing your daily life. Another area of relative interest is the concept of
sin and salvation in Islam.
To name the views of some:

The late Aminah Assilmi was an ambassador of Islam.

Initially a devout Christian, her contact with a convert
to Islam prompted her to seriously investigate Islam
and to conclude that “many Christians are sincere,
but they are sincerely wrong”.

language and Literature from the

University of Manchester and a degree

University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in

Rome, embraced Islam.

Muslim women’s sense of sisterhood

makes “Western feminism pale into

Islam after her experiences in a Taleban

was laid on her nor was she mistreated

during her captivity. Her study of the
Quran after her release left her with no
choice other than to embrace Islam.

Yusuf Estes, from ex-Christian

minister to Muslim chaplain.
 The Tanzania-born Britisher, educated at a famous
Roman Catholic monastic school, embraced
Islam in 1988 and is now actively involved in Islamic
propagation activities. “While on one hand the

they feel no compunctions in ascribing birth of

God from the womb of Mary. Study of the Holy
Quran immediately attracted me,” says Abdul
Raheem Green.

Dr. Jeffrey Lang, an Associate Professor of

Mathematics at the university of Kansas,
one of the biggest univ. in the USA,
embraced Islam. He is the author of many
books including:

A Call for Help

He is a former minister (deacon)

of the United Methodist Church
and a biblical scholar. He holds
a Master’s degree in Divinity
from Harvard University and a
Doctorate in Psychology from
the University of Denver. Author
of “The Cross and the Crescent:
An Interfaith Dialogue between
Christianity and Islam” (2001), and
“Abraham: The Friend of God”
(2002). He has published over

psychology, and over 150 articles

on Arabian horses.
“Whoever is guided, is guided for his own good, and whoever goes
astray does so to his own detriment. No sinner will bear the sins of

(Quran 17:15)

“Anyone who accepts other than Submission as his religion, it will not
be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter, he will be with the losers.”
(Quran 3:85)

banded together in order to produce a Quran like this, they could

never produce anything like it, no matter how much assistance they
lent one another.”
(Quran 17:88)