The Quran and Human Inborn Nature (Fatrah)

By: Maged Taman

According to //www.wikipedia.com/ . In Islamic theology, the term Ahl al-Fatrah (Arabic: أهل الفترة‎, ahlu-l-fatratu) refers to everyone whom the dawah (message of Islam) has not reached in an uncorrupted manner, i.e. the people who live in ignorance of the teachings of Islam, either in geographical isolation, or in times predating Muhammad. The term literally translates to "people of the interval".[citation needed] The intended meaning is, people living at a time of an interval between two prophets so that they are never exposed to divine revelation.

It is simply our human nature like our taste buds that define what kind of taste we have when we eat. It is like the laughs of a baby when you make funny sounds. It is the same simple nature in our minds to find God and our hearts and spirit to worship him.

The most made Muslims believe in the Quran is how it is defined very well with their nature that if there is not message or religion and people exposed equally to all religions they would choose Islam. Similarly it is why Muslims keep reading the Quran as the book of God generation after generation. The fatrah is not only inner imprints to what is right but also in part the conscious dynamic thinking that think and ponder. God talk to us in the Quran to both parts of our awareness.

In these verses you will see how Quran is very compatible with our human nature:

1- Human nature accepts that behind the creation a creator:

3:190 Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the succession of night and day, there are indeed messages for all who are endowed with insight,إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلاَفِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لآيَاتٍ لِّأُوْلِي الألْبَابِ (3:190)

2- The human nature identifies no creation by nothing nor by humans:

52:35 Have they themselves been created without anything [that might have caused their creation]? Or are they the creators? أَمْ خُلِقُوا مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ الْخَالِقُونَ (52:35)3-

3- The human nature accepts that God would not be part of his creation:
25:3 Yet they choose beside Him other gods who create naught but are themselves created, and possess not hurt nor profit for themselves, and possess not death nor life, nor power to raise the dead. وَاتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً لَّا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًا وَلَا حَيَاةً وَلَا نُشُورًا (25:3)

4- The human nature agrees that the creation is subjected to us:

This explains how the resources of the creation satisfied our needs and our knowledge made possible and even exponential as we see it today. No wander you see the verb subjected in many verses of the Quran.

45:13 And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflectوَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مِّنْهُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لَّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ (45:13)

5- The human nature accepts that the creation reveal its creator: study the science of nature and our own creation like anatomy, embryology, physiology and histology and you will discover a great designer.

[41:53] "We will show them our proofs in the horizons, and within themselves, until they realize that this is the truth. Is your Lord not sufficient as a witness of all things?"

6- Human nature accepts that God will make us able to chase the origin of creation: Our curiosity to know how things created and God gave us the brain and the tools to trace his creation. No wonder that we found the big bang, the DNA, water as the origin of life and so on.

29:20 Say (O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see how He originated creation, then Allah bringeth forth the later growth. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things. قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ (29:20)

7- Human nature accepts the conversion of creation and our deeds in the earth: The creator of the law of the universe will demand laws of morals.

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاء وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ذَلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ (38:27)
38:27 (Picktall) And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the
Fire.وَخَلَقَ اللَّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَلِتُجْزَى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ (45:22
)45:22 (Picktall) And Allah hath created the heavens and the earth with truth, and that every soul may be repaid what it hath earned. And they will not be wronged.مَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَمَّا أُنذِرُوا مُعْرِضُونَ 46:3
46:3 (Picktall) We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and for a term appointed. But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned.

8- The human nature accepts that God would reveal himself to them:

The Creator God declares himself:

3:18 Allah (Himself) is witness that there is no God save Him. And the angels and the men of learning (too are witness). Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no God save Him, the Almighty, the Wise. شَهِدَ اللّهُ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ الْعِلْمِ قَآئِمَاً بِالْقِسْطِ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ (4-

قُولُواْ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالأسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ (2:136) 2:136 (Picktall) Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.

26:192 And lo! it is a revelation of the Lord of the Worlds, وَإِنَّهُ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (26:192)

26:193 Which the True Spirit hath brought down نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ (26:193)

26:194 Upon thy heart, that thou mayest be (one) of the warnersعَلَى قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنذِرِينَ (26:194)

9- Human nature accepts the main reason for creation is to worship the creator: It would not increase or diminish his creation he is not needing of us though it would please him to find us grateful.

6:102 Such is Allah, your Lord. There is no God save Him, the creator of all things, so worship Him. And He taketh care of all things. - ذَلِكُمُ اللّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَاعْبُدُوهُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ (

10- Human nature agrees that when we are in deep toruble and fear we look for God:

قُلْ مَن يُنَجِّيكُم مِّن ظُلُمَاتِ الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ تَدْعُونَهُ تَضَرُّعاً وَخُفْيَةً لَّئِنْ أَنجَانَا مِنْ هَـذِهِ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ (6:63) 6:63 (Picktall) Say: Who delivereth you from the darkness of the land and the sea? Ye call upon Him humbly and in secret, (saying): If we are delivered from this (fear) we truly will be of the thankful.

11 - Human nature accepts its spiritual satisfaction by finding God:

God has created in us the human spirituality: and the feeling of rest when we worship him:

13:28 Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest! - الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ أَلاَ بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ-

12- Human nature accepts a plan for our existence in earth:

"Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not." [2:30].

13- Human nature accepts the presence of other force to put evil and disobedience in our hearts:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُواْ مِمَّا فِي الأَرْضِ حَلاَلاً طَيِّباً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ (2:168)2:168 (Picktall) O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.

أَإِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاء وَأَن تَقُولُواْ عَلَى اللّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ (2:169)

2:169 (Picktall) He enjoineth upon you only the evil and the foul, and that ye should tell concerning Allah that which ye know not.

14- Human nature accepts that life and death are created for a test:

«“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving."» [67:2]

Since he is the creator he has the right to ask us about our deeds. Faith is what is in your heart and deeds is how to prove to God your faith. The closest to his is the best in deeds which you expect from a just God.

15- The human nature accepts that there will be a day of Judgment:

فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جَمَعْنَاهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ (3:25)3:25 (Picktall) How (will it be with them) when We have brought them all together to a Day of which there is no doubt, when every soul will be paid in full what it hath earned, and they will not be wronged.

89:23 And hell is brought near that day; on that day man will remember, but how will the remembrance (then avail him)? وَجِيءَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِجَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَذَكَّرُ الْإِنسَانُ وَأَنَّى لَهُ الذِّكْرَى (89:23)

Go through the Quran and discover how it is compatible with our logic, nature and expectation.

Signs For The Second Coming Of Christ

From: http://www.invitationtochrist.org

Signs that represent that Christ will return to the earth point to the revelation of Christ known as the second coming, and not the rapture of the Church. The rapture will precede the second coming seven years earlier. In the rapture, Jesus will appear suddenly in the air and remove the Church from the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13,18). This will happen in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). The second coming will be an event that results in Christ coming to the earth visibly with His Bride, the Church.
The signs that point to the second coming will come into full fruition during the Great Tribulation, a period of seven years that will commence off the heels of the rapture and conclude with Christ visible and physical return on earth.
There will be very direct signs during the seven year Tribulation that will make it obvious that Christ is Coming. However, there are no signs for the Rapture. This is important to understand. The Rapture applies to the Church and not Israel. The Church does not conduct her affairs on earth by signs and wonders. We do not live by sight; but faith, which cometh by hearing and not seeing (2 Corinthians 5:7). The Rapture of the Church is imminent, it could happen now.
The Bible leaves no room or justification for predicting the Second Coming of Christ. We just don't know when He will come. However, there are indications that suggest Christ's return to restore Israel and establish His millennial reign may be in the very near future. These are:
Israel's return to the Land Promised to Her.
Lawlessness is abounding.
Apostasy will be well entrenched.
A Religious appetite for an ecumenical one world church.
The rapid physical decline of the world via: war, earth quakes, and potential human annihilation of which all will require Christ's return before these events run their determined course and bring the world to an end.
While it is true, that many awful things are happening even in our day... they do not compare to the awful things that will happen during the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
The blessed hope of the Church is the imminent return of Christ to take the Church home before the Great Tribulation. The blessed hope of Israel is the Second Coming of Her Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
To better equip yourself for the ministry, engage in a Bible study that emphasizes rightly dividing the word of truth with the Open Bible Institute. Learn how you can earn your degree or diploma on line at home at your own pace with an affordable and biblical College where the Holy Spirit is the ultimate teacher and the Bible is the only authority. Click To Learn More >>>
Learn more about the chronology of the end times: Click Here
Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

Blogger Comment:
Some Christians believe like Muslims in Al Mahdi Al Muntazer but they think he is the anti-Christ, however many Christians start to realize the truth of Islam and that the Anti-Christ is a different person. Al Mahdi is the one to prepare the earth to Jesus (PBUH). The tribulation is not for people to reject Jesus only but also his teachings. Muslims never rejected Jesus, He is the true and only Messiah. The Rupture is the end of the Church age not because Christians will be ascending in the air but because they will know the truth of Islam and will convert willingly to Islam (God knows better).

Woman in Islam

By Ustadz Haron

MagadapaCebu Daily News First Posted 07:39:00 06/06/2010 Filed Under:
In the midst of the darkness that engulfed the world, the divine revelation echoed in the wide desert of Arabia with a fresh, noble universal massage to humanity: O mankind, keep your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mates (of same kind). From their twain has spread a multitude of men and women (al – Qur'an, 4:1).The spiritual aspect, The Qur'an provides clear-cut evidence that women are completely equal with men in the sight of God in terms of rights and responsibilities.The Qur'an states:“Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds.” (al – Qur'an, 74:38).“Whoever works righteous, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him we give a new life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions. (al – Qur'an ,16:97) see also (4:124).In terms of religious obligations, such as daily prayers, fasting, and pilgrimage, women are no different from man. In some cases, indeed women have an advantage over man. For example, the woman is exempted from daily prayers and fasting during her menstrual period and 40 days after childbirth. She is also exempted from fasting during pregnancy and when she is nursing her baby. If there is any threat to her health or her baby, she could make up for the missed fasting and prayers later. Women used to go to the mosque during the days the prophet and thereafter attendance at the Friday congregational prayers is optional for them while it is mandatory for men. As a child and adolescent, the right of females to seek knowledge is no different from that of males.Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him) said: “seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim” (al – Bayhagi).For a wife, the Qur'an indicates that marriage is sharing between the two halves, for the society’s wellbeing and spiritual harmony beside perpetuating human life aside from emotional wellbeing and spiritual harmony. Its bases are love and mercy. Ibn ‘Abbas’ reported that a girl came to the messenger of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him) and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The messenger of God gave her the choice between accepting the marriage or invalidating it. (Ibn hanbal No. 2469). In another version, the girl said: “ actually I accept this marriage but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right (to force a husband on them), (Ibn Majah, No. 1873). Woman has full right to her Mah'r “Dowry”, a marriage gift, including nuptial contract. That ownership doesn't transfer to her father or husband.Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:The best of you is the best to his family and I am the best among you to my family.The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and the best of you are those who are best to their wives.As the woman's right to decide about her marriage is recognized so also to seek an end to an unsuccessful marriage is recognized. A waiting period is a step to protect her from a hasty decision, by way of emotional stress and as such should be brought to a (Shariah law) judge.Islam considered kindness to parents next to the worship of God and has special recommendation for the good treatment of mothers.In the economic aspect, Islam decreed the right of woman to her money. The right undergoes no change whether she is single or married. She retains her full rights to buy, sell mortgage or lease any or all her properties. It is also note worthy that such right applies to her properties before marriage as well as to whatever she acquires after. However no decree in Islam forbids a woman from seeking employment whenever there is neeed for it, especially in a position which fits here nature and in which society/community needs her most. An example of this is professions for nursing, and teaching especially for children and medicine more so. There is no restriction on benefiting from women’s exceptional talent in any field even in the position of a judge. Islam also restored to women the right of inheritance in some cultures. Man in Islam is fully responsible for the sustainance/maintenance of his wife, children, and in some cases of his needy relatives, especially the females. This responsibility is neither waived nor reduced because of his wife's wealth or because of her access to any personal income gained from work rent, profit or any other lawful/ legal means. A woman is more secure financially and is less burdened with any claims on her possessions.For the political aspect, based on the teaching of Islam or the history of Islamic a civilization, one will surely find clear of evidence of women’s equality with men in what we call today’s political rights.”This includes the right to be elected as well as nomination to political office. It also includes woman's right to participate in public affairs. Both the Holy Qur'an and Islamic history has examples of women who participated in serious discussions and agreements even with the prophet (peace be upon him) himself (see Qur'an 58:1) and (60:10-12).According to Islam, the head of state is no mere figure head. He leads people in the prayers,especially or Fridays and festivities, he is continuously engaged in the process of the decision making pertaining to the security and well being of his people.According to (Hadith) Tradition of prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him referred to as head of state . A people will not prosper if they let a woman be their leader. This limitation, however has nothing to do with the dignity of woman or with her rights. Its is rather, related to the natural differences in the biological and psychological makeup of men and women.


Blogger Comment:
The irony is the thing that the west used against prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is his multiple marriages which in fact make Muslims very sure that it is a miracle that he had these multiple marriages. These marriages started after he was about 52 years old prior to that he was widowed from his wife who was 15 years older than him and died about 3 years or so before he married again. When he married to these wives it was ordered by God as mentioned in the Quran we "ordered to you". Most of the marriages where more of political and social in reasons. The challenge to us all how he can keep peace with all of them and non of them denounced he is a prophet. In fact they were very pious women and their love for his God and his Quran exceeded their love of any thing in the world. The only time they stood one hand against him when they found out their lives were tough in respect to finances, not because of him being a false prophet or had bad morals or anything else.
God talked to them in the Quran that their marriages are not regular ones but a divine blessing, honour than anything else. They became patient and no one of them left him though he gave them the option. If you read the biography of the prophet you find that they are mostly involved with the message of Islam and not their own interest in most part. Aisha one of the wives were the best in remembering the sayings of the prophet and Hafza another wife was entrusted to keep the documented verses of the Quran in her place.
If you look at the lives of many prophets you find most of them had wives and more than one and few of them had no wives or even sexual relations. At the time of the prophet whenMuslims died as martyrs their wives and children could not be left alone as a struggling and isolated or begging people in the streets. In a culture where men are the bread winners they would have to be under the care of new husbands. In Islam which many times is different from the Arab culture, for a wife to marry after the death of her husband is a natural thing, in some of the Arab cultures they would consider it not right.
When you go to Islam in every minor thing you will find a wisdom. Would as Muslims prefer that Muhammad had one wife only, yes so the west will be happy, do they will be really happy and embrace Islam not really they will find something else. So as Muslims we have to embrace our great religion and our great prophet. God gave us great path of living in this life and claiming our afterlife. I am a convert to Islam myself, actually the first convert is the prophet himself. He was astonished that there is a creator to this large universe wen the Angel contacted him and astonished to be chosen for to be the conduit to humans. Muslims themselves are daily converts to Islam, sometime I try to rethink my religion to find myself converting again to Islam. The evidences are just overwhelming, read the Quran to yourself and do not listen to the people who would give you their opinion what Islam is without even explore it themselves.
Nothing more overwhelming than to find that there is an eternity that is waiting for us and dependent in most part in reading the Quran. If you are able to deny it strongly, you made your case and you do not have to listen to me, if you are not willing to explore it and think you do not need to do that, I will be your adversary in the day of judgment since I was calling you for years to read it. My blog give you all the evidences of the Quran. The tyrants who oppressed me for few years so you do not know about me, the hell is waiting for them in the day of judgment.

Al Mahdi Al Muntazer Glad Tidings

وعن مقدم المهدي قال الإمام علي رضي الله عنه: ( يظهر المهدي على أفواه الناس ويشربون ذكره فلا يكون لهم ذكر غيره) , يتضح من هذا أيضا إن الناس يتوقون إلى الحق والعدل بفعل سطوة ووطأة الجور الظلم , فيبحثون عن المهدي عليه السلام الذي وعدهم الله تعالى به وبشرهم به رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فيظهر على أفواه الناس أين المهدي؟؟!! يا رب عجل لنا بظهور المهدي ؟!! الخ من هذه الألفاظ التواقة وقد لمسنا عند اشتداد المصائب والمحن مثل هذا القول عند الناس ولكن قول الإمام علي رضي الله عنه هنا يشير إلى مسألة غاية في الأهمية وهي انتشار ذكره على نطاق واسع وبشكل كثير. ويزيد من تأكيد هذا حديث حذيفة رضي الله عنه , ان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (انه يخرج حتى لا يكون غائب أحب إلى الناس منه مما يلقون من الشر) [20]وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه ان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ( ينزل بأمتي في آخر الزمان بلاء شديد من سلطانهم لم يسمع بلاء أشد منه ، حتى تضيق بهم الأرض الرحبة ، وحتى تملأ الأرض جوراً وظلماً حتى لا يجد المؤمن ملجأ ( أي ملاذاً آمناً ) يلجأ إليه من الظلم . حتى يبعث الله عز وجل رجلاً من عترتي يملأ الأرض قسطاً وعدلاً ، كما ملئت ظلماً وجوراً . يرضى عنه ساكن السماء وساكن الأرض. لا تدخر الأرض من بذرها شيئاً إلا أخرجته ، ولا السماء من قطرها إلا صبته عليهم مدراراً ).وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال صلى الله عليه وسلم (يبعثه الله غياثا للناس) [21] يتضح من هذا أيضا ان الناس يتوقون إلى الحق والعدل بفعل سطوة ووطأة الجور الظلم فيبحثون عن المهدي عليه السلام الذي وعدهم الله تعالى به وبشرهم به رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فيظهر على أفواه الناس أين المهدي؟؟!! يارب عجل لنا بظهور المهدي ؟!! الخ من هذه الألفاظ التواقة وقد لمسنا عند اشتداد المصائب والمحن مثل هذا القول عند الناس ولكن قول الإمام علي رضي الله عنه هنا يشير إلى مسألة غاية في الأهمية وهي انتشار ذكره على نطاق واسع وبشكل كثير. ويزيد من تأكيد هذا حديث حذيفة رضي الله عنه وعن حذيفة رضي الله عنه ان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (انه يخرج حتى لا يكون غائب أحب إلى الناس منه مما يلقون من الشر) [22]سنة الله ,بعد العسر يسراً وبعد الليل فجراً وبعد الشر خيراً !
إذن الأرض كلها تنتظر الرجل الرباني الذي يلبي احتياجات الناس بأمر الله ينهي الظلم ويقيم العدل ولا توجد أزمات في عهده بل خير كثير يحثو المال حثيا لا يعده عداً ففي أيام خلافة المهدي عليه السلام تلقي الأرض له أفلاذ أكبادها!! عن عبدالله ابن عباس رضي الله عنه ان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : ( وتلقى الأرض أفلاذ أكبادها ) قلت : وما أفلاذ أكبادها قال أمثال الاسطوانة من الذهب والفضة , وفي عهد المهدي عليه السلام تستخرج الكنوز [23] . وتتزايد الاكتشافات وتصبح من سمات عصر المهدي عليه السلام وتزداد تطوراً أيام المهدي عليه السلام وفي عهد المهدي عليه السلام أنواع جديدة من خيرات الله في الأرض والبحار!!
في أيام المهدي عليه السلام يلقي الإسلام بجرانه في الأرض!وها هي بشائر انتشار الإسلام تنمو وتزداد اتساعا بل والعودة إلى الدين أصبحت ظاهرة عالمية وتتجه هي الأخرى للبحث عن النظام العالمي الجديد عن العدالة المفقودة وتبحث ( الدين الصحيح) وليس عن ( وحـدة الأديان ) بل تتلفت حواليها بجدية ولن تجد سوى الإسلام )الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الأِسْلامَ دِينا [ ً)وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الأِسْلامِ دِيناً فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ[
وأكبر كرامة للمهدي عليه السلام إقامة كرسي العدل العالمي في ظل الخلافة على منهاج النبؤة التي يحققها [24] ( وتمتلئ الأرض من السلم – أي السلام – كما يمتلئ الإناء من الماء ) والله أعلم.
وفي أيام المهدي عليه السلام تنعم الأمة الإسلامية نعمة لم تنعمها قط!![25]وروي عن مجاهد قال حدثني فلان من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ( المهدي عليه السلام يملا الأرض قسطا وعدلا وتخرج الأرض من نباتها وتمطر السماء مطرها وتنعم أمتي في ولايته نعمة لم تنعمها قط) [26]وعن أيام المهدي عليه السلام روى أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم (تنعم أمتي نعمة لم يتنعموا مثلها قط ترسل السماء مدرارا ولا تدع الأرض شيئا من نباتها إلا أخرجته) في لفظ أخر (يكون في أمتي المهدي تنعم أمتي فيه نعمة لم ينعموا مثلها قط تؤتي الأرض أكلها لا تدخر عنهم شيئا)[27]يرضى عنه أي المهدي عليه السلام سكان السماء والأرض والطير!! قد يستغرب البعض الإشارة إلى الطير والنبات فعليه أن يستحضر عظمة الله فالنبات يحس ويتألم يتزاوج )سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الأَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنْبِتُ الأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لا يَعْلَمُونَ[ (يّـس:36) إننا نحن المسلمين المالكين للحجة البالغة ليس بنا حاجة للبحث وإهدار الوقت في هذا الميدان ليس لأننا كسالى ولا نحب البحث بل لأننا نؤمن ولا نشك لحظة فقد اخبرنا الله في القران الكريم ( أمم أمثالكم ) وروى لنا كلام هدهد الملك الكريم سليمان عليه السلام في القران الكريم وكلام النمل وسماع سيدنا سليمان عليه السلام لكن الكافر والمتشكك هو الذي يبحث ويحتاج لذلك حتى يصل إلى الحق ونحن المسلمين نقدم له الأدلة والبراهين القرآنية والنبوية فندله على طريق الصدق والحق فعندما يثبت له آما اسلم أو ازداد كفرا وعنادا ( أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقاً فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلا يُؤْمِنُونَ) (الانبياء:30) وستحضر عظمة الله خالق النملة وقصتها في القران الكريم ويستحضر عظمة الله خالق الهدهد وقصته في القران الكريم )فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ أَحَطْتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ وَجِئْتُكَ مِنْ سَبَأٍ بِنَبَأٍ يَقِينٍ[ (النمل:22) ويستحضر عظمة الله وحديث النملة الناصحة في القران الكريم)حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَوْا عَلَى وَادِ النَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّمْلُ ادْخُلُوا مَسَاكِنَكُمْ لا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَانُ وَجُنُودُهُ وَهُمْ لا يَشْعُرُونَ[ (النمل:18) فإذا استحضر الإنسان عظمة الله في كل مخلوقاته دعا الله ان يجنبه كل خطر ومكروه حتى لا يكون والعياذ بالله ممن قال الله فيه)وَلَقَدْ أَرَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا كُلَّهَا فَكَذَّبَ وَأَبَى[ (طـه:56) ولذلك تنتفي الغرابة والتعجب عندما يذكر الحديث الطير والنبات يرضيان أيضا عن المهدي عليه السلام مثل سائر المخلوقات العظيمة في الكون كله ما نبصر ومالا نبصر وهذه يزيدنا يقينا وثقة إننا على موعد مع نصر من الله وفتح قريب كما بشرنا صلى الله عليه وسلم .المهدي عليه السلام (يرضى عنه ساكن السماء وساكن الأرض لا تدع السماء من قطر ألا صبته مدرارا ولا تدع الأرض من نباتها وبركاتها شيئا إلاّ أخرجته.)المهدي عليه السلام (يرضى عنه ساكن السماء وساكن الأرض لا تدخر الأرض من بذرها شيئا إلا أخرجته ولا السماء من قطرها شيئا إلا صبه الله عليهم مدرارا.)في عهد المهدي عليه السلام يعم السلام الأرض!! ويملا المهدي عليه السلام الأرض سلما) !في عهد المهدي عليه السلام تمتلئ الأرض عدلا وقسطا ويشمل هذا العدل والأمن سائر المخلوقات سيرضى عنه سائر السماء وساكن الأرض .

To All Muslims all your prayers for the appearance of Al Mahdi.
Maged

Sara Bokker, Former Actress and Model, USA

From: http://www.islamreligion.com/

By: Sara Bokker

I am an American woman who was born in the midst of America’s “Heartland”. I grew up, just like any other girl, being fixated with the glamour of life in “the big city”. Eventually, I moved to Florida and on to South Beach of Miami, a hotspot for those seeking the “glamorous life”. Naturally, I did what most average Western girls do. I focused on my appearance and appeal, basing my self-worth on how much attention I got from others. I worked out religiously and became a personal trainer, acquired an upscale waterfront residence, became a regular “exhibiting” beach-goer and was able to attain a “living-in-style” kind of life.

Years went by, only to realize that my scale of self-fulfillment and happiness slid down the more I progressed in my “feminine appeal”. I was a slave to fashion. I was a hostage to my looks.
As the gap continued to progressively widen between my self-fulfillment and lifestyle, I sought refuge in escapes from alcohol and parties to meditation, activism, and alternative religions, only to have the little gap widen to what seemed like a valley. I eventually realized it all was merely a pain killer rather than an effective remedy.

As a feminist libertarian, and an activist who was pursuing a better world for all, my path crossed with that of another activist who was already at the lead of indiscriminately furthering causes of reform and justice for all. I joined in the ongoing campaigns of my new mentor which included, at the time, election reform and civil rights, among others. Now my new activism was fundamentally different. Instead of “selectively” advocating justice only to some, I learned that ideals such as justice, freedom, and respect are meant to be and are essentially universal, and that own good and common good are not in conflict. For the first time, I knew what “all people are created equal” really meant. But most importantly, I learned that it only takes faith to see the world as one and to see the unity in creation.

One day I came across a book that is negatively stereotyped in the West--The Holy Quran. Up until that point, all I had associated with Islam was women covered in “tents”, wife beaters, harems, and a world of terrorism. I was first attracted by the style and approach of the Quran, and then intrigued by its outlook on existence, life, creation, and the relationship between Creator and creation. I found the Quran to be a very insightful address to heart and soul without the need for an interpreter or pastor.

Eventually I hit a moment of truth: my new-found self-fulfilling activism was nothing more than merely embracing a faith called Islam where I could live in peace as a “functional” Muslim.
I bought a beautiful long gown and head cover resembling the Muslim woman’s dress code and I walked down the same streets and neighborhoods where only days earlier I had walked in my shorts, bikini, or “elegant” western business attire. Although the people, the faces, and the shops were all the same, one thing was remarkably distinct: the peace at being a woman I experienced for the very first time. I felt as if the chains had been broken and I was finally free. I was delighted with the new looks of wonder on people’s faces in place of the looks of a hunter watching his prey I had once sought. Suddenly a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer spent all my time consumed with shopping, makeup, getting my hair done, and working out. Finally, I was free.

Of all places, I found my Islam at the heart of what some call “the most scandalous place on earth”, which makes it all the more dear and special.
Soon enough, news started breaking about politicians, Vatican clergymen, libertarians, and so-called human rights and freedom activists condemning the Hijab (headscarf) as being oppressive to women, an obstacle to social integration, and more recently, as an Egyptian official called it -“a sign of backwardness.”

I find it to be a blatant hypocrisy when some people and so-called human rights groups rush to defend women’s rights when some governments impose a certain dress code on women, yet such “freedom fighters” look the other way when women are being deprived of their rights, work, and education just because they choose to exercise their right to wear the Hijab.

Today I am still a feminist, but a Muslim feminist, who calls on Muslim women to assume their responsibilities in providing all the support they can for their husbands to be good Muslims. To raise their children as upright Muslims so they may be beacons of light for all humanity once again. To enjoin good -any good - and to forbid evil -any evil. To speak righteousness and to speak up against all ills. To fight for our right to wear Hijab and to please our Creator whichever way we chose. But just as importantly to carry our experience with Hijab to fellow women who may never have had the chance to understand what wearing Hijab means to us and why do we, so dearly, embrace it.

Willingly or unwillingly, women are bombarded with styles of “dressing-in-little-to-nothing” virtually in every means of communication everywhere in the world. As an ex Non-Muslim, I insist on women’s right to equally know about Hijab, its virtues, and the peace and happiness it brings to a woman’s life as it did to mine. Yesterday, the bikini was the symbol of my liberty, when in actuality it only liberated me from my spirituality and true value as a respectable human being.

I couldn’t be happier to shed my bikini in South Beach and the “glamorous” Western lifestyle to live in peace with my Creator and enjoy living among fellow humans as a worthy person.
Today, Hijab is the new symbol of woman’s liberation to find who she is, what her purpose is, and the type of relation she chooses to have with her Creator.
To women who surrender to the ugly stereotype against the Islamic modesty of Hijab, I say: You don’t know what you are missing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTPZsqD5WGM

Do not Die Good times ahead

From: Al-Ahram an Egyptian Journal

الحبس يواجه كل من يحاول الانتحار كتب :‏ محمد شومان
مع ازدياد محاولات الانتحار وجب التنبيه على كل من يقدم على ذلك بان يتوخى الحذر من فشل المحاولة لانه عندها سيواجه عقوبه الحبس لمدة تتراوح ما بين ستة أشهر وثلاث سنوات‏.‏
فحالات الانتحار التي شهدتها البلاد في الأونة الأخيرة زادت بشكل مرعب‏,‏ ويكفي أن نعلم أن الجيزة وحدها شهدت خلال الشهرين الأخيرين‏30‏ حالة انتحار نجح خلالها المنتحرون في التخلص من حياتهم للأبد‏,‏ وعلي الرغم من ذلك‏,‏ فهناك آخرون يحاولون الانتحار ويفشلون في تحقيق ذلك‏,‏ الأمر الذي واجهه القانون بوضع عقوبات علي كل من يحاول الانتحار يوجب بحبسه لمدة تتراوح ما بين ستة أشهر وثلاث سنوات‏.‏وفي لقاء الأهرام مع رفعت سمير عزيز‏(25‏ سنة‏)‏ الذي فشل في التخلص من حياته‏,‏ حيث تم إنقاذه بعد محاولته الانتحار من أعلي كوبري عباس بدأ حديثه متسائلا‏:‏ لماذا سارعتم بانقاذي فانا لا أريد أن أعيش بدون محبوبتي فأنا لا أتصور أن تكون لأحد غيري لذلك قررت الانتحار‏.‏حيث قرر أنه حصل علي دبلوم تجارة منذ خمس سنوات وخلال هذه الفترة لم يستطع الالتحاق بأي عمل ولكنه ارتبط عاطفيا بجارته واتفقا علي الزواج ولكن مع مرور السنوات الخمس لم يستطع العمل حتي يتمكن من الزواج بمحبوبته ومنذ‏10‏ أيام أخبرته بأنها لن تستطيع الزواج منه وأنها سوف ترتبط بآخر فقرر الانتحار وصباح أمس ذهب بصحبة صديقيه عيسي إبراهيم وسامي فهيم وحضر من منطقة الطالبية التي تبعد عن الجيزة‏5‏ كيلو مترات‏,‏ حيث حضروا مشيا علي الأقدام لإقناعه بالعدول عن الانتحار إلا أنهما فشلا في النهاية بعد أن قرر الانتحار مؤكدا أنه إذا استمر‏20‏ عاما أخري لن يستطيع الزواج منها ففكر في الانتحار من اعلي الكوبري في النيل وهو لا يجيد السباحة‏,‏ ولكن القدر أنقذه عندما كان رجال الإنقاذ النهري أسفل الكوبري فسارعوا لإنقاذه خاصة بعد أن شاهدوا زميليه يستغيثان من أعلي الكوبري فخرج وهو في حالة ذهول غير مصدق أنه مازال علي قيد الحياة واكد أنه يريد الموت لأنه لا يستطيع العيش بدون محبوبته‏,‏ وأضاف أنه لديه خمسة أشقاء ووالده يتولي الإنفاق عليهم جميعا وأنهم يعيشون في شارع ضيق بمنطقة ترعة عويس بالطالبية‏,‏ وأضاف حتي لو التحقت بالعمل فلن استطيع الزواج لذلك قررت الانتحار وأنا تركت رسالة لمحبوبتي أخبرها بأنني انتحرت من اجلها فالفقر والبطالة وسنوات الضياع هي التي جعلتني أقدم علي الانتحار‏,‏ وأكد بأنه سوف يفكر في الانتحار مرة أخري حتي يتمكن من الوصول لنهاية حياته خاصة بعد أن علم أن مصيره السجن وليس الموت بعد أن قام رجال الشرطة بتحرير محضر له بتعريض حياته للخطر وقانون العقوبات يوجب حبسه‏6‏ أشهر إلي‏3‏ سنوات لذلك فأنه سوف يقوم بالانتحار حتي يكون مصيره الموت وليس الحبس‏,‏ فالغرف الضيقة والأماكن الشعبية الفقيرة لا يتزوج فيها أحد‏.‏ ولكن حادث انتحار كوبري قصر النيل وهذا الحادث أيضا لن يكونا الأخيرين‏..‏ فمسلسل انتحار الشباب من الجنسين في تصاعد مستمر بسبب عدم العثور علي فرص عمل والفشل في الحب والزواج يدفع البعض للتخلص من حياتهم‏..‏ حيث يشير مصدر مسئول إلي أن الجيزة وحدها شهدت خلال الشهرين الأخيرين نحو‏30‏ حالة انتحار‏

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There are now cases of suicide in Egypt both from Muslims and Christians something that was very rare in Egypt second to the very bad economy. I tell not only to all Egyptians but to all Arabs Christians and Muslims alike there are better days ahead, Al Mahdi Al Muntazer rise is soon. He is not President Obama, in fact the elites built him up to be an alternative to Al Mahdi AL Muntazer so we shut up and he did not deliver. The elites are just trying to keep the money and power to themselves. The planned attack on Islam in fact is a plan against the rise of Al Mahdi. The thing is the more the delay the more the suffering of the world including the west. Now they let me open a small widow to the world but they are controlling the hits to my blog. Let me give you a little test talk to many people in a single country say Egypt and tell to a lot of friends say more than 100 to visit my blog in this coming Sunday and let see how many hits will be in my counter. You know if they did not do all of these tactics around me and blocking me from talking to the media for many years I would just think I am a crazy guy and mind my own business. The last thing they did is stealing my passport since I was going for a visit to Saudi Arabia and they want to block it. I am telling you they think I am Al Mahdi Al Muntazer. Call them and ask them.

Guidence and Misguidance

From: http://www.khilafah.com/index.php/concepts/belief/9565-guidance-and-misguidance

Linguistically Huda means rashaad (integrity of conduct) and dalaalah (showing the way). It is said, he guided him to the deen, i.e. led him to guidance; I showed him the way and the home meaning I informed. Dhalaal is the opposite of rashaad.

Hidaayah, according to the Shar'a, is to be guided to Islam and to believe in it. And dhalaal, according to the Shar'a is deviation from Islam.

Referring to this is the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: "Verily, Allah will not allow my Ummah to all agree on a dhalaalah." [Tirmidhi]

Allah سبحانه وتعالى has kept the Jannah (Paradise) for the muhtadeen (those who have hidaayah) and the Nar (Fire) for the Dhaalleen (those who are on dhalaal). In other words, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will reward the muhtadi (the one who has hidaayah) and punish the dhaall (the one who is on dhalaal). Attaching reward or punishment to huda and dhalaal indicates these (huda and dhalaal) are due to the actions of man and not from Allah سبحانه وتعالى. If they came from Allah سبحانه وتعالى He would not have rewarded people for having hidaayah and punished them for being on the dhalaal, this would lead man attributing injustice (Zulm) to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. For when He punishes someone whom He has caused to go astray, He has done an injustice to him. He is too High and Exalted to do such as thing.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ

"And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves." [Fussilat, 41:46]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَمَا أَنَا بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ

"And I am not unjust (to the least) to the slaves." [Qaaf, 50:29]

However, there are aayaat that suggest hidaayah and dhalaal should be attributed to Allah سبحانه وتعالى and it could be understood that hidaayah and dhalaal do not emanate from man, but are from Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Other verses suggest that hidaayah, dhalaal and idhlaal (causing someone to go astray) should be ascribed to man, thus it could be understood that hidaayah and dhalaal are from man.

All these verses should be understood from a legislative aspect in the sense that one should understand the reality for which they have been legislated. It would appear that ascribing guidance and misguidance to Allah سبحانه وتعالى has a meaning other than the meaning of attributing guidance and misguidance to man. Each one focuses on a different aspect from the other, and this makes the legislative meaning clear. Indeed, the verses that ascribe misguidance and guidance to Allah سبحانه وتعالى are explicit in that it is Allah سبحانه وتعالى Who guides and it is He Who causes someone to go astray.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى said:

قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ

"Say: Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance." [Ar-Ra'ad, 13:27]

He سبحانه وتعالى also said:

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ

"Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills." [Faatir, 35:8]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ

"Then Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills." [Ibrahim, 14:4]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَلَٰكِنْ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ

"But He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills." [An-Nahl, 16:93]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ ۖ وَمَنْ يُرِدْ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاءِ

"And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky." [Al-An'aam, 6:125]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

مَنْ يَشَإِ اللَّهُ يُضْلِلْهُ وَمَنْ يَشَأْ يَجْعَلْهُ عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

"Allah sends astray whom He wills and He guides on the Straight Path whom He wills." [Al-An'aam, 6:39]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

قُلِ اللَّهُ يَهْدِي لِلْحَقِّ

"Say: It is Allah Who guides to the truth." [Yunus, 10:35]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلَا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ

"And they will say: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has guided us to this, never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allah guided us!" [Al-A'araaf, 7:43]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

مَنْ يَهْدِ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِ ۖ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُ وَلِيًّا مُرْشِدًا

"He whom Allah guides, is rightly guided; but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no wali (guiding friend) to lead him (to the right Path)." [Kahf, 18:17]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ

"Verily! You (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills." [Al-Qasas, 28:56]

In these verses there is a clear indication that the one who does the guiding and misguiding is Allah سبحانه وتعالى and not the servant. This means the servant does not find guidance by himself, rather he is guided when Allah سبحانه وتعالى guides him. When Allah سبحانه وتعالى sends him astray he goes astray. This meaning comes with indications (qara'in) which change the meaning from considering that the initiation of guidance and misguidance is from Allah سبحانه وتعالى to another meaning, i.e. reconsidering that the creation of guidance and misguidance comes from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, but the one who practices the guidance and misguidance is the servant himself. As for these indications (qara'in) they are shar'ai and rational indications.

As for the shar'ai indications many aayaat were revealed attributing guidance, misguidance and idhlaal to the servant.

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِي لِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا

"So whosoever receives guidance, he does so for the good of his own self, and whosoever goes astray, he does so to his own loss." [Yunus, 10:108]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ مَنْ ضَلَّ إِذَا اهْتَدَيْتُمْ

"If you follow the right guidance no hurt can come to you from those who are in error." [Al-Maaida, 5:105]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَلِنَفْسِهِ

"So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his own self." [Zumar, 39:41]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ

"And it is they who are guided." [Al-Baqara, 2:157]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا رَبَّنَا أَرِنَا اللَّذَيْنِ أَضَلَّانَا مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ

"And those who disbelieve will say: Our Lord! Show us those among jinns and men who led us astray." [Fussilat, 41:29]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

قُلْ إِنْ ضَلَلْتُ فَإِنَّمَا أَضِلُّ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِي

"Say: If (even) I go astray, I shall stray only to my own loss." [Saba, 34:50]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا لِيُضِلَّ النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ

"Then who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah to lead mankind astray without knowledge." [Al-An'aam, 6:144]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِكَ

"Our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your Path." [Yunus, 10:88]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَمَا أَضَلَّنَا إِلَّا الْمُجْرِمُونَ

"And none has brought us into error except the Mujrimun." [Ash-Shur'araa, 26:99]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَأَضَلَّهُمُ السَّامِرِيُّ

"As-Samiri has led them astray." [Ta Ha, 20:85]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

رَبَّنَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ أَضَلُّونَا

"Our Lord! These misled us." [Al-A'araaf, 7:38]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَدَّتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّا أَنْفُسَهُمْ

"A party of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish to lead you astray. But they shall not lead astray anyone except themselves." [Al-Imran, 3:69]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

إِنَّكَ إِنْ تَذَرْهُمْ يُضِلُّوا عِبَادَكَ

"If You leave them, they will mislead Your slaves." [Nuh, 71:27]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَأَنَّهُ يُضِلُّهُ وَيَهْدِيهِ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ

"Whosoever follows him, he will mislead him to the torment of the Fire." [Al-Hajj, 22:4]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا

"But Shaytan wishes to lead them astray." [An-Nisaa', 4:60]

So, in the wording (mantuq) of these verses there is clear indication that man is the one who performs the actions of guidance and misguidance, thus he will go astray and he will lead others astray; and the Shaytan also leads people astray. So guidance and misguidance has come to be attributed to man and Shaytan and that man can guide himself and send himself astray. This is an indication (qarinah) that attributing guidance and misguidance to Allah سبحانه وتعالى is not one of practice (mubasharah) but one of creation. If the aayaat are placed together and understood in a legislative manner, then the departure of the meaning of one verse from the direction of the other becomes clear. Thus the ayah says:

قُلِ اللَّهُ يَهْدِي لِلْحَقِّ

"Say: It is Allah Who guides to the truth," [Yunus, 10:35]

and the other ayah says:

فَمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِي لِنَفْسِهِ

"So whosoever receives guidance, he does so for the good of his own self." [Yunus, 10:108]

The first indicates that Allah سبحانه وتعالى is the one who guides and the second verse indicates that man is the one who guides himself. The guidance of Allah سبحانه وتعالى in the first verse is one of creating the guidance in man, thus creating the capacity for guidance. The second ayah indicates that man is the one who practices/takes up what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has created in terms of the capacity for guidance and so he guides himself. That is why He سبحانه وتعالى says in the other ayah:

وَهَدَيْنَاهُ النَّجْدَيْنِ

"And (have We not) shown him the two ways (good and evil)." [al-Balad, 90:10]

meaning the path of good and the path of evil.

In other words Allah سبحانه وتعالى has given man the ability to get guidance and has left man to practice his own guidance. So these aayaat which attribute guidance and misguidance to man are a shara'i indication (qarina shar'iyyah) showing that the practice of guidance should be diverted from Allah سبحانه وتعالى to the servant.

As for the rational indication (qarinah aqliyyah), Allah سبحانه وتعالى takes people to account, rewarding the guided one and punishing the misguided one and He سبحانه وتعالى has prepared the reckoning according to the actions of human beings.

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ

"Whoever does the righteous good deeds it is for (the benefit of) his own self, and whoever does evil, it is against his own self, and your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves." [Fussilat, 41:46]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ

وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ

"So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it." [Az-Zalzala, 99:7-8]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَا يَخَافُ ظُلْمًا وَلَا هَضْمًا

"And he who works deeds of righteousness while he is a believer, then he will have no fear of injustice, nor any curtailment (of his reward)." [Ta Ha, 20:112]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

مَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا يُجْزَ بِهِ

"Whoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof." [an-Nisaa, 4:123]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَالْكُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ هِيَ حَسْبُهُمْ

"Allah has promised the hypocrites; men and women, and the disbelievers the Fire of Hell, therein they shall abide." [at-Tawba, 9:68]

For if the meaning of ascribing guidance and misguidance to Allah سبحانه وتعالى is that He سبحانه وتعالى practices it, then His punishment of the kafir, munafiq and sinful is injustice. And Allah سبحانه وتعالى is High Exalted above that; then we are obliged to change the meaning to something other than practice, which is the creation of guidance from nothing and aiding man towards it. Thus the one who practices guidance and misguidance is the servant, and therefore he is accounted for it.

This concerns those aayaat in which guidance and misguidance is ascribed to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. As regards those in which guidance and misguidance is linked to His wish (mashee'a):

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ

"Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills." [Faatir, 35:8]

The meaning of mashee'a here is iraadah (will). The meaning of these verses is that no one forcibly guides himself against Allah سبحانه وتعالى's will nor does he forcibly go astray against His will. Rather the one who finds guidance is the one who guides himself by the wish and will of Allah سبحانه وتعالى; and the one who goes astray does so by the wish and will of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.

Still remaining are those aayaat from which one might understand that there are people who will never be guided. Such as His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَأَنْذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنْذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

خَتَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَعَلَىٰ سَمْعِهِمْ ۖ وَعَلَىٰ أَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَةٌ

"Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you (O Muhammad) warn them or do not warn them, they will still not believe. Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearings, (they are closed from accepting Allah's guidance), and on their eyes there is a covering." [Al-Baqara, 2:6-7]

And His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

كَلَّا ۖ بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

"Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran (covering of sins and evil deeds)." [Mutaffifin, 83:14]

He سبحانه وتعالى said:

وَأُوحِيَ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ أَنَّهُ لَنْ يُؤْمِنَ مِنْ قَوْمِكَ إِلَّا مَنْ قَدْ آمَنَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ

"And it was inspired to Nuh: None of your people will believe except those who have believed already, therefore do not grieve at what they do." [Hud, 11:36]

These verses are information from Allah سبحانه وتعالى to His Prophets about certain peoples that they will not believe, so this comes under the Knowledge ('ilm) of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. The information does not mean there is a group which will believe and a group which will not believe. Rather, every human being has the capacity to acquire iman. The Messenger and the da'wah carriers who come after him are ordered to invite all peoples to iman. It is not allowed for the Muslim to despair about anyone's iman.

Concerning the prior Knowledge of Allah that a man will not believe, Allah سبحانه وتعالى knows it because His Knowledge includes everything. For what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has not informed us about what He knows, we cannot pass judgement on this. The Prophets did not pass judgement or make a decision that someone will not believe except after Allah سبحانه وتعالى had informed them about this.

For His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

"And Allah guides not the people who are Fasiqun (the rebellious and disobedient)." [al-Maaida, 5:108]

And His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

"And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers)." [Al-Imran, 3:86]

And His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

"And Allah guides not the people who are Kafirun (disbelievers)." [al-Baqara, 2:264]

And His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

إِنْ تَحْرِصْ عَلَىٰ هُدَاهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ يُضِلُّ

"If you (O Muhammad) covet for their guidance, then verily Allah guides not those whom He makes to go astray." [an-Nahl, 16:37]

And His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ

"Verily, Allah guides not one who is a musrif (a polytheist, those who commit great sins), a liar! (kazzab)" [al-Ghaafir, 40:28]

These verses mean that Allah سبحانه وتعالى did not grant them guidance since the granting of guidance comes from Allah سبحانه وتعالى. The fasiq, zalim, kafir, daal, musrif and kazzab, are all characterised by attributes inconsistent with guidance, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى will not help for guidance those who have such attributes. This is because helping in guidance is to provide its causes for the human being; and the one who is characterised with these attributes the means of guidance will not be available for him, rather the causes of misguidance. Similar to this is His سبحانه وتعالى saying:

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

"Guide us to the Straight Way." [Al-Fatiha, 1:6]

And His saying:

وَاهْدِنَا إِلَىٰ سَوَاءِ الصِّرَاطِ

"And guide us to the Right Way." [Saad, 38:22]

meaning help us so that we may be guided i.e. facilitate for us the causes of this guidance.

An Overview of the Islamic System

From: http://www.makepakistanbetter.com

An Overview of the Islamic System by Muhammad Latif Chaudhery Created by(latifchaudhery) Created on (28-2-2010) Replies(0) Views(467)

Other Articles by by Muhammad Latif Chaudhery

An Overview of the Islamic System by Muhammad Latif Chaudhery

The Last Messenger of Allah established a system of life in which He used to rule or judge people according to the Book revealed to him [5:48-49, 4:105, 6:114]. And this was not new only to him. In fact, all the previous Messengers of Allah also established systems of life during their time whereby they ruled or judged according to the Books revealed to them [5:44-47, 2:213]. Indeed, any created on ( 28-2-2010 ) views ( 467 )

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"The Last Messenger of Allah established a system of life in which He used to rule or judge people according to the Book revealed to him [5:48-49, 4:105, 6:114]. And this was not new only to him. In fact, all the previous Messengers of Allah also established systems of life during their time whereby they ruled or judged according to the Books revealed to them [5:44-47, 2:213]. Indeed, any "

The Last Messenger of Allah established a system of life in which He used to rule or judge people according to the Book revealed to him [5:48-49, 4:105, 6:114]. And this was not new only to him. In fact, all the previous Messengers of Allah also established systems of life during their time whereby they ruled or judged according to the Books revealed to them [5:44-47, 2:213]. Indeed, any one who does not rule or judge according to Allah’s Revelation is Kaafir [5:44], Zalim [5:45] and Fasiq [5:47], according to the Qur’an. The principle of ruling or judging by the Book is the foundation of an Islamic System. No system can be called Islamic unless all the judgments and rulings therein are according to the Book, Al-Qur’an, the last of the Revealed Books that is the Watcher over all the old Scriptures and guards the Truth in them [5:48].

Al-Hukm or the Judgment or the Rule or the Command belongs to none but Allah alone [6:57, 6:62, 12:40, 12:67, 28:70, 28:80, 40:12, 42:10]. He does not take anyone as partner in His Hukm [18:26]. He is Khair-ul-Hakimeen [7:87, 10:109, 12:80] and Ahkam-ul-Hakimeen [11:45, 95:8]. In an Islamic System, all the so-called rulers or judges are obligated to rule and judge as per Allah’s Rule and Judgment. Sunnah or the Way of the Prophet [s.a.] is not part of Al-Hukm, since Allah does not take any partners in His Hukm [18:26]. However, in Sunnah of the Prophet [s.a.], guidance may be sought for ways to implement Al-Hukm, or for by-laws based upon Al-Hukm. But the ways to implement or enforce Al-Hukm as well as by-laws based upon it, are not as unchangeable as is Al-Hukm itself. The ways and by-laws may be altered according to the suitability of time and circumstances but Al-Hukm itself cannot be changed in any circumstances.

The obedience to Allah [Aatee-u-Allah] is the basis of an Islamic System. But Allah is Invisible. He comprehends all vision but no vision comprehends Him [6:103, 7:143]. He does not come face to face with people to give them His Laws and Commands. All of His Commands for the people are in the Book revealed by Him. Obedience to Allah means conformity to His Laws or abidance by His Commands which are in His Revealed Book, Al-Qur’an. His Commands or Laws do not change like the whim of a despot or caprice of a king. No one can change His Laws. Even, He Himself does not change His Laws, although He is all powerful to do so [10:64, 30:30, 33:62, 35:43, 48:23, 6:34, 6:115, 18:27].

Allah’s Laws and Commands, in the Qur’an, cannot implement or enforce themselves upon people, on their own. Moreover, each individual may interpret these Laws and Commands in his own way and abide by them according to his own right. So, there is a need for one Central Authority and his obedience [Aatee-ur-Rasool]. The first Central Authority was Muhammad [a.s.], the Messenger of Allah. Hence, obedience to the Messenger was also necessary, which was, in effect the obedience to Allah by abidance by His Book as interpreted and enforced by the Central Authority [4:80].

Muhammad [a.s.] was mortal and could not live forever [3:144]. But this did not mean the end of the Islamic System. The Central Authority, after his death, would transfer from him to his Khalifa, the Successor. Moreover, as the expanse of the Islamic System will increase, it would become impossible for the single human Authority to be present at all places at all times to make judgments, rulings or implement or enforce the Law. There would become a need for sub-authorities or subordinates, hence, the obedience to Ol-il-Amr.

Unless there is one single Islamic Central Authority, the dream of implementing Islam as a System, as an alternative to secular democracy or other systems, can never be realized. Without a Central Authority, Islam may exist, as it is today, like a downgraded ritualistic religion, in which every individual or sect may keep on living on the vacuous wish of pleasing Allah or rendering Him worship in its own way and in its own right but it can never become a truly Islamic System of life to bring forth its promised benefits. And that means the transfer of sovereignty from individual states, as they exist today, to the Central Authority which itself would work under the Ultimate Sovereignty of Allah, i.e. His Book. Moreover, this also means the end of the authority of the Ullema or the Muftis of today and the Imams of the past. The interpretation of the Laws and the formulation of by-laws will be done by the Central Authority alone, within the bounds of the Qur’an. There will be no sects, no religious or political parties, not even an opposition party or Hizb-e-Ikhtilaf within the Islamic System.

All the affairs shall be decided by mutual consultation, in the light of the Qur’an. If there is any disagreement among the representatives on any matter, the judgment thereof will be referred to Allah [42:10] i.e. His Book. This referral will be through the sub-authorities or the central authority for the final verdict [4:59], which will make the judgment according to Allah’s Book [5:48].

Derived from two ancient Greek words demos (the people) and kratos (strength), Democracy is a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them. Then, the numerical majority of the elected representatives can make laws, rules or decisions binding on the whole group. While making laws and rules, these elected representatives do not have any objective standards, unprejudiced touchstones, absolute criteria or bounds of any permanent values to take into account. The difference between such a system and the Islamic System is that the law-making in the latter is based upon the objective standards and the absolute criteria given in the Qur’an and do not go against the Permanent Values enshrined therein.

Before anyone becomes a believer in such a system, He has full choice whether he wants to become a believer or not [18:29]. There is no compulsion whatsoever upon him to become a member of the Muslim community [2:256]. But once he becomes a member of the Muslim community, he is obligated to abide by its Laws. The authority would make sure that he does so. He cannot be left with that he abides by some laws that he likes and violates others that he dislikes. No community, no nation and no country would allow that.

In simple words every society or state has some rules or laws for the safety, security and preservation of its individual members as well as the society or the state as a whole. The submission or conformity to these laws and the safety, security and preservation that is expected thereby is called Islam (, the word Islam being used as a common noun. Literally, the word ‘Islam’ means submission as well as safety, security, soundness, unimpairedness, intactness or well-being). When the rules and laws are those or based upon those given by Allah, then the submission or conformity to these laws and rules, and the safety, security and preservation that results thereby, is called Al-Islam.

Why Al-Islam?
Since the laws and rules given by the All-Wise and the All-Knowing Allah are free from any subjectivity, bias or limitations of time and space, the submission or conformity to only these can guarantee a perpetual safety, security, preservation and well-being of all human beings living in a society and the world at large. On the other hand, since the laws made by human beings suffer from the eternal drawbacks of subjectivity or bias and temporal or spatial limitations of individual knowledge and wisdom, they can never guarantee an incessant or everlasting safety, security, preservation or well-being of all.
Muhammad Latif Chaudhery

Blogger comment:
Islamic Sharia law is not applied on non-Muslims but only Muslims. It puts compassion before justice. Morals in Islam comes before law and bad people work the law, around the law or strangulate people with laws. People who are standing against Islam will stand in front of God and miserable will be their fate. They are different from people who did not know Islam and died before get exposed to it. My blog reach to all Christians, Jews and all non-Muslims. This is a message from God. No one will stand for you in the day of judgement. If prophet Muhammad was a liar it is your best chance now to prove it, you will not have a second chance in the day of judgment. Muslims have to let all non-Muslims to know about my blog. God did I report, God be my witness.

http://www.islamreligion.com/videos/3699/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxnXxyH4Gqs

The Natural World and the Muslims

From: http://www.islamicity.com/

By: A K M Mohiuddin

How should a Muslim view and treat the natural world in which he has been placed by his Creator to live his life and work out his destiny in the Hereafter? This is a crucially important question for which every Muslim needs a clear answer.The question has acquired an added impetus because we are living at a time of unprecedented catastrophe in the human and the natural worlds. The variety, harmony and beauty of the planet have been ravaged beyond recognition through man's reckless activities. Technological advances have given man speed but no sense of direction. Thrilled by the speed, unchecked by any scruples, man has been using his intellect, skill, and technological prowess to destroy the planet at a ferocious pace. Insatiable greed, soaring arrogance, and recklessness have done their work: the degradation and defilement of the earth now stand nearly complete. The earth cries aloud to its Creator.In this moment of stupendous crisis, how should the Muslim respond? He must ask what choices and responsibilities he has.Fortunately, Islam provides clear guidance in these matters. Respect, love and concern for the environment are an essential part of a Muslim's piety and worship.Hear what Allah says in the Qur'an:

Group I#

To Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and on earth: all are devoutly obedient to Him. (Quran 30: 26)#
Seest thou not that to Allah bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth - the sun, the moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number among mankind? But a great number are also such as are fit for punishment: and such as Allah shall disgrace - none can raise to honour: for Allah carries out all that He wills. (Quran 22:18)#
The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving! (Quran 17: 44)#
Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all being in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds of the air with wings outspread? Each one knows its own mode of prayer and praise. And Allah knows all that they do. (Quran 24:41)#
Do they not look at Allah's creation even among inanimate things-how their shadows turn round, from the right and the left, prostrating themselves to Allah, and that in the humblest manner? And to Allah doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and the earth, whether moving living creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant before their Lord. They all revere their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they are commanded. (Quran 16: 48-50)#
Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angels, with awe. (Quran 13:13)#
There is not an animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but forms part of communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they all shall be gathered to their Lord in the end. (Quran 6: 38)#
Allah disdains not to use the similitude of a gnat... (Quran 2:26)

Group II#
Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth - here indeed are signs for a people that are wise. (Quran 2: 164)#
Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding, men who celebrate the praises of Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the wonders of creation in the heavens and the earth, with the thought: "Our Lord, not for naught hast Thou created all this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire. (Quran 3: 190-91)#
Do they not look at the camels, how they are made?And at the sky, how it is raised high?And at the mountains, how they are fixed firm?And at the earth, how it is spread out? (Quran 88: 17-20)#
And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in men's habitations; Then to eat of all the produce of the earth, and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought. (Quran 16: 68-69)#
Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them in? None can uphold them except Allah Most Gracious: truly it is He that watches over all things. (Quran 67: 19)

Group III#
I have only created Jinn and men, that they may worship me. (Quran 51:56)#
It is He who hath made you (His) khalifas on the earth: he hath raised in ranks, some above others: that he may try you in the gifts He hath given you; for thy Lord is quick in punishment; yet He is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 6:165)#
We did indeed offer the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it - he was indeed unjust and foolish... (Quran 33: 72)#
Blessed be He in Whose hands is dominion; and He over all things hath Power -
He Who created death and life, that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (Quran 67: 1-2)#
Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern of conduct for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah. (Quran 33:21)#
Say: 'If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.' Say: 'Obey Allah and His Messenger': but if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject faith. (Quran 3:31-32)#
So set thou thy face steadily truly to the faith: establish Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change let there be in the work wrought by Allah: that is the standard religion: but most among mankind understand not. (Quran 30: 30)#
Work not confusion in the earth after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing in your hearts: for the Mercy of Allah is always near to those who do good. (Quran 7: 56)# So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do no evil nor mischief on the face of the earth. (Quran 2: 60)#
The prayer that man should make for good, he maketh for evil; for man is given to hasty deeds. (Quran 17: 11)# ... make not your own hands contribute to your destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good. (Quran 2: 195)#
It is He who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar in kind and different in variety: eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters. (Quran 6: 141) #
Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the evil ones and the Evil One is ungrateful to his Lord. (Quran 17: 27)#
... do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. (Quran 2:190)#
Is there any reward for good other than good? (Quran 55: 60)#
But seek, with the wealth which Allah has bestowed on thee, the home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as Allah has been good to thee, and seek not occasions for mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief....That house of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the end is best for the righteous. (Quran 28: 77- 83)#
...but those will prosper who purify themselves,And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord and lift their hearts in prayer.Nay, behold, ye prefer the life of this world;But the Hereafter is better and more enduring. (Quran 87: 14-17)#
The mutual rivalry for piling up the good things of this world diverts you from the more serious things,Until ye visit the graves.But nay, ye soon shall know the reality.Again, ye soon shall know!Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, ye would beware!Ye shall certainly see Hellfire!Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy ye indulged in! (Quran 102: 1-8)#
...on the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open. It will be said to him: 'Read thine own record: sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee.' Who receiveth guidance receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss... (Quran 17: 13-15)#
Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: but the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as the foundation for hopes. On the Day We shall remove the mountains, and thou wilt see the earth as a level stretch, and We shall gather them, all together, nor shall We leave out anyone of them. And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks with the announcement, 'Now have ye come to Us bare as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfill the appointment made to you to meet Us!' And the Book of Deeds will be placed before you; and thou wilst see the sinful in great terror because of what is recorded therein; they will say: 'Ah! Woe to us! What a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!' They will find all that they did, placed before them: and not one will thy Lord treat with injustice. (Quran 18: 45-49)#
When the earth is shaken to her utmost convulsion,And the Earth throws up her burdens from within,And man cries distressed; 'What is the matter with her?'On that Day will it declare its tidings:For that thy Lord will have given it inspiration.On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they had done.Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it. (Quran 99: 1-8)

These ayahs have been put into three groups. The first tells us that all creation worships Allah, the second, that all of creation is a sign of Allah for the guidance of mankind, while the third group tells us man's position in the creation, warning him against the pitfalls, and reminds him of his eternal destiny and accountability on the Day of Judgment. For the sake of convenience the ayahs have been grouped on the basis of their particular focus, but in fact they are inextricably related and need to be read and understood in their proper relation to each other. There are many similar verses in the Qur'an as well as many hadith confirming and further elaborating these themes. Let us now consider what the ayahs taken together mean for us. First, all creation belongs to Allah. Everything in the universe is His abd or slave. In this there is no difference between man and any other creation, animate or inanimate. Every creation bears the imprint of Allah's hand. Two conclusions are then unavoidable: man must not think he owns them, and they deserve his respect. Courtesy to them is courtesy to Allah.Second, every creation glorifies Allah. They worship Allah by being obedient to Him. However, the same cannot be said of man. We use our freedom to disobey Allah. Man often fails in his worship of Allah, whereas the rest of creation never does. They have an unfailing dignity that man does not always have. When man worships, he only joins this 'universal congregation', to borrow a term from Gai Eaton, in harmony with them. The Qur'an makes the point absolutely clear, as do many hadith such as this one in Sahih Muslim: "The Prophet (saws*) said that Allah once scolded a Prophet (awsm*) for destroying a colony of ants in anger when he was stung by them. Allah told him: 'You have destroyed a community that glorified Me'." This story is moving, but also terrifying. Is there any room for a Muslim to look at these unfailing worshippers of Allah with anything but profound admiration and respect? To molest or hamper these worshippers in their worship is to incur the displeasure and wrath of Allah. And if Allah is displeased, what power can save us from doom?Third, after iman (faith) the most important thing for a Muslim is obligatory salah (ritual prayer) that he must perform five times a day wherever he may find himself. The manner of performing the salah has been prescribed by Muhammad (saws), and he has told us the whole earth has been made a masjid (mosque) for us. This means that just as the masjid is sacred to the Muslim, so also is the earth; there is no difference. Every Muslim is thus obliged to maintain the sanctity of the earth. He cannot degrade or defile it.Fourth, Allah calls the Qur'an His ayah or sign. Significantly, Allah also calls these objects of nature His ayahs or signs. So Allah has two Books for man to receive guidance from: one in words, the Qur'an; the other in Nature. Think of how many times Allah draws our attention to these natural signs in the Qur'an. Just as we are grateful to Allah for His gift of the Qur'an, so must we be grateful for the other gift. The Qur'an will remain a partially closed Book without them. These ayahs in nature have basically four functions for man. The Book of Nature is a mighty testimony of Allah's power and glory. These ayahs are an ever-present reminder to our straying minds. The whole of nature is provided for man's contemplation. To contemplate the smooth functioning of nature and its beauty, harmony, and organization is an essential component of the worship of Allah. Nature is a repeated invitation to thikrullah, or to engage in remembrance of Allah. All forms of worship thus are called thikrullah. What sensible person would dishonour a personal invitation? We must do all we can to protect and preserve this other Book of Allah also.Fifth, a Muslim has a responsibility which no other creation has. He is Allah's khalifah or custodian on this earth. He has been given the task of taking care of Allah's creation. A caretaker cannot abuse what is in his charge. Can a Muslim refuse to accept this duty and still remain Muslim? A human being is nothing if he is not willing to accept this role as Allah's khalifah. Sixth, Allah commands us to emulate His Messenger Muhammad (saws) whom Allah calls the best example for mankind and rahmatal-lil-a'lameen, meaning Mercy for all the creatures (Quran 21:107). The life of Muhammad (saws) is replete with examples of his love, care and concern for all of Allah's creation and how he never tired of warning his noble companions in this regard. How can a Muslim who wants to follow him then not be merciful to Allah's creations, animate or inanimate?Additionally, let us consider how Allah again and again promises in the Qur'an that He will reward the blessed in the Hereafter with Jannah, or a garden that will be their eternal abode. Jannah is described as a place of unimaginable natural beauty with trees and streams. This tells of Allah's great fondness for the beauties of nature. If our Lord likes nature so much, how can we, His servants, not like it, let alone allow any harm to be done to it?At this point it can be legitimately asked: does man not need to take things from nature? Yes, he does, no doubt. And he has its Owner's permission to do so, as the Qur'an says that Allah has created everything for our use. But that is only if we are willing to fulfill our function as His vicegerent on earth. The permission is not unconditional and, as Gai Eaton puts it, the ownership is not transferred. And then there is this question: how much is a Muslim allowed to take? Only that little which keeps us physically fit and enables us to discharge our duties as custodian of all these. Anything beyond that is theft and transgression. Moreover, for whatever little we take out of sheer necessity from the natural world, we must do so in utter humility and with an awareness of our own poverty and helplessness, with respect for it and courtesy toward it and in total gratefulness to our common Lord who created it and mercifully allowed us take from it. The luxuries of modern civilization have no place here. There is no room for greed and wastefulness in Islam. Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (saws) have repeatedly warned the Muslim against these damning vices. Even if one is performing wudu (washing for ritual purification) in a stream, use of excessive water is forbidden.We have to remember that Allah has placed the bounties of nature at our disposal in order to test us and we will have to give our account to Him for all we do with them. Do we receive His gifts with grace, humility and gratitude? Do we accept our role of stewardship? Do we stay within the limits set by Allah? Or do we spoil and squander? All these are extremely serious questions that each of us will have to answer on a very difficult Day. We will have no chance to run away.

We must not forget that each of us will have to face Allah on that Day individually and separately. We will have no helper there. No one will bear anyone else's burden. All Allah's creations, big or small, will be present on that Terrible Day of Reckoning to speak in favor or against us, a most sobering prospect.In Islam everything is a matter of relationship - man's relationship with Allah, with His Messenger, with himself, his fellow human beings and the natural world around him. His success with Allah depends on his forming and maintaining proper relationships with each. Thus a Muslim cannot remain inattentive to the natural world or indifferent to what happens to it. We Muslims are, by definition, environmentalists: we have no option.But the Muslim's concern for the natural world is no mere pragmatic necessity; it is an essential spiritual demand placed on every Muslim. He is not allowed to look at the natural world as a storehouse of resources to be exploited and at best to manage carefully. Nor is he allowed to look at the earth's beauties as merely nice picnic spots or tourist attractions. He is required to see it as a phenomenon handed down to him by his Lord as part of a divine scheme of things with special significance for the purification of his soul and his salvation. Man's relation with his natural surroundings reflects his relationship with Allah and is a vital aspect of his worship. A Muslim, then, is not just an environmentalist, but an environmentalist of a very noble kind. At this point it must be admitted that Muslims have miserably failed in their duties. From what Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (saws) have taught us about the earth and the objects in it, it is the Muslims who should have been the very first to feel horrified and outraged by what has been happening to the planet and who should have been in the forefront in the fight against environmental degradation. Unfortunately this has not been true. In this respect Muslims have not lived up to the call of their religion. However, the call to discharge his obligations as a Muslim remains. We evade our duties and responsibilities at the risk of incurring our Master's displeasure. There are many things to do both individually and collectively. Collective efforts take place only as a result of individual decisions. There are many things we can do at a personal level, which can improve environmental conditions considerably, but there are also bigger things to be taken care of for which only collective efforts will work. Muslims should eagerly join hands with others, especially people of other faiths, who are actively engaged in this urgent and huge struggle.There is however one bitter truth all of us have to accept. If we sincerely want any meaningful improvement in our environment, we must give up many of our modern amenities and comforts, not just wasteful habits and luxuries. We will have to dismantle many of the things we have built. We should not fool ourselves by believing that some miracle technology will emerge that will enable us to continue in our greedy, irresponsible habits while negating their adverse impact on the environment. That is a monstrous delusion beyond all proportion. It is technology, don't forget, that assisted man in bringing the planet to its present misery. We talk of the fury of nature, but far, far fiercer has been the fury of technology-aided man. Technology can beat the earth flat, dry up the oceans, empty the bowels of the earth, turn man to dust and wipe out all living things, but it cannot restore the already lost harmony. We would do well to realize that a devastated earth is not a dead earth, but a deadly one. With the increasing violence done to it, it is turning deadlier and deadlier. Man does not have the power to kill it. Only its real Master has this power. The long oppressed and suffering earth will survive and unleash its fury on man. Greedy, arrogant, foolish man will be more than paid back in his own coin. Yet if we are willing to curb our insatiable, ravenous appetite and be satisfied with much less than now, we may be able to halt the alarming deterioration of the earth's ecology. Technology or no technology, the planet cannot support the modern self-indulgent and profligate way of life. We cannot have our cake and eat it too. There is no alternative to our finding a simpler and modest way of life.The only real question, therefore, should now be: are we prepared to drastically alter our present way of life?For Muslims, there is nothing new in this call. It is as old as Islam itself. It is a call to follow the shining example of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) and his noble Companions (ra) - to live the way they did. The call is valid for all times and under all circumstances. Surely, the best way to live is to live like them. In the heart of the Muslim, can there be any doubt about this?
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A. K. M. Mohiuddin is a retired university professor of English literature living in Bangladesh. He can be reached at this address: akmm45 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Editor Note: saw (salallahu alaihi wassalam or please be upon him), asws (alaihi salam or please be upon him)

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