Do You Know Your Lord?

 

Man may think that the relationship between him and his Lord is similar to that between children and their parents; that they need them when young and dispense with them when grown up. Their independence may even pull them into ingratitude and forgetfulness of past kindness.

In reality, man’s need for his Lord is eternal, more than an infant for its mother or a plant for light and water. It never ceases.

{Say, “Who provides for you from the sky and from the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes of the affairs?” They will say, “Allah.” Say, “Then will you not fear Him?”} (10:31)

Man may imagine that he can escape from the consequences of wronging his Lord through some protection here or there.

In reality, there is nowhere in the universe where he can hide himself, and no one who can give him that protection. Any refuge he takes away from his Maker is weaker than its seeker.

{Or have they gods who can guard them from Us? They have no power to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.} (21:43)

All Blessings Are From Allah

Whatever faculties mankind has – such as hearing, sight, and feelings – are from Allah. He may withdraw them any moment He wills and leave the mightiest of all mankind empty-handed, with nothing but utter weakness

{Say (to the disbelievers), “Tell me, if Allah took away your hearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts, who is the god, other than Allah, who could restore them to you?” Behold, how We put forth Our Signs in diverse forms, and yet they turn away from them.} (6:46)

To know Allah is to stand between His Hands, feeling He is what He is and you are what you are.

You, with your bare reality, undecorated, without any pretenses. And He, with His Sacred Self, absolutely perfect, and free from any defect, want, or insufficiency.

You, as you really are: weak, poor, and imperfect. And He, as He really is: worthy of all exaltation and glorification.

Without a sense of gratitude, man can easily slip into pride and false feelings of adequacy and self-sufficiency, and ultimately independence from Allah. A belief that man is the source of his own sufficiency! That man is his own provider!

He shuns any reminders of being one of the many needy creatures in this wide universe who constantly need their Creator.

He sees himself as the product of his own making.

He believes anything he possesses is his right, rather than a bounty from Allah.

His own self, in his eyes, gives him power on this earth, and it will empower him in the hereafter.

{And if We let man taste mercy from Us after an adversity that has touched him, he will surely say, “This is what I deserve, and I do not think the Hour will occur; and even if I should be returned to my Lord, indeed, there will be much good (Paradise) stored for me with Him.”} (41:50)

Glorify Allah

Why should man think that his name is recorded in heaven and that a place is reserved for him with his Lord when he is finished with this life, if he lives his life ungrateful and unmindful of Him?

These are the delusions and empty fancies of proud minds. This is how souls are ruined and their judgment impaired.

Allah created mankind to know and praise Him, not to ignore and deny Him.

Allah draws close, with His Mercy, to those who glorify their Lord publicly and privately and do not overstep their human boundaries.

They confess their weakness to Him, and He gives them strength.

They confess their lowliness to Him, and He gives them honor.

They turn from the strength and power of themselves to the Strength and Power of Allah, and He opens for them the gates of supremacy, success, and fulfillment.

{Whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make for him a way out (from every difficulty), and He will provide for him from sources he never could imagine. And whoever relies upon Allah, He is sufficient for him.} (65:2-3)

{O you who believe! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger, He will bestow on you a double portion of His Mercy, and provide for you a light by which you shall walk (straight), and He will forgive you (your past).} (57:28)

In this arrogant age, people are disinterested in heaven, and interested in clinging to earth; trusting the seen world, and deriding the unseen world; showing strong faith in themselves, and too little faith in Allah Who created them for a purpose much higher than that which they have in view or the end towards which they are working.

They will continue to deprive themselves of heavenly provisions as long as they persist on this erroneous path.

They live exposed to anguish after anguish and affliction after affliction:

{And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieve because of their deeds (disbelief and denial) or to descend close to their homes, until the Promise of Allah comes to pass. Certainly, Allah does not fail in His Promise.} (13:31)

From the book “The Emotional Side of Islam” by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali.

Translated and adapted by Haya Muhammad Eid and edited by Emily Katharine Richardson.

(From Discovering Islam archive)

- aboutislam.net

WHY PORK IS FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM

OBEYING THE LAWS OF GOD

Islam is a holistic way of life, taking into account physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being, each a separate but overlapping part of the structure of a human being.  God created us with a purpose; to worship Him, (Quran 51:56) but He did not abandon us to a world of instability and insecurity.  He gave us a book of guidance, the Quran, and the example of Prophets and Messengers to explain that trusting in God was the way for us to achieve success in this life and in the hereafter.

.  A Muslim spends his or her life endeavouring to please God by worshipping Him and obeying His laws, or rules.  One of those rules is that the eating pork, or pork products is forbidden.

At first, one might wonder what harm could come from pork, a product eaten in many parts of the world, and the fact that pork contains parasites and diseases harmful to man may spring to mind as a justifiable reason for abstaining.  However, when analysing why Muslims are forbidden to eat pork, this becomes a secondary reason.  Muslims simply do not eat pork or pork products because God has prohibited it.

“He has forbidden you only dead animals, and blood, and the swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than God.” (Quran 2:173)

Sometimes we may never know or understand why God has ordained some things and prohibited others.  In the case of pork, no specific reason for the prohibition is given except in Quran 6: 145 when God says, in reference to the flesh of swine (pig), “for that surely is impure”.  A Muslim submits to God’s commands willingly, without needing to know the reason behind the divine rule.  Moreover, God has expressly stated that a believer hears the words of his Lord and obeys them.

“‘We hear and we obey.’  And such are the successful (who will live forever in Paradise).” (Quran 24:51)

“When God and His Messenger have decreed a matter, they (the believers) should not have any option in their decision.  And whoever disobeys God and His Messenger; he has indeed strayed into a plain error.” (Quran 33:36)

A believer understands that God is the Most Wise and the Most Just; therefore, His rules are designed to benefit us in our daily needs, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual.  The Creator knows the best way for His creation to live in this world and prepare for the next.  It is not permissible for a Muslim to consume pork under any circumstances except in cases of dire necessity, such as, if a person’s life depends on eating it.  In cases of dire necessity, prohibited things are permitted.

God allows us to enjoy all the good lawful things and forbids us to partake of those things that may be harmful to our beliefs, health, well being, or morals.[1]  Consequently, Muslims are acutely aware of the dangers of eating things that are forbidden and therefore make concerted efforts to seek out permissible food, even if it involves extra effort or expense.

If a believer consumes pork unknowingly or by mistake, there is no sin of him or her.  God does not punish anyone for lack of knowledge, nor for unintentional mistakes or forgetfulness.  However if a believer is certain, or thinks that any pork, or pork products may be in his food, drinks  or medicines then it is not permissible for him or her to consume it.  If he has doubts then he must make an effort to inquire about the ingredients or ask for details.[2]  Nowadays knowledge about ingredients and the manufacturing process is readily available and the prohibition applies whether there is a small amount of pork or pork products, or a large amount.

The scholars of Islam differ over the issue of whether or not changing the form of the impurity (in this case pork products) lifts the prohibition.  The Islamic Organisation for Medical Sciences is of the opinion that changing the form (for example, food, and medicine additives) so that it becomes something different, does lift the prohibition.  However, there is no doubt and no difference of opinion that it is forbidden to consume meat derived from the pig, including ham and bacon.

The recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and North America led some countries to slaughter pigs en masse however there is ample scientific evidence to suggest that pigs harbour parasites that are harmful to humans and the pig has long been considered the ideal breeding ground for influenza.

IS PORK UNCLEAN?

We discussed above the primary reason for Muslims abstaining from eating pork and pork products, and that is, that God has forbidden it.  As the Creator of humankind and all that exists, God knows what is good for us, and He has sent guidance enabling us to make wise decisions.  Just as a computer would not work properly if it were incorrectly programmed, a human being is not able to function if he is not nourished correctly.  Islam is a holistic religion that recognises the interconnectedness of spiritual, emotional, and physical health.  What a person eats and drinks has a direct bearing on their overall health and well-being.

Virologists have long been aware that the pig is an ideal breeding ground for influenza, so it is no surprise that the latest threat, swine flu, originated in pigs.  Microbiologist and immunology expert, Dr Graham Burgess[1a]  says, “Viruses that would normally grow in the chicken can potentially grow in the pig and ones that grow in humans will potentially grow in pigs.  So we consider the pig a great mixing pot for viruses and this is where it can play a real role in generating new viruses".

The pig is known to harbour parasites as well as bacteria and viruses.  Cysticercosis is an infection caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium.  Infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysticerci (cysts).  When cysticerci are found in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis.  This tapeworm in pigs is found worldwide but is most problematic in poor and developing countries were pigs are allowed to roam freely and often eat human faeces.  This infection can occur even in modern developed countries but the CDC reports that it is very rare in Muslim countries where eating pork is forbidden.[2a]

Trichinellosis, also called trichinosis, is caused by eating raw or undercooked meat of animals infected with the larvae of a species of worm called Trichinella.  Infection occurs most commonly in certain wild carnivorous (meat-eating) animals but it may also occur in domestic pigs.  The CDC warns that if a human eats meat containing infective Trichinella cysts, the acid in the stomach dissolves the hard covering of the cyst and releases the worms.

The worms pass into the small intestine and, in 1-2 days, become mature.  After mating, adult females lay eggs.  These eggs develop into immature worms, travel through the arteries, and are transported to muscles.  Within the muscles, the worms curl into a ball and encyst (become enclosed in a capsule).  This infection occurs when these encysted worms are consumed in meat.  The number of cases of trichinellosis throughout the world has steadily decreased due to an awareness of the dangers of eating raw and undercooked pork products and legislation prohibiting feeding raw meat garbage to pigs.[3a]

Pigs are omnivores, which means they consume both plants and animals.  Pigs will scavenge and eat any type of food, including dead insects, worms, tree bark, rotting carcasses, garbage, and even other pigs.  Pigs have very few sweat glands so therefore they are unable to completely rid their bodies of toxins.  New evidence indicates that farming practices are leading directly to the spread of human bacterial infections.

Pigs often live in the small spaces and fetid conditions that exist in many modern factory farms and studies are revealing that pigs frequently harbour antibiotic resistant staph bacteria.  This drug resistant bacterium is now entering our food supply and recent investigations in the United States of America indicate that 49% of pigs and 45% of pig workers now harbour these bacteria responsible for killing more then 18,000 people in the US every year.[4a]

“He has forbidden you only dead animals, and blood, and the flesh of swine...” (Quran 2:173)

“For that surely is impure” (Quran 6:145)

Muslims refrain from eating pork and pork products because God has forbidden it.  However a little investigation into the anatomy and lifestyle of the pig reveals that it is certainly an unclean animal.  Those interested in consuming healthy, natural, and pure foods would do well to abstain from pork and pork products. - islamreligion.com

FOOTNOTES:

[1]At Tabarani (classified as authentic by Sheikh  al Albanee).

[2]Scholars of the Standing Committee for issuing Fatwas (Islamic rulings) Saudi Arabia.

[1a]James Cook University, Queensland Australia.  (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/27/2554021.htm)

[2a](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/cysticercosis/factsht_cysticercosis.htm)

[3a](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/trichinosis/factsht_trichinosis.htm)

[4a](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=sick-farms-infected-food) &

(http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=new-drug-resistant-mrsa-in-pigs)

Islam: a home of tolerance, not fanaticism

 

Media speculation since the horrific terrorist attacks on America has pointed the finger at Muslims and the Arab world, and that has meant ordinary citizens of the US and other Western countries becoming easy prey for anti-faith hooligans. Shame.

Sadly, the latest horror to hit the US looks to have been caused by people of Middle Eastern origin, bearing Muslim names. Again, shame.

This fuels more hatred for a religion and a people who have nothing to do with these events. This is why I want to explain some basic facts about this noble way we call Islam, before, God forbid, another disaster occurs -- next time probably aimed at Muslims.

I came to Islam in my late 20s, during my searching period as a wandering pop star. I found a religion that blended scientific reason with spiritual reality, in a unifying faith far removed from the headlines of violence, destruction and terrorism.

One of the first interesting things I learned in the Quran was that the name of the faith comes from the word Salaam -- peace. Far from the kind of Turko-Arab-centric message I expected, the Quran presented a belief in the universal existence of God, one God for all. It does not discriminate against peoples; it says we may be different colors and from different tribes, but we are all human and "the best of people are the most God-conscious".

Today, as a Muslim, I have been shattered by the horror of recent events; the display of death and indiscriminate killing we've all witnessed has dented humanity's confidence in itself. Terror on this scale affects everybody on this small planet, and no one is free from the fallout. Yet, we should remember that such violence is almost an everyday occurrence in some Muslim lands: it should not be exacerbated by revenge attacks on more innocent families and communities.

Along with most Muslims, I feel it a duty to make clear that such orchestrated acts of incomprehensible carnage have nothing to do with the beliefs of most Muslims. The Quran specifically declares (what means): "If anyone murders an (innocent) person, it will be as if he has murdered the whole of humanity. And if anyone saves a person it will be as if he has saved the whole of humanity." [Quran 5:32]

The Quran that our young people learn is full of stories and lessons from the history of humanity as a whole. The Injeel (Gospels) and the Torah are referred to; 'Eesaa (Jesus) and Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allah exalt their mention, are mentioned. In fact there is more mention in the Quran of the prophet Moosaa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, than of any other. It acknowledges the coexistence of other faiths, and in doing so, acknowledges that other cultures can live together in peace.

It states (what means): "There is no compulsion in religion" [Quran 2:256] meaning that people should not be compelled to change their faith. Elsewhere it states (what means): "To you, your religion; to me mine."  [Quran 109:6]

Respect for religious values and justice is at the Quran's core. The Quranic history we teach our young provides ample examples of inter-religious and international relationships of how to live together.

But some extremists take elements of the sacred scriptures out of context. They act as individuals, and when they can't come together as part of a political structure or consultative process, you find these dissident factions creating their own rules, contrary to the spirit of the Quran -- which demands that those recognized as being in charge of Muslims must consult together regarding society's affairs. There is a whole chapter in the Quran entitled ‘Consultation’.

Communal wellbeing is central to human life, so there is a concept in Islam called Istihsaan, which means "to look for the common good". Even though the Quran may lay down a diktat, scholars are also supposed to consider the circumstances prevalent at the time. Sometimes that means choosing the lesser of two evils or even suspending legislation if necessary: for instance, a person who steals bread during a famine is not treated as a thief.

Once I wrote in a song: "Where do the children play?" Our sympathy and thoughts go out to the families of all those who lost their lives in these tragic acts of violence, as well as all those injured. But life must go on. Children still need to play and people need to live and learn more about their neighbors, so that ignorance doesn't breed more blind fanaticism. Moderation is part of faith, so those who accuse Muslim schools of fostering fanaticism should learn a bit more about Islam.

The Prophet  (may Allah exalt his mention) said: "Ruined are those who insist on hardship in faith" and "A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he doesn't kill another person illegally." Such knowledge and words of guidance are desperately needed at this time, to separate fact from falsehood, and to recognize the Last Prophet's  own definition of that which makes a person representative or otherwise, of the faith he lived and the one we try to teach. - islamweb.net


By Yusuf Islam 

CORE VALUES OF ISLAM

 

It is difficult to limit all of Islam into a few core values.  Nevertheless, the most important beliefs and religious practices were identified by Prophet Muhammad himself.  Thus, there is general agreement on them among all Muslims.  It provides an interesting comparison since modern Jews and Christians do not have similar uniformity in their belief systems.  Christians, for example, have numerous creeds[1] and Jews do not have any agreed upon beliefs.  Modern Jews mostly agree over the 613 commandments that Maimonides, a Jewish rabbi from Muslim Spain, recorded and classified in the 12th century.

Additionally, Muslim scholars, past and present, have also identified and in certain cases agreed on the core teachings of the Quran, of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and the ‘essentials’ of Islamic Law (Shariah).

Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith

More than a billion Muslims share a common set of fundamental beliefs that are described as "Articles of Faith." These articles of faith form the foundation of Islamic belief system.

1.  Belief in One God: The most important teaching of Islam is that only God is to be served and worshipped.  Also, the biggest sin in Islam is to worship other beings with God.  In fact, Muslims believe that it is the only sin that God does not forgive if a person dies before repenting from it.

2.  Belief in Angels: God created unseen beings called angels who work tirelessly to administer His kingdom in full obedience.  The angels surround us at all times, each has a duty; some record our words and deeds.

3.    Belief in Prophets of God: Muslims believe that God communicates His guidance through human prophets sent to every nation.  These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them.  The main message of all the prophets has always been that there is only One true God and He alone is worthy of being supplicated to and worshipped.

4.    Belief in Revealed Books of God: Muslims believe that God revealed His wisdom and instructions through ‘books’ to some of the prophets like the Psalms, Torah, and the Gospel.  Over time, however, the original teachings of these books got distorted or lost.  Muslims believe the Quran is God’s final revelation revealed to Prophet Muhammad and has been fully preserved.

5.    Belief in Day of Judgment: The life of this world and all that is in it will come to an end on an appointed day.  At that time, every person will be raised from the dead.  God will judge each person individually, according to his faith and his good and bad actions.  God will show mercy and fairness in judgment.  According to Islamic teachings, those who believe in God and perform good deeds will be eternally rewarded in Heaven.  Those who reject faith in God will be eternally punished in the fire of Hell.

6.    Belief in Destiny and Divine Decree: Muslims believe that since God is the Sustainer of all life, nothing happens except by His Will and with His full knowledge.  This belief does not contradict the idea of free will.  God does not force us, our choices are known to God beforehand because His knowledge is complete.  This recognition helps the believer through difficulties and hardships.

Core Religious Practice of Islam: The Five "Pillars" of Islam

In Islam, worship is part of daily life and is not limited to mere rituals.  The formal acts of worship are known as the five "pillars" of Islam.  The five pillars of Islam are the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.

1.    Declaration of Faith: The "Declaration of Faith" is the statement, "La ilaha illa Allah wa Muhammad Rasul-ullah", meaning "There is no deity worthy of being worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God".  The Declaration of Faith is more than just a statement; it must be shown with one's actions.  To convert to the faith of Islam, a person has to say this statement.

2.    Daily Prayer: Prayer is a method by which a Muslim connects to God and gathers spiritual strength and peace of mind.  Muslims perform five formal prayers a day. 

3.    Zakah: A type of charity.  Muslims recognize that all wealth is a blessing from God, and certain responsibilities are required in return.  In Islam, it is the duty of the wealthy to help the poor and needy. 

4.    Fast of Ramadan: Once each year, Muslims are commanded to fast for an entire month from dawn to sunset.  The period of intense spiritual devotion is known as the fast of Ramadan in which no food, drink and sex is allowed during the fast.  After sunset one can enjoy these things.  During this month Muslims practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion.  During the fast, Muslims learn to sympathize with those in the world who have little to eat.

5.    The Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca: Every Muslim strives to make once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the sacred sites in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia.  It is the most intense spiritual experience for a Muslim.  Typically, 2-3 million perform hajj every year.

Core of the Quran: Surah (Chapter) al-Fatihah

Scholars consider Surah al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, to be the core of the Quran.  It is recited in every formal prayer in the Arabic language.  The translation follows:

"I begin with the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.   All praise and thanks are for God, the Lord of the worlds.  The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.  You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help.  Guide us to the Straight Path (of Islam), the path of those You have blessed, not the path of those who have incurred Your wrath nor of those who have gone astray."

To listen the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha click here

Core Teachings of Prophet Muhammad

Classical scholars of Islam have condensed the teachings of Prophet Muhammad into a few statements.  These comprehensive statements touch every aspect of our lives.  Some of them are:

1)    Actions are judged by the intention behind them.

2)    God is Pure and does not accept anything unless it is pure and God has commanded the faithful with what He commanded the prophets.

3)    Part of a person’s good observance of Islam is to leave aside what does not concern him.

4)    A person cannot be a complete believer unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.

5)    One should not harm himself or others.

6)    Don’t let your focus in this life be to amass worldly gain and God will love you.  Don’t be concerned with what people have, and they will love you.

Core of Islamic Law or Shariah

The core of Islamic Law is preservation of:

1)    Religion

2)    Life

3)    Family

4)    Mind

5)    Wealth

6)    Some contemporary scholars suggest either justice or liberty to be the sixth category.

In the vision of Islam, they are known as "essentials" because they are considered essential to human welfare.

In conclude, if someone were to ask, what is the core of Islam in the fewest possible words, the answer would be, "it is within the word Islam itself: to serve, worship, and lovingly submit to God." - islamreligion.com

FOOTNOTES:

[1]www.creeds.net

FACETS OF GOD’S GENEROSITY

 God says:

"O human being! What has beguiled you from your generous Lord, who created you, then fashioned, then proportioned you? In whatever form He pleased He constituted you." (Quran 82:6-8)

The question in this verse is rhetorical.  Its sense is: "Should you not thank God and extol His praises for these blessings?"

Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) said about God’s great favor upon him: "This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Generous." (Quran 27:40)

God’s name al-Karīm Karim has numerous connotations, among which are the following:

1.  One Who is Giving and Munificent Bountiful

In the same way, a human being is described as generous if he or she gives to others freely and with a cheerful heart.  Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was an exemplar of human generosity, as were all of the prophets. 

Prophet Muhammad was once asked: "Who was the most generous of all people?"

He replied: "A generous man who was the son of a generous man, who in turn was the son of a generous man, who again was the son of a generous man: Joseph the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham."[1]

God is generous, giving without measure to His servants.  He gave us life, though beforehand we did not exist.  He gave us our faculties of hearing and sight, our hearts and limbs, our strengths and abilities.  Truly: "If you were to count God’s favors, you would not be able to number them." (Quran 16:34)

He gives all this to us without our asking for it or giving thanks.  Indeed, we usually do not even realize that we have been given anything.  God’s generosity encompasses those who believe in Him as well as those who deny His existence.  It embraces the saint and the sinner, the learned and the ignorant. 

2.  One Who Gives and Praises

God alone is perfect.  He is also absolute in His independence, whereas all of creation depends upon Him.  Every atom of the human body is in need of God for its existence.  In spite of all of that, God not only gives to His servants, but He praises them and speaks well of them. 

For instance, God says about Job (peace be upon him): "We found him patient; a most excellent servant! Surely he was frequent in returning (to God)." (Quran 38:44)

After trying Prophet Job (peace be upon him) by taking away some of what He had formerly given him, He praises Prophet Job for his patience and constancy, though whatever God gives and withholds is only God’s to begin with.  Nevertheless, when Prophet Job’s ordeal was over, God restored to him what he had formerly enjoyed of His blessings, and He praised him. 

When one of the Pious Predecessors read this verse, he was moved to say: "Blessed be God who gives and praises those He gives to."

Likewise, we read in the Quran where God praises His prophets and other righteous people, referring to them as believers, God-fearing, patient, pious, penitent, and pure.  It is a manifestation of true generosity to not only give to those in need, but to commend them and speak highly of them. 

God said to Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) after granting him the kingdom unlike any other: "Such are Our bounties: whether you bestow them (on others) or withhold them, no account will be asked." (Quran 38:39)

3.  One Who Gives Before Being Asked

It is true generosity to give without being asked.  Indeed, we consider a person generous who gives freely to those who ask.  Doing so beforehand is all the more generous. 

Most of the blessings that God bestows upon His servants are given without ever being asked for, or without us even being aware of how much we are given.  Indeed, God is the Most-Generous and MunificentBountiful. 

4.  One Who Fulfils All Promises but Waives what is Due from Others

God has promised the believers good in this world and a vast reward in the Hereafter.  God never breaks His promise.  At the same time, God has warned those who sin of a great of His punishment.   for those who deserve it by incurring sin and vice.  However, He has made this a matter of His discretion.  He will punish those sinners He deems to punish and pardon those He deems to forgive. 

A generous human being is someone who always fulfills a promise for something good, but does not carry through with threats.  God’s generosity is incomparably greater than any human generosity we can conceive of, and He is Forgiving and Merciful. 

5.  One Who Never Turns Down a Supplicant

Prophet Muhammad said: "Your Lord God is the Possessor of Modesty and He is Generous.  When His servant reaches out to Him with outstretched hands, He feels ashamed to leave that servant with nothing."[2]

God rewards His servants for their very act of beseeching Him.  This is because our asking of God is a form of worship.  Indeed, Prophet Muhammad said: "Supplication is worship."[3]

God, therefore, always answers those who beseech Him with sincerity. 

6.  One Who Rewards a Mere Good Intention, but Never Punishes a Bad Intention Unless Followed by a Bad Deed

Prophet Muhammad said:

God has set forth all that which are good deeds and all that which are evil deeds and He then made it clear (to His servants) which are which.  So whoever intends to do a good deed but does not carry it out, God will record it as one full good deed recorded to his credit. 

If he intends to do it and follows through with it, God will record it to his credit as anything from ten to seven-hundred times the value of that deed. 

If He intends to do an evil deed but does not go through with it, God will record it as one full good deed recorded to his credit. 

If he intends to do it and follows through with it, God will only record a single evil deed against his account."[4]

Finally, it is from God’s generosity that He honors people in this world and the Hereafter, and made our piety a cause for honor.  God says: "Indeed, the most honored of you with God are the most God-fearing," (Quran 49:13)

It is God who blesses us with our God-consciousness and piety.  This is also from His immense generosity. - islamreligion.com

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim

[2]Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan Ibn Majah

[3]Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan Ibn Majah, Sunan al-Nasai al-Kubra

[4]Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim

Islam and crime

 

Crime in its different forms – organized crime, street crime, State crime, social crime – is considered as a major threat to peace and security in our world. A detailed discussion of the magnitude of the problem of crime as a universal catastrophe is beyond the scope of this study. Hence, we will present the Islamic viewpoint on the matter.

A summary of statistics about the spread of crimes in the US, based on US Government references, is presented below:

 

One crime index offense every 3 seconds        

One violent crime every 27 seconds      

One murder every 24 minutes

One forcible rape every 7 minutes

One robbery every 68 seconds

One property crime every 3 seconds     

One burglary every 10 seconds

One larceny /theft every 5 seconds

One motor vehicle theft every 29 seconds

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports.

The Uniform Crime Report (UCR) issued by the US Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI) revealed that the number of reported crimes in the US increased by 4.6 percent in one year, from 1984 to 1985. Arrests in 1985 totaled 11.9 million, an increase of 3 percent over 1984.

The UCR figures are widely believed by criminologists to be low. A more reliable index is probably the US Bureau of Justice Statistics' National Crime Survey (NCS), an annual report on household crime victimization based on census surveyors. This survey under covers crimes not reported to police. Its 1985 survey showed that 25 percent of the US population (1 in every 4 households in the US) had experienced crimes against individual members of the household or against the household itself during that year.

As these statistics show, crime, in all its different forms has become a major threat to societal and individual security. Nevertheless, most of the methods used to fight against crime have backfired and fall short of meeting such a challenge. The failure of the Western methods of combating crime – as stated by the continual rise of crime rates – leads one to suggest a solution, which treats criminal activity not piecemeal but in the total scheme of life.

 

The Islamic solution                                            

The Islamic concept of security is a very comprehensive one, more comprehensive than any of the other existing systems. It looks at humankind in relation to the universe and the factors influencing it. It encompasses physical, mental, psychological and spiritual domains as integral parts of an overall societal security system. Islamic teachings do not merely provide solutions to exceptional instances of criminal behavior, but emphatically focus on measures that halt their existence. In other words, Islam executes as many means as possible to avert temptation. While modern societies flaunt temptation – liquor, pornography, violence, etc. – before the people, a true Islamic society removes the sources of these temptations, and when the need for correction emerges, the punishment is serious and effective.

Crime has prospered in modern society because a completely contradictory approach is followed to controlling it. All forms of temptation are prevalent and easily accessible and when the time comes for correction or punishment of a crime, it is done leniently and without seriousness. Sentencing is often biased and protective of the criminal's rights over those of the victim.

Through the various practical forms of worship like Salah (the five daily prayers), fasting and Zakah (obligatory charity), Islamic teachings aim at implanting feelings of inner peace and security, responsibility towards others and mutual respect. In a video film by the Christian Science Monitor about Islam in America, a large portion was devoted to describing the lives of maximum-security prison inmates before and after becoming Muslims. Before reverting to Islam, many were serial killers, drug smugglers, addicts and professional criminals. When they embraced Islam while in prison, they turned into dignified, secure and contributing citizens. Western statistical indices show that in the majority of maximum-security prisons, the criminals get involved in criminal acts and end up back in prison. Such statistics are reversed when those inmates become Muslims. The success of Islam in providing the best solution to crimes in the midst of the American society, where all types of correction programs have failed, is strong contemporary evidence for the universality of Islam and the pressing need for adopting its teachings.

 

Note: Most of the statistical data collected are about Western societies that are due to the availability of documentation on the matter. We realize that crime is prevalent in all societies -- Eastern and Western alike. The main thrust of our topic is that adopting the Islamic solution is more fruitful than man-made solutions. - islamweb.net

Summarized From: The Universality of Islam