Suffering from Weak Faith

 

Everybody struggles with their faith at some point. It is something that continues to go up and down and will continue to do so, but it is our job to recognize when it is low and do what we can to give it a boost again. Ma sha’ Allah, the very fact that you recognize that your iman is low and that you are seeking advice on how to bring it back up again are good signs. It shows that you are willing to do what it takes to get it back up again.

Missing prayers and not reading the Qur’an regularly can certainly be signs of weak eman. Continuing with such a routine will only continue to reinforce this weak eman and make it more difficult to get back on track. When eman is weak, unfortunately, we can much more easily become the victim of Shaytan’s whispers due to our weak connection with Allah (swt). Therefore, it is very important to work on increasing our faith during such times.

There are a few different things you can try to achieve this. Rather than throwing yourself in the deep end and trying to do everything at once, it can often be easier to take things one at a time so you don’t overburden yourself. In many cases, this can end up with the whole plan failing as the tasks become too burdensome, which you do not want to find yourself in with something like your faith.

Firstly, you might want to think about working on your prayers, since this is one of your obligations.

“Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.” (Qur’an, 20:14)

“He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself. And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.” (Qur’an 87:14-15)

Have an alarm set for prayer time, and also have a second or even third alarm set, in case in the early days you find telling yourself that you’ll finish this task and then will pray, but then you forget praying.

You might also want to use a salah tracker so you can tick off prayers as you do them in the day. Keeping it somewhere visible, like on your fridge, will serve as a constant reminder to you throughout the day to keep on target with your daily prayers. This might sound a bit childish, but holding yourself accountable for your actions, openly where you can see it, can be a very useful way to keep motivated and to visually see that you are completing your daily obligations. Not only will this help you to keep track of your completed prayers, but will serve as a regular reminder to you so that you simply cannot forget.

With regards to your salah, you might also begin with only completing the obligatory prayers. As you get back into the routine again, introduce the sunnah and nafl prayers, too and add in some time before or after prayer to make supplications and dhikr as well. At first, you might find that it feels like a bit of a chore, but if you push yourself to continue to pray regularly, reminding yourself of its benefits and that it is for the sake of Allah (swt), then in time it will begin to become part of your daily routine, especially as your eman increases and it will become very much easier. You will find great barakah in this time. It is a time for you to get closer to Allah (swt), while also being a break away from your daily work or study routine.

Regarding salah (and any act of worship), especially overcoming potential difficulties that you might face in getting back into a routine, always remind yourself why you are doing this as it will help to give you that extra motivation. Salah is an obligation and we will be held accountable for this.

Begin by seeking refuge with Allah (swt) from Shaytan. Don’t let him influence you to skip prayer or delay it for anything.

Remember that we should be planning our day around salah, not planning salah around our day. Fear Allah (swt) and the consequences He (swt) can impose on you for missing prayer. Seek to please Him (swt) by performing prayer in the best way you can in search of a place in Jannah.

Beyond salah, we can apply the same principle. Remember Allah (swt) before everything you do. Ask yourself whether what you are doing is for the sake of Allah (swt) and if it will be pleasing to Him. Keeping Him in mind constantly like this will help you to increase your eman. You can be reassured that the more you are remembering Him (swt), the more He (swt) is thinking of you. This alone can provide a lot of comfort to the believer as they feel blessed and protected.

“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me” (Qur’an, 2:152)

“The Prophet (saw) said: Allah (swt) the Almighty said: ‘I am as My servant thinks I am (1). I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a cubit, and if he draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’” (Bukhari)

Regarding reciting the Qur’an, a good way to make sure you are reading it regularly is to make it a part of your daily routine. Like with salah, begin small, even if it is just a single page or 5 minutes a day or every other day. Begin with that you are able to commit.

Whatever time you chose to read your Qur’an, make it a regular event. For example, it is commonly cited that the time after Fajr prayer is a good time to read when surroundings are at their quietest and you can focus more clearly. Block out that time every day and do not plan to do anything else during this time, so there is nothing that can interfere with this task.

It is this constant remembrance of Allah (swt) that will also help to boost your eman, with reading the Qur’an specifically being that you are connecting with the words of Allah (swt) and finding solace in His guidance. Again, as this becomes part of your routine, you will be able to increase the amount of time you commit each day to this task.

Setting goals can also be a way to increase motivation with reading the Qur’an. For example, you might set yourself a target of memorizing a certain amount of pages in a certain amount of days. Feeling this sense of achievement can be spiritually uplifting and this positive reinforcement will only make you want to work harder to keep achieving more and more.

“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (Qur’an, 13:28)

Keeping a record and physically writing it down will help you to visually monitor your progress and give you that push to keep motivated.

If you have any local Qur’an groups, you might also think of joining so that you have others to learn from and read with and help motivate you, too. Being in the company of other good believers will also help to increase your eman generally.

You can apply these same principles to any other act of worship beyond those that you have mentioned here. All in all, remember to begin small and work your way up. And always remember Allah (swt) in everything you do. Surely in time, with patience, you will see your eman increase, in sha’ Allah.

May Allah (swt) keep you on the straight path and increase you in faith.

-aboutislam.net

Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information that was provided. In no event shall MyISLAM or AboutIslam, it’s volunteers, writers, scholars, counselors, or employees be held liable for any direct, indirect, exemplary, punitive, consequential or other damages whatsoever that may arise through your decision or action in the use of the services which our website provides. 

How to Convince My Friends to Pray?

 

Perhaps you could remind them of the importance of praying five times a day, citing the various sources from the Qur’an and Hadith, in addition to the many ways it helps you as a student in your life.

Young people need tangible reasons to do things usually, right? So you have to set an example for them as to why and how salat is so important to you. Maybe if they see how it helps you and how you value it so much, they will want to pray as well.

Look deep inside yourself first and come to a realization as to why you pray, and how it makes you feel, how it improves your relationship to Allah, how it helps you as a student, etc. First you must know these things within yourself before you can guide others.

Don’t focus on trying to ‘make’ people pray. Invite them, remind them of their responsibility and duty to do so for Allah alone with knowledge, and set a good example. I think that’s about all that can be asked of you. Of course, your sincere du`aa’ to Allah to open their hearts to desire to pray as well is a must. They will only pray when Allah so wills it. He is the one that controls all of His creation, so always first go to Him with your desires and concerns. Lastly, don’t stress yourself out about it, for it is not of your doing.

They will only pray when Allah so wills it. He is the one that controls all of His creation, so always first go to Him with your desires and concerns. Lastly, don’t stress yourself out about it, for it is not of your doing. All you can do is encourage them and show them the importance of salat. The matter ultimately lies with Allah, though we must always try our best within our capabilities to help others…

It is great to hear that you are able to pray Dhuhr in your school. May Allah (SWT) reward you and your teacher for arranging that for all of you. You are to be commended for trying to bring more students to the Dhuhr prayer. However, remember that practicing Islam among non-Muslims poses a challenge for many of our young Muslim brothers and sisters.

• They feel shy sometimes.
• Other times, they do not want to stand out from other students by “hanging” out with Muslims.
• And yet other times, they feel ashamed to admit that they are Muslim.

If you would like to encourage them to come to the prayer, you have to spend time getting to know the students first. As you form friendships with them and they begin to trust you, you will find it easier to advise them about various matters. If you never get close to them, then they will always see you as an outsider who wants them to be religious.

You can also try another approach if at least a few other students are coming to prayer. Start by meeting with some of the students who already come to prayer. Get each of them to focus on at least one or two friends in school that they know. Then, over time, get them to invite their friends to come to at least one Dhuhr prayer in the week. In time, as the friends begin to like “hanging” out with other Muslims and even praying, they will start to come on their own.

The important thing is to not judge those who do not come to pray. In fact, be nicer to them and kinder to them so that they can feel that you really do care for them as a person. ` In sha’allah, Allah (SWT) is the only one who can guide people, and with your efforts and du`aa’, it is possible that Allah (SWT) guides the other students to come to prayer.

About Dr. Abd. Lateef Krauss Abdullah

Dr. Abd. Lateef Krauss Abdullah is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Science Study’s Community Education and Youth Studies Laboratory, Universiti Putra Malaysia. He received his B.A. from the University of Delaware (U.S.), his M.S. from Columbia University (U.S.) and his PhD from the Institute for Community & Peace Studies (PEKKA), Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2005 in the field of Youth Studies. Abd. Lateef is an American who has been living in Malaysia since 2001. He is married and has 2 children.

- aboutislam.net

The message of the messengers

 

Allah, the All Wise, All Knowing, All Merciful and Just, created this Universe in order to test and examine His obedient slaves and reward them, and to punish the disobedient. He Says (what means): "We did not create the heavens and the earth and that between them in play. We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know." [Quran 44: 38-39]

Allah also made clear the main goal for the creation of mankind, Saying (what means): "I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except for My worship" [Quran 51: 56]
Allah, the Exalted, did not leave His slaves to rely upon their intellect and inclination to guide them to the correct way; rather He sent them Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners. He sent the revealed Books with them to be a reference in those matters wherein they disagreed, so that no excuse would remain for the people and the proof would be established against them. Thus, after sending the Messengers, there would be no further excuse for people before Allah.

Indeed, their mission covered every good and banished every evil. They brought to humankind everything needed for their well being and happiness in this world and the Hereafter. There is nothing good, which they did not inform the people about and nothing evil that they did not warn the people against.

‘Abdullaah bin `Amr bin Al-`Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet  said: "There was never a Prophet before me except that it was a duty upon him that he should guide his nation to every good that he knew and warn them against every evil that he knew…" [Muslim]

Indeed, calling to Allah was the mission of the Messengers in order to bring the people out from darkness into light. There are many basic principles upon which their calls were based, which were the starting point for calling to Allah. These fundamental principles are:

1. Tawheed (Monotheism)

2. Prophethood

3. The Hereafter

Every book revealed by Allah gave great importance to these points. The most important and sublime of these three principles and the most fundamental of them all is Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah.

Allah Says (which means): "And We certainly sent into every nation a Messenger, (saying): 'Worship Allah and avoid Taaghoot (false objects of worship).' " [Quran 16: 36]

Allah has informed us about some of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, and how they faced their people. We see that all of them proceeded upon the universal way laid down by Allah and followed the methodology Allah established for all of them. Not a single one of them is at variance with it, Allah Says (which means): "And We had certainly sent Nooh to his people, (saying): 'Indeed, I am to you a clear warner, that you not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day.'" [Quran 11: 25-26]

The noblest of all Prophets and the last of them, Muhammad bin ‘Abdullaah  (who was sent with the greatest, most complete and comprehensive message), began with what all the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, started their Da’wah (call) -- calling to the 'Aqeedah (creed) of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), and calling for all worship to be made purely and sincerely for Allah alone. Allah's Messenger  started with the principle: 'Witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah.'

Allah Says (what means): "Say, (O Muhammad): 'O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, (from him) to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.' So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided." [Quran 7: 158]

The verses in this regard are many, what we quote here is just one example. With regard to the Sunnah (traditions and approved actions of Prophet Muhammad ), there are many clear indications that Allah's Messenger began his call to Islam with Tawheed.

1.     `Amr bin Abasah As-Sulami, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "During the times of ignorance … I heard of a man in Makkah who received revelation. So I set upon my riding beast and came to him. At that time he was in hiding, due to the oppression of his people. So I behaved in a way that enabled me to gain access to him in Makkah. I said to him: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am a Prophet.' So I said: "And what is a Prophet?' He said: 'Allah has sent me as a Messenger.' So I said: 'And what is it that He has sent you with?' He said: 'I have been sent to order the joining of ties of relationship, to break the idols, so that Allah is worshipped Alone and nothing at all is associated in worship along with Him."  [Muslim]

2.     At the time of the peace of Hudaibiyyah, Hiraql (Heraclius) asked Abu Sufyaan some questions about Allah's Messenger, among which he asked: "What does he (Muhammad) command you?" Abu Sufyaan replied: "He says, 'Worship Allah Alone and do not worship anything else along with Him, and abandon what your fathers say. He also orders prayers, charity, and the joining of the ties of relationship.'" [Al-Bukhari]

 Consequently, the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, did not come to bring about the downfall of one State to replace it with another. They did not seek sovereignty, nor did they organize political parties for this reason. Rather, they came for the guidance of humankind, to save it from misguidance and Shirk (polytheism), and to take them out of darkness into light.

In this regard Prophet Muhammad  gave an example about himself. He   said: "The similitude of me and the message with which Allah has sent me, is like a man who came to some people and said: ‘I have seen the enemy forces with my own eyes and I am a mere warner (to you). So, save yourselves, save yourselves!’ A group of his people obeyed him and went out at night, slowly and steadily and was safe; while another group belied him and stayed in their place until the morning when the army destroyed them. Such is the similitude of those who obey me and follow what I have brought (i.e., Message) and of those who disobey me and belie the Truth which I have brought." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others]

The Message of the Messengers, by the Mercy of Allah, revives and enlightens the believer’s soul. This enlightenment is the revelation of Allah, which leads mankind from the darkness of Shirk (polytheism) and ignorance to the Light of Truth and Islam: "Allah is the ally  of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into the light." [Quran 2: 257]

The Messenger and the Message are evidence against the disbelievers

Allah sent His Messengers and His Books so that there can be no excuse for mankind on the Day of Judgment. The Quran says (what means): "(we sent) Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after Messengers." [Quran 4: 165]

The Message of Allah deals with the rights of Allah on His bondsmen, the rights of man on His Creator, The Oneness of Allah and its influence on the creation, knowledge, admonition, the wisdom behind the creation, righteousness, mutual interactions, refutation of incorrect beliefs and deviations, lawful and unlawful, migration and Jihaad. In totality, it is the complete code for righteous living, which results in delight, pleasure and harmony in this life and the Hereafter.

Allah, the All Wise, All Knowing, All Merciful and Just, created this Universe in order to test and examine His obedient slaves and reward them, and to punish the disobedient. He Says (what means): "We did not create the heavens and the earth and that between them in play. We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know." [Quran 44: 38-39]

Allah also made clear the main goal for the creation of mankind, Saying (what means): "I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except for My worship" [Quran 51: 56]
Allah, the Exalted, did not leave His slaves to rely upon their intellect and inclination to guide them to the correct way; rather He sent them Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners. He sent the revealed Books with them to be a reference in those matters wherein they disagreed, so that no excuse would remain for the people and the proof would be established against them. Thus, after sending the Messengers, there would be no further excuse for people before Allah.

Indeed, their mission covered every good and banished every evil. They brought to humankind everything needed for their well being and happiness in this world and the Hereafter. There is nothing good, which they did not inform the people about and nothing evil that they did not warn the people against.

‘Abdullaah bin `Amr bin Al-`Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet  said: "There was never a Prophet before me except that it was a duty upon him that he should guide his nation to every good that he knew and warn them against every evil that he knew…" [Muslim]

Indeed, calling to Allah was the mission of the Messengers in order to bring the people out from darkness into light. There are many basic principles upon which their calls were based, which were the starting point for calling to Allah. These fundamental principles are:

1. Tawheed (Monotheism)

2. Prophethood

3. The Hereafter

Every book revealed by Allah gave great importance to these points. The most important and sublime of these three principles and the most fundamental of them all is Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah.

Allah Says (which means): "And We certainly sent into every nation a Messenger, (saying): 'Worship Allah and avoid Taaghoot (false objects of worship).' " [Quran 16: 36]

Allah has informed us about some of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, and how they faced their people. We see that all of them proceeded upon the universal way laid down by Allah and followed the methodology Allah established for all of them. Not a single one of them is at variance with it, Allah Says (which means): "And We had certainly sent Nooh to his people, (saying): 'Indeed, I am to you a clear warner, that you not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day.'" [Quran 11: 25-26]

The noblest of all Prophets and the last of them, Muhammad bin ‘Abdullaah  (who was sent with the greatest, most complete and comprehensive message), began with what all the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, started their Da’wah (call) -- calling to the 'Aqeedah (creed) of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), and calling for all worship to be made purely and sincerely for Allah alone. Allah's Messenger  started with the principle: 'Witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah.'

Allah Says (what means): "Say, (O Muhammad): 'O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, (from him) to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.' So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided." [Quran 7: 158]

The verses in this regard are many, what we quote here is just one example. With regard to the Sunnah (traditions and approved actions of Prophet Muhammad ), there are many clear indications that Allah's Messenger began his call to Islam with Tawheed.

1.     `Amr bin Abasah As-Sulami, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "During the times of ignorance … I heard of a man in Makkah who received revelation. So I set upon my riding beast and came to him. At that time he was in hiding, due to the oppression of his people. So I behaved in a way that enabled me to gain access to him in Makkah. I said to him: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am a Prophet.' So I said: "And what is a Prophet?' He said: 'Allah has sent me as a Messenger.' So I said: 'And what is it that He has sent you with?' He said: 'I have been sent to order the joining of ties of relationship, to break the idols, so that Allah is worshipped Alone and nothing at all is associated in worship along with Him."  [Muslim]

2.     At the time of the peace of Hudaibiyyah, Hiraql (Heraclius) asked Abu Sufyaan some questions about Allah's Messenger, among which he asked: "What does he (Muhammad) command you?" Abu Sufyaan replied: "He says, 'Worship Allah Alone and do not worship anything else along with Him, and abandon what your fathers say. He also orders prayers, charity, and the joining of the ties of relationship.'" [Al-Bukhari]

 Consequently, the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, did not come to bring about the downfall of one State to replace it with another. They did not seek sovereignty, nor did they organize political parties for this reason. Rather, they came for the guidance of humankind, to save it from misguidance and Shirk (polytheism), and to take them out of darkness into light.

In this regard Prophet Muhammad  gave an example about himself. He   said: "The similitude of me and the message with which Allah has sent me, is like a man who came to some people and said: ‘I have seen the enemy forces with my own eyes and I am a mere warner (to you). So, save yourselves, save yourselves!’ A group of his people obeyed him and went out at night, slowly and steadily and was safe; while another group belied him and stayed in their place until the morning when the army destroyed them. Such is the similitude of those who obey me and follow what I have brought (i.e., Message) and of those who disobey me and belie the Truth which I have brought." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others]

The Message of the Messengers, by the Mercy of Allah, revives and enlightens the believer’s soul. This enlightenment is the revelation of Allah, which leads mankind from the darkness of Shirk (polytheism) and ignorance to the Light of Truth and Islam: "Allah is the ally  of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into the light." [Quran 2: 257]

The Messenger and the Message are evidence against the disbelievers

Allah sent His Messengers and His Books so that there can be no excuse for mankind on the Day of Judgment. The Quran says (what means): "(we sent) Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after Messengers." [Quran 4: 165]

The Message of Allah deals with the rights of Allah on His bondsmen, the rights of man on His Creator, The Oneness of Allah and its influence on the creation, knowledge, admonition, the wisdom behind the creation, righteousness, mutual interactions, refutation of incorrect beliefs and deviations, lawful and unlawful, migration and Jihaad. In totality, it is the complete code for righteous living, which results in delight, pleasure and harmony in this life and the Hereafter.

Allah, the All Wise, All Knowing, All Merciful and Just, created this Universe in order to test and examine His obedient slaves and reward them, and to punish the disobedient. He Says (what means): "We did not create the heavens and the earth and that between them in play. We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know." [Quran 44: 38-39]

Allah also made clear the main goal for the creation of mankind, Saying (what means): "I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except for My worship" [Quran 51: 56]
Allah, the Exalted, did not leave His slaves to rely upon their intellect and inclination to guide them to the correct way; rather He sent them Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners. He sent the revealed Books with them to be a reference in those matters wherein they disagreed, so that no excuse would remain for the people and the proof would be established against them. Thus, after sending the Messengers, there would be no further excuse for people before Allah.

Indeed, their mission covered every good and banished every evil. They brought to humankind everything needed for their well being and happiness in this world and the Hereafter. There is nothing good, which they did not inform the people about and nothing evil that they did not warn the people against.

‘Abdullaah bin `Amr bin Al-`Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet  said: "There was never a Prophet before me except that it was a duty upon him that he should guide his nation to every good that he knew and warn them against every evil that he knew…" [Muslim]

Indeed, calling to Allah was the mission of the Messengers in order to bring the people out from darkness into light. There are many basic principles upon which their calls were based, which were the starting point for calling to Allah. These fundamental principles are:

1. Tawheed (Monotheism)

2. Prophethood

3. The Hereafter

Every book revealed by Allah gave great importance to these points. The most important and sublime of these three principles and the most fundamental of them all is Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah.

Allah Says (which means): "And We certainly sent into every nation a Messenger, (saying): 'Worship Allah and avoid Taaghoot (false objects of worship).' " [Quran 16: 36]

Allah has informed us about some of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, and how they faced their people. We see that all of them proceeded upon the universal way laid down by Allah and followed the methodology Allah established for all of them. Not a single one of them is at variance with it, Allah Says (which means): "And We had certainly sent Nooh to his people, (saying): 'Indeed, I am to you a clear warner, that you not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day.'" [Quran 11: 25-26]

The noblest of all Prophets and the last of them, Muhammad bin ‘Abdullaah  (who was sent with the greatest, most complete and comprehensive message), began with what all the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, started their Da’wah (call) -- calling to the 'Aqeedah (creed) of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), and calling for all worship to be made purely and sincerely for Allah alone. Allah's Messenger  started with the principle: 'Witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah.'

Allah Says (what means): "Say, (O Muhammad): 'O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, (from him) to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.' So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided." [Quran 7: 158]

The verses in this regard are many, what we quote here is just one example. With regard to the Sunnah (traditions and approved actions of Prophet Muhammad ), there are many clear indications that Allah's Messenger began his call to Islam with Tawheed.

1.     `Amr bin Abasah As-Sulami, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "During the times of ignorance … I heard of a man in Makkah who received revelation. So I set upon my riding beast and came to him. At that time he was in hiding, due to the oppression of his people. So I behaved in a way that enabled me to gain access to him in Makkah. I said to him: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am a Prophet.' So I said: "And what is a Prophet?' He said: 'Allah has sent me as a Messenger.' So I said: 'And what is it that He has sent you with?' He said: 'I have been sent to order the joining of ties of relationship, to break the idols, so that Allah is worshipped Alone and nothing at all is associated in worship along with Him."  [Muslim]

2.     At the time of the peace of Hudaibiyyah, Hiraql (Heraclius) asked Abu Sufyaan some questions about Allah's Messenger, among which he asked: "What does he (Muhammad) command you?" Abu Sufyaan replied: "He says, 'Worship Allah Alone and do not worship anything else along with Him, and abandon what your fathers say. He also orders prayers, charity, and the joining of the ties of relationship.'" [Al-Bukhari]

 Consequently, the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, did not come to bring about the downfall of one State to replace it with another. They did not seek sovereignty, nor did they organize political parties for this reason. Rather, they came for the guidance of humankind, to save it from misguidance and Shirk (polytheism), and to take them out of darkness into light.

In this regard Prophet Muhammad  gave an example about himself. He   said: "The similitude of me and the message with which Allah has sent me, is like a man who came to some people and said: ‘I have seen the enemy forces with my own eyes and I am a mere warner (to you). So, save yourselves, save yourselves!’ A group of his people obeyed him and went out at night, slowly and steadily and was safe; while another group belied him and stayed in their place until the morning when the army destroyed them. Such is the similitude of those who obey me and follow what I have brought (i.e., Message) and of those who disobey me and belie the Truth which I have brought." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others]

The Message of the Messengers, by the Mercy of Allah, revives and enlightens the believer’s soul. This enlightenment is the revelation of Allah, which leads mankind from the darkness of Shirk (polytheism) and ignorance to the Light of Truth and Islam: "Allah is the ally  of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into the light." [Quran 2: 257]

The Messenger and the Message are evidence against the disbelievers

Allah sent His Messengers and His Books so that there can be no excuse for mankind on the Day of Judgment. The Quran says (what means): "(we sent) Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after Messengers." [Quran 4: 165]

The Message of Allah deals with the rights of Allah on His bondsmen, the rights of man on His Creator, The Oneness of Allah and its influence on the creation, knowledge, admonition, the wisdom behind the creation, righteousness, mutual interactions, refutation of incorrect beliefs and deviations, lawful and unlawful, migration and Jihaad. In totality, it is the complete code for righteous living, which results in delight, pleasure and harmony in this life and the Hereafter.

Allah, the All Wise, All Knowing, All Merciful and Just, created this Universe in order to test and examine His obedient slaves and reward them, and to punish the disobedient. He Says (what means): "We did not create the heavens and the earth and that between them in play. We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know." [Quran 44: 38-39]

Allah also made clear the main goal for the creation of mankind, Saying (what means): "I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except for My worship" [Quran 51: 56]
Allah, the Exalted, did not leave His slaves to rely upon their intellect and inclination to guide them to the correct way; rather He sent them Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners. He sent the revealed Books with them to be a reference in those matters wherein they disagreed, so that no excuse would remain for the people and the proof would be established against them. Thus, after sending the Messengers, there would be no further excuse for people before Allah.

Indeed, their mission covered every good and banished every evil. They brought to humankind everything needed for their well being and happiness in this world and the Hereafter. There is nothing good, which they did not inform the people about and nothing evil that they did not warn the people against.

‘Abdullaah bin `Amr bin Al-`Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet  said: "There was never a Prophet before me except that it was a duty upon him that he should guide his nation to every good that he knew and warn them against every evil that he knew…" [Muslim]

Indeed, calling to Allah was the mission of the Messengers in order to bring the people out from darkness into light. There are many basic principles upon which their calls were based, which were the starting point for calling to Allah. These fundamental principles are:

1. Tawheed (Monotheism)

2. Prophethood

3. The Hereafter

Every book revealed by Allah gave great importance to these points. The most important and sublime of these three principles and the most fundamental of them all is Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah.

Allah Says (which means): "And We certainly sent into every nation a Messenger, (saying): 'Worship Allah and avoid Taaghoot (false objects of worship).' " [Quran 16: 36]

Allah has informed us about some of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, and how they faced their people. We see that all of them proceeded upon the universal way laid down by Allah and followed the methodology Allah established for all of them. Not a single one of them is at variance with it, Allah Says (which means): "And We had certainly sent Nooh to his people, (saying): 'Indeed, I am to you a clear warner, that you not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day.'" [Quran 11: 25-26]

The noblest of all Prophets and the last of them, Muhammad bin ‘Abdullaah  (who was sent with the greatest, most complete and comprehensive message), began with what all the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, started their Da’wah (call) -- calling to the 'Aqeedah (creed) of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), and calling for all worship to be made purely and sincerely for Allah alone. Allah's Messenger  started with the principle: 'Witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah.'

Allah Says (what means): "Say, (O Muhammad): 'O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, (from him) to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.' So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided." [Quran 7: 158]

The verses in this regard are many, what we quote here is just one example. With regard to the Sunnah (traditions and approved actions of Prophet Muhammad ), there are many clear indications that Allah's Messenger began his call to Islam with Tawheed.

1.     `Amr bin Abasah As-Sulami, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "During the times of ignorance … I heard of a man in Makkah who received revelation. So I set upon my riding beast and came to him. At that time he was in hiding, due to the oppression of his people. So I behaved in a way that enabled me to gain access to him in Makkah. I said to him: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am a Prophet.' So I said: "And what is a Prophet?' He said: 'Allah has sent me as a Messenger.' So I said: 'And what is it that He has sent you with?' He said: 'I have been sent to order the joining of ties of relationship, to break the idols, so that Allah is worshipped Alone and nothing at all is associated in worship along with Him."  [Muslim]

2.     At the time of the peace of Hudaibiyyah, Hiraql (Heraclius) asked Abu Sufyaan some questions about Allah's Messenger, among which he asked: "What does he (Muhammad) command you?" Abu Sufyaan replied: "He says, 'Worship Allah Alone and do not worship anything else along with Him, and abandon what your fathers say. He also orders prayers, charity, and the joining of the ties of relationship.'" [Al-Bukhari]

 Consequently, the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, did not come to bring about the downfall of one State to replace it with another. They did not seek sovereignty, nor did they organize political parties for this reason. Rather, they came for the guidance of humankind, to save it from misguidance and Shirk (polytheism), and to take them out of darkness into light.

In this regard Prophet Muhammad  gave an example about himself. He   said: "The similitude of me and the message with which Allah has sent me, is like a man who came to some people and said: ‘I have seen the enemy forces with my own eyes and I am a mere warner (to you). So, save yourselves, save yourselves!’ A group of his people obeyed him and went out at night, slowly and steadily and was safe; while another group belied him and stayed in their place until the morning when the army destroyed them. Such is the similitude of those who obey me and follow what I have brought (i.e., Message) and of those who disobey me and belie the Truth which I have brought." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others]

The Message of the Messengers, by the Mercy of Allah, revives and enlightens the believer’s soul. This enlightenment is the revelation of Allah, which leads mankind from the darkness of Shirk (polytheism) and ignorance to the Light of Truth and Islam: "Allah is the ally  of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into the light." [Quran 2: 257]

The Messenger and the Message are evidence against the disbelievers

Allah sent His Messengers and His Books so that there can be no excuse for mankind on the Day of Judgment. The Quran says (what means): "(we sent) Messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after Messengers." [Quran 4: 165]

The Message of Allah deals with the rights of Allah on His bondsmen, the rights of man on His Creator, The Oneness of Allah and its influence on the creation, knowledge, admonition, the wisdom behind the creation, righteousness, mutual interactions, refutation of incorrect beliefs and deviations, lawful and unlawful, migration and Jihaad. In totality, it is the complete code for righteous living, which results in delight, pleasure and harmony in this life and the Hereafter. - islamweb.net