Le Pèlerinage : témoignages et impressions raconté par #Malcolm_X

Le pèlerinage est un acte particulièrement méritoire, un moment de dévotion et de spiritualité particulièrement intense, un moment pour se corriger soi-même et demander le pardon d’Allah. Le pèlerinage à la Mecque, la ville la plus sacrée pour les musulmans, est obligatoire pour tous les musulmans qui en ont les capacités physique et financière, au moins une fois dans leur vie. Le Hadj  est un immense rassemblement qui donne conscience que tous les musulmans sont égaux et qu’ils méritent leur amour et leur sympathie, quelles que soient leur race ou leur origine ethnique. Cette harmonie raciale, que l’on retrouve au Hadj , est très bien racontée par Malcolm X, dans le récit qu’il a livré de son pèlerinage :

« A l’aéroport, chacun des milliers de musulmans qui s’apprêtaient à quitter Djeddah était vêtu de la même façon. Qu’un individu fût roi ou paysan, personne n’aurait su dire. Certaines personnes influentes, que l’on m’a discrètement montrées, étaient vêtues de la même façon que moi. Ainsi vêtus, nous avons commencé à proclamer, par intermittence : «Labbayk Allahoumma Labbayk !» (À ton service, ô mon Seigneur!). Dans l’avion, il y avait des blancs, des noirs, des basanés, des rouges et des jaunes, des yeux bleus et des cheveux blonds et mes cheveux rouges frisés… Tous ensemble, tous des frères ! Nous adorions tous le même Dieu et nous nous accordions le même respect les uns les autres…

C’est à ce moment que j’ai commencé à réévaluer l’homme blanc ; que j’ai commencé à comprendre que l’expression «homme blanc» ne faisait référence à la couleur de la peau que de façon secondaire et qu’elle décrivait, d’abord et avant tout, des attitudes et des actes. Aux États-Unis, «homme blanc» faisait référence à des attitudes et à des actes particuliers dirigés contre l’homme noir ou contre tous les hommes qui ne sont pas blancs. Mais dans le monde musulman, je découvrais que les hommes à peau blanche étaient plus fraternels que toutes les personnes que j’avais pu rencontrer dans ma vie. Ce matin-là a marqué le début d’un changement radical dans ma façon de percevoir «l’homme blanc».

Il y avait des dizaines de milliers de pèlerins, provenant des quatre coins du monde. Ils étaient de toutes les couleurs, des blonds aux yeux bleus jusqu’aux Africains à la peau noire. Mais nous participions tous au même rituel, dans un esprit d’unité et de fraternité que mes expériences, aux États-Unis, m’avaient amené à croire qu’il ne pourrait jamais exister entre les blancs et les noirs… L’Amérique a besoin de comprendre l’Islam, car c’est l’unique religion qui peut faire disparaître de sa société les problèmes de racisme. Tout au long de mes voyages, dans le monde musulman, j’ai rencontré, discuté et même mangé avec des gens qu’on aurait, aux États-Unis, considérés comme «blancs» ; mais «l’attitude de blanc» était absente, chez eux, car l’islam prenait toute la place dans leur cœur. Jamais auparavant je n’avais vu une fraternité sincère et vraie réunissant des gens de toutes les couleurs.»

Ainsi, le pèlerinage unit les musulmans du monde en une grande fraternité internationale. Plus de deux millions de personnes accomplissent chaque année le Hadj , qui agit comme force en unifiant, en islam, en rassemblant, dans l’adoration, des fidèles provenant de toutes sortes de milieux. Dans certaines sociétés musulmanes, une fois qu’un croyant a accompli le pèlerinage, il se fait souvent appeler «Hadj i». C’est là, cependant, une pratique culturelle et non religieuse. Enfin, le Hadj  est une manifestation de la croyance en l’unicité d’Allah en ce sens que tous les pèlerins obéissent aux commandements du seul et unique Allah et qu’ils n’adorent que Lui.

A certains postes, sur les routes de caravanes menant à La Mecque ou lorsque le pèlerin dépasse le point le plus près de ces postes, il entre dans un état de pureté appelé Ihram. Lorsqu’il est dans cet état, certains actes quotidiens «normaux» lui deviennent interdits, comme par exemple se couvrir la tête, se couper les ongles ou porter des vêtements réguliers, pour les hommes. En effet, les hommes doivent retirer leurs vêtements réguliers et revêtir un vêtement spécial pour entrer en état d’Ihram, soit deux longues pièces de tissu blanc sans coutures, drapées autour du corps. Tout cela contribue à donner un caractère saint et respectueux au pèlerinage, à la cité de La Mecque et au mois de Dhoul Al-Hidja. 

Il y a cinq postes : un sur les plaines côtières au nord-ouest de La Mecque, vers l’Égypte, un au sud, en direction du Yémen, et trois au nord ou vers l’est, en direction de Médine, de l’Irak et d’al-Najd. 

Le vêtement d’une grande simplicité porté par les pèlerins représente l’égalité de tous les hommes devant Dieu et le renoncement à l’amour des choses d’ici-bas. Après être entré en état d’Ihram, le pèlerin se dirige vers La Mecque, où il attend le début du Hadj. Le 7ème jour de Dhoul Al-Hidja, on rappelle leurs devoirs aux pèlerins et lorsque commence le rituel, qui a lieu entre le 8ème et le 12ème jour du mois, ils se rendent aux lieux saints à l’extérieur de La Mecque, ‘Arafat, Mouzdalifa et Mina, et sacrifient chacun un animal en commémoration du sacrifice d’Ibrahim sur lui la paix. Puis, le pèlerin raccourcit ou rase ses cheveux et, après avoir jeté sept pierres sur des piliers situés à Mina durant trois ou quatre jours successifs, il se dirige vers la Grande Mosquée où il fait sept fois le tour du sanctuaire sacré ou Kaâba, avant de faire sept fois l’aller-retour, à pas rapides, entre les deux collines, c’est-à-dire le mont Safa et le mont Marwa. La discussion détaillée de la signification historique et spirituelle de chacun de ces rites n’entre pas dans le cadre de cet article d’introduction.

A part le Hadj , il y a également le «petit pèlerinage» ou Omra, qui peut être accompli durant le reste de l’année. Accomplir la Omra ne décharge pas une personne de l’obligation d’accomplir le Hadj . La Omra est similaire au Hadj  et les pèlerins ont le choix de l’accomplir soit séparément soit combinée au Hadj . Comme pour le Hadj , le pèlerin doit entrer en état d’Ihram avant de commencer la Omra. Il entre à La Mecque et fait sept fois le tour de la Kaâba. Il touche la pierre noire, s’il le peut, prie derrière le Maqam Ibrahim et boit de l’eau de la source de Zamzam. Il accomplit les allers-retours entre les deux collines de Safa et Marwa sept fois et se raccourcit ou se rase des cheveux.

Le temps passé par les Compagnons auprès du Prophète I

Nous allons consacrer deux courts articles au laps de temps que certains grands Compagnons ont passé auprès du Prophète ().

Il ne fait absolument aucun doute que la génération des nobles Compagnons, qu’Allah les agrée tous, est la meilleur génération de toute la Oumma à travers le temps, de même que nous ne doutons pas que le choix d’Allah de faire de ces hommes pieux les compagnons de Son Envoyé, les porteurs et diffuseurs de Son message et les premiers bâtisseurs de l’Etat islamique était le meilleur des choix.
Il est certain que les Compagnons ont été et sont nos guides vers la voie prophétique authentique, ils sont nos pères en religion et ils font le lien entre nous et la religion du Seigneur des Mondes ; en outre, ils ont l’immense honneur d’être décrits comme possédant les meilleures qualités et vertus que peut posséder le croyant, cela fut d’ailleurs le cas dans les livres célestes qui précédèrent le Noble Coran, c’est-à-dire la Torah et les Evangiles, ainsi Allah, exalté soit-Il, dit : « Mohammed est le Messager d’Allah. Et ceux qui sont avec lui sont durs envers les mécréants, miséricordieux entre eux. Tu les vois inclinés, prosternés, recherchant d’Allah grâce et agrément. Leurs visages sont marqués par la trace laissée par la prosternation. Telle est leur image dans la Torah. Et l’image que l’on donne d’eux dans l’Evangile est celle d’une semence qui sort sa pousse, puis se raffermit, s’épaissit, et ensuite se dresse sur sa tige, à l’émerveillement des semeurs. [Allah] par eux [les croyants] remplit de dépit les mécréants. Allah promet à ceux d’entre eux qui croient et font de bonnes œuvres, un pardon et une énorme récompense » (Coran 48/29). Nous remarquons ici que toutes les vertus et nobles caractéristiques attribuées aux Compagnons sont toutes mises au pluriel, ce qui indique que sont visés ici tous les membres de cette génération qui accompagna le Prophète (). A ce propos Ibn Mas’ûd (Radhia Allahou Anhou) a dit : « Allah a regardé dans les cœurs de Ses serviteurs et Il a trouvé que le cœur de Mohammed () était le meilleur des cœurs parmi les cœurs de tous Ses serviteurs, Il le choisit donc afin qu’il délivre Son message ; puis, après avoir scruté le cœur de Mohammed () Il regarda à nouveau dans les cœurs des serviteurs et Il trouva que les cœurs de ses Compagnons étaient les meilleurs des cœurs parmi les cœurs de tous les autres serviteurs, c’est ainsi qu’Il fit d’eux les ministres de Son Messager ; ces Compagnons combattent pour Sa religion, de plus ce qu’Allah considère être bon est considéré par eux comme bon, et ce qu’Allah considère être mauvais est considéré par eux comme mauvais » (Ahmad).
Tout cela est connu, très fiable et tiré des preuves présentes dans les textes et le sens du Coran et de la Sunna, mais, en outre, nous aimerions attirer l’attention sur le fait que la génération des Compagnons, qui a eu la chance d’être choisie et élue par Allah, a vu son époque bénie, car en effet cette génération a produit et généré ce que n’ont pu produire et générer les autres nations et peuples dans des temps et époques beaucoup plus longs et étendus. Ainsi, cher lecteur, il est possible que tu sois étonné d’apprendre que tout ce processus de création d’une nouvelle civilisation puissante et extraordinaire assumé par quelques individus de la Oumma n’a pas pris beaucoup de temps et que ce changement profond opéré par les soins des « disciples de l’école prophétique », qui conquirent des contrées lointaines afin de diffuser la bonne guidée de la révélation et ses sciences, fut accompli par eux en un temps record. Notons que beaucoup d’entre ces Compagnons ne sont pas restés très longtemps en compagnie du Prophète (), certains ne le fréquentèrent même que quelques jours ; nous allons donc dans ce qui suit mettre en évidence cette réalité :

- Mu’âdh ibn Djabal al-Khazradjî al-Ansârî (Radhia Allahou Anhou) était fort savant, il était même parmi toute la communauté celui qui maîtrisait le mieux les règles du licite et de l’illicite. Il se convertit à l’Islam à l’âge de 18 ans, il assista à la Bataille de Badr, de même qu’il participa à tous les autres combats auxquels participa le Prophète () qui le faisait toujours marcher derrière lui ou bien il le plaçait dans sa suite lorsqu’il sortait sur sa monture ; notons en sus que le Prophète () envoya Mu’âdh au Yémen après l’expédition de Tabûk alors qu’il avait 28 ans, et ce, afin qu’il enseigne aux gens le Coran et les règles de l’Islam et pour qu’il juge leurs affaires, il faut savoir que Mu’âdh était toujours au Yémen lorsque le Prophète () mourut. Ainsi, Mu’âdh se trouva en compagnie du Prophète () pendant environ dix ans, et durant cette période il apprit de lui le Coran et les règles de l’Islam, il le fit d’ailleurs si bien qu’il devint celui de tous les Compagnons qui lisait le plus le Coran ainsi que celui qui connaissait le mieux la Loi d’Allah. Il mourut durant la peste qui toucha ‘Amwâs, vers le Jordanie actuelle, en l’an 18 de l’Hégire, il avait alors 33 ou 38 ans selon les avis.

- S’ad ibn Mu’âdh (Radhia Allahou Anhou) faisait partie du clan médinois des Aws, et d’ailleurs il fut leur porte-drapeau lors de la Bataille de Badr, il est sans conteste l’un des grands héros de l’Islam, il fut toutefois atteint d’une flèche le jour de la Bataille du Fossé, il ne se remit pas des séquelles de cette blessure et il en mourut peu de temps après à l’âge de 37 ans, il fut inhumé dans le cimetière d’al-Baqî’. Sa mort attrista le Prophète () et fit trembler le Trône du Miséricordieux ! Il a donc accompagné le Prophète () seulement cinq années.

- ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abbâs (Radhia Allahou Anhou), le grand Compagnon, le plus érudit des oulémas et le transcripteur du Noble Coran a été décrit par ‘Amrû ibn Dînâr comme suit : « Je n’ai jamais vu une assemblée rassemblant plus de bienfaits que celle où se trouvait Ibn ‘Abbâs, y étaient étudiés le licite et l’illicite, la langue arabe ou encore les poèmes ; en outre, Ibn ‘Abbâs a rapporté du Prophète () 1660 hadiths. Il Naquit trois ans avant l’Hégire, et lorsque le Prophète () décéda, il n’avait pas plus de treize ans.

- Abû Hurayra, dont le nom est ‘Abd al-Rahmân ibn Sakhr al-Dawsî (Radhia Allahou Anhou), fut le Compagnon qui apprit par cœur le plus grand nombre de hadiths et duquel on rapporta également le plus grand nombre de hadiths. Il se convertit à l’Islam durant la septième année après l’Hégire, et il tâcha donc d’accompagner le Prophète () partout où il allait, il apprit ainsi de lui une science immense, bénéfique et bénie, et d’ailleurs personne ne put rivaliser avec lui en termes de quantité de savoirs appris dans le sillage du Prophète (). Notons en sus qu’il a été rapporté de lui 5374 hadiths, et à ce propos il faut savoir que ces nombreux hadiths ont été rapportés par plus de huit cent Compagnons ou Tâbi’în. Il passa quatre années auprès du Prophète () dont trois années qu’il consacra exclusivement au fait de recevoir et consigner la science, il se contentait alors de très peu à manger, il ne travailla pas du tout ni dans le commerce ni dans l’artisanat, de même qu’il n’enfanta durant cette période de peur que cela le détourne de sa mission qui consistait à recueillir un maximum de science du Prophète (). Il mourut en 59 de l’Hégire.

The Well-Guarded Sky – A Miracle of the Quran

In the Qur'an, Allah Almighty calls our attention to a very important attribute of the sky: "We made the sky a preserved and protected roof, yet still they turn away from Our signs." [21:32]

This attribute of the sky has been proved by scientific research carried out in the 20th century: The atmosphere surrounding the Earth serves crucial functions for the continuity of life. While destroying many meteors - big and small - as they approach the Earth, it prevents them from falling to Earth and harming living things.

In addition, the atmosphere filters the light rays coming from space that are harmful to living things. The most striking feature of this function of the atmosphere is that it lets only harmless and useful rays-visible light, near ultraviolet light and radio waves pass through. All of this radiation is vital for life. Near ultraviolet rays, which are only partially let in by the atmosphere, are very important for the photosynthesis of plants and for the survival of all living things. The majority of the intense ultraviolet rays emitted from the Sun are filtered out by the ozone layer of the atmosphere. Only a limited and essential part of the ultraviolet spectrum reaches the Earth.

The protective function of the atmosphere does not end here. The atmosphere also protects the Earth from the freezing cold of the space, which is approximately -2700C (-4540F).

It is not only the atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful effects. In addition to the atmosphere, the Van-Allen Belt - the layer caused by the magnetic field of the Earth - also serves as a shield against the harmful radiation that threatens our planet. This radiation, which is constantly emitted by the Sun and other stars, is deadly to living things. If the Van-Allen belt did not exist, the massive outbursts of energy called solar flares that frequently occur in the Sun would destroy all life on Earth.

On the importance of the Van-Allen Belt, Dr. Hugh Ross says:

"In fact, the Earth has the highest density of any of the planets in our Solar System. This large nickel-iron core is responsible for our large magnetic field. This magnetic field produces the Van-Allen radiation shield, which protects the Earth from radiation bombardment. If this shield were not present, life would not be possible on Earth. The only other rocky planet to have any magnetic field is Mercury—but its field strength is 100 times less than the Earth's. Even Venus, our sister planet, has no magnetic field. The Van-Allen radiation shield is a design unique to the Earth. (The Incredible Design of the Earth and our Solar System)

The energy transmitted in just one of these bursts detected in recent years was calculated to be equivalent to 100 billion atomic bombs, each akin to one dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War II. Fifty-eight hours after the burst, it was observed that the magnetic needles of compasses displayed unusual movement and 250 kilometers (155 miles) above the Earth's atmosphere, the temperature suddenly increased to 25,000C (45,320F).

In short, a perfect system is at work high above the Earth. It surrounds our world and protects it against external threats. Centuries ago, Allah Almighty informed us in the Qur'an of the world’s atmosphere functioning as a protective shield.

The sky made a dome

"[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him]." [Quran 2:22]

Here, the sky is described as "as-Samaa’ binaa’." As well as the meaning of "dome" or "ceiling," this also describes a kind of tent-like covering used by the Bedouin. By describing the sky as a tent-like structure, the Quran is emphasizing that it is a form of protection against external elements.

Even if we are generally unaware of it, a large number of meteors fall to the Earth, as they do to the other planets. The reason why these make enormous craters on other planets but do no do harm on Earth is that the atmosphere puts up considerable resistance to a falling meteor. The meteor is unable to withstand this for long and loses much of its mass from combustion due to friction. This danger, which might otherwise cause terrible disasters, is thus prevented by the atmosphere. Besides the verses regarding the protective properties of the atmosphere cited above, attention is also drawn to the special creation in the following verse:

"Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allah, to the people, is Kind and Merciful." [Quran 22:65]

The protective property of the atmosphere protects the Earth from space, in other words, from external elements. With the word "dome," referring to the sky in the above verse, attention is drawn to this aspect of the sky, which could not possibly have been known at the time of our Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). The fact that this information was imparted 1,400 years ago in the Quran, when there were no spacecraft or giant telescopes, shows that the Quran is the revelation of our Lord, the Omniscient.

The sky that returns

The verse 11 of at-Tariq (Chapter 86) refers to the "returning" function of the sky: "By the sky which returns.” [Quran 86:11]

The word "raj'" interpreted as "return" in Quran translations has meanings of "sending back" or "returning." As is known, the atmosphere surrounding the Earth consists of many layers. Each layer serves an important purpose for the benefit of life on Earth. Research has revealed that these layers have the function of turning the materials or rays they are exposed to back into space or back down to the Earth. Now let us examine, employing a few fitting examples, this "returning" function of the layers encircling the Earth.

The troposphere, 13 to 15 kilometers (8 to 9.3 miles) above the Earth, enables water vapor rising from the surface of the Earth to be condensed and turned back as rain. The ozone layer, the lower layer of stratosphere at an altitude of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), reflects harmful radiation and ultraviolet light coming from space and turns both back into space.

The ionosphere reflects radio waves broadcast from the Earth back down to different parts of the world just like a passive communications satellite. Thus, it makes wireless communication, radio, and television broadcasting possible over long distances. The magnetosphere layer turns the harmful radioactive particles emitted by the Sun and other stars back into space before they reach the Earth.

The fact that this property of the atmosphere's layers, that was only demonstrated in the recent past was announced centuries ago in the Quran, once again confirms that the Quran is Allah's Word.

Source: Aljumuah

Rosalina Panganiban's Testimony

I'am Rosalina Panganiban (Aisha), the eldest daughter among eight children of a young couple. I hailed from a poor family, I didn't even taste the luxurious way of life, but my parents raised me with a good moral character. I finished my education in a very hard situation, and I was so lucky to get a stable job afterwards. As the eldest child, I helped my parents, brothers and sisters, because I didn't want them to experience the hardships I suffered. One day, the most shocking and lonely moment came in our life, my father died. We were so poor that we didn't even have money for the last service of my father, but thanks to Almighty God, everything was settled. I knew that it was part of His trial.

In 1985, I came to Kuwait. It was so strange. I felt sorry for my decision to leave the company that I worked for nine years. Then my employer tried to comfort me, they treated me as their own family. They decided to open a small boutique shop and allowed me to manage it.

On 2 August 1990, I felt the earth fall down on my head, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. I decided to leave Kuwait. I passed through Baghdad, where I fell ill. I thought it was an endless ordeal. Thanks to Almighty God, I reached my country safe and sound.

Next year, on the same date, our home, which we built on five years of hard work in Kuwait, was pulled down by the government. Every piece of our house was razed to ground. It was painful to see that in one second everything was gone, and they didn't pay any compensation.

In January of 1992, I was lucky to come back to Kuwait under the same employer. Everything ran smoothly, and I decided to fulfill my desire, which I had been cherishing since 1985: to embrace Islam the true religion of God, the religion that Almighty God revealed to the last prophet, Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). The religion which caught my attention when I first reached this Muslim country. On the first day of my arrival here I observed the brotherly relations among countrymen, their help and concern to their brothers outside, the equality among Muslims regardless of their races, nationality, social status etc., the soundness of Islamic law, and when I listened to the programs of Sheikh Salah Al-Rasheid on "Understanding Islam", my desire became more. I found my source, the IPC to get all the information and pamphlets, regarding Islam. Thanks to Almighty God, I'm now in His true religion. I'm now on the right path of life, and I believe that upon embracing Islam, my first and most important duty to Almighty God is to share with others, especially with non-Muslims, what I learned here at I.P.C., and to study Islam deeply.

Islam: a complete code of life

Islam is an all-embracing way of life. It extends over the entire spectrum of life, showing us how to conduct all human activities in a sound and wholesome manner. It does not allow a hierarchy of priests or intermediaries between Allaah and human beings, no farfetched abstractions and no complicated rites and rituals. 

Everybody can readily understand the Quran and follow in the footsteps of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) , to the best of his or her ability, assured by Allaah that He will accept the deeds that each soul has the ability to offer (what means): "On no soul does Allaah place a burden greater than it can bear." [Quran 2:286]

    

When we read the Quran or the Prophetic traditions, we find instructions regarding all aspects of life: political, social, economic, material, ethical, national and international. These instructions provide us with all the details needed to perform a certain act. 

The Prophetic traditions go as far as showing us all the steps we need to follow, even the etiquette of using the bathroom: supplications to be said upon entering it and leaving it, how to clean ourselves properly and so on. 

To summarize, Islam governs a Muslim's life in all its aspects. This is the reason why it is not only a religion but also a way of life. 

Islam does not recognize any kind of separation between religion and life. It openly rejects the Western saying: "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's"; for everything should be dedicated to God alone and a Muslim is required to submit himself completely to the Will of Allaah in all his affairs (what means): "Say: ‘Truly, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. No partner has He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit to His Will.’" [Quran 6:162]

Islam does not believe in wishful thinking. It clearly states that righteous conduct must be followed by belief in Allaah. The Quran says (what means): "For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a reward that will never (fail)." [Quran 41:8]

And (what means):"Those who believe and work righteousness, joy is for them and a blissful place of (final) return." [Quran 13:29]

Islam, as the revealed Religion from Allaah, is comprehensive and perfect. Its Divine Book, the Quran, is the most comprehensive book available to mankind for guidance ¾ nothing has been omitted from it.  

In order to guide mankind to the Right Religion, Allaah has completed His Divine Favor upon us by making Islam the Perfect Religion. The last message that Allaah has sent to His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) for our Divine Guidance is the perfection of Islam.

As we mentioned above, when we read the Quran or the Prophetic traditions, we find instructions regarding all aspects of life. The following are some Quranic verses and Ahaadeeth (traditions), which reflect the comprehensiveness of Islamic economic, social, religious and cultural values.

Fair/Honest Dealing in Trading, Buying and Selling

Allaah Says (what means): “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allaah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: and fear Allaah. For Allaah is well-acquainted with all that you do.”  [Quran 5:8]

Hakim bin Hizam  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that Allaah’s Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted or till they part; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Weighing/ Measuring of Goods for Business

Allaah Says (what means): “Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even (i.e., honest) balance. That is the best (way) and best in result.”  [Quran 17:35]

Prohibition of Bribery

Allaah Says (what means): "And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it (in bribery) to the rulers in order that (they might aid) you (to) consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know (it is unlawful).” [Quran 2:188]

‘Abdullaah bin ‘Amr bin al-’Aas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that he heard Allaah’s Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) saying: "Fornication will not appear among any people without their being punished by famine, and bribery will not appear among any people without their being punished by terror.”  [At-Tirmithi]

Avoidance of Hoarding and Monopoly

The Prophet, sallallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Do not withhold your money by counting it (i.e. hoarding it), (for if you did so), Allaah would also withhold His blessings from you.”  [Al-Bukhaari]

Paying Salaries/Wages of Employees/Laborers on Time

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said:  “Allaah says: ‘I will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection:  1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but he proves treacherous; 2. One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price; and 3. One who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.’”  [Al-Bukhaari]

Prohibition for Fighting/Murder and Other Crimes

Allaah’s Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “When two Muslims fight (meet) each other with their swords, both the murderer as well as the murdered will go to Hell-fire.”  It was said: “O Allaah’s Messenger! It is all right for the murderer but what about the murdered?  Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam replied: “He surely had the intention to kill his companion.’” [Al-Bukhaari]

Peace and Reconciliation

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.”  [Quran 42:40]

Respect and Kindness to Women

Allaah Says (what means): “O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness.  On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity if you take a disliking to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allaah brings about through it a great deal of good.”  [Quran 4:19]

Kindness to the Family, Parents, Relatives, Orphans, the Poor, the Needy and the Weak

Allaah Says (what means):  “...Treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and give zakaah (poor due)...”  [Quran 2:83]

Respect to Non-Muslims (People of the Book)

Allaah Says (what means): “And dispute not with the People of the Book, except in the best way; unless it be with those of them who do wrong but say: ‘We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we submit (in Islam).’”  [Quran 29:46]

Conclusion

This compilation, although far from being complete, proves that Islam as the perfect religion for the whole mankind is indeed complete.  Allaah Almighty has chosen Islam as the only religion acceptable to Him.   Islam is the best way of life for all. It serves as the best solution to all sorts of problems no matter how perplexing they may be.   Islam is the absolute answer to those who seek a perfect religion and a complete way of life. It guides us to a well-balanced life, one that makes us happy and contented in this world and in the life Hereafter.  It is the way to attaining supreme success in the everlasting world to come.  In short, Islam, as the complete way for all, is Allaah’s Mercy to the whole of mankind. 

Belief in the #Heavenly Books - I

In the cave of Hiraa’ and away from people, Jibreel (Gabriel) came down to our Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) while he was worshiping Allaah The Almighty The One Who Has no partner and said to him: "Recite." Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said, "I cannot recite,". Jibreel pressed him hard and repeated the order ‘Recite.’ ‘I cannot recite’ said he trembling and terrified, and once again he pressed him hard and said: ‘Recite.’ Again he answered while shaking and trembling ‘I cannot recite.’ Jibreel held him for the third time then released him and said: {Recite in the name of your Lord who created.} [Quran 96: 1]

Then this situation comes to an end and Jibreel disappears. Muhammad hurries back home, trembling and sweating profusely. He enters upon his wife Khadeejah and says to her: Cover me, cover me. [Al-Bukhari] She covers him with wool covers, and wipes the sweat from his forehead.

The Will of Allaah The Almighty has been fulfilled and the seal prophet on earth was chosen to convey the call of Allaah The Almighty to His slaves. The verse mentioned above was the first verse that Allaah The Almighty revealed to His Messenger from the Noble Quran which is the book that Allaah The Almighty chose to be the ever-lasting miracle and clear argument with the seal of the Prophets. This book is not the only book that Allaah The Almighty has sent down; rather, there are other books such as Tawraah (Torah) Injeel (Gospel), Zaboor (Psalms), and Suhuf (Scriptures).

The Muslim individual believes in all books that Allaah The Almighty revealed to His Prophets and Messengers in much the same way as he believes in the Noble Quran which Allaah The Almighty revealed to Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). Allaah The Almighty mentioned some of these books in the Noble Quran and did not mention some others. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allaah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it - after the clear proofs came to them - out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allaah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed.} [Quran 2: 213]

Amongst the books that Allaah The Almighty mentioned in the Noble Quran are:

1. The Scriptures of Ibraaheem (Abraham) and Moosa (Moses), may Allaah exalt their mention:

They are the Scriptures that Allaah The Almighty sent down to Ibraaheem and Musa, may Allaah exalt their mention. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {Or has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses. And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations]} [Quran 53: 36-37]

• {Indeed, this is in the former scriptures, The scriptures of Abraham and Moses} [Quran 87: 18-19]

Abu Tharr  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said: I said: O Messenger of Allaah! How were the Scriptures of Ibraaheem  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention? He said: They were full of examples; O Arrogant tested domineering king! I have not sent you to collect the vain gains of this world, but rather I sent you to respond to the supplication of the wronged person on my behalf for I never reject it even if it is from a disbeliever. Every sane person must – as long as his mind is not absent - take time to invoke his lord, time to bring himself to account, time to contemplate the creation of Allaah The Almighty, and time to seek his needs from food and drinking.

Every sane person must not move except for three things: preparing the provision for the appointed time, improving his life and enjoying a lawful pleasure. Also, every sane person must be mindful of his time, must look after his affairs and protect his tongue (from obscene speech). Whoever thinks of his speech as part of his deeds, he will not speak except in what is beneficial for him.

Then I said: O Messenger of Allaah! How were the Scriptures of Moosa (Moses)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention? He said: “They were full of wisdoms: I am amazed at the one who is certain of death and then he feels happy. I am amazed at the one who is certain of Hell and then he laughs. I am amazed at the one who is certain of preordainance and then he exhausts himself. I am amazed at the one who has seen the world and how the fortunes of its people change and then he feels reassured. I am amazed at the one who is certain of Reckoning tomorrow and then he does not work.”

2. Tawraah (Torah)

It is the book that Allaah The Almighty revealed to Moosa (Moses)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention and ordered the prophets who came after him to establish and fulfill its rulings, for Allaah The Almighty sent them and did not send any books with them; rather, He made Tawraah their book and religion. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allaah ] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allaah , and they were witnesses thereto.} [Quran 5: 44] Allaah The Almighty called he Tawraah “Al-Furqaan” in the Noble Quran.

3. Az-Zaboor (Psalms)

It is one of the heavenly books. Allaah The Almighty revealed it to Daawood (David)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And to David We gave the book [of Psalms].} [Quran 17: 55] Daawood  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention used to read a great deal in Az-Zaboor which the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) named Quran because of its similarity to the Noble Quran in their miraculousness. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “The reciting of the Zaboor (i.e. Psalms) was made easy for Daawood. He used to order that his riding animals be saddled, and would finish reciting the Zaboor before they were saddled. And he would never eat except from the earnings of his manual work.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Allaah The Almighty sent down in Az-Zaboor precious wisdoms and praises of Him. Allaah The Almighty did not reveal in it any rulings of the permissible and prohibited actions for they were enjoined to take their rulings from the Tawraah. 

4. Injeel (Gospel)

Allaah The Almighty revealed it to ‘Eesa (Jesus)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous.} [Quran 5: 46] 

• {Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel} [Quran 57: 27]

Wisdom behind revealing Books

The Muslim individual believes that these books were revealed by Allaah The Almighty. They called to At-Tawheed (monotheism) and to associating nothing with Him. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allaah and avoid Taghut.} [Quran 16: 36]

The Muslim believes that the wisdom behind revealing books is to guide human beings to the straight path of Allaah The Almighty, eliminate disagreement and discord from among them, bear for them the glad tidings of the pleasure of Allaah The Almighty if they obeyed Him and warn them against His punishment if the disobeyed Him; and that the heavenly books – other than the Noble Quran – have not remained in their original state in which Allaah The Almighty sent them down; rather, they were exposed to alteration and distortion and the words of humans have mingled with the Words of Allaah The Almighty in them.

Forms of the distortion of the Divinly Revealed Books 

Distortion of the divinely revealed books took different forms. The Noble Quran mentioned some of them such as:

1- Hiding some verses, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much.} [Quran 5: 15] 

2- Misinterpretation of the intended meanings of the verses, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from Allaah," but it is not from Allaah. And they speak untruth about Allaah while they know.} [Quran 3: 78] 

3- Displacing verses from their original places. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, "We hear and disobey.} [Quran 4: 46]

4- Adding what is not from the Book to it; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except in wishful thinking, but they are only assuming. So woe to those who write the "scripture" with their own hands, then say, "This is from Allaah ," in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.} [Quran 2: 78-79]

Distortion of the Tawraah (Torah)

Belief in the Tawraah that Allaah The Almighty revealed to Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention is one of the main pillars of the religion of Islam. Muslims believe that it included all goodness, called for the worship of Allaah Alone and it was a light and guidance. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light.} [Quran 5: 44]

However, the Tawraah that was revealed to Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention does not exist anymore in its original state. The claimed Tawraah of nowadays was written by many writers and in different times. It was distorted and altered.

Amongst the material proofs of its distortion is that the Tawraah that is in the hands of Christians is different from the one that is in the hands of Jews. The Noble Quran recorded that distortion and rebuked the Jews for their distortion and alteration of the Tawraah. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Do you covet [the hope, O believers], that they would believe for you while a party of them used to hear the words of Allaah and then distort the Torah after they had understood it while they were knowing?} [Quran 2: 75]

They had the nerve to distort and alter the Book of Allaah The Almighty to hide the truth that it contained and all that can prove the prophethood of Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) although they knew him well. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him as they know their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it].} [Quran 2: 146] Though they knew him well, they did not believe in him and were too arrogant to do so. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages.} [Quran 4: 46]

Amongst the evidences that prove the distortion of the current Tawraah are the descriptions mentioned in it which do not befit the Majesty and Perfection of Allaah The Almighty such as: And the LORD God said, Behold, the man has become as one of us, to know good and evil.” [Genesis 3: 22] and “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. [Genesis 6: 6].”

Can these be the Words of Allaah The Almighty? Can grief and regret be attributed to Allaah The Almighty? In fact, such malicious claims entail that Allaah The Almighty did not have knowledge of the results of His actions. No, Allaah The Almighty is high above any defect and shortcoming. Allaah The Almighty has comprehensive knowledge that encompasses everything. Exalted is He and high above what they say by great sublimity.

Another proof of the distortion of the current Tawraah is what is mentioned in it of describing prophets in a way that negates the infallibility that Allaah The Almighty granted them. They mentioned that Ibraaheem (Abraham) is a liar, that Haroon (Aaron) called Banu Israa’eel (Children of Israel) to worship the Calf, and that Sulaymaan (Solomon) worshiped idols to please his wife. Can any human being who has a sound mind say such words; let alone being revealed by Allaah The Almighty to guide humans with it?

Belief in the #Heavenly Books - II

Distortion of the Injeel (Gospel)

The Injeel was also distorted and altered and is not in its original state in which Allaah The Almighty revealed it. Christians contintued altering and changing its facts so as to attain their desired worldly gains.

The distortion of the current versions of the Injeel can simply be proved if we know that they are four versions of the Injeel selected from many more versions. Such versions reported the words of Prophet ‘Eesa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention. Their writers are known and their names are written on them. In the library of one of the princes in Paris, a version of the Injeel – Injeel (Gospel) of Barnabas - was found. It differed greatly from the other four selected versions of the Injeel and agreed with the Noble Quran in many beliefs and principles.

After we have known for certain that those books have been distorted, then what is the meaning that the Noble Quran came to confirm in the divine books that preceded it? This simply means that the Noble Quran came to enhance and support the truth which was mentioned in the books that came before it, mainly worshiping Allaah The Almighty Alone, believing in His Messengers, believing in the reward, observing rights and justice, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and adhering to noble moral standards. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "O People of the Scripture, you are [standing] on nothing until you uphold [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord."} [Quran 5: 68]

Consequently, the Quran is the only way with which we can know the sound divine teachings. It is the book whose fundamental principles are preserved, its teachings are not distorted, and the Ummah received it from the angel who brings down the Revelation to the Messengers - Jibreel  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention - who came down to the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). This preservation was not granted to any book other than the Noble Quran. In fact, the Quran comprises the most sublime principles, methods and systems. It has all that humans need of beliefs, acts of worship, morals, and transactions. It befits all times and places. It is sufficient to create a Muslim individual, a virtuous family and a righteous society. Truthful is the one who speaks with it. Just is the one who passes judgment according to it. Guided to the right path is the one who adheres to its teachings. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {There has come to you from Allaah a light and a clear Book. By which Allaah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.} [Quran 5: 15-16]

The Previous Divinely Revealed Books Were not Universal

The books that Allaah The Almighty revealed, other than the Quran, addressed certain people in certain times and they agreed with the Noble Quran in some rulings and laws. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution.} [Quran 5: 45]

Muslims believe in what is mentioned in these books as long as it does not contradict with the Quran. They also believe that the Noble Quran is the main constitution for all people.

Characteristics of the Noble Quran

The Noble Quran has many characteristics that distinguish it from the books that came before it. Amongst such characteristics are:

• It has all the divine instructions that Allaah The Almighty revealed in the Tawraah, the Injeel, and all the teachings that Allaah The Almighty revealed.

• It supports the truth which was mentioned in these books regarding worshiping Allaah The Almighty Alone, believing in His Messengers, believing in reward, observing and establishing rights, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and adhering to noble moral standards. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allaah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method.} [Quran 5: 48]

That is to say, Allaah The Almighty revealed the Noble Quran which is truthful in all that is mentioned in it and it confirms the preceding Scriptures that were revealed by Allaah The Almighty. It is a witness over them. It explains the distortion and alteration that inflicted them. Then Allaah The Almighty ordered His Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) to judge between all people, Muslims and non-Muslims, by what Allaah The Almighty has revealed in the Noble Quran and not to follow them in disobeying Allaah The Almighty.

• Allaah The Almighty prescribed a law for every nation with its rulings and different interactions that befit its nature and inclinations in the best way. The main pillars of creeds are the same in all messages. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein.} [Quran 42: 13] 

Then when Islam came, it abrogated all other laws and methods. It established only one creed and method for all people.

• The original versions of the books that were revealed before the Quran were lost. Nothing remained of them except their translations, unlike the Noble Quran which was preserved as a whole with its Soorahs, verses, words, and letters exactly as Jibreel  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention recited it to the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). In the previous books, the words of humans were mixed with the Words of Allaah The Almighty. No one can recognize the words of Allaah The Almighty from those of humans. As for the Noble Quran, all of its words are from Allaah The Almighty and they were never mixed with the Hadeeths of the Messenger or the speeches of the companions or any other person.

• None of those books can in any way be attributed to the Messenger to whom it was revealed. The Tawraah (Torah) was not written by Moosa (Moses). In fact, it was written many centuries after Moosa. The Noble Quran is the only book that was proved to be decisively attributed to the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) (even if he did not write it down himself, for he ordered the writers of the revelation to record every verse immediately after it was revealed to him).

• The teachings of the Noble Quran are the Words of Allaah The Almighty that can achieve happiness to all humanity. So Allaah The Almighty Willed for it to last forever. He preserved and protected it from distortion. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And indeed, it is a mighty Book Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.} [Quran 41: 41-42]

• {Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian} [Quran 15: 9]

The wisdom behind that is to make the Quran the argument of Allaah The Almighty over people. The Quran is for all worlds and all people. It is not for a specific people unlike the previous heavenly books. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.} [Quran 34: 28]

• The Quran is the guidance that leads to all that is good. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allaah} [Quran 2: 1-2] Allaah The Almighty wants His word to spread and reach minds and ears everywhere. This will not be attained except if the Quran is easy to memorize and understand. Nothing in the Quran is difficult for people to understand or fulfill. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?} [Quran 54: 17]

• The Quran is also the miracle of the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). In fact, if the whole world gathered in order to produce something like what is mentioned in the Quran, they could not produce the like of it for it is as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And indeed, it is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.} [Quran 41: 41-42]

• The Quran is an invitation to every good matter and forbids every vice. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts.} [Quran 10: 57]

• The Quran is a cure for souls. It purifies them from their diseases. It is a remedy from disbelief, misguidance, hatred and envy. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.} [Quran 17: 82] 

The facts of life, confirmed by science

Materialist philosophy lies at the basis of the theory of evolution. Materialism rests on the supposition that everything that exists is matter. According to this philosophy, matter has existed since eternity, will continue to exist forever and there is nothing but matter. In order to provide support for their claim, materialists use logic called “reductionism”. This is the idea that things which are not observable, can also be explained by material causes.

To make matters clearer, let us take the example of the human mind. It is evident that the mind cannot be touched or seen. Moreover, it has no center in the human brain. This situation unavoidably leads us to the conclusion that the mind is a concept beyond matter. Therefore, the being which we refer to as “I,” who thinks, loves, gets nervous, worries, feels pleasure or pain, is not a material being in the same way as a sofa, a table or a stone.

Materialists, however, claim that mind is “reducible to matter.”  According to the materialist claim, thinking, loving, worrying and all our mental activities are nothing but chemical reactions taking place between the atoms in the brain. Feelings of love and fear are merely chemical reactions in some cells in our brain. The famous materialist philosopher Karl Vogt stressed this logic with his famous words: “Just as the liver secretes gall, so do our brains, secrete thought.” (Encyclopedia Britannica). However, gall is matter, whereas there is no evidence that thought is the same.

One of the most prominent features of this picture is “information” which is present in nature and can never be reduced to matter.

Matter cannot produce information

There is incredibly comprehensive information contained in the DNA of living things. Something as small as a hundred thousandth of a millimeter contains a sort of “data bank” that specifies all the physical details of the body of a living thing. Moreover, the body also contains a system that reads this information, interprets it and carries out “production” in line with it. In all living cells, the information in the DNA is “read” by various enzymes and proteins are produced according to this information. This system makes the production of millions of proteins possible every second, with the required type of protein for specific places needed in our bodies. In this way, dead eye cells are replaced by living ones and old blood cells by new ones.

At this point, let us consider the claim of Materialism: Is it possible that the information in DNA could be reduced to matter, as materialists suggest? Or, in other words, can it be accepted that DNA is merely a collection of matter, and the information it contains came about as a result of the random interactions of such pieces of matter?

All the scientific research, experiments and observations carried out in the 20th century CE show that the answer to this question is a definite “No.” The director of the German Federal Physics and Technology Institute, Professor Dr. Werner Gitt has this to say on the issue: “A coding system always entails a nonmaterial intellectual process. A physical matter cannot produce an information code. All experiences show that every piece of creative information represents some mental idea-giver who exercised his own free will, and who is endowed with an intelligent mind. There is no known law of nature, no known process and no known sequence of events which can cause information to originate by itself in matter.” (Werner Gitt. In the Beginning Was Information).

Werner Gitt’s words summarize the conclusions of the “information theory” which has been developed in the last 50 years and is accepted as a part of thermodynamics. Information theory investigates the origin and nature of the information in the universe. The conclusion reached by information theoreticians as a result of long studies is that “Information is something different from matter. It can never be reduced to matter. The origin of information and physical matter must be investigated separately.”

For instance, let us think of the source of a book. A book consists of paper, ink and the information it contains. Paper and ink are material elements. Their source is matter: Paper is made of cellulose and ink of certain chemicals. However, the information in the book is non-material and cannot have a material source. The source of the information in each book is the mind of the person who wrote it.

Moreover, this mind determines how paper and ink will be used. A book initially forms in the mind of the writer. The writer builds a chain of logic in his mind and orders his sentences. As a second step, he puts them into a material form, which is to say that he translates the information in his mind into letters, using a pen, a typewriter or a computer. Later, these letters are printed in a publishing house and take the shape of a book made up of papers and ink.

We can therefore state this general conclusion: “If physical matter contains information, then that matter must have been designed by a mind that possessed the information in question. First, there is the mind. That mind translates the information it possesses into matter, which constitutes the act of design.”

The origin of information in Nature 

When we apply this scientific definition of information to Nature, a very important result ensues. This is because Nature overflows with an immense body of information (for example in the case of DNA, and since this information cannot be reduced to matter, it therefore comes from a source beyond matter.) This fact is revealed as in the following verse in the Quran (which means): “They said: ‘Exalted are You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.’” [Quran 2: 32]

One of the foremost advocates of the theory of evolution, George C. Williams, admits this reality, which most materialists and evolutionists are reluctant to see. Williams has strongly defended Materialism for years, but in an article he wrote in 1995, he states the incorrectness of the materialist (reductionist) approach which holds everything is matter: “Evolutionary biologists have failed to realize that they work with two more or less incommensurable domains: that of information and that of matter. These two domains will never be brought together in any kind of the sense usually implied by the term “reductionism.” The gene is a package of information, not an object. In biology, when you are talking about things like genes and genotypes and gene pools, you are talking about information, not physical objective reality. This dearth of shared descriptors makes matter and information two separate domains of existence, which have to be discussed separately, in their own terms.” (George C. Williams. The Third Culture: Beyond the Scientific Revolution).

Therefore, contrary to the supposition of materialists, the source of the information in nature cannot be matter itself. The source of information is not matter, but a superior Wisdom beyond matter. This Wisdom existed prior to matter. Matter was brought into existence, given form and organized by the Creator of the Heavens, the Earth and all that exists. 

The need for Prophets- II

Present attitude towards the Messengers:

As people in the past used to argue with the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, reject their teachings and turn away from them, mankind today - when they have reached the pinnacle of material advancement, penetrated the depths of the oceans, gone far into space, split the atom and discovered many of the natural forces which exist in this universe - are even more in conflict with the Messengers, more emphatically rejecting their teachings and turning away from them even more. Mankind's attitude today towards the Messengers and their teachings is like that of wild donkeys when they see a lion; they flee from it without paying heed to anything else. Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means):

“Then what is [the matter] with them that they are, from the reminder, turning away. As if they were alarmed donkeys. Fleeing from a lion?” [Quran 74: 49-51]

Mankind today - more than before - refuses to submit to the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, and their teachings because they are too proud of their knowledge and are too arrogant to follow men who lived centuries before them, as Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means):

“That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear evidences, but they said: ‘Shall human beings guide us?’ and disbelieved and turned away. And Allah dispensed [with them]; and Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.” [Quran 64: 6]

Today, Satan whispers into human minds, calling them to rebel against Allah and His Sharee’ah (Law) and to reject the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, on the ground that the Sharee’ah places restrictions on their minds, is an obstacle against progress and that it causes civilization and progress to stagnate. The nations nowadays have set up systems, laws and legislations based on the rejection of the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention. Some nations even made atheism the basis of their constitutions - known as secularism.

The impact of man-made systems

Is it right to say that mankind has now reached a level where they no longer have any need for the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, and their teachings? Is mankind now able to guide itself without any reference to the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention?

To answer is that, we need to look no further than the state of those nations which we call ‘advanced and civilized’, such as America, Britain, France, Russia and China, to see the extent of the misery which prevails in those countries. We do not deny that they have reached a high level of material advancement, but with regard to the matters which the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, and their teachings came to reform, they have gone far astray. No one can deny that distress, psychological pain and complexes are nowadays the hallmark of the civilized world. Man, in the civilized world of today, has lost his humanity, he has lost himself. Hence, the youths are rebelling against values, morals, customs and laws. They have started to reject the life they are living in and to follow everyone who comes under the spotlight in the east or the west, any philosopher or dervish who waves a banner at them, any way which they think will bring them happiness.

The western world has turned into a world whose structure is being undermined by various crimes such as drug addiction, alcoholism, rape, incest, robbery, etc. The pillars of the major nations have been shaken by scandals, and what is still hidden is worse than what is known. Those who are known as ‘civilized peoples’ nowadays are destroying themselves with their own hands. Their civilization is killing them. Their civilization is producing poisons which spread amongst them, killing people and dividing societies. Those ‘civilized peoples’ are like a huge bird that wants to fly high in the sky, but it has only one wing.

Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The Message is essential for mankind; they cannot do without it. They need it above all other things. The Message is the soul, light and life of the world. How could there be any prosperity or guidance for the world without its soul, life and light? This world is engulfed with darkness, unless the sun of the Message shines upon it. If the sun of the Message does not shine in a person's heart and fill it with life, then he too is in darkness and he is dead. Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means): “… Is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom?” [Quran 6: 122]

This is the description of the believer who was dead in the darkness of ignorance, then Allah revived him with the spirit of the Message and the light of faith and gave him light by which to walk among people. But the disbeliever is dead at heart, walking in darkness.”

Finally, we need to follow the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, in order to reform our hearts, enlighten our souls and guide our minds.

We need to follow the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, in order to give direction to our lives, to connect us to life and to the Creator of life.

We need to follow the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, so that we do not go astray or deviate and fall into the fetid swamp.

The Need for Prophets - I

Prophets were sent to illuminate the way for mankind

Allah sent the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, to mankind throughout the ages so that mankind might be guided to the truth and be purified of sins. Those who were enlightened by the Messengers of Allah, found the way to the Divine Presence and attained the highest rank of humanity. The Messengers led mankind to the knowledge of Allah.

Through them, He was deeply felt by the ‘innermost senses’ of people. The ‘innermost sense’ of man, whether we call it heart or soul, or ‘conscience‘, is so great that through it man can ‘grasp’ Allah with all His Greatness and other Attributes. Allah cannot be contained by the heavens and earth. Minds cannot comprehend Him. Philosophical thoughts are by no means sufficient to reach Him. It is only through his soul or heart that a man can realize the Existence of Allah. Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is the last and greatest of these Prophets, and he left us the Quran and Sunnah (Prophet’s Tradition) so that we can, by following them, live in accordance with the purpose for which all the Prophets were sent.

The prophets were sent to guide people to the service of Allah

Allah Says (what means): 

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

We have not been created to eat, drink and reproduce; these are natural facts of our life, and natural needs. The main purpose for our creation is to recognize Allah and realize servitude to Him. For this reason, all the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, were sent to show us the way to achieve servitude to Allah, as He, The Most Exalted, Declares (what means): 

• “And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." [Quran 21:25] 

• “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid false deities.’ And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.” [Quran 16:36]

The Prophets taught people the Laws of Allah

Another purpose for sending the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, is to communicate to people the Divine Commandments - obligations prohibitions. Had it not been for the Prophets, we could not have known these Divine Commandments. This function of the Prophets is called ‘Messengership’, concerning which Almighty Allah Says (what means): “… Those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah.” [Quran 33:39]

The mission of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, was to enlighten all of humanity concerning every dimension of their life. So, any neglect in delivering the Message of Allah would be an unforgivable fault for it would amount to leaving humanity in darkness. For this reason, Messenger Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was continually in search of unadulterated minds and hearts to which he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) could impart the Message of Allah.

The Prophets were examples

To set a good example for other people was another duty of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention– a duty which we must also always observe consciously. Each Prophet was sent to his particular people (except for Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) who was sent to all mankind) to remind them of the need to worship one God, and refrain from associating partners with him. They were not gods, sons or partners of God, but were simply the best of mankind, chosen because of their humility in their behavior, morals, peacefulness and knowledge of Allah

The prophets established the balance between this world and the next

The Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, were sent to establish a balance between this world and the Hereafter, between material and spiritual life, between reason and soul, between this world and the next and between indulgence and abstinence.

At a time when some led an isolated life in monasteries and others drowned in luxury, the Quranic instruction came (which means): “But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world." [Quran 28:77]

The Prophets are the witnesses of Allah

One of the reasons why the Prophets were sent is so that mankind will have no argument against Allah in the Hereafter. Regarding this, Almighty Allah Says (what means): 

“[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah ...” [Quran 4.165]

People who have followed many so-called guides or leaders, only to be led astray, have reached the truth through the guidance of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention. They (Prophets) were the servants of Allah created for a special mission. They were ‘Prophets’ in the wombs of their mothers. Their lives resembled a beautiful theme, being perfectly harmonious and balanced. Their words came out of their mouths so sweet and penetrated into souls; the whole of existence, animate or inanimate, hearkened to them.

If the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, had not been sent, man might have had an argument against being punished in the Hereafter. But, as the Quran states (what means): “And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.” [Quran 17:15], Allah would not punish anyone without having in advance sent them Prophets to guide them. After the Prophets, mankind would no longer have any argument against the punishment or reward of Allah.

Our Children after Ramadan

Taamir and Afnaan sat with their parents in the living room having their lunch after Ramadan and ‘Eed had passed. Afnaan said to her father, "My father, why does Ramadan come only once?" The father replied, "I feel that you are attached to this blessed month, Afnaan." Taamir immediately said, "Yes, my father, we were competing in acts of worship and encouraging each other to pray and fast." The father then advised them saying, "You are right, but you should know that Allaah The Almighty accepts one's good deeds in Ramadan as well as in other months, and that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of Shawwaal and all the other months."

Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, this simple dialogue between the father and his children expressed what goes on in the hearts of many children - even if their tongues do not translate it into explicit words and phrases. They feel that Ramadan has moved on with everything good in it.

Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, the month of the Quran and competition in good deeds has passed, but you must nevertheless teach your children that Ramadan is not the only month of worship that comes and leaves with its worship. No, rather, Ramadan is the month of change.

Building vs. outburst

Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, you must teach your children that Ramadan is the month of building faith, and not an outburst of faith. By an outburst of faith, I mean that the Muslim performs many acts of worship in Ramadan, and when it ends, he returns to his former state of negligence. Concerning this category of people, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): #{And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong.}## [Quran 16:92] This verse likens the relationship of a group of people with Allaah The Almighty to a woman who started spinning a garment, and when she finished and produced it in the best style and fashion, she untwisted the fibers to become thread again and destroyed all her work that she painstakingly done. Building, however, implies performing a new act of worship that we did not do before Ramadan and maintaining its performance throughout the year till the following Ramadan comes. By doing so, the Muslim is in a continuous state of development. This is because it is a sign that Allaah The Almighty has accepted man's act of worship when He favors him with continuous worship after it. In other words, being steadfast on an act of worship is a sign of its acceptance.

Dear honorable man who is responsible for the nurturing process, if we held several sessions in which we taught our children prayers, fasting, generosity and other acts of worship in the past blessed month, we would have successfully utilized the child's high susceptibility to learning and change in Ramadan. The sign of your success in changing your child, however, is his steadfastness on the act of worship that you taught him even after Ramadan.

The way to steadfastness

Dear honorable man who is responsible for the nurturing process, we know that the sign of your child's change in Ramadan is his steadfastness in doing an act of worship that had not previously done, like prayer. In order to help your child constantly observe the acts of worship after Ramadan, try to follow these major rules:

First: Be a good role model for him. It was said that, "An action of one man in front of one thousand men is more effective than the saying of a thousand men to one man." Your child will not constantly observe an act of worship unless you are performing it regularly. There is no harm in taking him with you when you pray, or informing him that you are fasting, so that he will take you as a role model and an example. You should know that the children's eyes are uninterruptedly pinned on the actions of their parents, and Allaah The Almighty forbade us from behaving differently from what we say; He The Almighty Says (what means): #{Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?}## [Quran 2:44]

Second: The Masjid (Mosque) is essential. Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, although you and your wife greatly influence your child, the influence of his friends is greater. This is because the child responds to his parents out of love and fear, but he responds to his friends in the Masjid out of love and conviction only. Furthermore, the believer increases one's faith when he gathers with others for worship. Allaah The Almighty addressed the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and every Muslim to stay with righteous people; He The Almighty Says (what means): #{And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.}## [Quran 18:28]

Practical tips to help your child be steadfast on worship

1- Use the method of praising whenever you see your child perform prayers regularly or hastening to do an act of worship that he began doing in Ramadan. It is preferable that you praise him before his friends and peers or during family gatherings. Praise has a great impact on the spirit of children. For instance, when the family gathers after Ramadan, tell them in his presence, "Do you know that Taamir started to pray since the past Ramadan and he learned it perfectly?"

2- Use the method of evaluation forms in which the child marks the box of the prayer he performs, and whenever his performance is steady and improving, you can reward him, even by giving him a simple gift.

3- Regularly remind him of the reward of the act of worship he has learnt and the great merit that Allaah The Almighty has prepared for the one who does it. Mention a Quranic verse or a Hadeeth concerning this act from time to time, and if you know a story of young Companions or Taabi‘oon (their successors) who constantly observed this worship, relate it to him.

Dear Muslim, if your child does not get anything from Ramadan except this act of worship that he has learned, you have attained a great achievement. May Allaah make your child a comfort for your eyes and the eyes of your wife!