Muslims in the World

Muslims in the World
Muslims in the World

The core of any religion is its basic principles or beliefs. In Islam, these beliefs are simple and their logic can be grasped by anyone with an open mind and heart. The Shari’a is a methodology for applying these principles in everyday life. This page is divided into two sections: Aqida (belief) and the Shari’a (law). Includes new section on “jihad”.

Aqida: What Muslims believe
Aqida is an Arabic word meaning belief. I hope that eventually this site will tell you in detail about what Muslims believe and why they do so. At the moment, all the links below are off site. If you want to know basic things about Allah and the Qur’an, go to my Introduction to Islam page.

The Basis of Muslim Belief: Gary Miller, a Canadian mathematician, describes the logic and rationale (as he understands it) of Islam. This site is highly recommended for both Muslims and non Muslims.
Tauhid: The key principle of Islam, the Oneness of God. By Abdul A’la Mawdudi, a famous Pakistani ‘Alim (scholar).
Religion & Philosophy: how do I know that God exists? Ibn Rushd, better known in the West as Averroes, provides a philosophical argument against atheism. A truly brilliant man from a magnificent period of Muslim history.
Radio al Islam: A set of real audio recordings discussing in detail the implications of Islamic monotheism, prophethood, and other issues. Quite extensive, but clarification for those who might be inclined to impose their own religions constructs on Islam. In my opinion, this site is also good for Muslims: how much are the beliefs you were taught as a child in accordance with scholarly Islam?

Shari’a: the divine guidance

The Shari’a is often translated as “Islamic law”. To a Muslim these rules are not a burden, but a divine mercy to humankind. The ultimate sources of the Shari’a are the Quran and the ‘sunnah’, the example of the Messenger of God, Muhammad (may the peace and blessing of God be upon him). The job of interpreting the Shari’a belongs to the knowledgeable among the believers, the ‘Ulema (scholars). The basis of this is this hadith.

As there is no ecclesiastical hierarchy in Islam, the decisions reached by any ‘ulema in any particular time are not final, but rather are continuously open for debate. It is therefore completely inappropriate to refer to an Islamic state as a theocracy. While the rulers of such a state should be familiar with the principles of Islamic law, in no way can they be considered to be priests. Their job is to formulate and enact legislation that is appropriate to the society which they are responsible for, always taking the Quran and the authenticated sunnah as their ultimate source of guidance.

Jihad. Perhaps there is no Islamic concept that is as misused and misunderstood as “jihad”. A ‘must read’ for anyone who has ever said, “there are many good parts to Islam, but I can’t agree that there’s such a thing as “holy war”. Well, guess what, we don’t think there is either!
Al-Maqasid: Imam An-Nawawi’s Manual on Islam. This is a brief introduction to a number of principles of Islamic law, according to the school of Shafi’i. It is more useful for Muslims who are familiar with the basics of Islam, and explains in detail about the salah (prayers).
Fiqh us Sunna: Contemporary personal jurisprudence. A really useful resource for those who want fiqh positions based on the Qur’an and sunna.
Contemporary legal advice from Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi. A excellent source of contemporary fatawa (legal opinions) which will be very useful for Muslims, insha Allah, particularly those living in the West where appropriately qualified scholars may be remote.
May Allah reward you in your search for knowledge. Any questions or constructive comments, please email me at the address on my home page.

ISLAM, the true religion

islam
ISLAM

“We are not free to pick and choose which portions of Islam we believe in and which portions we don’t. If we truly believe this religion is from Allah then how can we deny any of what Allah says? It simply doesn’t’s make sense. None of us are perfect. None of us will be able to follow all the rules. But there is a fine difference between someone who admits to his or her imperfections and asks Allah for forgiveness, as opposed to someone who attempts to justify or rationalize their imperfections. If a child makes a mistakes, admits to it and apologizes, there is a good chance the parent will forgive the child. But if the child is rebellious and refuses to admit its mistake, how will the parent react? la Illah ila Allah”

“Keep the faith strong and true throughout all troubles, as things do happen that we don’t understand. However, there is always a reason behind them, no matter how hard they are to find! Believe in Allah, as he knows what’s best, and don’t try to fight the inevitable.”

“Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him And if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness.”

As-Sirat (The Bridge Over Hell)
The Sirat is stretched over Hell. It is the bridge between Paradise and Hell. People cross it in accordance with their deeds. Some cross as quickly as the eye winks; Some cross as if a flash of lightening; Some cross as if wind; Some cross as a noble horse would; Some cross as a camel rider might; Some cross it running, some walking; Some cross it crawling; And some are snatched and thrown into Hell. The bridge has hooks to snatch the people according to their deeds. Whoever passes over it enters Paradise. If they cross the Sirat, they will be halted over a bridge between Paradise and Hell to settle accounts between themselves; If they are cleared and purified, they are permitted to enter Paradise. Aisha b. Dawud Abdul-Qadir

Count Yourself Before You are Counted”
Islamic daily life:

Have you prayed Fajr, every day with the group, in the Masjid?
Did you perform all of the prayers daily, inside the Masjid, with the group?
Did you read from the Book of Allah (Qur’an) today?
Did you mention Allah and Glorify Him after each prayer?
Did you keep the extra prayers (Sunnah) before or after each prayer?
Were you concentrating daily on your prayers by meditating on what you said in your prayers?
Have you remembered Death and the Tomb today?
Have you thought about the Day of Judgment and its overwhelming hardship?
Have you asked Allah tree times to permit you into Paradise? Because if you say: “Oh Allah, permit me into Paradise.” three times, the Paradise will reply: “Oh Allah allow him to enter me.”
Have you asked Allah to protect you from the Hellfire today, three times? If you did the Hellfire will say: “Oh Allah, protect him from me.” [both hadith by Tirmidhi]
Did you read a Hadith about the Prophet(sAas) today?
Haven’t you thought about being away from those who are evil doers?
Haven’t you tried to avoid laughing and joking too much or too often?
Did you thank Allah for bestowing on you the hearing, sight, good heart, and all the other gifts?
Did you pay charity today to the poor and needy?
Did you get angry for your own sake or for the sake of Allah?
Did you avoid arrogance and self admiration?
Have you cried today out of the fearfulness of Allah?
Did you mention Allah after Fajr or Isha prayer?
Have you asked Allah to forgive you from the sins and transgressions that you have committed, by making (astaghfir) seeking forgiveness from sins?
Did you ask Allah sincerely and honestly today to grant you shaheed (martyrdom)? The Prophet(sAas) said: “The one who asks Allah sincerely to grant him shaheed, Allah will grant it to him even though he dies in his bed.” [Muslim]
Did you ask Allah to stabilize your heart and your religion?
Did you take the opportunity, make supplications (du’a) in the hours that Allah accepts them?
Did you buy a new Islamic book for the sake of learning from it the knowledge of the religion?
Did you seek forgiveness for the Believers, men and women, alive or dead, because if you did Allah will reward you for each of them.
Did you thank Allah for His Blessings on you, by making you Muslim and for the Blessings of Islam?
Did you visit a brother or sister for the sake of Allah?
Did you invite people to Allah, your family, your brothers, sisters, or neighbors, or those whom you have been in contact with?
Were you kind to your parents today?
Have you faced a problem and did you say? “Inna li lehi wa inna leh raja’oon” (By Allah we are created and to Him we shall return).
Have you made du’a by saying: “Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You, by the things I have committed wrongfully and knowingly. And I seek forgiveness for the things that I have committed without my knowledge.” If you say this Allah will wipe off the big sins and the small sins.

“Allaah has promised the believers Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of ‘Adn. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allaah. That is the supreme success.” Surah At-Tawbah ayah 72
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