The Ten Commandments in the Qur'aan

Q. I'm trying to determine if there is anything in the Quran similar to the Ten Commandents in the Old Testament, particularly the line "thou shalt not kill." i have been using search functions on several Quran translation sites to no avail.
A. Praise be to Allaah.

Thank you for your question, which shows an interest in the Qu’ran. We are happy to answer your question here.

There are in the Qur’an certain aayaat (verses) which some scholars call the verses of the Ten Commandments, because they include ten important commandments given by Allaah to mankind. These aayaat are to be found in two passages of the Qur’an.

The first is in Soorat al-An’aam, where Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to al-fawaahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.), whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allaah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.

And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e., judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of Allaah. This He commands you, that you may remember.

And, verily, this (i.e., Allaah’s commandments mentioned in the above two verses) is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious).” [al-An’aam 6:151-153]

The second passage occurs in Soorat al-Israa’, and may be considered as a commentary on the passage quoted above. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one or them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honour.

And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.’

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is ever Most-Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.

And give to the kindred his due and to the poor and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.

Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the shayaateen (devils), and the Shaytaan (Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord.

And if you turn away from them (kindred, poor, wayfarers, etc. whom We have ordered you to give their rights, but if you have no money at the time they ask you for it) and you are awaiting a mercy from your Lord for which you hope, then, speak unto them a soft kind word (i.e., Allaah will give to me and I will give to you).

And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, not stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty.

Truly, your Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills and straitens (for whom He wills). Verily, He is Ever All-Knower, All-Seer of His slaves.

And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Surely the killing of them is a great sin.

And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a faahishah [i.e., anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allaah forgives him).

And do not kill anyone which Allaah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed (intentionally with hostility and aggression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority [to demand qisaas – Law of Equality in punishment – or to forgive, or to take Diya (blood money)]. But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life (i.e., he should not kill except the killer only). Verily, he is helped (by the Islamic law).

And come not near to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength. And fulfil (every) covenant. Verily! The covenant will be questioned about.

And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight. That is good (advantageous) and better in the end.

And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not or witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned by Allaah.

And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like that of the mountains in height.

All the bad aspects of these (the above mentioned things) are hateful to your Lord.

This is part of al-hikmah (wisdom, good manners and high character, etc.) which your Lord has inspired to you (O Muhammad). And set not up with Allaah any other ilaah (god) lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected (from Allaah’s mercy).” [al-Israa’ 17:23-39]

Perhaps after enjoying reading these verses, you will have a better idea of the Qur’aan than before, and this will be the beginning of a fundamental change in your life, the start of your way to Islam. May Allaah guide and help you always. Peace be upon those who follow true guidance..

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Ref: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/2273

Qadianiyyah in the light of Islam

Qadianiyyah in the light of Islam

Q. If someone is not a qadiani but knows that they believe in a false prophet and accepts qadianis as a madhab in Islam, are they out of Islam?

A. Praise be to Allaah.

Definition:

Qadianiyyah is a movement that started in 1900 CE as a plot by the British colonialists in the Indian subcontinent, with the aim of diverting Muslims away from their religion and from the obligation of jihaad in particular, so that they would not oppose colonialism in the name of Islam. The mouthpiece of this movement is the magazine Majallat Al-Adyaan (Magazine if Religions) which was published in English.

Foundation and prominent personalities:

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad al-Qadiani (1839-1908 CE) was the main tool by means of which Qadianiyyah was founded. He was born in the village of Qadian, in the Punjab, in India, in 1839 CE. He came from a family that was well known for having betrayed its religion and country, so Ghulam Ahmad grew up loyal and obedient to the colonialists in every sense. Thus he was chosen for the role of a so-called prophet, so that the Muslims would gather around him and he would distract them from waging jihaad against the English colonialists. The British government did lots of favours for them, so they were loyal to the British. Ghulam Ahmad was known among his followers to be unstable, with a lot of health problems and dependent on drugs.

Among those who confronted him and his evil da’wah was Shaykh Abu’l-Wafa’ Thana’ al-Amritsari, the leader of Jama’iyyat Ahl al-Hadeeth fi ‘Umoom al-Hind (The All-India Society of Ahl al-Hadeeth). The Shaykh debated with him and refuted his arguments, revealing his ulterior motives and Kufr and the deviation of his way. When Ghulam Ahmad did not come to his senses, Shaykh Abu’l-Wafa’ challenged him to come together and invoke the curse of Allaah, such that the one who was lying would die in the lifetime of the one who was telling the truth. Only a few days passed before Mirza Ghulam Ahmad al-Qadiani died, in 1908 CE, leaving behind more than fifty books, pamphlets and articles, among the most important of which are: Izaalat al-Awhaam (Dispelling illusions), I’jaaz Ahmadi (Ahmadi miracles), Baraaheen Ahmadiyyah (Ahmadi proofs), Anwaar al-Islam (Lights of Islam), I’jaaz al-Maseeh (Miracles of the Messiah), al-Tableegh (Conveying (the message))and Tajalliyyaat Ilaahiyyah (Divine manifestations).

Noor al-Deen (Nuruddin): the first Khaleefah of the Qadianis. The British put the crown of Khilaafah on his head, so the disciples (of Ghulam Ahmad) followed him. Among his books is: Fasl al-Khitaab (Definitive statement).

Muhammad Ali and Khojah Kamaal al-Deen: the two leaders of the Lahore Qadianis. They are the ones who gave the final shape to the movement. The former produced a distorted translation into English of the Qur’aan. His other works include: Haqeeqat al-Ikhtilaaf (The reality of differences), al-Nubuwwah fi’l-Islam (Prophethood in Islam) and al-Deen al-Islami (The Islamic religion). As for Khojah Kamaal al-Deen, he wrote a book called al-Mathal al-A’laa fi’l-Anbiya’ (The highest example of the Prophets), and other books. This Lahore group of Ahmadis are those who think of Ghulam Ahmad as a Mujaddid (renewer or reviver of Islam) only, but both groups are viewed as a single movement because odd ideas that are not seen in the one will surely be found in the other.

Muhammad Ali: the leader of the Lahore Qadianis. He was one of those who gave the final shape to Qadianiyyah, a colonialist spy and the person in charge of the magazine which was the voice of the Qadianiyyah. He also produced a distorted translation into English of the Qur’aan. Among his works are Haqeeqat al-Ikhtilaaf (The reality of differences), and al-Nubuwwah fi’l-Islam (Prophethood in Islam), as stated above.

Muhammad Saadiq, the mufti of the Qadianiyyah. His works include: Khatim al-Nabiyyeen The seal of the Prophets).

Basheer Ahmad ibn Ghulam. His works include: Seerat al-Mahdi (the life of the Mahdi) and Kalimat al-Fasl (Decisive word).

Mahmood Ahmad ibn Ghulam, his second Khaleefah. Among his works are: Anwaar al-Khilaafah (Lights of the caliphate), Tuhfat al-Mulook and Haqeeqat al-Nubuwwah (The reality of prophethood).

The appointment of the Qadiani Zafar-Allaah Khan as the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan had a major effect in supporting this deviant sect, as he gave them a large area in the province of the Punjab to be their world headquarters, which they named Rabwah (high ground) as in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “… And We gave them refuge on high ground (rabwah), a place of rest, security and flowing streams.” [al-Mu’minoon 23:50].

Their thought and beliefs

Ghulam Ahmad began his activities as an Islamic daa’iyah (caller to Islam) so that he could gather followers around him, then he claimed to be a mujaddid inspired by Allaah. Then he took a further step and claimed to be the Awaited Mahdi and the Promised Messiah. Then he claimed to be a Prophet and that his prophethood was higher than that of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

• The Qadianis believe that Allaah fasts, prays, sleeps, wakes up, writes, makes mistakes and has intercourse – exalted be Allaah far above all that they say.
• The Qadiani believes that his god is English because he speaks to him in English.
• The Qadianis believe that Prophethood did not end with Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but that it is ongoing, and that Allaah sends a messenger when there is a need, and that Ghulam Ahmad is the best of all the Prophets.
• They believe that Jibreel used to come down to Ghulam Ahmad and that he used to bring revelation to him, and that his inspirations are like the Qur’aan.
• They say that there is no Qur’aan other than what the “Promised Messiah” (Ghulam Ahmad) brought, and no hadeeth except what is in accordance with his teachings, and no Prophet except under the leadership of Ghulam Ahmad.
• They believe that their book was revealed. Its name is al-Kitaab al-Mubeen and it is different from the Holy Qur’aan.
• They believe that they are followers of a new and independent religion and an independent Sharee’ah, and that the friends of Ghulam are like the Sahaabah.
• They believe that Qadian is like Madeenah and Makkah, if not better than them, and that its land is sacred. It is their Qiblah and the place they make hajj to.
• They called for the abolition of jihaad and blind obedience to the British government because, as they claimed, the British were “those in authority” as stated in the Qur’aan.
• In their view every Muslim is a Kaafir unless he becomes a Qadiani, and everyone who married a non-Qadiani is also a kaafir.
• They allow alcohol, opium, drugs and intoxicants.

Intellectual and ideological roots

The westernizing movement of Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan paved the way for the emergence of the Qadianiyyah, because it had already spread deviant ideas.

The British made the most of this opportunity so they started the Qadiani movement and chose a man from a family that had a history of being agents of the colonialists.

In 1953 CE, there was a popular revolution in Pakistan which demanded the removal of Zafar-Allaah Khan from the position of Foreign Minister and that the Qadiani sect should be regarded as a non-Muslim minority. In this uprising around ten thousand Muslims were martyred, and they succeeded in having the Qadiani minister removed from office.

In Rabee’ al-Awwal 1394 AH (April 1974), a major conference was held by the Muslim World League in Makkah, which was attended by representatives of Muslim organizations from around the world. This conference announced that this sect is Kaafir and is beyond the pale of Islam, and told Muslims to resist its dangers and not to cooperate with the Qadianis or bury their dead in Muslim graveyards.

The Majlis al-Ummah in Pakistan (the central parliament) debated with the Qadiani leader Mirza Naasir Ahmad, and he was refuted by Shaykh Mufti Mahmood (may Allaah have mercy on him). The debate went on for nearly thirty hours but Naasir Ahmad was unable to give answers and the Kufr of this group was exposed, so the Majlis issued a statement that the Qadianis should be regarded as a non-Muslim minority.

Among the factors that make Mirza Ghulam Ahmad an obvious Kaafir are the following:

• His claim to be a Prophet
• His abolition of the duty of jihaad, to serve the interests of the colonialists.
• His saying that people should no longer go on Hajj to Makkah, and his substitution of Qadian as the place of pilgrimage.
• His anthropomorphism or likening Allaah to human beings.
• His belief in the transmigration of souls and incarnation.
• His attributing a son to Allaah and his claim to be the son of God.
• His denying that Prophethood ended with Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his regarding the door of Prophethood to be open to “any Tom, Dick or Harry”.

The Qadianis have strong ties with Israel. Israel has opened centres and schools for them, and helped them to publish a magazine which is their mouthpiece, to print books and publications for distribution worldwide.

The fact that they are influenced by Judaism, Christianity and al-Baatiniyyah is clear from their beliefs and practices, even though they claim to be Muslims.

Their spread and positions of influence

Most of the Qadianis nowadays live in India and Pakistan, with a few in Israel and the Arab world. They are trying, with the help of the colonialists, to obtain sensitive positions in all the places where they live.

The Qadianis are very active in Africa and in some western countries. In Africa they have more than 5,000 teachers and dai’yahs working full-time to call people to Qadianiyyah. Their wide-spread activity proves that they have the support of the colonialists.

The British government is also supporting this movement and making it easy for their followers to get positions in world governments, corporate administration and consulates. Some of them are also high-ranking officers in the secret services.

In calling people to their beliefs, the Qadianis use all kinds of methods, especially educational means, because they are highly-educated and there are many scientists, engineers and doctors in their ranks. In Britain there is a satellite TV channel called Islamic TV which is run by the Qadianis.

From the above, it is clear that:

Qadianiyyah is a misguided group, which is not part of Islam at all. Its beliefs are completely contradictory to Islam, so Muslims should beware of their activities, since the ‘Ulama’ (scholars) of Islam have stated that they are Kaafirs.

For more information see: Al-Qadianiyyah by Ihsaan Ilaahi Zaheer.

(Translator’s note: this book is available in English under the title “Qadiyaniat: an analytical survey” by Ehsan Elahi Zaheer)

Reference: Al-Mawsoo’ah al-Muyassarah fi’l-Adyaan al-Madhaahib wa’l-Ahzaab al-Mu’aasirah by Dr. Maani’ Hammad al-Juhani, 1/419-423

The following statement was published by the Islamic Fiqh Council (Majma’ al-Fiqh al-Islami):

After discussing the question put to the Islamic Fiqh Council in Capetown, South Africa, concerning the ruling on the Qadianis and their off-shoot which is known as Lahoriyyah, and whether they should be counted as Muslims or not, and whether a non-Muslim is qualified to examine an issue of this nature: 

In the light of research and documents presented to the members of the council concerning Mirza Ghulam Ahmad al-Qadiani, who emerged in India in the last century and to whom is attributed the Qadiani and Lahori movements, and after pondering the information presented on these two groups, and after confirming that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to be a prophet who received revelation, a claim which is documented in his own writings and speeches, some of which he claimed to have received as revelation, a claim which he propagated all his life and asked people to believe in, just as it is also well-known that he denied many other things which are proven to be essential elements of the religion of Islam

in the light of the above, the Council issued the following statement: 

Firstly: the claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be a prophet or a messenger and to receive revelation are clearly a rejection of proven and essential elements of Islam, which unequivocally states that Prophethood ended with Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and that no revelation will come to anyone after him. This claim made by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad makes him and anyone who agrees with him an apostate who is beyond the pale of Islam. As for the Lahoriyyah, they are like the Qadianiyyah: the same ruling of apostasy applies to them despite the fact that they described Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a shadow and manifestation of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 

Secondly: it is not appropriate for a non-Muslim court or judge to give a ruling on who is a Muslim and who is an apostate, especially when this goes against the consensus of the scholars and organizations of the Muslim Ummah. Rulings of this nature are not acceptable unless they are issued by a Muslim scholar who knows all the requirements for being considered a Muslim, who knows when a person may be deemed to have overstepped the mark and become an apostate, who understands the realities of Islam and kufr, and who has comprehensive knowledge of what is stated in the Qur’aan, Sunnah and scholarly consensus. The ruling of a court of that nature is invalid. And Allaah knows best.

Majma’ al-Fiqh al-Islami, p. 13

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/4060

“Draw Muhammad Day” re-visited using the Islamic Principles during Times of Fitan

“Draw Muhammad Day” re-visited using the Islamic Principles during Times of Fitan

(Principles have been explained by Shaikh Salih ibn Abdul-Aziz Aal-Shaikh in the book “Islamic Principles for the Muslim’s Attitude during Times of Fitan” – Translated by Shawana A. Aziz. Download the book… here)

Last year, most of the Facebook users might have come across about “Draw Muhammad Day“ event to defame the honor of our beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him). This event was planned and propagated by some of the evil-minded non-Muslims, that they all would have a contest on 20^th of May, 2010, whereby they would depict and draw the images of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The news of this contest/event caught limelight in the news channels and other broadcasts media all over the globe.

Our [Muslims] love for the Prophet (Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him) is one of their exploitation factor and we should not be surprised to see similar Fitan (pl. of Fitnah) in the future. This planned event was another disguised Fitnah (Trial and Tribulation) that would not have turned out to be so blown-out of proportion as it is being recalled today; if only some of the principles set forth by the scholars of Islam were studied, understood and adhered to by the common Muslim masses. Eventually, the page was removed by Facebook and the disrupters of Peace were not successful in carrying out the defaming contest on 20^th May.

Going forward from here, we will try to assess the actions on part of the Muslims, should all of them had adhered to some (if not all) of Islamic Principles during the time of Fitan (Trials and Tribulation); in this case the Fitnah is “Inciting Disruption of Peace using the defaming ‘Draw Muhammad Day’ contest”.

The First Principle
‘When Fitan emerge and situations change, then one should act with kindness, wisdom and deliberation/tolerance and without haste.’

Contrary to the first principle, the popularity of a small page on Facebook (that had no importance at all) was spread like wildfire. Muslims made a big deal out of it and gave them the importance and popularity they needed to spread their word. Should they have left them alone by being tolerant, people would not have noticed if such an event was ever planned or even took place.

The Second Principle
‘If Fitan emerge or the situations change, then do not give a judgment about anything related to the Fitan or concerning the change in the situation except after fully grasping/understanding it.’

This principle tells us not to give our judgment until we understand the whole issue. Instead, most of the people started reacting of spreading the information of the subject, and some of them even went a step ahead by giving verdicts and using abusive languages (thus not following the desirable etiquettes of a Muslim).

The Fourth Principle

‘The Muslims must stick to the Jama'ah (i.e., the Imams and scholars) of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and abide by their sayings’

The fourth principle should have been very clear to us, which talks about sticking to the wisdom and decision of the Scholars. An incident such as “Draw Muhammad Day” is not something new to us. It has happened in the past, the well-known ‘Danish Cartoons’ Fitnah. The topnotch scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama’ah have already presented their Islamic Rulings (Fatawas) and have very well written advices on how we Muslims should behave/react, when such Fitan arise.

A simple Islamic website like “Islam QA” should have been sufficient for the Web-Savvy Facebook Muslim masses to have known how to search on the fundamentals of approaching these issues (Fitan).

The Fifth Principle

‘A Muslim should weigh the banners that are raised during Fitan – whether state banners or banners of the callers – in the scale of the Sharee'ah – the scale of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah’

One should weigh the banners using the scale of the Sharee’ah during the Times of Fitan. We saw Pages, Groups and Messages on Boycott Facebook, and un-Islamic comments were seen in large numbers (as a response to the “Draw Muhammad Day” page).
We should not forget Facebook and similar Social Networking Tools have also been beneficial to so many Muslims, where they have come to learn a lot of authentic Islamic Knowledge via these tools. If one was to blame a tool for evil, one must not forget the very same tool has also been used to for doing good. Banning the tool will not change people’s hearts and their actions. 

Moreover, if the Government decided to ban Facebook, it should have been that nation’s decision until the issue is resolved (in this case removing of the page from Facebook). Individual efforts to boycott Facebook are nothing but futile attempts.

Furthermore, we forgot how patient and humble our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) was in reaction to people who tortured & abused him in Makkah.

The Seventh Principle

‘Allah has ordered us to align ourselves with the believers, especially the scholars’

This principle tells us what Allah (Glorified be He) has ordered us to do, i.e. “To align ourselves with the believers (especially the scholars)”.

If every Muslim follows this principle in his/her daily life, then the outcome surely should be beneficial for that Muslim as well as others in his contact. The scholars are the best amongst us and a source of knowledge and wisdom. They can surely assist us in matters pertaining to our lives and our belief. If majority of us follow this principle, then all the previously drafted outcomes of adhering to the respective principles would have easily been upheld.

The Eighth Principle

‘Disassociation from the disbelievers’

The eighth principle, in my opinion, was sufficient for all of us so to have avoided the wildfire propagation of this Fitnah. We should have disassociated ourselves from the ideologies & the subsequently based actions of these factions of non-Muslims; who, in the name of freedom of speech, were carrying out defaming attacks on the character of our beloved Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon him). If all of us had followed this principle and had not visited and made this page so popular in the first place, then these fanatics would not have got the hype they needed to spread their lowly call and their so called “Freedom of Speech”.

Using only Six of the Nine principles of Fitan, I have tried to highlight the beneficial use of their application. A detailed study and propagation of these principles will help the Muslim masses understand and tackle any sort of Fitan (Trial and Tribulation), Insha-Allah (God-Willing), thus achieving peace and harmony in our lives and that of others.

For detailed study on the course, I would suggest you to go through the book by Shaikh Salih ibn Abdul-Aziz Aal-Shaikh titled “Islamic Principles for the Muslim’s Attitude during Times of Fitan” – Translated by Shawana A. Aziz. (Download the book… here)

The Mercy of Allaah towards His slaves

The Mercy of Allaah towards His slaves

Q. How merciful is Allah, because i heard he loves you more than 70 mothers. Is that true? please explain.

-----------------------------------

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah is the Most Merciful, Most Compassionate, and He is the most Merciful of those who show mercy. His Mercy encompasses all things. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and My Mercy embraces all things”
[al-A’raaf 7:156]

In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Allaah has one hundred parts of mercy, of which He sent down one between the jinn, mankind, the animals and the insects, by means of which they are compassionate and merciful to one another, and by means of which wild animals are kind to their offspring. And Allaah has kept back ninety-nine parts of mercy with which to be merciful to His slaves of the Day of Resurrection.” [Muslim, al-Tawbah, 6908]

It was narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said:
“Some prisoners were brought to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and there was a woman among the prisoners who was searching (for her child). When she found her child she embraced him and put him to her breast. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to us, ‘Do you think that this woman would throw her child in the fire?’ We said, ‘No, by Allaah, not if she is able not to.’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘Allaah is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.’”
[Agreed upon. Al-Bukhaari, 5653; Muslim, 6912]

One aspect of the mercy of Allaah to His slaves is that He sent the Messengers and revealed the Books and laws to organize their lives according to the ways of wisdom, far removed from hardship and difficulty.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:107]

The mercy of Allaah is what will admit His believing slaves to Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. No one will ever enter Paradise because of his deeds alone, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“No one’s deeds will ever admit him to Paradise.” They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “No, not even me, unless Allaah shower me with His Mercy. So try to be near to perfection. And no one should wish for death; he is either doing good so he will do more of that, or he is doing wrong so he may repent.”
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5349; Muslim, 7042]

So the believer must remain in a state between hoping for the mercy of Allaah and fearing His punishment, for Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Declare (O Muhammad) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful.


And that My Torment is indeed the most painful torment”
[al-Hijr 15:49-50]

With regard to your saying that Allaah loves us more than seventy mothers, Allaah knows best concerning that. It is sufficient for us to know that the mercy of Allaah encompasses all things. O Allaah, have mercy upon us, O Most merciful of those who show mercy.

Islam QA
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/cat/12

Seriousness of debt

Seriousness of debt

Praise be to Allaah.

The fuqaha’ define dayn (debt) as an obligation to be fulfilled, as it says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (21/102). The linguistic meaning of the word dayn (debt) in Arabic has to do with submission and humiliation. The connection between the shar’i meaning and the linguistic meaning is clear.
The debtor is a prisoner, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Your companion is being detained by his debt.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3341; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.]

Islam takes the matter of debt very seriously and warns against it and urges the Muslim to avoid it as much as possible. 

It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his prayer: “Allaahumma inni a’oodhi bika min al-ma’tham wa’l-maghram (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from sin and heavy debt).” Someone said to him: “How often you seek refuge from heavy debt!” He said: “When a man gets into debt, he speak and tells lies, and he makes a promise and breaks it.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (832) and Muslim (589)]

It was narrated from Thawbaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 

“Whoever dies free from three things – arrogance, cheating and debt – will enter Paradise.” 

[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1572); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi]

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The soul of the believer is suspended because of his debt until it is paid off.” 

[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1078)]

It was also narrated that many of the salaf warned against debt. 

It was narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "Beware of debt, for it starts with worry and it ends with war." [Narrated by Maalik in al-Muwatta’ (2/770)]

In Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaaq (3/57) it says: 

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: 

O Humraan, fear Allaah and do not die in debt, lest it be taken from your good deeds when there will be no dinars and no dirhams.

These stern warnings about debt only came because of the negative consequences to which it leads both on an individual level and on a community level. 

With regard to the personal level, al-Qurtubi said in al-Jaami’ li Ahkaam al-Qur’aan (3/417): 

Our scholars said: 

It is a disgrace and a humiliation because it preoccupies the mind and makes one worried about paying it off, and makes one feel humiliated before the lender when meeting him, and feeling that he is doing one a favour when accepting a delay in payment. Perhaps he may promise himself that he will pay it off then break that promise, or speak to the lender and lie to him, or swear an oath to him then break it, and so on. Moreover, he may die without having paid off the debt so he will be held hostage because of it, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The soul of the believer is held hostage by his debt in his grave until it is paid off.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1078]. All of that undermines one’s religious commitment. 

With regard to the community level, specialists have described the negative consequences and the danger it poses to the economy, for example: 

1-    Desire for immediate gratification with no thought of the future

2-    Lack of responsibility and self-reliance

3-    Poor distribution of wealth 

In order to understand these negative consequences better, please see the study by Shaykh Saami al-Suwaylim entitled Mawqif al-Sharee’ah al-Islamiyyah min al-Dayn (6-11).  

Based on the above, the scholars have stipulated three conditions for debt to be permissible: 

1-    The borrower should be determined to repay it.

2-    It should be known or thought most likely that he is able to repay it,

3-    It should be for something that is permissible according to Sharee’ah. 

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said in al-Tamheed (23/238): 

The debt for which a person will be kept out of Paradise – and Allaah knows best – is that for which he left behind enough to pay it off but he did not leave instructions to that effect, or he was able to pay it off but did not do so, or he took the loan for some unlawful or extravagant matter and died without having paid it off. 

As for the one who took a loan for something lawful because he was poor, and he died without leaving behind anything to pay it off, Allaah will not keep him from Paradise because of it, in sha Allaah. [End quote]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who takes people’s wealth intending to pay it back, Allaah will pay it back for him, and the one who takes it intending to destroy it, Allaah will destroy him.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2387)]

In the Sunnah there are a number of du’aa’s which specifically seek the help of Allaah in praying off debts. 

They are: 

1 – It was narrated that Suhayl said: Abu Saalih used to tell us, when one of us wanted to sleep, to lie down on his right side and say: 

“Allaahumma Rabb al-samawaati wa’l-ard wa Rabb al-‘arsh il-‘azeem, Rabbaanaa wa Rabba kulli shay’in, Faaliq al-habb wa’l-nawa wa munzil al-Tawraati wa’l-Injeeli wa’l-Furqaan, a’oodhu bika min sharri kulli shay’in anta aakhidhun bi naasiyatihi. Allaahumma anta al-awwal fa laysa qablaka shay’un, wa anta al-aakhir fa laysa ba’daka shay’un, wa anta al-zaahir fa laysa fawqaka shay’un wa anta al-baatin fa laysa doonaka shay’un. Iqdi ‘annaa al-dayna wa aghninaa min al-faqri (O Allaah, Lord of the seven heavens and the exalted Throne, our Lord and Lord of all things, splitter of the seed and the date-stone, Revealer of the Tawraat and the Injeel and the Furqaan [Qur’aan], I seek refuge in You from the evil of all things You shall seize by the forelock [have total mastery over]. O Allaah, You are the First so there is nothing before You, and You are the Last so there is nothing after You. You are al-Zaahir [the greatest and highest] so there is nothing above You, and You are al-Baatin [aware of the subtlest secrets] so there is nothing closer than You. Settle our debt for us and spare us from poverty).”

He narrated that from Abu Hurayrah, from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). [Narrated by Muslim (2713)]

2 – It was narrated from ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a mukaatib (slave who had entered into a contract of manumission) came to him and said: “I am unable to pay off my manumission; help me.” He said: “Shall I not tell you some words which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught me? And if you have debt like the mountain of Seer, Allaah will pay it off for you. He said: ‘Say: Allaahumma akfini bi halaalika ‘an haraamika wa aghnini bi fadlika ‘amman siwaaka (O Allaah, suffice me with what You have permitted so that that I have no need of that which You have forbidden, and make me independent of means by Your bounty so that I have no need of anyone besides You).’”

[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2563) who said: This is a hasan ghareeb hadeeth. It was also classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi]

3 – It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:  

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered the mosque and saw an Ansaari man whose name was Abu Umaamah. He said: “O Abu Umaamah, why do I see you sitting in the mosque when it is not the time for prayer? He said: Worries and debts, O Messenger of Allaah. He said: “Shall I not teach you some words which, if you say them, Allaah will take away your worries and pay off your debts?” He said: Yes, O Messenger of Allaah. He said:

“Say, morning and evening, ‘“Allaahumma inni a’oodhu bika min al-hammi wa’l-hazani, wa a’oodhi bika min al-‘ajzi wa’l-kasali, wa a’oodhu bika min al-jubni wa’l-bukhli, wa a’oodhi bika min ghalabat il-dayn wa qahri al-rijaal (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, and I seek refuge with You from incapacity and laziness, and I seek refuge with You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge with You from being heavily in debt and from being overcome by men).” 

He said; I did that, and Allaah took away my worry and paid off my debt. 

[Narrated by Abu Dawood (1555).] 

Its isnaad includes Ghassaan ibn ‘Awf; al-Dhahabi said: he is not strong. Hence Shaykh al-Albaani classed the hadeeth as weak in Da’eef Abi Dawood. But the du’aa’ mentioned – “Allaahumma inni a’oodhu bika min al-hammi wa’l-hazani…” – is proven in al-Saheehayn in a report other than this story of Abu Umaamah.

And Allaah knows best.

 

Islam Q&A

Who is the Lord of the Worlds?

The Lord of the Worlds

Q. Who is the lord of the worlds ?

-------------------------------------

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah alone is the Lord, the Creator, the Provider… the Sovereign, the Controller… the All-Knowing, All-Wise… the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all that exists… The All-Hearing, All-Seeing… The Subtle and Courteous, the All-Aware…  the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful… the Ever-Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving… the Almighty, the Compeller… the Oft-Pardoning, the Most Generous… the Most Strong, the All-Powerful… the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms…

To Him belongs the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, in His hand is goodness and He is able to do all things.

There is none worthy of worship but He, and to Him belong the most beautiful names and sublime attributes:

“Allaah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Ta-Ha 20:8 – interpretation of the meaning]

He does whatever He wills and judges as He wants:

“And your Lord creates whatsoever He wills and chooses”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Qasas 28:68 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is the Owner of Sovereignty; He honours whomever He wills and humiliates whomever He wills:

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O Allaah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things’”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Aal ‘Imraan 3:26 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is the One Who gives life and death, and nothing on earth or in heaven is hidden from Him:

“It is Allaah that gives life and causes death. And Allaah is All-Seer of what you do”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Aal ‘Imraan 3:156 – interpretation of the meaning]

His alone is the creation and the commandment:

“Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-A’raaf 5:54 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is the First, and there is nothing before Him… He is the last and there is nothing after Him… He is the Most High, and there is nothing above Him… He is the Most Near, and there is nothing beneath Him…

“He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him) and the Most Near (nothing is nearer than Him). And He is the All-Knower of every thing”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Hadeed 57:3 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is the Creator of all things and He is the All-Knower of everything:

“Such is Allaah, your Lord! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Creator of all things. So worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakeel (Trustee, Disposer of affairs or Guardian) over all things"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-An’aam 6:102 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is Subtle, Most Great, All-Encompassing:

“Allaah is Ever All Aware”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Nisaa’ 4:126 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all that exists… To Him belongs everything in the heavens and on earth… Nothing is hidden from Him… Nothing is beyond His capability… Nothing can encompass Him:

“Allaah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayy al-Qayyoom (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursiy extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Baqarah 2:255 – interpretation of the meaning]

He knows all things and records the numbers of all things:

“and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Yaa-Seen 36:12 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is Most Generous and Bountiful… all provision comes from Him:

“And no moving (living) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allaah”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Hood 11:6 – interpretation of the meaning]

His blessings cannot be counted or numbered:

“And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allaah, never will you be able to count them”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Ibraaheem 14:34 – interpretation of the meaning]

His stores fill the earth and the heavens:

“And to Allaah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Munaafiqeen 63:7 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is Free of all needs and Worthy of all praise; He gives to His slaves but that never diminishes His stores:

“O mankind! it is you who stand in need of Allaah. But Allaah is Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Faatir 35:15 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is Oft-Pardoning and Oft-Forgiving; He bestows mercy upon His slaves and overlooks their sins:

“Verily, Allaah indeed is Oft Pardoning, Oft Forgiving”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Hajj 22:60 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen… He is Almighty in His sovereignty, Wise in His commands:

“All-Knower of the unseen and seen, the All Mighty, the All-Wise”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Taghaabun 64:18 – interpretation of the meaning]

He knows what is secret and what is open; nothing is hidden from Him:

“And He is Allaah (to be worshipped Alone) in the heavens and on the earth; He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn (good or bad)"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-An’aam 6:3 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is Subtle and Courteous, All-Aware:

“No vision can grasp Him, but He grasps all vision. He is Al-Lateef (the Most Subtle and Courteous), Well-Acquainted with all things”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-An’aam 6:103 – interpretation of the meaning]

He is One in His essence, attributes and actions:

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘He is Allaah, (the) One.

Allaah-us-Samad [Allaah — the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)].

He begets not, nor was He begotten.

And there is none co equal or comparable unto Him”[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Ikhlaas 112:1-4 – interpretation of the meaning]

Glory be to Him; His are the most beautiful names and sublime attributes, and He has no partner or associate:

“Such is Allaah your Lord. His is the kingdom. Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turned away?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Zumar 39:6 – interpretation of the meaning]

Because of this Sovereignty, these attributes, this creation, these blessings, He is the only One Who is deserving of praise and thanks and sincere worship, to the exclusion of all others:

“Surely, your Lord is Allaah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty), disposing the affair of all things. No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His Leave. That is Allaah, your Lord; so worship Him (Alone). Then, will you not remember?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Yoonus 10:3 – interpretation of the meaning]

He created (everything) then proportioned it, He ordained laws then granted guidance, He granted provision and made people independent of means:

“Allaah, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allaah, your Lord, so Blessed be Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Ghaafir 40:64 – interpretation of the meaning]

O Allaah, to You be praise for Your great sovereignty:

“All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Saba’ 34:1 – interpretation of the meaning]

O Allaah, to You be praise for Your mighty creation:

“All praises and thanks be to Allaah, Who (Alone) created the heavens and the earth"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-An’aam 6:1 – interpretation of the meaning]

O Allaah, to You be praise, for You have guided us to Islam, You have sent down to us the Qur’aan, You have provided us with good things, You have made us the best of nations, You have honoured us with great blessings. There is no god but You, to You belongs the Sovereignty, Yours is the Creation and the Commandment, all blessings and praise are Yours…

“All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)

You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)."[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Faatihah 1:2-5 – interpretation of the meaning]

From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri
Islam QA
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/14010

The Oneness of Allaah

The Oneness of Allaah

--------------------------

Praise be to Allaah.

The entire universe, in the way it is created and the way it is controlled, bears witness to the oneness of Allaah:

“Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-A’raaf 7:54 – interpretation of the meaning]

The creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the different kinds of inanimate objects, plants and fruits, the creation of humans and animals… all of that indicates that the Almighty Creator is One with no partner or associate:

“That is Allaah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turning away (from Allaah, by worshipping others instead of Him)?"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Ghaafir 40:62 – interpretation of the meaning]

The variety and greatness of these created things, the perfect way in which they are formed, the way in which they are maintained and controlled, all indicate that the Creator is One and that He does as He wills and rules and decides as He wants:

“Allaah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakeel (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Zumar 39:62 – interpretation of the meaning]

All of the above indicate that this universe has a Creator, that this dominion has a Sovereign, that behind these forms is One Who gives them shape:

“He is Allaah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Hashr 59:24 – interpretation of the meaning]

The soundness of the heavens and the earth, the order of the universe, the harmony among created things, all indicate that the Creator is One, with no partner or associate:

“Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) aalihah (gods) besides Allaah, then verily, both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allaah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above all that (evil) they associate with Him!”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Anbiya’ 21:22 – interpretation of the meaning]

These great created things either created themselves – which is impossible – or man created himself then created them – which is also impossible:

“Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators?


Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm Belief”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Toor 52:35-36 – interpretation of the meaning]

Reason, Revelation and the original state of man (fitrah) all indicate that this universe has One Who brought into being, that these created things have a Creator Who is Ever-Living and Eternal, All-Knowing and All-Aware, Powerful and Almighty, Kind and Most Merciful. He has the Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes and He knows all things. Nothing is beyond His control, and there is nothing like unto Him:

“And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God — Allaah), Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Baqarah 2:163 – interpretation of the meaning]

The existence of Allaah is something that is there is no excuse for not knowing. It is the matter of common sense:

“Their Messengers said: What! Can there be a doubt about Allaah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Ibraaheem 14:10 – interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah has created people with the natural instinct (fitrah) to affirm His Lordship and Oneness, but the shayaateen (devils) came to the sons of Adam and caused them to deviate from their religion.
According to a hadeeth qudsi, “I created all My slaves as haneefs (monotheists), but the shayaateen (devils) came to them and made them deviate from their religion, and they forbade them that which I had permitted to them.”
(Narrated by Muslim, no. 2865)

Among them are those who deny the existence of Allaah, and those who worship the Shaytaan, and those who worship man. And there are those who worship the dinar [money], or fire, or genital organs, or animals. And there are some who associate in worship with Him a stone from the earth or a star in the sky.

These things which are worshipped instead of Allaah, cannot create or provide; they cannot hear or see, or bring benefits or cause harm. So how can they worship them instead of Allaah?

“Are many different lords (gods) better or Allaah, the One, the Irresistible?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Yoosuf 12:39 – interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah has condemned those who worship these idols which cannot hear, see or think:

“Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allaah are slaves like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful.


Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-A’raaf 7:194-195 – interpretation of the meaning]

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘How do you worship besides Allaah something which has no power either to harm or benefit you? But it is Allaah Who is the All‑Hearer, All‑Knower”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Maa'idah 5:76 – interpretation of the meaning]

How ignorant man is of his Lord Who created him and provides for him. How he rejects Him and forgets Him, and worships others instead of Him:

“Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Hajj 22:46 – interpretation of the meaning]

Glorified be Allaah far above that which they associate with Him. Praise be to Allaah the Lord of the Worlds:

“Say (O Muhammad): Praise and thanks be to Allaah, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)! Is Allaah better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to Him)?” (Of course, Allaah is Better).


Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!


Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water)? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Nay, but most of them know not!


Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Little is that you remember!


Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? High Exalted be Allaah above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!


Is not He (better than your so‑called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Say: ‘Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful’”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Naml 27:59-64 – interpretation of the meaning]

From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri
Islam QA
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/13532

Braylwiyyah (Barelvi) Sufi Order

The Braylwiyyah sect

Q. What is the Braylwiyyah sect and what is their belief?

A. Praise be to Allaah.

The Braylwiyyah are a Soofee sect which was born in India at the time of the British rule there.

It's followers concern themselves in exceeding in their love and honour for the Prophets and the "saints" in general, and the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) specifically.

It's founder was a man by the name of Ahmad Ridhaa Khaan ibn Taqee 'Alee Khaan who was born in 1272 A.H. (1851 C.E.) and called himself Abdul-Mustafaa (slave/servant of Mustafaa, i.e. Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)).

He was born in the city of Braylee in the province of Uttar Pradesh and was a student of al-Mirza Ghulaam Qaadir Begg who was the older (blood) brother of Mirza Ghulaam Ahmad al-Qaadiyaanee (founder of the Qaadiyaaniyyah sect).

He was of a slim build and known to be shrewd and clever, whilst also being ill-tempered and foul-mouthed. He used to suffer from chronic illnesses, and used to consistently complain of headaches and back pains.

He visited Makkah and studied under some of the scholars there in 1295 A.H. (1874 C.E.).

Amongst his "notable" books are: ((Anbaa. al-Mustafaa)) and ((Khaalis al-I'tiqaad)).

From the beliefs of this sect is that the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) has the ability/power to control the creation and all that occurs, and that the "saints" have the ability/power to influence the creation and all that occurs.

And they have exceeded in their belief with respect to the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) such that they have ascended him to a rank close to that of worshipping him. And they have exceeded in their belief with respect to the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) such that they believe he has knowledge of the unseen, and they deny that he was a human being, rather that he was the light (noor) of Allaah. And they also permit calling for assistance from the "saints" and the Prophets and other than them from the false beliefs.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the bible

Q] Did Muhammad (peace be upon him) was mentioned in the bible?.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Praise be to Allaah.

Muhammad(Peace Be Upon Him)in the bible

Bible prophecies about the advent of Muhammad

Abraham is widely regarded as the Patriarch of monotheism and the common father of the Jews, Christians and Muslims. Through his second son, Isaac, came all Israelite prophet including such towering figures as Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus. May peace and blessing be upon them all. The advent of these great prophets was in partial fulfillment of God’s promises to bless the nations of earth through the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). Such fulfillment is wholeheartedly accepted by Muslims whose faith considers the belief in and respect of all prophets an article of faith.

BLESSING OF ISHMAEL AND ISAAC

Was the first born son of Abraham (Ishmael) and his descendants included in God’s covenant and promise? A few verses from the Bible may help shed some light on this question :

Genesis 12:2-3 speaks of God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants before any child was born to him.

Genesis 17:4 reiterates God’s promise after the birth of Ishmael and before the birth of Isaac.

In Genesis, ch.21. Isaac is specifically blessed but Ishmael was also specifically blessed and promised by God to become “ a great nation” especially in Genesis 21:13, 18.

According to Deuteronomy 21:15-17 the traditional rights and privileges of the first born son are not to be affected by the social status of his mother (being a ‘free’ woman such as Sarah, Isaac’s mother, or a “Bondwoman” such as Hagar, Ishmael’s mother). This is only consistent with the moral and humanitarian principles of all revealed faiths.

The full legitimacy of Ismael as Abraham’s son and “seed” and the full legitimacy of his mother, Hagar, as Abraham’s wife are clearly stated in Genesis 21:13 and 16:3.

After Jesus, the last Israelite messenger and prophet, it was time that God’s promise to bless Ismael and his descendants be fulfilled. Less than 600 years after Jesus, came the last messenger of God, Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) , from the progeny of Abraham through Ishmael. God’s blessing of both of the main branches of Abraham’s family tree was now fulfilled. But are there additional corroborating evidence that the Bible did in fact foretell the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him)?

MUHAMMAD (Peace be Upon Him):

The Prophet Like Unto Moses

Long time after Abraham, God’s promise to send the long-awaited Messenger was repeated this time in Moses’ word.

In Deuteronomy 18:18, Moses spoke of the prophet to be sent by God who is :

From among the Israelite’s “brethren” a reference to their Ishmaelite cousins as Ishmael was the other son of Abraham who was explicitly promised to become a “great nation”.

A prophet like unto Moses. There were hardly any two prophets who were so much alike as Moses and Muhammad. Both were given comprehensive law code of life, both encountered their enemies and were victors in miraculous ways, both were accepted as prophets/statesmen and both migrated following conspiracies to assassinate them. Analogies between Moses and Jesus overlooks not only the above similarities but other crucial ones as well (e.g. the natural birth, family life and death of Moses and Muhammad but no of Jesus, who was regarded by His followers as the Son of God and not exclusively a messenger of God, as Moses and Muhammad were and as Muslim belief Jesus was).

THE AWAITED PROPHET WAS TO COME FROM ARABIA

Deuteronomy 33:1-2 combines references to Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. It speaks of God (i.e. God’s revelation) coming from Sinai, rising from Seir (probably the village of Sa’ir near Jerusalem) and shining forth from Paran.

According to Genesis 21:21, the wilder-ness of Paran was the place where Ishmael settled (i.e. Arabia, specifically Mecca).

Indeed the King James version of the Bible mentions the pilgrims passing through the valley of Ba’ca (another name of Mecca) in Psalms 84:4-6.

Isaiah 42:1-13 speaks of the beloved of God. His elect and messenger who will bring down a law to be awaited in the isles and who “shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgement on earth.” Verse 11, connects that awaited one with the descendants of Ke’dar. Who is Ke’dar? According to Genesis 25:13, Ke’dar was the second son of Ishmael, the ancestor of the prophet Muhammad.

MUHAMMAD’S MIGRATION FROM MECCA TO MEDINA : PROPHESIED IN THE BIBLE?

Habakkuk 3:3 speaks of God (God’s help) coming from Te’man. (an Oasis North of Medina according to J. Hasting’s Dictionary of the Bible), and the holy one (coming) from Paran. That holy one who under persecution migrated from Paran (Mecca) to be received enthusiastically in Medina was none but prophet Muhammad.

Indeed the incident of the migration of the prophet and his persecuted followers is vividly described in Isaiah 21:13-17. that section foretold as well about the Battle of Badr in which the few ill-armed faithful miraculously defeated the “mighty” men of Ke’dar, who sought to destroy Islam and intimidate their own folks who turned to Islam.

THE QUR’AN (KORAN) FORETOLD IN THE BIBLE?

For twenty-three years, God’s word (the Qur’an) were truly put into Muhammad’s mouth. He was not the “author” of the Qur’an. The Qur’an was dictated to him by Angel Gabriel who asked Muhammad to simply repeat the words of the Qur’an as he heard them. These words were then committed to memory and to writing by those who hear them during Muhammad’s life time and under his supervision.

Was it a coincidence that the prophet “like unto Moses” from the “brethren” of the Israelites (i.e. from the Ishmaelites) was also described as one in whose mouth God will put his words and that he will speak in the name of God., (Deuteronomy 18:18-20). Was it also a coincidence the “Paraclete” that Jesus foretold to come after Him was described as one who “shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.. “(John 16:13).

Was it another coincidence that Isaiah ties between the messenger connected with Ke’dar and a new song (a scripture in a new language) to be sang unto the Lord (Isaiah 42:10-11). More explicitly, prophesies Isaiah “ for with stammering lips, and another tongue, will he speak to this people” (Isaiah 28:11). This latter verse correctly describes the “stammering lips” of Prophet Muhammad reflecting the state of tension and concentration he went through at the time of revelation. Another related point is that the Qur’an was revealed in piece-meals over a span of twenty-three years. It is interesting to compare this with Isaiah 28:10 which speaks of the same thing.

THAT PROPHET – PARACLETE – MUHAMMAD

Up to the time of Jesus, the Israelites were still awaiting for that prophet like unto Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18. when John the Baptist came, they asked him if he was Christ and he said “No”. they asked him if he was Elias and he said “No”. then, in apparent reference to Deuteronomy 18:18, they asked him “Art thou that Prophet” and he answered, “No”. (John 1:19-21).

In the Gospel according to John (Chapters 14, 15, 16) Jesus spoke of the “ Paraclete” or comforter who will come after him, who will be sent by Father as another Paraclete, who will teach new things which the contemporaries of Jesus could not bear. While the Paraclete is described as the spirit of truth (whose meaning resemble Muhammad’s famous title Al-Amin, the trustworthy), he is identified in one verse as the Holy Ghost (John 14:26). Such a designation is however inconsistent with the profile of that Paraclete. In the words of the Dictionary of the Bible, (Ed. J. Mackenzie) “ These items, it must be admitted do not give an entirely coherent picture.”

Indeed history tells us that many early Christians understood the Paraclete to be a man and not a spirit. This might explain the followings who responded to some who claimed, without meeting the criteria stipulated by Jesus, to be the awaited “Paraclete”.

It was Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) who was the Paraclete, Comforter, helper, admonisher sent by God after Jesus. He testified of Jesus, taught new things which could not be borne at Jesus’ time, he spoke what he heard (revelation), he dwells with the believers (through his well-preserved teachings). Such teachings will remain forever because he was the last messenger of God, the only Universal Messenger to unite the whole of humanity under God and on the path of PRESERVED truth. He told of many things to come which “came to pass” in the minutest detail meeting, the criterion given by Moses to distinguish between the true prophet and the false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:22). He did reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgement (John 16:8-11).

WAS THE SHIFT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP PROPHESIED?

Following the rejection of the last Israelite prophet, Jesus, it was about time that God’s promise to make Ishmael a great nation be fulfilled (Genesis 21:13, 18).

In Matthew 21:19-21, Jesus spoke of the fruitless fig tree (A Biblical symbol of prophetic heritage) to be cleared after being given a last chance of three years (the duration of Jesus’ ministry) to give fruit. In a later verse in the same chapter, Jesus said : “Therefore, say I unto you, the Kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to nation bringing forth the fruit thereof” (Matthew 21:43). That nation of Ishmael’s descendants (the rejected stone in Matthew 21 :42) which was victorious against all super-powers of its time as prophesied by Jesus : “ And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Matthew 21:44).

OUT OF CONTEXT COINCIDENCE?

Is it possible that the numerous prophecies cited here are all individually and combined out of context misinterpretations? is the opposite true, that such infrequently studied verses fit together consistently and clearly point to the advent of the man who changed the course of human history, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). Is it reasonable to conclude that all these prophecies, appearing in different books of the Bible and spoken by various prophets at different times were all coincidence? If this is so here is another strange “coincidence”!

One of the signs of the prophet to come from Paran (Mecca) is that he will come with “ten thousands of saints” (Deuteronomy 33:2 KJV). That was the number of faithful who accompanied Prophet Muhammad to Paran (Mecca) in his victorious, bloodless return to his birthplace, to destroy the remaining symbols of idolatry in the Ka’bah.

Says God as quoted by Moses :

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. (Deuteronomy 18:19).

Dear Readers:

May the light of truth shine in your heart and mind. May it lead you to peace and certitude in this life and eternal bliss in hereafter.

AMEEN .

Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/10116/

Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)

Q] Could you give me some brief details about the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?

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Praise be to Allaah.

Differences and disputes arose among the Children of Israel. They introduced alterations and changes in their beliefs and laws. Thus truth was extinguished and falsehood prevailed, oppression and evil became widespread, and people needed a religion that would establish truth, destroy evil and guide people to the straight path, therefore Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have not sent down the Book (the Qur’aan) to you (O Muhammad, except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a folk who believe”

[al-Nahl 16:64]

Allaah sent all the Prophets and Messengers to call for the worship of Allah alone, and to bring people from darkness to light. The first of these Messengers was Nooh and the last of them was Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) as Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

“And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): ‘Worship Allaah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities, i.e. do not worship Taaghoot besides Allaah)’”

[al-Nahl 16:36]

The last of the Prophets and Messengers is Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so there is no Prophet after him, as Allaah said:

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets”

[al-Ahzaab 33:40]

Every Prophet was sent exclusively to his own people, but Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to all of mankind as Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah revealed to His messenger the Qur’aan by which to guide people And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a Warner to all mankind, but most of men know not”

[Saba’ 34:28]

Allaah sent the Qur’aan to His Messenger, to guide people and bring them forth from darkness to light by the will of their Lord. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allaah and Islâmic Monotheism) by their Lord’s Leave to the path of the All Mighty, the Owner of all praise”

[Ibraaheem 14:1]

The messenger of Allaah, Muhammad ibn Abd-Allaah ibn Abd al-Muttalib al-Haashimi al-Qurashi was born in Makkah in the year of the Elephant, the year when the companions of the Elephant came to Makkah to destroy the Ka’bah, but Allaah destroyed them. His father died before he was born, and after he was born, Haleemah al-Sa’diyyah nursed him. When he was six years old, he visited his maternal uncles in Madeenah with his mother Aaminah bint Wahb. On the way back to Makkah, his mother died in al-Abwaa’. Then his grandfather ‘Abd al-Muttalib became his guardian. But ‘Abd al-Muttalib died when Muhammad was eight years old. Then his paternal uncle Abu Taalib became his guardian. He took care of him, treated him kindly and defended him for more than forty years, but when Abu Taalib died he had not come to believe in the religion of Muhammad lest he be reproached by Quraysh for abandoning the religion of his forefathers

When he was young, Muhammad used to tend sheep for the people of Makkah, then he traveled to Syria to do business on behalf of Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, and he made a good profit. Khadeejah was impressed with his character, and his sincerity and honesty, so he married her when he was twenty-five, and she was forty, and he did not marry any other woman until after she died.

Allaah made Muhammad grow in a good manner, and Allaah took care of him, so he was the the best of his people in physical wellbeing and in attitude, he was the most generous, the most patient, the most truthful, the most sincere and the most honest, so his people called him al-Ameen (the trustworthy) .

Then he was given an inclination towards solitude, so he used to spend many days and nights alone in the cave of Hiraa’, worshiping and praying to his Lord. He hated idols, alcohol and promiscuous conduct, so he never paid any attention to them all his life

When Muhammad reached the age of thirty-five he took part in the rebuilding of the Ka’bah, which had been destroyed by a flood. A dispute arose concerning who should put the Black Stone back in its place, and they appointed him as an arbitrator to resolve the dispute, so he called for a garment and placed the stone on it then he told the tribal chiefs to hold the garment at the edges so that all of them could lift it together, then Muhammad put it in place and put stones and mortar around it.

The people of the Jaahiliyyah used to have some good characteristics such as generosity, loyalty and courage, and they used to follow some teachings of the religion of Ibraaheem, such as venerating the Ka’bah and making Tawaaf around it, performing Hajj and ‘Umrah, and offering sacrifices. But besides that they used to have some bad habits and traditions, such as fornication, drinking alcohol, consuming ribaa (usury or interest), killing their daughters, oppression and worshiping idols.

The first one to introduce changes in the religion of Ibrahim, and to call for the worship of idols was ‘Amr ibn Luhayy al-Khuzaa’i, who brought idols to Makkah and other places, and called people to worship them. Among these idols were Wudd, Suwaa’, Yaghooth, Ya’ooq, and Nasra.

Later on, the Arabs also worshipped other idols such as the idol of Manaat in a place called Qadeed, and al-Laat in al-Taa’if, al-‘Uzza in Wadi Nakhlah, Hubal inside the Ka’bah, and other idols around the Ka’bah, and idols in their homes. People used to consult soothsayers, fortunetellers and magicians to judge between them.

When shirk and corruption became so widespread, Allaah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when he was forty years old, to call the people to worship Allaah Alone and to give up idol-worship. Quraysh denounced him for that and said:

“Has he made the aalihah (gods) (all) into One Ilaah (God — Allaah). Verily, this is a curious thing!”

[Saad 38:5 – interpretation of the meaning]

These idols continued to be worshipped instead of Allaah until Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with the Message of Tawheed (Oneness of Allaah). So he and his Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) broke them and destroyed them, truth prevailed and falsehood was vanquished:

“And say: ‘Truth (i.e. Islamic Monotheism or this Qur’aan or Jihaad against polytheists) has come and Baatil (falsehood, i.e. Satan or polytheism) has vanished. Surely, Baatil is ever bound to vanish’”

[al-Israa’ 17:81 – interpretation of the meaning]

The first revelation that was sent down to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was in the cave of Hiraa’ where he used to go to worship, when Jibreel came to him and commanded him to read. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “I am not a reader.” This happened again, and on the third time, he said to him:

“Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists).

He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).

Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous

[al-‘Alaq 96:1-3 – interpretation of the meaning]

The Messenger went back home, his heart pounding. He entered upon his wife Khadeejah and told her what had happened, saying “I feared for myself.” She calmed him down and said, “By Allaah, Allaah will never forsake you, for you uphold the ties of kinship, help the weak, honour your guests, give in charity and help when some one is stricken with calamity.” Then she went with him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who had become a Christian. When he told him what had happened, he gave him glad tidings and told him, this is the Naamoos whom Allaah sent to Moosa. He encouraged him to be patient if his people persecuted him and expelled him. Then the wahy stopped for a while, and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was saddened by that. Then whilst he was walking one day, he saw the angel again, between the heavens and the earth. He went back to his house and wrapped himself in his blanket. Then Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you (Muhammad) enveloped in garments!

Arise and warn!”

[al-Muddaththir 74:1-2]

After that, revelations came one after another to the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

The Prophet stayed in Makkah for thirteen years, calling for the worship of Allaah alone, in secret then openly, when Allaah commanded him to proclaim the truth. So he called them in a gentle and kind manner, without fighting. He called his clan and closest relatives, then he warned his people and those around them, then he warned all the Arabs, then he warned all of mankind. Then Allaah said:

“Therefore proclaim openly (Allaah’s Message Islamic Monotheism) that which you are commanded, and turn away from Al Mushrikoon (polytheists, idolaters, and disbelievers)”

[al-Hijr 15:94]

A few people, rich people, nobles, the weak and poor, men and women, believed in the Messenger. All of them were persecuted for their faith. Some were tortured and some were killed. Some of them migrated to Abyssinia, fleeing from the persecution of Quraysh, and some of them were persecuted with the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), until Allaah caused His religion to prevail.

When the Messenger reached the age of fifty and ten years of his mission had passed, his uncle Abu Taalib, who had protected him from the persecution of Quraysh, died. Then his wife Khadeejah, who had been his consolation, also died, and the persecution of his people intensified. They harrassed him and persecuted him with all kinds of torments, and he bore it with patience, seeking the reward of Allaah. May the blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him.

When the persecution of Quraysh became too intense, he went out to al-Taa’if and called its people to Islam but they did not respond; instead they insulted him and threw stones at him, until his heels started to bleed. He went back to Makkah and continued to call his people to Islam during Hajj and at other times.

Then Allaah took His Messenger on the Night Journey from al-Masjid al-Haraam in Makkah to al-Masjid al-Aqsaa (in Jerusalem), riding on al-Buraaq, accompanied by Jibreel. He stopped and led the Prophets in prayer, then he was taken up into the lowest heaven, where he saw Adam, with the souls of the blessed to his right and the souls of the doomed to his left. Then he was taken up to the second heaven where he saw ‘Eesa and Yahyaa; then to the third heaven where he saw Yoosuf; then to the fourth heaven where he saw Idrees; then to the fifth heaven where he saw Haroon; then to the sixth heaven where he saw Moosa; then to the seventh heaven where he saw Ibraaheem. Then he was taken up to Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote-tree of the utmost boundary), and his Lord spoke to him and enjoined fifty prayers upon him and his ummah each day and night. Then that was reduced to five prayers to be performed, with a reward for fifty, and the prayer was confirmed to be five prayers each day and night for the ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Then he returned to Makkah before dawn came, and he told them what had happened to him. The believers believed him but the kaafirs did not.

“Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allaah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him]

Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Al‑Masjid Al‑Haraam (at Makkah) to Al Masjid Al Aqsaa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All Hearer, the All Seer

[al-Israa’ 17:1 – interpretation of the meaning]

Then Allaah sent to His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) people who would help and support him. During the Hajj season, he met a group from the tribe of Khazraj in Madeenah. They embraced Islam, then they went back to Madeenah and spread Islam there. The following year, they were over ten people, whom the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) met, and when they left he sent Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr with them to teach them the Qur’aan and Islam. Many people became Muslim through him, including the leaders of the tribe of Aws, Sa’d ibn Mu’aadh and Usayd ibn Hudayr.

The following year when the Hajj season came, more than seventy men from al-Aws and al-Khazraj came and invited the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to come to Madeenah after the people of Makkah had persecuted him and boycotted him. During the night of one of the days of Tashreeq, the Messenger made an appointment to meet them at ‘Aqabah. When one third of the night had passed, they came out to meet him and found the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), accompanied by his uncle al-‘Abbaas, who was not a believer, but he wanted to take care of his nephew’s affairs. Al-‘Abbaas, the Messenger and the people spoke together in a pleasant manner, then the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) accepted their oath of allegiance on the basis that he would migrate to them in Madeenah and they would protect him, support him and defend him, and Paradise would be theirs in return. They gave their oath of allegiance, one by one, then they left. Quraysh found out about them, so they set out in pursuit of them. But Allaah saved them from them, and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) remained in Makkah for a while:

“Verily, Allaah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allaah is All Strong, All Mighty”

[al-Hajj 22:40 – interpretation of the meaning]

Then the Messenger commanded his companions to migrate to Madeenah, so they migrated in groups except for those who were prevented from doing so by the mushrikeen. Then there were no Muslims left in Makkah apart from the Messenger of Allaah, Abu Bakr and ‘Ali. When the mushrikeen realized that the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had migrated to Madeenah, they feared that he would join them and become strong. So they agreed to kill him. Jibreel told the Messenger of Allaah about that, so the Messenger commanded ‘Ali to sleep in his bed, and he returned the things that had been entrusted to the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to their owners. The mushrikeen spent the night at the door of the Messenger, waiting to kill him when he came out, but he came out in the midst of them and went to the house of Abu Bakr, after Allaah had saved him from their plot. And Allaah revealed the words (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you (O Muhammad) to imprison you, or to kill you, or to get you out (from your home, i.e. Makkah); they were plotting and Allaah too was plotting; and Allaah is the Best of those who plot”

[al-Anfaal 8:30]

Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) resolved to migrate to Madeenah, so he and Abu Bakr set out to the cave of Thawr and stayed there for three nights. They hired ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Urayqit, who was a mushrik, as their guide, and the ylet him lead their camels. Quraysh were alarmed when he left, and they looked for him everywhere, but Allaah protected His Messenger. When the search for them died down, they travelled to Madeenah. When Quraysh despaired of finding them, they offered to anyone who could bring one or both of them to them two hundred camels. So the people intensified their search and on the way to Madeenah, Suraaqah ibn Maalik found them; he was a mushrik and he set out after them, so the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed against him and his horse’s legs sank into the ground. So he realized that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was protected, so he asked the Messenger to pray for him and said that he would not harm him. So the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed for him and Suraaqah went back, and diverted the people away from them. Then he became Muslim after the conquest of Makkah.

When the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) reached Madeenah, the Muslims exclaimed “Allaahu akbar!” with joy at his coming. Men, women and children came out to meet him, rejoicing. He stayed in Quba, where he and the Muslims built the mosque of Quba. He stayed there for over ten nights, then he rode on Friday and prayed Jumu’ah amongst Bani Saalim ibn ‘Awf, then he rode his camel and entered Madeenah, with the people all around him taking the reins of his camel so that he would come and stay with them. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told them to leave her, for she would be guided (by Allaah), so she walked on until she sat down in the place where the Mosque is today.

Allaah made it possible for His Messenger to stay with his maternal uncles near the mosque, so he stayed in the house of Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari, then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent someone to bring his family and his daughters, and the family of Abu Bakr, from Makkah, and thus he brought them to Madeenah.

Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions started to build his mosque in the place where the camel had sat down. He made the qiblah facing towards Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem). Its pillars were made of tree trunks and its roof was made of palm branches. Then the qiblah was changed to the Ka’bah more than ten months after he had come to Madeenah.

Then the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) established brotherhood (mu’aakhkhah) between the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made a treaty with the Jews and wrote a document agreeing to peace and to defend Madeenah. The Jewish scholar ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Salaam became Muslim but most of the Jews insisted on remaining kaafirs. In that year the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her).

In the second year, the adhaan was prescribed, and Allaah changed the qiblah to the Ka’bah, and the fast of Ramadaan was enjoined.

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) remained in Madeenah and Allaah supported him with His help. The Muhaajiroon and Ansaar consolidated their ranks around him, and their hearts were devoted to him. The mushrikoon, Jews and hypocrites came together to oppose him; they slandered him and fabricated lies against him, and they declared war on him, but Allaah commanded him to be patient, forbearing and tolerant. When their evildoing became too intense, Allaah gave the Muslims permission to fight, and the aayah was revealed (interpretation of the meaning):

“Permission to fight (against disbelievers) is given to those (believers) who are fought against, because they have been wronged; and surely, Allaah is Able to give them (believers) victory

[al-Hajj 22:39]

Then Allaah enjoined the Muslims to fight those who fought against them:

“And fight in the way of Allaah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allaah likes not the transgressors”

[al-Baqarah 2:190 – interpretation of the meaning]

Then Allaah commanded them to fight all the mushrikeen:

“and fight against the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah) collectively as they fight against you collectively

[al-Tawbah 9:36 – interpretation of the meaning]

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions began to call people to Allaah and to strive in jihaad for the sake of Allaah. He foiled the plots of their enemies and relieved the oppression of the oppressed. Allaah supported them with His help, until the religion was all for Allaah. He fought the mushrikeen at Badr in 2 AH, in Ramadaan, and Allaah granted him victory over them and he defeated them. In 3 AH the Jews of Bani Qaynuqaa’ committed treason by killing one of the Muslims, so the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) expelled them from Madeenah to Syria. Then Quraysh avenged their dead who were slain at Badr. They camped around Uhud in Shawwaal of the year 3 AH. Battle raged and the archers disobeyed the command of the Messenger, so the Muslims did not achieve victory, but the mushrikoon went back to Makkah without having entered Madeenah.

Then the Jews of Bani al-Nudayr committed treason and resolved to kill the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) by throwing a rock on him, but Allaah saved him. Then he besieged them in 4 AH and expelled them to Khaybar.

In 5 AH the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) attacked Bani al-Mustalaq in order to repel their aggression. He was victorious over them, and took their wealth and their women and children as booty. Then the Jewish leaders tried to incite the Confederates (al-Ahzaab) against the Muslims, in order to put an end to Islam in its heartland. So the mushrikoon, al-Ahbaash and the Jewish tribe of Ghatafaan gathered around Madeenah, but Allaah foiled their plot and granted victory to His Messenger and the believers:

“And Allaah drove back those who disbelieved in their rage: they gained no advantage (booty). Allaah sufficed for the believers in the fighting (by sending against the disbelievers a severe wind and troops of angels). And Allaah is Ever All Strong, All Mighty”

[al-Ahzaab 33:25 – interpretation of the meaning]

Then the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) besieged the Jews of Bani Qurayzah, because of their betrayal and their breaking the treaty. Allaah granted him victory over them so he killed their men, took their women and children prisoner, and took their wealth as booty.

In 6 AH, the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) resolved to visit the Ka’bah and perform Tawaaf around it, but the mushrikoon prevented him from doing so. He entered into a treaty with them at al-Hudaybiyah, to stop the fighting for ten years, during which time the people would be safe and could choose what they wanted. Then the people entered Allaah’s religion in crowds [cf. al-Nasr 110:2].

In 7 AH, the Messenger attacked Khaybar in order to put an end to the Jewish leaders who were harming the Muslims. He besieged them, and Allaah gave him victory over them. He took their wealth and land as booty, and he sent letters to the kings of the earth, inviting them to Islam.

In 8 AH, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent an army, led by Zayd ibn Haarithah, to deal with the aggressors. But the Romans gathered a huge army and killed the Muslim commanders, but Allaah saved the rest of the Muslims from their evil.

Then the kuffaar of Makkah broke the treaty, so the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) headed towards them with a great army and conquered Makkah. He cleansed the Ka’bah of idols and and freed it from the custodianship of the kuffaar.

Then came the campaign of Hunayn in Shawwaal of 8 AH, to repel the aggression of Thaqeef and Hawazen. Allaah defeated them and the Muslims captured a lot of booty. Then the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) continued his march to al-Taa’if and besieged it, but Allaah did not decree that it should be conquered, so the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed for them, then went away. They subsequently became Muslim, then he went back and distributed the war-booty. Then he and his companions performed ‘Umrah, then they went back to Madeenah.

In 9 AH the campaign of Tabook came at a time of difficulty, hardship and intense heat. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went to Tabook in order to defeat the plots of the Romans. He camped there, but no fighting took place, but he made a treaty with some of the tribes. He captured war-booty, then he came back to Madeenah. This was the last military campaign in which he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fought. In the same year delegations came from the tribes, wanting to enter Islam. Among them were the delegations from Tameem, Tayy’, ‘Abd al-Qays and Bani Haneefah. They all became Muslim, then the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded Abu Bakr to lead the people in Hajj that year. He sent ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) with him and told him to recite Soorat Baraa’ah [al-Tawbah] to them, to declare disavowal (baraa’ah) of the mushrikoon. He told him to call out to the people, so ‘Ali said on the Day of Sacrifice: “O people, no kaafir will enter Paradise, and no mushrik will perform Hajj after this year, and no naked person shall perform Tawaaf around the Ka’bah. Whoever has a treaty with the Messenger of Allaah, then the treaty will stand until it expires.”

In 10 AH, the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) resolved to perform Hajj, and he called the people to do likewise. Many people from Madeenah and elsewhere performed Hajj with him. He entered ihraam at Dhu’l-Haleefah and reached Makkah in Dhu’l-Hijjah. He performed Tawaaf and Sa’ee’, and he taught the people their rituals. He gave a great and comprehensive sermon at ‘Arafaah, in which he affirmed the just rulings of Islam. He said:

“O people, listen to my words, for I do not know if I will meet you again after this year. O people, your blood, your wealth and your honour are sacred to you as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours. Every practice of the jaahiliyyah is beneath my feet and the blood feuds of the jaahiliyyah are cancelled. The first claim of blood that I abolish is that of Ibn Rabee’ah ibn al-Haarith, who was suckled among the tribe of Bani Sa’d and was killed by Hudhayl. The ribaa of the jaahiliyyah is abolished, and the first ribaa that I abolish is that of ‘Abbaas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib. It is abolished completely.

Fear Allaah concerning women, for you have taken them on the security of Allaah and have made their bodies lawful to you by the words of Allaah. Your right over them is that they should not allow anyone whom you dislike to sit on your bed. If they do that, then hit them, but not severely. Their rights over you are that you should be kind to them and clothe them properly.

I have left you with something which, if you adhere to it, you will not go astray after I am gone: the Book of Allaah. If you were asked about me, what would you say?” They said: “We would bear witness that you have conveyed (the message), fulfilled (the trust) and advised us sincerely.” Then he pointed with his index finger towards the sky and then towards the people, and said, “O Allaah, bear witness, O Allaah bear witness,” three times.

When Allaah perfected this religion and its basic principles had been established, Allaah revealed to him in ‘Arafaah:

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion

[al-Maa'idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning]

This Hajj is called Hujjat al-Wadaa’ (the Farewell Pilgrimage) because in it the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) bade farewell to the people, and he did not perform Hajj after that. Then after completing his Hajj, the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) returned to Madeenah,

In 11 AH, in the month of Safar, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fell sick. When the pain became too intense, he told Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) to lead the people in prayer. In Rabee’ al-Awwal, his sickness became worse and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died in the morning of Monday 12 Rabee’ al-Awwal 11 AH. The Muslims were grief-stricken by that. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was washed (ghusl) and the Muslims offered the funeral prayer for him on the 13th, in the evening, and he was buried in the house of ‘Aa’ishah. The Messenger died, but his religion will remain until the Day of Resurrection.

Then the Muslims chose the one who had been his companion in the cave and during the Hijrah, Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) to be their khaleefah. After him, the position of khaleefah passed to ‘Umar, then to ‘Uthmaan, then to ‘Ali. These are the Khulafaa’ al-Raashidoon (the Rightly-Guided Khaleefahs), may Allaah be pleased with them all.

Allaah blessed His Messenger Muhammad greatly and enjoined upon him noble characteristics, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Did He not find you (O Muhammad) an orphan and gave you a refuge?

And He found you unaware (of the Qur’aan, its legal laws and Prophethood) and guided you?

And He found you poor and made you rich (self sufficient with self contentment)?

Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression.

And repulse not the beggar.

And proclaim the Grace of your Lord (i.e. the Prophethood and all other Graces)”

[al-Duhaa 93:6-11]

Allaah honoured His Messenger with noble characteristics which were not combined in any other person, to the extent that his Lord praised him for these characteristics:

“And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character”

[al-Qalam 68:4 – interpretation of the meaning]

With these noble and praiseworthy characteristics, he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was able to bring people together and soften their hearts, by Allaah’s leave:

“And by the Mercy of Allaah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allaah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allaah, certainly, Allaah loves those who put their trust (in Him)”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:159 – interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to all of mankind. He revealed to him the Qur’aan and commanded him to call people to Allaah, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner,

And as one who invites to Allaah [Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allaah (Alone)] by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light (through your instructions from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah the legal ways of the Prophet”

[al-Ahzaab 33:46]

Allaah favoured His Messenger Muhammad over the other Prophets in six ways, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“I have been favoured above the other Prophets in six ways: I have been given the ability of concise speech; I have been supported with fear [in the hearts of my enemies]; war booty has been made permissible for me; the earth has been made pure and a mosque [place of worship] for me; I have been sent to all of mankind; and I am the seal of the Prophets.”

(Narrated by Muslim, 523)

All of mankind must believe in him and follow his sharee’ah in order to enter the Paradise of their Lord:

“and whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad) will be admitted to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), to abide therein, and that will be the great success”

[al-Nisaa’ 4:13 – interpretation of the meaning]

Allaah praises those among the People of the Book who believe in the Messenger, and He gives them the glad tidings of a two-fold reward, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Those to whom We gave the Scripture [i.e. the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before it, they believe in it (the Qur’aan).

And when it is recited to them, they say: ‘We believe in it. Verily, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed even before it we have been from those who submit themselves to Allaah in Islam as Muslims (like ‘Abdullâh bin Salâm and Salmân Al Farisî).

These will be given their reward twice over, because they are patient, and repel evil with good, and spend (in charity) out of what We have provided them”

[al-Qasas 28:52-54]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three who will be given a two-fold reward: a man from among the People of the Book who believed in his Prophet then lived until the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and believed in him and followed him – he will have two rewards…”

From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri.

Source: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/11575