FORGIVENESS

FORGIVENESS

The Prophetsaid: “All the children of Adam constantly err, but the best of those who constantly err are those who constantly repent.” [Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmad, Hakim]

We come to the next stage of gaining tranquility. Sometimes we don’t know why we feel down. We talked about al-Jabbar, and how we should go to Allah to help mend our broken hearts. But sometimes it’s more than that – it is the heavy weight of sins on our hearts. This topic may make us uncomfortable, because it is something we don’t like to be reminded of. It is difficult to think of and face up to our sins – and it makes us even more depressed! But the Prophet  taught us something very profound about the link between sins and the state of our heart. He says:

“When a slave commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart…”

Subhan’Allah. When we commit sins, they weigh heavily on our hearts. Imagine a spiritual darkening of the heart due to the wrongs we commit – is it any wonder that we cannot pinpoint why we feel down? Yet the Prophetalso told us of the cleanser for this:

“But if he gives it up, seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart will be cleansed…”

Of course, because it is difficult to pinpoint every wrong that we do, prayer is also a cleanser, as is wudhu. But for a targeted cleansing, we need something more, because the Prophet
  continues:

“…but if he repeats it, (the blackness) will increase until it overwhelms his heart.” [Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

What we need is istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) and tawba (repentance) as the Prophet
 said. Setting aside some time to sit back and reflect, seek forgiveness, and try not to commit that sin again is a way to improve ourselves and to realize how Allah is Merciful and Forbearing. Despite the fact that we commit wrongs, He has not punished us.

Sometimes we avoid apologizing to a human being because we feel we will be rejected, or that that person will make it very hard for us to be forgiven – so we end up just avoiding the situation. Sometimes the shame makes us unable to say sorry. But with Allah, there should be no fear of that. When we admit to our wrongs and make a conscious and sincere effort to ask forgiveness, Allah  is ready to forgive our sins even if they are like mountains. It is amazing how the very act of returning to Allah, after we have committed a wrong, is itself an act of worship that Allah loves. Allah says in a hadith qudsi:

“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.” [Tirmidhi]

Sometimes we assume that it is only those who have committed grave sins that need to return to Allah. But the Prophet said: “Beware of minor sins. For they add on until they destroy a person.” [Ahmad, Tabarani]

Whatever stage we are at, we need istighfaar and true repentance. If the Prophet 
himself would seek forgiveness 70 times a day, why do we feel that we have to commit something that is especially egregious in order to ask Allah to forgive us? If we think about it, every sin is a black dot. These black dots accumulate until our hearts become hard and do not feel anymore. An example of this is with cussing or swearing. The first time we say something we shouldn’t have, we feel this twinge of guilt in our heart. Then when we keep repeating it, it becomes normalized. Why? Because our hearts become enveloped in these black dots.

Yet when we constantly go back to Allah, seeking his forgiveness, we are reminded. We become humble, because we are forced to face these minor sins that weigh heavily on our hearts – and through that our hearts are cleansed, insha’Allah. Because we face our sins, we are constantly trying to improve; we do not become complacent. It may seem hard, but a load will be taken off our shoulders with this constant returning to Allah. By doing this, we will have realized Allah’s Names al-Ghaffar (the oft-Forgiving), al-Ghafoor (the Forgiving), at-Tawwaab (the One who constantly accepts repentance), ar-Raheem (the all-Merciful) – and we are essentially re-affirming our belief in His attributes. Look at this example of Allah’s mercy when we commit sins. The Prophet  tells us in this hadith: “The Scribe on the left delays registering the sin of a Muslim for six hours. If he repents (within these six hours), and seeks Allah’s forgiveness, they drop if off. If he doesn’t, they write is down as a single sin.” [Tabarani]

Moreover, if we seek forgiveness sincerely and Allah accepts our repentance, not only does He forgive us, but He turns those bad deeds into good – imagine that YEARS of sinning could turn into years of REWARDS. How? Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work.

For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good.

And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” [Qur’an, 25:70]

How could we not want to return to Allah, who is truly the Most merciful of those who show mercy?

Some ways of seeking forgiveness

The Prophet  taught ‘Aisha : “Verily tawba (repentance) from sin is regretting the action] and seeking forgiveness.” [Bayhaqi]

The internal component is to regret what we have done – whether it is a small lie, a glance at something we shouldn’t be looking at, being heedless or even something greater. The external component is to ask Allah for forgiveness. The Prophet  taught us a few ways how, and these are two of them:

1. The Prophet said: “Whoever says it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.

“O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshiped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.” [Bukhari]

2. The Prophet also said: “Whoever commits a sin, and then performs wudhu, then offers prayers seeking forgiveness of God, God will certainly forgive him.” After this the Prophet  recited the verse:

“…those who remember God and implore forgiveness for their sins

if they do something shameful or wrong themselves – who forgives sins but God?

– and who never knowingly persist in doing wrong.” (Qur’an, 3:135)

May Allah make us of those who constantly return to Him for forgiveness as a means to achieve tranquility in our hearts, so that when we finally meet Him on the Day of Judgment, we are of those “who come to Allah with a sound heart.

“The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children,

But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” (Qur’an, 26:88-89)]

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ISLAM , THE RELIGION OF EASE

   ISLAM , THE RELIGION OF EASE

Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, is the creator of mankind and therefore knows his nature more intricately than mankind himself. Allah, subhanahu  wata'aala, has therefore chosen for us a religion best suited to the  nature of mankind, a religion that goes neither to the extremes of  hardship nor of laxity, but instead provides a middle path; in other  words, a religion of ease. Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, said;  "Allah intends for you ease, and does not want to make things difficult  for you" [2:185]; and "Allah does not want to place you in difficulty"  [5:6].

 Such easiness is well explained in the hadeeth reported by Abu Hurairah,

 radiya Allahu 'anhu, that the Prophet, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam,  said, "Religion is easy..." [Bukhari], he also said; "The best of your  religion, is the easiest." [Ahmad]

The easiness of this religion was put into practise by the best of  humanity, the one who came to deliver the message, as Allah, subhanahu  wata'aala, said;

"Verily there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves, it  grieves him that you should suffer any difficulty, he is anxious for you,  for the believers he is full of pity and merciful" [10:128]

This understanding is clarified in a hadeeth in which the Prophet, salla  Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, said; "... Allah did not send me to be harsh, or  cause harm, but He sent me to teach and make things easy" [Muslim]. This  understanding is further implemented by the mercy sent to mankind,

 Muhammed, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, in the hadeeth reported by his  noble and pure wife, 'Aishah, radiya Allahu 'anhu, who said; "Whenever the  Prophet, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, has a choice between two matters,   he would choose the easiest, unless it is sinful (act)" [Bukhari].

 Many hadeeths have been reported on the matter of easiness: "Allah likes  for this nation ease and hates for it hardship and adversity."  [Tabaraani].

 "We have been given a privilege over other nations... .we have been given  verses that no one else has been given, the last two verses of Surah  Baqarah(chapter 2)"Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into  error. Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to  bear" After each statement, Allah responded by saying, "I did, I did, I

 did"" [Muslim].

To further emphasise this understanding to his companions, when once a  Bedouin stood up and started urinating in the mosque, the people caught  him; but he, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, ordered them to leave him and  to pour a bucket or a tumbler of water over the place where he had  urinated. The Prophet, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, then said, "You

 have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult"  [Bukhari].

 An example that illustrates this point is Salah, an act so important and  vital to Islam that the Prophet, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, said;  "Between a person and disbelief is discarding prayer" [Muslim]. He also  warned against leaving salah, even at the time of his death, in his very  last breaths before departing from this world.

Yet in this worship Allah has also prescribed easiness. At first, the  number of prayers was fifty in number, but they were reduced several times  until they were five. Then it was proclaimed 'O Muhammad, the order is not  changed. These five are (equal in reward) to fifty' [Tirmidhi].

Causes of hardship

If Islam is a religion of ease, why do we find many Muslims not practising  it? Why do we find them doing very little of what they ought to be doing,  and why do even those who practise their religion sometimes find it  difficult?

There are reasons why the practice of Islam can becomes hard:

1) Lack of piety

 When we speak about Islam being easy we are, in reality, speaking about

 the easiness of its acts of worship and morals. Religion by definition

 means commitment and an obligation to a master. Therefore, being a

 religious person means to be always aware that we are slaves to a master,  Allah, subhanahu wata'aala.  From here we see the mistake of those who want 'ease' to mean 'doing

nothing', just saying "I am a Muslim", committing themselves to nothing.  It is obvious that they want it to be easy, but what exactly do they want?

They want an easy life, a life without any religious practices. The idle belief of 'existing only to live' has long ago been negated by  Allah, subhanahu wata'aala. He said:  "Do you think you have been created for nothing and that you will not be  resurrected and brought back to Allah again!" [23:115]. He also said:  "Thinks man that he is left aimless?" [75:86].

 Islam is easy to practice; but those who do not understand the reasons  behind their existence, who do not understand the concepts of religion,  but meanwhile are striving to secure themselves in this life; then surely  they will find its practices difficult.  The easiness of Islam is felt in all of its commandments. Some people find  this or that commandment hard to follow but this does not mean that the  command is in itself hard; often it is the person who is the cause. 

For example Salah, it is an easy act of worship, as Allah, subhanahu  wata'aala, has made clear: 

"And seek help in patience and prayer and truly it is (prayer) extremely  heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi'un (i.e. true submitting)" [2;45].

 Prayer is an easy act of worship except, of course, for those who do not  truly submit to their Lord; they will find it toilsome.

Why do they find it so? The answer is that it is not the prayer that is  difficult, but it is the hearts of these people which have changed from  good to bad, as Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, mentioned:

"Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives  them. And when they stand up to pray, they stand with laziness ..."

 [4;142]; in another verse He subhanahu wata'aala, said; "And that they  came not to prayer except in a lazy state ..." [9;54].

 2) Ignorance

 The rules of Islam did not come as mere do's and don'ts. Each obligation  has wisdom and motivation behind it. It should make no difference to us if  the wisdom for that particular practice is known or not, because if it is  not known to us today, then if Allah wills, He will reveal it to future  generations. What is primarily expected from us is to fully submit and

 implement every command.

 For example, the giving of charity, which apparently decreases the wealth  of the giver. Islam did not say "Pay charity, pay charity", as this would  not motivate people and therefore make it difficult to act upon. Instead

 Allah says; "Would you not like to give a loan to your Lord, and this loan will be  paid back to you multiplied and you will be rewarded for it." [2:245]

 The Prophet, salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, said; "Verily, wealth does  not decrease because of charity." [Muslim]

 It seems Muslims often ask why this act or matter is Halaal or Haraam.  With such an attitude they will never achieve their goal, because behind  each injunction there is an aspect of wisdom. Without understanding this,  practising Islam becomes a heavy burden. With strong belief, we do not  even have to ask whether this or that is halaal or Haraam, but rather if  it pleases Allah. Therefore we should take the rules seeking the pleasure  of Allah subhanahu wata'aala,. If pleasing Allah subhanahu wata'aala, is,  always, our aim, then undoubtedly the practice of religion becomes easy,  no matter what apparent hardships we may encounter.

3) Inappropriate environment

 It is true that sometimes we find it difficult to practise the religion,  even those who are committed to it!  The reason behind this is that we are practising our religion in an

 non-religious environment. Islam is not meant to be practised while being  immersed in a Kufr (disbelieving) society. Its practice will indeed be  difficult in such an environment. Therefore, the difficulty cannot be  blamed upon Islam as a religion, but rather on the circumstances of the  society.

 Returning to our example of prayer, we see that prayer by itself is easy,  but if you have to stand alone to pray amongst non-Muslims, all of them  watching you, it will suddenly become difficult. The obvious conclusion is  that the prayer in itself is not difficult, but the environment has made  it difficult.  Another example is that of a woman who wears hijaab and is happy to cover  herself. If this were an Islamic society, it would have been difficult for

 her not to be covered, or for a man not to respond to the call to prayer  and pray in a mosque. Thus difficulty is not the nature of our religion,  but we are trying to be pure in a decadent and immoral environment. These  realities are not unknown to Islam, because the Prophet, salla Allaahu  'alaihe wasallam, already warned his companions some fourteen centuries  ago, and by that has also warned us by saying, as reported by Abu  Tha'laba, radiya Allahu 'anhu, "... Ahead of you are days which will  require endurance (in the practice of religion), in which he who shows  endurance will be like him who grasps live coals. The one who acts rightly  during that period will have the reward of fifty men who act as he does."

 The hearers said, "The reward of fifty of them, Messenger of Allah!" He  replied, "The reward of fifty of you." A companion said about this  difference in reward, "Now you find people helping you to do good deeds,  but then they will not find things to help them but they will find things  to resist and oppose them." [Tirmidhi].

 So Islam is the religion of ease. If we accept it as a religion to start  with, then we should take it with its concepts, and practise it in a pure  environment (as opposed to a corrupted and decadent one); it will then  become an easier religion to practise.  As it is not possible to have a 100% pure society, we have to strive to  achieve this by being surrounded by good Muslims. In doing this, the  religion will loosen the burdens around it.

The easiness of Islam has even been testified by the enemies of Islam.  This was apparent in the statement of the Jews at the time of the Prophet,  salla Allaahu 'alaihe wasallam, when a man and a woman from amongst them  committed fornication. Some of them said to the others: "Let us go to this  Prophet, for he has been sent with an easy law ...". [Abu Dawood].

 So may Allah, subhanahu wata'aala, make us amongst those who  "Listen to the word and follow the best thereof, whom Allah has guided and  those are men of  derstanding." [39;18].

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THE PROPHET'S WAY OF LIFE , HIS SUNNAH & TEACHINGS

                    THE PROPHET'S WAY OF LIFE , HIS SUNNAH & TEACHINGS

The Idea is, to put in our hearts, the Holy Prophet Mohammad's (SAWS) morals & habits so that we may love him more & more & be motivated to follow his habits & Sunnah ( or traditions & life-example).

1.Quran( 68:4 ) "And Lo ! you are of tremendous nature".

2.Quran( 9:128 ) "There has come to you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that you are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful".

3.Quran ( 33:53 ) "....Lo ! that would cause annoyance to the Prophet, & he would be shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allah is not shy of the truth".

The shyness was in personal matters but not in the preaching of Allah's orders.

4.Hadith: (According to Anas): "I served the Prophet Mohammad  (SAWS) (and his family) for ten years. (During these 10 years) he (was never cross and) never said even oh ! and never asked as to why I did this or didn't do that (Bukhari & Muslim). Look at the tolerance, kindness, compassion & forgiveness.

5.Hadith: In another tradition, Anas reported walking with the Prophet Mohammad(SAWS) who was then wearing an outer garment made in Najran. He met a villager ( or "Badawi") who held his outer garment and pulled him very close and then said: "O Mohammad ! Give me from what  Allah has given you for this property". The Holy Prophet looked at him, smiled and issued an order for him. (Bukhari & Muslim).

6.Hadith: (According to Anas): "The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) was the best behaved & mannered of all. One day he sent me somewhere with some business. Anas said, "I won't go" but did intend to go there. (This is because he was only a child). I came to the market (on my way) and passed thought some playing children. Suddenly, theProphet Mohammad (SAWS) appeared from behind me and help me by the neck. I looked behind and he was smiling. He said, "You are going where I told you to go". I said, "Yes O Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) ! I'm going".

7.Hadith: (According to Jabir) : "The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) never refused a request. If he had it, he gave it. If he did not have it then he expressed his apology & promised to give in the future. (Bukhari & Muslim).

8.Hadith: (According to Anas): A man asked for goats from the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) (that were his) and were there between two mountains. He gave him all of them. The man came to his people and asked them to become Muslim. He said, "By God. Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) gives his people a lot & is not bothered by giving away all or everything. (Muslim).

9.Hadith: (According to Jubair bin M'atam): He was with the Holy Prophet Mohammad(SAWS) when the latter was returning from Hunain. The villagers held him and kept on begging. They pushed him to a (thorny) tree and pulled away his (outer) garment. He stood there saying, "Give back my garment. If I now had as many camels as these trees, I would have distributed all of them among you. You won't find me miser, liar or little at heart". (Bukhari)

10.Hadith: (According to Anas): "After the morning (or Fajr) prayer the slaves or servants of the people of Madinah (or medina) used to present their containers of water for theProphet Mohammad's (SAWS) blessing. Even in a cold morning, he used to touch the water. (Muslim)

11.Hadith: (According to Anas):  The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) never lost temper nor sweared. If he didn't like something, he would say, "What is the matter with him ? Let there be dust on his forehead" which is of no harm. If  this meant "sajdah" or prostration in the prayer then it is a prayer for becoming a praying man and prayer presents from evil and wicked things. So this is a prayer for reform.

12.Hadith: (According to Abu Saeed Khudri): The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) was more shy & modest man than a virgin lady. If he did not like something ( he may not say so ) but he could see the effect of disliking on his face. (Bukhari & Muslim).

13.Hadith: (According to Aswad): was asked lady, Aaishah about the activities of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) at home. She told him that he was occupied with them in the household work.  (Bukhari)

.

14.Hadith: (According to Lady Aaishah): "The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) used to tie knots & repair his shoes, sow his clothes, and do all such household works just like an average person among you does". And he said, "he was one of the human beings (who did not live like a boss or lord at home). He would check for lice on his clothes (that they may not have come from someone else). He would milk the goat, do other household works as well as his personal work". (Trimizi)

15.Hadith: (According to Lady Aaishah): The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) never  beat (or battered) anyone, neither a women nor a servant. But the Holy war of defense was an exception. He never took revenge and always forgave those who caused him trouble or harm. But when an Islamic law was broken (or "Haram" was committed) then he would do justice and give punishment according to law (or Shari'ah) (Muslim).

16.Hadith: (According to Anas): I was eight years of age when I became the HolyProphet Mohammad's (SAWS) servant and served him for 10 years. He never rebuked me even when I broke or damaged something. If his family said something strong, then he would tell them leave it & to forget about it. Whatever Allah has destined will happen".

17.Hadith: (According to Anas):  I know the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) used to console & comfort the sick, & accompany the funeral procession. (Ibne Majah & Behiqi)

18.Hadith: (According to Anas): Whenever the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) shook hands with someone he would not pull out his hands until the other person did so. And he would not remove his attention from a person unless he did so (first). When he sat in a row, he did not put his legs beyond others. And he was not seen extending his legs in front of anyone. (Trimizi)

19.Hadith: (According to Companion Ali, as narrated by his son Imam Hussain): When the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) retired to his home, he would divide his stay there in three parts: one for worshipping Allah, one for his family, and one for himself. The last part he used to spend with his special companions (or Sahabah) so that the general public could benefit through them. Here, He favored with his company the (more) knowledgeable & their pious and spent his time with them according to their religious ranks & needs (that could be one or two or more). He spent his time with them & kept them occupied in such things as were good for them & the Muslim community, for example enquiring (and learning) the Islamic law or giving suitable & pertinent information. Everybody went there to learn & come out with food & guidance. This was the Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) special "majlis" or audience at his residence (Shamaile Trimizi). Hussain then asked his father concerning the Prophet Mohammad's(SAWS) behaviors (when outside the home) among his companions. Hazarat Ali (RA) told, The Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) was always polite, kind & merciful. People did not quarrel among themselves before him. When somebody talked to him, he would listen quietly until completion. He exercised patience when a rude or bad-mannered strange asked or said something. He did not stop a conversation so long as it did not exceed the limits (of Shari'ah). Otherwise, he would change the topic or stop him or leave the scene. This was the Prophet Mohammad's  (SAWS) general "majlis" or audience with his friends (Shamaile Tirmizi).

20.Hadith: (According to Abu Hurairah): Once the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) was asked to curse the polytheists. He replied, "I'm not sent to curse buy only as a merciful (to all nations)" (Muslim). He prayed even for his enemies. Seeking Allah's protection against one's enemies is a different matter & is also a prayer.

21.Hadith: (According to Lady 'Aaishah): In the story of Taif, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) suffered more than in the battle of U'had  from his enemies, the polytheists. The arch angel Gabriel came with the angel in charge of the mountains who saluted the Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) and said "O Mohammad ! I'm the angle of the mountains. Allah has sent me to obey your orders. If you wish, I can bring the two mountains together & cause them to die in between". But the Prophet Mohammad(SAWS) said, "No  ! I'm hoping that Allah may produce from their progeny (Muslims) who work ship Allah alone & who do not make partners with Allah". The Prophet Mohammad(SAWS) was right & all the people of Tai (and Arabia) are Muslims now, thanks to Almighty God & His compassionate Prophet.

22.Hadith: (According to Ali): In a long story, there is mention of Jew in Medina who had loaned some money to Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS). Once the Jew harassed & did not let the Prophet Mohammad (SAWS) go home from the mosque for "Zuhar" or after-noon prayer till next day. The people were angry but the Prophet Mohammad(SAWS) forbade any transgression. The next day, the Jew declared his Islam & recited the Holy Kalimah (of shahadat) & admitted that he was only testing him & found him exactly as was foretold in the Torah (Old Testament of Bible). (Behiqi & Mishkat)

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THE MERITS OF ISLAAM

               THE MERITS OF ISLAM

There are many religions. Why do Muslims think that Islam is true. Is there any factual basis?

This is a reasonable enough question for one who has not entered Islam, but one who believes in and practices this religion already knows the blessings which are his because of this religion. There are many reasons for this, which include the following:

(1) The Muslim worships One God, Who has no partner, and Who has the most beautiful names and the highest attributes. Thus the Muslim’s focus and aim is concentrated, focused on His Lord and Creator; he puts his trust in Him and asks Him for help, patience and support; he believes that Allaah is able to do all things, and has no need of a wife or son. Allaah created the heavens and earth; He is the One Who gives life and death; He is the Creator and Sustainer from Whom the slave seeks provision. He is the All-Hearing Who responds to the supplication of His slave, and from Whom the slave hopes for a response. He is the All-Merciful and All-Forgiving, to Whom the slave turns in repentance when he has committed a sin or fallen short in his worship of Allaah. He is the Omniscient and All-Seeing, who knows all intentions and what is hidden in people’s hearts. The slave feels ashamed to commit a sin by doing wrong to himself or to others, because his Lord is watching over him and sees all that he does. He knows that Allaah is All-Wise, the Seer of the Unseen, so he trusts that what Allaah decrees for him is good; he knows that Allaah will never be unjust to him, and that everything that Allaah decrees for him is good, even if he does not understand the wisdom behind it.

(2) The effects of Islaamic worship on the soul of the Muslim include the following:
Prayer keeps the slave in contact with his Lord; if he enters it in a spirit of humiliation and concentration, he will feel tranquil and secure, because he is seeking a "powerful support," which is Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted. For this reason, the Prophet of Islaam, Muhammad (PBUH) (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say: "Let us find relaxation and joy in prayer." If something distressed him, he would hasten to pray. Everyone who finds himself faced with disaster and tries prayer finds strength, patience and consolation, because he is reciting the words of his Lord, which cannot be compared to the effect of the words of a created being. If the words of some psychologists can offer a little comfort, what do you think of the words of the One Who created the psychologist?

Now let us look at zakaat, which is one of the pillars of Islaam. Zakaat purifies the soul from stinginess and miserliness, and accustoms people to being generous and helping the poor and needy. It will bring a great reward on the Day of Resurrection, just like other forms of worship. It is not burdensome, like man-made taxes; it is only 25 in every thousand, which the sincere Muslim pays willingly and does not try to evade or wait until someone chases him for it.

Fasting involves refraining from food and sex. It is a form of worship, and a way in which one can feel the hunger of those who are deprived. It is also a reminder of the blessings of the Creator, and it brings rewards beyond measure.

Hajj is the Pilgrimage to the sacred House of Allaah, which was built by Ibraaheem (Abraham, upon whom be peace). By performing Hajj one is obeying the command of Allaah and the call to come and meet Muslims from all over the world.

(3) Islaam commands all kinds of good and forbids all kinds of evil. It encourages good manners and proper treatment of others. It enjoins good characteristics such as truthfulness, patience, deliberation, kindness, humility, modesty, keeping promises, dignity, mercy, justice, courage, patience, friendliness, contentment, chastity, good treatment, tolerance, trustworthiness, gratitude for favours, and self-control in times of anger. Islaam commands the Muslim to fulfil his duty towards his parents and to uphold family ties, to help the needy, to treat neighbours well, to protect and safeguard the wealth of the orphan, to be gentle with the young and show respect to the old, to be kind to servants and animals, to remove harmful things from the road, to speak kind words, to forgive at the time when one has the opportunity to take revenge, to be sincere towards one’s fellow-Muslims, to meet the needs of the Muslims, to give the debtor time to repay his debt, to prefer others over oneself, to console others, to greet people with a smiling face, to visit the sick, to support the one who is oppressed, to give gifts to friends, to honour his guest, to treat his wife kindly and spend on her and her children, to spread the greeting of peace (salaam) and to seek permission before entering another person’s house, lest one see something private that the other person does not want one to see.

Some non-Muslims may do these things out of politeness or good manners, but they are not seeking reward from Allaah or salvation of the Day of Judgement.

If we look at what Islam has prohibited, we will find that it is in the interests of both the individual and society as a whole. All these prohibitions serve to safeguard the relationship between the slave and his Lord, and the relationship of the individual with himself and with his fellow-man. The following examples demonstrate this:

Islam forbids the association of anything in worship with Allaah and the worship of anything other than Allaah, because this spells doom and misery. Islaam also forbids visiting or believing soothsayers and fortune-tellers; magic or witchcraft that may cause a rift between two people or bring them together; belief in the influence of the stars on events and people’s lives; cursing time, because Allaah is directing its affairs; and superstition, because this is pessimism.

Islam forbids cancelling out good deeds by showing off, boasting or reminding others of one’s favours; bowing or prostrating to anything other than Allaah; sitting with hypocrites or immoral people for the purposes of enjoying their company or keeping them company; and invoking the curse or wrath of Allaah on one another or damning one another to Hell.

Islaam forbids urinating into stagnant water; defecating on the side of the road or in places where people seek shade or where they draw water; from facing the qiblah (direction of prayer) or turning one’s back towards it when passing water or stools; holding one’s penis in one’s right hand when passing water; giving the greeting of salaam (peace) to one who is answering the call of nature; and putting one’s hand into any vessel before washing it, when one has just woken up.

Islaam forbids the offering of any nafl (supererogatory) prayers when the sun is rising, when it is at its zenith, and when it is setting, because it rises and sets between the horns of Shaytaan (Satan); praying when there is food prepared that a person desires; praying when one urgently needs to pass water, stools or wind, because that will distract a person from concentrating properly on his prayer.

Islam forbids the Muslim to raise his voice in prayer, lest it disturb other believers; to continue offering supererogatory prayers at night when one feels drowsy - such a person should sleep then get up; to stay up all night in prayer, especially one night after another; and to stop praying when there is doubt as to the validity of one’s wudoo’ - unless one hears a sound or smells an odour.

Islaam forbids buying, selling and making "lost and found" announcements in the mosque - because it is the place of worship and remembrance of Allaah, where worldly affairs have no place.

Islam forbids haste in walking when the iqaamah (call immediately preceding congregational prayer) is given, and prescribes walking in a calm and dignified manner. It is also forbidden to boast about the cost of building a mosque; to decorate a mosque with red or yellow paint or adornments which will distract the worshippers; to fast day after day without a break; and for a woman to observe a supererogatory fast when her husband is present without his permission.

Islaam forbids building over graves, making them high, sitting on them, walking between them wearing shoes, putting lights over them or writing on them. It is forbidden to disinter the dead or to take graves as places of worship. Islam forbids wailing, tearing one’s clothes or leaving one’s hair unkempt when a person dies. Eulogizing the dead in the manner of the times of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah) is also forbidden, although there is nothing wrong with informing others that a person has died.

Islaam forbids the consumption of riba (interest); all kinds of selling which involve ignorance (of the product), misleading and cheating; selling blood, wine, pork, idols and everything that Allaah has forbidden - their price, whether bought or sold - is haraam; najash, which is offering a price for something one has no intention of buying, as happens in many auctions; concealing a product’s faults at the time of selling; selling something which one does not own or before it comes into one’s possession; undercutting, outbidding or out bargaining another; selling produce before it is clear that it is in good condition and free of blemish; cheating in weights and measures; and hoarding. A partner who has shares in a plot of land or a date palm tree is forbidden to sell his share without consulting his partners. It is forbidden to consume the wealth of orphans unjustly; to bet or gamble; to take anything by force; to accept or offer bribes; to steal people’s wealth or to consume it unjustly; to take something for the purpose of destroying it; to undermine the value of people’s possessions; to keep lost property which one has found, or to keep quiet about it and not announce it, for it belongs to the one who recognizes it; to cheat in any way; to ask for a loan with no intention of repaying it; to take anything of the wealth of a fellow-Muslim, unless it is given freely, because what is taken because of another person’s shyness is haraam; and to accept a gift because of intercession.

Celibacy and castration are forbidden, as is marrying two sisters, or a woman and her aunt (paternal or maternal), whether he marries the aunt after marrying her niece or vice versa, for fear of breaking the ties of kinship. It is forbidden to make deals in marriage, such as saying "Let me marry your daughter and I will give you my daughter or sister in marriage." Such reciprocal deals are a form of oppression and injustice, and haraam. Islaam forbids mut’ah (temporary marriage), which is a marriage contract for a period of time agreed by the two parties, at the end of which the marriage expires. Islaam forbids intercourse with a menstruating woman, until she has purified herself (by taking a bath after her period ends), and also forbids anal intercourse. A man is forbidden to propose marriage to a woman when another man has already proposed to her, unless the other man withdraws his proposal or gives him permission. It is forbidden to marry a previously-married woman without consulting her, or a virgin without seeking her permission. It is forbidden to wish (a newly married couple) "Bi’l-rafaa’ wa’l-baneen (a joyful life and many sons)," because this is the greeting of the people of Jaahiliyyah, who hated daughters. The divorced woman is forbidden to conceal what Allaah has created in her womb (if she is pregnant). A husband and wife are forbidden to speak (to others) about the intimacies of married life. It is forbidden to turn a woman against her husband or to take divorce lightly. It is forbidden for a woman to ask for another’s divorce, such as asking a man to divorce a woman so that she can marry him. A wife is forbidden to spend her husband’s money without his permission, or to keep away from his bed without good reason, because the angels will curse her if she does that. A man is forbidden to marry his father’s wife, or to have intercourse with a woman who is pregnant from another man. It is forbidden for a man to practise ‘azl (coitus interruptus) with his free wife without her permission. It is forbidden for a man to return home from a journey late at night and startle his family, unless he has previously notified them when he will arrive home. A man is forbidden to take anything of his wife’s mahr (dowry) without her consent, or to keep annoying his wife so that she will give up her wealth.

Islaam forbids women to make a wanton display of themselves (tabarruj). It also forbids extreme forms of female circumcision. Women are forbidden to admit anyone into their husband’s home without his permission; his general permission is acceptable so long as they stay within the limits of sharee’ah. It is forbidden to separate a mother and child (in case of divorce); to let one’s womenfolk behave foolishly (in an immoral fashion) and not say anything; to let one’s gaze wander everywhere; and to follow an accidental glance with an intentional glance.

Islaam forbids the eating of dead meat, regardless of whether it died by drowning, strangulation, shock or falling from a high place; eating blood, pork and anything slaughtered in a name other than that of Allaah or for idols; eating the flesh or drinking the milk of beasts that feed on filth and waste matter; eating the flesh of every carnivorous beast that has fangs and every bird that has talons; eating the meat of domesticated donkeys; killing animals by keeping them and throwing stones at them until they die, or detaining them without food until they die; slaughtering with teeth or nails; slaughtering one animal (for food) in front of another; or sharpening the knife in front of the animal to be slaughtered.

In the area of clothing and adornment, men are forbidden the extravagance of wearing gold. Muslim are forbidden to be naked or to expose their thighs; to leave their clothes long (below the ankles) and trail them on the ground for the purpose of showing off; and to wear clothes that will attract attention.

It is forbidden to bear false witness; to make false accusations against a chaste believing woman; to accuse someone who is innocent; to utter lies; to slander and backbite; to call people by offensive nicknames; to spread gossip and malicious slander; to make fun of the Muslims; to boast about one’s status; to shed doubts on a person’s lineage; to utter slander, insults and obscenities; to speak in an indecent or rude manner; or to utter evil in public, except by one who has been wronged.

Islaam forbids telling lies; one of the worst kinds of lie is to lie about dreams, like fabricating dreams and visions in order to prove one’s virtue, or make some material gains, or to frighten an enemy.

Muslims are forbidden to praise themselves, or to talk in a secret way: two may not converse secretly to the exclusion of a third, because this is offensive. It is forbidden to curse a believer or someone who does not deserve to be cursed.

Islaam forbids speaking ill of the dead; praying for death; wishing for death because of some suffering that one is passing through; praying against one’s self, one’s children, one’s servants or one’s wealth.

Muslims are told not to eat the food that is directly in front of others or to eat from the centre of the dish or platter; rather they should eat from what is directly in front of them or thereabouts, because the barakah (blessing) comes in the middle of the food. It is forbidden to drink from a broken edge of a vessel, because this could cause harm; or to drink from the mouth of a vessel; or to breathe into it. It is forbidden to eat while lying on one’s stomach; to sit at a table where wine is being drunk; to leave a fire burning in one’s house when one sleeps; to sleep with Ghamr in one’s hand, like an offensive smell or the remainder of food (grease); to sleep on one’s stomach; or to talk about or try to interpret bad dreams, because these are tricks of the Shaytaan.

It is forbidden to kill another person except in cases where it is right to do so; to kill one’s children for fear of poverty; to commit suicide; to commit fornication, adultery or sodomy (homosexuality); to drink wine, or even to prepare it, carry it from one place to another, or sell it. Muslims are forbidden to please people by angering Allaah; to offend their parents or even to say "Uff" (the slightest word of contempt) to them; to claim that a child belongs to anyone but his real father; to torture by means of fire; to burn anyone, alive or dead, with fire; to mutilate the bodies of the slain; to help anyone commit falsehood; or to cooperate in wrongdoing and sin.

It is forbidden to obey any person by disobeying Allaah; to swear falsely; to swear a disastrous oath; to eavesdrop on people without their permission; to invade people’s privacy or look at their private parts; to claim something that does not belong to one or that one did not do, for the purpose of showing off; to look into someone’s else’s house without permission; to be extravagant; to swear an oath to do something wrong; to spy on others or be suspicious about righteous men and women; to envy, hate or shun one another; to persist in falsehood; to be arrogant or feel superior; to be filled with self-admiration; to be pleased with one’s arrogance. Islam forbids taking back one’s charity, even if one pays to get it back; employing someone to do a job without paying him his wages; being unfair in giving gifts to one’s children; bequeathing everything in one’s will and leaving one’s heirs poor - in such a case the will should not be executed; writing a will that concerns more than one third of one’s legacy; being a bad neighbour; or changing a will to the detriment of one or some of one’s heirs. A Muslim is forbidden to forsake or shun his brother for more than three days, except for a reason sanctioned by sharee’ah; to hold small stones between two fingers and throw them because this could cause injury to eyes or teeth; to include his heirs in a will, because Allaah has already given heirs their rights of inheritance; to disturb his neighbour; to point a weapon at his Muslim brother; to hand someone an unsheathed sword, lest it harm him; to come (walk) between two people except with their permission; to return a gift, unless there is some shar’i objection to it; to be extravagant; to give money to foolish people; to wish to be like someone to whom Allaah has given more of something; to cancel out his charity by giving offensive reminders of his giving; to wilfully conceal testimony; or to oppress orphans or scold one who asks for help or money. It is forbidden to treat with evil medicines, because Allaah would not create a cure for this ummah which includes something that He has forbidden. It is forbidden to kill women and children in warfare; to boast to one another; or to break promises.

Islaam forbids betraying a trust; asking for charity that one does not need; alarming a Muslim brother or taking away his possessions, whether jokingly or seriously; changing one’s mind after giving a gift, except in the case of a gift from a father to his child; practising medicine without experience; or killing ants, bees and hoopoe birds. A man is forbidden to look at the ‘awrah (private parts) of another man, and a woman is forbidden to look at the ‘awrah of another woman. It is forbidden to sit between two people without their permission; or to greet only those whom one knows, because the greeting is to be given to those whom you know and those whom you do not know. A Muslim is forbidden to let an oath come between him and good deeds; he should do what is good and make expiation for the oath. It is forbidden to judge between two disputing parties when one is angry, or to judge in favour of one party without hearing what the other has to say. It is forbidden for a man to walk through the market-place carrying something - like a sharp weapon - that could harm the Muslims, unless it is properly covered. A Muslim is forbidden to make another person get up, so that he can take his place.

There are more commands and prohibitions which came for the benefit and happiness of individuals and mankind as a whole. Have you ever seen any other religion that can compare to this religion?

Read this response again, then ask yourself: is it not a great pity that I am not one of them? Allaah says in the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning): "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]

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