BISMILLAHIARRAHIMANIRRAHEEM, ISLAM, MAQFIRAT

Islamic Calendar

2012-01-27T02:04:00.001-08:00

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

In the Holy Quran we read:

"They ask thee about the new moons. Say, These are means for measuring time for people's affairs and for the Pilgrimage" (Holy Quran, Ch. 2 V. 190)

Islam has made use of both the lunar and solar system of measuring times. Where worship is to be performed in different parts of the day the solar system of reckoning time is used as in the five daily Prayers or for the beginning and breaking of the fast, and where worship is to be completed within a particular month or part thereof, the lunar system is used, as in the determination of the month or part thereof, the lunar system is used, as in the determination of the month of fasting or fixing the time of Hajj or other festivals.

To calculate conversions from one calendar year to the other the following formula is used:

G = H - ( (3 * H) / 100 ) + 622

H = G + ( ( G - 622) / 32 ) - 622

Where G = Gregorian year (AD)

H = Hijra year (AH)

Thus 2000 AD is 1421 AH

Islamic calendar consists of twelve lunar months. Each month may be of 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the new moon.

An lunar year has, on average, 355 days. This is 10 days less than the solar year. Hence an Islamic year is moved ahead 10 days each year in solar calendar year.

Following are the names of the Islamic months:

1. Muharram ul Haram

2. Safar

3. Rabi-ul-Awwal

4. Rab-ul-Akhir

5. Jamadi-ul-Awwal

6. Jamadi-ul-Akhir

7. Rajab

8. Sha'aban

9. Ramadhan

10. Shawwal

11. Dhul Qadah

12. Dhul Hijja

The Holy Quran states:

"The number of months with Allah has been twelve months by Allah's ordinance since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these four are known as sacred" (Holy Quran, ch., v 36)Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijja are considered to be sacred months. Fighting during these sacred months is considered to be a sin.

The Islamic months

2012-01-27T02:04:00.000-08:00

The Islamic months are also 12 months. and they are

1. Muharram ul Haram

2. Safar

3. Rabi-ul-Awwal

4. Rab-ul-Akhir

5. Jamadi-ul-Awwal

6. Jamadi-ul-Akhir

7. Rajab

8. Sha'aban

9. Ramadhan

10. Shawwal

11. Dhul Qadah

12. Dhul Hijja

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Islamic images

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Islamic Messages

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Alcohol In Islam

2012-01-27T01:35:00.000-08:00

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:

"They ask you about wine and gambling. Say: in both these there is great sin and also (some) profit for men; but their sin is greater than their profit..." (al Baqarah, 2:219)

"The Shaitan only desires to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. (al Ma'idah, 5: 90)

Imam Ali ar-Ridha (A) says:

"Allah has prohibited liquor on account of the evils resulting from it and because it renders reason and intellect of no effect and destroys 'Haya' - modesty and sense of shame."

The following sayings are by Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A) and also repeated by other Imams (A):

"Do not associate with drunkards because as and when calamity befalls upon them, it will also engulf their associates (friends)" "One who sits at a dining place at which others drink liquor is cursed (by Allah)"

In modern society alcohol is the most dangerous legal drug. Under its influence, man is not only a danger to himself, but to those around him also. While it is accepted universally that excess alcohol is harmful, it is thought that in moderate amounts it can be beneficial. Islam totally forbids the consumption of alcohol in any amount. It also forbids Muslims from any involvement in its production, distribution or sale.

The greatest gift of Allah to humans is their ability to reason. This distinguishes us from all other creatures. Without our ability to reason, we become no different from the animals. It is because alcohol destroys this faculty of reason that it is Haraam.

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A) says: "Alcohol is the root of all evils and sins. A person who drinks alcohol loses his sanity. At that time, he does not know Allah, does not fear committing any sin, respects the rights of no one and does not desist from committing evil openly. The spirit of piety and faith departs from him and only the impure and vicious spirit, which is far off from the Mercy of Allah, remains in his body. Allah, His angels, His prophets and the true believers curse such a man, and his daily prayers are not accepted for forty days. On the Day of Judgment his face will be dark, his tongue will come out of his mouth and saliva will fall on his chest and he will desperately complain of thirst."

To eat at a table where alcohol is being served is Haraam.

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Islamic Food

2012-01-27T01:31:00.000-08:00

We probably all enjoy good food, but we must make sure the food we eat is permissible and safe for us. That means making ourselves familiar with what is allowed and what is not allowed according to Islam.

The Qur'an makes it quite clear as to what is halal and haram. Basically, all food is halal except for the following:

Meat from swine

Pork-based products and by-products

Animals improperly slaughtered, or already dead before slaughtering is due to take place

Animals killed or sacrificed in the name of others than Allah (swt)

Intoxicants/alcohol

Most carnivorous animals, birds of prey and land animals without external ears (i.e., snakes, reptiles, worms, insects etc.)

Blood and blood by-products

Foods contaminated with any of the above products

{foods which are forbidden}: The Holy Qur'an, 5:3 - Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah (swt); that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars)...

{prohibition of intoxicants): The Holy Qur'an, 5:90 - O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.

(permissibility of seafood): The Holy Qur'an, 35:12 - Nor are the two bodies of flowing water alike,- the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, and the other, salt and bitter. Yet from each (kind of water) do ye eat flesh fresh and tender, and ye extract ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the Bounty of Allah (swt) that ye may be grateful.

Ingredients to look out for:

Haram (prohibited) ingredients are those ingredients whose source are from pork, pork by-products, alcohol and alcoholic beverages, human body such as human hair.

BONE PHOSPHATE - E542 An anti-caking agent made from the degreased steam-extract from animal bones.

COCHINEAL/CARMINE - E120, E122 A red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of female cochineal insects. Note: E124 Ponceau 4R is acceptable although it is sometimes known as Cochineal Red A.

GELATINE Gelatine is an odourless, tasteless, protein substance like glue or jelly, obtained by boiling the bones, hoofs, and other waste parts of animals. Vegetarian alternatives such as Agar Agar and Gelozone exist.

GLYCERINE - E422 May be produced from animal fats, synthesised from propylene or from fermentation of sugars..

L-CYSTEINE A flavour and improving agent manufactured from animal hair and chicken feathers.

MAGNESIUM STEARATE May be made from animal fat. Often found in medicines.

RENNET (ANIMAL) An enzyme taken from the stomach of a newly killed calf used in the cheese making process. Vegetarian cheese is produced using microbial or fungal enzymes, or chymosin.

VANILLA EXTRACT Vanilla is a plant product. It is extracted with alcohol as the solvent of choice, from the vanilla bean and is normally kept in a solution containing alcohol. If you examine at a bottle of vanilla extract, you will find it lists alcohol as an ingredient, along with the percentage of alcohol.

WHEY During cheese making, a coagulum is formed by clotting milk with rennet. When the coagulum is cut, a watery liquid known as whey is released and drained off leaving the curd to be salted and further processed into cheese. Whey contains water, fat, protein, lactose, minerals and lactic acid. Cream, butter, cheese, drinks, syrups and powder are some of the products made from whey.

SHELLAC E904: a resin from the lac insect

EMULSIFIERS (E470 to E483) - haram if obtained from pork or non-halal sources.

Apart from haram things there is also a 'grey area' called mushbooh. Mushbooh is an Arabic term which means suspected. If one does not know the Halal or Harm status of a particular food or drink, such a food or drink is doubtful. A practicing Muslims prevents him/herself from consuming doubtful things.

Let me remind you that just because a packaging says 'suitable for vegetarians' it doesn't mean it is halal, as there could very well be alcohol etc. on the list of ingredients of those items.....better check to be safe.

Quran 16:115: "He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah (swt) has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

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As per islam What is in Our Food…?

2012-01-27T01:09:00.000-08:00

As Muslims, we are constantly striving for perfection in all facets of life. As a result, we are constantly trying to gain knowledge so that we may further progress. The reality is that while we aim to perfect our relationships, our roles at work, and our habits as students, we sometimes fail to realize that there is a catalyst that will help facilitate this quest for perfection, and that is food. While our bodies are nourished by the food we consume, our souls too are nourished by the permissibility and purity of that same food. Those who strive to consume only that which is halal (lawful) and tayyib (pure) are blessed with their bodies striving towards that which is halal and tayyib. As a result, as Muslims, we need to make a conscious effort to answer the question, "is what we buy and consume everyday really halal?"

IFANCA, an internationally recognized halal certifying organization, is staffed by a qualified scholars, technical staff and administrators. It is registered as a not-for-profit organization in Illinois and is recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and several halal regulatory agencies in countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the UAE. During the last three decades, IFANCA has certified thousands of products and ingredients, including processed food; meat products; pharmaceuticals; nutraceuticals and cosmetics for more than 2,200 companies world-wide.

The mission of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) is to promote the concept of halal and educate Muslims regarding mashbooh (doubtful) ingredients, including those that are present in food; nutritional supplements; pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

IFANCA serves the Muslim community worldwide by conducting conferences and seminars, responding to consumer and industrial inquiries about ingredients and products and assisting correctional facilities to establish partial halal kitchens in the prisons to satisfy the dietary needs of Muslim inmates. IFANCA has recently resumed educational workshops and presentations in various Islamic institutions in the Chicagoland area and will soon offer these services to neighboring cities and states. The focus of these presentations is to create awareness of the permissibility of foods. A description of the important points will be discussed in the paper below. Readers are also encouraged to visit www.ifanca.org and www.halal.com frequently for the current information about certified products and halal news and resources. Furthermore, if you are interested in organizing an informational session in your local community please contact IFANCA.

Responsibility Of Muslims:
Our main goal is to please ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) alone by obeying HIS commands on all matters including issues of halal and haram, as well as following the sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam). Several verses of the Noble Quran have been revealed regarding food. A quick look at a few verses allows us to see the importance HE has put on the consumption of food:
"O you who believe! Eat of the good things from what WE have provided you, and render thanks to ALLAH if it is HE whom you worship." (2:172)
"O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the Earth, and follow not the foot-steps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you." (2:168)
"O you who believe! Forbid not the good things which ALLAH has made 'lawful' for you and transgress not. Lo! ALLAH loves not transgressors. Eat of that which ALLAH has bestowed on you as food 'lawful' and good, and keep your duty to ALLAH in whom you are believers." (5:87-88)
There are many more verses in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam) that speak about other aspects of halal and haram. We should look into such commandments and understand them for our own betterment.
Muslim Population:
Currently there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, and the number is increasing, particularly in the major metropolitan cities across the U.S. In other published reports, it is quoted that the global halal food trade market is about $150 billion with the Muslim buying-power at about $600 billion. In the US alone, the buying-power of Muslims is about $20 billion strong. These figures are very promising. More information can be found in the May 25, 2009 issue of TIME magazine. Because of the efforts of some organizations, various states have passed the Halal Food Act in their legislation. The bill was signed into law in New Jersey in 2000, Illinois and Minnesota in 2001, California and Michigan in 2002, Texas in 2003, and New York in 2005. Insha’ALLAH many more will follow. As the number of Muslims and halal consumers continues to grow, we are seeing more American companies extending their halal certification from export products to domestic ones. We are also seeing increased marketing of halal-certified imported products. This is also likely due to the increased feedback and strong support from halal consumers to companies demanding halal certified products.
Ingredients:
There are various kinds of ingredients found on the labels of products we buy. Some of them are simple or single components, like salt, sugar and water. Others are complex or compound, such as colorings, cheese powder, flavorings, seasonings, shortening, spices etc. On some labels we see the ingredients are listed by their functions, such as antioxidants; emulsifiers; preservatives; supplements and thickeners to name a few. Sometimes the questionable ingredients such as alcohol; enzymes; fats and gelatin are not clearly listed but are hidden in flavorings; cheese, gums and ice cream. As Muslims we should know if the ingredients we see on the label are halal, since they could be obtained from animal, plant, microbial, or synthetic sources. A list of such items is given below for a quick reference and can be copied and carried along for shopping convenience.
Classification Of Foods:
Halal - We all know very well the terms halal and haram and have a clear idea about the food items we consume. For Muslims the Halal or permissible items are:
- All vegetable materials except intoxicating ones
- The meat from humanely-handled halal animals and birds slaughtered by a sane Muslim after pronouncing Bismillah and ALLAHu Akbar, followed by blood draining
- Fish and most seafood
- Milk and eggs from halal animals
Haram - Alhamdulillah, we have a very clear understanding of the haram foods, and we all refrain from consuming items such as:
- Alcoholic drinks and intoxicating drugs
- Pork and its by-products
- Meat of dead animal
- Blood
- Meat of animals not slaughtered according to Islamic requirements
- Products that contain any of the above items
Mashbooh - For all Muslims, this group of consumables consists of ingredients that are doubtful or questionable and it causes us to stop and ponder whether we can use them or not. IFANCA provides you with the information that will take the "doubt" out of these doubtful items. When a consumer sees an ingredient listed in the tables below titled "Mashbooh (Questionable) Food Items", "Hidden Ingredients", "Ingredients by Functions", and "Halal Shoppers Guide", e.g. Animal fat or proteins; Antioxidants; Dairy products; Emulsifiers; Enzymes; Flavorings; Gelatin; Glycerin and Vitamins, he or she should immediately think of its probable source and verifying it by calling the manufacturer. All such items are derived either from animal, plant, microbial or synthetic sources. If it comes from an animal source, then we need to know if the animal was halal and if so, was it slaughtered properly or not. If yes or if the source is plant or certified-microbial, then alhamdulillah, we can eat it.
Solutions & Suggestions:
It is every Muslim consumer's responsibility to be conscientious of what he/she does, whether it be the consumption of food, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics items, and to please ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) by following HIS commandments. We should:
1. Look for a registered halal logo such as or others on the packaging of the product.
2. Always read the ingredients on labels carefully.
3. Avoid products that contain Mashbooh ingredients.
4. Look for pertinent information by visiting reliable web sites (such as www.ifanca.org, www.halal.com or by calling the manufacturer directly.
5. Share correct information with relatives and friends and refrain from rumors.
6. Ask the manufacturers if their products can:
  - be halal certified for US consumers and
  - have halal logos on their products.

As A Halal Consumer, I Should Learn The Classification Of Foods

Halal

All vegetable materials except intoxicating ones
Meat from halal animals and birds slaughtered according to Islamic requirements
Fish and most seafood
Milk and eggs from halal animals

Haram

Alcoholic drinks and intoxicating drugs
Meat of halal animals/birds not slaughtered properly
Meat of dead animals
Blood
Pork and its by-products

Mashbooh Food Items

Animal fat or protein (halal animal, halal slaughtered?)
Anti-oxidants (animal or plant source?)
Dairy Products (enzymes/cheese/whey?)
Emulsifiers (animal or plant source?)
Enzymes (animal/microbial/plants?)
Flavoring agents (non halal ingredients?)
L-Cysteine and other amino acids (source?)
Gelatin (animals, halal certified?)
Glycerin (animals or plant?)
Vitamins (carriers?)

As A Halal Consumer, I Should Be Familiar With

Different Types of Ingredients
Simple or Single		Complex or Compound
Salt	Sugar	Batters	Breadings
Flour	Water	Colorings	Flavorings
Honey	Vinegar	Cheese Powder	Enriched Flour
Ascorbic Acid	Aspartame	Enrichment Mix	Seasonings
Benzoate	Gelatin	Shortenings	Spices
L-Cysteine	Onion Powder	Vitamin Mix
Phosphate	Propionic Acid

As A Halal Consumer, I Should Know Hidden Ingredients In Common Foods

Ingredient	Food
Liquor	Chocolate
Gelatin	Ice Cream and Pharmaceuticals
Lard	Maple Syrup
Pan Grease/Lard	Bread/Baked Goods
Polysorbates	Dairy Products
LPork Lipase	Cheese
Stearates	Chewing Gum

As A Halal Consumer, I Should Be Aware Of Ingredients By Function

Function	Ingredient
Antioxidants	BHA, BHT, Ascorbic Acid
Acidulates	Citric Acid, Carbonic Acid
Colorings	Blue, Carmine, Red, Yellow 5,6 etc.
Emulsifiers	Lecithin, Mono Di-Glycerides
Flavorings	Artificial/Natural Flavors, Spices
Flavor Enhancers	Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Fortifiers	Thiamine, Vitamin A & D
Preservatives	Benzoic Acid, Propionic Acid
Stabilizers	Alginate, Gelatin, Phosphates
Supplements	Amino Acids, Minerals, Vitamins
Sweeteners	Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose

Halal Shopper's Quick Reference Guide II
Common Foods That May Be A Concern

Products	Examples of Mashbooh (Doubtful) Ingredients
Bread	Lecithin, Mono/Diglycerides
Bagels	Cysteine hydrochloride, Enzymes, Folic acid, Niacin
Candy	Glycerin, Gelatin, Mono Glycerides, Whey, Natural & Artificial flavors, Stearic acid, Magnesium Stearate
Cereals	Artificial/Natural flavors, Vitamin A, B2, C, D
Chips	Cheese
Cookies	Folic acid, Thiamine
Granola Bars	Flavorings
Coffee Creamer	Artificial/Natural flavors, Mono/Diglycerides
Cakes	Artificial/Natural flavors, Mono/Diglycerides
Donuts/Pastries	Mono/Diglycerides, Flavors, Lard
Ice Cream	Whey, Artificial flavor, Mono/Diglycerides
Jell-O/Puddings	Gelatin, Artificial/Natural flavors
Cheese	Enzymes
Shortenings	Animal fat, Mono/Diglycerides
Peanut Butter	Mono/Diglycerides
Colas	Natural flavors
Ketchups	Natural flavors
Yogurts	Flavors, Gelatin, Whey
Gums	Glycerin, Stearic acid
Mouth Wash	Alcohol, Flavors, Glycerin
Nutritional Supplements	Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate
Soaps	Sodium Tallowate, Glycerin
Toothpaste	Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

By Syed Farhatullah Quadri, Ph.D., Mariam Majeed, and Mujahed Khan; Food Scientists, IFANCA

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Halal meat: the truth

2012-01-27T01:02:00.000-08:00

Halal food is everywhere. According to recent news reports, it might have been "secretly" snuck into your sandwich at a football match or fed to your "unwitting" child in their school dinner. It's also found in hospital canteens, pubs and sporting venues. But what is this frightening food that the Mail on Sunday proclaims is being "prepared in accordance with Sharia law"?

The definition of halal is anything that is legal or lawful for Muslims. In terms of meat, this can apply to what kind of animal is used (not pigs, for instance) and the way they are killed: an animal must be healthy, the butcher must make a recitation dedicating it to God, and the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe are cut with a single swipe from a sharp knife. As with kosher meat, the idea is that the animal dies immediately and the blood drains away. Animal rights groups have been quoted this week saying that "the suffering caused by this form of slaughter is . . . severe".

Yet things are not as simple as they seem. Shimon Cohen, from Shechita UK, a group set up to promote awareness of Jewish methods of slaughter, and Ruksana Shain, from behalal.org, insist that cutting an individual animal's throat in a single swipe is less cruel than stunning it first by driving a bolt into its skull, gassing it or electrocuting it. Despite this, the halal food authority, which certifies meat for outlets such as KFC, controversially allows animals that are stunned before being killed to be certified as halal. And, according to an RSPCA fact sheet, 90% of animals killed for halal food in 2004 were stunned first. As in mainstream food production, the animal's throat is then cut.

So this supposedly sinister method, it seems, is not that different after all. What the RSPCA, halal groups and kosher experts all agree on is that better labelling is needed so consumers know how their food has been prepared.

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Halal

2012-01-27T00:58:00.000-08:00

Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or prohibited. Halal and haram are universal terms that apply to all facets of life. However, we will use these terms only in relation to food products, meat products, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, and food contact materials.

While many things are clearly halal or haram, there are some things which are not clear. Further information is needed to categorize them as halal or haram. Such items are often referred to as mashbooh, which means doubtful or questionable.

All foods are considered halal except the following (which are haram):

Swine/Pork and its by-products

Animals improperly slaughtered or dead before slaughtering

Alcoholic drinks and intoxicants

Carnivorous animals, birds of prey and certain other animals

Foods contaminated with any of the above products

Foods containing ingredients such as gelatin, enzymes, emulsifiers, and flavors are questionable (mashbooh), because the origin of these ingredients is not known.

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History of The Jummah Masjid

2012-01-27T00:52:00.000-08:00

The Jummah Mosque

The extension work on the Mosquée-des-Arabes began in 1878. The plan called for the blending of the original structure into the larger one to accommodate the growing Muslim congregation. The work called for particular skills and dexterity, notably in the moulding and plastering of the sculptural work with ornamentation -- skills that could not be handled by local workers. Specialised workers were brought from India for the job as were the necessary building materials, namely: stones, lime and wood. Transportation posed no problem as several members of the Managing Body of the Mosque, headed by Haji Joonus Allarakia, were also owners of ships that plied regularly between India and Mauritius.

The crew of the Indian artisans, who did the extension works, was overseered by Ishaq Mistry, also from India. For the whole duration of the works, the workers stayed on the compounds of the Mosque "sleeping and eating under the pillared arches of the outer court." The project took twenty years to be completed. The long delay was due either to outbreaks of disease among the workers or to shortage of materials. However, in 1895, the expansion of the Mosque was completed. Al-Hajj Jackaria Jan Mahomed, a prominent member of the Muslim community in Port Louis and of the Managing Board of the Mosque, supervised the entire expansion project which saw the small Mosquee des Arabes expand from a small fringe on Queen Street to occupy the entire block except for a small section on Royal Street, which was leased to businesses for revenue purposes. The beautiful, small Mosquée-des-Arabes became the Jummah Mosque of Mauritius. It is a magnificent work of architecture conspicuous for its bulging domes, well trimmed arches and white minarets. The skill and dexterity shown by the workers in blending intricately the old structure with the new, speak eloquently of "their out standing ability and patience and personal devotion" to what became, to all involved in the project, a labour of love.

The expansion works entailed huge expenses which, despite the tremendous goodwill and generosity shown by the Muslims at the time to raise the necessary funds through donations, failed to meet the targeted amount. The Muslim merchants, who literally held the monopoly of trade in grains, came up with an ingenious idea to finance the cost of the project. They charged a special two per cent levy on every bag of grain over the market price. That extra duty, called the church-rate, was paid ungrudgingly by all. It was for a good cause. The levy helped raise thousands of rupees, which were remitted annually to the Mutawalli (President) of the Mosque, to pay for the expansion works.

The Jummah Mosque is a beautiful structure. It strikes one with its harmonious blend of Moorish and Munhal lines with its massive columns and imposing arches. Its interior solemnity and tranquillity contrasts starkly with the boisterous hustle and bustle of its outer surroundings, which is one of the busiest in all Port Louis. In the middle of the open court stands an old Badamia (Indian Almond or Terminalia Cattapa) Tree, which is older than the Mosque itself. In fact, the Tree already stood on one of the two original plots of land on Queen Street acquired in 1852. The designers of the Mosque, in drawing up the plans of the building, very wisely decided to incorporate the Badamia Tree into the overall structure of the Mosque. The Tree not only adds a special charm to the austere place but also, with the shade its huge branches provide worshippers in the sweltering heat of Port Louis, enhances the peace and cool solemnity that pervades the place. And, in the evening, on clear starry nights, the feeling is as touching to-day as it was experienced in 1872 by the American Consul, Nicholas Pike:

As you stand under it (the Badamia Tree) on a clear night, myriads of stars glittering overhead, it is not difficult to fancy yourself transported to some Oriental land, where Allah alone is worshipped.

The prayer hall of the Mosque is the same vaulted hall of the old Mosquée-des-Arabes. From the towering bulbous domes, glistening white, hung the brilliant glass chandeliers that provided lighting for over fifty years -- that is, till the advent of electricity. The beautiful chandeliers can still be seen hanging in the prayer hall as a reminder of the olden days and their glittering luster adds a special touch to the solemn decor of the Mosque which, to-day, is brilliantly lit with fluorescent tubes. The prayer hall is remarkable for its interior which comprises a subtle blend of Arabic and Indian motifs. The Jummah Mosque is a glorious monument to the inspiring dedication and religious fervour of its founders, designers and builders. It has gained immensely in stature over the years and has come to hold a special spot in the hearts of the hundreds of Muslims who come to its vaulted sanctuary every day to worship Allah (God), to meditate and seek inner peace and comfort. As the Grand Mosque of Mauritius, the Jummah Mosque, understandably, holds pride of place in the religious and cultural life of the Muslims.

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Allah Name

2012-01-26T23:29:00.000-08:00

World's Biggest Quran Pak

2012-01-26T23:22:00.000-08:00

The world’s biggest Quran was presented in Kazan, the capital of the Russian republic of Tatarstan. It weighs 800 kilograms and its 120 kilograms frame cover is tinseled with gold and silver. The Quran is 1.5 m by 2 m and 3 m by 2 m if unfolded. The book will be transferred to the town of Bolgar where it will be put on public display at a local museum.

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Jummah Mubarakho Aap sabko

2012-01-26T23:20:00.000-08:00

How to perform the Ghusl

2012-01-26T00:26:00.000-08:00

1 Intention inside ones heart not verbal.

2 Say Bismillah (which means in the name of Allah)

(do this outside bathroom if your bathroom has a toilet in it as we should not mention Allah's name in were there is a tiolet/lavatory )

3 Wash the right hand up to and including the wrists. Make sure to while rub and rub between the fingers of the hand. And thus make sure no part of the hand is left dry. Three times

Then do the same with the left hand. (also three times)

4 Wash off any impurities off the private parts.

5 Wash the right hand up to and including the wrists. Make sure to while rub and rub between the fingers of the hand. And thus make sure no part of the hand is left dry. Three times

Then do the same with the left hand. (also three times)

6 Make a cup with the right hand then from this hand take water into your mouth and swirl it inside the mouth and then expel out of mouth. then sniff remaining water from the cupped right hand and sniff water into the nose and then blow the water out and using the left hand remove the water from your nose. Do this three times

Some people rinse the mouth first three times and then rinse the nose three times

However the first method is the most authentic.

7 Wash the face three times, from the hairline to the jawbone and chin, and from start of the ear to start of the ear

A man should wash the hair of his beard by taking a handful of water and entering it below his chin and rubbing it through his beard and passing the wet fingers through the beard.

8 Wash the right arm up to and including the elbow. Three times.

The arm extends from the fingertips, including the nails, to the lower part of the upper arm. It is essential to remove anything stuck to the hands before washing them, such as dough, mud, paint, nail polish etc, that could prevent the water from reaching the skin.

Do the same with the LEFT ARM . Three times

9 Pour water over the head Three times down to the roots of the hairs. rubbing the roots of the hair with the wet fingers

10 Pour water liberally over the entire body, beginning with the right side and then the left side and rubbing the body with hands. Ensuring that no part of the body is untouched by water

11 Move away from area were you did ghusl and Wash the right feet up to and including the ankles, three times,

You should enter the water between the toes with your little finger and then wash the feet (note not wipe feet but wash them) and make sure and make sure you wash the sole of the foot and the heals. Make sure no parts of the foot is left dry

Wash the left foot same as the right foot. Three times

12 Then say the following Duas (supplications) for Wudhu when outside the bathroom (if bathroom has a toilet inside it)

Ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluhu.

( I bear witness that there is no god except Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.)

Allaahumm ajalni min al-tawwaabeena wajalni min al-mutatahhireena

( O Allah, make me one of those who repent and make me one of those who purify themselves)

Note. you can just read these from a piece of paper. Also you can make notes on the sequence of steps on paper and put paper in a plastic bag or laminate it take it with you to the bathroom. This will be easier for you.

Next

You should wear clean cloths. A Muslims cloths and body should always be free from urine, faeces and dog saliva.

This concludes the purification process for the New Muslim

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Ghusl for a New Muslim

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After having said your Shahadah (declaration of faith) the next is Step 2

Once a person has said Shahadah he/she needs to do certain purifications.

1. A female should trim her nails short, shave the hair under her armpits and pubic hair (for those below puberty they will not have such hairs so they can just shorted their nails).

2. A male should trim his nails short, shave the hair under his armpits, pubic hair and shave the hair on his head (and later get circumcised as soon as possible)

(for those below puberty they will not have such hairs so they can just shorted their nails).

Narrated by Abu Dawood (356) which says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded a kaafir man who had become Muslim, "Shave off the hair of kufr and get circumcised." (Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood; see also al-Mughni, 1/276; Sharh al- Umdah by Shaykh al-Islam, 1/350)

NEXT

After you should take a shower (ghusl) and wear clean pure cloths. By clean it is meant they should be free from impurity such as urine, feces and dog saliva.

Then take a shower and wear clean cloths . Then you should learn how to prayer and start praying if the time of prayer has arrived. Please look in the worship section of the website on how to prayer and for prayer times.

Also note that hairs under the armpits and pubic hair should not be aloud to grow for longer than 40 days.

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Become a Muslim by saying Shahadah

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It is easy to become a Muslim. All a person has to do is declare

Shahadah can be declared as follows:

"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH".

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshiped but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

We have to consider that when we declare from our hearts, "there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allah." It implies on our part of love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislation which are legally binding on all Muslims.

It is a requirement of "there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allah," to love for the sake of Allah and to reject for the sake of Allah.

This is the finest anchor of belief which make material the meaning of "AL-WALA" and "AL-BARA".

It means that a Muslim should love and be loyal to his Muslim brothers. He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from the practices of unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters.

When one truly believes that Islam is the true religion of God and that "there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allah and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger." Then he or she should declare the Shahadah right away. He or she should not hesitate.

We are given a certain lifespan. We do not know when that life span will end. It may end this very minute even. Therefore a person should say the Shahadah and then work on becoming the best Muslim he or she can be.

Some of you will find some aspects of Islam difficult at first. For instance some new Muslim sisters find it difficult to wear Hijab at first. However with time they have eventually grown in their faith and are now wearing the full Islamic dress and encouraging even sisters born into Muslim families to wear full Islamic dress.

Some were vegetarian before they became Muslim. Eating meat seemed impossible to them. Now after a few years they have started to even eat meat. Please do not worry about any barriers you may have. become Muslims and you will see those barriers crashing down as you grow in your religion.

However one should recognize that Islam requires a complete submission to the will of God. What Allah has told us do we should try to do and what Allah has told us not to do. We should not do.

Now that you have said the Shahadah you are a Muslim

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The Invalidators of Islam

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The Invalidators of Islam

You should know, dear Muslim brother/sister , that Allah made it obligatory upon all His slaves to enter Islam and hold on to it, and warned them against following other than Islam. He also sent His Prophet Muhammad to call mankind to it.

Allah has informed us in the Quran that guided are those who follow the teachings of Islam, and misguided are those who reject them. He warned us in many Verses against the causes of apostasy and all forms of Shirk and disbelief Religious scholars have mentioned that there are a number of invalidators that are bound to take one out of the fold of Islam.

For the sake of attaining salvation in the Hereafter, I have briefly cited in the following pages, with some explanation, the ten most critical of these invalidators so that you will avoid them and make others aware of them.

1 . To associate others with Allah in worship.

The Quran says:

"Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners with Him in worship, but He forgives whom He pleases other sins than this." (Soorah 4: 1)

"Whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, Allah will forbid him Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. For the wrongdoers there are no helpers." (Soorah 5:72)

Forms of worship include calling upon the dead, seeking their assistance, offering sacrifices to them, and taking vows in their names.

2. To set up intermediaries between oneself and Allah, seeking their intercession and putting absolute trust in them. Those who do so are unanimously considered disbelievers.

3. Not to accuse polytheists and those who commit Shirk of disbelief, to be in doubt as to their being disbelievers, or to approve of their beliefs.

4. To believe that the Prophet's guidance is not complete or perfect or that other people's ruling and judgment is better than his. Those who prefer the rule of false gods are blatant

5 . Those who hate anything that the Prophet came with are also disbelievers even if they act upon them. The Quran says:

"That is because they hate that which Allah sent down, so He has made their deeds fruitless." (Soorah 47:9)

6. Those who ridicule anything that Islam came with, such as punishment and reward in the Hereafter, are disbelievers. The Quran says:

"Say: 'Was it at Allah, and His Signs, and His Messenger, that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have rejected Faith after you had accepted it." (9:65,66)

7. Magic in all its forms, including turning someone away from somebody that he or she loves, and making someone love someone or something he or she does not normally like. Whoever practices magic or approves of it is a disbeliever, as evidenced by the Quranic Verse that says:

"But neither of these (two angels) taught anyone (such things) without saying, We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." (Soorah 2:102)

8. To take the disbelievers for friends, give them support and assistance against the Muslims is an act of disbelief. The Quran says:

"And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guides not a people unjust." (Soorah 5:51)

9. Those who believe that it is in their power or authority to for sake the law of Islam are disbelievers. The Quran says:

"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." (Soorah 3:85)

10. To turn away from Islam and to stubbornly refuse to learn its teachings or act upon them. The Quran says:

"And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord, then he turns away there from? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (due) retribution." (Soorah 32:22)

In all of these invalidators, there is no difference between one who does them jokingly, seriously, or in fear, except for one who is compelled against his will. All of these matters are most dangerous and most of them are occurring (amongst the Muslims).

Therefore, it is necessary for the Muslim to beware of them and fear for himself concerning them. The fourth point mentioned above also includes those who believe that man-made laws are better than the Islamic Law, that the Islamic Law is not suitable to be implemented in the present century, that Islam is the reason behind Muslims' backwardness in some spheres of life, or that it is not applicable in other spheres of life apart from regulating one' s life with one's Lord.

This point also includes those who believe that cutting off the thief's hand is a backward law that should not be implemented in the present-day society. It also includes those who believe that it is permissible to dispense with the Islamic Law in matters relating to the social life and the boundary limits for the lawful and the unlawful even if they do not believe that other laws are not better than the Islamic Law.

For this means that they have made lawful what Allah had already made unlawful. Whoever makes lawful what Allah has declared unlawful, things that are known in religion by necessity such as adultery, drinking alcohol, usury and ruling with other than Allah's Law, is a disbeliever with the unanimous agreement of all Muslim scholars.

We seek Allah's refuge from His painful chastisement as well as from those things that cause His wrath. Allah's Peace and Blessing be upon His Messenger, his pure family and noble Companions.

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The Conditions of the Shahadah

2012-01-26T00:06:00.000-08:00

Pronouncing the testimony of faith is sufficient to make one a convert to Islam. There are however, seven conditions that must be observed before it can effectively make one a Muslim. These are describe as follows:

1 Knowledge (Al-ilm)

Knowledge (al-ilm) of its meaning, what it negates and affirms. If a person says it without knowing its meaning, nor what its requirements are, then he will not benefit by it, because he has not believed in what it requires. Rather, he is like someone who speaks in a language that he does not understand.

2 Certainty (Al-Yaqeen)

The heart must be firmly certain of the meaning of Shahadah without a blemish of doubt.

Allah the Exalted says:" Verily, the believers are only those who truly believe in Allah and His Messenger, and then doubt not. (Quran 49:15).

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah. No slave meets Allah with this testimony, having no doubt in it but shall enter Jannah."( Muslim) :

3 Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas)

Exclusively worshiping Allah, which is contrary to shirk. This is what laa ilaaha illallaah points towards.

Allah, the Exalted, said:" And they were not commanded but to worship Allah, being sincere in devoting religion to Him." (Quran 98:5).

Abu Hurairah said:" I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: Messenger of Allah! Who will be most fortunate to enjoy your shafa'ah (intercession) on the Day of Resurrection? The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: I was certain that no one else would ask me about this other than you, because I have noticed your keenness for hadeeth. The most fortunate of men who will enjoy my shafa'ah on the Day of Resurrection is the one who says: (La Ilaha Illa Allah) "None has the right to be worshiped except Allah", sincerely from his heart.."(Musnad al-Imam Ahmad.)

4 Truthfulness (As-Sidq)

Truthfulness (as-sidq), which prevents hypocrisy (nifaaq). Indeed, the hypocrites uttered it with their tongues, but did not inwardly believe in what it signified.

The Messenger of Allah said: "Anyone testifies that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, truthfully from his heart, Allah would forbid his admittance to the Fire."(Muslim)

5 Love and affection (Al-Mahabbah )

Love (al-mahabbah) for this kalimah and having love and pleasure for whatever it necessitates. This is contrary to the [state of the] hypocrites.

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "There are three (qualities), whoever possesses them, will taste the sweetness of Iman (belief): to love Allah and His Messenger more than anyone else, to love the Muslim only for the sake of Allah, and to dread returning to kufr (apostasy) as he dreads being thrown in fire." ( Bukhari and Muslim.)

Allah says to His Messenger (peace be upon him)

Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31)

Allah says: "Allah shall bring forth a people whom He loves and they love Him." (Quran 5:54)

The Prophet, peace be upon him, also said: "None of you shall (really) believe until I become dearer to him than his own father, and son and all mankind." ( Bukhari and Muslim.)

6 Submission (Al-Inqiyaad) internally and externally

Submissive compliance (al-inqiyaad), by fulfilling its rights - which are the obligatory actions - with sincerity to Allah and seeking His good pleasure. This is its requirement.

Allah, the Exalted, says: "And he who submits himself to Allah, and does good, he has surely grasped a strong handle." ( Quran 31:22).

Allah also says:" And turn you to your Rabb, and submit yourselves to Him." (:Quran 39:54).

7 Acceptance and conformity (Al-Qubool )

Acceptance (al-qabool), which prevents rejection.

This is achieved by acting upon what Allah has commanded and abandoning whatever He has prohibited.

Abu Musa al-Ash'aree reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him said: "The parable of guidance and knowledge which Allah has sent me with is like a rain which fell on a land. A patch of that land received the water and produced much herbage and grass. And a patch which was barren. The latter retained water wherewith Allah extended benefits to men: they drank from it, irrigated and planted their vegetation. And a patch which was a sandy plain, it neither retained water nor produced herbage. This is parallel to the person who conceived the religion of Allah and benefited from the Message with which Allah has sent me, whereby he learns and taught others. The other person turned away from it (from my Message), and rejected the guidance of Allah with which I am sent.." Bukhari and Muslim.)

Allah says "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much."(33:21)

And Allah also says in Surah Al-Hashr

....And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment. (59:7)

Again Allah says:

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger ( peace be upon him), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.(4:59)

And Allah says:

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.

In the next verse Allah again tells his Messenger

Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): "Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him)." But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbeliever's (3:32)

Islam unites together people of different colours, languages, races. and nationalities into one brotherhood.

Allah says: "Indeed the Believers are but brothers." [Quran 4 9:10]

Before Islam people in Arabia were dived into different tribes. Some of them were at constant war with each other, Islam came and Allah put peace and love in their hearts for each other.

Allah the Most High said: "And remember the favor of Allah upon you, for you were once enemies to one another but He joined your hearts together in love, so that by His Grace you became brothers." [Soorah Aal-Imraan 3:103]

And Allah the Most High said: "He it is that has strengthened you with His help and with the Believers. And moreover, He has united their hearts with love and affection. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts with love and affection. However, Allah has united them. Indeed Allah is the All-Mighty, All-Wise." [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:62- 63].

Allah has stated in the Holy Quran:

"... whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that will never break..." (2:256)

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How to declare the Shahadah

2012-01-26T00:02:00.000-08:00

A person does NOT need to do a course or obtain a certificate to become a Muslim.

If there are no Majids (Mosques) and Muslims in your area; and you do not ahve a means of contacting any Muslims via phone or online then you can declare the Shahadah to your self.

At MuslimConverts.com we have helped brothers and sisters say the Shahadah via phone and via the Net. So if you wish for us to go through it with you step by step. Please do no not hesitate to leave us a message and we can arrange an online meeting at a mutually convenient time.

However, it is not sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he or she should believe in it with a firm conviction and unshakable faith. Once you have said the Shahadah then you will be like a New Born Person. Free of any sins. Just like a child is born sinless.

From the Emails I received on the message board. I noticed some women have delayed their Shahadah because of menstruation. It does not matter if a woman is menstruating. You can say your Shahadah even when you are menstruating. The women do not go inside the prayer area of the Masjid (Mosque) when menstruating. However if they want to say their Shahadah at the Masjid they can arrange to say it say just outside the Masjid or part of the Masjid complex which is not regarded as the place of prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance

During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the people would also give their Bai'a (pledge of allegiance ) and the Prophet peace be upon him would accept their pledge.

Pledge of allegiance being that they would obey his commands, Be on his, the Muslims and Islam side against the enemies of Islam even if the enemy was their own relatives and friends. That they would fight on the side of the Muslims. That they would not fight on the side of the non Muslims against the Muslims. That they would not give information to the non Muslims which they could used against the Muslims.

After the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the believing men and women would give their pledge of allegiance to the Muslim nation (khalif) and the Khalif would accept their pledge of allegiance.

During the treaty of hudaybiyah believing women would migrate to the Muslim side in the city of Madina and give their pledge of allegiance to the Prophet peace be upon him. To check those who migrated to the Islamic state in Madina were true believers and not just women who had run away from their non Muslim families. Allah revealed the following verse.

Allah said:

"O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai'a (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma'ruf (everything good according to Islam) then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful". (Quran 60:12)

So the Prophet would say to them "Pledge to me in that you will not associate any with Allah, nor steal, nor commit Zina, nor kill your children" Then he would recite the above verse (Quran 60 verse 12) and when the women agreed to those conditions then he would say I have accepted your pledge and he would add "Those among you who fulfill this pledge, will receive their reward from Allah. Those who deviate from any of it and receive the legal punishment (in this life), the punishment will be expiation for that sin. Whoever deviates from any of it and Allah screens him, then it is up to Allah to punish or forgive if He wills."

The Prophet peace be upon him would shake the hands of the men who had give their pledge. In case of women he only took their pledge by word because in Islam a it is not allowed to shake hands with the opposite sex who are non mehrem.

Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit:

who took part in the battle of Badr and was a Naqib (a person heading a group of six persons), on the night of Al-'Aqaba pledge: Allah's Apostle said while a group of his companions were around him, "Swear allegiance to me for:

1. Not to join anything in worship along with Allah.

2. Not to steal.

3. Not to commit illegal sexual intercourse.

4. Not to kill your children.

5. Not to accuse an innocent person (to spread such an accusation among people).

6. Not to be disobedient (when ordered) to do good deed."

The Prophet added: "Whoever among you fulfills his pledge will be rewarded by Allah. And whoever indulges in any one of them (except the ascription of partners to Allah) and gets the punishment in this world, that punishment will be an expiation for that sin. And if one indulges in any of them, and Allah conceals his sin, it is up to Him to forgive or punish him (in the Hereafter)." 'Ubada bin As-Samit added: "So we swore allegiance for these." (points to Allah's Apostle) (Bukhari Volume: 1, Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 17)

Narrated Jarir bin Abdullah:

I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah's Apostle for the following:

1. offer prayers perfectly

2. pay the Zakat (obligatory charity)

3. and be sincere and true to every Muslim.

(Bukhari Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 54)

Narrated Ziyad bin'Ilaqa:

I heard Jarir bin 'Abdullah (Praising Allah). On the day when Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba died, he (Jarir) got up (on the pulpit) and thanked and praised Allah and said, "Be afraid of Allah alone Who has none along with Him to be worshiped.(You should) be calm and quiet till the (new) chief comes to you and he will come to you soon. Ask Allah's forgiveness for your (late) chief because he himself loved to forgive others." Jarir added, "Amma badu (now then), I went to the Prophet and said, 'I give my pledge of allegiance to you for Islam." The Prophet conditioned (my pledge) for me to be sincere and true to every Muslim so I gave my pledge to him for this. By the Lord of this mosque! I am sincere and true to you (Muslims). Then Jarir asked for Allah's forgiveness and came down (from the pulpit).(Bukhari 4: Volume: 1, Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 55)

Unfortunately the Islamic state was destroyed in 1924 and since then we have had no khalif.

However we will have it one day and in the meantime those Muslims should take note of this pledge of Allegiance and the need for a khalif. Thus even in the absence of the Khalif a Muslim should sincerely adhere to the conditions that Muslims used to pledge to. So a persons loyalty should be with the true Muslims.

Thus a Muslim should not be aiding in the killing of Muslims or the Invasion of Muslim lands. We should be working for the reestablishment of the Khailifate (Islamic state) under one leader (Khalif).

We should know we have our own flag and our own nation. We are one nation (one Ummah) of almost 1.5 billion. We may be scattered all around the globe but our loyalty should be with each other. Thus we should not be in the armed forces of the non Muslims. Even in the Armed forces of the Muslim countries we can not obeying orders which are against Islam or call for fighting on bases of nationalism, or spreading of man made laws and unIslamic practices.

As Muslims we should allow Islam to change us into the kind of human beings that our creator loves and not try and change Islam to fit us. Therefore some old habits and ways of thinking will have to be left behind. It will take time to leave old habits and ways of thinking but as you become more Allah conscious, you will start leaving those old habits and ideas which are not in accordance to Islam.

We should strive to be the perfect Muslims but we should remember that people do mess up from time to time and end up committing sins

We should remember that Allah is most merciful and if we sincerely repent from a sin, Allah will forgive us.

Allah loves to see his slaves turn to Him in sincere repentance. Allah knows who is sincere in repentance

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How to become a Muslim

2012-01-25T23:57:00.000-08:00

To become a Muslim one must simply pronounce the Shahaadatayn (Declaration of Faith) with sincerity and conviction.

The Shahadah can be declared as follows:

"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH".

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshiped but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."

The Shahadah is the dividing line between unbelief (kufr) and Islam. It is also called the kalimah (word). Whoever says it with truthfulness will enter the Gardens of Paradise

It is [a kalimah] that Allah Himself has testified to, as have the angels and those who possess knowledge from amongst His creation. Allah the Most High said:

"Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Him; as do the angels and those who possess knowledge. He maintains His creation upon justice. None has the right to be worshiped except Him, the All-Mighty, All-Wise."

[Soorah Aal-Imraan 3:18]

It is a concise declaration that contains few letters; light upon the tongue, yet heavy in the scales.

Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam, who said: "A person from my ummah will be summoned in front of everyone on the Day of Resurrection. Ninety-nine scrolls will be unfurled for him, each scroll extending as far as the eye can see. Then it will be said: Do you deny any of this [i.e. your bad deeds]? So the man will reply: No, 0 Lord.

Then it will be said: Do you have any excuse or any good deed? The man, in a state of terror, will answer: No. It will then be said: Rather, you do have some good deeds and no injustice will befall you this Day. So a parchment will be taken out for him, upon which there will be the testification of laa ilaaha illallaah and the testification that Muhammad is the Slave and Messenger of Allah.

The man will say: 0h Lord, what is this parchment in comparison to those scrolls! It will be said to him: No injustice shall befall you. The scrolls will then be placed in one of the scales and the parchment in the other; the scrolls will be light in weight, whereas the parchment will be heavy." ( Reported by at-Tirmidhee (no.2641), from Abdullaah ibn Amr radhiyallahu anhu. It was declared to be saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah (no.135).

The first part of the Shahadah is laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshiped except Allah) and the first part if the Shahadah has two pillars:

The first pillar is the pillar of negation (nafee), whilst the second is the pillar of affirmation (ithbaat). What is meant by negation is to negate divinity and worship (ilaahiyyah) for anything except Allah, the Most High. What is meant by affirmation is to affirm divinity and worship only for Allah the Most Perfect; for it is He alone that is the true Deity. So whatever else is taken by the unbelievers as deities to be worshiped are in fact all false and futile: That is because Allah is the true Deity to be worshiped, and whatever else they invoke besides Him is vain falsehood.

[Soorah al-Hajj 22:62]

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: The significance of laa ilaaha illallaah in affirming divinity and worship for only Allah is far greater than just saying that Allah is an ilaah. This is because the saying that Allah is an ilaah does not negate divinity and worship to other than Allah. This is different to the saying: laa ilaaha illallaah; which obligates restricting divinity and worship to only Allah.

All the messengers of Allah told their people none has the right to be worshiped except Allah

Allah said: "We did not send any Messenger before you, except that We revealed to him that none has the right to be worshiped except Me; so worship Me."

[Soorah al-Anbiyaa 21:25]

Allah the Exalted also said: "He sends down the angels with the revelation of His commands to whosoever of His slaves that He wills, saying: Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshiped except Me. So fear Me [by keeping away from sin and disobedience]."

[Soorah an-Nahl 16:2]

It is a concise declaration that contains few letters; light upon the tongue, yet heavy in the scales. Allah's Messenger Peace be upon him said: "Moses said: 0h my Lord! Teach me something by which I can remember You and supplicate to You. Allah said: 0h Moses! say laa ilaaha ilallaah. Moses said: 0h my Lord! All Your slaves say this. Allah said: 0h Moses! If the seven heavens and all that they contain, other than Me, and the seven earths were placed in one scale, and laa ilaaha ilallaah were put in the other, then laa ilaaha illallaah would outweigh them all." (Reported by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (no.2324) and al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (1/528).

Ibn Uyaynah, (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "Allaah has not bestowed any favour upon His slaves greater than the favour of them realizing laa ilaaha ilallaah. Indeed laa ilaaha illallaah is to the people of Paradise, what cool water is to the people of this world." ( Related by Ibn Rajab in Kalimatul-Ikhlaas (p.53)

The second part of the "Shahadah" i.e. "Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh" means that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allah. No one should be in any doubt about this matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (PBUH), to believe in what he has said, to follow his Teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship A11ah alone according to the message revealed to him.

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What is the meaning of worship? It simply 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 in private or public.

Who can become a Muslim?

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Some people are worried often worried if they will be allowed to become Muslim due to a variety of reasons. So before proceeding onto how to convert to Islam. I wish to reassure you that anyone can become a Muslim.

Islam is for the whole of humanity. Islam unites together people of different colours, languages, races. and nationalities into one brotherhood.

Allah says: "Indeed the Believers are but brothers." [Quran 4 9:10]

So you will be our brother or sisters in Islam when you convert to Islam

Any human being can embrace Islam. You do not need anyones permission to become Muslim. You can be any colour, race, age, speak any language and still become a Muslim. There are many American, British, European, Indian, children and Adults who accept Islam every day. On the www.muslimconverts.com site we have people who accepted Islam from all ages, all backgrounds and nationalities.

You may hear from some Muslims incorrect advice due to their lack of knowledge of Islam or due to lack of correct knowledge of Islam. So please note that:

You do not need to do a course or obtain a certificate to become a Muslim

Someone may say you have to do a course or obtain a certificate to be a Muslim. This is incorrect. You do not need to attend a course or obtain a certificate to become Muslim.

You should not delay in becoming a Muslim

If someone advices you to delay your conversion to Islam. This is also incorrect. If you believe Islam is the truth then you should not delay your conversion to Islam. You should convert immediately because we are given a certain lifespan. Since we do not know when we are going to die. Not even a minute should be lost as your time to leave this life may be up the next minute.

If you have tattoos you can still become a Muslim

Some one may say to you that you must remove all tattoos to be a Muslim. This is also incorrect. Tattoos are not allowed in Islam but they DO NOT prevent a person becoming Muslim. You should become Muslims and latter you can have the tattoos removed if you can afford it. If you can not afford it then do not worry there is no sin on you for what you did before becoming Muslim You are still a Muslim.

If you have a wild past of have committed a many of sins you can still become a Muslim

No matter what sins you have committed or how wild your past was. You can still become a Muslim.. Islam erases all sins committed prior to becoming a Muslim. Prophet (may the peace and blessings and mercy of Allah be upon him) said, Islam annuls what came before it. (narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, no. 121).As soon as you become a Muslim all your previous sins are forgiven and you start a blank state. Or a complete clean record.

Muslim (121) narrated that Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When Allah put Islam in my heart, I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: Give me your right hand so that I may swear allegiance to you. He held out his hand and I withdrew my hand. He said, What is the matter, Oh Amr? I said, I want to stipulate a condition. He said, What do you want to stipulate? I said, That I will be forgiven. He said, Do you not know that Islam destroys that which came before it?

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Pillars of Islam and Application of Faith

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Islam is built on five pillars ( Hadith Sahih Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2, No 7 ), the first of which is a state of faith, the other four are major exercises of faith of which some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required as a minimum once in a lifetime. These exercises of faith are to serve man's spiritual purposes, satisfy his human needs and to mark his whole life with a Divine touch. The five pillars of Islam are:

WITNESSING (SHAHADA) THAT ALLAH IS ONE AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER

This statement of faith must be declared publicly. It should be a genuine belief which includes all the above articles of faith. The witnessing of the Oneness of Allah is the rejection of any form of deity other than Allah, and the witnessing that Muhammad is His Messenger is the acceptance of him being chosen by Allah to convey His message of Islam to all humanity and to deliver it from the darkness of ignorance into the light of belief in, and knowledge of, the Creator. The statement of Shahada in arabic is:

" Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulu Allah "

An English translation would be:

I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger

PRAYER (SALAH)

Praying to the Creator on a daily basis is the best way to cultivate in a man a sound personality and to actualize his aspiration. Allah does not need man's prayer because He is free of all needs. Prayer is for our immeasurable benefit, and the blessings are beyond imagination.

In prayer, every muscle of the body joins the soul and the mind in the worship and glory of Allah. Prayer is an act of worship. It is a matchless and unprecedented formula of intellectual meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical exercise, all combined.

Offering of prayers is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is sane, mature and in the case of women free from menstruation and confinement due to child birth. Requirements of prayer: performing of ablution ( Wudu ), purity of the whole body, clothes and ground used for prayer, dressing properly and having the intention and facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka'bah at Mecca).

Obligatory prayers: Five daily prayers, the Friday's noon congregation prayer and the funeral prayer. Times of obligatory prayers:

1. Early morning: After dawn and before sunrise.

2. Noon : After the sun begins to decline from its zenith until it is about midway on its course to set.

3. Mid-afternoon: After the expiration of the noon prayer time until sunset.

4. Sunset: Immediately after sunset until the red glow in the western horizon disappears.

5. Evening: After the expiration of the sunset prayer until dawn.

Highly recommended prayer : Those accompanying the obligatory prayer and the two great festival prayers.

Optional prayer : Voluntary prayer during the day and night.

Prayer should be offered in its due time , unless there is a reasonable excuse. Delayed obligatory prayers must be made up. In addition to the prescribed prayer, a Muslim expresses gratitude to God and appreciation of His favours and asks for His mercy all the time . Especially at times of, for example, childbirth, marriage, going to or rising from bed, leaving and returning to his home , starting a journey or entering a city, riding or driving, before or after eating or drinking, harvesting, visiting graveyards and at time of distress and sickness.

OBLIGATORY CHARITY (ZAKAH)

Obligatory charity giving is an act of worship and spiritual investment . The literal meaning of Zakah is purity and it refers to the annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. Zakah does not only purifies the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors.

Zakah has a deep humanitarian and social-political value; for example, it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption. Although Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possession, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy capitalism. Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between the citizen and the state, between capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism.

Zakah is paid on the net balance after paying personal expenses, family expenses, due credits, taxes , etc. Every Muslim male or female who at the end of the year is in possession of the equivalent of 85 grams of gold (approx. $1400 in 1990) or more in cash or articles of trade, must give Zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5%. Taxes paid to government do not substitute for this religious duty. The contributor should not seek pride or fame but if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage others, it is acceptable to do so.

The recipients of Zakah are: the poor, the needy, the new Muslim converts, the Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them), Muslims in debt , employees appointed to collect Zakah , Muslims in service of research or study or propagation of Islam, and wayfarers who are foreigners in need of help.

Note the obligatory nature of Zakah ; it is required . Muslims can also go above and beyond what they pay as Zakah , in which case the offering is a strictly voluntary charity ( sadaqa ).

FASTING (SAWM)

Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking, intimate sexual contacts and smoking from the break of dawn till sunset. It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches man the principle of sincere love to God. Fasting teaches man a creative sense of hope, devotion, patience, unselfishness, moderation, willpower, wise saving, sound budgeting, mature adaptability, healthy survival, discipline, spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood.

Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month of Ramadan; the ninth month of the Islamic year. Recommended fasting includes every Monday and Thursday of every week, three days in the middle of each Islamic month, six days after Ramadan following the Feast Day and a few days of the two months before Ramadan. Fasting of Ramadan is a worship act which is obligatory on every adult Muslim, male or female if he/she is mentally and physically fit and not on a journey. Exceptions: women during their period of menstruation and while nursing their child, and also in case of travel and sickness for both men and women.

THE PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

It is a pilgrimage to Mecca , at least once in a lifetime and it is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is mentally, physically and financially fit. It is the largest annual convention of faith on earth (in 1989: 2.5 million). Peace is the dominant theme. Peace with Allah, with one's soul, with one another, with all living creatures. To disturb the peace of anyone or any creature in any shape or form is strictly prohibited.

Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. There is no royalty, but there is loyalty of all to Allah, the Creator. It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of Allah on earth: the Ka'bah . It is also to remember the great assembly of the Day of Judgement when people will stand equal before Allah.

Muslims go to Mecca to glorify Allah, not to worship a man. The visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad at Madena is highly recommended but not essential in making the Hajj valid and complete

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The Meaning of Islam

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"ISLAM" is derived from the Arabic root salaama peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law .

Everything and every phenomenon in the world, other than man and jinn is administered totally by God-made laws,they are obedient to God and submissive to His laws, i.e. they are in the state of Islam . Man possesses the quality of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law , i.e. become a Muslim . Submission to the good will of God, together with obedience to His beneficial law , i.e. becoming a Muslim, is the best safeguard for man's peace and harmony.

Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's Prophets and Messengers including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Islam's message has been restored and enforced in the last stage of the religious evolution by God's last Prophet and Messenger Muhammad.

The word ALLAH in the Arabic language means God, or more accurately The One and Only Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, Lord of all lords, King of all kings, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. The word Allah to mean God is also used by Arabic speaking Jews and Christians.

Articles of Faith

1. Allah, the One and Only God

A Muslim believes in ONE GOD , Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider. God has neither father nor mother, neither sons nor was He fathered. None equal to Him. He is God of all mankind, not of a special tribe or race.

God is High and Supreme but He is very near to the pious thoughtful believers; He answers their prayers and helps them. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them peace, happiness, knowledge and success. God is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous, and the Benevolent, the Rich and the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Patient and the Appreciative, the Unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace. God's attributes are mentioned in the Quran .

God creates in man the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane. If we try to count His favours upon us, we cannot, because they are countless. In return for all the great favours and mercy, God does not need anything from us, because He is Needless and Independent. God asks us to know Him, to love Him and to enforce His law for our benefit and our own good.

2. Messengers and Prophets of God

A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Quran mentions the names of 25 messengers and prophets and states that there are others. These include Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Their message is the same and it is Islam and it came from One and the Same Source; God, and it is to submit to His will and to obey His law; i.e., to become a Muslim.

3. Revelations and the Quran

A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete and in their original versions. Allah, the Creator, has not left man without guidance for the conduct of his life. Revelations were given to guide the people to the right path of Allah and sent down to selected people , the prophets and messengers, to convey it to their fellow men.

The message of all the prophet and messengers is the same. They all asked the people of their time to obey and worship Allah and none other. Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad who were revealed their own book of Allah, were sent at different times to bring back straying human beings from deviation to the right course.

The Quran is the sacred book of the Muslims. It is the last book of guidance from Allah, sent down to Muhammad, peace be upon him, through the angel Jibraeel (Gabriel). Every word of it is the word of Allah. It was revealed over a period of 23 years in the Arabic language. It contains 114 Surahs (chapters) and over 6000 verses.

The Quran deals with man and his ultimate goal in life. Its teachings cover all areas of this life and the life after death. It contains principles, doctrines and directions for every sphere of human life. The theme of the Quran broadly consists of three fundamental ideas: Oneness of Allah, Prophethood and life after death. The success of human beings on this earth and in the life hereafter depends on obedience to the Quranic teaching.

The Quran is unrivalled in its recording and preservation. The astonishing fact about this book of Allah is that it has remained unchanged even to a dot over the past fourteen hundred years. No scholar has questioned the fact that the Quran today is the same as it was revealed. Muslims till today memorize the Quran word by word as a whole or in part. Today, the Quran is the only authentic and complete book of Allah. Allah is protecting it from being lost, corrupted or concealed.

4. The Angels

There are purely spiritual and splendid beings created by Allah. They require no food or drink or sleep. They have no physical desires nor material needs. Angels spend their time in the service of Allah. Each is charged with a certain duty. Angels cannot be seen by the naked eyes. Knowledge and the truth are not entirely confined to sensory knowledge or sensory perception alone.

5. The Day of Judgement

A Muslim believes in the Day of the Judgement . This world as we know it will come to an end, and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. On that day, all men and women from Adam to the last person will be resurrected from the state of death for judgement . Everything we do, say, make, intend and think are accounted for and kept in accurate records. They are brought up on the Day of Judgement .

One who believes in life after death is not expected to behave against the Will of Allah. He will always bear in mind that Allah is watching all his actions and the angels are recording them.

People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to Allah's Heaven. People with bad records will be fairly punished and cast into Hell. The real nature of Heaven and Hell are known to Allah only, but they are described by Allah in man's familiar terms in the Quran .

If some good deeds are seen not to get full appreciation and credit in this life, they will receive full compensation and be widely acknowledged on the Day of Judgement . If some people who commit sins, neglect Allah and indulge in immoral activities, seem superficially successful and prosperous in this life, absolute justice will be done to them on the Day of Judgement . The time of the Day of Judgement is only known to Allah and Allah alone.

6. Qadaa and Qadar

A Muslim believes in Qadaa and Qadar which relate to the ultimate power of Allah. Qadaa and Qadar means the Timeless Knowledge of Allah and His power to plan and execute His plans. Allah is not indifferent to this world nor is He neutral to it. It implies that everything on this earth originates from the one and only Creator who is also the Sustainer and the Sole Source of guidance.

Allah is Wise, Just, and Loving, and whatever He does must have a good motive, although we may fail sometimes to understand it fully. We should have strong faith in Allah and accept whatever He does because our knowledge is limited and our thinking is based on individual consideration, whereas His knowledge is limitless and He plans on a universal basis. Man should think, plan and make sound choices, but if things do not happen the way he wants, he should not lose faith and surrender himself to mental strains or shattering worries.

The purpose of life

A Muslim believes that the purpose of life is to worship Allah. Worshipping Allah does not mean we spend our entire lives in constant seclusion and absolute meditation. To worship Allah is to live life according to His commands, not to run away from it. To worship Allah is to know Him, to love Him, to obey His commands, to enforce His laws in every aspect of life, to serve His cause by doing right and shunning evil and to be just to Him, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings.

Status of Human Beings

A Muslim believes that human beings enjoy an especially high ranking status in the hierarchy of all known creatures. Man and woman occupy this distinguished position because they alone are gifted with rational faculties and spiritual aspirations as well as powers of action. Man and woman are not a condemned race from birth to death, but dignified beings potentially capable of good and noble achievements.

A Muslim also believes that every person is born Muslim. Every person is endowed by Allah with the spiritual potential and intellectual inclination that can make him a good Muslim. Every person's birth takes place according to the will of Allah in realization of His plans and in submission to His commands. Every person is born FREE FROM SIN . When the person reaches the age of maturity and if he is sane, he becomes accountable for all his deeds and intentions. Man is free from sin until he commits sin. There is no inherited sin, and no original sin. Adam committed the first sin, but he prayed to Allah for pardon and Allah granted Adam pardon.

Salvation

A Muslim believes that man must work out his salvation through the guidance of Allah. No one can act on behalf of another or intercede between him and Allah. In order to obtain salvation, a person must combine faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without doing good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith.

Also, a Muslim believes that Allah does not hold any person responsible until he has shown him the Right Way . If people do not know and have no way of knowing about Islam, they will not be responsible for failing to be Muslim. Every Muslim must preach Islam in words and action.

Acceptance of Faith

A Muslim believes that faith is not complete when it is followed blindly or accepted unquestioningly. Man must build his faith on well-grounded convictions beyond any reasonable doubt and above uncertainty. Islam ensures freedom to believe and forbids compulsion in religion (one of the oldest synagogues and one of the oldest churches in the world are in Muslim countries).

A Muslim believes that the Quran is the word of Allah revealed to prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. The Quran was revealed from Allah on various occasions to answer questions, solve problems, settle disputes and to be man's best guide to the truth. The Quran was revealed in Arabic and it is still in its original and complete Arabic version today. It is memorized by millions.

A Muslim also believes in a clear distinction between the Quran and the Traditions (called Hadiths ) of the Prophet Muhammad. Whereas, the Quran is the word of Allah, the Traditions of Prophet Muhammad ( hadiths - i.e. his teachings, sayings, and actions) are the practical interpretations of the Quran . Both the Quran and the Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad are the primary sources of knowledge in Islam.

Pillars of Islam and Application of Faith

WITNESSING (SHAHADA) THAT ALLAH IS ONE AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER

Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulu Allah

An English translation would be:

I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger

PRAYER (SALAH)

Obligatory prayers: Five daily prayers, the Friday's noon congregation prayer and the funeral prayer. Times of obligatory prayers:

1. Early morning: After dawn and before sunrise.

2. Noon : After the sun begins to decline from its zenith until it is about midway on its course to set.

3. Mid-afternoon: After the expiration of the noon prayer time until sunset.

4. Sunset: Immediately after sunset until the red glow in the western horizon disappears.

5. Evening: After the expiration of the sunset prayer until dawn.

Highly recommended prayer : Those accompanying the obligatory prayer and the two great festival prayers.

Optional prayer : Voluntary prayer during the day and night.

OBLIGATORY CHARITY (ZAKAH)

Note the obligatory nature of Zakah ; it is required . Muslims can also go above and beyond what they pay as Zakah , in which case the offering is a strictly voluntary charity ( sadaqa ).

FASTING (SAWM)

THE PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

Muslims go to Mecca to glorify Allah, not to worship a man. The visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad at Madena is highly recommended but not essential in making the Hajj valid and complete

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If you are a Small child you can still become a Muslim without your parents permission

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If you are a child you do not need your parent's permission to become a Muslim. If you fear they may harm, you can become Muslim in secret and tell them when you are ready.

What if their are no Muslims (or no Mosque or Islamic center) in your town

Another common question is that there are no Muslims in the city. This too is not an obstacle in you becoming a Muslim. You do not have to go to a Masjid (Mosque) or Islamic center or know any Muslims in order to be a Muslim. You can say the declaration of faith (called the Shahadah) to yourself and from then onwards you are a Muslim. This is explained in the article below in greater detail.

Do You Think You Are Handsome Or Beautiful ??

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You are rich?

You are strong?

You are INDEPENDENT?

You don't NEED any one?

Okay Now, What About When You Die ??

You NEED someone to clean your body.

You NEED someone to cover your body with Kaffan..

You NEED someone to burry your body AND,

The most IMPORTANT thing, YOU NEED SOMEONE TO PRAY FOR YOU. So,don't be ARROGANT !! Be HUMBLE in this world !!

remember shaitaan was not a stupid but,

he was arrogant !!!!!!!

[ A very good reminder for myself first ]

Only Allah Subhanahu wata'ala is The GREATEST, The ONE, The SUPREME, and INDEPENDENT of anything/anybody.

ALLAHU AKBAR !!

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ISLAM WAY, THE BEST WAY

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=► We are from Arabia

=► We are from Indonesia

=► We are from Malaysia

=► We are from Sri Lanka

=► We are from Palestine

=► We are from America

=► We are from Mauritius

=► We are from Pakistan

=► We are from India

=► We are from Bangladesh

=► We are from Bosnia

=► We are from Australia.... and so on .....

Yes, We are from different parts of the world, BUT...

♥ Our ALLAH [God] is ONE,

♥ Our Scripture [ Quran ] is one,

♥ Our Prophet is one,

♥ Our Direction [Ka'aba] is one !!

WE ARE THE ONE UMMAH OF BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD ( sallalu hu alahi wa salim )

ISLAM is our LIFE

and

We are MUSLIMS ! :)

Alhamdulillah !!

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The Excellence of Tawhid

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1) Allaah the Most High says: Those who believe and do not mix their belief with dhulm, they are those upon whom is security and they are the rightly guided. [6:82]

From 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood, who said: When this verse was revealed, some Muslims began to grieve, and said: 'Which of us does not do dhulm (oppression) to his soul?' The Messenger of Allaah said: "It is not that, verily it is shirk, have you not heard the saying of Luqmaan to his son: Oh my Son! Do not make shirk with Allaah. Verily, shirk is a great dhulm.[31:13] [Bukhari & Muslim]

This verse gives glad tidings to the believers, those who single out Allaah alone for worship, those who do not mix their belief with shirk. Rather, they are far from it, they have complete security from the punishment of Allaah in the Hereafter and they are the rightly guided in this world.

2) The Prophet said: "Imaan consists of sixty something branches, the highest of them is the saying 'Laa ilaaha illa Allaah; and the lowest of them is to remove something harmful from the road." [Muslim]

3) Shaikh 'Abdullaah Khayaat mentions in his book entitled Daleel ul-Muslim Fil I'tiqaad wat-Tat-heer. "Because of the human nature of man and due to his lack of infallibility, his feet slip and he falls into disobedience to Allaah.

When he is from the people of tawheed, pure from the blemishes of shirk, and he singles out Allaah alone for worship, and he is sincere in saying 'Laa ilaaha illa Allaah' it becomes the greatest factor for his happiness and an expiation for his sins and an elimination of his evil deeds, as has come in the hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah: " Whoever testifies that none has the right to he worshipped except A llaah, alone without any partners and that Muhammad is His slave and His messenger and that 'Eesaa is a slave of Allaah, and a Word delivered to Maryam and a Spirit from Him, and that Paradise is true and the Fire is true, Allaah will enter him into Paradise in accordance to his deeds." [Bukhari & Muslim]

Verily, 'Laa ilaaha illa Allaah', the testification that the Muslim testifies with, is the foundation necessary for his entrance into Paradise, the place of comfort, even if some of his actions had defects and shortcomings. As has come in the hadeeth Qudsee, Allaah, the Most High, says: "O Son of Aadam, verily If you were to come to Me with the equivalent of the earth full of mistakes and then meet Me without associating partners with Me in anything then I would give to you its equivalent amount of Mercy. [Hasan - Tirmidhi & ad-Diyaa]

Meaning: If one of you came to Me with an equivalent amount of the earth full of sins and disobedience, but you died upon tawheed, then I would forgive your sins.

It is reported from the Prophet that he said: "Whoever meets Allaah without having associated with Him in anything will enter Paradise and whosoever meets Him associating partners with him in anything will enter the Fire. " [Muslim]

All these narrations clearly show the Excellence of Tawheed, for it is that by which the happiness of the slave is achieved and the best means for the expiation of his sins and the elimination of his mistakes."

By Shaikh Muhammad bin Jameel Zainoo is one of the contemporary scholars of Islam. A student of Shaikh Al-Albaanee, he has written many valuable works on Islam. Source: The Methodology of the Saved Sect.

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The Qur'an: The Book of Miracles

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The Qur'an: The Book of Miracles

- Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Dimashqiah

About the belief in Allaah (the Almighty God), the purpose of our existence,

religion of Islaam, the Qur'aan, etc.

The Importance of Aqeedah

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Aqeedah (Matters of Faith) First...If They But Knew

The Messenger informed Mu'adh bin Jabal, when he was going to the land of Yemen, "You are going to a people from the People of the Book. Let the first thing that you call them to be the worship of Allah. If they acknowledge Allah, then inform them that Allah has obligated upon them five prayers during their days and nights." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

This hadeeth is clear. It does not require much of an explanation. The Prophet applied this principle in his practical calling to Islam. He stayed in Makkah for thirteen years to teach the people Eemaan and to educate his Companions on this point and to correct the beliefs of the people. That is the pattern upon which the Companions were brought up.

Jundub Ibn Abdullah al-Bajaly said, "We learned Eemaan (faith) and then we learned the Quran and it increased our Eemaan ." Abdullah ibn Umar said, "We lived during an instant of time in which one of us would receive faith first before receiving the Quran and when the surahs were revealed we would learn what they permitted and what they prohibited and what they forbade and what they ordered and what should be the stance towards them. But I have seen many men from whom one is given the Quran before Eemaan and he reads it from the opening of the Book to its closing and he does not know what it orders and what it forbids and what should be his stance towards it. He is like someone who is just throwing out dates [i.e., he does not get any benefit from his recital]."

That is the manner in which the Prophet brought up his companions: Eemaan first and then the Quran. This is similar to what Imaam Abu Hanifah pointed out: Understanding in the religion first (i.e. Tawheed) and then understanding in the science (i.e. the sharee'ah).

The beliefs must be corrected first, then follows all of the other aspects of the religion.

And Imam Ash-Shafi`i said, "That a servant meets Allaah with every sin except Shirk is better say than meeting Him upon any of the innovated beliefs."

Al-Aqeedah linguistically is derived from the term aqada. In Arabic, one states, "Aqada the rope" when the rope is tied firmly. And, "Aqada the sale" or "He settled the sale" when the person ratifies and contracts a sale or agreement. And Allah says in the Quran, "And as for those whom your right hands have made a covenant (Ar., aqadat)" [Al-Nisa 33]. And Allah also says, "But He will take you to task for the oaths which you swear in earnest (Ar., aqadtum) [Al-Maida, 89] which means asserted and adhered to, as proven in the verse, "And break not oaths after the assertion of them" [An-Nahl, 91]. If one says, "Aqadtu such and such," it means his heart is firm upon such and such.

Therefore, al-Aqeedah or al-itiqad according to the scholars of Islam is: The firm creed that one's heart is fixed upon without any wavering or doubt. It excludes any supposition, doubt or suspicion.

Imam Abu Hanifah called this great subject al-Fiqh al-Akbar ("The Greater Understanding") and the understanding of the religion. He called the science of law (Ar., sharee'ah) the understanding of the science. Many scholars of Islam use the word Tawheed for all matters that a person must believe in. This is because the most important of these matters is the basic Tawheed that is contained in the phrase, "There is none worthy of worship except Allah."

Tawheed, according to them, may be divided into two categories: Tawheed of cognition and affirmation and Tawheed of purpose and deeds.

Tawheed of cognition and affirmation is the Tawheed of the Oneness of the Creator and the Tawheed of His Names and Attributes [i.e. He is Unique in His being the only Creator and the only One with His names and attributes]. Tawheed of purpose and deeds is Tawheed of lordship or that none should be worshipped except Allah [i.e., He is the only One worthy of worship].

The scholastic theologians (Ar., kalaamiyoon) - and what will explain to you who the scholastic theologians are - call this great subject "the root of the religion" and they call the law "the branches of the religion". This is their terminology. We also have a dispute with them in this matter but this is not the place to discuss it. All of them give it a name or adjective according to their needs.

But what is the name the Quran gives to this matter?

The Quran gives the grave matter the name iman. Allah says in the Quran, "And thus We inspired in You (Muhammad) a Spirit of Our command. You did not know what the Scripture was, nor what the Faith was. But we have made it a light whereby We guide whom We will of our bondmen..." [Al-Shura, 52].

The general concepts that the heart of the believer must be firm about are the "pillars" of this faith. But one will not be called a believer just by knowing and understanding these pillars but he must come to the level where he submits and implements what is described, in the hadith of Gabriel, as Islam. Iman, in this manner, incorporates Islam.

If iman was simply knowing the facts in one's heart, then its companion would be equal to Satan and Pharaoh [Note: The Satan was the most knowledgeable of his Lord but he was destroyed because of his pride and envy. And Pharaoh, even though he claimed to be the lord, knew that the

lord is Allah and that none has the right to be worshipped but Him. Allah says, "He said: In truth you know that none sent down these portents save the Lord of the heavens and the earth as proofs..." [al-Isra, 102]. - Although they knew the truth, they did not put it in practice by turning their `ibadah to Allah Alone].

In the hadith of Gabriel, the Prophet explained the pillars of this faith in which every human must believe, when he was asked, "What is iman?", he said, "To believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers and the Last Day and predestination of good and evil."

It is a must for every person to know these pillars and to learn them with a correct understanding and to believe in them in the manner that he pious forefathers understood and believed in them, in the same manner that the Companions of the Prophet believed and understood them, as well as their Followers and those who followed on their path. This includes the four imams, Sufyan Al-Thauri, Sufyan ibn Uyaina, Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak and others similar to them, as well as Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj, Shaikh al-Islam ibn Taymiya and al-Hafedh ibn al-Qayyim. And scholars similar to them who followed the same manner of understanding and believing in these pillars.

This is the first obligation upon the responsible human being. There is no difference of opinion on this question among the scholars whose opinions are worth following.Imam Abu-Hanifa said, "The understanding of faith is better than understanding of the science." What he meant by faith is tauheed and what he meant by science is the shariah. He put the understanding of tawheed before the understanding of the shariah.

And Shaikh al-Islam al-Haruwi al-Ansari (d. 481 AH) stated at the beginning of his book, Itiqad ahl al-Sunnah, "The first obligation upon the slave is the knowledge of Allah. This is proven by the hadith of Muadh, when the Prophet said to him, 'You will come to a people from the People of the Book. The first thing that you should call them to is the worship of Allah. If they gain the knowledge of Allah, then tell them that Allah obligates upon them five prayers during the day and night..."

From this premise did the great scholars of Islam precede. Ponder, for example, what Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari did in his book al-Jami al-Sahih, which is the most authentic book after the Book of Allah; one will see that from his detailed knowledge and understanding of this religion, this great Imam began his book with "The Beginning of Revelation" and then he followed it with chapters on faith, followed by the chapters on knowledge. As if he means, may Allah have mercy on him, to point out that the first obligation upon a human being is faith or Iman and the way to attaining faith is knowledge. And the source of faith and knowledge is revelation. So he began by showing how the revelation occurred and what it was like. Then he followed by mentioning faith and knowledge. This arrangement is no accident; by it he makes some important points.

This is the sum of what we wish to mention and what we wish to raise our voices about. The matter of aqidah is the first priority. Faith and knowledge are the means of attaining it. And the source of knowledge and faith is the Book and Sunnah.

By Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Qari

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Some of the Magnificent Characteristics of the Quran

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Allah has described the Noble Quran with a number of magnificent characteristics of which Ibn Qudamah mentioned eight in points 27 – 30 of Lum‘atul-I‘tiqad.

They are as follows:

That it is clear (mubin) and makes clear the laws and reports which it contains.

That it is Allah’s firm rope (Hablullah), that is, it is the solid contract which Allah made a reason for reaching Himself and the attainment of success by His Grace.

That it consists of distinct chapters (muhkamat), each distinct from the other, perfected and preserved from any flaws or contradictions.

That it consists of clear verses (ayat bayyinat) which are clear and obvious signs indicating Allah’s unique unity, the perfection of His attributes, and the goodness of His laws.

That it contains clear and obscure verses (ayat muhkamat wa mutashabihat); the clear being that whose meaning is clear and the obscure being those whose meaning is hidden. And this does not contradict point number three above because the clarity there refers to perfection and protection from flaws and contradiction, while here it refers to clarity of meaning. If the obscure is referred back to the clear, all of it will become clear.

That it is the truth (haqq) that cannot be affected by falsehood from any direction.

That it is free from its description by the disbelievers as being poetry, magic or human speech.

That it is a miracle that no one can imitate even with the help of others.

The Hoax of the Numerical Miracle of the Quran

Rashad Khalifa, an Egyptian biochemist educated in the United States claimed to have discovered an intricate mathematical pattern involving 19 and its multiples throughout the Quran and especially in what he calls the Quranic initials which precede 29 chapters (Alif, Laam, Meem, etc.). However, when critics began checking his numbers, they found numerous discrepancies and some outright fabrications in his data

The most famous proponent of this idea was Rashad Khalifa, an Egyptian biochemist educated in the United States. According to Dr. Khalifa, there is a miraculous numerical code to the Quran based on its “first” verse (Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim), which consists of 19 letters. This miraculous code is supposedly referred to in verse 30 of Chapter 74 (al-Muddath-thir) which states “Over it are 19.” Based on these two premises, Dr. Rashad claims to have discovered an intricate mathematical pattern involving 19 and its multiples throughout the Quran and especially in what he calls the Quranic initials which precede 29 chapters (Alif, Laam, Meem, etc.). From this discovery, Dr. Khalifa concludes that the complexity of this mathematical code’s pattern in a literary work of the Quran’s size is far beyond human capabilities, and that it alone constitutes the only real miracle of the Quran which proves its divine origin. He further concludes that 19 and its multiples represent the key to the correct interpretation of the Quran and Islam, and the reason why 19 was chosen is that 19 means “God is One,” which is the message of the Quran.

Many Muslims at first received Khalifa’s theories with uncritical enthusiasm. However, when more rigorous critics began checking his numbers, they found numerous discrepancies and some outright fabrications in his data. His claims were based on the number of times a given letter or word occurs in a given Surah or group of Surahs. It was discovered that he would sometimes treat hamzahs like alifs and sometimes he wouldn’t, depending on the totals he needed in a given Surah to confirm his theory. Sometimes he counted letters that weren’t there, sometimes he failed to count existing letters, sometimes he counted two words as one, sometimes he added to the Quranic text and sometimes he deleted from it, all for the purpose of making the letter and word counts conform to his theory. On top of that, his letter counts changed over time, depending on whether he wanted to establish a pattern for a Surah by itself or as part of a group of Surahs. When confronted with inconsistencies in his data, he began claiming that certain verses had been inserted into the Quran that did not belong there. After this clear statement of disbelief he went on to claim knowledge of the exact date of the Day of Judgment and eventually claimed prophethood for himself. He attracted a group of followers in Tucson, Arizona, but his career was cut short when he was stabbed to death by an unknown assailant in 1990.

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Significance of the Quran’s Preservation

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Allah promised in the Quran that He would take on the responsibility of protecting His final word from loss. He said, "Verily I have revealed the Reminder (Quran), and verily I shall preserve it.” (Surah al-Hijr (15):9)

Thus, the Quran has been preserved in both the oral as well as written form in a way no other religious book in history has.

Why did Allah preserve the Quran and allow His earlier books of divine revelation to be changed or lost?

The answer to that question lies in the following three facts:

The earlier prophets and their books were sent to a particular people in particular periods of history. Once the period ended, a new prophet was sent with a new book to replace the previous book. So, it was not necessary that these books be preserved by Allah. The preservation of the earlier books was left up to the people as a test for them. Thus, when the people went astray, they changed what was written in the books which their prophets brought in order to make allowable the things which were forbidden to them. In that way, all of the earlier books of revelation became either changed or lost.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last prophet whom Allah sent, and he was not sent to a particular people or a particular time. He was sent to all of mankind until the end of the world. Allah said in the Quran,

“I have only sent you (Muhammad) as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most men do not understand.”

[Noble Quran 34:28]

Thus, his book of revelation, the Quran, had to be specially preserved from any form of change or loss so that it would be available to all the generations of man until the last day of the world.

The Quran was the main miracle given to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to prove that he was a true prophet of Allah and not an imposter. So, the Quran had to be saved to prove to the later generations that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was really the last prophet of Allah. All of the false prophets who came after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) brought books which they claimed to be revealed from Allah, but none of them have the miraculous ability to be memorized by thousands, nor have they improved on the message of the Quran. The significance of the Quran’s preservation is that Islam has been kept in its original purity because of it. Humanity can always return to the sources of Islam no matter what people may have added or forgotten in time. All of the essential principles of Islam are to be found in the Quran. Consequently, the preservation of the Quran meant the preservation of Islam in its final form. The loss of the Gospel of Jesus means that Christians can never return to the true teachings of Prophet Jesus except by accepting Islam. Similarly, the original Torah was lost when Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians. Thus, the Jews cannot return to the pure teachings of Prophet Moses except by following Islam. It is only in Islam that the pure teachings of the prophets have been preserved without any change. That is why Allah said in the Quran,

“Verily, the only acceptable religion to Allah is Islam.”

[Noble Quran 3:19]

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The Main Theme of the Quran

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Not only is the Quran unique among books today in its origin and purity, but it is also unique in the way it presents its subject matter.

It is not a book in the usual sense of the word wherein there is an introduction, explanation of the subject, followed by a conclusion. Neither is it restricted to only a presentation of historical events, problems of philosophy, facts of science or social laws, though all may be found woven together in it without any apparent connection and links. Subjects are introduced without background information, historical events are not presented in chronological order, new topics sometimes crop up in the middle of another for no apparent reason, and the speaker and those spoken to change direction without the slightest forewarning.

The reader who is unaware of the Quran’s uniqueness is often puzzled when he finds it contrary to his understanding of a book in general and a “religious” book in particular. Hence, the Quran may seem disorganized and haphazard to him. However, to those who understand its subject matter, aim and its central theme, the Quran is exactly the opposite. The subject matter of the Quran is essentially man: man in relation to his Lord and Creator, Allah; man in relation to himself; and man in relation to the rest of creation. The aim and object of the revelations is to invite man to the right way of dealing with his Lord, with himself, and with creation. Hence, the main theme that runs throughout the Quran is that God alone deserves worship and, thus, man should submit to God’s laws in his personal life and in his relationships with creation in general. Or, in other words, the main theme is a call to the belief in Allah and the doing of righteous deeds as defined by Allah.

If the reader keeps these basic facts in mind, he will find that, from beginning to end, the Quran’s topics are all closely connected to its main theme and that the whole book is a well-reasoned and cohesive argument for its theme. The Quran keeps the same object in view, whether it is describing the creation of man and the universe or events from human history. Since the aim of the Quran is to guide man, it states or discusses things only to the extent relevant to this aim and leaves out unnecessary and irrelevant details. It also repeats its main theme over and over again in the presentation of each new topic

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Quran: Definition of the Term

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The word “Quran,” a verbal noun, is equivalent in meaning to “qira’ah,” as both come from the verb “qara’a” which means “to read.”

That is, Quran literally means “a reading or reciting.” However, the term “Quran” has been historically used specifically to refer to the book which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The term “Quran” is mentioned in a number of places throughout the book in reference to itself. For example:

“Verily, this Quran guides (humanity) to that which is most just.”

[Noble Quran 17:9]

The name Quran is used to refer to both the Quran as a whole, as in the previously quoted verse; as well as to each verse or group of verses, as in the following verse:

“And if the Quran is recited, you should listen to it and be silent, that you may receive mercy.”

[Noble Quran 7:204]

The Book has also been referred to by other names; for example, the Furqan (The Distinction):

“Blessed is He who revealed the Furqan to His slave in order that he may be a warner to all the worlds.”

[Noble Quran 25:1]

and the Dhikr, (The Reminder):

“Verily, I revealed the Dhikr and verily I will preserve it.”

[Noble Quran 15:9]

The Quran could be defined as Allah’s words which were revealed in Arabic in a rhythmical form to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Its recitation is used in acts of worship and its smallest chapter (Surah) is of a miraculous nature.

The Prophet’s divinely inspired statements which were recorded by his followers are generally referred to as hadiths. For example, the Prophet’s companion (sahabi), ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, reported that he once said, “Verily, deeds are (judged) by their intentions.”

However, in some of his statements, the Prophet (peace be upon him) attributed what he said to Allah; for example, another sahabi, Abu Hurayrah, reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Allah, Most High, says, ‘I am as My slave thinks of Me and I am with him when he remembers me. So if he remembers Me to himself, I will remember him to Myself and if he remembers Me in a group, I will remember him in a better group.’ ”

In order to distinguish this type of hadith from the previous type, it is referred to as hadith qudsi (sacred hadith) and the former referred to as hadith nabawi (prophetic hadith).

The Quran, however, is not the same as hadith qudsi for a number of reasons. First, the Quran is from Allah both in its wording and in its meaning, while in the case of hadith qudsi, its meaning is from Allah but its wording was the Prophet’s (peace be upon him). Second, Allah challenged the Arabs and mankind in general to produce even a chapter equivalent to one of the Quran’s chapters, and their inability to do so proves its miraculous nature. This is not so in the case of hadith qudsi. Third, the recitation of the Quran is used in salah and is itself considered a form of worship. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “Whoever reads a letter from the book of Allah, the Most High, will get a good deed (recorded for him), and each good deed is worth ten times its value. I am not only saying that Alif Laam Meem is a letter, but I am also saying that Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter.”

However, the recitation of hadith qudsi carries none of these properties.

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Quran (Divine Book)

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According to Allah’s statements in His Book, there were two distinct revelations of the Quran which took place. It is important that these two revelations be understood in order to clear up the apparent contradictions in the various terms used in the Quran and Sunnah to describe the Quran’s revelation. On one hand, the Quran is referred to as having been revealed in its totality in Ramadan or on Laylatul-Qadr, the Night of Decree; while on the other hand, it is referred to as having been continuously revealed in segments up until just before the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

The First Revelation

Allah caused the Quran to descend from the Protected Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuth) on which it was written to the lowest heaven. In this revelation all of the Quran was sent down at one time to a station in the lowest heaven referred to as “Bayt al-‘Izzah” (The House of Honor or Power). The blessed night on which this descent took place is called “Laylatul-Qadr” (The Night of Decree), one of the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. Allah referred to this initial revelation as follows:

“Haa Meem. By the Clear Book, verily, I revealed it in a blessed night.”

[Noble Quran 44:1-3]

“Verily, I revealed it on the Night of Decree.”

[Noble Quran 97:1]

“The month of Ramadan in which I revealed the Quran as guidance to mankind ...”

[Noble Quran 2:185]

These verses have to refer to the initial revelation because it is a known fact that the whole Quran was not revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on a single night in Ramadan. Ibn ‘Abbas stated that the Quran was first separated from its station in the upper heavens and placed in Bayt al-‘Izzah in the lowest heaven. One version states that this took place on the Night of Decree in Ramadan. Had it been Allah’s wish, the Quran could then have been revealed as a whole to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a single revelation.

This was the method by which all of the earlier books of revelation were sent down. But, Allah chose to divide the revelation into two parts. The first revelation within the heavens represented an announcement to the inhabitants of the heavens that the final book of revelation was being sent down upon the last of the prophets.

From the lowest heaven sections of the Quran were then taken down by the angel Jibril to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This process of revelation continued over the twenty-three years of his prophethood. This revelation began with the first five verses of Surah al-‘Alaq. These verses were revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) while he was on a spiritual retreat in the cave of Hira’ near Makkah. However, the first complete Surah to be revealed was Surah al-Fatihah. The revelation of this portion of Quran marked the beginning of the final phase of prophethood. The last Surah to be revealed was Surah an-Nasr. This Surah was brought down in Mina during the Farewell Hajj of the Prophet (peace be upon him), which took place at the end of the tenth year after the Hijrah. According to Ibn ‘Abbas, the last verse to be revealed was verse 281 in Surah al-Baqarah, the last of a series of verses dealing with interest. Allah has referred to the second revelation in the following way:

“And (it is) a Quran which I have divided into parts in order that you (Muhammad) may recite it to the people gradually, and I have revealed it by successive revelation.”

[Noble Quran 17:106]

Quran: Definition of the Term

The word “Quran,” a verbal noun, is equivalent in meaning to “qira’ah,” as both come from the verb “qara’a” which means “to read.”

“Verily, this Quran guides (humanity) to that which is most just.”

[Noble Quran 17:9]

The name Quran is used to refer to both the Quran as a whole, as in the previously quoted verse; as well as to each verse or group of verses, as in the following verse:

“And if the Quran is recited, you should listen to it and be silent, that you may receive mercy.”

[Noble Quran 7:204]

The Book has also been referred to by other names; for example, the Furqan (The Distinction):

“Blessed is He who revealed the Furqan to His slave in order that he may be a warner to all the worlds.”

[Noble Quran 25:1]

and the Dhikr, (The Reminder):

“Verily, I revealed the Dhikr and verily I will preserve it.”

[Noble Quran 15:9]

In order to distinguish this type of hadith from the previous type, it is referred to as hadith qudsi (sacred hadith) and the former referred to as hadith nabawi (prophetic hadith).

However, the recitation of hadith qudsi carries none of these properties.

The Main Theme of the Quran

Not only is the Quran unique among books today in its origin and purity, but it is also unique in the way it presents its subject matter.

Significance of the Quran’s Preservation

Thus, the Quran has been preserved in both the oral as well as written form in a way no other religious book in history has.

Why did Allah preserve the Quran and allow His earlier books of divine revelation to be changed or lost?

The answer to that question lies in the following three facts:

“I have only sent you (Muhammad) as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most men do not understand.”

[Noble Quran 34:28]

Thus, his book of revelation, the Quran, had to be specially preserved from any form of change or loss so that it would be available to all the generations of man until the last day of the world.

“Verily, the only acceptable religion to Allah is Islam.”

[Noble Quran 3:19]

Some of the Magnificent Characteristics of the Quran

Allah has described the Noble Quran with a number of magnificent characteristics of which Ibn Qudamah mentioned eight in points 27 – 30 of Lum‘atul-I‘tiqad.

They are as follows:

That it is clear (mubin) and makes clear the laws and reports which it contains.

That it is Allah’s firm rope (Hablullah), that is, it is the solid contract which Allah made a reason for reaching Himself and the attainment of success by His Grace.

That it consists of distinct chapters (muhkamat), each distinct from the other, perfected and preserved from any flaws or contradictions.

That it consists of clear verses (ayat bayyinat) which are clear and obvious signs indicating Allah’s unique unity, the perfection of His attributes, and the goodness of His laws.

That it is the truth (haqq) that cannot be affected by falsehood from any direction.

That it is free from its description by the disbelievers as being poetry, magic or human speech.

That it is a miracle that no one can imitate even with the help of others.

The Hoax of the Numerical Miracle of the Quran

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A Muslims Salah

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The one he does it only for Allah [swt]

Allah [SWT] said in Hadith Qudsi

I only accept Salaah from those who do it humbly to my glory and those who walk with humbleness and humility amongst my creation and those who will not sleep with an intention of commiting sins and those who spend the day in zikr, always seek to have Rahma over the miskeen (poor), takes care of the needy and the widows. He rushes to take care of those in calamity or need.

This servant I will give him light like the light of the sun. I will surround him with My glory and dignity and My angels will guard him. If he goes astray, I will give him light and guard him from his own sins. I decorate him with patience and I will give him My Firdous in Jannah. This is the one I accept his prayer and his Salaah.

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