Welcome dear curious reader. Whether you’re a Muslim or not, it is anticipated that you will learn much from this endeavour. Sadly, Islam is still largely misunderstood by much of the population. Thus, we took the initiative to tell you the TRUTH about Islam.
Let’s begin!
Islam is one of the world’s major religions, followed by approximately 1.7 billion people and growing. About 1 in 5 people in the world follow Islam.
Islam, like other Abrahamic Faiths, teaches the belief in One God. However, Islam is 100% monotheistic, that is, we believe God is The One, The Eternal, The Creator, who doesn’t have any partners or family or children, and God alone deserves to be worshipped. We also believe that God (Allah) sent many prophets and messengers and revealed books to guide us. We also believe in Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (upon them be peace). Muhammad (upon him be peace) is the final Messenger of Allah, and the Qur’an (Koran) is the final revealed book of Guidance for all mankind.
All the prophets of Allah called to the same message: to worship The One True God (Allah) only, with sincerity and without making any partners, idols or rivals.
Islam means to submit your will to God (Allah), with sincerity, and in peace. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Islam is a complete way of life. It influences everything including: worship, food, dress-code, relationships, interactions, business, health, money, law and order, life and death.
Muslims believe in an afterlife, that is, there will be a judgement, heaven and hell. We believe that our ancient enemy, Satan, is constantly plotting our downfall and encouraging disobedience to God. We can fight the Satan away by remembering Allah frequently. As humans, we make mistakes, so we always ask Allah to forgive us. We acknowledge we aren’t perfect, but have to try our best to do good and keep away from sins.
We believe our purpose in life is to worship Allah alone, following the example of the prophet Muhammad (upon him be peace).
The prophet Muhammad peace be upon him stressed the importance of excellent moral conduct and principles. Some of these key values are sincerity, patience, strength, dedication, cooperation in good, consideration, removal of evil, educating oneself and others, upholding the family, and establishing justice with EVERYONE, whoever they may be.
Here are some more details:
1.Allah-The Supreme Creator and Lord of all creation. The One True God worthy of worship. Allah is the Eternal, uncreated Creator. He is One, Self-sufficient, independent from and separate from His creation. Allah does not have any partners or children. There is nothing like Allah. Allah is the All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, Provider, Cherisher, Sustainer and Originator of the universe. It is essential to affirm the Oneness of Allah in His Lordship, His names and attributes and His exclusive right to be worshipped without partners or associates.
You can find a superb description of Allah in chapter 112 of the Qur’an:
2.Islam– Means submission to the will of the One Supreme Creator of the universe known as ‘Allah’ or The One True God.
3.Muslim- One who submits his/her will to the Will of Allah. The purpose in life is to worship Allah, not because He needs us (remember He is Self-Sufficient, Self-Subsisting) but because we need Him. It is in everyone’s natural disposition to recognise Allah’s Lordship and His right to be worshipped exclusively.
4.Messengers and prophets– Allah did not leave creation without guidance. He sent prophets and messengers, who were human beings, to warn their nations and remind them to worship Allah alone. We believe in Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus among others, peace be upon them all. Incidentally, we believe Jesus was born from the virgin Mary, miraculously without a father. Jesus is not the son of God, because God (Allah) is One, without partners, associates or children. Humans and created beings have children, and God is unlike His creation! Therefore, we respect and believe in Jesus peace be upon him as a messenger of God who never claimed divinity, but rather, he called to the worship of The One True God (Allah) alone without partners.
5. Scriptures and revealed books– Allah sent the messengers with scriptures to guide the people to come back to the worship of One True God alone. We believe in the original scriptures, such as the Torah, Psalms and Gospel (the current day versions have been altered by man over time and are thus no longer in the original form). All the messengers and prophets (peace be upon them all) professed Islamic Monotheism. The previous messengers were sent with revelations for their people at their times. Thereafter, Allah sent a final messenger to guide,remind and warn us.
6. The Final prophet and messenger and final book of revelation– Allah sent the final prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last messenger after whom no new messenger will be sent to mankind. Allah revealed the final book of revelation,The Qur’an, to the prophet Muhammad, who conveyed this to his people. The Qur’an is the verbatim words of Allah.
The miracle is that the Qur’an has been preserved from change since its revelation over 1400 years ago, as Allah guaranteed to guard it from corruption.
Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption) .
[Qur’an, 15:9- English interpretation]
The message Muhammad was sent with and the final revealed book (The Qur’an) abrogates all other books and laws before it. Muhammad peace be upon him also called to the Oneness of God and called people to worship Allah alone without partners (Islamic Monotheism), the same message of the previous prophets. The prophet Muhammad came with Islam, and the Qur’an, and this is the message all nations after him are to follow, as commanded by Allah. Indeed, it is through obeying God (Allah) that we hope to attain eternal bliss in the afterlife.
We have a few days remaining of this sacred month of Rajab 1437, and those of us who owe missed fasts from previous Ramadan, we really must make them up now in sha Allah!
Don’t worry about the length of the day etc, let us put our trust in Allah, and it will be alright. (Alhamdulillah) Remember Allah is Al-Qadeer (capable of all things) and He will surely help us and make it possible.
Trust Allah, that we can do it! And it’s good preparation for Ramadan in sha Allah!
Be inspired by those who have genuine difficulty/lack of resources and food, but soldier on for the sake of Allah.
Remember Allah gave us a lot more than others, so let’s drop the excuses and start showing Allah more gratitude by obeying Him as we owe Him everything, because He owns everything!!!
May Allah grant us the ability. May Allah make us sincere and make our fasting easy, rewarded and accepted and may He grant us many Ramadans in His obedience, Ya Rabb al aalameen! Allahumma Salli alaa Rasoolillah Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam!
Who doesn’t have a smartphone/tablet/laptop/electronic gadget of some sort today?
In fact, many of us probably have one of these, or one of each, or even more than one of each…
Yes, so Alhamdulillah, we’re blessed with these fabulous gadgets that we use for hours on end.
We have all the time to use our digital darlings, but we’re deeply deprived.
Why?
Because which of us doesn’t have a Qur’an application on our devices, or a means to access it via WiFi or internet, but we chose to avoid it.
We have the time to make consecutive phone calls and messages. Minutes turn to hours. Granted, we’re busy- but we’ve got five, ten, fifteen minutes to spare to update our social media accounts, to browse the web, to take selfies…
When will we decide to read a verse or two of the Qur’an? It’s not that we don’t have time for it, it’s that we won’t make time for it…
Don’t we know what we’re missing out on? Our hearts are heavy, our minds are overwhelmed, our problems are many, yet we have the solutions, in the Qur’an. If only we would read.
The Qur’an is a healing, guidance and a mercy for the believers. Please read a few lines from Surah Ar-Rahman.
And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient.
10
وَالْأَرْضَ وَضَعَهَا لِلْأَنَامِ
And the earth: He has put down (laid) for the creatures.
11
فِيهَا فَاكِهَةٌ وَالنَّخْلُ ذَاتُ الْأَكْمَامِ
Therein are fruits and date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates).
12
وَالْحَبُّ ذُو الْعَصْفِ وَالرَّيْحَانُ
And also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-scented plants.
13
فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?
Allah grant us the tawfiq to read, ponder and act on His noble Book. May Allah save us from the devil’s plots. Allahumma salli alaa Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Ameen
Surah Al-Haaqqa
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The Inevitable (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)! (1) What is the Inevitable? (2) And what will make you know what the Inevitable is? (3) Thamûd and ‘Ad people denied the Qâri’ah [the striking Hour (of Judgement)]! (4) As for Thamûd, they were destroyed by the awful cry! (5) And as for ‘Ad, they were destroyed by a furious violent wind! (6) Which Allâh imposed on them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown (destroyed), as if they were hollow trunks of date-palms! (7) Do you see any remnants of them? (8) And Fir’aun (Pharaoh), and those before him, and the cities overthrown [the towns of the people of [Lut (Lot)] committed sin, (9) And they disobeyed their Lord’s Messenger, so He seized them with a strong punishment. (10) Verily! When the water rose beyond its limits [Nûh’s (Noah) Flood], We carried you (mankind) in the floating [ship that was constructed by Nûh (Noah)]. (11) That We might make it a (Noah’s ship)an admonition for you, and that it might be retained by the retaining ears. (12)
Then when the Trumpet will be blown with one blowing (the first one), (13) And the earth and the mountains shall be removed from their places, and crushed with a single crushing. (14) Then on that Day shall the (Great) Event befall. (15) And the heaven will be rent asunder, for that Day it (the heaven) will be frail, and torn up. (16) And the angels will be on its sides, and eight angels will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them. (17) That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of you will be hidden. (18)
Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: “Here! read my Record! (19) “Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account!” (20) So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing. (21) In a lofty Paradise, (22) The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand. (23) Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past! (24)
But as for him who will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: “I wish that I had not been given my Record! (25) “And that I had never known, how my Account is! (26) “Would that it had been my end (death)! (27) “My wealth has not availed me; (28) “My power (and arguments to defend myself) have gone from me!” (29) (It will be said): “Seize him and fetter him; (30) Then throw him in the blazing Fire. (31) “Then fasten him with a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits!” (32) Verily, He used not to believe in Allâh, the Most Great, (33) And urged not on the feeding of Al¬Miskîn (the poor),[] (34) So no friend has he here this Day, (35) Nor any food except filth from the washing of wounds, (36) None will eat it except the Khâti’ûn (sinners, disbelievers, polytheists). (37)
So I swear by whatsoever you see, (38) And by whatsoever you see not, (39) That this is verily the word of an honoured Messenger [i.e. Jibril (Gabriel) or Muhammad SAW which he has brought from Allâh]. (40) It is not the word of a poet, little is that you believe! (41) Nor is it the word of a soothsayer (or a foreteller), little is that you remember! (42) This is the Revelation sent down from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). (43) And if he (Muhammad SAW) had forged a false saying concerning Us (Allâh swt), (44) We surely would have seized him by his right hand (or with power and might), (45) And then we certainly would have cut off his life artery (Aorta), (46) And none of you could witheld Us from (punishing) him. (47) And verily, this (Qur’ân) is a Reminder for the Muttaqûn (pious – see V.2:2) (48) And verily, We know that there are some among you that belie (this Qur’ân). (Tafsir At-Tabarî) (49) And indeed it (this Qur’ân) will be an anguish for the disbelievers (on the Day of Resurrection).[] (50) And Verily, it (this Qur’ân) is an absolute truth with certainty[] (51) So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.[] (52)
SubhanAllah, what a striking and powerful Surah.
Oh Allah help us act upon the Qur’an! Allahumma salli wa sallim ‘alaa rasoolillah. Ameen!
Please share this post for the sake of Allah, and get the reward for conveying the book of Allah! (link back to blog URL : http://wp.me/p4GU3D-hy ]
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
( 1 ) By those [winds] scattering [dust] dispersing
( 2 ) And those [clouds] carrying a load [of water]
( 3 ) And those [ships] sailing with ease
( 4 ) And those [angels] apportioning [each] matter,
( 5 ) Indeed, what you are promised is true.
( 6 ) And indeed, the recompense is to occur.
( 7 ) By the heaven containing pathways,
( 8 ) Indeed, you are in differing speech.
( 9 ) Deluded away from the Qur’an is he who is deluded.
( 10 ) Destroyed are the falsifiers
( 11 ) Who are within a flood [of confusion] and heedless.
( 12 ) They ask, “When is the Day of Recompense?”
( 13 ) [It is] the Day they will be tormented over the Fire
( 14 ) [And will be told], “Taste your torment. This is that for which you were impatient.”
( 15 ) Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs,
( 16 ) Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good.
( 17 ) They used to sleep but little of the night,
( 18 ) And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness,
( 19 ) And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.
( 20 ) And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith]
( 21 ) And in yourselves. Then will you not see?
( 22 ) And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.
( 23 ) Then by the Lord of the heaven and earth, indeed, it is truth – just as [sure as] it is that you are speaking.
( 24 ) Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Abraham? –
( 25 ) When they entered upon him and said, “[We greet you with] peace.” He answered, “[And upon you] peace, [you are] a people unknown.
( 26 ) Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf
( 27 ) And placed it near them; he said, “Will you not eat?”
( 28 ) And he felt from them apprehension. They said, “Fear not,” and gave him good tidings of a learned boy.
( 29 ) And his wife approached with a cry [of alarm] and struck her face and said, “[I am] a barren old woman!”
( 30 ) They said, “Thus has said your Lord; indeed, He is the Wise, the Knowing.”
( 31 ) [Abraham] said, “Then what is your business [here], O messengers?”
( 32 ) They said, “Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals
( 33 ) To send down upon them stones of clay,
( 34 ) Marked in the presence of your Lord for the transgressors.”
( 35 ) So We brought out whoever was in the cities of the believers.
( 36 ) And We found not within them other than a [single] house of Muslims.
( 37 ) And We left therein a sign for those who fear the painful punishment.
( 38 ) And in Moses [was a sign], when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority.
( 39 ) But he turned away with his supporters and said,” A magician or a madman.”
( 40 ) So We took him and his soldiers and cast them into the sea, and he was blameworthy.
( 41 ) And in ‘Aad [was a sign], when We sent against them the barren wind.
( 42 ) It left nothing of what it came upon but that it made it like disintegrated ruins.
( 43 ) And in Thamud, when it was said to them, “Enjoy yourselves for a time.”
( 44 ) But they were insolent toward the command of their Lord, so the thunderbolt seized them while they were looking on.
( 45 ) And they were unable to arise, nor could they defend themselves.
( 46 ) And [We destroyed] the people of Noah before; indeed, they were a people defiantly disobedient.
( 47 ) And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.
( 48 ) And the earth We have spread out, and excellent is the preparer.
( 49 ) And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember.
( 50 ) So flee to Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.
( 51 ) And do not make [as equal] with Allah another deity. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.
( 52 ) Similarly, there came not to those before them any messenger except that they said, “A magician or a madman.”
( 53 ) Did they suggest it to them? Rather, they [themselves] are a transgressing people.
( 54 ) So leave them, [O Muhammad], for you are not to be blamed.
( 55 ) And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.
( 56 ) And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
( 57 ) I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me.
( 58 ) Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength.
( 59 ) And indeed, for those who have wronged is a portion [of punishment] like the portion of their predecessors, so let them not impatiently urge Me.
( 60 ) And woe to those who have disbelieved from their Day which they are promised.
Oh My God! I’m lost for words…yet bursting to say something…
I keep clicking replay…
I can listen to this all day… I feel something in my heart when I read and listen to this. I see warnings, reminders, promises. I see truth. I see proof. I see meaning. I see no error. I feel a sense of emergency, of urgency. I feel I have to make a move. I have to act upon it. I feel I found the purpose in life.
I feel I need to run back to The One Who gave me life, The One Who will cause me to die, The One Who will resurrect me, and punish or reward me accordingly.
I need to run back to Allah alone.
So do you.
Be objective. Be sincere. Be open minded. I’m sure you’ll feel something too.
Oh Allaah the One Who changes the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion! Guide us to preserve on Your straight path forever. Allahumma salli wasallim alaa nabiyinaa Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Ameen.
Reciting Takbeer: Let us not forget to make the Takbeer following the obligatory prayers, starting after Fajr on Arafat day, till when the sun sets on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. (see below for details).
‘It is Sunnah to recite takbeer at any time during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and all the days of Tashreeq, starting from the beginning of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah (i.e., from sunset on the last day of Dhu’l-Qa’dah) until the end of the days of al-Tashreeq, which is when the sun sets on the thirteenth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
With regard to at certain times, it starts from Fajr on the day of ‘Arafah and lasts until the sun sets on the last day of the days of Tashreeq, in addition to the takbeer that may be recited at any time. So when a person says the tasleem at the end of the obligatory prayer, he should pray for forgiveness (by saying Astaghfir-Allaah) three times, and say, “Allaahumma anta al-salaam wa minka al-salaam, tabaarakta yaa dhaa’l-jalaali wa’l-ikraam (“O Allaah, You are al-Salaam [the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies), and from You is all peace, blessed are You, O possessor of majesty and honour)”, then start the takbeer.
{Takbeer: Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahi’l-hamd(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and to Allaah be praise). }
This is for those who are not on Hajj. The pilgrims should start the takbeer recited after prayer from Zuhr on the Day of Sacrifice (the 10th of Dhu’l-Hijjah).
And Allaah knows best.
See Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him), 13/17; al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), 5/220-224.’ [see http://islamqa.info/en/36627]
Alhamdulillah. May Allah have mercy on us all and forgive us,guide us and grant us jannat-al-firdaus, wasallallahu ala nabiyinaa Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam! ameen.
So we’re halfway through Shawwal 1436, it’s been two weeks post Ramadan. How are you feeling iman-wise?
Perhaps we’ve slacked a little on our Qur’an recitation regime…
Perhaps we’re not praying much optional prayers…
Perhaps we’ve fallen into the same bad habits pre-Ramadan…
Feeling regretful? That’s the first step to change. Let us acknowledge our faults, and seek Allah’s forgiveness. Let us resolve to change for the better.
WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE!
Let’s revive the Ramadan atmosphere by increasing our ibadah, by quality and quantity in sha Allah!
We have around 15 days left to make a positive difference!
Top Tips to revive our iman (faith, in statement and action) after Ramadan
Let us make more istighfar, seek Allah’s forgiveness, saying Astaghfirullah, SubhanAllahi wabihamdi, Astaghfirullaha wa atoobo ilayhi, and this amazing dua called sayyid al istighfar you MUST learn (click here!)
Strive to pray the five prayers on time
Strive to spend in charity
Do good and remind others to do good and keep away from and forbid evil, trying hard to practice what we preach.
Read more Qur’an at least a page or so a day, try to read some tafsir or translation too.
Have good character/perfecting it
Make someone smile : )
More remembrance of Allah, subhanaAllah, walhamdulillah, wallahuakbar, wa la ilaha ilallah! Because it’s all about Allah Who is Al-Wahid, alone!
Do sunnah acts, optional prayers
Fast 6 days of Shawwal! Here’s an awesome opportunity…
Abu Ayyub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “He who observes As-Saum (the fasts) in the month of Ramadan, and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed As-Saum for the whole year.”
[Muslim].
Subhanallah, WOW! : o
Narrated Abu Ayyub:
The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: If anyone fasts during Ramadan, then follows it with six days in Shawwal, it will be like a perpetual fast.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 2433, sahih Al-Albani
ALLAHUAKBAR!
Don’t forget to make up what you owe of this Ramadan first (if any obligatory ones are outstanding e.g. ladies during their days off -menses etc.). We must complete Ramadan before following it with the Shawwal fasts, in sha Allah, as the Imam of Masjid an Nabawi reminded us in the Friday Sermon last week.
What an amazing sunnah, let’s try to fulfil this in sha Allah and tell others too, for the sake of Allah. Alhamdulillah. May Allah grant us the ability to serve Him according to Qur’an and Sunnah,with sincerity and sound intentions. wasallallahu ala nabiyinaa Muhammad. ameen ya Rab al alameen!
By the way this is a reminder to me before it is to you, so do comment below on anything you may want to add! May Allah forgive us for any errors! ameen