What is Islam?
Islam is (composed of) three (main) areas: Utterance, faith, and deeds.
The utterance was explained in chapter 4.
Faith is to believe in Allah, the Angels, the Heavenly Scriptures, Prophets, the last Day and in the ability of Allah to will the existence of good or bad.
Deeds are: Salat (Prayers), Zakat (Alms-giving), Siyam (Fasting), and Hajj (Pilgrimage).
CHAPTER 6
FAITH IN ALLAH
We believe that Allah is one God, our Lord and the Lord of everything,
Allah is the Creator of everything,
All other than Him are created, and are servants who share nothing with Allah.
Even Angels and Prophets are merely created servants submitting to Allah.
Among them are Jesus and Muhammad (Peace be upon them); both have no trace of deity (godhood).
Allah is the Living Self-Subsisting, Eternal, the First without a beginning and the Last without an end.
He hears everything and sees everything.
He is Most Gracious, Most Merciful, All-Dominating,
He has the Most beautiful Names and the Noblest Attributes.
He has created us out of nothing,
And made us in the best form.
He has given us all graces and bounties.
Hence we are not permitted to worship or submit to any other than Him, whether a favorite Angel or a chosen Prophet!
Whoever directs his prayers, bows or prostrates (in worship), or offers sacrifice to any other than Allah, he is an infidel! and not a Muslim even if he declares that he is a Muslim:
Allah says: “Say: Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds. No partner has He. This I am commanded and I am the first of those who submit to His Will”. [The Qur’an 6:162 -163]
Islam is the religion of Monotheism: it denies the Dualism of Magians and the Trinity of Christians. Islam teaches that Allah is One and only One. No one shares with Him, His Dominion or His Command. He has the Most beautiful Names and the Noblest Attributes:
Allah says: “Say! He is Allah, the One. He is the Most Unique, the Eternal,the Absolute. He neither gives birth, nor is He born. And there is none like unto Him. “ [Al Qur’an 112).
CHAPTER 7
FAITH IN ANGELS
Allah has created Angels to worship Him, to carry out His commands and to be His messengers to His Prophets.
One of the angels is Gabriel who used to bring down Revelation to our Prophet Muhammad 'Alayhis-Salatu was-Salamu (peace be upon him).
Another Angel is Michael who is in charge of rain falling.
A third one is the "Angel of Death" who is in charge of taking the souls of people whose death is due.
Angels are but servants honored by Allah.
Hence we honor them and speak of them respectfully.
But we worship none of them, nor do we take them as Allah's sons or daughters (as infidels claim).
We worship only Allah who created them in this wonderful kind of creation.
Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And they say: The Most Gracious has begotten a son, Glory be to Him! They are but servants raised to honor. They do not speak before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His command. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those whom He accepted, and they stand in awe and reverence of Him. If any of them should say, ‘I am a God besides Him’, such one We should reward with Hell. Thus do We reward those who do wrong”. [The Qur’an 21:26-29]
CHAPTER 8
FAITH IN HOLY SCRIPTURES
Allah has sent down to a number of Messengers, Books in order to proclaim them to mankind.
These Books contain the Words of Allah.
Among them are the Sheets of Ibrahim (Abraham), Taurat revealed to Moosa (Moses), Az-Zabour (psalms) revealed to Dawood (David), The Injil (Gospel) revealed to Isa (Jesus), And The Qur’an sent down to Muhammad, (Peace be upon them all).
Jews and Christians distorted some parts of their Books (Taurat and Injil).
Being the last Book assuredly guarded from corruption, The Qur’an confirms the truth in the previous Books and guards it.
Whatever, in those Books, differs from The Qur’an is corrupted or abrogated.
Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “To you We sent the scripture in truth Confirming the scriptures that came before it, And guarding it...” [The Qur’an 5:48].
Allah revealed The Qur’an in Arabic and has firmly promised to protect. His last Message from all corruption; He says about The Qur’an: “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message, and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)” [The Qur’an 15:9]
CHAPTER 9
FAITH IN PROPHETS
We believe that: Allah chose from among mankind some Prophets to deliver His Guidance.
From among those Prophets He selected Some Messengers.
He sent to the Messengers Laws and commanded them to proclaim these laws and to clarify them to their people.
Some of the great Messengers of Allah were Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
Embracing Islam does not mean to disbelieve in Moosa, Isa, or any other prophet.
Islam teaches you how to believe correctly in all Prophets.
Allah (Glory be to Him) says in The Qur’an: “To you We sent the Scripture in Truth, Confirming the scriptures that came before it, And guarding it...” [The Qur’an 5:48]. Meaning: Clarifying the Truth they distorted.
Allah mentioned’ names of a number of Prophets, He says: “Say you (Muslims): We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Ibrahim, lsma‘il, Isaac, Ya‘qoob (Jacob) and the Tribes, and that which was given to Moosa (Moses), and Isa (Jesus), and that which was given to all Prophets from their Lord. We make no difference between one and another of them, and we submit to Allah (in Islam)” [The Qur‘an 2:136]
The first Prophet was Adam, father of mankind, Alayhis-Salam (Peace be upon him).
Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam ‘Alayhis-Salatu was-Salamu (Peace be upon him) is the Seal (the last) of the prophets. No prophet is to come after him up to the end of this world.
Hence the fact that Islam is the only true religion to remain up to the Last Day.
He is Muhammad son of Abdullah son of Abdul-Muttalib. He is an Arab from (the famous tribe) of The Quraysh, a descendant of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isma‘il (Ishmael) – Alayhimus-salatu was-salamu – (Peace, and prayers of Allah be upon them).
He was born in Makkah (Mecca) in 571 AD (Known as the Year of the Elephant).
Allah sent Revelation to him when he was 40 years old.
He stayed in Makkah 13 years calling people to (believe in) Allah.
Only a limited number of people believed in him.
After that he emigrated to Al-Madinah and invited its people to believe in Allah, and they accepted.
He became the leader of Makkah in the year 8 AH He died at the age of 63 after the whole of The Qur’an was revealed, and all Arabs embraced Islam.
CHAPTER 10
FAITH IN THE LAST DAY
We believe that there will be another life after this life.
When the determined term of this life comes to an end, Allah will command an Angel to sound the Trumpet and all mankind and all other creatures will die.
Then he (Angel) will sound it again, when, behold, all dead since Adam will stand out of their graves.
Then, Allah will gather all people to account them for what they did:
Those who believed (in Allah), accepted the Messengers (as truthful) and did good deeds (commanded by Allah), Allah will put them in Paradise.
In Paradise, they will enjoy eternal Bliss.
But those who rejected the Messengers and disobeyed Allah’s commands, will be put in Hell.
In Hell Fire, they will be in continuous eternal punishment.
O Allah! We ask Your Paradise and seek refuge with You from Fire of Hell! Aameen!
Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “As for those who had transgressed all bounds; and had preferred the life of this world; the Abode will be Hell-Fire. And for those who had feared of standing in front of their Lord’s (Tribunal); and had restrained (their) souls from lower desires; their Abode will be Paradise.” (The Qur’an 79:37-41)
CHAPTER 11
FAITH IN FATE AND DIVINE DECREE
We believe in the timeless knowledge of Allah and in His power to plan and execute His plans and nothing could happen in His Kingdom against His will.
His knowledge and power are in action and command at all times over His creation.
He is Wise and Merciful and whatever He does must have a meaningful purpose.
If this is established in our minds and hearts, we should accept with good faith all that He does,
Although we may fail to understand it fully, or think it is bad.
CHAPTER 12
IBADAT (RELIGIOUS DEEDS)
Deeds in Islam are of two main categories:
‘Ibadat, these are the rituals, or devotional duties, of worship: Salat, Zakat, Siyam, and Hajj.
Mu’amalat, these include all life activities related to the individual, family, society, or the whole ‘Ummah (Muslim Community at large), political, economic, cultural, legal, ethical…, national or international.
Mu‘amalat when carried out in fulfillment of Allah’s Shari’a (Law) will be a sort of “Worship” in the general sense.
In this pamphlet, Mu’amalat will not be dealt with. You have to consult in each case either a book of Fiqh (Islamic Law) or any well informed Muslim scholar or authority.
The practical Pillars (Foundations) of Islam are Five:
The two Shahadas (Declarations of submission to Allah)
Salat (Prayer)
Zakat (Poor Due)
Siyam (Fasting of Ramadhan)
Hajj (Pilgrimage)
CHAPTER 13
THE TWO SHAHADAS (DECLARATIONS)
Ash-Shahadah means to say, with a firm belief in heart, and mind, the following:
’Ash-hadu ’an Laa ’ilaha ’illal-Lahu,
Wa’ash-hadu ’anna Muhammadan rasulul-Lah.
The meaning of these is:
I bear witness that there is no (true) god except Allah,
and I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger.
These imply two things:
That are deeds must be sincere to God alone.
That we only worship God as Muhammad taught.
CHAPTER 14
SALAT (PRAYER)
We pray five times everyday:
The Fajr (dawn) prayer. Two Rak‘ahs (Units). Its time starts just after dawn and ends at sunrise.
The Dhuhr (noon) prayer. Four Rak‘ahs. Time starts just after sun moves down from its zenith and ends at the midpoint between zenith and sunset.
The Asr (Late afternoon) prayer: Four Rak‘ahs. Time starts after the end of the Dhuhr prayer and ends at sunset.
The Maghrib (Sunset) prayer: Three Rak‘ahs. Time starts just after sunset.
The Isha’ (Evening) prayer: Four Rak‘ahs. Preferable time starts when twilight disappears and ends at midnight.
CHAPTER 15
AT-TAHARAH (PURITY)
A Muslim must be pure and clean when he performs his prayer, (otherwise his prayers will not be valid).
At-Taharah is of two types: Wudu’, (Ablution) and Ghusl (full Ablution).
WUDU’ (Ablution) which is performed as follows:
Have Niyyah (the clear intention) of performing wudu’.
Say: "Bismil-Lahi r-rahmani r-rahim" (in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful).
Wash the hands, rinse the mouth and clear with water the inside of the nose (sniffing).
Wash the face.
Wash the arms up to the elbows (start with the right arm)
Rub the head with wet hands, and the ears.
Wash the feet up to the ankles (starting with the right foot)
Say the two Shahadahs.
No need for reapplying Wudu’ as long as it has not been invalidated.
Wudu' is invalidated by: Passing of excrement, urine, wind or by sleeping.
GHUSL (Taking a shower):
A Muslim must take Ghusl after:
Ejaculation of semen because of any reason.
Intimate intercourse.
For women: End of Menstruation period.
End of the childbirth period.
Ghusl is washing the whole body with clean water.
TAYAMMUM (Dry Ablution):
In case of not having water for Wudu or Ghusl, or being unable to use it for any reason, apply the Dry Ablution:
Have Niyyah (the clear intention) of performing Tayammum’.
Say: "Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim" (in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful).
Hit the palms once on any clean dust-containing material,
then rub the face with the palms, then the hands.
CHAPTER 16
HOW TO PERFORM SALAT (PRAYERS)?
The best way for men is to perform salat in congregation with Muslims in the mosque. There you will be given more reward by Allah and you will leam easily how to pray.
Be sure that your body, clothes and place are clean.
Stand facing towards the direction of QIBLAH, that is the direction of the Sacred mosque in Makkah, in Al Hijaz (Saudi Arabia).
Raise the hands to the shoulder level and say: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).
Fold the hand on the chest, the right hand over the left.
Recite Al-Fatihah (The Opening Chapter of The Qur’an) and another chapter or some verses of The Qur’an (See App. 1)
Say. “Allahu Akbar” while making Ruku‘ (bowing and bending the body at a right angle placing the palms on the knees)
Say in Ruku’: “Subhana rabbiyal-atheem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Great!) three times.
Go back to the standing position saying: “Sami‘a ’allahu liman hamidah! Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.” (Indeed, Allah listens to one who praises Him O! Our Lord! All praises be to You)
Then, you say “Allahu Akbar” and immediately fall down to make the first Sajdah (Prostration) with forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes resting on the ground,-saying: “Subhana rabbiyal ’a‘la” (Glory be to my Lord, Most High) Three times.
Move from sajdah (prostration) position to sitting posture while saying; “Allahu Akbar!” While sitting, say “Rabbighfirli warhamni” (O My Lord! Forgive me! and have mercy on me)
After this, another sajdah is done in the same way with “Allahu Akbar” uttered before it, and “Subhana rabbiyal ’a‘la” Three times during Sujud.
After completing the second sajdah, one “Rak‘ah” is completed.
Stand up saying “Allahu Akbar” in order to begin a new Rak‘ah, exactly as the first Rak‘ah.
After finishing the second “Rak‘ah” you sit down and recite Part One and Part Two of “At-Tashahhud”.
Finally you turn the face to the right hand side and say: “As-Salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatul-lah” which means Peace be upon you and The Mercy of Allah!
Then you do the same to the left side.
Thus a two- Rak‘ah prayer is completed, such as the Fajr Prayer.
As for 4 Rak‘ah prayers such as the Dhuhr, only the first part of At-Tashahhud is recited after completing the second Rak‘ah. Then you stand up to perform two more Rak‘ahs in the same way, but without reciting any verses from The Qur’an after Al-Fatihah.
The ‘Asr and t ‘Isha’ prayers are performed exactly as the Dhuhr.
In the Maghrib Prayer, the final Tashahhud and “As-Salam…” come after the third Rak‘ah.
WHY WE PRAY
The Muslim observes his Prayers to show devotion and obedience to Allah, because Prayer is one of the greatest forms of worship that Allah likes His servants to offer.
To thank Him for creating us in the best form of creation.
Because He has guided us to the Deen (Complete way of Life, Religion) of Islam.
Prayer is a chance for a Muslim to express to his Lord whatever he feels and needs through Divine Words of Allah i.e. the Qur’an.
To remember his Lord and not forget His commands amid life’s pre-occupations.
To ask Allah, The Exalted, to give him aid and continuous guidance in the darkness of life.
To strengthen love and fear of Allah in the Muslim’s heart so that he might remain sticking to the Right Path of Islam, and its laws and manners.
Gaining good rewards from Allah and having our sins forgiven.
To rejoice when he finds himself on the Last Day pleased with the great reward allotted to him in the Gardens of Bliss.
Prayer is a unique training and developmental program which, if well and devotedly performed, can achieve for Muslims many valuable physical, ethical and spiritual gains such as cleanliness, health, order, punctuality, brotherhood, equality, social consolidation,… etc.
CHAPTER 17
ZAKAT (Poor Due, Alms)
WHAT IS ZAKAT
The term “Zakat” originally means: growth, and purity.
In Islamic Law, it means paying every lunar year a certain percentage of your savings to certain charitable usage defined by The Qur’an.
If you have, for that period, an amount of money equal to the value of 85 grams of pure gold (now 1985, is about $1000) or more, you must pay 2.5%.
Zakat is paid for the poor and the needy Muslims, for the wayfarers, for propagating Islam or fighting for Islam, for helping new Muslims or encouraging non-Muslims to embrace Islam, for those who are burdened with debts and are unable to pay them.
If you have articles of trade, you calculate their Zakat in the same way.
You can ask some Muslim scholar or refer to any good reference book to know more about Zakat.
WHY WE PAY ZAKAT
To show devotion to Allah Who commanded us to do so and informed us that He loves the charitable.
CHAPTER 18
SAWM, or SIYAM (Fasting)
ABOUT THE FAST
In Ramadan, (the 9th month of the lunar Islamic year) Muslims fast in obedience to Allah’s command and in gratitude for Allah’s Grace for revealing His Glorious Book, The Qur’an, in Ramadan.
Sawm (Fasting) is to abstain from eating, drinking and intimate intercourse from dawn to sunset.
If sick or on a journey, a Muslim is permitted to break his fast.
If he breaks the fast, he has to make it up by fasting a number of days equal to the days in which he broke fasting in Ramadan.
After the end of Ramadan comes “Eid al-Fitr” (the Holy day of Breaking the Fast) which is the 1st day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan.
On the Eid morning, all Muslims congregate, in open grounds or in mosques, to perform “ Eid Prayer” to express their happiness and gratitude to Allah for enabling them to complete this duty of Fasting.
Concerning this important duty, Allah says: “O you who believe. Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (observe) piety and self-restraint” [The Qur’an 2:183]
Also, He says: “Ramadan is the month in which was sent down The Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong). So, every one of you who is present (at his home, village, or town) during that month should fast it, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by other days”. [The Qur’an 2:185].
WHY WE FAST
We fast in obedience to Allah’s command, and because Allah loves those who fast.
To show our gratitude to Allah’s Grace of sending down His Guidance, The Qur’an, to guide us and the whole humanity.
To thank Allah for making us of those who believe in The Qur’an.
And because He enabled us to memorize His Book, to recite it, to study and understand it, and to benefit in its guidance.
To develop control on our material desires Allah planted in our nature.
To control ourselves in front of all things prohibited by Allah.
Fasting makes us remember the needy who suffer from hunger and deprivation.
Hence, to become more sympathetic to them and help them with part of what Allah has bestowed upon us.
To check our engrossment in our desires, and increase our care for our spiritual entity through intensifying our deeds and acts of worship in this month of The Qur’an.
To increase our share of sincerity, consience, patience, discipline, as well as many healthful benefits.
Above all these, the great reward Allah promised to give us on the Last Day.
CHAPTER 19
HAJJ (THE PILGRIMAGE)
WHAT IS HAJJ
Hajj is a journey to ’Al-Ka‘bah (the sacred House of Allah) in Makkah (Mecca) with the intention of obeying Allah’s command and performing certain prescribed rites there. (For the details of performing Hajj, you may consult any Islamic reference book on the subject).
Performing Hajj is obligatory, once in a lifetime, upon every mature Muslim provided he is able (physically and financially).
The whole journey of Hajj and its rites conform to a unique form, the principles of Islam and commemorate Islamic milestones related to Prophets Ibraheem (Abraham), Ismael and Muhammad, ‘Alayhimus-salam.
The rites of Hajj are performed, in general, in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (the last month of the Islamic Year).
On the 9th of Dhul Hijah the culminating rite is performed at Mount ‘Arafat’ where all pilgrims, sometimes about two million, gather.
Pilgrims’ stand at ‘Arafat to declare their supplications to Allah and their repentance and need of His Mercy and Forgiveness.
This reminds us of the Grand Assembly on the Day of Judgment.
The next day (the tenth) is the great Eid ’Al-’Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice) when pilgrims offer their sacrifices. After slaughtering their sacrifices, pilgrims go to Makkah and make Tawaf (circumbulate) seven times around Al-Ka‘bah.
Muslims everywhere slaughter their sacrifices (of camels, cows, or sheep) after performing the Eid Prayer.
These sacrifices were prescribed in commemoration of the great sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (Alayhis-salam) when he was about to slaughter his only son, Ismael, whom he loved much, when Allah ordered him to do so to test his loyalty and obedience to Him.
After completing the acts of Hajj, you can enjoy visiting The Mosque of Prophet Muhammad – sallal-lahu ‘alayhi wa salam – in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah (the illuminated town) and attend some Prayers there. The reward for praying at that Mosque is great.
When in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, pay a greeting visit to the Prophet’s grave and to his noble companions’ graves, in the Islamically accepted form.
Also visiting the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is recommendable in Islam.
WHY WE PERFORM HAJJ
Purposes and lessons of performing Hajj are so many. Among them are:
Responding in obedience to Allah’s commands.
To be grateful to Allah for His Grace and Favors on us, such as health, wealth and children.
To glorify Allah by visiting and making Tawaf (gowing around) His Sacred House, Al-Ka‘bah.
(Al-Ka‘bah is the first House built on earth for worshipping Allah, which Ibrahim – The Friend – and his son Isma‘il erected by the instruction of Allah).
To pray at Al-Ka‘ba, which is the Qiblah (direction) to which all Muslims turn their faces in the five daily prayers.
To visit and stand in devotion to Allah at the Sacred Mountains such as Mount ‘Arafat. There we celebrate the praises of Allah, purify our souls and repent of all sins.
To see the places where Ibrahim, the noble Friend and Prohpet of Allah, and his first son Ismail – Alayhis-salam – stayed and worshiped Allah.
To visit the places where Prophet Muhammad – alayhis-salam – was born, brought up, received the Divine Message, suffered and struggled for spreading the light of Allah.
To meet our Muslim brethren coming from all countries, and to see the actualization of brotherhood, equality, cooperation and love among Muslims regardless of their differences in nationality, color, standard of living, and other worldly matters. To see the universality of Islam.
To practice patience, sacrifice, endurance, simplicity and other spiritual capacities we are in urgent need of.
To come back cleansed of our sins, so as to start a new page in our life, hoping to keep it free from sins until the end of life, so that we may be accepted and well rewarded by Allah in the Hereafter.
CHAPTER 20
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR ISLAM?
Becoming a Muslim after becoming convinced is opening a plain page in your deed record.
Whatever bad deeds you have committed before, Allah will forgive because of your embracing Islam.
Becoming a Muslim is like starting a new life.
You have to grow and develop in Islam. How can you do so? By the following:
Firstly: Increasing your knowledge of Islam, through:
Reading the Qur’anic text.
Reading some interpretations of the Qur’an.
Reading Traditions (Sayings) of Prophet Muhammad, ‘Alayhis-salatu was-salamu).
Reading the biography of Prophet Muhammad –‘Alayhis-salatu was-salamu).
Reading the biographies of the great Muslim figures among our righteous fore-Muslims who propagated Islam and proclaimed it to mankind.
Attending Jumu‘ah (Friday) congregational prayer, listening to its Khutbah (sermon) and praying with Muslims.
Attending the two ‘Eid (holiday) prayers.
Performing the five daily prayers in congregation at the mosque whenever you are able to do so.
Attending Islamic religious, teaching sessions.
Contacting scholars, shaikhs, mosque imams (leaders) and preachers, introducing yourself to them and asking them about any Islamic matter you need to know. They are always happy to provide you with the required clarification.
Having one or more friends of good Muslims who are fairly knowledgeable about Islam to be your permanent reliable reference.
Read as much as you can of the basic sources of Islam (The Qur’an and As-Sunnah) and of the authentic and trustworthy writings about Islam to understand it more.
You will learn a lot about the laws and systems of Islam related to worship, family structure, life activities, manners, economic and public affairs.
You will know the ideology of Islam and its view in regard to creation, the universe, man, and life.
Islam is not rituals or morals only, it is in fact a comprehensive system for society, a constitution for the state and a way of life.
Secondly: Doing good deeds as much as you can:
Try to do good deeds more than the five basic duties mentioned before, such as:
Performing voluntary prayers, in addition to the compulsory five daily prayers.
Helping the poor and the needy by extra charity in addition to Zakat, or by assisting them in carrying out their necessary difficult duties.
Fasting a day or more other than in Ramadan.
Taking part in useful social projects aimed at reforming Muslim Society.
Inviting others to embrace Islam.
CHAPTER 21
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ISLAM
Becoming a Muslim means that you have achieved a lot of good for yourself.
It is like owning a valuable treasure.
The owner of a treasure will have many enemies who strive to take his treasure away from him.
And you have gained the treasure of Islam.
Some people will try to drive you away from your Deen (Religion).
Those people are the foes of Allah.
The foes of Allah are devils whether from among Jinn (whom we do not see) or from among human beings.
Human devils may try to mock at you.
Or, they may try to persuade you by money so that you may turn back from your Religion.
They may accuse Islam of many things, or cloud your mind with some misconceptions.
You have to know that Allah has said in the Qur’an “And no question do they bring to you but We reveal to you the truth and the best explanation” (The Qur’an 25:33).
So, consult Muslim scholars about what Allah has revealed in the Qur’an to answer such misconceptions.
As for Jinn devils they whisper into your heart. “Would you desert your fathers’ and forefathers’ religion, and follow a different one?”
Would you follow a religion that tasks you with prayers, fasting and giving others your property? And that deprives you from wine… etc.”
In fact, many people grow up, and find themselves traditionally following and honoring their parents’ religions and beliefs.
All followers of true, or false religions are like that, but the problem is: which of these religions is the true one and which is the false?
Surely, Islam is the only Deen (Religion) which is pure and free from all types of superstitions, polytheism and paganism.
It is the Deen of pure Monotheism.
When you feel these whispers of Jinn devils, recite:
Rabbi ’a‘uthu bika min hamazatish-Shayateen, Wa ‘a’udhu bika rabbi ‘an yahduroon (The Qur’an 23:97-98) “O my Lord ! I seek refuge with you from the suggestions of the Evil Ones. And I seek refuge with You, O my Lord!, lest they should come near me”.
And recite also the chapters Al-Falaq and An-Nas of the Quran. These are included in Appendix (I) with transliteration.
CHAPTER 22
HOW TO INVITE OTHERS TO ISLAM?
Our noble Prophet Muhammad – Sallal-lahu ‘alayhi wasallam – said: “If Allah guides one person to Islam through you, it is better for you, than having the greatest wealth.”
He also said: “Whoever calls (others) to guidance has the same reward as the rewards of those who follow him, without decreasing anything from their rewards.”
Therefore be keen to invite to Islam those non-Muslims whom you know.
Start with people who are closest to you, such as: your parents, wife, son, daughter, brother, then relatives and friends.
Allah (Glory be to Him) said to His Messenger Muhammad – Sallal-lahu ’Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam – [The Qu’an 26:214], “And admonish your nearest Kinsmen”.
Make clear to them the right religion, and make them interested in it!
Tell them of the glad tidings of which Allah has promised, and the blessings and favors that Allah will endow upon them in this world and the next if they follow Islam.
Warn them of Allah’s wrath upon them if they disbelieve in the Holy Quran which He has revealed to be a guidance to everyone.
Or if they disbelieve in Prophet Muhammad – Sallal-lahu ‘alayhi wasallam – whom He has sent as a mercy to the worlds.
Invite them with love and sincerity.
And you, yourself, should be an example of good character.
Be quick in doing good and in helping others. If you do so:
You will be a propagator of Islam by your actions as well as your words.
Your friends will be quick to accept when you invite them to Islam, and then Allah will lead them to guidance.
They will come to know that what you say is the truth.
They will consequently accept Islam and love this religion and love you too.
You must know well the wise approach of inviting others to Islam and teaching them. Thus you should speak what is suitable for every occasion.
One of the wise sayings of Arabs is: “There is suitable speech for each situation.“
Allah (Glory be to Him) says in Al Qur’an: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious, for your Lord knows best who have strayed from His path and who receive guidance.” [The Qur’an 16:125]
If you do not know Arabic, it is strongly advisable for you to learn that language so as to be able to understand Islam through its original sources.
If you do so, you will be able to speak with confidence about Islam, because you have direct knowledge of Allah’s words, of the sayings of His messenger Muhammad – Sallal-lahu ‘alayhi wasallam – and of the statements of Muslim scholars.
Presenting copies of this booklet to those whom you would like to invite to Islam will help you inshallah (God willing) in propagating this religion of Allah.
CHAPTER 23
MUHARRAMAT
(THE FORBIDDEN THINGS)
Allah (Glory be to Him) has prescribed for us in the Holy Qur’an and in the Sunnah (Traditions of the Prophet) many laws:
Some of these are obligations and others are Muharramat (forbidden things, when something is prohibited we say it is Haram).
As for the obligations, I have already pointed them out previously.
As for the Muharramat, some of the most important of them are the following:
First: Forbidden Foods:
Dead Meat: These are the dead bodies of animals which died naturally, (i.e. without being Islamically slaughtered) or by being strangled, or by falling from a high place, or by being partly eaten by a wild animal, and were not slaughtered before being dead.
Also, those animals slaughtered by other than Muslims, Jews or Christians.
But the meats of dead sea animals are not forbidden.
Blood poured forth.
Flesh of the Pig (pork).
Meat which has, when slaughtered, had the name of anything or anyone other than Allah invoked upon it, or that was slaughtered to glorify any one other than Allah.
The meat of beasts of prey, such as lions, dogs... etc, and those of preying birds that attack with their claws, such as eagles, vultures… etc.
The meat of domestic donkeys and asses.
The meat of animals that feed on filthy things, except if they are isolated and fed clean food for sufficient time.
Any food spoiled by filth until it is cleaned by water if it is possible.
Wine and all kinds of intoxicants.
Foodstuffs containing toxic elements which are harmful to our bodies.
Second: Forbidden Deeds:
Allah Hates these deeds and their doers and punishes them:
To associate (in worship) anything or anyone with Allah.
To be disobedient to our parents.
To give false testimony.
To kill a person whom Allah has forbidden to, except by Law (Legally).
Adultery and fornication.
To steal.
To take anything, unjustly, from the property of an orphan,
To desert the battle-field while fighting unbelievers.
To falsely accuse with adultery or fornication a chaste Muslim woman or man.
To uncover “Awra” infront of anybody.
To take others’ wealth illegally, by means of bribery, robbery trickery, or deceit.
To bribe in order to take others’ properties illegally, or to get what you have no right to.
To marry mother, daughter, sister, paternal aunt, maternal aunt, brother’s daughter, sister’s daughter, whether they are through blood or foster relationship, your father’s wife, your son’s wife, your wife’s mother or daughter.
A Muslim man is not permitted to marry a non-Muslim woman unless she becomes Muslim; but he can marry a Christian or a Jewish woman.
A Muslim woman is not permitted to marry a non-Muslim man, even a Christian or a Jew, unless he becomes a Muslim.
To take part in back-biting or scandals.
CHAPTER 24
Allah’s AWLIYA (Alla
