Welcome To Islam | Basic Islam | Necessary Islamic Knowledge | Book

Welcome To Islam | Book

• Faith In Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ
• Faith In Prophethood
• Prophets عَلَیْھِمْ السَّلَام Were All Men
• The Prominent Prophets عَلَیْھِمْ السَّلَام Of Almighty Allah
• How Many Prophets عَلَیْھِمْ السَّلَام?
• Faith In Angels
• Faith In The Books Of Allah Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ
• The Glorious Quran, The Last Testament Of Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ
• Death And The Grave
• What Happens After Burial?
• DOOMSDAY
• Disappearance Of Knowledge
• Sexual Depravity
• False Prophets
• Abundance Of Wealth
• Time Will Pass Quickly
• The Emergence Of Imam Mahdi
• Emergence Of Dajjal
• The Emergence Of Ya'jooj And Ma'jooj ('Gog' and 'Magog')
• The Appearance Of The Dabbatul-Ard
• The Sun Rises From The West
• The Blowing Of A Perfumed And Refreshing Wind
• The Blowing Of The Trumpet
• 1st Pillar Of Islam The ‘Shahaadah’ Or Declaration Of Faith
• 2nd Pillar Of Islam The Salah Or The Formal 5 Times Daily Obligatory Worship
• 3rd Pillar Of Islam The Zakaah The Obligatory annual Poor Due
• 4th Pillar Of Islam Siyaam Or Fasting
• 5th Pillar Of Islam Hajj Or Pilgrimage
• The Messenger Of Allah Muhammad ﷺ

Answer Of Different Question About Islam

• Who Is Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ?
• Who Is Allah? ‘Do Muslims Worship A Different God?’
• The Quran Uses The Word “We” When Quoting Almighty Allah. Does That Mean That Muslims Believe In More Than One Goad?
• The Quran Says That Almighty Allah Is Merciful And That He Gives Sever Punishment. So Is He Forgiven Or Is He Revengeful?
• Some Believe That Muslims Worship Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم. Is This True?
• Is Islam A Laid-Back Religion?
• Do You Believe In Life After Death And How Can You confirm The Existence Of Life After Death?
• Is It True That Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم Wrote The Quran Or Copied It Form The Bible?
• How Does The Quran Differ From Other Scriptures?
• Is It Correct That Muslims Do Not Believe In Jesus Or Other Prophets?
• What Does The Quran Say About Jesus?
• Is Islam Opposed To Knowledge And Science?
• The Quran Says That Only Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ Knows What Is In The Womb. Does This Not Contradict Medical Science?
• The Quran Mentions That Human Beings Are Created From Dust And It Also Mentions That They Are Created From Sperm. Isn’t This Contradictory?
• Why Is The Consumption Of Alcohol Prohibited In Islam?
• Women In Islam Does Islam Oppress Women?
• Why Do Muslim Women Wear The Veil?
• Why Does Islam Permit Polygamy?
• If A Man Is Permitted To Have More Than One Wife, Then Why Can’t A Woman have More Than One Husband?
• Why Does Islam Impose Such Harsh Punishments For Sex Outside Marriage?
• Under Islamic Law, Why Is A Woman’s Share Of Inherited Wealth Half That Of A man’s?
• Islam And Terrorism What Is Jihad?
• Is Islam A Militant Religion?
• Are Muslims Terrorists?
• How Can Islam Be Called A ‘Religion Of Peace’ When It Was ‘Spread By The Sword’?
• The Quran Says That Muslims Should Kill The Non-Believers Wherever They Find Them. Does This Mean That Islam Promotes Violence, Bloodshed And Brutality?
• Is It True That Islam Is A Religion Only For Arabs?
• All Religions Basically Teach Their Followers To Do Good Deeds, So Why Should A Person Follow Islam?
• Islamic Concluding Remark

Islamic Concluding Remark

We would now like our reader to ask themselves what they think are the reasons for all the propaganda and misinformation currently being targeted at Islam. If Islam was just another false faith that made no sense, would so many feel a need to invent so many falsehoods about it? The reason is nearly that the ultimate truth of Islam stands on unshakable grounds, and the is the basic fundamental belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and to believe in the Final Prophet, the beloved of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, the leader of all the Prophets, our master Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم.

Finally, we must never rely on second hand information to understand the religion of Islam. Rather, it needs to be studied from its authentic sources and by speaking to sincere and practicing Muslims.

All Religions Basically Teach Their Followers To Do Good Deeds, So Why Should A Person Follow Islam?

In the Glorious Quran, Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ says:

ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًا

… This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion… [Maidah 5:3]

He عَزَّوَجَلَّ also says:

إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ ۗ

Indeed the only true religion in the sight of Allah is Islam… [Aal-e-‘Imran 3:19]

And He عَزَّوَجَلَّ says:

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾

And if one seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him; and he is among the losers in the Hereafter. [AaI-e-‘Imran 3:85]

Islam is Almighty Allah’s عَزَّوَجَلَّ final message, and it offers a complete legal code for humankind. It eliminates and corrects the human errors than have found their way into previous religions in the realm of both belief and practice. Just as any new revised law supersedes and nullifies what can before it; Islam naturally abrogates all earlier religions.

Without a doubt, one will find in every religion, especially those of divine origins, such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam, noble teachings, good moral values, encouragement towards good deeds and warnings against evil. However, what distinguishes Islam from other faiths is that Islam goes beyond simply urging people to be upright and honest. Islam diagnosis illnesses and prescribes the treatment. It gives practical solutions to man’s problems and provides the means of achieving righteousness and eliminating evil from individual and collective lives. Islam is guidance for mankind from the All-Wise Creator عَزَّوَجَلَّ who knows what is best and most suitable for His creation. That is why Islam is called the natural religion of man.

Is It True That Islam Is A Religion Only For Arabs?

This idea can easily be disapproved, as only about 15-20 percent of Muslims in the world are Arabs. There are more Indian Muslims than Arab Muslims, and more Indonesian Muslim than Indian Muslims. This assumption is possibly based on the fact that most of the first generation of Muslims was Arabs, that the Glorious Quran is in Arabic and that the Beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم was an Arab.

However, history testifies that the Beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم, his followers and the early Muslims made every effort to spread the message of Islam to all nations, races and peoples. From the very beginning of the mission of Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم, his followers came from a wide spectrum of countries and races. Among them was Sayyiduna Bilal, the African slave; Sayyiduna Suhaaib, the Byzantine Roman; Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin Salaam, the Jewish Rabbi, and Sayyiduna Salman Farsi رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْھَا, the Persian.

Furthermore, it should be clarified that not all Muslims are Arabs and not all Arabs are Muslims. An Arab might be a Muslim, Christian, and Jew, atheist or follower of any religion or ideology. Additionally, some countries – such as Turkey and Iran (Persia), that uninformed people consider to be ‘Arab’ are in fact, not Arab at all. The people who live in those countries speak languages other than Arabic and are of a different ethnic heritage.

Since religious truth is eternal and unchanging, and humanity is considered as one universal brotherhood, Islam teaches that Almighty Allah’s عَزَّوَجَلَّ revelations to humanity through the blessed Prophets عَلَیْھِمُ الصَّلٰوۃُوَالسَّلَام have always been consistent, clear and universal. The truth of Islam is meant for all people regardless of race, nationality, cultural or linguistic background. A brief look at the Muslim world, from Nigeria to Bosnia and from Malaysia to Afghanistan is sufficient proof that Islam offers a universal appeal; a message for all of mankind – not to mention the fact that significant numbers of European and Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds are finding and entering Islam. The Holy Quran clearly says:

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٨﴾

And O dear Prophet (صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم), We have not sent you except with a Prophethood that covers the entire mankind, heralding glad tidings and warnings, but most people do not know. [Saba 34:28]

The Quran Says That Muslims Should Kill The Non-Believers Wherever They Find Them. Does This Mean That Islam Promotes Violence, Bloodshed And Brutality?

There are a few verses in the Holy Quran that are quite often misquoted or quoted out of context to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence and exhorts its followers to kill those who are outside the fold of Islam. The words “kill the polytheists wherever you find them” are often quoted to portray that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality.

In order to understand the context, it is necessary to read it from the beginning of the chapter. It discloses that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the pagans of Makkah. The pagans violated this treaty, so a period of four months was given to them to make amends; otherwise war would be declared against them. The complete verse actually says:

فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ ٱلْأَشْهُرُ ٱلْحُرُمُ فَٱقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَٱحْصُرُوهُمْ وَٱقْعُدُوا۟ لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ ۚ فَإِن تَابُوا۟ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَخَلُّوا۟ سَبِيلَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٥﴾

Then when the sacred months have passed, slay the polytheists wherever you find them, and catch them and make them captive, and wait in ambush for them at every place; then if they repent and keep the prayer established and pay the charity, leave their way free; indeed Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is Oft Forgiving, Most merciful. [Taubah 9:5]

This verse is a command to the Muslims who had entered into an agreement with the pagans, who soon violated the agreement, to fight and kill those who betrayed them wherever they found them. It would seem that any open-minded person would consider the historical context of this verse and agree that is cannot be used as ‘evidence’ that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed, or that it encourages its followers to kill anyone outside the fold of Islam.

The very next verse gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:

وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ٱسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَـٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُۥ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦﴾

And O dear Prophet (Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم), if a polytheist seeks your protection, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), and then transport him to his place of safety. [Taubah 9:6]

The Holy Quran not only stipulates that a pagan seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he be escorted to safety. In the present age, which military commander would direct his soldiers not just to spare an enemy during battle, but to escort him to a place of safety? Yet, that is exactly what Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ instruct in the majestic Quran.

How Can Islam Be Called A ‘Religion Of Peace’ When It Was ‘Spread By The Sword’?

It is another common misconception among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have the millions of adherents it has all over the world, had it not been spread by the use of force. The following proofs will make it clear, that far from being forcefully ‘spread by the sword,’ it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam. Islam has always given respect to the freedom of religion to all faiths. Freedom of religion is ordained in the Majestic Quran itself:

لَآ إِكْرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشْدُ مِنَ ٱلْغَىِّ

… There is no compulsion at all in religion; undoubtedly the right path has become very distance form error… [Baqarah 2:256]

If Islam was indeed spread by the sword, it was the sword of intellect and convincing arguments that was used. It is only this type of sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Glorious Quran says in this connection:

ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَـٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ

“Call towards the path of your Lord with sound planning and good advice, and debate with them in the best possible way…” [Nahl 16:125]

The Facts Speak For Themselves:

• Indonesia is the country that has the largest number of Muslims in the world, and the majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. But, no Muslim army has ever entered Indonesia or Malaysia. It is an established historical fact that Indonesia entered Islam not due to war, but because of its moral message. Despite the disappearance of Islamic government from many regions one ruled by it, their original inhabitants have remained Muslims. Moreover, they carried the message of truth, inviting others to it as well, and in so doing endured harm, affliction and oppression. The same can be said for those in the regions of Syria and Jordon, Egypt, Iraq, North America, Asia, the Balkans and in Spain. This shows that the effect of Islam on the population was one of moral conviction, in contrast to occupation by western colonialists, finally compelled to leave lands whose peoples held only memories of affliction, sorrow, subjugation and oppression.
• Muslims ruled Spain (Andalusia) for about 800 years. During this period, the Christian and Jews enjoyed freedom to practice their respective religions, and this is a documented historical fact.
• Christen and Jewish minorities have survived in the Muslims lands of the Middle East for centuries. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordon all have significant Christian and Jewish populations.
• Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years, and therefore had the power to force each and every non-Muslim resident of India to convert to Islam, but they did not, and thus more than 80% of the Indian population remains non-Muslim.
• Similarly, Islam spread rapidly on the east coast of Africa, furthermore, no Muslim army was every dispatched to the east coast of Africa.
• Today, the fastest growing religion in North America, Europe and Africa is Islam. They only sword they have in their possession is the sword of truth. It is this sword that is reverting thousands to Islam.
• Islamic Law protects the rights and the status of minorities, and that is why the non-Muslim’s places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. Islamic Law also allows non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves. The Life and property of all citizens in an Islamic State are considered important whether they are Muslims or not.

It is clear, therefore, that Islam was not spread by the sword. The often-alleged ‘sword of Islam’ did not convert all the non-Muslim minorities in Muslims countries. In India, where Muslims ruled for about a thousand years, they are still a minority. In the U.S.A and Canada alone, Islam is the fastest growing religion and has over nine million followers.

Are Muslims Terrorists?

It is very unfortunate that nowadays, Islam has become synonymous with ‘terrorism’. Far from promoting terrorism, Islam is a religion of peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace and justice throughout the world. Islam does not condone ‘terrorism’ as defined and understood nowadays: place hijackings, hostage takings and the torturing and killing of the innocent in order to achieve political or even religious goals. This in not how Islam teaches Muslims to solve their problems, achieve their goals, or to spread their religion.

The question that should be posted instead is: Do the teachings of Islam encourage terrorism? Certainly not, Islam totally prohibits all terrorist acts. It should be remembered that all religions have elements of misguided followers. To be impartial and just, one must consider the teachings of the religion, as they are the yardstick by which the actions of its adherents can be assessed as being right or wrong.

It is completely unfair to judge Islam by the wrongdoings of some misguided or ignorant Muslims, or by the deteriorating condition of Muslims and the blatant corruption that pervades the Muslim world. In fact, what Islam preaches in one thing and what some Muslims nowadays practice is something completely different.

The only way we can do justice to Islam is to find out about its noble teachings, which are clearly set out in the Glorious Quran and Blessed Prophetic traditions.

Islam is religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting ones will to the Will of the Supreme Creator, Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Islam promotes peace but at the same time, it exhorts its followers to fight oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force, and sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. Certainly, Islamic Law allows war under particular circumstances. Any religion or civilization which does not do that, would never survive. But Islam never condones attacks against innocent people, women or children. Islam also clearly forbids ‘taking the law into one’s own hand’s, which means that individual Muslims cannot go around deciding that they want to do by killing or punishing. Trial and punishment must only be carried out by a lawful authority and a qualified judge.

Is Islam A Militant Religion?

In Islam, the use of force is allowed only in special situations, particularly when the Muslim community is threatened by hostile forces. This is indeed natural and logical for any nation. Then again, the use of force in a campaign of Jihad is determined by the Khalifah (Caliph) of Islamic States in a very ordered and ethical way,. Islam considers all life forms as sacred, but particularly emphasizes the sanctity of human life. Allah Almighty عَزَّوَجَلَّ says in the Majestic Quran:

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿١٥١﴾

… And do not unjustly kill any life which Allah has made sacred; this is the command to you that you may understand 

[Ana’am 6:151]

Further, Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ says:

مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

… Whoever kills a human being except in lieu of killing or causing turmoil in the earth, so it shall be a s if he had killed all mankind… [Maidah 5:32]

Such is the value of a single human life, that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, the Most merciful equates the taking of even one human life unjustly as the killing of all of humanity.

It is important to understand that in Islam, war is only permitted in specific and dire circumstances. It is disliked and only permitted as a last resort when all other attempts for peace are unsuccessful. It keeps warfare at a level of mercy and respect for the enemy such as none other has been able to reach. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم, sometimes had to fight for the mere survival of his mission, but one security was ensured, he immediately reverted to peace and diplomacy.

Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins the Muslim armies, deal justly with the enemy on the battlefield. Islam has drawn a clear line of distinction between the fighters and non-combatants of an enemy country. The Merciful Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم told his armies:

“Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, Hadith no. 2614)

And he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم said: “Do not kill monks in monasteries.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Hadith no 2728 – Also in Sharah Ma’ani-al-Athar)

Upon seeing the corpse of a woman on a battlefield, the Merciful Prophet Muhammad صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم angrily asked his companions why she had been killed, and he strongly condemned the awful act. For those enemies active in combat and those taken as prisoners of war, the list of rights is lengthy. There should be no torture; no killing of the wounded or defenseless, no mutilation of enemy bodies and return of enemy corpses must be honored. In light of the aforementioned, it becomes crystal clear that Islam does not permit aggression, violence, injustice, or oppression. At the same time, it calls for morality, justice, tolerance and peace.

Far from being a militant dogma, Islam is a way of life that transcends race and ethnicity. The Grand Quran repeatedly reminds us of our common origin:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١٣﴾

“O mankind, indeed we created you from male and a female, and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Verily the most noble of you in the sight of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is the most righteous of you.” [Hujuraat 49:13]

Conflicts / differences between human beings, a world that is currently plagued with terrorism, perpetrated by individuals and by States, Islam is a beacon of light that offers hope for the future.

Islam And Terrorism What Is Jihad?

While Islam is generally misunderstood in the west, perhaps no other Islamic term suggests such strong reaction as ‘Jihad’. The Arabic word ‘Jihad’ which is mostly mistranslated as ‘holy war,’ simply means ‘to struggle’ or ‘to exert one’s utmost efforts’. It is incorrect to imagine that Jihad is synonymous only with fighting or war, for this is but one particular aspect of the term. Jihad is a struggle to do well and to remove injustice, oppression and evil from oneself and from society. This struggle is spiritual, social, economical and political.

Indeed, the concept of Jihad is one of life, and it is vast, not limited only to armed conflict. For example, one finds in the Glorious Quran, mention of “Jihad by means of the Quran,” meaning invitation to the truth, evidence, clarification and presenting the best argument. There is also “Jihad with the soul,” which means striving to purify the soul, to increase its faith and incline it towards good, while keeping it away from evil and from unlawful desires and temptations. Then there is “Jihad through wealth” which means spending it in various beneficial ways, including charities and welfare projects. And there is “Jihad through the self”, which comprises all good works done by a believer, such as propagation, teaching and finally, lawful armed struggle against aggression and oppression.

In the name of Jihad, Islam calls for the protection of societies from oppression, foreign domination and dictatorship that size rights and freedom, that abolish just and moral rule, that prevent people from hearing the truth or following it, and the practice religious persecution. In the name of Jihad, it endeavors to teach belief in Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, the one supreme God, and worship of Him and to spread good values, virtue and morality through wise and proper methods. Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has commanded:

ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَـٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ ﴿١٢٥﴾

Call towards the path of your Lord with sound planning and good advice, and debate with them in the best possible way; indeed your Lord well knows him who has strayed from His path, and he will knows the guided. [Nahl 16:125]

In the name of Jihad, Islam calls for social reform and the elimination of ignorance, superstition, poverty, disease and racial discrimination. Among its main goals in the protection of rights for weaker members of society against the imposition of the powerful and influential.

Islam prohibits injustice, even toward those who oppose the religion. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, the Exalted, says in the Holy Quran:

وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟

… And do not let the enmity of anyone tempt you not to do justice… [Maidah 5:8]

And Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has told the believers regarding those who prevented their entry to the sacred Mosque in Makkah:

وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُوا۟

… And let not the enmity of the people who had stopped you from going to the sacred Mosque tempts you to do injustice… 

[Maidah 5:2]

Enmity towards any people or nation should not provoke Muslims to commit aggression against them, oppress them or disregard their rights.

One of the highest levels of Jihad is to stand up to a tyrant and speak a word of truth. Restraining the self from wrongdoing is also a great form of Jihad. Another form of Jihad is to take up arms in defense of Islam or a Muslim country when Islam is attacked, but this has to be declared by the Muslim head of a pure Islamic State, who according to Shari’ah conditions, qualifies to become the Khalifa (Caliph).

Although Jihad is a wider concept than just war, it is also clear that Islam acknowledges war when it becomes the last option for the treatment of such problems as oppression and aggression and for the defense of certain freedoms and rights. When Islam acknowledges military engagement, it is an integral part of a complete system of values inherent in the religion, behind which any equitable person can perceive the reason and logic.

War is permissible in Islam only when all peaceful means such as dialogue, negotiations and treaties fail. War is a last resort and should be avoided as much as possible. The purpose of Jihad is not to convert people by force, or the colonize people or to acquire land or wealth or for self-glory. Its purpose is basically the defense of life, property, land, honor and freedom for oneself as well as the defense of others from injustice and oppression.

Under Islamic Law, Why Is A Woman’s Share Of Inherited Wealth Half That Of A man’s?

Islam abolished the former practice whereby inheritance went only to the oldest male heir. According to the Majestic Quran, a woman automatically inherits from her father, husband, her son and her childless brother. The Holy Quran contains specific guidance regarding the division of the inherited wealth amount the rightful beneficiaries. The three verse that broadly describe the share of close relatives are found in Surah An-Nisaa, verse 11, 12 and 176. In these verse, Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ establishes the right of children, parents and spouses to inherit a specific share without leaving the matter to human judgment and emotions. In the absence of certain close relatives a share is allocated to more distant ones. The system of inheritance is a perfectly balanced product of the Creator’s knowledge of human need and takes into account his imposition of greater responsibility upon particular members of the family in varying situations.

In most cases, the female inherits a share that is half that of the male. However, this is not always so. There are certain instances when they inherit equal shares, and in some cases, a female can inherit a share that is more than that of the male. But even when the male is given a larger share there is a perfectly logical reason behind it. In Islam a woman has no financial obligations towards her family, even if she is wealthy or has her own source of income; the economic responsibility always lies solely upon the man. As long as a woman remains unmarried, it is the legal obligation of her father, brother or other guardians to provide her food, clothing, medication, housing and other financial needs. After she is married, it is the duty of her husband or adult son. Islam holds the man financially responsible for fulfilling all the needs of his family.

So the difference in shares does not mean that one gender is preferred over the other. It represents a just balance between the roles and responsibilities of family members according to their natural physical and emotional makeup. In general, the woman is in charge of running the household and taking care of the needs of those within it, so she is relived from financial obligations. Despite this, she receives a share of inheritance which becomes her own property to save or use as she pleases. No other person has a claim to any portion of her share. In contrast, the man’s share becomes a part of his property from which he is obligated to maintain his children and all female members of the household, so it is constantly being consumed.

Suppose someone died leaving a son and a daughter. The son’s share of inheritance will be used up when he gives Mahr (mandatory gift) to his wife and to support his family, including his sister until she marries. Any additional income will have to be earned though work. However, his sister’s share remains untouched, or might even increase if she invests it. When she marries, she will receive a Mahr from her husband and will be maintained by him, having no financial responsibilities whatsoever. Thus, a man might conclude that Islam has favored woman over men!

In addition, the Muslim may make a bequest at his own discretion, in which he can make a will to one third of his property to anyone who would not inherit otherwise. The bequest can be a means of assistance to other relatives and people in need, both men and women. One may also allocate this portion or part of it towards charities and good works of his choice.

Why Does Islam Impose Such Harsh Punishments For Sex Outside Marriage?

Punishment in Islam has a social purpose, which is to dissuade other from committing the same crime. The nature of the punishment depends on the seriousness of the crime in question. Nowadays, some are opposed to the Islamic punishment for fornication and adultery because they see it as unbalanced or too harsh. The basic problem here is the different standards by which the severity of the crime is measured.

Islam views adultery as a very serious crime, because it undermines the very foundation of the family system upon which the whole superstructure of the society is built. Illegitimate relationships destabilize the family and bring about the breakdown of the system. Family breakdown endangers the physical and mental health of future generations, which in turn leads to a vicious circle of corruption, indulgence, and dissolution. Therefore, it is imperative that all measures must be taken to protect the family unit. That is why Islam emphasizes protection of the family by imposing severe punishment for activities that threaten the family foundation. These punishments are the same for men and women alike.

If A Man Is Permitted To Have More Than One Wife, Then Why Can’t A Woman have More Than One Husband?

Islam teaches that, the Most Wise, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has created men and women as equals, but not as identical beings. They are different, physically, biologically and physiologically and each has different capabilities. Their roles and responsibilities are therefore different but they complement one another.

Some may object to a man having the right to more than one wife by insisting that, in fairness, women should also be able to practice polyandry. However, the following few points could be part of the reason behind its prohibition by Allah Almighty عَزَّوَجَلَّ:

• One of the benefits of polygamy is that is solves the problem of women outnumbering men.
• In general, men are polygamous by nature while women are not.
• Islam assigns great importance to the recognition of parents, both the mother and the father. When a man has more than one wife, the parents of children born in such a marriage can easily be identified. But in the case of a woman marrying more than one husband, only the mother of the children born within the marriage would be known without resorting to laboratory tests. Psychologists tell us that children who do not know their parents, the father in particular, undergo severe childhoods.

Why Does Islam Permit Polygamy?

Polygamy is a form of marriage wherein a person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. The first type is called polygamy can be two types. The first type is called polygamy, where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, a limited form of polygamy is permitted, whereas polyandry is completely prohibited.

In contrast to Islam, one will not find a limit for the number of wives in the Jewish Talmud or the Christian Bible. According to these scriptures, there is no limit to how many women a man may marry. Therefore, polygamy is not something exclusive to Islam but was practiced by early Christians and Jews as well. According to the Talmud, Abrahm had three wives, while King Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygamy continued in Judaism until Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (955-1030CE) issued an edict against it. The Jewish Sephardi communities continued the practice until as late as 1950, when an act of the chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife, thus prohibiting the practice for all Jews. In the early teachings of Christianity, men were permitted to take as many wives as they wished, since the Bible placed no limit on the number of wives, a man could marry. It was only in recent centuries that the Church limited the number of wives to one.

At a time when men were permitted an unlimited number of wives, Islam limited the number to a maximum of four. Before the Holy Quran was revealed, there was no upper limit for polygamy and many men had scores of wives. It gives a man permission to marry two, three or four women, on the strict condition that he deals with all of them equitably, benevolently and justly, as indicated by Almighty Allah’s statement:

فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً

… Then if you fear that you cannot keep two women equally then marry only one… [Nisa 4:3]

It is not incumbent upon Muslims to practice polygamy. In Islam, taking an additional wife is neither encouraged nor prohibited. Furthermore, a Muslim who has two, three or Wives may not be a better Muslim as compared to a Muslim who has only one wife.

Although it is found in many religious and cultural traditions, polygamy is most often identified with Islam in the minds of westerners. In fact, the Glorious Quran and Islamic Law sought to control and regulate the number of spouses rather than give free license. The Holy Quran allows a man to marry up to four wives, provided he can support and treat them all equally. Muslims regard this Quranic command as strengthening the status of women and the family, for it sought to ensure the welfare of single women and widows in a society whose male population was diminished by warfare, and to curb unrestricted polygamy.

There are certain circumstances which warrant the taking of another wife. For example, if there is a surplus of unmarried women in a society, especially during times of war when widows are in need of shelter and care. Infant mortality rates among males are higher when compared to that of females. During wars, there are usually more men killed than women. The average life span of females is also generally longer than that of males. As a result at any given time in practically any given place, there is a shortage of men in comparison to women. Therefore, even if every single man got married to one woman, there would be millions of women who would still not be able to find a husband.

In western society, it is common for a man to have girlfriends or mistresses, or if he is married, to have extramarital affairs. Seldom is this practice ridiculed, despite the harms that stem from it. At the same time, polygamy is banned in western society although it produces none of these adverse effects; rather it preserves the honor and chastity of women. Within a second, third or fourth marriage the woman is a wife, not a mistress; she has a husband who is obligated by Islamic law to provide for her and her children, not a ‘boyfriend’ who may one day cast her aside or deny knowing her if she becomes pregnant.

There is no doubt that a second wife who is lawfully married and treated with honor is better off than a mistress without any legal rights or social respect. Islam strictly prohibits and penalizes prostitution, fornication, and adultery and permits polygamy under strict conditions.

Why Do Muslim Women Wear The Veil?

The matter of women’s dress mighty seem unimportant to some, especially in today’s western societies; however, Islam assigns to it moral, social and legal dimensions. Islam has defined the roles of men and women by allocating certain duties to each and granting certain rights to each. This is in order to maintain a proper balance in society. When men and women observe the proper Islamic dress, they not only protect their own honor and reputation, but they contribute greatly towards peace and order in society.

In general, there are certain guidelines concerning Muslim women’s dress. Their garments should not be tight or transparent as to reveal the shape of what is covered. They must cover their entire bodies. This mode of dress is called ‘Jilbaab’ which refers to a woman’s outer garments, with which she is entirely covered. Muslim women do not dress modestly in obedience to their fathers, brothers or husbands, but only in obedience to Allah’s عَزَّوَجَلَّ commandments.

Both men and women are expected to be chaste and modest and avoid type of dress and conduct that may invite temptation. Both are instructed to look only at what is lawful for them to see and to guard their Chastity. Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ directs men first and then women in the magnificent Quran:

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَ‌ٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَ‌ٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَ‌ٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَ‌ٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣١﴾

Command the Muslim men to keep their gaze low and to protect their private organs; that is much purer for them; indeed Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is Aware of their deeds. And command the Muslim women to keep their gaze low and to protect their chastity, and note to reveal their adornment except what is apparent, and to keep the cover wrapped over their bosoms; and not to reveal their adornment except to their own husbands’ or fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons or sister’ sons, or women of their religion, or the bondwomen they possess, male servants provided they do not have manliness, or such children who do not know of women’s nakedness, and not to stamp their feet on the ground in order that their hidden adornment be known; and O Muslims, all of you turn in repentance together towards Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), in the hope of attaining success. (It is incumbent upon women to cover themselves properly.) [Noor 24:30-31]

The additional requirement for women to conceal their adornment and natural beauty is due to their grater need for privacy and protection. Except in the company of chose relatives, a woman is required to cover her entire body with loose fitting garments.

The Holy Quran states why Almighty Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has prescribed particular dress regulations for women:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٥٩﴾

O Prophet (صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہِ وَسَلَّم)! Command your wives and your daughters and the women of the Muslims to cover their faces with a part of their cloaks (draw their veils over themselves); this is closer to their being recognized and not being harassed; and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. (It is incumbent upon women to cover themselves properly.) [Ahzab 33:59]