THE FAMILY IN ISLAM IN BRIEF

 

The family, which is the basic unit of civilization, is now disintegrating.  Islam’s family system brings the rights of the husband, wife, children, and relatives into a fine equilibrium.  It nourishes unselfish behavior, generosity, and love in the framework of a well-organized family system.  The peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and it is seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members.  A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families and by treasuring children. - islamreligion.com

Put Your Trust in Allah (SWT) in All You Do

 

In this video, Sheikh Suleiman Hani urges us to always put our trust is Allah (SWT) just like the messengers and companions of Allah before us did. Watch this video for more insights.

-aboutislam.net

Islam: a complete code of life

 

Islam is an all-embracing way of life. It extends over the entire spectrum of life, showing us how to conduct all human activities in a sound and wholesome manner. It does not allow a hierarchy of priests or intermediaries between Allah and human beings, no farfetched abstractions and no complicated rites and rituals.

Everybody can readily understand the Quran and follow in the footsteps of the Prophet  (may Allah exalt his mention), to the best of his or her ability, assured by Allah that He will accept the deeds that each soul has the ability to offer (what means): "On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear." [Quran 2:286]
    
When we read the Quran or the Prophetic traditions, we find instructions regarding all aspects of life: political, social, economic, material, ethical, national and international. These instructions provide us with all the details needed to perform a certain act.

The Prophetic traditions go as far as showing us all the steps we need to follow, even the etiquette of using the bathroom: supplications to be said upon entering it and leaving it, how to clean ourselves properly and so on.

To summarize, Islam governs a Muslim's life in all its aspects. This is the reason why it is not only a religion but also a way of life. 

Islam does not recognize any kind of separation between religion and life. It openly rejects the Western saying: "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's"; for everything should be dedicated to God alone and a Muslim is required to submit himself completely to the Will of Allah in all his affairs (what means): "Say: ‘Truly, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. No partner has He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who submit to His Will.’" [Quran 6:162]

Islam does not believe in wishful thinking. It clearly states that righteous conduct must be followed by belief in Allah. The Quran says (what means): "For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a reward that will never (fail)." [Quran 41:8]

And (what means):"Those who believe and work righteousness, joy is for them and a blissful place of (final) return." [Quran 13:29]

Islam, as the revealed Religion from Allah, is comprehensive and perfect. Its Divine Book, the Quran, is the most comprehensive book available to mankind for guidance ¾ nothing has been omitted from it.  

In order to guide mankind to the Right Religion, Allah has completed His Divine Favor upon us by making Islam the Perfect Religion. The last message that Allah has sent to His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad  for our Divine Guidance is the perfection of Islam.

As we mentioned above, when we read the Quran or the Prophetic traditions, we find instructions regarding all aspects of life. The following are some Quranic verses and Ahaadeeth (traditions), which reflect the comprehensiveness of Islamic economic, social, religious and cultural values.

Fair/Honest Dealing in Trading, Buying and Selling

Allah Says (what means): “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.”  [Quran 5:8]

Hakim bin Hizam, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah’s Messenger  said: “The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted or till they part; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost.” [Al-Bukhari]

Weighing/ Measuring of Goods for Business

Allah Says (what means): “Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even (i.e., honest) balance. That is the best (way) and best in result.”  [Quran 17:35]

Prohibition of Bribery

Allah Says (what means): "And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it (in bribery) to the rulers in order that (they might aid) you (to) consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know (it is unlawful).” [Quran 2:188]

‘Abdullaah bin ‘Amr bin al-’Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger  saying: "Fornication will not appear among any people without their being punished by famine, and bribery will not appear among any people without their being punished by terror.”  [At-Tirmithi]

Avoidance of Hoarding and Monopoly

The Prophet, sallallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "Do not withhold your money by counting it (i.e. hoarding it), (for if you did so), Allah would also withhold His blessings from you.”  [Al-Bukhari]

Paying Salaries/Wages of Employees/Laborers on Time

The Prophet  said:  “Allah says: ‘I will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection:  1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but he proves treacherous; 2. One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price; and 3. One who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.’”  [Al-Bukhari]

Prohibition for Fighting/Murder and Other Crimes

Allah’s Messenger  said: “When two Muslims fight (meet) each other with their swords, both the murderer as well as the murdered will go to Hell-fire.”  It was said: “O Allah’s Messenger! It is all right for the murderer but what about the murdered?  Allah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam replied: “He surely had the intention to kill his companion.’” [Al-Bukhari]

Peace and Reconciliation

Allah Says (what means): “The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah; for Allah loves not those who do wrong.”  [Quran 42:40]

Respect and Kindness to Women

Allah Says (what means): “O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness.  On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity if you take a disliking to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.”  [Quran 4:19]

Kindness to the Family, Parents, Relatives, Orphans, the Poor, the Needy and the Weak

Allah Says (what means):  “...Treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and give zakah (poor due)...”  [Quran 2:83]

Respect to Non-Muslims (People of the Book)

Allah Says (what means): “And dispute not with the People of the Book, except in the best way; unless it be with those of them who do wrong but say: ‘We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we submit (in Islam).’”  [Quran 29:46]

Conclusion

This compilation, although far from being complete, proves that Islam as the perfect religion for the whole mankind is indeed complete.  Allah Almighty has chosen Islam as the only religion acceptable to Him.   Islam is the best way of life for all. It serves as the best solution to all sorts of problems no matter how perplexing they may be.   Islam is the absolute answer to those who seek a perfect religion and a complete way of life. It guides us to a well-balanced life, one that makes us happy and contented in this world and in the life Hereafter.  It is the way to attaining supreme success in the everlasting world to come.  In short, Islam, as the complete way for all, is Allah’s Mercy to the whole of mankind.  - islamweb.net

The imaginary mechanism of evolution

 

The neo-Darwinist model, which we shall take as the “mainstream” theory of evolution today, argues that life has evolved through two naturalistic mechanisms: “natural selection” and “mutation”. The basic assertion of the theory is as follows: Natural selection and mutation are two complementary mechanisms. The origin of evolutionary modifications are random mutations that take place in the genetic structure of living things. The traits brought about by mutations are selected by the mechanism of natural selection and this is the means by which living things evolve.

When we further probe into this theory, we find that there is no such evolutionary mechanism at all, because neither natural selection nor mutations make any contribution to the claim that different species have evolved and transformed into one another.

Natural selection is a natural process

As process of nature, natural selection was familiar to biologists before Darwin, who defined it as a “mechanism that keeps species unchanging without being corrupted”. Darwin was the first person to put forward the assertion that this process had evolutionary power, and on the basis of this assumption he erected his entire theory of evolution. The name he gave to his book indicates that natural selection was the basis of Darwin’s theory: ''The Origin of Species, by means of Natural Selection… ''

However since Darwin’s time, there has not been a single shred of evidence put forward to show that natural selection causes living beings to evolve. Colin Patterson, senior paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History in England, who is also a prominent evolutionist, stresses that natural selection has never been observed to have the power to cause things to evolve: 

''No one has ever produced a species by mechanisms of natural selection. No one has ever got near it and most of the current argument in neo-Darwinism is about this question.''

Natural selection holds the view that those living things which are more suited to the natural conditions of their habitats will prevail by having offspring that will survive, whereas those that are unfit will disappear. For example, in a deer herd under the threat of wild animals, naturally those that can run faster will survive. That is true. But no matter how long this process goes on, it will not transform those deer into another living species. The deer will always remain deer.

When we look at the few incidents the evolutionists have put forth as observed examples of natural selection, we see that these are nothing but a simple attempt to hoodwink.

“Industrial melanism”

In 1986, Douglas Futuyman published a book, The Biology of Evolution, which is accepted as one of the sources explaining the theory of evolution by natural selection in the most explicit way. The most famous of his examples on this subject is about the colour of the moth population, which appeared to darken during the Industrial Revolution in England.

According to the account, around the outset of the Industrial Revolution in England, the colour of the tree barks around Manchester was quite light. Because of this, dark-colored moths resting on those trees could easily be noticed by the birds that fed on them and therefore they had very little chance of survival. Fifty years later, as a result of pollution, the barks of the trees had darkened and this time light-colored moths became the most hunted. As a result, the number of light-colored moths decreased whereas that of the dark-colored ones increased since the latter were not easily noticed. On the one hand, evolutionists use this as an important evidence to prove their theory. On the other hand, they take refuge in obscurantism by window-dressing the questions regarding how the light–colored moths “evolved” into dark-colored ones.

It should be quite clear that this example can in no way be used as evidence for the theory of evolution, because natural selection gave rise to a new form that had not existed before. Dark colored  moths existed in the moth population before the Industrial Revolution. Only the relative proportions of the existing moth varieties in the population changed. The moths had not acquired a new trait or an organ, which would cause a ‘speciation'. In order to have a moth turn into another living species, a bird for example, new additions would have had to be made to the genes. That is, an entirely separate genetic program would have had to be loaded to include information about the physical traits of the bird.

Briefly, natural selection does not have the capability to add a new organ to a living organism, remove one, or change the organism into another species – quite contrary to the image that evolutionists conjure up. The “greatest” evidence put forward since Darwin has been able to go no further than the “industrial melanism” of the moths in England.

Can natural selection explain complexity?

There is nothing that natural selection contributes to the theory of evolution, because this mechanism can never increase or improve the genetic information of a species. Neither can it transform one species into another: a starfish into a fish, a fish into a frog, a frog into a crocodile or a crocodile into a bird. The biggest defender of punctuated equilibrium, Gould, refers to this deadlock of natural selection as follows:

"The essence of Darwinism lies in a single phrase: natural selection is the creative force of evolutionary change. No one denies that natural selection will play a negative role in eliminating the unfit. Darwinian theories require that it create the fit as well. "

Another of the misleading methods that evolutionists employ on the issue of natural selection is their effort to present this mechanism as a 'conscious designer'. However, natural selection has no consciousness. It does not possess a will that can decide what is good and what is bad for living beings. As a result, natural selection cannot explain biological systems and organs that have the feature of “irreducible complexity”. These systems and organs are composed of the co-operation of a great number of parts and they are of no use if even one of these parts is missing or defective. (For example, the human eye does not function unless it exists with all its details). Therefore, the will that brings all these parts together should be able to figure the future in advance and aim directly for the benefit that is to be acquired at the last stage.

Since natural mechanism has no consciousness or will, it can do no such thing. This fact which demolishes the foundations of the theory of evolution, also worried Darwin: “If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down.''  

Natural selection only selects out the disfigured, weak or unfit individuals of a species. That is, it cannot make anything evolve. Darwin accepted this reality by saying: “Natural selection can do nothing until favourable variations chance to occur.” This is why neo-Darwinism has had to elevate mutations next to natural selection as the “cause of beneficial changes.” However as we shall see, mutations can only be “the cause for harmful changes.” - islamweb.net

Can an Imam Without Beard Lead the Prayer?

 

Imam Without Beard

There is nothing in the sources of jurisprudence that states that having beard of a certain length is a prerequisite for the validity of imamah (leading people in prayer).

Criteria for Leading People in Prayer

The criteria for imamah, as stated in a Prophetic hadith, are as follows:

• The one who is most knowledgeable about the Quran should lead the prayer.
• If the people are all equally proficient in it, then the one who is most knowledgeable about the Sunnah should lead.
• If they are equally proficient in it, too, then the one who made hijrah first (which no longer exists today, and therefore the one who has contributed the most to the cause of Islam).

Having said this, however, we must say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has forbidden anyone who is disliked by people to lead them in the prayer.

In conclusion, let us not make the issue of imamah a contentious one. Rather we should select someone to lead us who has the essential requirements of knowledge and piety.

May Allah guide us to see the truth as truth and follow it, and to see error as error and shun it!

Allah Almighty knows best.

About Sheikh Ahmad Kutty

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

- aboutislam.net

Happiness is Found in Sincere Worship

 

Islam is the religion that is more than a religion; it is the religion that is a complete way of life. Nothing is too small or too big to be covered by the teachings of Islam.

Islam teaches us, through the Quran and the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Every single one of God’s commandments aims to bring happiness to the individual. This applies in all aspects of life, worship, economics, and society.

{Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).} (Quran 16:97)

As most of us have come to realize, happiness is that ethereal quality that encompasses contentment and peacefulness; it is the soft joy that causes our lips, faces and hearts to smile. It is determined by faith in God and obedience to Him. Thus happiness embodies the peace security and submission that is Islam.

The injunctions and regulations of Islam reinforce the happiness that comes from knowing God and they help to guarantee humankind’s happiness during life in this world. However, Islam also emphasizes that the life of this world is nothing more than a means of attaining the Hereafter. By following the guidelines of Islam it is possible to be happy while awaiting our eternal happiness.

Truth & Happiness

Sometimes, in order to achieve happiness, people attempt to follow complicated paths; they fail to see the easier path that is Islam. Happiness can be found in the solace that comes from being upon the truth. It can be achieved by sincere worship, hastening to do virtuous, noble and beautiful deeds, and by performing acts of kindness or giving charity.

These things all have the potential to make us happy, every day, under any circumstances. Even giving the smallest charity, in order to please God, can bring a smile to your face and a feeling of joy to your heart.

{And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking God’s pleasure while they are sure and certain that God will reward them (for their spending in His Cause), is the likeness of a garden on a height; heavy rain falls on it and it doubles its yield of harvest. And if it does not receive heavy rain, light rain suffices it.} (Quran 2:265)

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

 “Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer! They are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him.” (Muslim)

The nature of the human condition means that amongst the happiness there may be great sorrow and within the pain and despair there may be great joy. A believer will accept God’s decree for him and lead a happy life free from total despair or unbearable pain.

Key to Happiness

Islam has the answer to all the problems that afflict humankind, and knowing this leads to happiness, because it allows us to look beyond the need for self-gratification, and the need to acquire possessions. Following the teaching of Islam and striving to please God is a constant reminder that this life is but a transient pause on the way to life everlasting.

{But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’an nor acts on its teachings) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.} (Quran 20: 124)

God says in the Quran: 

{Verily! I am Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me.} (20:14)

The key to happiness is knowing and worshipping God. When one worships and remembers the Creator as He should be worshipped and remembered, happiness can be observed all around us, at any given moment and even on the darkest night.

It is there in the smile of a child, in the touch of a comforting hand, in the rain on parched earth, or in the smell of spring. These things can make our hearts truly happy because they are manifestations of God’s mercy and love. Happiness can be found in worship.

To find true happiness we must seek to know God, especially through His names and attributes. Seeking beneficial knowledge brings happiness. The angels flutter their wings and keep records of those who seek knowledge; the mere thought of this brings a smile of happiness to the face of a believer. Our righteous predecessors understood the inherent happiness and joy to be found in striving to be close to God.

Paradise

Perfect happiness will only be available to us if we spend life everlasting in Paradise. It is only there that we will find total peace, tranquility and security. It is only there that we will be free of the fear, anxiety and pain that are part of the human condition. However, the guidelines provided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek happiness in this world.

The key to being happy in this world and the next is seeking the pleasure of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners with Him.

And of them there are some who say:

{Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!} (Quran 2:201)

Source: Islamreligion.com

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.

The Relationship between Religion and Science

 Areas of knowledge are represented in the two worlds of the seen and the unseen, or the physical world and the metaphysical world. Man uses all the available tools and methods in his search for knowledge, including innovations and devices which expand the scope of his senses' perception. It is unquestionably known that senses have limited capabilities. Man has been working to promote these capacities by the aid of scientific devices which helped to expand the scope of his senses' perception. Nevertheless, his knowledge remains limited to the capabilities of these devices, which are also necessarily limited. Consequently, human knowledge – which is obtained through senses and devices – remains limited with regard to the seen world and constitutes a small portion of overall knowledge. That is because the area where man lives as well as the areas he has managed to discover in our solar galaxy represent only a drop in a huge sea. 

The knowledge man obtains in the physical world depends on the methodology of knowledge through the senses, which is governed by time and place within the framework of what is possible.

As for the world of the unseen, man's knowledge in this regard depends on authentic reports which come from a source that has absolute knowledge, and which exceeds the limitedness of the senses and goes beyond the limits of time and place. This source is Allah Almighty.

Man's knowledge in the physical world is his seeking to discover the norms of Allah in His creation. Consequently, a certain scientific fact can never contradict a certain religious fact for both of them come from Allah Almighty. These are His signs in the horizons, and those are His signs in the revelation. Allah Almighty says (what means):

• {We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?} [Quran 41: 53]

• {And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, and it guides to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.} [Quran 34: 6] - islamweb.net