Atoms that Come Alive

 

Atoms are the building blocks of both animate organisms as well as inanimate objects. Since atoms are inanimate particles, it evokes extreme astonishment that they are the building blocks of living beings. This is an issue evolutionists can never explain.

Just as it is impossible to imagine pieces of stone coming together to form living organisms, it is impossible to imagine inanimate atoms coming together by themselves to form living organisms. Think about a lump of rock and a butterfly -- one is inanimate, the other is animate. Yet, when we delve into their essence, we see that both are made up of the same sub-atomic particles.

The following example may elucidate the impossibility of inanimate matter transforming by itself into animate matter in a better way: Can aluminum fly? No. If we mix aluminum with plastic and gasoline, can it fly? Of course it still cannot. Only if we bring these materials together in a way so as to form an airplane, can they fly. So, what makes an airplane fly? Is it the wings, the engine or the pilot? None of these can fly by themselves. In fact, an airplane is manufactured by the assemblage in a special design consisting of different pieces each of which has no ability to fly. The ability to fly is neither derived from aluminum, nor plastic, nor gasoline. The specifications of these substances are important, but the ability to fly can only be gained by bringing these substances together in a very special design.

Living systems are no different. A living cell is formed by the arrangement of inanimate atoms in a very special design. Faculties of living cells such as growth, reproduction and others are results of perfect design rather than the properties of molecules. The design we find at this point is only Allah's creating the living from the dead. Allah Says (what means): "Indeed, Allah is the cleaver of grain and the date seed. He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living. That is Allah; so how are you deluded?" [Quran 6:95]

When the Theory of Evolution was advanced in the middle of the 19th century CE, scientific research conducted with primitive microscopes had created the impression that the cell was just a simple lump of matter. However, in the 20th century CE, observation and research made using advanced instruments, and electron microscopes revealed that the cell has an extremely complex structure that could only have been formed as a result of perfect design. Most importantly, research showed that it is absolutely impossible for life to arise spontaneously out of inanimate matter. The source of life is life alone -- a fact which has been proved experimentally too. This is a problem evolutionists can never resolve.

It is for this reason that renowned evolutionary scientists find themselves in a great impasse, and instead of presenting solid scientific evidence, they resort to telling hypothetical 'tales' which amount to nothing but window-dressing. They put forward completely illogical and unscientific claims, that matter has a consciousness, an ability and a will of its own. However, they themselves do not believe these absurd tales and are eventually forced to confess that the main questions that need to be answered cannot be answered scientifically: "The outstanding evolutionary mystery now is: how matter has originated and evolved; why it has taken its present form in the Universe and on the earth, and why it is capable of forming itself into complex living sets of molecules." [C. D. Darlington, Evolution for Naturalists, (NY, John Wiley, 1980) p. 15]

As the evolutionary scientist quoted above confesses, the basic purpose of the Theory of Evolution is to deny that Allah (God) created living beings. This is the scenario claimed by evolutionists, describing the transformation of inanimate and unconscious atoms into animate organisms, and most significantly, into people with high levels of consciousness and intelligence: "After the Big Bang, atoms, containing precisely balanced forces, somehow brought themselves into being...These atoms first transformed themselves into cells with highly complex structures and then produced copies of the cells they formed by splitting into two, after which they started speaking and hearing. Subsequently, these atoms transformed into university professors viewing themselves under the electron microscope and claiming that they came into being coincidentally…"

It is possible to prolong this story but let us stop here and see whether unconscious atoms can spontaneously form the DNA molecule, the cornerstone of life and proteins.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), which is located in the nucleus of a cell contains the codes carrying the information that controls the formation of all organs and characteristics of the body. This code is so complex that scientists were only able to translate it (to a very limited extent) as late as the 1940s. Proteins are the building blocks of living beings and play a key role in many vital functions of the organism.

DNA is a series of nucleotides arranged in a special sequence. A protein is a series of amino acids arranged again in a special sequence. First of all, it is mathematically impossible for either DNA molecules or protein molecules that come in thousands of different types to sort out the appropriate sequences necessary for life by chance. Probabilistic calculations reveal that the probability of even the simplest protein molecules achieving the right sequence by chance is zero. In addition to this mathematical impossibility, there is also an important chemical obstacle to the coincidental formation of these molecules. If the relationship between DNA and protein were a result of time, chance and natural processes, then there would be some sort of chemical affinity of DNA and protein to react, as acids and bases have a great tendency to react. In that case, if chance had really played a role, a whole host of other natural chemical reactions would occur among any random fragments of DNA and protein and the living beings we see today would not have formed.

Just as the entire Universe was created from nothing, so were living beings created from nothing. Just as only nothing can come into existence out of nothing by chance, inanimate matter cannot combine by chance to form living beings. Only Allah, Possessor of Infinite Power, Infinite Wisdom and Infinite Knowledge, has the power to do all these. Allah Says (what means): "Indeed your Lord is Allah, who created the Heavens and Earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day (another night) chasing it rapidly; and (He created) the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds." [Quran 7:54] - islamweb.net

HOW MUSLIM INVENTORS CHANGED THE WORLD

 

From coffee to cheques and the three-course meal, the Muslim world has given us many innovations that we in the West take for granted.  Here are some of their most influential innovations:

(1)  The story goes that an Arab named Khalid was tending his goats in the Kaffa region of southern Ethiopia, when he noticed his animals became livelier after eating a certain berry.

He boiled the berries to make the first coffee.  Certainly the first record of the drink is of beans exported from Ethiopia to Yemen where some Muslims drank it to stay awake all night to pray on special occasions.  By the late 15th century it had arrived in Makkah and Turkey from where it made its way to Venice in 1645.

It was brought to England in 1650 by a Turk named Pasqua Rosee who opened the first coffee house in Lombard Street in the City of London.  The Arabic "qahwa" became the Turkish "kahve" then the Italian "caffé" and then English "coffee".

(2)  The ancient Greeks thought our eyes emitted rays, like a laser, which enabled us to see.  The first person to realise that light enters the eye, rather than leaving it, was the 10th-century Muslim mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al-Haitham.

He invented the first pin-hole camera after noticing the way light came through a hole in window shutters.  The smaller the hole, the better the picture, he worked out, and set up the first Camera Obscura (from the Arab word "qamara" for a dark or private room).

He is also credited with being the first man to shift physics from a philosophical activity to an experimental one.

(3)  A form of chess was played in ancient India but the game was developed into the form we know it today in Persia.  From there it spread westward to Europe — where it was introduced by the Moors in Spain in the 10th century — and eastward as far as Japan.  The word "rook" comes from the Persian "rukh", which means chariot.

(4)  A thousand years before the Wright brothers, a Muslim poet, astronomer, and engineer named Abbas ibn Firnas made several attempts to construct a flying machine.  In 852 he jumped from the minaret of the Grand Mosque in Cordoba using a loose cloak stiffened with wooden struts.

He hoped to glide like a bird.  He didn’t.  But the cloak slowed his fall, creating what is thought to be the first parachute, and leaving him with only minor injuries.

In 875, aged 70, having perfected a machine of silk and eagles’ feathers he tried again, jumping from a mountain.  He flew to a significant height and stayed aloft for ten minutes but crashed on landing — concluding, correctly, that it was because he had not given his device a tail so it would stall on landing.  Baghdad international airport and a crater on the Moon are named after him.

(5)  Washing and bathing are religious requirements for Muslims, which is perhaps why they perfected the recipe for soap which we still use today.  The ancient Egyptians had soap of a kind, as did the Romans who used it more as pomade.

But it was the Arabs who combined vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide and aromatics such as thyme oil.  One of the Crusaders’ most striking characteristics, to Arab nostrils, was that they did not wash.

Shampoo was introduced to England by a Muslim who opened Mahomed’s Indian Vapour Baths on Brighton seafront in 1759 and was appointed Shampooing Surgeon to Kings George IV and William IV.

(6)  Distillation, the means of separating liquids through differences in their boiling points, was invented around the year 800 by Islam’s foremost scientist, Jabir ibn Hayyan, who transformed alchemy into chemistry, inventing many of the basic processes and apparatus still in use today — liquefaction, crystallisation, distillation, purification, oxidisation, evaporation and filtration.

As well as discovering sulphuric and nitric acid, he invented the alembic still, giving the world intense rosewater and other perfumes and alcoholic spirits (although drinking them forbidden, in Islam).  Ibn Hayyan emphasised systematic experimentation and was the founder of modern chemistry.

(7)  The crank-shaft is a device which translates rotary into linear motion and is central to much of the machinery in the modern world, not least the internal combustion engine.  One of the most important mechanical inventions in the history of humankind, it was created by an ingenious Muslim engineer called al-Jazari to raise water for irrigation.

His Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices (1206) shows he also invented or refined the use of valves and pistons, devised some of the first mechanical clocks driven by water and weights, and was the father of robotics.  Among his 50 other inventions was the combination lock.

(8)  Quilting is a method of sewing or tying two layers of cloth with a layer of insulating material in between.  It is not clear whether it was invented in the Muslim world or whether it was imported there from India or China.

However, it certainly came to the West via the Crusaders.  They saw it used by Saracen warriors, who wore straw-filled quilted canvas shirts instead of armour.  As well as a form of protection, it proved an effective guard against the chafing of the Crusaders’ metal armour and was an effective form of insulation — so much so that it became a cottage industry back home in colder climates such as Britain and Holland.

(9)  The pointed arch so characteristic of Europe’s Gothic cathedrals was an invention borrowed from Islamic architecture.  It was much stronger than the rounded arch used by the Romans and Normans, thus allowing the building of bigger, higher, more complex and grander buildings.

Other borrowings from Muslim genius included ribbed vaulting, rose windows and dome-building techniques.  Europe’s castles were also adapted to copy the Islamic world’s — with arrow slits, battlements, a barbican and parapets.  Square towers and keeps gave way to more easily defended round ones.  The architect of Henry V’s castle was a Muslim. - islamreligion.com

The fossil record refutes evolution

 

Contrary to evolutionists' expectations, fossil records provide proof of Creation, not evolution of species

 According to the theory of evolution, every living species has sprung from a predecessor. A previously-existing species turned into 'something else'  with time and all species have come into being in this way. According the theory, this transformation proceeds gradually over millions of years. If this was the case, then numerous intermediary species should have existed and lived within this long transformation period.

For instance, some half-fish/half-reptiles should have lived in the past, which had acquired some reptilian traits in addition to the fish traits they already had. Or there should have existed some reptile-birds, which acquired some bird traits in addition to the reptilian traits they are believed to have had in the past, as “transitional forms.”

If such animals had really existed, there should be millions and even billions of them in number and variety. More importantly, the remains of these strange creatures should be present in fossil records. The number of these transitional forms should have been even greater than the present animal species and their remains should be found all over the world. In The Origin of Species, Darwin explained:

"If my theory be true, numberless intermediate varieties, linking most closely all of the species of the same group together must assuredly have existed.. Consequently evidence of their former existence could be found only amongst fossil remains."

Even Darwin himself was aware of the absence of such transitional forms. It was his hope that they would be found in the future. Despite his hopefulness, he realised that the biggest stumbling-block in his theory was the missing transitional forms. Therefore in his book The Origin of Species he wrote the following in the chapter “Difficulties of the Theory”:

    " …Why, if species have descended from other species by fine gradations, do we everywhere see innumerable transitional forms? Why is not all nature in confusion, instead of the species being, as we see them, well defined?… But, as by this theory innumerable transitional form must have existed, why do we not find them embedded in countless numbers in the crust to the earth?… But in the intermediate region, having intermediate conditions of life, why do we not now find closely-linking intermediate varieties? This difficulty for a long time quite confounded me.”

The single explanation Darwin could come up with to counter this objection was the argument that the fossil record uncovered so far was inadequate. He asserted that when the fossil record had been studied in detail, the missing links would be found.  

Believing in Darwin’s prophecy, evolutionists have been searching for fossils and digging for missing links since the middle of the 19^th century CE, all over the world. Despite their best efforts, no transitional forms have yet been uncovered. All the fossils unearthed in excavations showed that contrary to the beliefs of evolutionists, life appeared on earth all of a sudden and fully-formed. In their enthusiastic efforts to prove their theory, evolutionists have instead unwittingly caused it to collapse.

A famous British paleontologist, Derek V. Ager, admits this fact even though he is an evolutionist:

 "The point emerges that if we examine the fossil record in detail, whether at the level of orders or of species, we find – over and over again – not gradual evolution, but the sudden explosion of one group at the expense of another."

Another evolutionist paleontologist Mark Czarnecki comments as follows:

"A major problem in providing the theory has been the fossil record; the imprints of vanished species preserved in the Earth’s geological formations. This record has never revealed traces of Darwin’s hypothetical intermediate variants – instead species appear and disappear abruptly, and this anomaly has fueled the creationist argument that each species was created by God."

    

They have also had to deal with the futility of waiting for “missing” transitional forms to appear in the future, as explained by a professor of paleontology from Glasgow University, T. Neville George:

    

"There is no need to apologise any longer for the poverty of the fossil record. In some ways, it has become almost unmanageably rich and discovery is outpacing integration…The fossil record nevertheless continues to be composed mainly of gaps. "

    

Life emerged on earth suddenly and in complex forms

When terrestrial strata and fossil records are examined, it is seen that all living organisms appeared simultaneously. The oldest stratum of the earth in which fossils of living creatures have been found is that of the Cambrian, which has an estimated age of 500-550 million years.

    

Living creatures found in the strata belonging to the Cambrian period emerged all of a sudden in the fossil record --  there are no pre-existing ancestors. The fossils found in the Cambrian rocks belonged to snails, trilobites, sponges, earthworms, jellyfish, sea hedgehogs and other complex invertebrates. This wide mosaic of living organisms made up of such a great number of complex creatures emerged so suddenly, that this miraculous event is referred to as the “Cambrian Explosion” in geological literature.

    

Most of the life forms found in these strata have complex systems like eyes, gills, circulatory system and advanced physiological structures no different from their modern counterparts. For instance, the double-lensed, combined eye structure of trilobites is a wonder of design. David Raup, a professor of geology at Harvard, Rochester and Chicago Universities says: “The trilobites used an optimal design which would require a well trained and imaginative optical engineer to develop today”.

    

These complex invertebrates emerged suddenly and completely without having any link or any transitional form between them and the unicellular organisms, which were the only life forms on earth prior to them.

    

Richard Monastersky, the editor of Earth Sciences, one of the popular publications of evolutionist literature, states the following about the “Cambrian Explosion” which came as a total surprise to evolutionists:

"A half-billion years ago, the remarkably complex forms of animals we see today suddenly appeared. This moment, right at the start of Earth’s Cambrian Period, some 550 million years ago, marks the evolutionary explosion that filled the seas with the world’s first complex creatures. The large animal phyla of today were present already in the early Cambrian and they were as distinct from each other as they are today."

    

How did the earth come to overflow with such a great     number of animal species all of a sudden? How could these distinct types of species with no common ancestors emerge? These are questions that remain unanswered by evolutionists. The Oxford zoologist Richard Dawkins, one of the foremost advocates of evolutionist thought in the world, comments on this reality that invalidates the very roots of all the arguments he has been defending:   

     

"For example the Cambrian strata of rocks, vintage about 600 million years, are the oldest ones in which we find most of the major invertebrate groups. And we find many of them already in an advanced state of evolution, the very first time they appear. It is as though they were just planted there, without any evolutionary history. Needless to say, this appearance of sudden planting has delighted creationists."

    

As Dawkins is forced to acknowledge, the Cambrian Explosion is strong evidence for creation, because creation is the only way to explain the fully-formed emergence of life on earth. Douglas Futuyma, a prominent evolutionist biologist admits this fact and states: “Organisms either appeared on the earth fully developed or they did not. If they did not, they must have developed from pre-existing species by some process of modification. If they did appear in a fully developed state, they must indeed have been created by some omnipotent intelligence.”

Darwin himself recognized the possibility of this when he wrote: “If numerous species, belonging to the same genera of families, have really started into life all at once, the fact would be fatal to the theory of descent with slow modification.”

The Cambrian Period is nothing more or less than Darwin’s “fatal stroke”. This is why the Swiss evolutionist and paleoanthropologist Stefan Bengston confesses to the lack of transitional links while he describes the Cambrian Period and says: “Baffling (and embarrassing) to Darwin, this event still dazzles us.''

    

As may be seen, the fossil record indicates that living things did not evolve from primitive to advanced forms, but instead emerged all of a sudden and in a perfect state. In short, living beings did not come into existence by evolution, they were created. - islamweb.net

Look at Whom You Befriend: A Lesson From Chapter Al Kahf

 

And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance.  And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect…   (Al Kahf 18:28-30)

In this article, we will discuss three essential verses from Chapter 18 of the Quran.  This chapter is entitled Al Kahf or in English, The Cave.  It was revealed in Makkah at a time when the fledgling Muslims were being persecuted and abused.

Migration to Ethiopia had not yet taken place. Thus, this chapter served as comfort and encouragement to people who were at the end of their tether, dealing constantly with abuse.

Al Kahf is a chapter that deals extensively with the Oneness of God and verses 28 -30 tell us that the Hereafter is real; however belief in the doctrines of Islam is a choice.  Be warned though, actions have consequences.

Keep with Good Company

And keep yourself patient by surrounding yourself with friends who pray to God, seeking His approval.  And do not turn away from them with desire for the attractions of this worldly life.

These words were addressed to Prophet Muhammad (may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him) but hold a lesson for us all.  It is a lesson that transcends time and holds the believer in good stead.

One is influenced by those around him.  Thus surrounding yourself with friends who seek God’s countenance makes perfect sense.  You and your friends should have the same goals and for a believer the ultimate goal is the success in the Hereafter.

Do not be distracted by worldly desires. Riches and fame particularly in the 21^st century are two things that people strive mercilessly to attain, yet they are nothing but a distraction.

We know that the purpose of life is to worship God and to do so in every aspect of our lives.  Relentlessly pursuing worldly things or questionable notoriety may satisfy a human desire but it pulls us away from the remembrance of God.

Keeping company with those who make that remembrance a priority is a wise and beneficial life plan.  Prophet Muhammad said:

The believer to the believer is like a solid building, one part supporting the other. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

A Stern Warning

God says to humankind, the truth is obvious, I (God) have laid it bare and explained it to you.  Those who wish to believe may do so, and those who wish to ignore it may also do so.  Each person has been given a free will to choose from but at the same time one is responsible for the choices he makes.

God gives us a stern warning by mentioning the Fire that has been prepared for the wrongdoers.  It is a ghastly place where those who call for relief will be given water like boiling oil.  It is a terrible drink and it is a very painful place to be for all of eternity.

When God describes Hell and life within its confines it is hoped that humankind will view it as a warning.  This is what awaits you if you refuse to obey the commandments of God.

God is saying pay attention, protect yourselves and ask for forgiveness.  A terrible drink in a painful place is a promise from God for those who fail to accept His offers of forgiveness.  Repent, vow to stay away from sinful behavior and try to improve your status with God.

No Good is Wasted

In contrast however, those who believe and do good deeds will find a very different Hereafter awaiting them.  One that is more blissful than a human being is able to imagine. God states specifically and unequivocally that He will never let a good deed go to waste.

Among God’s names we can find ‘The Most Appreciative’, He appreciates every little attempt we make to be a good person.  The smallest of deeds are not forgotten.  God even appreciates when we decide against doing a bad deed.  This is what Prophet Muhammad had to say about God’s appreciation of our righteous behavior and actions:

God has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. He who has intended a good deed and has not done it, God writes it down as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, God writes it down as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, God writes it down as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, God writes it down as one bad deed. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

A man was walking along the road and found a thorny branch blocking the way so he removed it.  God appreciated that and forgave him. (Muslim)

Conclusion

These essential verses remind us to surround ourselves with good people; people who remember their Lord in the morning and in the evening.  Our companions should encourage and inspire us to pray and to be charitable.  They should inspire us to do more and to do better, and we, in our turn should encourage others likewise.

Remember that God knows and appreciates our righteous behavior and any attempt we make to please Him.  Even the tiniest attempt to do better will not be forgotten.

Remember too that we have been warned; ignoring the commands of God will bring about an unbearable consequence.  We choose the life we have in the Hereafter.

Source: IslamReligion.com

(From Discovering Islam archive)

About Aisha Stacey

Aisha Stacey is the mother of three adult children. She embraced Islam in 2002 and spent the next five years in Doha, Qatar studying Islam and working at the Fanar Cultural Centre. In 2006 Aisha returned to university for a second time and completed at Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Certificate in Writing. Aisha is also a published writer in both internet and print media and in 2009 -10 she was the Queensland editor at a national Australian Islamic newspaper ~ Crescent Times.

Penal laws in Islam

In Islam, there are specific penal laws for major crimes. The underlying principles here are the following. Firstly, no matter how ideal a religion is, there will be some forms of transgression by some persons. Secondly, there are major crimes that need major punishments.
    
The major transgressions, according to Islam, are murder, highway robbery, theft, adultery, and false accusation of adultery. These transgressions affect the individual and the society and create a state of confusion and insecurity.
    
The principles that govern penal laws in Islam are:

1. The punishment should be effective enough to deter the crime.
2. Punishment is necessary, though disliked.
3. Punishment is a means to social security.

The Penalty for Murder:
    
As for murder, the Islamic punishment for intentional murder is the execution of the murderer. Pardoning is possible if the closest relative of the murdered person accepts blood-money. However, if murder is unintentional, blood-money takes the place of the death sentence.
    
In countries that have abolished capital punishment, we notice that such a cancellation has ended up with more murders and more murderers. Any toleration of murders will encourage more murders and the result is the loss of security.
    
In countries that apply the death sentence for murder, one notices that such a sentence minimises the cases of murder. When a person knows that he will be killed if he kills, he will think at least a thousand times before he considers committing a murder.

Islam legislated killing as a punishment for murder fourteen centuries ago. Allah is the Most Merciful: man need not wait centuries until sociologists finish their research on the subject or until parliaments vote for a solution!

Allah, through the Holy Quran, shows us the right way that provides society with security: intentional murder is punished by killing the murderer. Although killing is a severe punishment, it is fair because murder itself is an even more severe action and such a punishment is necessary because without it more murders are encouraged.

The Penalty for Highway Robbery:
    
Another crime that is specified in the Quran is highway robbery. The punishment of a highway robber may take one of these forms depending on the seriousness of the case. The robber may be put to death, or crucified, or have his hand and leg cut off on opposite sides, or imprisoned.
    
Of course, highway robbers threaten the security of the society, endanger the lives of individuals, and rob persons of their money. If such persons are punished softly, the result is more and more robbers as is the case of countries that deal with such criminals leniently.

On the contrary, in a country like Saudi Arabia, which applies Islamic penal laws, we find that the cases of murder and robbery are the fewest in the whole world. We must remember that the function of the punishment is double: the criminal himself is punished for what he has committed and other persons in the same community are warned not to commit similar crimes.

The Penalty for Theft:
    
The other crime that is specified in the Quran is theft. As we know, Islam emphasises the individual's safety with regard to his life, property, and honour. Any threat to these three entities is severely punished by Islam. A person who kills another or robs him is severely punished because this is the only way to guarantee security for every individual.
    
Concerning theft, Islam legislates cutting the thief's hand off as a maximum punishment and under certain conditions. In countries that apply this punishment, like Saudi Arabia, we notice that theft is a very rare occurrence. The judge decides the seriousness of the case and decides if the thief should get the maximum penalty or not, according to certain conditions and restrictions.

When a person knows that he will lose his hand if he uses it in stealing, this makes stealing a rare possibility. The implication of such a punishment is this: each organ in the body must be used cleanly, honourably, and legally. The function of the hand is not stealing. If the hand is used to threaten other people, it is a dangerous hand and the judge is entitled to reconsider its existence.
    
The other implication of cutting the hand off is to give the thief and other people a permanent example and a continuous reminder of the fate of thieves. In countries that merely imprison the thief, the thief himself may steal again after being released from prison.
    
The Penalty for Adultery:
    
Another major crime in Islamic law is adultery. The Holy Quran tells us that the adulterer or the adulteress is to be flogged one hundred stripes while being witnessed by some people. The idea of letting some people witness the carrying out of the punishment is to add to the psychological effect of flogging on the culprit. If the adulterer or adulteress is married, the penalty is stoning to death, according to certain strict conditions.
   
The position of Islam with regard to adultery is clear. If adultery is punished softly or not punished at all, the result will be destructive to the family structure. The family, according to Islam, is the best structure that secures happiness, security, loyalty, and belongingness to the husband, the wife, and children. Therefore, this family must be protected from all dangers and threats. One threat to the family surely comes from adultery. That is why Islam punishes adultery severely in order to penalise offenders and to deter others.
    
In countries that are lenient with adultery, before and after marriage, the result is obvious for all of us. Those countries have frequent divorces, frequent cases of rape, countless cases of nervous breakdown caused by divorce, murders accompanying rape, and a series of psychological and mental complications. 
    
According to Islam, all physical needs must be organised and all psychological needs must be guaranteed. Eating is a need, but it must be regulated; otherwise, a person may starve or explode out of overeating. The same applies to the sexual need; this need must be satisfied and organised at the same time. The only safe solution is the Islamic one: sexual satisfaction through marriage only. This solution has no single bad side effect. On the contrary, free sex satisfies the sexual need, but it has a countless number of ill-effects that harm the family, adults, and children. 

The Penalty for False Accusation of Adultery:
    
The other major crime is the false accusation of a woman of adultery. The punishment of a false accuser is flogging him eighty stripes and not admitting evidence from him throughout his life.
    
This severe punishment for a false accusation of adultery is justifiable on the basis that this accusation has a destructive influence on the woman involved. If she is married, she may be divorced in addition to the disgrace that will follow her and her family. If she is not married, this accusation may block the way of marriage in front of her.
    
As we have said, Islam puts high emphasis on an individual's life, property, and honour. Any threat to a person's life, property, or honour is severely punished by Islamic law.
    
Of course, offences are more than five. Those five mentioned here are the major ones. Because murder, robbery, theft, adultery, and false accusation of adultery are the major crimes, the Quran mentions them and specifies the punishment for each. Other crimes and offences are punished according to what the judge sees in the light of the spirit and text of penal laws.
    
As we can see, Islam is not a system of prayers and fasting only. It is a system that regulates worship, penal laws, marriage and divorce, inheritance, taxes, eating, clothing, and social relations. In brief, Islam is a comprehensive system that regulates all the aspects of human life, guides man to the best solutions to his major problems, and helps man to avoid problems in the first place. 
                                                                                  
[From: Towards Understanding Islam, By Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi]

-islamweb.net

OUT OF EGYPT: THE STORY OF PASSOVER IN THE QURAN

 

Many Jews may be surprised to learn that Islam as preached by Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was the same religion preached by Abraham, as well as of all other prophets mentioned in the Torah and the Bible.  Muslims honor all the prophets of the Jews – Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and Solomon among others – as their own prophets and believe that they all preached on message, that is the belief in the Oneness of God. 

Here is how God ordered Muhammad to uphold the belief in the Oneness of God, which was upheld by Prophet Abraham:

“Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah. .” (Quran 16:123)

It is particularly noteworthy that in the Quran, there is no story that is recounted as many times and with as much emphasis, as the story of the bondage of the Children of Israel and their subsequent deliverance from Egypt’s Pharaoh.  The Quran quotes Moses as saying to his people:

“O my people!  Remember the blessings which God bestowed upon you when he raised up prophets among you, and made you your own masters, and granted unto you favors such as He had not granted to anyone else in the world.” (Quran 5:20)

It was Moses, with the help and guidance of God Almighty, who led them out of Egypt towards a land of promise.  God in the Quran says what means: 

“O children of Israel! Remember those blessings of Mine with which I graced you, and how I favored you above all other people.  And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped.  And remember the time when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who afflicted you with cruel suffering, slaughtering your sons and sparing only your women — which was an awesome trial from your Sustainer; and when We cleft the sea before you, and thus saved you and caused Pharaoh’s people to drown before your very eyes.” (Quran 2:47-50)

The story is narrated elsewhere in the Quran, where we may read these verses:

“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims." Now? And you had disobeyed [Him] before and were of the corrupters? So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless. And We had certainty settled the Children of Israel in an agreeable settlement and provided them with good things. And they did not differ until [after] knowledge had come to them. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ” (Quran 10:90-93)

The torments inflicted on the Children of Israel by the Pharaoh were continuous and harsh; and so God sent His prophets Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them) to warn the tyrant that he should stop the oppression of the Children of Israel and free them.

But he was arrogant and refused to free the Jews, until the last of the plagues God sent as punishment.    

Under guidance from God, the Israelites fled Egypt; while the Pharaoh and his men pursued them.  It seemed like their journey would end at the Red Sea which prevented their escape.

But a miracle happened when Moses struck the water with his staff: The waves of the Red Sea parted and the Israelites hurried along the passage between the parted waves.  Pharaoh and his soldiers followed; but by the time the Israelites reached the other shore, the sea closed in engulfing their pursuers.  Thus the Israelites were delivered from bondage, and the Pharaoh and his people perished.   

When the Prophet Muhammad came to Madinah on the tenth of the lunar month of Muharram, he found that the Jews there were fasting.

“The Prophet asked them why they were fasting on this day, and they explained that it was the day that God saved the Children of Israel from the Pharaoh, and that Moses fasted in thanks on this day.  The Prophet said, “We have more claim to Moses than you.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on the day.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

-islamreligion.com

The Month Of Shawwal 2022: Significance, Traditions And Facts

 

Shawwal is the 10th month in the Islamic calendar following the holy month of Ramadan. It is loved worldwide because the first day of the month is celebrated as Eid al-Fitr. Though the 1st day is celebrated as a feast, Muslims keep a 6 day fast just after Eid al-Fitr. It is believed that fasting 6 days after Eid al-Fitr increases the blessings of Ramadan fasting and makes up for any unintentional deficiency left during Ramadan fasting.

Shawwal Meaning

‘Shawwal’—derived from the Arabic word Sawaal which means ‘raised’—draws its inspiration from the camels who carry their little one during this time. Additionally, it also means breakage/uplift, as, before the establishment of Islam, Arab tribes believed that marriages held in the month of Shawwal would always be unsuccessful.

Importance of Shawwal for Muslims

Fasting in the Ramzan month is one of the pillars of Islam. However, the month of Shawwal is also of special importance to the Muslims. It is during this month that Allah has bestowed the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. The event is considered to be Allah’s reward for the successful completion of Ramzan.

Fasting for a period of six days in the holy Shawwal month is of immense virtue to the Muslims. It also compensates for any short falling that one might have made during the fasting of Ramzan. With such religious importance of the Shawwal month, performing Umrah in Shawwal is a pious thought.

Shawwal Fasting

Fasting is an indispensable part of Islamic culture. It helps people detach from the world and focus on devoting themselves to Allah. Though fasting in itself is highly rewarding, fasting during Shawwal offers great benefits. It is believed that fasting after Eid ul-Fitr is equal to fasting throughout the year. Shia Muslims fast six days after Eid, while Sunni Muslims conduct three days of fasting post Eid.

According to a hadith in Sahih Muslims, Prophet Muhammad said:

“Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for the entire year.”

Benefits of fasting 6 days of Shawwal:

• Rewards of Shawwal fasting 6 days consecutively equates to rewards of fasting throughout the year.
• It covers up and compensates for the deficiency left in Ramadan fast.
• Fasting after Ramadan acts as a sign that Allah has accepted Ramadan fasts and granted an individual the strength to do good deeds of fasting again in Shawwal.
• Shawwal fasting helps an individual seek further guidance from Allah and lead a pious life after Ramadan away from sins.

Fasting in Shawwal Hadith

As per a Hadith explained by the companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramzan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted throughout the year.”

According to another Hadith, “Performing Umrah during Ramadan is equal to hajj.”

That explains why numerous Muslims tend to opt for Umrah in Shawwal. It is essential to note that there is no difference in the ritual itself, irrespective of the timeline. However, rituals will slightly differ for Umrah Mufradah and Umrah Tamattu.

According to the words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Umrah is a desirable act or a Sunnah for the Muslims. Although there is no specific time to perform Umrah, there is a difference between performing it in the month of Shawwal and the rest of the year.

Umrah in Shawwal

Shawwal is the blessed month in which Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated. Since it is a holy month, performing Umrah in Shawwal is absolutely in compliance with the Islamic Laws. It is vital to note that there are two distinct types of Umrah. One is Umrah al-Tamattu and the other is Umrah al-Mufradah.

Umrah al-Mufradah can be performed by Muslims anytime during the year. However, it must not be done during the time of Hajj. Umrah al-Tamattu is mainly performed along with Hajj. That is why this Umrah is performed in the months of Hajj. These include Dhu al-Hijjah, Dhu al-Qadah, and Shawwal.

It is important to remember that if one opts for Umrah in Shawwal it is in association with Hajj, thereby translating it to the Hajj of Tamattu. Likewise, Umrah that is successfully completed before Shawwal cannot be accepted as the Umrah of Tamattu.

However, there are several conditions one must fulfill to perform Umrah in Shawwal. The most basic of these is that one must be an adult Muslim, who has the physical and the financial capacity to embark on the journey. Women need to have a Mahram or male relative to fulfill the Umrah.

5 Facts about Shawwal

1. The historic battle of Uhud took place in the month of Shawwal.
2. The battle of Hunayn was also fought in this month.
3. In 1926, the al-Baqi cemetery was demolished by the The Sultanate of Nejd during the month of Shawwal.
4. 13th of Shawwal, 194 AH is the birthdate of popular Islamic scholar, Imam al-Bukhari.
5. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, the founder of the Ja’fari school of jurisprudence was martyred this month.

The month of Shawwal is the time for celebration and to devote oneself to the service of Allah. Make the most of it by fasting for six days and and if possible perform Umrah as well.

Shawwal Month FAQs

What are the advantages of observing fasting in Shawwal?

One of the most crucial advantages of fasting six days of Shawwal is that it compensates for any deficiency in mandatory Ramadan fasts, as no one is without flaws or sins.

What does it mean to fast during Shawaal?

Shawwal is the tenth month in the Islamic calendar, and Eid ul-Fitr marks the beginning of the Holy Month of Shawwal, which is rejoiced by Muslims. After three days of Eid ul-Fitr, a believer must fast for six days of Shawaal to show that they are humble and grateful to Allah SWT for all the bounties received during the festival.

When should I start fasting during Shawwal?

Because fasting on the day of Eid is haram, one might begin fasting from the second day of Shawwal. Alternatively, it can be done in any order during the month of Shawwal, depending on how convenient it is for the individual.

What makes Shawwal unique?

The ceremony is seen as reward from Allah for completing Ramzan successfully. Fasting for six days during the holy month of Shawwal is highly beneficial to Muslims. It also compensates for any shortfalls that may have occurred during Ramzan fasting.

Who is excused from fasting during Shawaal?

Exemptions apply to children under the age of puberty, the elderly, people who are physically or psychologically unable to fast, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and travellers. From sunrise to sundown, fasting means abstaining from all food and drink, including water and chewing gum.

When does Shawwal end in the year 2022?

Shawwal in 2022 will end on 30th May.

Which month comes after Shawwal?

Dhu al-Qadah, the 11th month in Islamic Calendar, succeeds Shawwal.

How many days are there in Shawwal?

There are 29 or 30 days in Shawwal. The days in the month keep changing from 29 to 30 and vice versa in consecutive years.

Is it allowed to have nikah in the month of Shawwal?

In contrast to the Arab beliefs, it is okay to get married in this month. The two months when Muslims avoid wedding are Muharram and Ramadan

-zamzam.com

Dr Omar Ayoub

Dr. Omar Ayoub is a tech enthusiast and a part time researcher and accounts authorship of several international publications. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from USA and has an experience of more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia working in tourism, hospitality, education, technology and retail sector. His interests include traveling, writing, and exploring trending technologies.