On a number of occasions I have been asked by nonmuslim friends and associates to explain my religion and beliefs that make me the unique individual that I am, in a language that they can understand. From a thorough study of the Holy Qur'an, Hadith (Prophet Muhammad’s traditions) and lives of good Muslims spanning over many years, I have derived the following basic principles of Islam. This work is not a replacement of Fiqh, but a brief summary of the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (sallaho alaihe wasallam) which may help the uninitiated to understand Islam. Selected references to chapter and verse have been given in brackets but there is a lot more in the Holy Qur’an and books of Hadith. The text in italics is my own interpretation of the words of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith; the ideas may seem new to those Muslims who have relied on classical interpretations but may become clear after a little reflection. Any comment, criticism, query or suggestion for improvement will be welcomed.
1. The Singularity of existence: Allah is the only God – an eternal being having all power and knowledge, born of none and having no progeny, who has no needs or weaknesses. He created the world and He protects, controls and nurtures it with utmost compassion and mercy. All changes in the world are by His command. One must not worship or call anyone but Allah for help. (2:255, 4:48, 21:30, 87:1-3, 112:1-4)
The entire Universe is a single living organism which appears to be growing and everything that exists is a part of this whole. The Kingdom of Allah gives equality and moral sovereignty to every human individual. Some philosophers define Allah or God as the mind and memory or intelligence or central nervous system of the Universe from Whom all living and nonliving objects derive their behavior patterns.
2. The authentic messenger: Allah revealed His commands for correct human conduct afresh to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was a perfect human being and a model to be followed. The collection of these revelations is called the Holy Qur'an which is a book of guidance for all times to come. The code of conduct given in the Holy Qur'an is called Islam, and a Muslim must follow the entire code without exception. (2:2, 3:144, 33-40, Chapter 47, 48-29 )
Islam, like any other religion, gives a code of duties as well as defining rights, only it is more comprehensive and understandable. In a perfect society everyone must voluntarily perform his or her duties without waiting for others to claim their rights and indulging in conflict.
3. Islam is the religion of pure reason: Nearly half of the Holy Qur'an consists of reasoning to convince its readers. Islam has no place for activities leading to psychological intimidation, induced change of mood, impairment of judgment or irrational attachment. Hence it does not allow the use of statues, pictures, music, dancing or intoxicants in religious rites and discourages them in social or personal life. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) strictly forbade the making of his picture or statue. (2:3, 17:54,89)
The Holy Qur’an contains guidance for the muttaqeen who are conscientious about their mistakes and seek the right path. Arrogant persons who are not prepared to accept their mistakes can hardly benefit from the Holy Qur’an. Taqwa is not the physical fear of Allah, as commonly translated, because one does not try to get close to what one fears while Taqwa is an act that brings one close to Allah.
4. The glory of Man: Humankind is superior to all other creatures and Allah's viceroy on earth. Human beings must complement His functions of protecting, nurturing and improving His creations. This should be the only purpose of all pursuits of knowledge and scientific research. (2:30,195, 51:49)
Acquiring knowledge and reflecting on the manifestations of nature is an essential part of human intellectual activity and the Holy Qur’an repeatedly recommends it.
5. The Day of Judgment: Everyone will have to account for all his or her actions in life and be rewarded or punished on an appointed day. On that day, the world will cease to exist as we know it and all who would have lived and died will come alive again and become immortal to experience the pleasures or pains they deserve for ever. (3:185, 18:47-49, 84:1-25)
The concept of Day of Judgment can be found in many religions and quite often the street preacher presents it as the ultimate festival with elaborate scenarios of theatrics by God and His Prophets. In reality, it is something to be viewed with a spiritual angle and taken very seriously.
6. All human beings are equal in the eyes of Allah: Men and women have equal rights, though men are a step higher on the ladder; and a red man is not superior to a black man or vice versa. Allah has made people different to promote healthy competition and accelerated development. Cleanliness and piety bring one closer to Allah. Cleanliness is half of faith. (2:228, 30:22)
A man is responsible for the protection, feeding, education and discipline of his family. He must earn himself and not use the women and children for financial gain. Yet if a woman has knowledge or skills that can be employed gainfully in the service of the community without violating the Islamic code of life, she should not be discouraged.
7. Sanctity of Human Life: One who murders a human being murders all humankind and one who saves a human life saves all humankind. (5:32)
Matters relating to murder and saving of lives are universal and transcend all religious and ethnic classifications. All members of a community should work together to condemn and punish a murderer irrespective of their or the murderer’s or the victim’s religious or racial identity. One must not hesitate in taking action to save a life in danger because the person in question belongs to a different religion or race and the person who saves a life or lives as a profession should receive universal respect without religious or other prejudice.
8. Prayer: The viceroy must always act in consultation with the Creator. Five times a day, at appointed times one must perform ablutions and stand in meditation, recite from the Holy Qur’an, go through the motions of prayer or Salat as done by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), communicate one's observations, thoughts, feelings and needs to Allah and take all decisions in attendance before Allah. (2:3, 5:6, 24:56, 35:22)
Prayer is direct communication between an individual or group and Allah and a basic requirement for obtaining guidance from the Holy Qur’an. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had instructed that apart from attending the congregations one should also say prayers by oneself. Placing an intermediary Vaseela in the process of prayer makes it ineffective. Spiritual links can be established between individual human beings that can work to their mutual benefit or detriment, but it has nothing to do with the relationship between people and Allah. Charms and amulets have psychological effect to boost one’s confidence but have no Divine significance.
9. Fasting: The fortunate must share the feelings of the less fortunate and be prepared for all eventualities. One must exercise complete self control and not eat or drink anything or indulge in carnal pleasures from sunrise to sunset during the lunar month of Ramadan every year. This practice is called fasting or Som in Arabic. (2:185)
Fasting is practiced in some form or other not only in all Biblical religions but also in religions that originated in other parts of the world such as Hinduism related to specific events or as a means of attaining mental peace. In Islam it is the charity of the body.
10. Poor Due: Charity is the highest virtue. Every year one must share at least a fortieth part of one's fortune with the needy without putting any obligation on them. This practice is called Zakat. The Qur’an lists the preferred causes and people on whom charity should be spent, one of which is the freeing of people from bondage. (2:43,177, 9:60)
Charity is appreciated in all civilized societies without exception as a voluntary virtue, however Islam makes it obligatory for every well to do believer.
11. Pilgrimage to the source of the truth: Those who can afford must, during their lifetime, make a pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah to pray and familiarize themselves with the environment in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed and go through the rites and motions Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) performed during the Hajj. The blood and meat of the sacrificial beast do not reach Allah but the sentiments of the pilgrim do. (2:196-203, Chapter 22)
In this way one can verify if his or her attitudes and practices are in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as they were conveyed from generation to generation and are being practiced in the places where he lived. Repentance during Hajj brings absolution from missed prayers and fasting, unpaid Zakat and other personal lapses, but the liabilities of crime and debt remain.
12. Privacy is everyone's privilege and prerogative: One must cover one's private parts and ensure that others' privacy is not compromised. Privacy can only be shared between a man and a woman through a mutually agreed and solemnized relationship. A man can be shared between women, but a woman can not be shared between men. A man can marry up to four orphan women at a time if they need to be sheltered, but since he can not give equal love to each, he should be content with one wife. Children are the gifts of Allah and must be protected. Adultery and incest are prohibited and the rules of marriage and divorce are laid down in the Holy Qur'an. (4:3, 22-25, 6-151, 17-32, 24:2)
In the Islamic culture, public displays that can cause sex related stress in normal and healthy individuals are considered environmental pollution. The Prophet’s many wives were actually volunteers who had contracted to live with him to learn a woman’s ways in Islam and teach the same to other Muslim women.
13. Honesty is the essence of Islam: One must give full measure while selling and protect and return what is given in trust. All agreements must be written down and witnessed by men or women or both. The terms of a loan agreement must be dictated by the borrower, and since consumable items can not be rented, interest can not be charged on money lent. A loan must be returned. (2:275, 282, 3:30, 4:29, 6:58,152, 11:85, 17:35, 83:1-6)
In Islamic culture honesty and faith are synonymous. Any amount or object that one receives from anyone as loan or graft or in any manner such as fraud or embezzlement that is not his or her by right becomes a debt that must be repaid before that person’s last rites, Namaze Janaza. If not, then it stands to reason that the liability would be transferred to the successors of that person and would remain so until the Day of Judgment. The only way a debt can be retired is by paying to the creditor or his or her successors. No amount of charity or good deeds can substitute debt retirement. Islam clearly defines a role for women in the economic and legal aspects of the society and allows them to consult each other when appearing as witnesses in a court of law. It also implies that all Muslim women should be educated to be able to read and sign legal documents.
14. and Punishment: No one carries the burden of another's guilt. Punishment can only be physical and the freedom of movement of an individual can not be restrained except for a short period during the investigation of a witnessed crime. One has the right of equal retribution, but forgiveness is preferable. The right of forgiveness rests with the aggrieved party. Crime must be eradicated from society by exemplary punishment to those whose crimes are proven beyond a shadow of doubt. Limits of punishment for certain specific crimes are prescribed in the Holy Qur'an. (5:38-40)
Law and morality are so closely intertwined in Islam that any attempt to separate the two strains the social fabric and produces violent reactions. Islamic logic also differs from Greek logic as it places ethical restraints on the length to which an argument can be extended.
15. Sanctity of the spoken word: One must not hide the truth and must endeavor to dispense justice without prejudice or favor. One must protect the rights of the weak and the orphans and ensure that whatever is due to them reaches them. Every word uttered by a Muslim is a word of honor that can make or break relationships and must be kept at all costs. (4:135, 5:8, 11:90)
A half truth is also a partial concealment of truth and unacceptable in Islam.
16. Purity of food: One must not consume intoxicants, CNS depressants, blood, carrion and meat of pigs or animals killed by shock or torture or dedicated to a deity. Except these, all items of food that are good to human beings and rightfully owned may be consumed. (2:173, 5-3, 90-91)
The prohibited items are not necessarily filth and those who consume them are not necessarily filthy.
17. Rewards of work: One only gets what one strives for, there being no limit to what one can achieve. One must not indulge in pursuits that promise gain without effort or with token investment. Workers and laborers should be paid their fair wages before their sweat dries. (53:39)
Some verses of the holy Qur’an are often misinterpreted to construe that everything in this world is predetermined and fait rather than people decide matters. If that were so then what would be the sense in the day of Judgment?
18. Good manners: One must bow with those who bow and must not act in a supercilious manner. One must respect one's parents and care for them in their old age. One must ensure that no one is hurt by one's hands or tongue. (3:134, 4:36, 31:18)
“Bow with those who bow” is often construed as congregational prayer but it can equally be interpreted as humility in response to respect and adoration.
19. Legacy: One's legacy must be distributed among one's survivors proportionately as instructed in the Holy Qur'an which includes all sons and daughters, spouse, parents and siblings. The will of a deceased person must be executed. (4:7-13)
The Holy Qur’an has provided a divine solution to the greatest source of social discord.
20. Tolerance: One must respect the religious beliefs of others and not use force in matters of faith. Yet one must gently persuade others to embrace Islam, to do good deeds and renounce evil. Islam confirms Jesus (Issa, pbuh) and Moses (Moosa, pbuh) as true prophets of Allah and the Holy Qur'an recounts the stories of Biblical characters from Adam (pbuh) to Issa (pbuh) with rationalizations and proclaims belief in them as part of faith. (2-256, 7:199-200, 22:67, 109:all)
In the early Muslim converted settlements on the fringes of Europe violence and coercion was used to convert people to Islam and as a result the spread of Islam in those directions stopped.
21. Self defense: If there is no other recourse, one must wage war against injustice, repression and the domination of evil. The spirit of combat should be to eliminate injustice and evil, not to take revenge for personal offences. Aggression should be confronted with force, and preparations should be made if aggression is imminent. Those who die in the path of righteousness become immortal and blessed by Allah. (2:190-194)
A good Muslim never commits an act of aggression, as he or she can persuade others by sound reasoning based on Qur’anic injunctions.
22. Democracy: For any collective activity, a leader should be elected by consensus and should be obeyed unless he or she violates accepted norms of Islam. Everyone has the right to express disagreement with superiors and receive a convincing explanation. (2:59)
Many examples of this practice can be found in the lives of the Holy Prophet and his succeeding Caliphs.
23. Gifts of God: The Sun and the Moon follow calculated paths, the trees and plants are in a state of submission and the world is at the disposal of humankind. One must not disturb the balances created by Allah. Allah has evolved the human race by genetic encoding of the essence of the Holy Qur’an and He looks after everything in both the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth represented by the two Easts and the two Wests. The human race is superior to all other creatures due to its ability to give names to objects, events, feelings and ideas thus developing languages, literature and sciences. (55:1-10)
24. Laws of Nature: The laws of nature were formulated by Allah on the ‘Day of Deen’. They are inescapable and one must try to understand them. One must strive to acquire knowledge of industry and invention. Iron is a gift of Allah and must be utilized for the benefit and protection of people. (1:3, 30:30, 57:25)
The same should apply to other metals and minerals.
25. Genesis: Allah worked for six ages of a thousand years to set up the mechanism of creation and established His headquarters in heaven, then said "happen" and the world took shape. He monitors the state of affairs in the world and sends new ideas in a cycle of a thousand years. All life emerged from water. Humankind has been created in the best era of the world's existence. (10:3, 21:30, 32:4-5, 95:4,)
26. Soul: The human soul is immortal and there is a population of invisible spiritual beings in heaven and earth called angels and jinnat. The devil belongs to the genus of the jinn. (2-85, Ch 72,)
27. The devil: The devil is out to undo the goodness of human beings and they must resist evil temptations. Allah forgives those who repent their lapses or failings due to ignorance and seek His forgiveness. (16:63)
28. Perseverance: Adversity is never beyond the tolerance limit of the sufferer, and one must never lose hope. Allah goes with those who have patience. If an innocent person who is faced with deep trouble calls Allah for help, He responds favorably. (2-45,153, 156-7, 286, 3-200)
The Holy Qur’an relates many accounts of extreme adversity faced by prophets and saints to prove the point.
© Mohammad Nasim, D-1 Doulat Square, Gulshan-e-Iqbal 13/B, Karachi-75300, Pakistan.
Tel: 4992612, 03008272567. (2947 words) email: mnasim_99@yahoo.com
1. The Singularity of existence: Allah is the only God – an eternal being having all power and knowledge, born of none and having no progeny, who has no needs or weaknesses. He created the world and He protects, controls and nurtures it with utmost compassion and mercy. All changes in the world are by His command. One must not worship or call anyone but Allah for help. (2:255, 4:48, 21:30, 87:1-3, 112:1-4)
The entire Universe is a single living organism which appears to be growing and everything that exists is a part of this whole. The Kingdom of Allah gives equality and moral sovereignty to every human individual. Some philosophers define Allah or God as the mind and memory or intelligence or central nervous system of the Universe from Whom all living and nonliving objects derive their behavior patterns.
2. The authentic messenger: Allah revealed His commands for correct human conduct afresh to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was a perfect human being and a model to be followed. The collection of these revelations is called the Holy Qur'an which is a book of guidance for all times to come. The code of conduct given in the Holy Qur'an is called Islam, and a Muslim must follow the entire code without exception. (2:2, 3:144, 33-40, Chapter 47, 48-29 )
Islam, like any other religion, gives a code of duties as well as defining rights, only it is more comprehensive and understandable. In a perfect society everyone must voluntarily perform his or her duties without waiting for others to claim their rights and indulging in conflict.
3. Islam is the religion of pure reason: Nearly half of the Holy Qur'an consists of reasoning to convince its readers. Islam has no place for activities leading to psychological intimidation, induced change of mood, impairment of judgment or irrational attachment. Hence it does not allow the use of statues, pictures, music, dancing or intoxicants in religious rites and discourages them in social or personal life. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) strictly forbade the making of his picture or statue. (2:3, 17:54,89)
The Holy Qur’an contains guidance for the muttaqeen who are conscientious about their mistakes and seek the right path. Arrogant persons who are not prepared to accept their mistakes can hardly benefit from the Holy Qur’an. Taqwa is not the physical fear of Allah, as commonly translated, because one does not try to get close to what one fears while Taqwa is an act that brings one close to Allah.
4. The glory of Man: Humankind is superior to all other creatures and Allah's viceroy on earth. Human beings must complement His functions of protecting, nurturing and improving His creations. This should be the only purpose of all pursuits of knowledge and scientific research. (2:30,195, 51:49)
Acquiring knowledge and reflecting on the manifestations of nature is an essential part of human intellectual activity and the Holy Qur’an repeatedly recommends it.
5. The Day of Judgment: Everyone will have to account for all his or her actions in life and be rewarded or punished on an appointed day. On that day, the world will cease to exist as we know it and all who would have lived and died will come alive again and become immortal to experience the pleasures or pains they deserve for ever. (3:185, 18:47-49, 84:1-25)
The concept of Day of Judgment can be found in many religions and quite often the street preacher presents it as the ultimate festival with elaborate scenarios of theatrics by God and His Prophets. In reality, it is something to be viewed with a spiritual angle and taken very seriously.
6. All human beings are equal in the eyes of Allah: Men and women have equal rights, though men are a step higher on the ladder; and a red man is not superior to a black man or vice versa. Allah has made people different to promote healthy competition and accelerated development. Cleanliness and piety bring one closer to Allah. Cleanliness is half of faith. (2:228, 30:22)
A man is responsible for the protection, feeding, education and discipline of his family. He must earn himself and not use the women and children for financial gain. Yet if a woman has knowledge or skills that can be employed gainfully in the service of the community without violating the Islamic code of life, she should not be discouraged.
7. Sanctity of Human Life: One who murders a human being murders all humankind and one who saves a human life saves all humankind. (5:32)
Matters relating to murder and saving of lives are universal and transcend all religious and ethnic classifications. All members of a community should work together to condemn and punish a murderer irrespective of their or the murderer’s or the victim’s religious or racial identity. One must not hesitate in taking action to save a life in danger because the person in question belongs to a different religion or race and the person who saves a life or lives as a profession should receive universal respect without religious or other prejudice.
8. Prayer: The viceroy must always act in consultation with the Creator. Five times a day, at appointed times one must perform ablutions and stand in meditation, recite from the Holy Qur’an, go through the motions of prayer or Salat as done by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), communicate one's observations, thoughts, feelings and needs to Allah and take all decisions in attendance before Allah. (2:3, 5:6, 24:56, 35:22)
Prayer is direct communication between an individual or group and Allah and a basic requirement for obtaining guidance from the Holy Qur’an. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had instructed that apart from attending the congregations one should also say prayers by oneself. Placing an intermediary Vaseela in the process of prayer makes it ineffective. Spiritual links can be established between individual human beings that can work to their mutual benefit or detriment, but it has nothing to do with the relationship between people and Allah. Charms and amulets have psychological effect to boost one’s confidence but have no Divine significance.
9. Fasting: The fortunate must share the feelings of the less fortunate and be prepared for all eventualities. One must exercise complete self control and not eat or drink anything or indulge in carnal pleasures from sunrise to sunset during the lunar month of Ramadan every year. This practice is called fasting or Som in Arabic. (2:185)
Fasting is practiced in some form or other not only in all Biblical religions but also in religions that originated in other parts of the world such as Hinduism related to specific events or as a means of attaining mental peace. In Islam it is the charity of the body.
10. Poor Due: Charity is the highest virtue. Every year one must share at least a fortieth part of one's fortune with the needy without putting any obligation on them. This practice is called Zakat. The Qur’an lists the preferred causes and people on whom charity should be spent, one of which is the freeing of people from bondage. (2:43,177, 9:60)
Charity is appreciated in all civilized societies without exception as a voluntary virtue, however Islam makes it obligatory for every well to do believer.
11. Pilgrimage to the source of the truth: Those who can afford must, during their lifetime, make a pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah to pray and familiarize themselves with the environment in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed and go through the rites and motions Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) performed during the Hajj. The blood and meat of the sacrificial beast do not reach Allah but the sentiments of the pilgrim do. (2:196-203, Chapter 22)
In this way one can verify if his or her attitudes and practices are in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as they were conveyed from generation to generation and are being practiced in the places where he lived. Repentance during Hajj brings absolution from missed prayers and fasting, unpaid Zakat and other personal lapses, but the liabilities of crime and debt remain.
12. Privacy is everyone's privilege and prerogative: One must cover one's private parts and ensure that others' privacy is not compromised. Privacy can only be shared between a man and a woman through a mutually agreed and solemnized relationship. A man can be shared between women, but a woman can not be shared between men. A man can marry up to four orphan women at a time if they need to be sheltered, but since he can not give equal love to each, he should be content with one wife. Children are the gifts of Allah and must be protected. Adultery and incest are prohibited and the rules of marriage and divorce are laid down in the Holy Qur'an. (4:3, 22-25, 6-151, 17-32, 24:2)
In the Islamic culture, public displays that can cause sex related stress in normal and healthy individuals are considered environmental pollution. The Prophet’s many wives were actually volunteers who had contracted to live with him to learn a woman’s ways in Islam and teach the same to other Muslim women.
13. Honesty is the essence of Islam: One must give full measure while selling and protect and return what is given in trust. All agreements must be written down and witnessed by men or women or both. The terms of a loan agreement must be dictated by the borrower, and since consumable items can not be rented, interest can not be charged on money lent. A loan must be returned. (2:275, 282, 3:30, 4:29, 6:58,152, 11:85, 17:35, 83:1-6)
In Islamic culture honesty and faith are synonymous. Any amount or object that one receives from anyone as loan or graft or in any manner such as fraud or embezzlement that is not his or her by right becomes a debt that must be repaid before that person’s last rites, Namaze Janaza. If not, then it stands to reason that the liability would be transferred to the successors of that person and would remain so until the Day of Judgment. The only way a debt can be retired is by paying to the creditor or his or her successors. No amount of charity or good deeds can substitute debt retirement. Islam clearly defines a role for women in the economic and legal aspects of the society and allows them to consult each other when appearing as witnesses in a court of law. It also implies that all Muslim women should be educated to be able to read and sign legal documents.
14. and Punishment: No one carries the burden of another's guilt. Punishment can only be physical and the freedom of movement of an individual can not be restrained except for a short period during the investigation of a witnessed crime. One has the right of equal retribution, but forgiveness is preferable. The right of forgiveness rests with the aggrieved party. Crime must be eradicated from society by exemplary punishment to those whose crimes are proven beyond a shadow of doubt. Limits of punishment for certain specific crimes are prescribed in the Holy Qur'an. (5:38-40)
Law and morality are so closely intertwined in Islam that any attempt to separate the two strains the social fabric and produces violent reactions. Islamic logic also differs from Greek logic as it places ethical restraints on the length to which an argument can be extended.
15. Sanctity of the spoken word: One must not hide the truth and must endeavor to dispense justice without prejudice or favor. One must protect the rights of the weak and the orphans and ensure that whatever is due to them reaches them. Every word uttered by a Muslim is a word of honor that can make or break relationships and must be kept at all costs. (4:135, 5:8, 11:90)
A half truth is also a partial concealment of truth and unacceptable in Islam.
16. Purity of food: One must not consume intoxicants, CNS depressants, blood, carrion and meat of pigs or animals killed by shock or torture or dedicated to a deity. Except these, all items of food that are good to human beings and rightfully owned may be consumed. (2:173, 5-3, 90-91)
The prohibited items are not necessarily filth and those who consume them are not necessarily filthy.
17. Rewards of work: One only gets what one strives for, there being no limit to what one can achieve. One must not indulge in pursuits that promise gain without effort or with token investment. Workers and laborers should be paid their fair wages before their sweat dries. (53:39)
Some verses of the holy Qur’an are often misinterpreted to construe that everything in this world is predetermined and fait rather than people decide matters. If that were so then what would be the sense in the day of Judgment?
18. Good manners: One must bow with those who bow and must not act in a supercilious manner. One must respect one's parents and care for them in their old age. One must ensure that no one is hurt by one's hands or tongue. (3:134, 4:36, 31:18)
“Bow with those who bow” is often construed as congregational prayer but it can equally be interpreted as humility in response to respect and adoration.
19. Legacy: One's legacy must be distributed among one's survivors proportionately as instructed in the Holy Qur'an which includes all sons and daughters, spouse, parents and siblings. The will of a deceased person must be executed. (4:7-13)
The Holy Qur’an has provided a divine solution to the greatest source of social discord.
20. Tolerance: One must respect the religious beliefs of others and not use force in matters of faith. Yet one must gently persuade others to embrace Islam, to do good deeds and renounce evil. Islam confirms Jesus (Issa, pbuh) and Moses (Moosa, pbuh) as true prophets of Allah and the Holy Qur'an recounts the stories of Biblical characters from Adam (pbuh) to Issa (pbuh) with rationalizations and proclaims belief in them as part of faith. (2-256, 7:199-200, 22:67, 109:all)
In the early Muslim converted settlements on the fringes of Europe violence and coercion was used to convert people to Islam and as a result the spread of Islam in those directions stopped.
21. Self defense: If there is no other recourse, one must wage war against injustice, repression and the domination of evil. The spirit of combat should be to eliminate injustice and evil, not to take revenge for personal offences. Aggression should be confronted with force, and preparations should be made if aggression is imminent. Those who die in the path of righteousness become immortal and blessed by Allah. (2:190-194)
A good Muslim never commits an act of aggression, as he or she can persuade others by sound reasoning based on Qur’anic injunctions.
22. Democracy: For any collective activity, a leader should be elected by consensus and should be obeyed unless he or she violates accepted norms of Islam. Everyone has the right to express disagreement with superiors and receive a convincing explanation. (2:59)
Many examples of this practice can be found in the lives of the Holy Prophet and his succeeding Caliphs.
23. Gifts of God: The Sun and the Moon follow calculated paths, the trees and plants are in a state of submission and the world is at the disposal of humankind. One must not disturb the balances created by Allah. Allah has evolved the human race by genetic encoding of the essence of the Holy Qur’an and He looks after everything in both the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth represented by the two Easts and the two Wests. The human race is superior to all other creatures due to its ability to give names to objects, events, feelings and ideas thus developing languages, literature and sciences. (55:1-10)
24. Laws of Nature: The laws of nature were formulated by Allah on the ‘Day of Deen’. They are inescapable and one must try to understand them. One must strive to acquire knowledge of industry and invention. Iron is a gift of Allah and must be utilized for the benefit and protection of people. (1:3, 30:30, 57:25)
The same should apply to other metals and minerals.
25. Genesis: Allah worked for six ages of a thousand years to set up the mechanism of creation and established His headquarters in heaven, then said "happen" and the world took shape. He monitors the state of affairs in the world and sends new ideas in a cycle of a thousand years. All life emerged from water. Humankind has been created in the best era of the world's existence. (10:3, 21:30, 32:4-5, 95:4,)
26. Soul: The human soul is immortal and there is a population of invisible spiritual beings in heaven and earth called angels and jinnat. The devil belongs to the genus of the jinn. (2-85, Ch 72,)
27. The devil: The devil is out to undo the goodness of human beings and they must resist evil temptations. Allah forgives those who repent their lapses or failings due to ignorance and seek His forgiveness. (16:63)
28. Perseverance: Adversity is never beyond the tolerance limit of the sufferer, and one must never lose hope. Allah goes with those who have patience. If an innocent person who is faced with deep trouble calls Allah for help, He responds favorably. (2-45,153, 156-7, 286, 3-200)
The Holy Qur’an relates many accounts of extreme adversity faced by prophets and saints to prove the point.
© Mohammad Nasim, D-1 Doulat Square, Gulshan-e-Iqbal 13/B, Karachi-75300, Pakistan.
Tel: 4992612, 03008272567. (2947 words) email: mnasim_99@yahoo.com
