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ISLAM
-THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN
THE WORLD......DISCOVER WHY?
Content
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Islam
-
Muslim
-
Basic Beliefs
-
Five Pillars of
Islam
-
The
Qur'ân
-
The
Hadeeth
-
Prophet Muhammad
-
Festivals
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Marriage and Family Life
-
Diet
-
Dress
-
Social Manners
-
The
Secret of Success
-
Listen
What the World says about the Fastest Growing Religion
ISLaAM
is the fastest growing religion in the world. Because Islam is a
complete way of life. It tells man about the purpose of his creation and
existence, his ultimate destiny, his place among other creatures and more
importantly, it provides him with guidance to lead a balanced and purposeful
life which will enable him to avoid the Hell-fire and be rewarded with a place
in Paradise in the life after death.
Simply Islaam is to "Obey
Allah" (Allah is the Name of the Only One True God). Islaam is a verb in
Arabic (a doing word). The one who does Islaam is called a Muslim. (Allah calls
us "Muslims" in His Speech of Qur'ân).
The Arabic word Islaam means voluntary surrender to the
will of Allaah and obedience to His commands. Allaah is an Arabic word, the proper
name of God. Muslims prefer to use Allaah rather than God. [TOP]
MUSLIM
A person who freely and consciously accepts the Islaamic
way of life and sincerely practices it is called a Muslim.
A Muslim (the one who does Islaam)
remembers:
*TO SURRENDER (to give up
himself/herself to ALLAH the Almighty)
*TO BE IN SUBMISSION (happily submit
his/her own will to Allaah's Will)
*TO OBEY ALLAAH (understand Qur'ân
and Sunnah and he implements it in action)
*TO DO ALL OF ABOVE, ONLY FOR SAKE OF
ALLAAH (not to impress/show off)
*THE RESULT IS PEACE in worldly life
& Eternal PARADISE, by Mercy of Allaah.
Therefore a Muslim cannot be truly a
Muslim "by birth" in a Muslim family or nation or tribe; rather after
seeking knowledge and understanding of the Qur'ân & Sunnah and obeying
Allaah on Allaah's Terms, then only one can say that "I am obedient servant
of Allaah" (i.e. I am a Muslim).
We may know that Islaam is the only Way
to Peace & Paradise.. but unless we make up our mind to obey Allaah in
ACTION, Allaah may not Accept it from us, May Allaah Forbid.
BASIC
BELIEFS
The three fundamental Islamic beliefs are:
Tawhid - Oneness of Allah;
Risalah - Prophethood;
Akhirah - Life after death.
TAWHID
is
the most important Islamic belief. It implies that everything in existence
originates from the one and only Creator, who is also the Sustainer and the sole
Source of Guidance. This belief should govern all aspects of human life.
Recognition of this fundamental truth results in a unified view of existence
which rejects any divisions of life into religious and secular. Allah is sole
source of Power and Authority, therefore entitled to worship and obedience from
mankind. There is no scope for any partnership with the Creator. Tawhid tells
man that Allah is not born, nor is anyone born of Him. He has no son or
daughter. Human beings are His subjects.
RISALAH
means Prophethood and Messengership. Allah has not left man without Guidance for
the conduct of his life. Since the creation of the first man, Allah has revealed
His guidance to mankind through His prophets. The prophets who received books
from Allah are called messengers. The message of all the prophets and messengers
is one and the same. They urged the people of their time to obey and worship
Allah alone and none other. Whenever the teachings of a prophet were distorted
by people Allah sent another prophet to bring human beings back to the Straight
Path. The chain of Risalah began with Adam, included Noah, Abraham, Ishmael,
Isaac, Lot, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Jesus, and ended with Muhammad (peace be
upon them all), as the final messenger of Allah to mankind. The revealed books
from Allah are: the Torah (Tawrah), the Psalms (Zabur), the Gospel (Injeel) and
the Qur'an. The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), as
the final book of Guidance. It is unchanged and nobody can change it.
AKHIRAH
means Life after death. Belief in Akhirah has a profound impact on the life of a
believer. We are all accountable to Allah on the Day of Judgment when we will be
judged according to how we lived our lives. A person who obeys and worships
Allah will be rewarded with a permanent place of happiness in Paradise (Jannah);
the person who does not do so will be sent to Hell (Jahannam), a place of
punishment and suffering. [TOP]
FIVE
PILLARS OF ISLAM
Islam has five pillars or basic foundations to act. Acting correctly
and sincerely on these foundations will transform a Muslim's life into the line
of the Creator. Faithful practice of these duties inspires him to work towards
the establishment of justice, equality and righteousness in society, and the
eradication of injustice, falsehood and evil.
1.
SHAHADAH,
the first of the five basic foundations, is the declaration, knowingly and
voluntarily, of: La ilaha illal lahu
Muhammadur rasulullah MEANS "There is no god except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah"
This declaration contains the two basic concepts of Tawhid and Risalah. This is
the basis of all actions in Islam, and the four other basic duties follow this
affirmation.
2. SALAH
(compulsory prayer) is offered five times a day. It is a practical demonstration
of faith, and keeps a believer in constant touch with his Creator. The benefits
of Salah are far reaching, long lasting and immeasurable. It develops in a
believer the qualities of self-discipline, steadfastness and obedience to the
Truth, leading him to be patient, honest and truthful in the affairs of his
life. The five daily prayers are:
-
FAJR
between
dawn and sunrise
-
ZUHR
between
midday and mid-afternoon
-
ASR
between
mid-afternoon and sunset
-
MAGHRIB
just
after sunset
-
ISHA
between
nightfall and dawn
3. ZAKAH
(welfare contribution) is a compulsory payment from a Muslim's annual savings.
It is an annual payment of 2.5% on the value of cash, jewelry and precious
metals; a separate rate applies to animals, crops and mineral wealth. Zakah can
only be spent on helping the poor, needy, the disabled, the oppressed, debtors
and other purposes as defined by the Qur'an. Zakah is one of the fundamental
principles of Islamic economy, which insures an equitable society where everyone
has a right to contribute and share.
4. SAWM
is
the annual obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan - the ninth
month of Islamic calendar. A Muslim, every day of this month, refrains from
eating, drinking, smoking, and sex, from dawn to sunset. Sawm develops a
believer's moral and spiritual standard and keeps him away from selfishness,
greed, extravagance and other vices. Sawm is an annual training program which
increases a MusIim's determination to fulfill his obligation to the Almighty
Lord.
5. HAJJ
(pilgrimage to the House of Allah) is an annual event, obligatory on those
Muslims who can afford to undertake it, at least once in their lifetime. It is a
journey to the House of Allah (Al-Ka'bah) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in the month
of Dhul Hijjah - the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Hajj symbolizes the
unity of mankind; Muslims from every race and nationality assemble together in
equality and humanity to worship their Lord. The pilgrim, in the ritual clothing
of Ihram, has the unique feelings of being in the presence of his Lord. [TOP]
THE
QUR'ÂN
The Qur'ân is the final Book of guidance from Allah, sent down to
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through the angel Gabriel (Jibra'il). Every word of the
Qur'an is the word of Allah. It was revealed in a period of 23 years in the
Arabic language. Muslims learn to read it in Arabic and many memorize it
completely. Muslims are expected to try their best to understand the Qur'an and
practice its teachings. The Qur'an is unrivaled in its recording and
preservation. The astonishing fact about this book is that it has remained
unchanged even to a letter for over fourteen hundred years. The Qur'an deals
with man and his ultimate goal in life. Its teachings cover all aspects of his
life and the life after death.
[TOP]
THE HADITH
The Hadith is the collection of sayings, actions and
silent approvals of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It explains the Qur'an, and how
to practice it. The Hadith were recorded meticulously by the Prophet's
companions. Six particular collections have became prominent and are
regarded as the most Authentic: Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i
and Ibni-Majah.
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him)
Muhammad (pbuh), the final messenger of Allah and the
best of creation, was
born in Makkah, Arabia, in the year 571 CE. His father,
Abdullah, died before his birth and his mother, Aminah, died when he
was only six. Later on he was looked after by his uncle Abu Talib. He married
Khadijah, a noble lady of Makkah, when he was twenty five. He first
received revelation from Allah at the age of forty, marking the beginning of his
work as the
messenger of Allah.
The people of Makkah at that time used to worship idols.
The prophet (pbuh) invited them to Islam. Some of them responded favorably
and became Muslims,
while others rebuked him and turned against him. He
continued to preach the
message of Allah and, gradually, the number of his
followers increased. In the thirteenth year of his Prophethood, in 622 CE,
Muhammad (pbuh)
migrated from Makkah to Madînah. The people of Madînah accepted him as their
leader and he established the first Islamic state there.
The Islamic calendar begins from the day of the migration (Hijrah)
of the Prophet
(pbuh).
The Prophet (pbuh) organized the early Muslims and
preached the message of
Allah with unmatched patience and wisdom. Eventually
Islam was established in the whole of Arabia and was set to make a tremendous
contribution to the history and civilization of the world.
Islam, as a way of life, can solve all human problems,
and is the only hope
for the present as well as the future. The need is to
practice it faithfully.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) died in 632 CE at the age of
sixty three. He left behind the Qur'an and his Sunnah as the source of
guidance for all generations to come.
[TOP]
FESTIVALS
IDUL FITR, one of the major festivals, is observed on
the first day after
the month of Ramadan. On this day, Muslims express their
joy and happiness by offering a congregational prayer. Special food is
prepared, and it is customary to visit friends and relatives and to give
presents to children to make the occasion lively and special for them.
IDUL ADHA
begins on the 10th of the month of Dhul Hijjah
and continues till
the 12th. This celebration is observed to commemorate
the willingness of Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his own son -
Ishmael. Abraham showed his readiness and Allah was very pleased. A lamb was
sacrificed instead of Ishmael on Allah's command. Muslims offer congregational
prayer on the day, and afterwards they sacrifice animals to seek the
pleasure of Allah. The meat of the animal is shared amongst poor, relatives,
neighbors and friends.
[TOP]
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE
Marriage is the basis of family life in Islam. It is a
solemn and yet a
simple contract between a man and a woman. Marriages are
generally arranged by parents, but with the consent of the couple, as
required by Islamic law (Shari 'ah). Marriages are performed in a simple
ceremony in the presence of relatives, friends and neighbors.
Islam does not allow the free mixing of men and women;
nor does it allow sex before marriage. Extra-marital sex is severely
punishable. No discrimination is made on the basis of sex. Husband and wife are equal
partners of the family and play their part in their respective fields.
[TOP]
DIET
Muslims are encouraged in the Qur'an to eat what is good
for them, and are
specifically forbidden to eat:
1. Animals slaughtered without invoking the name of
Allah
2. Pork
3. Dead animals
4. The blood of animals
Islamic law requires an animal to be slaughtered
Invoking the name of Allah.
All varieties of alcoholic drinks are prohibited. These
rules aim at rooting out the evil effects of food and drink in society.
[TOP]
DRESS
Muslims must cover their body properly and decently. No
particular dress is
recommended.
For men, covering from the naval to the knees is a must
For women, covering the whole body except the face and
hands is compulsory.
A woman must not wear a dress which rouses man's base
feelings, e.g.
transparent, skin-tight or half-naked dress
Pure silk and gold are not allowed for men Simplicity and modesty are encouraged
SOCIAL
MANNERS
Islam teaches decency, humility and good manners. A
Muslim greets another
Muslim by saying: As-salamu 'Alaikum
Which means (peace be upon you)
and the reply is:
Wa'alaikumus salam and this means (peace be upon you too).
Keeping promises, truthfulness, justice, fair play,
helping the poor and
needy, respect for parents, teachers and elders, love
for children and good relations with neighbors are the most valued virtues of
a Muslim. Islam condemns enmity, back-biting, slander, blasphemy,
ridicule, use of offensive names, suspicion and arrogance.
The
SECRET of Success: Worship ALLAAH Alone with Complete Trust in
Him, The CREATOR & SUSTAINER, WITHOUT associating ANYONE/ANYTHING as
PARTNERS with HIM (including bosses, wealth or relatives) and OBEYING ALLAH'S
SPEECH in Qur'ân as FOLLOWED BY Prophet Muhammad
and his righteous companions.
The practice of doing Islaam leads to
Allaah's Friendship and Mercy. (Look at Prophet Ibraheem's (AS) example)
[TOP]
Listen
What the World says about the Fastest Growing Religion
"Islam is the fastest-growing
religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our
people..." [HILLARY RODMAN CLINTON, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1996, p.3]
Already more than a billion-people strong, Islam is the world’s
fastest-growing religion. [ABCNEWS, Abcnews.com]
"Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country." [NEWSDAY,
March 7, 1989, p.4]
"Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States..." [NEW
YORK TIMES, Feb 21, 1989, p.1]
Moslems are the world's fastest-growing group..." [USA TODAY, The
Population Reference bureau, Feb. 17,
1989, p.4A ]
"Muhummed is the most successful of all Prophets and religious
personalities. " [Encyclopedia Britannica]
"There are more Muslims in North America then Jews Now." [Dan
Rathers, CBSNEWS]
"Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America." [TIMES
MAGAZINE]
"Islam continues to grow in America, and no one can doubt that!" [CNN,
December 15, 1995]
"The Religion of Islam is growing faster than any other religion in the
world." [MIKE WALLACE, 60 MINUTES]
"Five to 6 million strong, Muslims in America already outnumber
Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Mormons, and they are more numerous than
Quakers, Unitarians, Seventh-day Adventists, Mennonites, Jehovah's Witnesses,
and Christian Scientists, combined. Many demographers say Islam has overtaken
Judaism as the country's second-most commonly practiced religion; others say it
is in the passing lane." [JOHAN BLANK,
US NEWS (7/20/98)]
"In fact, Religion experts say Islam is the second-largest religion in the
United States... Islam has 5 million to 6 million members, followed by Judaism,
with approximately 4.5 million..... And Islam is believed to be fastest-growing
religion in the country, with half its expansion coming from new immigrants and
the other half from conversions." [By ELSA C. ARNETT Knight-Ridder News
Service]
It has been a great pleasure for me to
help clarify statements in the Qur'ân about human development. It is clear to
me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from Allah, or Allah,
because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered
until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a
messenger of Allah. [Professor Keith Moore, one of the world’s prominent
scientists of anatomy and embryology. University of Toronto, Canada]
"But Islam has a still further service to render to the cause of humanity.
It stands after all nearer to the real East than Europe does, and it possesses a
magnificent tradition of inter-racial understanding and cooperation. No other
society has such a record of success uniting in an equality of status, of
opportunity, and of endeavours so many and so various races of mankind . . .
Islam has still the power to reconcile apparently irreconcilable elements of
race and tradition. If ever the opposition of the great societies of East and
West is to be replaced by cooperation, the mediation of Islam is an
indispensable condition. In its hands lies very largely the solution of the
problem with which Europe is faced in its relation with East. If they unite, the
hope of a peaceful issue is immeasurably enhanced. But if Europe, by rejecting
the cooperation of Islam, throws it into the arms of its rivals, the issue can
only be disastrous for both." [H.A.R. Gibb, WHITHER ISLAM, London, 1932,
P. 379.]
"It (Islam) replaced monkishness by manliness. It gives hope to the slave,
brotherhood to mankind, and recognition of the fundamental facts of human
nature." [Canon Taylor, Paper read before the Church Congress at
Walverhamton, Oct. 7, 1887; Quoted by Arnoud in THE PREACHING OF ISLAM, pp.
71-72.]
The founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is
Muhammed. As regards all standards by which
human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than
he? " [Lamartine, Historie de la Turquie, Paris 1854, Vol. 11 pp.
276-2727]
"If a man like Muhammed were to assume the dictatorship of the modern
world, he would succeed in solving its problems that
would bring it the much needed peace and happiness." [George Bernard
Shaw]
"How, for instance, can any other appeal stand against that of the Moslem
who, in approaching the pagan, says to him, however obscure or degraded he may
be 'Embrace the faith, and you are at once equal and a brother.' Islam knows no
color line." [S. S. Leeder, VEILED MYSTERIES OF EGYPT]
I think it seems to me very, very mysterious, almost unbelievable. I really
think if what you have said is true, [Professor Siaveda , He is also one of
the most famous scientists in the world.]
Professor William W. Hay is one of the best known marine scientists in the
United States. satellite photography and emote-sensing techniques. Professor Hay
replied: I find it very interesting that this sort of information is in the
ancient scripture of the Holy Qur'ân, and I have no way of knowing where they
would come from, but I think it is extremely interesting that they are there and
that this work is going on to discover it, the meaning of some of the passages.
Professor Hay: Well, I would think it must be the divine being!
[Professor Yushudi Kusan: Director of the Tokyo Observatory] I can say, I
am very mush impressed by finding true astronomical facts in the Qur'ân.
[Professor Alfred Kroner who is one of the world’s most famous geologists] "Thinking
about many of these questions and thinking where Muhammad came from, he was
after all a bedouin. I think it is almost impossible that he could have known
about things like the common origin of the universe,
because scientists have only found out within the last few years with very
complicated and advanced technological methods that this is the case.
[Dr. T.V.N. Persaud is a Professor of Anatomy and Head of the Department of
Anatomy, and a professor of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the author or editor of 25 books, and has
published over 181 scientific papers. In 1991, he received the most
distinguished award presented in the field of anatomy in Canada.] "It
seems to me that Muhammad was a very ordinary man. He could not read or write.
In fact, he was illiterate. We are talking about 1400 years ago. You have
someone who was illiterate making profound pronouncement
and statements and are amazingly accurate about scientific nature. I personally
cannot see how this could be mere chance. There are too many accuracy’s and,
like Dr. Moore, I have no difficulty in my mind in concerning that this is a
divine inspiration or revelation which led him to these statements."
Joe Leigh Simpson, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the North
Western University in Chicago in the United States of America. Professor Simpson
said: It follows, I think, that not only is there no conflict between
genetics and religion, but in fact religion can guide science by adding
revelation to some traditional scientific approaches. That there exists
statements in the Qur'ân shown by science to be valid, which supports knowledge
in the Qur'ân having been derived from Allah.
[Professor Palmer a scientist from the U.S.] We need research into the
history of early Middle Eastern oral traditions to know whether in fact such
historical events have been reported. If there is no such record, it strengthens
the belief that Allah transmitted through Muhammad bits of his knowledge that we
have only discovered for ourselves in recent times. We look forward to a
continuing dialogue on the topic of science in the Qur'ân in the context of
geology. Thank you very much.
[Professor Tagata Tagasone, formerly Head of the Department of Anatomy and
Embryology at the University of Shiang Mai in Thailand. He is now the Dean of
the College of the Medicine at the University.] From my studies and from
what I have learned throughout this conference, I believe that everything that
has been recorded in the Qur'ân 1400 years ago must be the truth, that can be
proved by the scientific means. Since the Prophet Muhammad could neither read
nor write, Muhammad must be a messenger who relayed this truth which was
revealed to him as an enlightenment by the One Who is an Eligible Creator. This
Creator must
be Allah, or Allah. Therefore, I think this is the time to say ‘Laa ilaaha
illallah’, that there is no Allah to worship except Allah, ‘Muhammad Rasool
Allah’, Muhammad is messenger of Allah...
[Professor Armstrong, Scientist works at NASA] I am impressed that how
remarkably some of the ancient writings seem to correspond to modern and recent
Astronomy. There may well have to be something beyond what we understand as
ordinary human experience to account for the writings that we have seen.
[Professor Durga Rao] It is difficult to imagine that this type of
knowledge was existing at that time, around 1400 years back. May be some of the
things they have simple idea about, but do describe those things in great detail
is very difficult. So, this is definitely not a simple human knowledge.
"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential
persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was
the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and
secular level." [Michael H. Hart, THE 100: A RANKING OF THE MOST
INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN HISTORY, New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978,
p. 33.]
"No other society has such a record of success in uniting in an equality of
status, of opportunity and Endeavour so many and so varied races of mankind. The
great Muslim communities of Africa, India and Indonesia, perhaps also the small
community in
Japan, show that Islam has still the power to reconcile apparently
irreconcilable elements of race and tradition. If
ever the opposition of the great societies of the East and west is to be
replaced by cooperation, the mediation of Islam is
an indispensable condition." [H.A.R. Gibb, WHITHER ISLAM, p. 379]
The nation's claim to be a Christian country is about to meet its first
challenge: the number of practising Muslims is set to overtake Anglican
Christians.... There has also been a number of high-profile conversions to Islam
from Christianity. These include Mike Tyson, the former world champion boxer;
Chris Eubank, the British middleweight boxing champion, who has changed his name
to Hamdan; and Cat Stevens, the pop musician, who calls himself Yusuf Islam....
Prince Charles courted controversy earlier this year when he reaffirmed his
claim that when he succeeds the throne, he does not wish to be the defender of
only the Christian faith. [Rajeev Syal and Christopher Morgan Sunday Times
(London, U.K.)]
"I have studied him - the wonderful man - and in my opinion far from being
an anti-Christ he must be called the saviour of
humanity. " [George Bernard Shaw in "The Genuine Islam"]
"Muhammad, the inspired man who founded Islam, was born about A.D. 570 into
an Arabian tribe that worshipped idols. Orphaned at birth, he was always
particularly solicitous of the poor and needy, the widow and the orphan, the
slave and the downtrodden. At twenty, he was already a successful businessman,
and soon became director of camel caravans for a wealthy widow. When he reached
twenty-five, his employer, recognizing his merit, proposed marriage. Even though
she was fifteen years older, he married her, and as long as she lived, remained
a devoted husband. "Like almost every major prophet before him, Muhammad
fought shy of serving as the transmitter of God's word, sensing his own
inadequacy. But the angel commanded 'Read.' So far as we know, Muhammad was
unable to read or write, but he began to dictate those inspired words which
would soon revolutionize a large segment of the earth: 'There is one God.'
"In all things Muhammad was profoundly practical. When his beloved son
Ibrahim died, an eclipse occurred, and rumours of God's personal condolence
quickly arose. Whereupon Muhammad is said to have announced,
'An eclipse is a phenomenon of nature. It is foolish to attribute such things to
the death or birth of a human being. "At Muhammad's own death an attempt
was made to deify him, but the man who was to become his administrative
successor killed the hysteria with one of the noblest speeches in religious
history: 'If there are any among you who worshipped Muhammad, he is dead. But if
it is God you worshipped, He lives forever." [James A. Michener,
"Islam: The Misunderstood Religion," in READER'S DIGEST (American
edition), May 1955, pp. 68-70.]
"In little more than a year he was actually the spiritual, nominal and
temporal rule of Medina, with his hands on the lever
that was to shake the world." [John Austin, "Muhammad the Prophet
of Allah," in T.P. 's and Cassel's Weekly for 24th September 1927.]
"Everything made so much sense. This is the beauty of the Qur'an; it asks
you to reflect and reason....When I read the Qur'an further, it talked about
prayer, kindness and charity. I was not a Muslim yet, but I felt the only answer
for me was the Qur'an and God had sent it to me." [Cat Stevens (Now
Yusuf Islam), former British pop star.]
"Four years after the death of Justinian, A.D. 569, was born at Mecca, in
Arabia the man who, of all men exercised the
greatest influence upon the human race . . . Mohammed . . . " [John
William Draper, M.D., L.L.D., A History of the Intellectual Development of
Europe, London 1875, Vol.1, pp.329-330]
"Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never
forgotten by those around him." [Diwan Chand Sharma, The Prophets of the
East, Calcutta 1935, p. l 22.]
"People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense. People like
Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand, and Alexander, Caesar and Hitler on the
other, are leaders in the second and perhaps the third sense. Jesus and Buddha
belong in the third category alone. Perhaps the greatest leader of all times was
Mohammed, who combined all three functions. To a lesser
degree, Moses did the same." [Professor Jules Masserman]
[Ahmed Versi, editor of the weekly Muslim News,] said the growth of Islam
has been constant: "The younger generation of Muslims that I have
encountered is becoming more aware of its Muslim identity and is therefore
practising its faith with vigour."
"The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the
outstanding achievements of Islam and in the
contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of
this Islamic virtue..." [A.J. Toynbee,
CIVILIZATION ON TRIAL, New York, p. 205]
"Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as
I read in the Qur'an I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but
practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world." [Lectures
on "The Ideals of Islam;" see SPEECHES AND WRITINGS OF SAROJINI NAIDU,
Madras, 1918, p. 167.]
"History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims
sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon
conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians
have ever repeated." [De Lacy O'Leary, ISLAM AT THE CROSSROADS, London,
1923, p. 8.]
"The Muslim community is much more aware of its religion and the use that
religion plays within its community." [Dr Peter Brierley, Executive Director
of the Christian Research Association, a London-based charity]
"I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of
its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess
that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make
itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my
opinion for from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of
Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of
the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would
bring it the much
needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that
it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be
acceptable to the Europe of today." [G.B. Shaw, THE GENUINE ISLAM, Vol.
1, No. 81936.]
"A growing number of Muslims in America, more than 40 percent are
African-American," [Charles Bierbauer, from the Senior Washington
Correspondent]
"The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the
outstanding achievements of Islam, and in the contemporary world there is, as it
happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue." [A.J.
Toynbee, CIVILIZATION ON TRIAL, New York, 1948, p. 205.]
"The rise of Islam is perhaps the most amazing event in human history.
Springing from a land and a people like previously negligible, Islam spread
within a century over half the earth, shattering great empires, overthrowing
long established religions, remoulding the souls of races, and building up a
whole new world - world of Islam.
"The closer we examine this development the more extraordinary does it
appear. The other great religions won
their way slowly, by painful struggle and finally triumphed with the aid of
powerful monarchs converted to the new faith. Christianity had its Constantine,
Buddhism its Asoka, and Zoroastrianism its Cyrus, each lending to his chosen
cult the mighty force of secular authority. Not so Islam. Arising in a desert
land sparsely inhabited by a nomad race previously undistinguished in human
annals, Islam sallied forth on its great adventure with the slenderest human
backing and against the heaviest material odds. Yet Islam triumphed with
seemingly miraculous ease, and a couple of generations saw the Fiery
Crescent borne victorious from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas and from the desert
of Central Asia to the deserts of Central Africa." [A.M.L. Stoddard,
quoted in ISLAM - THE RELIGION OF ALL PROPHETS, Begum Bawani Waqf, Karachi,
Pakistan, p. 56.]
"I am not a Muslim in the usual sense, though I hope I am a
"Muslim" as "one surrendered to God," but I believe that
embedded in the Qur'ân and other expressions of the Islamic vision are vast
stores of divine truth from which I and other occidentals have still much to
learn, and 'Islam is certainly a strong contender for the supplying of the basic
framework of the one religion of the future.'" [W. Montgomery Watt,
ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY TODAY, London, 1983, p. ix.]
'I believe in One God and Mahomet the Apostle of God,' is the simple and
invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never
been degraded by any visible idol; the honours of the prophet have never
transgressed the measure of human virtue, and his living precepts have
restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and
religion." [Edward Gibbon and Simon Ocklay, HISTORY OF
THE SARACEN EMPIRE, London, 1870, p. 54.]
"He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without Pope's pretensions,
Caesar without the legions of Caesar without a standing army, without a
bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue; if ever any man had the
right to say that he ruled by the right divine, it was Mohammed, for he had all
the power without its instruments and without its supports." [Bosworth
Smith, MOHAMMAD AND MOHAMMADANISM, London, 1874, p. 92.]
"His readiness to undergo persecutions for his beliefs, the high moral
character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as leader, and the
greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To
suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves. Moreover, none
of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as
Muhammad." [W. Montgomery Watt, MOHAMMAD AT MECCA, Oxford, 1953, p. 52.]
"The doctrine of brotherhood of Islam extends to all human beings, no
matter what color, race or creed. Islam is the only religion which has been able
to realize this doctrine in practice. Muslims wherever on the world they are
will recognize each other as brothers." [Mr. R. L. Mellema, Holland,
Anthropologist, Writer and Scholar.]
"It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the
great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel
anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of
the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may
be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of
admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher." [Annie
Besant, THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD, Madras, 1932, p.4.]
"The essential and definite element of my conversion to Islam was the
Qur'an. I began to study it before my conversion with the critical spirit of a
Western intellectual .... There are certain verses of this book, the Qur'an,
revealed more than thirteen centuries ago, which teach exactly the same notions
as the most modern scientific researches do. This definitely converted me."
[Ali Selman Benoist, France, Doctor of Medicine.]
"I have read the Sacred Scriptures of every religion; nowhere have I found
what I encountered in Islam: perfection. The Holy Qur'an, compared to any other
scripture I have read, is like the Sun compared to that of a match. I firmly
believe that anybody who reads the Word of Allah with a mind that is not
completely closed to Truth, will become a Muslim." [Saifuddin Dirk
Walter Mosig, U.S.A.]
"The universal brotherhood of Islam, regardless of race, politics, color or
country, has been brought home to me most keenly many times in my life -- and
this is another feature which drew me towards the Faith." [Col. Donald
S. Rockwell, U.S.A. Poet, Critic and Author.]
"Medieval Islam was technologically advanced and open to innovation. It achieved
far higher literacy rates than in contemporary Europe; it assimilated the legacy
of classical Greek civilization to such a degree that many classical books are
now known to us only through Arabic copies. It invented windmills ,trigonometry,
lateen sails and made major advances in metallurgy, mechanical and chemical
engineering and irrigation methods. In the middle-ages the flow of technology
was overwhelmingly from Islam to Europe rather from Europe to Islam. Only after
the 1500's did the net direction of flow begin to reverse." [(pg 253)
Jared Diamond a world renowned UCLA sociologist, and physiologist won the
Pulitzer Prize for his book: "Guns, Germs, and Steel."]
The scientists who participated in these dialogues were all non-Muslims, most of
whom were explaining some scientific facts which they have realized only very
recently and after several years of research and study. When they were told that
what they have just discovered recently was already referred to either directly
or indirectly in the Holy Qur'ân more than 1400 years ago, they showed a great
deal of astonishment. Their comments were varied, but almost all of them
confessed that this Qur'ân could not have come from any human or ordinary
source. Indeed, some of them were convinced and have affirmed that the Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him, is a messenger from Allah, to the point that one of
them even embraced Islam by declaring the Islamic creed otherwise known as the
"Shahaadah" and thus became a Muslim.
The Qur'ân which was revealed 14 centuries ago mentioned facts only recently
discovered by proven scientists. This proves without doubt that the Qur'ân must
be the literal word of Allah, revealed by Him to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu
'alaihi wa sallam) and it also proves that Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa
sallam) is truly a Messenger and Prophet sent by Allah. It is beyond reason that
anyone fourteen hundred years ago would have known these facts discovered or
proven only recently with advanced equipment and sophisticated methods.
Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) reviewed the Qur'ân
with the Angel Jibreel once each year and twice in the last year of his life.
Since the Qur'ân was revealed up until this day, there has always been a huge
number of Muslims who have memorized all of the Qur'ân, letter by letter. Some
of them have been able to memorize all of the Qur'ân by Heart.
[TOP]
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES
ISLAM
AND WOMEN
HIJAAB-THE
UNVEILED MYSTERY
PROOFS
OF GOD'S EXISTENCE FROM THE QUR'ÂN
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