In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ISLAM means...
The word Islam means “submission,” as in submission to the Will of Almighty God. He is referred to as Allah* in the Qur’an (the Holy Scripture). Muslims worship the same one God that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus worshiped. Muslims believe in all the prophets that Christians and Jews believe in. According to the Muslim belief, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him & his progeny) was the last prophet in the long line of prophets which started with Adam and included Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, David, Solomon, Moses, John the Baptist, and Jesus (peace be upon them all), to name a few. Muslims regard Prophet Muhammad as a human being with a divine mission; they do not worship Muhammad.
Thus, Islam is not a new religion. According to the Qur’an, it was the religion of all the prophets, peace be upon them all. They all submitted to God and they were all Muslims. They brought the same central message: to worship God alone, to not join any other deity with God, and to do good deeds.
A BRIEF LIFE HISTORY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Peace be upon him & his progeny*)
Muhammad was born in Mecca in the Arabian Peninsula in the year 570 AD. At the age of 40, Muhammad received God’s first revelation through the Angel Gabriel, and was instructed to guide the people.
At that time, the majority of people in the region were pagans. Idolatry, sin, and immoral behavior were common. Women were ill-treated, sold, and had no legal status; female infants were even buried alive. The Arabs believed in and worshipped over 300 different gods. Muhammad, for the first three years of his ministry, preached about one God secretly and thereafter, on divine instructions, preached openly. Upon teaching the new faith, he was initially mocked and later on abused, persecuted, and tortured.
The advent of Islam was seen by the pagans as an economic blow, since they depended to a large extent on the income from having many tribal gods, and pilgrims that came to Mecca from different parts of Arabia to pay homage to their gods. The first converts emigrated to Abyssinia and sought asylum there under the Christian ruler, Negus, in order to save their lives.
In 622 AD, at the age of 52 years, Muhammad left Mecca for Medina to save his life, as the pagans of Mecca had plotted to kill him. This event is referred to as Hijra or ‘migration,’ and this year constitutes the first year of the Muslim calendar. In Medina, Muhammad was welcomed with open arms by its people and amongst them he found many friends and supporters.
* The Arabic name Allah translates as “The God” in English. It is the formal name of God in Arabic, just as Jehovah in Latin or Yahweh in Hebrew. * This formula with the name of a Prophet is to show respect. The abbreviation (pbuh&p) may also be used.
In the subsequent years, Muhammad successfully defended himself and his people from several attacks by the pagans of Mecca who wanted to kill him and root out the new religion. Muhammad fought with a small and ill-equipped band of his supporters against large and well-equipped forces. The Meccan pagans had signed several peace treaties with Muhammad but repeatedly broke them, and plotted again and again to kill him. Eventually, Muhammad and his followers marched towards Mecca, his homeland, and took control of the city without a struggle.
The inhabitants of Mecca feared revenge by Muhammad for the atrocities committed against Muhammad and his followers, but Muhammad declared a general amnesty. He gave orders that no one should loot or plunder. Soldiers were forbidden to enter any house that was inhabited. No one was to be attacked unless he refused to lay down arms. Women and children were protected from harm under strict orders. The Meccans were so moved by Muhammad’s generosity and compassion that they hastened in throngs to swear allegiance to him. Finally, Muhammad removed all the idols from the Kaba, the symbolic House of God, which was built by his forefather, Prophet Abraham, many centuries earlier.
Eventually, deputations from all parts of Arabia came to Medina to meet and swear allegiance to the Prophet and to listen to the Holy Scripture, the Qur’an. The prophet also sent emissaries to neighboring countries in order to convey to the people the message of Islam.
The prophet, in fact, had become the virtual ruler of Arabia. His lifestyle, however, remained as simple as ever. In the tenth year after Hijra, after performing the pilgrimage, called the Hajj, Muhammad addressed his followers who had gathered in the thousands, and announced his impending departure from this world. At that time, he received the divine revelation that the religion of God had been completed and perfected. That was the final revelation from God conveyed by the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad.
In that same year, he died after a brief illness, at the age of 62 years. Thus, in a brief span of 23 years, Muhammad had abolished idolatry in Arabia and had established God’s religion, Islam. He brought civilization, law, order, and decency to a land and a people known for idolatry, oppression, and lewdness.
What the Bible says about Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him & progeny)
Abraham is considered the common forefather of the three major religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. From his son Isaac’s lineage came many prophets, including Jacob, Joseph, Solomon, David, Moses, and lastly Jesus (peace be upon them all). Muhammad was the direct descendant of Prophet Abraham through his son, Ishmael. The advent of Prophet Muhammad was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. The Bible says:
“I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.” Genesis 12: 2. “For Ishmael too I grant you your request: I bless him and I will make him fruitful and greatly increased in numbers. He shall be the father of twelve princes, and I shall make him a great nation.
Genesis 17:20-21
“But the slave girl’s son I will also make into a nation, for he is your child too.” Genesis 21: 13 “The prophet like unto Moses.” According to Muslim belief, Prophet Muhammad was the prophet prophesied in the bible to come after Prophet Jesus. (For details please refer to the section on explanatory notes)
BELIEFS AND OBSERVANCES
A Muslim believes in one supreme deity (Allah or God), all the divinely commissioned prophets of God, all the divinely revealed Books (the Torah, the Bible and the Qur’an), the Angels, the life after death, the Day of Judgment, and the concept of Heaven and Hell (reward and punishment for our deeds.) The Fundamentals of the Beliefs are:
• Absolute oneness of God.* God has no partners, no associates, no helpers, no consorts, and no sons. When He intends a thing, He only says to it “Be” and it is.
• Justice of God. God is just in His dealings with His creation.
• Belief in all the prophets of God, including the last prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon them all. Also recognize the Imams (spiritual guides) from among the descendants of the prophet.
• Day of Judgment. Everyone shall experience death. There will be resurrection and accounting on the Day of Judgment. God will reward, punish, or forgive as He sees fit.
*For the concept of God in Islam please refer to the section on explanatory notes The Obligatory acts of Worship include:
• Obligatory Prayers (called Salat) A Muslim is required to offer five ritual prayers a day: morning (before sunrise), mid-day, mid-afternoon, evening (soon after the sunset), and night (after darkness sets in.)
• Fasting (called Siyam) is observed during the entire month of Ramadan. This is the 9th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. The daily fast begins about an hour and a half before sunrise and ends after sunset. During the fast a Muslim is not allowed to eat, drink, chew, or smoke. Sex is prohibited during the hours of fasting, although it is permitted at other times. The month of Fasting is to achieve the good pleasure of God and His nearness. During the fast a Muslim must avoid arguments, loose talk, lying, backbiting, and pleasure seeking activities. Frequent remembrance of God, the giving of alms to the needy, and other charitable activities are encouraged.
• Charity (called Zakat and Khums) This is a portion of the saving that is given annually to the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the indigent, and also towards the maintenance of mosques, religious institutions, religious schools, and other deserving causes.
• Pilgrimage (called Hajj) to the Kaba (symbolic House of God in Mecca) at least once in a lifetime. This house was originally built by Prophet Abraham with the help of his son, Ishmael.
Dietary restrictions in Islam:
Certain food items are prohibited to Muslims. These include pork and all pork products, meat from animals that died of natural causes, were killed by wild animals, etc., and blood from animal sources. Similar to Jewish Law, only designated animals sacrificed in the prescribed manner are permitted to be used for food, and not all body parts are permitted. All forms of intoxicants are prohibited.
THE HOLY QUR’AN
It is called "Koran" (not a preferred term) in English. This is the Holy Scripture, the word of God that the angel Gabriel brought to Muhammad. Muhammad repeated these verses to his followers, who memorized them and also wrote them down. The divine messages came over a period of 23 years. To date, the text of the Qur’an has remained intact in its original language, Arabic, unaltered by man or time.
The Qur’an contains laws and commandments governing all aspects of the life of a Muslim. It also contains narrations of the life histories of the earlier Prophets, and parables to guide the reader. The Qur’an and the traditions or sayings of the Prophet (pbuh&p) constitute the guiding light for the Muslim in his/her day-to-day life. The two most often recited Chapters or Surahs of the Holy Quran are: (1) The Opening Chapter, referred to as Fatihahand (2) The Unity Chapter, referred to as Ikhlas. They are listed below.
Fatihah (Opening Chapter)
In the name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
Most Gracious, most Merciful;
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee alone we worship and Thee alone we ask for help.
Show us the straight way.
The way of those whom Thou has favored.
The way of those who did not earn Thy anger, and who did not go astray.
Ikhlas (Unity)
In the name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Say: He is God, the One and the only.
God, the Eternal, the Absolute.
He begetteth not, nor was He begotten;
And there is none equal unto Him.
Some of the proofs that the Quran was divinely revealed are:
Many Jewish and Christian scholars at the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&p) recognized the Holy Scripture as the true word of God and acknowledged Prophet Muhammad as a true Prophet of God, and embraced Islam.
It is to be noted that:
Muhammad was untutored and unlettered. He received no formal instruction in reading or writing.
The wisdom, the knowledge, and the literary eloquence contained in the Qur’an are unmatched and beyond the scope of human endeavor.
The statements made in the Qur’an about sciences such as physics, biology, astronomy, etc. reveal knowledge which did not exist with mankind at the time of Muhammad. Those statements have been verified hundreds of years later through the discoveries of modern science.
Since the time of Muhammad to the present day, Islam continues to be accepted by more and more people in all parts of the world. Today Islam is the faith of one-fifth of the population of the world. Islam offers to mankind dignity, equality, and justice.
God, according to the Qur’an, guarantees direct access to Himself. He says in the Qur’an: "I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls unto Me." (2:186)
The authenticity of the Qur’an is undisputed. The Qur’an holds a unique place among the scriptures because only one version existed from the very beginning. Many faithful Muslims have continued the tradition of memorizing the entire scripture, thus guarding it against any change. Even a single letter of the original Arabic text has not been changed.
The Qur’an is free from any discrepancies or contradictions. This is particularly amazing, considering the fact that the messages were revealed in stages over a period of twenty-two years!
Western scholars’ views on the Qur’an.
"A work, which calls forth so powerful and seemingly incompatible emotions even in the distant reader -- distant as to time and still more so as mental development. A work which not only conquers the repugnance which the reader may feel as he begins its perusal, but changes this adverse feeling into astonishment and admiration. Such a work must be a wonderful production of the 'human mind' indeed and a problem of the highest interest to every thoughtful observer of the destinies of mankind." - Dr. Steingass in T.P. Hughes’s Dictionary of Islam, p.526.
"The hypothesis advanced by those who see Muhammad as the author of the Quran is untenable. How a man, from being “illiterate” (untutored), could become the most important author, in terms of literary merit in the whole of Arabia? How could he then pronounce truths of a scientific nature that no other human being could possibly have developed at that time, and all this without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject?" - Maurice Bucaille in "The Bible, the Quran and Science," p.125.
Some of the verses in the Qur’an, which came in response to criticism by the unbelievers and the skeptics, are as follows:
"And if ye are in doubt concerning that we reveal unto our servant (Muhammad) then produce a Chapter of the like thereof..." (2:23) "And before this was the book of Moses, as a guide and a mercy. And this Book confirms (it) in Arabic, to admonish the unjust, and as glad tidings for the righteous." (46:12)
The Qur’an confirms that the earlier prophets, including Moses and Jesus, were true messengers of God. The previous scriptures, the Torah and the Bible, in their original forms were the true messages from God. The true purpose of the Qur’an is to restore and safeguard the message of God in its totality.
Commandments. This term is not specifically used in the Qur’an. However, after reading the Qur’an one learns the injunctions contained therein. A partial list is given below:
1. To believe in one God.
2. To honor and respect parents.
3. To honor the human rights of all people, regardless of their religion.
4. Be charitable, but do not be ascetic.
5. Do not kill except for justifiable cause.
6. Do not commit adultery or fornication.
7. Safeguard the possessions of orphans.
8. Deal with others with justice.
9. Be pure in heart and mind.
10. Be humble and unpretentious.
11. Do not backbite.
12. Do not be a scandalmonger.
13. Do good deeds for the love of God.
14. God loves those who forgive.
15. God is with those who patiently persevere.
16. Help your neighbor.
WHAT THE QUR’AN SAYS ABOUT JESUS*
"And when Jesus, son of Mary, said, 'O Children of Israel, lo! I am the messenger of God unto you, confirming that which was revealed before me and in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is "Praised One".' Yet, when he has come unto them with clear proof, they say 'This is mere magic!'" (61:6)
"And they say, 'God had taken unto Himself a son.' Be He glorified! Nay, but whatsoever is in the Heavens and whatsoever is in the earth is His. All are subservient to Him." (2:116)
She [Mary] said (to the angel), 'My lord! How can I have a son when no mortal has touched me?' He said, 'So it will be. God createth what He wills. If he decreeth a thing, He only says unto it, "Be," and it Is.' (3:47)
"Lo! The likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him out of dust, then He said unto him, "Be!", and he was." (3:59) "When God says, "O Jesus, son of Mary, remember My favor unto thee and unto thy mother. How I strengthened thee with Holy spirit, so thou speakest unto mankind in the cradle as in maturity and how I taught thee the scripture and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel." (5:110)
The fundamental difference between Muslim belief and Christian belief is regarding the position of Jesus. While both Muslims and Christians believe in Jesus, the Christians also regard Jesus as “the son of God,” and God in the flesh, which the Muslims do not. Muslims regard Jesus as a chosen prophet of God. This is clearly stated in the Qur’an, and God strongly rebukes the notion of Trinity.
WHAT THE QUR’AN SAYS ABOUT OTHER PROPHETS*
"Say: we believe in God and that which is revealed unto us, and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered." (2:136)
PROPHET ABRAHAM
Prophet Abraham is referred to as “Muslim” in the Quran, meaning that he submitted to the Will of God. He is referred to as “friend of God” and “upright in faith.” According to the Qur’an, because he believed in One God, Abraham was thrown into a huge fire by his people, who were idol worshippers. Abraham was unwavering in his conviction and God prevented the fire from causing him any harm. In obedience to God’s command Abraham “sacrificed” his son Ishmael. This was a great trial for Abraham, but he was successful. God was pleased with him, and He saved Ishmael from harm. Whenever Prophet Muhammad introduced a new Law or Ritual to the Muslims, they would ask him where it came from. He would answer that it was from the tradition of his forefather, Prophet Abraham.
WHAT THE QUR’AN SAYS ABOUT OTHER RELIGIONS
God says in the Quran: "Lo! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians and Sabeans. Whoever believes in God, the last day, and does right, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come unto them. Neither shall they grieve." (2:62)
THE QUR’AN AND SCIENCE
In the following paragraphs some of the verses from the Qur’an, dealing with various scientific facts, are presented. For the sake of convenience these are grouped under various headings. For a more detailed study, the reader is referred to the book “The Bible, The Quran and Science,” by Dr. Maurice Bucaille.
*For more information read the chapter “Jesus & virgin Mary in the Qur’an.” **Who is a prophet of God? For details please refer to the section on explanatory notes About the creation of the heavens and the earth "Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then we clove them asunder and We got every living thing out of the water? Will they not then believe?" (21:30) The above verse might be a reference to the origin of the universe with an explosion. The modern Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe also postulates an explosion.
"Moreover (God) turned to the heaven when it was smoke and said to it and to the earth: Come willing or unwilling; they said: We come in willing obedience."
(41:11)
The word "smoke" here refers to the gaseous material with particles suspended in it. This corresponds to the concept of the "Primary Nebula" put forward by modern science, which consisted of hydrogen and helium. "Your Lord is God who created the Heavens and the Earth in six days (periods)...In a day whereof the measure is as a thousand years of your reckoning." (32:5)
The creation of the Heavens and the Earth should not be taken in a literal sense. As explained in the Quran, what we call a day by our earthly yardstick is not the same as a day by the heavenly yardstick. This is consistent with modern scientific knowledge, which estimates the age of the Earth and sun in millions of years.
"Did you see how God created seven Heavens one above another and made the moon a light therein and made the sun a lamp". (71:15-16) It is well known to modern science that in the universe there is a plurality of galaxies, with many galaxies and many suns larger than ours.
Astronomy in the Quran
"God is the one who created the night, the day, the sun, and the moon. Each one is traveling in an orbit with its own motion." (21:33) Modern scientific knowledge has shown that our galaxy revolves on its own axis. The sun is located eccentrically and thus revolves in an orbit around the center of the galaxy. This was not known to man 1400 years ago. The concept of motion of the heavenly bodies with an orbit of their own belongs to modern science. Earlier scientists regarded the sun as a stationary object.
"Has thou not seen how God merges the night into the day and merges the day into the night?" (21:29) "He coils the day upon the night and coils the night upon the day." (39:5)
Astronauts have described the appearance of the Earth from space. The sun lights up half of the earth facing it and the other half is dark. As the earth rotates on its axis, the darker areas come to light, and the light areas merge into darkness. This is easy to understand at the present time. However, 1400 years ago this knowledge did not exist. In those days the earth was mistakenly thought to be flat and at the center of the universe. Modern scientific data are in full agreement with the Qur’anic description.
"God subjected the sun and the moon, each one runs its course to an appointed term." (33:2) Modern science has estimated the age of the sun and has also estimated when it will run out of hydrogen and will cool off. Modern astronomy has discovered that the solar system is moving towards a point in the constellation of Hercules, named the Solar Apex.
About the expansion of the universe
"The heaven, we have built it with power. Verily, we are expanding it." (51:47) The gradual expansion of the universe is one of the most important discoveries of modern times.
About the conquest of space
"O Assembly of Jinn (spirits) and men, if you can penetrate regions of the heavens and the earth, then penetrate them! You will not penetrate them save with a power." (55:33) This refers to man's entry into space and the exploration of the depths of the Earth.
About the water cycle
"We sent down water from the sky in measure, and lodged it in the ground. And we certainly are able to withdraw it. Therewith for you, we gave rise to gardens of palm trees and vineyards." (23:18-19) "Has thou not seen that God sent water down from the sky and let it through sources into the ground? Then He caused sown fields of different colors to grow." (39:21)
The water cycle as we know it today was described 500 years ago. Before that, many people believed that water from the ocean was thrust into soil which formed springs and underground reservoirs. It was also thought that moisture in soil condensed to form water. The Quran gave the correct view in an authoritative way 1400 years go.
About the mountains
"We have placed in the ground (mountains) standing firm, so that it does not shake with them." (21:31)
"Have We not made the earth an expanse and the mountains stakes?" (78:6-7)
According to modern theories, mountains played a key role in the formation and stability of landmass. They also contribute to the stability of the earth’s crust, which is relatively very thin. Beneath the crust are molten rocks at very high temperatures. Qur’anic description and modern scientific discoveries are in agreement.
About the effects of high altitude
"Those who God wills to guide, He opens their breasts to Islam. Those who He wills lose their way, He makes their breasts narrow and constricted, as if they were climbing the sky." (6:125)
This refers to breathlessness or "air hunger" due to the decreased quantity of oxygen available at high altitude. This is an accurate yet surprising statement, because high mountain climbing, air travel, etc. were not available at that time.
About the origin of life on earth
"God created every animal from water." (24:45) "And We got every living thing out of water. Will they then not believe?" (21:30) Modern scientific data indicate that life is of aquatic origin and water is the major component of the living cell. Mankind did not know this in Muhammad's time. About the Vegetable kingdom.
About the balance in the vegetable kingdom:
"The earth...We caused all kinds of things to grow therein in due balance." (15:19) Reproduction in the vegetable kingdom... "God is the One who sent water down from the sky and thereby, We brought forth pairs of plants each separate from the other." (20:53) "Glory be to Him who created components of couples of every kind: of what the ground caused to grow, of themselves (human beings) and of what you do not know". (26:36)
The last two verses above clearly indicate the two sexes, not only in the vegetable kingdom but in other creatures not known to man at the time of Muhammad, but discovered later on.
About the Animal kingdom
"God fashioned the two of a pair, the male and a female, from a small quantity of liquid, when it is poured out." (53:45-46) In the above verses the reproduction of the animal kingdom is stated in a general but precise way. The word used in Arabic signifies sperm.
Animal Communities
"There is no animal on earth, no bird, which flies on wings that (does not belong to) communities like you. We have not neglected anything in the Book (of decrees.) Then to their Lord they shall be gathered." (6:38) The existence of true communities amongst animals, insects, etc., has been established only in the last few decades.
About formation of milk
"Verily in your cattle, there is a lesson for you! We give you a pure milk to drink, excellent for its drinkers; (it comes) from what, inside their bodies, is between digested food and blood." (16:66) The above verse describes in general but accurate terms the formation of milk from the product of digested food, which mixes with blood and is carried to the mammary glands that secrete it. Man did not know this at the time of prophet Muhammad. In fact, the discovery of the circulation of blood was made some ten centuries after the verse was revealed.
About human reproduction
Quran has made many references to various facts about human reproduction in precise and accurate terms. Professor Keith Moore, who has written a well-known book on embryology (study of human reproduction), has verified the accuracy of the Qur’anic statements. Scientific knowledge about human reproduction was incomplete until recent times. Use of the microscope was indispensable for the study of development of a fetus in the mother's womb. The sperm and the ovum (egg) are so small; they are invisible to the naked eye. The microscope was invented in the 17th century AD "He makes you in the womb of your mother in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness." (39:8)
The three veils of darkness or layers have been identified by biologists as (1) Abdominal wall, (2) Uterine wall, and (3) Amniochorionic membrane (a sac filled with fluid in which the fetus floats). "Man We did create from a quintessence of clay, and then We placed as a drop of sperm, in a place of rest, firmly fixed. Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a leech-like lump. Then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature. So blessed be God, the best to create." (40:13-14)
"Then out of a morsel (chewed up) of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed." (22:5) According to Professor Keith Moore, the above is a surprisingly accurate description of human development in the uterus. The word "chewed up flesh" and "leech-like clot," precisely describe the appearance and characteristics of the developing embryo and of conception. "And He made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised." (32:8)
"Verily We created man from a drop of mingled sperm in order to try him, So, We give him (the gifts of) hearing and sight." (76:2) The word 'despised' refers to the fact that semen comes out through the same route as does the urine. “Mingled fluid” refers to the various secretions that semen is made up of. Also, semen mixes with fluids in the female genital tract.
"That He did create in pairs, male and female, from a seed when lodged in its place." (53:45) The above verse refers to the fact that sex is determined at the time of fertilization. This discovery was made only sixty years ago, when sex chromosomes were discovered. Thus it is clear that the information in the Quran about human reproduction is of divine origin, and was beyond the knowledge of a human being at the time it was revealed. (The translation of Qur’anic verses given above is by Doctor Maurice Bucaille.)
SCHISMS IN ISLAM
Since its inception 1400 years ago, several major schools have evolved among the followers over decades and hundreds of years. The majority of Muslims belong to the school called “Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaat” (Sunni School). Shi’ite Muslims (also known as Jafri Muslims) constitute the largest minority.
The Sunni Muslims follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad as interpreted by the four Imams: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, Imam Malik, and Imam Shafi. The Shi’ite Muslims follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad as interpreted by Imam Ali and the Imams from his family.
The differences among Muslims occurred after the death of Prophet Muhammad, in regard to his succession and were in part of a political nature. Tribal loyalties also played a part. Many Muslims at that time did not want the successorship of the Prophet to stay in his family. They preferred an older person in preference to the young man, Ali. The Sunni Muslims believe that the succession to Prophet Muhammad was left up to the people to decide, whereas the Shi’ite Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad had designated his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as his successor. Since then, rulers and religious leaders have exploited these differences in order to achieve their selfish and material objectives.
It must be emphasized that the fundamentals of the faith are common to all Muslims. All Muslims believe in One God. All Muslims follow one book, the Qur’an. All Muslims believe in Prophet Muhammad and strive to emulate him. All Muslims agree upon the basic tenets of Islam.
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM
Islam has been largely misunderstood in the west. The reasons can be traced back to the era of the Crusades. Ignorance, fear, suspicion, etc. prevented the followers of other major faiths from an objective and impartial study of the religion. The result was that numerous misconceptions, false stories, and biased accounts about Islam came to be accepted as “true” even by Christian scholars and historians. Some of the misconceptions are listed below:
Misconception #1 - Allah is “God of the Muslims" Many Christians believe that Allah is different from the God of Jesus. The fact is that “Allah” in Arabic simply means The God, as does “Yahweh” in Hebrew, “Dieu” in French, and “Gott” in German. He is the same one God, the Omnipotent and the Omnipresent Deity, the Creator, Sustainer, and Cherisher of the universe.
Misconception #2 - "Muslims worship Muhammad"
It is a common misunderstanding that "Muhammad was divine and that Muslims worship Muhammad," similar to some Christians who worship Jesus. The truth is that Muhammad (peace is upon him) is no more than a messenger of God. He died like any other mortal. Muslims do not believe that Jesus was divine (God or part of God). Muslims regard Jesus as a blessed and chosen Prophet of God.
Misconception #3 - "Women are given an inferior status in Islam" Nothing can be farther from the truth. The status of women in Islam is the most misunderstood aspect of the religion. According to the Qur’an as well as the sayings of the prophet Muhammad, women enjoy an honorable status.
Islam gives women separate legal rights as individuals. Fourteen hundred years ago at the very inception of the Islamic faith, by divine decree, women were given the right to divorce, the right to own property in their own name and separate from the husband, the right of inheritance, the right to make a will, and many other rights. These rights were not available to women in the western societies until the 19th century. The Qur’an says: "Men shall have the benefit of what they achieve and acquire, and women shall have the benefit of that which they similarly achieve and acquire." (4:32)
A saying of the holy prophet Muhammad is recorded as follows: "If a daughter is born to a person and he brings her up, giving her good education and training in various arts of life, I shall myself stand between him and hellfire." According to another saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&p): "Paradise lies under the feet of the mother." God says in the Quran about women:
"They (women) have rights similar to those against them…” (i.e., men) Misconception #4 - "Polygamy is conducive to loose moral behavior" Islam permits a man to have more than one wife under certain circumstances, but it does not encourage this practice. In fact polygamy is discouraged.
The Quran says this about polygamy:
"And if you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two, three, and four, but if you may not do justice to them, then marry only one." (4:3) Islam permits polygamy as an alternative to situations which may force a husband to immoral acts. A husband may be forced to seek a second wife in the following situations:
A. Inability of the wife to bear children and the couple choose not to seek divorce.
B. Prolonged debilitating illness of the wife, where she is unable to provide sexual satisfaction to her husband, or carry on her responsibilities in relation to the family.
C. Prolonged physical separation due to war, travel, etc.
Polygamy was practiced by all the prophets of the old and their followers, such as Abraham, David, Solomon, and others. In the early days of Islam, as a result of successive wars of defense, there was a great shortage of men and an over supply of women. Polygamy was the only honorable way to provide the women, particularly the widows and orphans, with food, shelter, and protection. Thus, many moral and social ills were avoided. Misconception #5 - "Islam was spread with the sword" In the past, Muslim kings, or more appropriately, kings who were Muslims, conquered many lands; but a distinction has to be made between lands conquered by these kings and imposition of Islam on its people. Islam does not believe in force, coercion, or lure of material benefits to spreads the faith. Muslims believe that God alone can put faith into the heart of a person.
"No soul can believe, except by the will of God..." (10:100) “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” (2:256)
There are several examples of the tolerance of Muslims towards other religions. Muslims ruled over Spain for many hundreds of years. The Christians and the Jews there were free to practice their own religion in their places of worship. In fact Christians and Jews are regarded as privileged people and are mentioned with respect in the Qur’an as "People of the Book".
Indonesia ranks as number one in the world for its Muslim population. However, it was never invaded or conquered by any Muslim king or ruler. Other countries like Malaysia have a Muslim majority. There, Islam was spread when the local population came in contact with Muslim traders and merchants from overseas. In India, Islam was introduced and spread by Sufi Muslims who came from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, etc. India has over one hundred million Muslims.
Today, Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and elsewhere despite adverse publicity, media bias, and negative stereotyping. The rich and the poor, intellectuals and commoners alike, continue to enter into the fold of Islam. The Muslim converts encounter rejection, resistance, alienation, and in some cases hostility from their families, friends, and employers. But it does not deter them in pursuing their newly acquired faith.
Misconception #6. “Islam condones terrorism”
Islam prohibits terrorism, unlawful acquisition of property of others, and causing harm to innocent human beings. Islam rejects all forms of violence. The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001 was condemned by Muslims around the world. In fact, those who perished included many Muslims. Terrorists have no religion. They kill indiscriminately. They use the name of religion to justify their atrocities, and thus bring a bad name to the religion.
The Quran says:
“Any one who has saved one life, (it is as if he) has saved the whole mankind, and any one who has killed a human being, except in case of murderer or mischief on earth, (it is as if he) has killed the whole mankind.” (5:32) Misconception #7. “Islam rewards suicide with paradise.” This misconception is held, unfortunately, by a very small Muslim minority. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of Muslims reject this distorted and extreme view. Taking one’s own life is no different than taking someone else’s life. It is a major sin which invokes extreme displeasure and wrath of God.
Misconception #8. “Hijab (the head scarf and the outer covering) is degrading to women.” In fact, it is a sign of dignity and respect for women. It signifies that the worth and value of a woman is not in her looks and her physical form. It protects Muslim women from being molested by men. It safeguards the woman from being reduced to mere “sex objects.” Islam prohibits women from all acts of lewdness including public display of their beauty in any form or manner.
Islam similarly requires men to practice modesty in their behavior, to cover their private parts, and not to look at women with lust. In conclusion, Islam upholds the moral and ethical teachings similar to the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity and Judaism. In fact, the teachings of the Qur’an as practiced by Prophet Muhammad require a higher code of moral and ethical conduct. If Muslims fall short, they are to be blamed, not the religion itself.
JESUS AND VIRGIN MARY IN THE QUR’AN
The Qur’an is a source of knowledge about the Prophet Jesus and his mother Virgin Mary, peace be upon them, that is not generally known to those who follow the Christian faith. The Qur’an not only leads us to a better understanding of who he was, but also it increases our respect and love for him. The Qur’an was revealed 600 years after Jesus’ birth. It provides a great perspective – which no other source can provide – on his role as a Prophet and his teachings, in the Unitarian tradition.
The Qur’an does not cover in great detail the life of Jesus, with regard to historical events. The miracles and powers which he was given are mentioned, but mostly in general terms. Similarly, the Book he was given by God, known as the Injeel (Evangel), is mentioned in the Qur’an. However, the Qur’an is quite specific as to his purpose and mission, how he appeared on Earth, how his mission ended, who he was, and equally important, who he was not.
Qur’an says this about Jesus in Chapter two:
And truly We gave to Moses the Books and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave to Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs and We supported him with the Holy Spirit. (2:87) (The holy spirit here refers to the Angel Gabriel). The following verse refers to the line of messengers to which Jesus belonged.
And We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided. And Noah did We guide in an earlier time, and from his seed David, and Solomon, and Job, and Joseph, and Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good. And Zachariah, and John, and Jesus, and Elias; each one was of the righteous. And Ishmael, and Elisha, and Jonah, and Lot; each one of them did We prefer above the creation. (6:84-86) The Qur’an states that the list of messengers it gives is not comprehensive, for there are:
“…messengers We have mentioned to you before and messengers We have not mentioned to you…” (4:164) In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&p) said that Jesus was one of 124,000 Prophets, and there was no conflict or disagreement among them. In one passage of the Qur’an, God reveals:
Say: We believe in God and what is revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what was entrusted to Moses and Jesus and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. (3:84) All the Prophets were well aware that they were sent by God for the same purpose and with the same message:
And when We exacted a covenant from the Prophets, and from you (Muhammad), and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, son of Mary. We took from them a solemn covenant; that He may ask the loyal of their loyalty. And He has prepared a painful doom for the unfaithful. (33:7-8) “…messengers We have mentioned to you before and messengers We have not mentioned to you…” (4:164)
And when We exacted a covenant from the Prophets, and from you (Muhammad), and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, son of Mary. We took from them a solemn covenant; that He may ask the loyal of their loyalty. And He has prepared a painful doom for the unfaithful. (33:7-8) He has ordained for you that religion which He commanded to Noah, and that which We inspired in you (Muhammad), and that which We commanded to Abraham and Moses and Jesus, saying: Establish the religion and do not be divided in it! (42:13)
Thus, the picture of Jesus in the Qur’an is that of a messenger who, like all the other messengers, was sent for his time and age, as a part of the ordered unfolding of the universe:
And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming what was before him, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and light, confirming that which was before it in the Torah – a guidance and a warning to those who are careful. (5:46) Jesus had knowledge of the past and the future:
Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! See, I am the messenger of God to you, confirming what was before me in the Torah, and bringing good news of a messenger who will come after me, whose name is Ahmad (the Praised One)…. (61:6) About Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, the Qur’an says:
Remember when the wife of Imran said: My Lord! I have vowed to You what is within my womb, so accept it from me. See, You and You alone are the Hearer, and the Knower! And when she delivered, she said: My Lord! See, I am delivered of a female – and God knew best of what she was delivered – and the male is not like the female. And see! I have named her Mary, and I crave Your protection for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast. And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and accorded her a goodly growth, and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found her with food. He said: O Mary! Where does this come from? She answered: It is from God. God gives without stint to whom He will.
Then Zachariah prayed to his Lord and said: My Lord! Bestow on me, of Your bounty, goodly offspring. See, You are the Hearer of Prayer! And the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: God gives you good news of (a son) John, who comes to confirm a word from God, godly, chaste, and a Prophet of the righteous. He said: My Lord! How can I have a son when age has overtaken me already and my wife is barren? The angel answered: It is so. God does what He will. He said: My Lord! Appoint a token for me. Said (the angel):
The token to you shall be that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except by signs. Remember your Lord much and give praise in early hours of night and morning.” 3: 35-41 (John the Baptist is referred to as “Yahya” in the Qur’an. He was the Prophet who directly preceded Jesus and heralded his coming). The event of the birth of Jesus is given here:
And when the angels said: O Mary! See, God has chosen you and purified you, and preferred you above the women of creation. O Mary! Be obedient to your Lord, prostrate yourself and bow with those who bow (in worship). This is of the news of things hidden. We reveal it to you (Muhammad).
You were not present with them when they cast their lots, to decide which of them should be the guardian of Mary, nor were you present with them when they disputed it. And when the angels said: O Mary! God gives you good news of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, exalted in the world and the hereafter, and one of those brought near (to God). He will speak to mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous. She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no man has touched me?
He said: It is so. God creates what He will. If He decrees a thing, He says to it only: Be! And it is. And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel. And He will make him a messenger to the Children of Israel, saying: I come to you with a sign from your Lord. See! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by God’s will. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by God’s will.
And I announce to you what you eat and what you store up in your houses. Here truly is a sign for you, if you are believers. And I confirm what was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of what was forbidden to you. I come to you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to God and obey me. God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path. But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of God? The disciples said: We will be God’s helpers. We believe in God, and bear you witness that we have submitted. Our Lord! We believe in what You have revealed and we follow him whom You have sent. Enroll us among those who bear witness. (3:42-53) An account of the birth of Jesus in the Chapter titled Maryam (Mary):
And make mention of Mary in the Book, when she withdrew from her people to a chamber looking East, and secluded herself from them. Then We sent to her Our spirit* and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. She said: I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from you, if you are God-fearing. He said: I am only a messenger from your Lord that I may bestow upon you a sinless son. She said: How can I have a son when no man has touched me, and I have not been unchaste? He said: It is so. Your Lord says: It is easy for Me.
And We will make of him a sign for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far off place. And the pangs of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: O! Would that I had become a thing passed into nothingness, forgotten! Then (a voice) cried to her from below, saying: Grieve not! Your Lord has placed a stream beneath you. And shake the trunk of the palm tree toward you.
You will cause ripe dates to fall upon you. So eat and drink and be comforted. And if you meet any person, say: I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any person. Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! This is an astonishing thing you have brought. O sister of Aaron! Your father was not a wicked man, nor your mother a harlot. Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we speak to one in the cradle, who is an infant boy? He spoke: See! I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and has appointed me a Prophet,
and has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has commanded me to prayer and charity for so long as I live. And has made me dutiful toward her who bore me, and has not made me arrogant and unblessed. Peace be on me the day I was born, and the day that I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! Such was Jesus, son of Mary: a statement of the truth about which they doubt. It does not befit God that He should take to Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a thing, He says to it only: Be! And it is. And see, God is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him. That is the right path. (19:16-36)
(“Our spirit” here again refers to the Angel Gabriel)
Jesus’ disciples are mentioned in the Qur’an as follows:
“O you who believe! Be God’s helpers, even as Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples: Who are my helpers for God? They said: We are God’s helpers. And a party of the Children of Israel believed, while a party disbelieved….” (61:14) Qur’anic description of “The Last Supper.”
And when I inspired the disciples: Believe in Me and My messenger, they said: We believe. Bear witness that we have submitted. When the disciples said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Is your Lord able to send down for us a table spread with food from heaven? He said: Observe your duty to God, if you are true believers. (They) said: We wish to eat from it, that we may satisfy our hearts and know that you have spoken the truth to us, and that we may be witnesses to this. Jesus, son of Mary, said: O God, our Lord, send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast for us, for the first of us and the last of us, and a sign from You. Give us sustenance, for You are the Best of Sustainers. God said: See! I send it down. And whoever disbelieves in you afterwards, him I shall surely punish with a punishment with which I have not punished any of (My) creation. (5:111-115)
Jesus, a servant of God:
And when the son of Mary is quoted as an example, behold! The folk laugh out loud, and say: Are our gods better, or is he? They raise not the objection but for argument’s sake. No! But they are a contentious people. He is nothing but a servant on whom we bestowed favor, and we made him a pattern for the Children of Israel. (43:57-59)
“…and we caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But they invented monasticism – which We did not ordain for them – seeking only God’s pleasure, but they did not observe it with correct observance. So We gave those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are evil-doers.” (57:27) Jesus brought a simple message:
When Jesus came with clear proofs, he said: I have come to you with wisdom, and to make plain some of that about which you differ. So keep your duty to God, and obey me. God, he is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is the right path. (43:63-64) Jesus’ miracles mentioned in the Qur’an:
When God says: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favor to you and to your mother; how I strengthened you with the holy spirit*, so that you spoke to mankind in the cradle as in maturity; and how I taught you the Scripture and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and how you shaped from clay the likeness of a bird by My permission, and blew upon it and it was a bird by My permission, and you healed him who was born blind and the leper by My permission; and how I restrained the Children of Israel from you when you came to them with clear proofs, and those of them who disbelieved exclaimed: This is nothing but mere magic! (5:110)
The Qur’an explicitly refutes that Jesus was the “begotten son of God”:
They say: God has taken a son. Glory be to Him! He has no needs! His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. You have no basis for this. Do you speak concerning God that which you do not know? (10:68)
When God said: O Jesus! See, I am gathering you and causing you to ascend to Me, and am cleansing you of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow you above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me you will all return, and I shall judge between you as to that in which you used to differ. As for those who disbelieve, I shall chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world and the hereafter; and they will have no helpers. And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. God loves not the wrong-doers. This We recite to you is a revelation and a wise reminder. The likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then He said to him: Be! And he was. (3:55-59)
And they say: The Beneficent has taken unto Himself a son. Certainly you utter a disastrous thing, whereby almost the heavens are torn, and the earth is split open and the mountains fall in ruins, that you ascribe to the Beneficent a son! When it is not fitting for the Beneficent that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and the earth but that he comes to the Beneficent as a servant. (19:88-93) And they say: God has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him! No! But whatever is in the heavens and earth is His. All are subservient to Him, the Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a thing, He says to it only: Be! And it is. (2:116-117)
The Qur’an further rejects that Jesus was “divine” or “God incarnate”:
They indeed have disbelieved who say: God is the Messiah, son of Mary. Say: Who then can do anything against God, if He willed to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother, and everyone on the earth? To God is the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He creates what He will. And God is able to do all things. (5:17)
The scenario on the Day of Judgment regarding Jesus’ teachings is foretold:
And when God says: O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say to mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods besides God? He says: Glory be to You! It was not mine to utter that which I had no right to do. If I used to say it, then You would have known. You know what is in my mind, and I know not what is in yours.
You and You alone are the Knower of all things hidden. I spoke to them only what You commanded me: Worship God, my Lord and your Lord. I was a witness of them while I lived among them, and when you took me You were the Watcher over them. You are the Witness over all things. If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them (as well). You and You alone are the Mighty, the Wise. (5:116-118)
They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! God is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah said: O Children of Israel, worship God, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! Whoever ascribes partners to God, for him God has forbidden the Garden. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers. (5:72) The Qur’an refutes and rejects the concept of “Trinity”:
O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion, nor utter anything concerning God except the truth. The Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, was only a messenger of God, and His word which he conveyed to Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers, and do not say “three” – cease! It is best for you! God is only one God. It is far removed from His Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And God is sufficient as a Defender. The Messiah would never scoff at being a servant of God, nor would the favored angels. Whoever scoffs at His service and is proud, He will assemble all such of them to Himself; then as for those who believed and did good works, to them He will pay their wages in full, adding to that out of His bounty; and as for those who were scornful and proud, them He will punish with a painful doom; and they will not find for themselves any protector or helper against God. (4:171-173)
They surely disbelieve who say: God is the third of three; when there is no god save the One God. If they desist not from saying it, a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve. Will they not rather turn to God and seek forgiveness of Him? For God is Forgiving, Merciful. The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; messengers had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. But they both used to eat food. See how We make the revelation clear for the people, and see how they are turned away! (5:73-75)
The Qur’an rejects the doctrine of the crucifixion of Jesus, but affirms his ascension to God:
“And because of their saying: We killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, God’s messenger – they did not kill him or crucify him, but so it was made to appear to them; and look! Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt about it; they have no knowledge of it except pursuit of a conjecture; they did not kill him surely; but God took him up to Himself. God was ever Mighty, Wise”. (4:157-158) The above is a partial listing of verses in the Qur’an about Prophet Jesus, son of Virgin Mary. For a complete review please refer to an approved translation of the Qur’an.
CONCEPT OF GOD IN ISLAM:
The concept of God is unique in Islam. It not shared by any other religion. He is one, indivisible, and unlike any other being in existence. He is uncreated, whereas everything else is His creation. He has no beginning and no end. He was not begotten, with no father, no mother, no son, and no consort. He is sublime and non-physical. He has no helpers and no associates. He is omnipotent and omnipresent. He is free of the limitations of time and space, because He created time and space, whereas all creation is subject to the limitations of time and space. His knowledge is total and comprehensive, i.e. he has knowledge of past, present, future, manifest, and hidden. He is aware of human intention, thoughts, and motives. He is fully aware of the innermost thought in the hearts of His subjects. He is kind, compassionate, forgiving, relenting, generous and benevolent. God says in the Qur’an that when He intends a thing, He says to it “Be” and it “Is.”
THE BEAUTIFUL ATTRIBUTES OF GOD:
The Qur’an has ninety-nine beautiful attributes (names) of God which shed some light on some of His qualities. These are listed below:
O’ Allah
O’ Gracious
O’ Merciful
O’ Sovereign Lord
O’ Holy; O’ Peace;
O’ Guardian of Faith;
O’ Protector;
O’ Strong; O’ Compelling;
O’ Majestic;
O’ Creator; O’ Evolver; O’ Sculptor
O’ Forgiving; O’Dominant;
O’ Bestower; O’Provider;
O’Opener;
O’All knowing
O’Absolute Possessor; O’ Grantor in Abundance;
O’ Abaser;
O’ Exalter; O’ Bestower of Honor;
O’ Who Dishonors;
O’ All Hearing; O’ Seeing;
O’ Judge; O’ Equitable; O’ Subtle;
O’ All Knowing; O’ Clement;
O’ Most high;
O’ Forgiving; O’ Appreciator;
O’ Exalted; O’ Very great;
O’ Preserver; O’ Maintainer
O’ Reckoner; O’ Glorious; O’ Generous;
O’ Finder; O’ Honorable;
O’ Who Allocates;
O’ Originator; O’ Restorer;
O’ Giver of Life; O’ Giver of Death;
O’ Protecting Friend; O’ Praiseworthy;
O’ Wise; O’ Loving;
O’ Witness; O’ Truth;
Guardian; O’ Mighty; O’ Firm;
O’ Watchful; O’ Responsive;
O’ All Embracing;
O’ Glorious; O' Resurrector
O’ Alive; O’ Self-subsisting;
The Lord of Majesty and Bounty;
O’ Equitable; O’ Gatherer;
O’ Wise; O’ Loving;
O’ Glorious; O' Resurrector
O’ One & Unique;
O’ Eternal & Free of Needs;
O’ Most Able; O’ Powerful;
O’ Expediter; O’ Delayer;
O’ First; O’ last;
O’ Manifest; O’ Hidden;
O’Governer; O’ Above Reproach;
O’ Source of all good;
O’ Relenting; O’Avenger;
O’ Pardoner; O’ Indulgent;
The Owner of Sovereign Kingdom;
O’ Self-Sufficient; O’Enricher;
O’ Withholder; O’ Favorably Inclined;
O’ Who causes Distress
O’ Light Divine;
O’ Guide; O’ Unique;
O’ Everlasting;
Through the recitation of, and reflection upon, these names, one hopes to get in tune with the Creator.
EXPLANATORY NOTES
The word “Allah..” It is Al + ilaha, which means “The God.” This is the proper name of God Almighty, the one and the only, the creator of the universe. This is the name God gave to Himself. This is the name used in the Qur’an. This name has no gender and no plural and it is unique and belongs to Him only. Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews also use the name Allah for God.
What are the qualifications of a Prophet of God? A prophet according to Islamic belief is a human being divinely commissioned to bring God’s message to the people. A prophet receives inspiration either directly from God or through an agency of an angel. A prophet is chosen, educated, trained, and guided by God Himself. He possesses the highest morals and integrity. He is unsurpassed in knowledge (about God’s will). He is totally selfless and humble. A prophet is free of sins, weaknesses, and blemishes of character to which an ordinary human being succumbs. This is necessary for a prophet as a teacher and a guide. He accurately conveys God’s will and message to the people in word, in spirit, and in action. The Qur’an does not ascribe the blemishes, faults, and sinful acts to the prophets of God that are found in the Biblical narratives.
Genealogy of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&p)
Prophet Muhammad’s lineage is traced to Prophet Abraham Peace be upon him. Muhammad belonged to the tribe of Quresh. Quresh came from the tribe of Kedar. Kedar descended from Prophet Ishmael, who was the older son of Prophet Abraham peace be upon them all. According to the Bible, Ishmael was blessed by God, and God made a promise to Abraham that He would make Ishmael a nation. “I will make him a great nation.” Genesis 17:20, 21. & 21:18.
According to the Muslim belief, the advent of Prophet Muhammad was in fulfillment of God’s promise to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon them). "The Prophet like unto Moses."
Who was the prophet “like unto Moses” that the Bible refers to in the verse below? “I will raise a prophet like unto thee for them from their own brothers; I will put my words into his mouth and he shall tell them all I command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18
The name of the prophet is not mentioned here but Prophet Muhammad in many ways was “like” Moses. Here are a few common things that Moses and Muhammad shared (peace be upon them): Both were given a code of Law, both overcame their enemies, both migrated to another land, both established themselves as prophets and political statesmen, both commanded authority and respect from their people. On a more personal level, both were born a natural birth, having a father and a mother. Both married and raised children, and both died a natural death.
In all the above-mentioned respects, Jesus was “unlike” Moses. Jesus did not bring a new code of Law. He was rejected by his people and was overcome by his enemies. He did not establish a State and did not wield political authority like Moses did.
On a personal level, he was born by a miracle, not having a father, and his mother was a virgin. He did not marry and did not have children. He did not die a natural death. According to the Bible he was crucified, and ascended unto his Lord.
"The awaited Prophet." Who was the awaited prophet mentioned in the Bible, Deuteronomy 18:18?
The Jews sent priests to John the Baptist to ask who he was. They asked “was he that Prophet?” He answered: “I am not.” John the Baptist said: “He that cometh after me is mightier” Matthew 11:11
Jesus said: “I shall ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate (comforter, protector) to be with you forever, … John 14:16 Jesus was a contemporary of John the Baptist. Thus, chronologically he is not likely the one referred to in the verses above. Besides, the Christians generally do not regard Jesus to be a “Prophet” of God.
Historically Prophet Muhammad is the only prophet of God who came after Jesus, and who fits into the profile of: “like unto Moses” and who spoke words of God’s as were revealed to him by Angel Gabriel. Prophet Muhammad’s name was also “Ahmed” meaning "the praised one.”
The Qur’an asserts that Prophet Muhammad is mentioned in the older scriptures.
