Le Prophète Mohammed Salla Allahou Alaihi wa Sallam

Louange à Allah et Paix et Salut sur Son Prophète.

La Biographie du Prophète () ne vise pas uniquement à relater des faits historiques ou à décrire des aventures attrayantes ; elle ne doit pas être considérée comme une simple étude historique. Elle sert à montrer au Musulman la vérité de l'Islam dans son ensemble.

Le Prophète Mohammed -  - est le Messager du Maître des Mondes pour tout l'univers.

Tout le monde le connaît: le proche, le lointain ainsi que le grand et le petit. 

Allah Le Tout Puissant l'a envoyé comme miséricorde pour l'univers.

Allah dit dans le Coran: " Et Nous ne t'avons envoyé qu'en miséricorde pour l'univers." (S21/ V107)

Il est né en l'an 571. L'année de sa naissance est appelée traditionnellement Année de l’éléphant en référence aux évènements qui s'y sont déroulés.

Sa généalogie est: Muhammad fils de Abdullah, fils de Abdul Muttalib, fils de Hâchim, fils de Abdou Manaf, fils de Qousay, fils de Kilâb, fils de Mourra, fils de Kaab, fils de Louay, fils de Gâlib, fils de Fahr, -et c’est lui qu’on surnomme Quraich et de lui vient le nom de la tribu- fils de Mâlik, fils de An-Nadr, fils de Kinana, fils de Khouzaima, fils de Moudrika, fils de Ilyas, fils de Moudar, fils de Nazar, fils de Maad, fils de Adnan. Sa généalogie remonte à Ismaël, fils d'Abraham Alaihi wa Sallam.

Il est né orphelin: son père est mort quelques mois avant sa naissance. C'est Son grand-père qui l'a élevé puis son oncle Abou Taleb…

Il fut connu, depuis sa jeunesse, par sa franchise et son honnêteté.  Il n'a jamais menti et ni trahi. À la Mecque, Il se distinguera des gens de son âge. Il etait fort, judicieux dans ses propos, énergique dans ses expressions, fidèle à ses amis et plus encore à ses promesses. Il évite avec un soin extrême tout ce qui peut faire soupçonner en lui quelque goût pour le vice.

A l’âge de 25 ans Il épousa notre mère Khadidja : La mère des croyants, .

La révélation divine lui est survenue à L’âge de 40 ans. Avant, il se vouait au culte de Dieu selon la religion d'Ibrahim . Il ne s'était jamais associé aux gens dans l'adoration des idoles, car Allah le Très Haut écarta son futur Prophète de tout vice et cela depuis sa naissance. Le Tout Puissant l'avait préservé et l'avait préparé pour être Son Messager.

Alors Il se vouait à l’adoration d'Allah loin des gens en se réfugiant dans la grotte "HIRA". Il détestait les statues et la religion de son peuple (des idolâtres). Allah l'avait préservé et l'avait éduqué de la meilleure éducation.

Quand la révélation divine lui est survenue avec l'ordre de transmettre le message divin peu de gens l'ont cru !

Le premier des hommes à le croire était Abou Bakr as-Siddiq, la première femme était son épouse Khadidja et Ali Ibn Abi Taleb le premier enfant.

Le Prophète  est resté pendant 13 ans à La Mecque à appeler les gens à croire en un Dieu Unique et à Lui vouer un culte exclusif.

Il incitait aussi les gens aux bonnes mœurs. Il,  disait: "J'ai été envoyé pour parachever les bonnes mœurs" [Al-Hakim, Al-Bayhaqi et Al-Boukhari dans son livre Al-Adaboulmoufrad)

La période mecquoise s'est distinguée par la non-obligation de la majorité des actes comme le jeûne, le pèlerinage... sauf la prière.

Le Prophète  est resté 13 ans à La Mecque puis l'a abandonnée pour Médine où Il est resté 10 ans.

Les gens de la Mecque savaient que le Prophète Mohammed, , disait la vérité et qu'il était vraiment le Messager de Dieu, mais peu de gens avaient accepté de le croire au début de sa mission.

La grande majorité dont fait partie son oncle paternel Abou Taleb est restée fidèle aux croyances de ses ancêtres (l’idolâtrie). Ce dernier continua à le défendre  son neveu le Prophète,  sans toutefois croire en son message et écrivait des poèmes pour montrer son intransigeance dans sa défense.

Il disait à titre d’exemple : « Par Dieu ils ne pourront te vaincre malgré leur nombre 

Jusqu’à ce que je sois enseveli dans la terre

Déclare la vérité sans aucune faiblesse 

Et réjouis-toi et soit tranquille 

Tu m’as convié à ta religion et je sais que tu veux me conseiller

Tu as été franc et encore honnête

Tu as présenté une religion et j’ai su

Que c’est l’une des meilleures religions du monde ! 

N’était-ce la réprimande et la peur de l’injure

Tu m’aurais trouvé clément avec cela d’une façon claire »

Beaucoup de poèmes ont été rédigé par Abou Talib dans l'éloge du Prophète  et dans sa défense malgré son refus de répondre à son appel. Il a eu peur d'être blâmé et injurié pour avoir délaissé la religion de ses ancêtres au profit de celle de son neveu…

Les juifs qui habitaient à Médine savaient aussi que Mohammed  était le dernier des Prophètes et qu’Il  bien le Messager d'Allah, Exalté soit-Il.

Malgré cela quelques-uns seulement ont accepté de devenir musulmans. Ils voulaient que le dernier des Prophètes soit israélite et non pas arabe.

Allah le Tout Puissant dit dans le Coran: " Ceux à qui nous avons donné le Livre le reconnaissent (le Messager Mohammed) comme ils reconnaissent leurs propres enfants. Ceux qui font leur propre perte sont ceux qui ne croient pas." (6/ 20)

Malgré toutes les peines et les épreuves qu'Il a endurées, le Prophète  a transmis son Message de façon complète comme Allah Lui a ordonné. Il a été d'une intégrité et d'une loyauté totale.

A cet égard il a enduré beaucoup de méchancetés alors qu'il luttait pour le triomphe de la vérité et la sublimation de la parole de Dieu.

Son Message est une lumière et c'est le vrai chemin du Salut pour toute l'humanité.

Les premiers musulmans avaient bien compris leur mission car ils connaissaient bien la différence entre l'Islam et l’athéisme. Parmi les exemples concrets de leur prise de conscience: les propos qu'a adressés Jaafar Ibn Abi Taleb - Cousin et Compagnon du Prophète - au Négus (Empereur d'Ethiopie) quand ce dernier l'a questionné sur la vérité de l'Islam.

Négus a dit: " Qu'est-ce que c'est cette religion que vous suiviez ? Quelle est cette nouvelle religion que vous suivez maintenant ? Et dis-moi la vérité. "

Djaafar a dit: " Quant à notre religion précédente et que nous avons délaissé, c'est la religion du Satan: nous ne croyions pas en Dieu et nous étions des idolâtres. Quant à la nouvelle religion à laquelle nous nous sommes convertis: C'est la religion de Dieu: C'est l'Islam. Il nous a été révélé par un Messager, avec un Livre Sacré comme le Livre de Jésus fils de Marie, tout conforme à Lui. "

Négus a dit: " Qu'est-ce qu'il vous dit cet homme ? Qu'est-ce qu'il vous demande comme obligations ? Qu'est-ce qu'il vous interdit ? "

Djaafar a dit: " Il nous lit le livre de Dieu, nous incite au bienfait, nous interdit l'abominable, nous incite au bon voisinage, d'être bon avec nos liens de parentés, d'être bon avec l'orphelin. Il nous ordonne de n'adorer qu'Allah Seul, sans Lui associer quoi que ce soit. "

Négus a dit: " Lis-moi de ce qu'il vous lit. "

Djaafar a alors lit les Sourates: "L'Araignée" et "Les Romains".

Négus a pleuré abondamment et il a dit à Djaafar: "Lis-nous encore de ces belles paroles".

Djaafar lui a lis la sourate de "La Caverne" et d'autres sourates.

Alors le Négus tout en pleurant a dit: "Par Dieu cela ne diffère guère du Message du Christ, le Vrai". Et il est devenu musulman.

Le Prophète Mohammed  était qualifié de très grandes qualités: les qualités de perfection.

Allah dit : " Certes, un Messager pris parmi vous, est venu à vous, auquel pèsent lourd les difficultés que vous subissez, qui est plein de sollicitude pour vous, qui est compatissant et miséricordieux envers les croyants." (S9/ V128).

Allah dit encore : "Et Tu es certes, d'une moralité imminente." (S68/ V4)

Il dit aussi : " C'est par quelque miséricorde de la part d'Allah que tu (Mohammed) as été si doux envers eux ! Mais si tu étais rude, au cœur rude, ils se seraient enfuis de ton entourage. Pardonne-leur donc, et implore pour eux le Pardon (d'Allah). El Consulte-les à propos des affaires; puis une fois que tu t'es décidé, confie-toi donc à Allah, Allah aime, en vérité, ceux qui lui font confiance." (S3/ V159)

Le prophète était connu avant l’islam par la franchise et l’honnêteté que ses amis, et même ses ennemis, lui reconnaissent. Il était également connu par sa loyauté et sa disponibilité à servir ses proches. En effet, quand il reçu la parole d’Allah, il en fit part à Khadija qui lui dit : " Allah ne t’éreintera guère car tu veilles sur tes proches, tu supportes les fardeaux, tu es à la rescousse des démunis, tu es généreux avec tes hôtes et tu aides à rétablir le bien."

Certes toutes les qualités de bienfaisance se sont assemblées dans le Prophète . Dieu l'a approuvé avec des miracles qui ont montré à tout le monde qu'IL est vraiment le Messager de Dieu.

Parmi ces miracles: la fente de la lune qui s'est produite quand son peuple lui a demandé un miracle.

Parmi ces miracles: le Saint Coran! C'est le plus grand des miracles. C'est le miracle permanent jusqu'à la fin du monde.

Le Prophète Mohammed  s'est dévoué toute sa vie pour que les gens répondent à l'appel d'Allah. Allah l'a rappelé à Lui quand la religion a été parachevée.

Allah dit: "J'ai Parachevé pour vous votre religion, et accompli sur vous Mon bienfait. Et J'agrée l'Islam comme religion pour vous." (S5)

Il avait alors 63 ans.

Beaucoup de gens ont écrit sur la vie du Prophète Mohammed  certains musulmans et d'autres non musulmans.

Parmi les livres que vous pouvez consulter:

"La vie du Prophète"  par " Ibn Hicham",

"Le début et la fin" par Ibn Kathir,

"Zade El Maade dans la Conduite du Meilleur des Croyants" par Ibn Qayam,

"Les Biographies" par Ibn Abd El Barre...tous en Arabe.

Il y a aussi en Français "La vie du Bien-Aimé" par Abou Bakre El Djazairi.

Parmi les non-musulmans qui ont écrit sur le Prophète  Michael Hart: il a écrit un livre "Les cents personnes qui ont le plus influencé le cours de l'histoire".

Beaucoup ont écrit des poèmes dans l'éloge du Prophète Mohammed , l'un d'entre eux a dit: 

Le degré de Science sur le Prophète est qu’il est un être humain !

Et qu’il est le meilleur parmi toutes les créatures d’Allah !

Ceci n'est qu'une vue d'ensemble sur la Vie du Prophète Mohammed  et elle ne peut-être satisfaisante vu son immense droit - - envers nous et vu sa grandeur.

Il nous faudrait plusieurs tomes pour s'acquitter de cette immense tâche

The Inherent Differences Between Man and Woman - I

The physical, moral and Sharee‘ah-related differences between man and woman are proven by Divine Decree, the Sharee‘ah, and sound ration.

That is, Allaah The Almighty has created man and woman as twin-halves of the human species: male and female, as confirmed by His Statement (which means): {And that He creates the two mates - the male and female.} [Quran 53:45] Both participate in maintaining the universe, each in his/her field. They share in maintaining it by worshipping Allaah The Almighty, in which there is no difference between men and women in the universalities of religion: Tawheed (Islamic monotheism), creed, articles of faith, submission to Allaah The Almighty, reward and punishment, encouragement and admonition in general, in addition to virtue and chastity. There is also no difference between them in the universality of religious law, as regards to all rights and duties; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} [Quran 51:56]

• {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life.} [Quran 16:97]

• {And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer - those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.} [Quran 4:124]

But, Allaah The Almighty decreed that man is different from woman in physique, constitution and appearance. Man is more perfect in nature, disposition and physical power than woman, due to what she suffers of menses, pregnancy, the pains of childbirth, suckling, looking after the affairs of the baby, and raising the future generation of the Ummah (Muslim nation). That is why the woman was created from the rib of Aadam (Adam)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention. She is a complementary part of him, and man is entrusted to take care of her affairs, guard and protect her, and maintain her as well as their offspring.

This difference in disposition led to differences between them in physical, mental, intellectual, emotional capabilities, and will-power, and that was reflected in the difference in work, performance, and competence. Additionally, modern day scientists have concluded that there are amazing signs of physiological disparity between the two sexes.

The types of difference between the sexes has accounted for a large set of corresponding Sharee‘ah-stipulated rulings. Allaah, The Exalted in Honor, the Wise, with His Perfect Wisdom, has enjoined difference, disparity and authority between man and woman in some Sharee‘ah-stipulated rulings in tasks and functions that befit each according to his/her physique, constitution, capabilities and performance, and the aptitude of each of them in his/her respective field of human life, in order for life to be integrated and for each party to undertake his/her task in it.

Allaah The Almighty assigned to men rulings that befit their physique, constitution, structure, competence, qualification for performance, patience, endurance and solemnity, and the bulk of their role is outside the home as they endeavor to provide for their household. He did the same with women, to whom He assigned rulings that befit their physique, constitution, structure, competence, qualification for performance and fragile endurance, and the bulk of their job is thus inside the home, looking after the affairs of their household and raising those in it who constitute the next generation of the Ummah.

Allaah The Almighty related from a woman her statement (which means): {“And the male is not like the female.”} [Quran 3:36] Exalted be He, to whom belongs the creation and command, ruling and legislation: {Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allaah, Lord of the worlds.} [Quran 7:54]

This is the universal norm of Allaah The Almighty in His creation (meaning that whatever Allaah The Almighty wills and decrees for his slaves will inevitably occur), constitution and foundations, and His Legislative norm concerning commands, rulings and laws. Both norms meet to serve the benefits of people, the maintenance of the universe, and the organization of the life of the individual, the home, the community and human society.

#Maryam, #the_Mother_of_Jesus

As Muslims, we respect, honor and hold in high esteem Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, the daughter of Imraan who was a chaste virgin and is the best of the women of the world.

The Muslims respect and love her for many reasons, among which are the following:

• Allaah Almighty praised her and described her as being pure and chaste; Allaah Almighty Says (what means): {And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ‘Imraan, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel [i.e. Gabriel], and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.} [Quran 66:12] Indeed, Allaah Almighty mentioned her and elaborated on the details of her story in many verses in the Quran.

• Allaah has chosen her as the best of the women of this world; Allaah Says (what means): {(And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allaah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.} [Quran 3:42]

• Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, was brought up in a pious and religious family like her mother  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her who vowed to Allaah to dedicate what was in her womb to His Services and to serve His Religion; Allaah Says (what means): {[Mention, O Muhammad], when the wife of Imraan said, “My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” But when she delivered her, she said, “My Lord I have delivered a female.” And Allaah was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allaah].”} [Quran 3: 35-36]

Indeed, Allaah accepted the supplication of the mother of Maryam as He appointed a Prophet to her care and service, who was the Prophet Zechariah  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention so that she would be brought up upon the Guidance of Allaah. Allaah Says (what means): {So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?” She said, “It is from Allaah. Indeed, Allaah provides for whom He wills without account.”} [Quran 3:37]

• Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, reached a status and an honorable level that no other women has reached; the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) mentioned this and clarified this in many Ahadeeth. For instance, we cite the following:

- “Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Maryam, the daughter of Imraan, and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

- “The best of the women of her time was Maryam, daughter of Imraan, and the best of the women of her time was Khadeejah, Bint Khuwaylid.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

- “The best of the women of paradise after Maryam Bint ‘Imraan are: Faatimah [daughter of the Prophet], Khadeejah [Prophet’s wife] and Asia the wife of Pharaoh.” [As-Silsilah As-Saheehah]

- “The best of the women of the world are: “Maryam Bint ‘Imraan, Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah Bint Muhammad, and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh.” [At-Tirmithi]

• All the Muslim nation agree that Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, was of great honor and high status and they consider her as an example regarding purity and chastity.

• A whole Chapter in the Quran was named after her name and she is the only woman who has won this honor (as no other Chapter is named after any other woman), and Allaah elaborated in details the story of her conceiving ‘Eesa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention and her giving birth to him.

• Also, she is the only woman who was clearly mentioned by name in the Quran whereas other women of honor and great status were only mentioned by reference.

Indeed, her name was mentioned explicitly in the Quran 34 times in 32 verses, and it was mentioned 11 times without being linked to her son ‘Eesa (Jesus)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention.

• Also, Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, was the one who was given as an example – along with Asia Bint Muzaahim [the wife of Pharaoh] –for the Muslim women, and for men as well. Allaah Says (what means): {And Allaah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.” And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ‘Imraan, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel [i.e. Gabriel], and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.} [Quran 66:11-12]

• Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention was known for her chastity and virginity even after giving birth to ‘Eesa (Jesus), the Messenger of Allaah, may Allaah exalt their mention. She sought refuge with Allaah when the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared to her in the form of a man in all respects, as she said: Allaah Says [on her tongue] (what means): {She said: “Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Merciful (i.e. Allaah) from you if you do fear Allaah”} [Quran 19:18]

• Allaah honored her by declaring her not guilty and by protecting her honor and dignity with a great miracle as He made her son –‘Eesa (Jesus) –speak while he was still in the cradle in order to declare her innocence and refute the accusation of the people of falsehood and corruption. Indeed, Allaah mentioned in details the story how she conceived her son and how she gave birth to him. Allaah Says (what means): {Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, ‘O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented. O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste.” So she pointed to him. They said, “How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?” [Jesus] said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allaah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and Zakaah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.” That is Jesus, the son of Mary— the word of truth about which they are in dispute. It is not [befitting] for Allaah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is.} [Quran 19:27-35]

• Allaah selected her to be a pious believing mother for one of the Prophets of great determination, who were the five great Prophets in the history of mankind, may Allaah exalt their mention.

• She conceived ‘Eesa (Jesus)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention in an unordinary human way, and in a miraculous manner as the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) breathed into her womb and she became pregnant, and then she gave birth to him.

• She was honored as Allaah attributed her great son to her; Jesus, son of Mary, as he was mentioned being attributed to her in the Quran 23 times out of 34 times.

• Allaah honored her with a number of miracles before her pregnancy and after she gave birth, such as the food which Allaah blessed her with when there was nobody to give her food or when she was lacking it. Allaah Says (what means): {…and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?” She said, “It is from Allaah. Indeed, Allaah provides for whom He wills without account.”} [Quran 3:37] Allaah also blessed her with the stream and the palm tree, which Allaah created for her so that she would eat and drink from them in the lonely place where she was so that she will give birth far from the eyes of the people. Allaah Says (what means): {…But he called her from below her, “Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream. And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. So eat and drink and be contented…”} [Quran 19:24-26]

• She was strong in her religion. She endured much hardship and was steadfast to the last second of hardship, especially when she became pregnant, when she gave birth, and when she breastfed her son.

• Her name was widely spread among the Christians and the Muslims. Indeed, many Muslims like naming their daughters Maryam, and her name is absolutely the most wide-spread name for females around the world and in the Christian world. Her name is especially spread among the woman in Spanish speaking countries, such as the name of Mary Augustine, and Mary Asunción, Mary Antoinette, Miriam, Mary Carmen, and Mary Magdalene, Virginia, …etc.

Conclusion:

Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, is a role model for all Muslim women because she maintained her impeccable character throughout her life. Allaah raised her status and chose her from among the women of the entire world. Indeed, many verses and many Ahadeeth clarified her great status.

Allaah blessed her with some miracles, protected her and defended her against any accusations and blasphemy. On the other hand, Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, demonstrated her genuine devotion and loyalty to Allaah through her impeccable virtue and behavior. She also expressed her profound and genuine devotion to Him Almighty through her determination, devotion, and unconditional surrender to His Will. She placed all of her hope and trust only in Allaah.

As a result, Allaah supported her with His Grace and Help, and turned all hardship into goodness and beauty.

She became pregnant and delivered her child all alone. She showed patience and complete faith in Allaah and endured the accusations of her people. Consequently, Allaah eased her burden, supported her, and refuted any accusations against her.

Maryam, may Allaah exalt her mention, had a superior and honorable position. 

As Muslims, we should honor her, defend her dignity and chastity, and clarify to the people of the whole world the truth about her that she is the best example for all women around the world to follow. She was indeed the best woman ever in the whole world, may Allaah exalt her mention.

What western thinkers said about Islam

Islam came like a flood of light – it illumined the entire environment. Its charm captivated so many that they moved into its fold – but those who, for a variety of reasons, did not enter its fold, were also spellbound. They could not help admiring its beauty, splendor and grandeur. They confessed its greatness and paid tributes to it. Their evidence is important in one respect – it comes from those who are not within it, from many who have, on the whole, been rather antagonistic; but they too had to admit its unique features, its serenity that casts its spell on all and sundry. It is a selection of such evidence that we now present.

  ISLAM – A Simple, Humanitarian and Attractive Religion

“Islam had the power of peacefully conquering souls by the simplicity of its theology, the clearness of its dogma and principles, and the definite number of the practices which it demands. In contrast to Christianity which has been undergoing continual transformation since its origin, Islam has remained identical with itself.”

                        (Jean L’heureux, Etude sur L’Islamisme P.35)

“Two features in the Creed of Islam have always specially attracted me. One is the God conception, the other is its unquestionable sincerity – a tremendous asset in human affairs, the religious aspect of them especially. After all, sincerity is almost divine and like love covers a multitude of sins.”

                  (Major Arthur Glyn Leonard, Islam – Her Moral and Spiritual Value, London, 1927).

“Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Quran I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world.”

                   (Sarojini Naidu, Lecture on The Ideals of Islam vide Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, Madras, 1918, P 167)

 “The rise of Islam is perhaps the most amazing event in human history. Springing from a land and a people alike previously negligible, Islam spread within a century over half the earth, shattering great empires, overthrowing long established religions, remolding the souls of races, and building up a whole new world – the world of Islam.”

“The closer we examine this development the more extraordinary does it appear. The other great religions won their way slowly, by painful struggle, and finally triumphed with the aid of powerful monarchs converted to the new faith. Christianity had its Constantine, Buddhism its Asoka, and Zoroastrianism its Cyrus, each lending to his chosen cult the mighty force of secular authority. Not so Islam. Arising in a desert land sparsely inhabited by a nomad race previously undistinguished in human annals, Islam sallied forth on its great adventure with the slenderest human backing and against the heaviest material odds. Yet Islam triumphed with seemingly miraculous ease, and a couple of generations saw the Fiery Crescent borne victorious from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas and from the deserts of Central Asia to the deserts of Central Africa… Muhammad, an Arab of the Arabs, was the very incarnation of the soul of his race. Preaching a simple, austere monotheism, free from priest-craft or elaborate doctrinal trappings, he tapped the wellsprings of religious zeal always present in the Semitic heart. Forgetting the chronic rivalries and blood feuds which had consumed their energies in internecine strife, and welded into a glowing unity by the fire of their new-found faith, the Arabs poured forth from their deserts to conquer the earth for Allaah, the One True God…”

“They (Arabs) were no bloodthirsty savages, bent solely on loot and destruction. On the contrary, they were an innately gifted race, eager to learn and appreciative of the cultural gifts which older civilisations had to bestow. Intermarrying freely and professing a common belief, conquerors and conquered rapidly fused, and from this fusion arose a new civilisation, the Saracenic civilisation, in which the ancient cultures of Greece, Rome and Persia were revitalised by the Arab genius and the Islamic spirit. For the first three centuries of its existence (650-1000 CE) the realm of Islam was the most civilized and progressive portion of the world. Studded with splendid cities, gracious mosques, and quiet universities where the wisdom of the ancient world was preserved and appreciated, the Muslim world offered a striking contrast to the Christian West, then sunk in the night of the Dark Ages.”

                   (A.M Lothrop Stoddard, Ph.D., The New World of Islam, London 1932, p. 1-3).

 “There can be no question but that, with its pure monotheism, and a code founded in the main on justice and humanity, Islam succeeds in raising to a higher level races sunk in idolatry and fetishism, like those of Central Africa, and that in some respects, notably in that of temperance, it materially improves the morality of such peoples.”

                  (Sir William Muir, Mohamed and Islam, London, 1895 p.246)   

                                                  ********

ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD – ALL ARE EQUAL

“Take away that black man! I can have no discussion with him,” exclaimed the Christian Archbishop Cyrus when the Arab conquerors had sent a deputation of their ablest men to discuss terms of surrender of the capital of Egypt headed by ‘Ubaadah as the ablest of them all.

“To the sacred Archbishop’s astonishment, he was told that this man was commissioned by General ‘Amr, that the Muslims held black and white men in equal respect – judging a man by his character and not by his colour.”

 “Well, if the Negro must lead, he must speak gently,” ordered the prelate, “so as not to frighten his white auditors.”

 “There are a thousand blacks, as black as myself, amongst our companions. I and they would be ready to meet and fight a hundred enemies together. We live only to fight for God, and to follow His Will. We care naught for wealth, so long as we have the wherewithal to stay our hunger and to clothe our bodies. This world is naught for us, the next world is all.”

 “Such a spirit of class distinction is certainly the greatest hindrance to missionary work in the East, as every impartial observer has noted. How, for instance, can any other appeal stand against that of the Muslim who, in approaching the pagan, says to him, however obscure or degraded he may be: ‘Embrace the faith, and you are at once an equal and a brother.’  Islam knows no ‘colour line’.”

        (S.S Leeder, Veiled Mysteries of Egypt, London, 1912,pp.332 – 335)

“The Islamic brotherhood which they proclaimed was a real thing, and a new thing among eastern nations. It is doubtful whether Christian Syrians ever felt the same sense of brotherhood with Christian Persians as Muslim Syrians did with Muslim Persians.”

(Lawrence E. Browne, The Prospects of Islam, London, 1944, p.12)

 “But Islam has yet a further service to render the cause of humanity… No other society has such a record of success in uniting in an equality of status, of opportunity and of endeavour so many and so various races of mankind. The great Muslim communities of Africa, India and Indonesia perhaps also the small Muslim community in Japan show that Islam has still the power to reconcile apparently irreconciliable elements of race and tradition. If ever the opposition of the great societies of the East and West is to be replaced by co-operation, the mediation of Islam is an indispensable condition.”

                        (H.A.R. Gibb. Whither Islam, London 1932 p. 379).

 “But above all—and herein is its supreme importance in the missionary history of Islam—it ordains a yearly gathering of believers, of all nations and languages, brought together from all parts of the world, to pray in that sacred place towards which their faces are set in every hour of private worship in their distant homes. No stretch of religious genius could have conceived a better expedient for impressing on the minds of  the faithful a sense of their common life and of brotherhood in the bonds of faith. Here, in a supreme act of common worship, the Negro of the West coast of Africa meets the Chinaman from the distant East; the courtly and polished Ottoman recognises his brother Muslim in the wild islander from the farthest end of the MalayanSea. At the same time throughout the whole Muhammedan world the hearts of believers are lifted up in sympathy with their more fortunate brethren gathered together in the sacred city, as in their own homes they celebrate the festival of ‘Eed al-Ad-haa’ or (as it is called in Turkey and Egypt) the feast of Bayram.”

 “Besides the institution of the pilgrimage, the payment of the legal alms is another duty that continually reminds the Muslim that ‘the faithful are brothers’ (XLIX-10) – religious theory that is very strikingly realised in Muhammedan society and seldom fails to express itself in acts of kindness towards the new convert. Whatever be his race, colour or antecedents he is received into the brotherhood of believers and takes his place as an equal among equals.”

       (T. W. Arnold, The Preaching of Islam, London, 1956, pp. 415-416).

 “It was the first religion that preached and practised democracy; for, in the mosque when the call from the minaret is sounded and the worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim: “God Alone is Great”. I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man distinctively a brother. When you meet an Egyptian, an Algerian, an Indian and a Turk in London what matters that Egypt was the motherland of one and India the motherland of another.”

       (Sarojini Naidu, Lecture on “The ideals of Islam” vide Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, Madras, 1918, p.169).

ISLAMIC LAW—THE MOST ENLIGHTENED JURISPRUDNCE

 “The Muhammadan Law which is binding on all -- from the crowned head to the meanest subject is a law interwoven with a system of the wisest, the most learned and the most enlightened jurisprudence that ever existed in the world.”

            (Edmund Burke, in his Impeachment of Warren Hastings).

ISLAM IMPARTS KNOWLEDGE AND CREATES INTELLECT

 “To seek knowledge is a duty of every Muslim man and woman.” ‘Seek knowledge even though it be in China’. ‘The savants are the heirs of the Prophets.’ These profound words of the great reformer are an indisputable contradiction to those who seek and exert themselves in putting the responsibility of the intellectual degradation of Muslims upon the spirit of the Quran. Let them read and meditate upon this great Book and they will read that the Prophet incessantly called the attention and the meditation of his people to the splendid marvels, to the mysterious phenomenon of creation. The incredulous, sceptical and unbelieving may convince themselves that the importance of this Book and its doctrine was not to throw back, eventually, the intellectual and moral faculties of a whole people. On the contrary, those who have followed its counsels have been, as we have described in the course of this study, the creators of a civilisation which is astounding unto this day”.

(Dr. A. Bertherand, Contribution des Arabes au Progress de Sciences Medicales, Paris 1883, p.6).

 “It is to Mussulman science, to Mussulman art and to Mussulman literature that Europe has been in a great measure indebted for its extrication from the darkness of the Middle Ages.”

(Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, Speeches Delivered in India, London, 1890, p. 24).

 “It may be boldly asserted that no people in the world give the impression of being so religious-minded as do Moslems. All of life is saturated with the consciousness of God.”

                                           (Charles R. Watson, What is this Moslem World? London 193, pp. 38-39)

JIHAAD AND MUSLIM CONQUESTS

“The Crusades, the Turkish wars, and the great expansion of Europe widened the gulf between Christianity and Islam, while as the East was gradually brought under ecclesiastical influence the contrast grew deeper. The theory, however, that the Muhammadan conquerors and their successors were inspired by a fanatical hatred of Christianity is a fiction invented by Christians.”

               (C.H. Becker, Christianity and Islam, London, 1909, pp. 28-33)

“Incidentally these well-established facts dispose of the idea so widely fostered in Christian writings that the Muslims, wherever they went, forced people to accept Islam at the point of the sword.”

    (Lawrence W. Browne, The Prospects of Islam, London, 1944, p.14).

 “The Jihaad was not really obligatory except against peoples who had no revealed religion or who menace the existence of Islam… Jihaad had to be waged to defend Islam against aggressions… Once the war was terminated, the Muslims always displayed a great tolerance towards the conquered peoples leaving them their legislation and religious beliefs.”

(O. Houdes, La Grade Encyclopaedia, 1894, Tome 20, p. 1006)

 “No other religion in history spread so rapidly as Islam… The West has widely believed that this surge of religion was made possible by the sword. But no modern scholar accepts that idea, and the Quran is explicit in support of the freedom of conscience. The evidence is strong that Islam welcomed the peoples of many diverse religions, so long as they behaved themselves and paid extra taxes. Muhammad constantly taught that Muslims should co-operate with the ‘People of the Book’ (Jews and Christians).

 “True, there were often wars between Muslims and either Christians or Jews (sometimes because the older religions insisted on battle), and the Quran contains passages of primitive violence relating to those wars. But testimony is overwhelming that “followers of the Book” were usually given decent treatment, sanctuary and freedom to worship as they wished.

 “Many Westerners, accustomed by their history books to believe that Muslims were barbarous infidels, find it difficult to comprehend how profoundly our intellectual life has been influenced by Muslim scholars in the field of science, medicine, mathematics, geography and philosophy. Crusaders who invaded the Holy Land to fight Muslims returned to Europe with new ideas of love, poetry, chivalry, warfare and government. Our concept of what a university should be was deeply modified by Muslim scholars, who perfected the writing of history and who brought to Europe much Greek learning.

“Although Islam originated in Arabia today only a small percentage (7 percent) of the world’s Muslims are Arabians, and less than a quarter (20 percent) speak Arabic as their native language.

 “More than most religions, Islam preaches the brotherhood of all races, colours and nations within its fold. Muhammad himself probably had exactly the same skin colouring as Jesus – a very suntanned white – but today his followers embrace all colours: black men from Africa, yellow men from China brown men from Malaya, white men from Turkey.

 “Islam permits no priesthood, and because Muhammad had to fight so bitterly against idols, his religion discourages portraiture. Mosques are decorated with geometrical patterns only.”

  (James A. Michener, “Islam – The Misunderstood Religion”, in the Reader’s Digest (American Edition, May 1955).

“History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have over repeated.” 

(De Lacy O’Leary, Islam at the Crossroads, London, 1923, p.8).

 “In their wars of conquest, however, the Muslims exhibited a degree of toleration which puts many Christian nations to shame.”

   (E. Alexander Powell, The Struggle for Power in Muslim Asia. New York 1923, p.48).

“The nobility and broad tolerance of this creed, which accepts as God-inspired all the real religions of the world, will always be a glorious heritage for mankind. On it could indeed be built a perfect world religion.”

(Duncan Greenless, M.A. (Oxon.), The Gospel of Islam, Adyar 1948, p.27)

       “As a religion the Mohammedan religion, it must be confessed, is more suited to Africa than is the Christian religion; indeed, I would even say that it is more suited to the world as whole….

 “It is undeniable that polygamy, or to speak more accurately, the principle underlying it, is not confined to Moslem peoples. To put the matter plainly, who can honestly say that the sexual morality of the West is superior to that of the East? A fair comparison would, I believe, very much favor the latter. Then it is undeniable also that faith in the power of the sword is by no means restricted to the Islamic world. Who can bear more telling witness to the truth of this assertion than Moslems themselves who have suffered greatly from the sharp swords of the Western nations? Putting aside these two points of resemblance, the achievement of the Moslem faith enjoys, I maintain, a definite superiority, in proof of which may be cited Moslem abstinence, sense of fraternity, condemnation of usury, and recognition of prophets other than its own. Its quality may be summed up saying that it takes a man as he is, and while it does not pretend to make a god out of him, it seeks to regulate his conduct so that at least he shall become a good neighbor.”

     (Lancelot Lawton, The Sphere, London, May 12, 1928).

 “In Muhammad’s day there was no Arabic version of the Bible from which he could obtain accurate knowledge of Christ…. Therefore some maintain that the very existence of Islam is due to the failure of the Church.”

  (Angus Nicolson, Ph. D., A Guide to Islam, Stirling, 1951, p. 16).

 “I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to possess that assimilating capability to the changing phases of existence which can make itself appeal to every age…  

I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today. The Mediaeval ecclesiastics, either through ignorance or bigotry, painted Muhammadanism in the darkest colours. They were, in fact, trained to hate both the man Muhammad and his religion. To them Muhammad was anti-Christ. I have studied him, the wonderful man, and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ he must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that he would bring it the much-needed peace and happiness. Europe is beginning to be enamored of the creed of Muhammad. In the next century it may go still further in recognising the utility of that creed in solving its problems and it is in this sense that you must understand my prediction.”

A collection of Writings of Some of the Eminent Scholars, published by the Working Muslim Mission, 1935, p.77).

 ISLAM CAN FILL THE SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL VACUUM CREATED BY THE WEST

 "While Christianity in recent years has moved towards a social gospel, Islam has been a social gospel from the start.

A significant distinction between the two religions is that in the New Testament is a revelation of God; in the Quran is a revelation from God… Any religion that has lasted fourteen centuries must have some thing fundamentally significant and meaningful to say to every man whether he is a millionaire or a pauper, a prince or a slave. And Islam undoubtedly does.”

                            (Wilfred Cantwell Smith. Islam in Modern History, London 1946, pp.22-24).

 “In these recently and rapidly opened up tropical territories, the Western civilisation has produced an economic and political plenum and, in the same breath, a social and spiritual void.

“If ever the ‘natives’ of these regions (Central Africa and Indonesia)

succeed in recapturing a spiritual state in which they are able to call their souls their own, it may prove to have been the Islamic spirit that has given fresh form to the void. This spirit may be expected to manifest itself in many practical ways; and one of these manifestations might be a liberation from alcohol, which was inspired by religious conviction and which was therefore able to accomplish what could never be enforced by the external sanction of an alien law.

“Here then in the foreground of the future, we can remark two valuable influences which Islam may exert upon the cosmopolitan proletariat of a Western society that has cast its net round the world and embraced the whole of mankind.”

(A. J. Toynbee, Civilisation on Trial, New York 1948, pp.208-208)

#What_they_said_about_Islam

The Islam that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), is the continuation and culmination of all the preceding revealed religions and hence, it is for all times and all people. This status of Islam is sustained by some obvious facts.

Firstly, there is no other revealed book extant in the same form and content as it was revealed. Secondly, no other revealed religion has any convincing claim to provide guidance in all walks of human life for all times. However, Islam addresses humanity at large and offers basic guidance regarding all human problems. Moreover, it has withstood the test of 1400 years and has the potential to establish an ideal society, as it did under the leadership of the last Prophet Muhammad,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ).

It was a miracle that Prophet Muhammad,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), could win over even his toughest enemies to the fold of Islam without adequate material resources. Worshippers of idols, blind followers of the ways of forefathers, promoters of tribal feuds, abusers of human dignity and blood, become the most disciplined nation under the guidance of Islam and its Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). Islam opened before them vistas of spiritual heights and human dignity by declaring righteousness as the sole criterion for merit and honor. Islam shaped their social, cultural, moral and commercial life with basic laws and principles which are in conformity with human nature, and hence applicable in all times, as human nature does not change.

It is so unfortunate that instead of sincerely trying to understand the phenomenal success of Islam during its earlier time, the Christian West considered it as a rival religion. During the centuries of the Crusades, this trend gained much force and impetus and a large body of literature was produced to tarnish the image of Islam. However, Islam has begun to unfold its genuineness to the modern scholars whose bold and objective observations on Islam belie all the charges levelled against it by the so-called ‘unbiased’ Orientalists.

Here we furnish some observations on Islam by renowned non-Muslim scholars of modern times. The truth needs no advocates to plead on its behalf. However, the prolonged malicious propaganda against Islam has created great confusion even in the minds of free and objective thinkers.

We hope that the following observations would contribute to initiating an objective evaluation of Islam.

"It (Islam) replaced monkishness by manliness. It gives hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind, and recognition of the fundamental facts of human nature.”

Canon Taylor [Paper read before the Church Congress at Walverhamton, Oct. 7, 1887 CE, Quoted by Arnond in The Preaching of Islam, p. 71-72.]

“Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Quran, I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to whole world.”

Sarojini Naidu [Lectures on The Ideals of Islam see Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, Madras, 1918,p.167.]

“History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated”.

De Lacy O’Leary  [Islam at the Crossroads, London, 1923 p. 8.]

“But Islam has a still further service to render to the cause of humanity. It stands after all nearer to the real East than Europe does, and it possesses a magnificent tradition of inter-racial understanding and cooperation. No other society has such a records of success in uniting in an equality of status, of opportunity, and of endeavors so many and various races of mankind… Islam has still the power to reconcile apparently irreconcilable elements of race and tradition. If ever the opposition of the Great societies of East and West is to be replaced by cooperation, the mediation of Islam is an indispensable condition. In its hand lies very largely the solution of the problem with which Europe is faced in its relations with the East. If they unite, the hope of a peaceful issue is immeasurably enhanced. But if Europe, by rejecting the cooperation of Islam, throws it into the arms of its rivals, the issue can only be disastrous for both”.

H.A.R. Gibb [Whither Islam, London, 1932,p. 379]

“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion, which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence, which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him -- the wonderful man --  and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him, were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness. I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.”

 G. B. Shaw [The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 81936]

“The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievement of Islam and in the contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue.”

 A. J. Toynbee [Civilization on Trial, New York, 1948, p. 205]

“The rise of Islam is perhaps the most amazing event in human history. Spreading from a land and a people previously negligible, Islam spread within a century over half the earth, shattering great empires, overthrowing long-established religion, remolding the souls of races, and building up a whole new world – the world of Islam. The closer we examine this development the more extraordinary it appears. The other great religions won their way slowly, by painful struggle and finally triumphed with the aid of powerful monarchs converted to the new faith. Christianity had its Constantine, Buddhism its Asoka, and Zoroastrianism its Cyrus, each lending to his chosen cult the mighty force of secular authority. Not so Islam. Arising in a desert land sparsely inhabited by a nomad race previously undistinguished in human annals, Islam sallied forth on its great adventure with the slenderest human backing and against the heaviest material odds. Yet Islam triumphed with seemingly miraculous ease, and a couple of generations saw the Fiery Crescent borne victorious from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas and from the deserts of central Asia to the deserts of central Africa….”

A. M. L. Stoddard [Quoted in Islam: The Religion of all Prophets, Begum Bawani Waqf, Karachi, Pakistan p. 56.]

“Islam is a religion that is essentially rationalistic in the widest sense of this term considered etymologically and historically. The definition of rationalism as a system that bases religion beliefs on principles furnished by the reason applies to it exactly. It cannot be denied that many doctrines and systems of theology and also many superstitions, from the worships of saints to the use of rosaries and amulets, have become grafted on the main trunk on Muslim creed. But in spite of the rich development, in every sense of the term, of the teachings of the Prophet, the Quran has invariably kept its place as the fundamental starting point, and the dogma of unity of God has always been proclaimed therein with the grandeur, a majesty, an invariable purity and with a note of sure conviction, which it is hard to find surpassed outside the pale of Islam. This fidelity to the fundamental dogma of the religion, the elemental simplicity of the formula in which it is enunciated, the power that is gains from the fervid conviction of the missionaries who propagate it, are so many causes to explain the success of Muhammad’s missionary efforts. A creed so precise; so stripped of all theological complexities and consequently so accessible to the ordinary understanding might be expected to possess, and does indeed possess, a marvelous power of winning its way into the consciences of men.”

Edward Montet [La Propagande Chretienne Et Ses Adversaries Musulmans, Paris 1890, Quoted by T. W. Arnold in The Preaching of Islam, London 1913, p. 413-414]

“I am not a Muslim in the usual sense, though I hope I am a “Muslim” as one surrendered to God, but I believe that embedded in the Quran and other expressions of the Islamic vision are vast stores of divine truth from which I  and other Occidentals have still much to learn; and Islam is certainly a strong contender for supplying of the basic framework of the one religion of the future”.

W. Montgomery Watt [Islam and Christianity Today, London 1983, p. IX]

PHOTO CAPTION

William Montgomery Watt

Did Islam spread by the sword? Myth and reality

Among the most widely believed myths about Islam in the West today is the myth of forcible conversion to Islam. 

Many Westerners believe that Islam is so widespread in the world today simply because of a "holy campaign of terror" carried out by the early Muslims to convert non-Muslims to Islam. They believe that non-Muslims were offered the freedom to choose between two things: Islam or death. 

During a discussion, a Baptist Minister said: "Muslims tend to kill non-Muslims and anyone who disagrees with them". In a syndicated column appearing in over 30 papers (on July 23, 1994) entitled, ‘Muslim Persecution of Christians Increasing’ the author blames many Muslim countries for persecuting Christians, then he quotes the Quran (which means): "There is no compulsion in religion" [Quran 2:256] and ends the quote by rudely writing: "Really?" 

How to confront such misconceptions? First, there is no need for us to be apologetic. As Muslims, we should search for the truth and present it as it is. This is how we have been instructed by Allaah Almighty (which means): "Say: The truth from your Lord and let him who will believe and let him who will reject"  [Quran 18:29] 

Islam is the religion of the Truth and the Quran is the Book which testifies to the Truth; Allaah Says  (what means): "We sent down the Quran in Truth and in Truth has it descended"  [Quran 17:105] 

And (what means): "Put your trust in Allaah for you are on the path of the manifest Truth"  [Quran 27:79] 

Therefore, we should ask ourselves first, before we are asked by anyone else: what is the truth? Did Muslims really force others to convert to Islam? Is there any evidence for consistent forcible conversion throughout Islamic history? In fact, there is no such evidence anywhere in the history of Islam. Many distinguished Western historians have attested to this fact -- foremost among whom is Sir Thomas W. Arnold in his book, The Preaching of Islam. Similarly authors like, Marshall G. Hodgson, in his book The Venture of Islam, Albert Hourani in his book, A History of the Arab People, Ira Lapidus in his book, History of Islamic Societies, L.S. Starorianos in his book, A Global History: The Human Heritage and many others have testified to this. 

On the contrary, there is substantial evidence that Muslims were often seen as liberators of the oppressed people everywhere. 

The question that remains to be answered is: why have so many people chosen Islam in the 1400 years of its history? Islam has penetrated the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, West Africa, East Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan, India, Western China and the Malay Archipelago. In all these regions, Islam replaced so many other well-established religions: Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism and Animism. What are the reasons behind the triumph of Islam over all these religions? 

First, Islam is an amazing blend of simplicity and rationality, as Professor Hodgson explains: "Muslims made a personal appeal to people's religious consciousness. On the level of straight argument, they often put forward the populistic intelligibility of Islam. Muslims commonly ridiculed, in the name of intellectual good sense, the more mythically convoluted teachings of older traditions. This could seem attractively straightforward to people dissatisfied with taking things on faith from a learned priest whose mysteries they could not comprehend. 

A single Creator, to be worshipped by each person for himself, based on revelation that had been given to a famous prophet whom millions already acknowledged. This was at once intelligible and plausible." 

The unambiguous and uncompromising belief in the Unity, Greatness and Wisdom of God, the Creator of the universe, is unparalleled among other religions. The French professor Edouard Montet said: "The dogma of the unity of God...has always been proclaimed in the Quran with a grandeur, a majesty, an invariable purity and with a note of pure conviction which is hard to find surpassed outside the pale of Islam. A creed so precise, so stripped of all theological complexities and so accessible to the ordinary understanding might be expected to possess and does indeed possess a marvelous power of winning its way into the consciences of men." 

Besides its simple and rational creed, Islam offers an impressive set of rituals, which has gained the admiration and, subsequently, the conversion of many non-Muslims. The second pillar of Islam, Salaah [prayer] has been described as follows by Sir Arnold: "The religion of the Muslim is continuously present with him and, in the daily prayer, manifests itself in a solemn and impressive ritual which cannot leave either the worshipper or the spectator unaffected." 

In addition to the prayers, the other pillars of Islam, Zakaah [alms tax distributed to the poor], Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), Siyaam (fasting in Ramadan), have always been factors in attracting many hearts to Islam. To this day, one still meets converts who were impressed by the social justice of Islam, brilliantly expressed in the payment of Zakaah, the unique congregation of the Hajj and Siyaam. Thus, it is the union of rationalism and Divine rituals that explains the power that Islam has exercised over the hearts and minds of so many people. 

Islam simply presents the truth in a tangible form, with the help of a miraculous book: the Quran. The marvelous power and beauty of the words of the Quran have also been a decisive factor in the conversion of many people to Islam. 

The famous Jewish American convert to Islam, Maryam Jameelah, cited the Quran as the major factor of her conversion. After a deep study of both the Old Testament and the Quran, the contrast between the two scriptures became increasingly evident to her until she firmly believed that the Quran was indeed God's message to the human race. 

A conference of Christian missionaries in 1887 was discussing why Islam has almost swept away Christianity from the Middle East. What did Islam offer these people to forsake Christianity for good? One of the missionaries was insightful enough to say the following: "Islam brought out the fundamental dogmas of the Unity and Greatness of God, that He is Mindful and Righteous. It proclaimed the responsibility of man, a future life, a Day of Judgment and stern retribution to fall upon the wicked, and enforced the duties of prayer, alms giving and fasting. It replaced monkishness by manliness; it gave hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind and recognition to the fundamental facts of human nature." 

The formidable rationalism and clarity of Islam not only led the Christians of the Middle East to forsake Christianity and embrace Islam in the past, it continues to do so with Christians in the West to the present day. 

A Muslim sister, from California, who was a practicing Christian and an active member in her nearby Presbyterian church, wrote in her conversion story. She said that in spite of her active affiliation with the church, she always had serious questions about the fundamentals of Christianity, which did not make sense to her. She debated her questions with her friends but they never came up with reasonable answers. The church could not give them answers either, but only told them to "have faith". All her questions were answered when she took a course about Islam. Listen to her words:

"This class brought back all of the concerns that I had about Christianity. As I learned about Islam, all my questions were answered. All of us are not punished for Adam's original sin. Adam asked God for forgiveness and our Merciful, Loving God forgave him. God doesn't require a blood sacrifice in payment for sin. We must sincerely ask for forgiveness and amend our ways. Jesus wasn't God; he was a prophet like all of the other prophets. This answered all of my questions about the trinity and the nature of Jesus. I found a teaching that put everything in its proper perspective and appealed to my heart and my intellect. It seemed natural. It wasn't confusing. I had been searching and I had found a place to rest my faith." 

Islam is so strong and so self-assured that it does not need to use force to attract others to it. The moral and intellectual superiority of Islam over all other religions has manifested itself clearly throughout the history of Islam. Despite the ills that Muslims are facing everywhere, Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion on earth. Professor Huston Smith of the MIT in his book, The Religions of Man says:

"In some areas where Islam and Christianity are competing for converts, Islam is gaining at a rate of 10 to 1."

By: Dr. Sharif Mohammed

Islam does not tolerate the killing of innocents

Islam is portrayed as a religion of “terror” and “killing”, yet this is just one of the most widely held misconceptions about Islam. Allaah Almighty states unambiguously in the Quran (what means): "Nor take life -- which Allaah has made sacred -- except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand retaliation or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life, for he is helped (by the Law)." [Quran 17:33]

Based on this verse, it is Islamically unlawful to murder anyone who is innocent of any crime. At this point, we would do well to remember the distinction between the Quran and Sunnah, and the Muslims. Only the Quran and Sunnah are guaranteed to be in accordance with what the Creator desires, whereas the Muslims may possibly deviate. Hence, if any Muslim kills an innocent person, that Muslim has committed a grave sin, and the action cannot be claimed to have been committed "in the name of Islam."

It should be clear, then, that the oft-used term "Muslim terrorist" is almost an oxymoron: by killing innocent people, a Muslim is committing a grave sin, and Allaah is Just. This phrase is offensive and demeaning of Islam, and it should be avoided. It is hoped that as the general level of public awareness and understanding of Islam increases, people will keep "terrorism" and "Islam" separate from each other, and not use them in the same phrase.

Jihaad or Holy War?

Another misunderstood Islamic concept is that the Creator has imposed `Jihaad' on us. The term "holy war" has come from the time of the Crusades, and originated in Europe as a rallying cry against the Muslims in Jerusalem. Jihaad is an Arabic word, meaning struggle, but in the context of many verses in the Quran, it carries the meaning of military struggle or war. Allaah gradually introduced the obligation of military struggle to the Muslim community at the time of the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). The first verse ever revealed in that connection is as follows, (which means): "Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allaah is well able to assist them."  [Quran 22: 39]

This verse lays down the precondition for all wars in Islam: there must exist certain oppressive conditions on the people. The Creator unequivocally orders us to fight oppression and persecution, even at the expense of bloodshed as the following verse shows in which Allaah Says (what means): "And fight in the cause of Allaah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allaah does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the reward of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allaah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allaah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors." [Quran 2:190-192]

As one might imagine, the method of military struggle has been clearly and extensively defined in the Quran and Sunnah. Since this is a vast subject, we can simply summarize part of it by noting that it is unlawful to kill women, children, the sick, the old and the innocent. From the Sunnah, we find: Narrated 'Abdullaah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him: "During some of the battles of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) a woman was found killed. Allaah's Apostle disapproved the killing of women and children." [Al-Bukhaari]

A related misconception about Jihaad is often propagated by Muslims who say that: "Jihaad is only for self-defense of physical borders." The Quran and Sunnah refute this notion categorically. As the verses cited above show, Jihaad is obligatory wherever there is injustice, and Muslims need not acknowledge imaginary lines around the earth when it comes to upholding this obligation. The Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) has also commented on this extensively in the Sunnah. From the study of the Sunnah, we find: Narrated Abu Moosaa  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him: "A man came to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and asked: 'A man fights for war booty; another fights for fame and a third fights for showing off; which of them fights in Allaah's Cause?' The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "He who fights that Allaah's Word (i.e. Islam) should be superior, fights in Allaah's Cause."  [Al-Bukhaari]

Hence, the Creator obligates us to fight wherever people are being deprived of freely hearing or practicing the Message of Allaah, as contained in the Quran and Sunnah. Sayyid Qutb, a famous Muslim scholar eloquently discusses the notion of Jihaad and self-defense in his book Milestones: "If we insist on calling Islamic Jihaad a defensive movement, then we must change the meaning of the word `defense' and mean by it `defense of man' against all those elements which limit his freedom. These elements take the form of beliefs and concepts, as well as of political systems, based on economic, racial or class distinction."

Judicial System of Islam:

A third major area of misconceptions about Islam is that of the Islamic judicial system,  which is considered unnecessarily harsh. This assumption is weak in two respects. First, it presupposes that human beings are more just and more merciful than the Creator, and therefore we can change the law. Second, it is often based on gross oversimplifications of Islamic law, such as saying: "all thieves get their hands cut off!" 

The Quran and Sunnah make it clear that the law of retaliation (or equality) governs us for murder and physical injury, but forgiveness is better as the following verses from the Quran show; Allaah Says (what means): "The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allaah: for (Allaah) loves not those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a grievous penalty. And whoever is patient and forgiving, these most surely are actions due to courage." [Quran 42:40-43]

The Creator ordained the law of retaliation for us, knowing full well that we might question it. In many non-Muslim societies today, there are ongoing debates about the death penalty. In Islam, this discussion is moot: The Creator has decided the matter for us. He has however given us an interesting verse in the Quran, which advises to consider the matter carefully if we want to understand it; the verse says (which means): "And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O people of understanding, that you may guard yourselves." [Quran 2:179]

Most people are also unaware of the stringent conditions, which must be met for the law of retaliation to be applicable. The Sunnah is full of examples of the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) showing us when the law's preconditions were fulfilled. For example, a thief is only liable to lose his or her hand if the stolen item exceeds a certain value, and if it is proven that the item was taken from its normal resting place. Stealing food is not punishable by the loss of one's hand, and other items are exempt as well. This is just an example of how carefully the law is applied in Islam. Moreover, it must be clarified that penalties in Islam are meant to establish peace and security for the society.

The Sword of Islam:

Finally, another reason advanced for this prevalent misconception is that Islam `spread by the sword'. It should be clear by now that we must always distinguish between the Quran and Sunnah and the Muslims, when it comes to determining what the Creator has asked of us. Allaah has stated clearly in the Quran (which means): "There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever rejects Satan (and what he calls to) and believes in Allaah, he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handhold, which shall not break off, and Allaah is Hearing, Knowing." [Quran 2:256]

Hence, it is impossible to accept Islam under duress. Even if misguided Muslims were to try to `force' Islam somehow on others, based on the previous verse, it would not be accepted by the Creator. Historical arguments that try to demonstrate that Muslims did not `convert others by force' are actually secondary to the argument given above. However, it is worth noting that historically, Islam did spread by peaceful means. 

The Message of the Creator was introduced in Africa and southeast Asia by trading Muslims. People started converting to Islam in big numbers when the Muslims liberated them from the clutches of the cruel rulers, who used to tax then heavily and loot precious belongings from them whenever they wished. Today the largest Muslim country in the world is Indonesia. The military expeditions that led to the conquest of large swathes of territory in Europe and central Asia were all marked by tolerance of other creeds and faith.