Discover Islam ...

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Inspired by the Prophet's Character [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Prophet Muhammad: Master of Tolerance [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]During the first thirteen years of his life in Makkah, he and his followers faced much persecution. Muslims were not ordered by God to fight back due to the fact that they had no military strength yet due to the small following which gradually increased. It was only in Madinah when his following and military power rapidly grew that fighting to protect themselves and the new religion was allowed.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When the Prophet’s opponents greatly increased their persecution, his companions asked him to curse them. At this the

Prophet replied:[/FONT]
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"I have not been sent to lay a curse upon men but to be a blessing to them." [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Muslim)[/FONT]
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His opponents continued to treat him and his companions unjustly and cruelly, but he always prayed for them.[/FONT]
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He once decided to personally visit the village of Ta'if, to the east of Makkah, to invite its inhabitants to Islam. The people rejected him, stoned him, ejected him, and made him to bleed. Angel Gabriel came to him and said:[/FONT]
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"Allah has heard what your people say to you and how they reject you. He has ordered the angels of the mountains to obey whatever you tell them to do." The angel of the mountains called him, greeted him and said, "Send me to do what you wish. If you wish, I will crush them between the two mountains of Makkah."[/FONT]
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The Prophet said:[/FONT]
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"Rather, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their loins those who will worship Allah alone and not associate anything with Him." [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Al-Bukhari)
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Prophet Muhammad: Master of Tolerance - His Character - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Why Fast in Ramadan?

Fasting: An Islamic Perspective

Like other injunctions of Islam, the benefits of fasting are not exclusively “spiritual” or “temporal”. In Islam, the spiritual, moral, social, economic and political aspects are all inter-related and integrated, constituting a consistent and cohesive whole. The significance of fasting is discussed under four subheadings; spiritual and moral, psychological, social, physical and medical.

Spiritual and Moral Elements

- Fasting above all is an act of obedience, love and submission to God. This submission and commitment is based upon the love of God and the earnest effort to gain His pleasure and to avoid His displeasure. If this is the only reason for fasting, it suffices.

- Fasting is an act of acknowledgement of God and of His countless favors upon humankind.

- Fasting is an act of atonement for one’s sins and infractions. As the Prophet Muhammad said:
"Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan motivated by Iman (Faith) and seeking the pleasure of Allah, his/her past sins are forgiven." (Al-Bukhari)

- Fasting trains the believer in taqwa (to be conscious of God). If a person, willingly, refrains from lawful food and sex during the fasting period, he/she is likely to be in a better position to refrain from the unlawful.

- Fasting trains the believer in sincerity. Unlike other acts of worship it is entirely based on self-restraint. Others can never know for sure whether the person is fasting or pretending to do so (while eating or drinking in secret).

- Fasting teaches other virtues. Fasting does not exclusively mean refraining from food and drink. Essentially it means refraining from all vice and evil. The Prophet Muhammad said: "If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink." (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

- The spirit of Ramadan with its nightly voluntary prayer (Taraweeh) and frequent recitations and the study of the Quran provide a chance for spiritual revival, a kind of annual spiritual overhaul.

- Fasting is a form of jihad (striving in the path of Allah). It teaches self-discipline and enhances one’s ability to master his/her appetites and desires rather than being enslaved by them...


Fasting: An Islamic Perspective - Fasting - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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The Quran in Focus

The Noble Quran … the last message from God to mankind.

What do you know about it?

Here is a selection of articles and questions addressing different issues of this Divine Book.

Welcome to the world of the Quran.

The Quran in Focus - In Focus - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Ascending in the Levels of Worship

Scholars divide humbleness in prayers into three levels: humiliation, awe, and happiness.

The first level is humiliation which means that you pray to Allah and feel humiliated before Him. This is reflected in the movements of the prayer. We kneel down and prostrate only to Allah. These movements are manifestations of humiliation which should be shown only to Allah. Humiliation requires that you feel that you are weak and that Allah is the Powerful, the Rich, and the Almighty. Humiliation is the result of neediness as the Sheikh explained before when he said: "The tree of humiliation stems from a seed of neediness". When you feel you are in need of Allah, a state of humbleness is produced.

The second level is feeling awe of Allah. The higher level is to elevate you from the stage of humiliation to the stage of feeling awe of Allah and His Might. Allah says: {Whenever the messages of the Most Gracious were conveyed unto them [the prophets], they would fall down before Him, prostrating themselves and weeping}. (Maryam 19: 58)

This is the level of feeling awe of Allah which might lead to crying. {Allah bestows from on high the best of all teachings in the shape of a divine writ fully consistent within itself, repeating each statement [of the truth] in manifold forms [a divine writ] whereat shiver the skins of all who of their Sustainer stand in awe: [but] in the end their skins and their hearts do soften at the remembrance of [the grace of] Allah. Such is Allah’s guidance: He guides therewith him that wills [to be guided] whereas he whom Allah lets go astray can never find any guide}. (Az-Zummar 39: 23)

One of the Companions reported that he watched the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as he was praying. He said that he heard a whistling sound from the chest of the Prophet resembling the sound of a boiling kettle as he was weeping. (Abu Dawud)

The third level is happiness. The best state of humbleness in prayer is to find yourself happy and pleased because of being in the presence of Allah. So you actually feel happy and elated when you read the Qur’an, mention Allah or praise Him. This is the highest level of humbleness in prayers. Angels descend from heavens to listen to you and a state of tranquility prevails in the place...

Ascending in the Levels of Worship - Advice - Shari`ah - OnIslam.net

 

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Post-Ramadan Tips and Reflections:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Waking up after Ramadan, Starting Anew [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Scholars say that Eid is the acid test to Ramadan. Whatever happens on Eid, how one behaves, how one arranges his thoughts, is a reflection on how Ramadan had unfolded for him or her...
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The ripple effect of good deeds vs. bad ones is also a telling sign as to how Ramadan has changed a person. If a good deed is followed by another good deed, this person is amongst those who have successfully committed themselves to spiritual enlightenment throughout Ramadan. If a person commits a good deed, followed by a bad deed, then it is telling sign that there is more work to be done than to please God.[/FONT]
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It is never too late to change one’s route however, and for those who feel that they have succeeded well throughout Ramadan, there is most certainly a chance to continue on a good deed reel, even after Ramadan.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Here are a few tips to continue being the best of Muslims after waking up the day of Ramadan...[/FONT]
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[/FONT]Waking up after Ramadan, Starting Anew - Fasting - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]True Richness
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Many people mistakenly assume that true wealth and real treasure is that of money.[/FONT]
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It is indeed true that wealth is a great blessing from God which He bestows upon His servants. And the one who earns it purely, and spends it properly, and gives it to those that deserve it, without a doubt earns a great reward from God.[/FONT]
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But at the same time, wealth is not the greatest blessing that can be given to mankind. Furthermore, no matter how much wealth a person has, eventually it will leave him, and pass on into the hands of others.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]..[/FONT]

True Richness (Part 1) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Tips for a Happy Muslim Family

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Taking Care of Things at Home [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A religious young person should safeguard the weaker members of the family from having to leave the home too much. He should take care of their needs himself. He should go to the shop for them. His home is not some hotel where he goes to sleep, eat, and drink. It is definitely not his place to do nothing but act like an emperor, ordering others around and piling on prohibitions without providing any alternatives.[/FONT]
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If you want to be listened to, then you have to expend some time and effort to make sure that your household’s needs are met. You must take the time to get the things that they need and take them where they need to go. Some of our religious young men and women do not carry out the housework that their families expect of them. They seek to excuse themselves from their household chores with excuses like reading the Quran or listening to a taped lecture! Then they wonder how they can have a positive effect on the other members of their household who are engaged in sinful activities...[/FONT]
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[/FONT]Taking Care of Things at Home - Family - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Why Prophet Muhammad is My Role Model?

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has touched my heart like no other personality or hero in the world.

I have had life long association with his life, his words, actions and behaviour; yet no day in my life passes without my love for the Prophet increasing. Let me explain the reasons:

1) The Prophet is my source of inspiration for my connection with Allah. I find myself closer to Allah as I awake to his words, "Thank you Allah for your gift of life; health, and remembrance."

He keeps prodding me to take Allah's name as I do my daily chores, bathroom rituals, ablutions, sneezing, yawning; as I take my breakfast, and as I chat with my family; and when I step out of my home; as I enter the mosque, and wait for prayer; and as I converse with people.

He keeps reminding me how to be conscious of Allah; to smile; to be gentle; to show mercy to the young; to respect the old; to greet everyone; to walk humbly; to render tender care to all Allah's creatures, big and small...

Why Prophet Muhammad Is My Role Model - Reflections - Shari`ah - OnIslam.net

 

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Muhammad Presents His Brother Jesus to Mankind

In presenting his noble brother, the Prophet of Islam followed a method that is not subject to shortcomings and failings. That method is through the Quranic text, which contains no falsehood and has been unaltered with time, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad who did not speak of his own accord.

The duration of this presentation is not limited to a week, month or year’s time; rather it extends from the time of its revelation to Prophet Muhammad in the sixth century until the Day of Resurrection.

The presentation of the Messiah is not through an obsolete text, or an outdated document preserved in a library or a museum. It is through the living Quran, which is recited in prayers, taught at schools and universities, and heard on radio and television day and night...

Muhammad Presents His Brother Jesus to Mankind - Comparative Religion - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Understanding the Testimony of Faith

If You Believe in God and His Messenger: Testify

When you go to court to give your version of events, you are not merely giving information, but confessing to a truth that falsehood may override, and thwarting a lie from prevailing and spreading.Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah is the first of the Islamic pillars.

The Testimony of Tawheed announced in the open is no ordinary testimony...

If You Believe in God and His Messenger: Testify - Allah - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Does God Really Care?

Humankind cannot live without hope. Although putting hope in other than God has been the norm and at times, beneficial, ultimately it is the hope in God that is the driving force for life and wellbeing.

By the advent of Prophet Muhammad significant corruption entered religious Holy Books; doctrines changed. After the council of Nicaea and the invention of the Trinity, most adherents of monotheism were persecuted until most traces of monotheism were wiped from the face of the earth by the end of fifth century.

Did God Stop Caring?

By no means!

By the beginning of the 6th. century God sent his final Prophet to revive the message of monotheism once more, but this time to the people who had received no revelation since Prophets Abraham and Ishmael. Yet, the message was universal and the same that was given to former Prophets.

Many stories of the past are retold in the Quran as a reminder to the new adherents of monotheism of those who deviated from the original message of their forefathers and turned to idol worship.

Prophet Muhammad’s message was no different than other Prophets, but the message was perfected with more detail and as a guidance and warning for all humankind and for all time...

Does God Really Care? (Part 1) - Allah - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Don't Hate - Educate

Freedom of Expression: The Muslim Definition

If there is one good thing that has come out of the recent disturbing events, it would be the dialogue opportunity among different cultures to redefine the term “freedom of expression” using input and contributions from all cultures involved.

One side of the divide defends the right of everyone to freely express their thoughts and feelings publicly without any limits, while the other side asks incredulously: “what has freedom of expression got to do with offending others’ religious beliefs?”

In reality, there is no absolute freedom anywhere in our world today.

If there are public decency laws in many liberal European countries to protect children from explicit material; laws against insulting the Queen in England; and laws against insulting Jews, gays, blacks, women and indigenous people, then it's obvious that freedom of expression has limits, even in the "free" world, and that God and religions should not be any less respected than the Queen of England!...

Freedom of Expression: The Muslim Definition - In Their Own Words - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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God's Ultimate Mercy and Love

If Not for His Mercy

Man, by his own thoughts and actions, creates his own destiny.The ultimate destination of Paradise or Hell is not haphazard. People will reap in the next world what they sow in this world.

Yet a righteous deed must be seen in its true dimension and must not be exaggerated beyond its size. Worshiping God for some years on earth is not the true price of eternal bliss in Paradise. He who believes that his acts of obedience are fully perfect and sincere or that they outweigh the blessings he receives in this world (the physical senses and faculties or material necessities) is deceived.

Truly, God looks at the good intentions within the hearts of believers and forgives them many things, whether errors or failures. He multiplies the little they do in the same way as He grows tiny seeds into large trees, bushes, and flowers. Were it not so, none would have tasted success...

http://onislam.net/english/reading-...belief/allah/459297-if-not-for-his-mercy.html

 

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Toward a Better World for All

Respect For Humankind

Loving and respecting humanity merely because they are human is an expression of respect for the Almighty Creator.
The other side of the coin, loving and showing respect to only those who think the same as one thinks, is nothing but egotism and self-worship.

More than this, it is irreverent and self-conceited behavior to hurt the feelings of others who may not think exactly as we think, but who still are on the same main road with us in their thoughts and visions.

We dream of a generation who will embrace and build the future upon interpreting problems not according to the sources or reasons from which they arise, but with respect to their ideals. If we are passengers who are on different paths and using different strategies, but all heading for the same destination, then why should we defame the others who are with us on this sacred journey that has such a lofty goal?...

Respect For Humankind - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) The Inter-faith Superstar

Prophet Ibrahim is considered the first known international religious personality; having been born in 'Ur/'Urfa, traveled throughout the Middle East, established in Jerusalem, ventured to Makkah and lies buried in Hebron, Palestine. Each of these places still of historic, religious and spiritual significance today.

Description in the Qur'an

Prophet Abraham / Ibrahim is mentioned 69 times by name in the Qur'an with an entire chapter (14) titled Ibrahim.

Muslims consider Ibrahim the khalil/ friend of the Divine, as Allah states: " Who can be better in faith than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good deeds and follows the way of Ibrahim, the one who was true in faith? For Allah did take Ibrahim as friend." [Qur'an 4:125] ...

IslamiCity.com - Prophet Abraham ~ The Inter-faith Superstar[/FONT]

 

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In Awe of Allah: Are You Ready to Meet Allah?

An episode presented last Ramadan by Dr. Mohamed Abou Taleb as an introduction to a series on Allah's Most Beautiful Names

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In Awe of Allah #1:
(9 minutes)

 

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God's Most Beautiful Names

Allah is As-Samad

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Last Ramadan[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif], Dr. Abou Taleb gave this interesting speech in Boston on the meanings of Allah's name As-Samad.

This name is mentioned only once in the Qur'an in Chapter 112. As-Samad is the One who needs nobody, and whom all of creation are in desperate need of Him:
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Dr. Mohamed Abutaleb - Ramadan 1433 - Night 25 - YouTube

(9 minutes)

 

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God's Most Beautiful Names

Allah is The Supremely Great (Al-Azeem)


A beautiful talk by Dr. Mohamed Abou Taleb in the US last Ramadan on the meanings of Allah's Name Al-Azeem:

[youtube]f9mkcPO08bE[/youtube]
In Awe of Allah #2:

(12 minutes)

 

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Toward Understanding God's Attributes

Names & Attributes of God in Surah Ya-Seen (Chapter 36)

It is incumbent upon every Muslim to know and understand God's names and attributes. It is only through better understanding Him that we gain closeness to Him, and move from worshiping an abstract God to one we are trying to come to know.

As for non-Muslims, this step will certainly bring a better understanding of the God Muslims worship. One will easily find many of these attributes are also alluded to Him in the Old and New Testament of the Bible. He is one God for all and His attributes do not change based on various religions.

The aim of this article is to highlight various names and attributes of God mentioned in some of the verses of this chapter and elaborate on them for a better understanding toward knowing our Creator.

Each attribute is at the end of each verse which in essence explains the verse itself...

Names & Attributes of God in Surah Ya-Seen - Allah - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[AdityaMookerjee]

God's Most Beautiful Names

Allah is As-Samad

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Last Ramadan[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif], Dr. Abou Taleb gave this interesting speech in Boston on the meanings of Allah's name As-Samad.

This name is mentioned only once in the Qur'an in Chapter 112. As-Samad is the One who needs nobody, and whom all of creation are in desperate need of Him:
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[youtube]YncVjJaFe64[/youtube]
Dr. Mohamed Abutaleb - Ramadan 1433 - Night 25 - YouTube

(9 minutes)

Does one need anybody, when one is about to die, even when one feels one needs anybody?