THE FINAL RETURN
Every man knows with certainty that death is inevitable. But what is his fate after death? Will he be happy or miserable?
Many people and nations of the world believe that they will be resurrected after death and called to account for all their deeds; that they will earn good reward if they do good and punishment if they do evil. This issue – the Resurrection and accountability – are confirmed by sound reason and supported by Divine Laws. It is based on three fundamentals:
1. Confirmation of the perfect knowledge of the Lord, may He be glorified.
2. Confirmation of His perfect Omnipotence.
3. Confirmation of His perfect Wisdom.
There are many textual and logical evidences on the confirmation of the final return some of which are:
1. Drawing evidence on the resurrection of the dead through the creation of the heavens and the earth. Allaah says,
“Do they not see that Allaah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead? Yes, He is surely Able to do all things.”
He also says,
“Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth, is Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed. He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator.”
2. Drawing evidence of Allaah’s ability to reproduce the creation once more from His ability to originate the creation without any previous example. So, He, Who is able to bring a thing into existence should be able to reproduce it with greater reason. Allaah the Exalted says,
“And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it (after it has been perished); and this is easier for Him. His is the Sublime Similitude.”
He also says,
“And he (man) puts forth for Us a parable, and has forgotten the facts of his own creation. He says: Who will give life to these bones after they are rotten and have become dust. Say (O Muhammad): He will give life to them Who created them at the first! And He is the All-Knower of every creation.”
3. He created man in the best shape and in this perfect and complete form. He endowed him with limbs, power and characteristics; with flesh, bones, veins and nerves; with outlets, tools, sciences, wishes and industries. There is in all this the greatest evidence of His ability to resurrect the dead.
4. Drawing the proof of His ability to resurrect the dead in the Hereafter, from H is raising up of the dead in this worldly life. Stories have been narrated of this in the Divine Books which Allaah revealed to his Messengers. Examples of this is raising up the dead by the permission of Allaah at the hands of Prophets Ibraaheem and ‘Eesaa, may peace be on them – among many others.
5. Drawing evidence of His ability to resurrect the dead from His ability to bring about things that are similar to the scenes of the Day of Congregation and Resurrection like:
a. Allaah created man from a drop of sperm that was scattered all over the body – that is why all parts of the body enjoy the intercourse – Allaah collects this drop from all parts of the body, then makes it go to the womb and created therewith the man. If all these parts were scattered and He gathered them together and created from them that man, then if they become scattered once again after death, what can prevent Him from bringing them together once more. Allaah says,
“Then tell Me about the semen that you emit. Is it you who create it (i.e., make this semen into a perfect human being)? Or are We the Creator?”
b. When the plant seeds – regardless of their shapes – fall into the fertile land and water and soil overwhelm them; the logical consequence is that they become rotten and decayed; for, any of the water and soil is enough to make the seed rotten and the combination of both will can it so with greater reason. But the fact is that, the seed will not decay but remains preserved. When the humidity increases, the seed breaks open and from it comes out a plant. Does that not point to a perfect power and comprehensive wisdom? Will this All-Wise and All-Able Lord be incapable of collecting parts of man and reconstituting his limbs? Allaah says,
“Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground. Is it you that make it grow, or are We the Grower?”
A similar verse in meaning is Allaah’s saying,
“And you see the earth barren, but when We sent down water (rain) on it, it is stirred (to life) and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth).”
6. The All-Able, All-Knowledgeable and All-Wise Creator is deemed far from producing the creation for fun and leaving them in vain. He says,
“We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the assumption of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islaamic Monotheism) from the Fire.”
Allaah created the creation for great wisdom and lofty purpose. He says,
“And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.”
It is therefore not becoming of this All-Wise Lord to regard as equal those who obey Him and those who disobey. He says,
“Shall We treat those who believe and do righteous good deeds as those who associate partners with Allaah and commit crimes on the earth? Or should We treat the pious ones as the criminals?”
Therefore, it is of His Perfect Wisdom and Great Power to raise up the creation on the Day of Resurrection in order to recompense every human being for his deed; and to reward the good-doer and punish the evil doer. Allaah says,
“To Him is the return of all of you. The promise of Allaah is true. It is He Who produced the creation and then will reproduce it, that He may reward with justice those who believed and did righteous deeds. But those who disbelieved will have a drink of boiling fluids and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.”
Belief in the Last Day – the Day of Resurrection – has great impacts on individuals and the society. Among its impacts are:
1. It makes man endeavour to obey Allaah seeking for reward of that Day and keeps him from disobeying Him out of fear of the punishment of that Day.
2. Belief in the Last Day consoles the believer on the bliss and pleasure of this world that he misses with the pleasure and reward of the Hereafter which he hopes for.
3. It is through the belief in the Last Day that man knows his fate after death and knows that he will get good reward for his deed if it is good, and get punished if it is evil. He knows that he will be made to stand for reckoning; that revenge will be taken on him for those he wronged in this world and the rights of those he wronged or oppressed would be taken back from him.
4. Belief in the Last Day actualises peace and security for mankind especially in this time that there is inadequate security and wars rage with no end – because, belief in Allaah and the Last Day makes man abstain from doing evil to others privately and publicly. That belief even penetrates his heart and makes him dismiss evil intentions -if he has any.
5. Belief in the Last Day deters man from doing injustice to others and violating their rights. If people believe in the Last Day, they will be safe from wronging one another and their rights will be protected.
6. Belief in the Last Day makes man look at this worldly abode as just one of the stages of life and that it is not the real life in itself.
To conclude this section, let us quote the words of “Win Bet” the American Christian who used to work in one of the churches and then embraced Islaam and found the fruit of belief in the Last Day. He says, “I now know answers to the questions that had very much occupied my life. The questions are: Who am I? What do I want? Why did I come to this world? And what is my destination?”
FUNDAMENTALS OF THE MESSENGER’S MISSION
All Prophets and Messengers were unanimous in their call to general fundamentals like belief in Allaah, His angles, His Books, His Messengers; belief in the Last Day and in pre-decree, its good and bad; and like command to worship Allaah alone without ascribing any partner to Him, to follow His path and not to follow dissenting paths; like prohibiting the four kinds of sins: all evil deeds, the apparent and the hidden; sins; unjust oppression; associating partners with Allaah in worship and worshipping idols. They also agreed on deeming Allaah far from having a wife, children, associate or equal as they agreed on prohibition of saying about Him what is not true; on prohibition of infanticide, killing unjustly; eating usury; usurping of orphan’s wealth. They were unanimous on enjoining the fulfilment of covenants and giving full scale and weight, being dutiful to parents; doing justice between people; being truthful in sayings and deeds; prohibition of squandering and arrogance as well as eating up people’s wealth unjustly.
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “All Divine Laws are unanimous in their fundamentals – even if they differ in any other things. The goodness of these laws are firmly rooted in the human intellect and had the laws not come in this form, they would have been unwise, unbeneficial and merciless though it is impossible that they should come in any other form. Allaah says,
“And if the truth would have been in accordance with their desires, verily, the heavens and the earth, and whosoever is therein would have been corrupted.”
How can a wise man deem it permissible that the Law of Allaah Who is the Best of judges should come in a form different from its present form? ”
This is why that all Prophets practiced one religion as confirmed by Allaah when He says,
“O (you) Messengers! Eat of the food that Allaah has made lawful and do righteous deeds. Verily, I am Well-Acquainted with what you do. And verily, this your religion (of Islaamic Monotheism) is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty to Me.”
He also says,
“He (Allaah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islaamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nooh (Noah) and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad) and that which We ordained for Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosaa (Moses) and ‘Eesaa (Jesus), saying: you should establish religion (i.e., to do what it orders you to do practically). And make no divisions in it.”
The purpose of religion is to make mankind attain what they are created for: to worship their Lord alone without associating any partner with Him. He ordained for them rites which they must fulfil and guaranteed for them obligations. He also gave them means that can make them attain that good, so that they can achieve the pleasure of their Lord and happiness in this world and the Hereafter according to a Divine Way that does not tear up man or afflict his person with deadly diseases that can cause a clash between his nature and soul and the world around him.
All Messengers called to the Divine Religion that presents man with creedal foundation in which he should believe, and the law which he should follow in his life. That is why Torah was a creed as well as a law and its followers were required to make it judge between them. Allaah says,
“Verily, We did send down the Tauraat (Torah), therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets who submitted themselves to Allaah’s Will judged for the Jews and the rabbis and the priests.”
Then came the Christ who brought with him the Gospel in which there was guidance and light and in confirmation of the Torah that preceded it. Allaah says,
“And in their footsteps We sent ‘Eesaa (Jesus) son of Mary, confirming the Torah that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel) in which there was guidance and light.”
Then Muhammad came with the final Divine Law and the complete religion as a witness over the laws that had come before it and to abrogate them. Allaah gave him the Qur’aan as a confirmation of the Divine Books that had come before it. Allaah says,
“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’aan) in truth confirming the Scripture that came before it and a watcher over it (old Scriptures). So judge among them by what Allaah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you.”
Allaah also explains that Muhammad and the believers who were with him believe in Him as all Prophets who were before them had done. He says,
“The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allaah, His angels, His Books and His Messengers. They say: We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers. And they say: We hear and obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord and to you is the return.”
THE EVERLASTING MESSAGE
All that has been previously explained of the conditions of Judaism, Christianity, Mazdaism, Zaradashtiyah shows the situation of mankind in the 6th century A.D. when the religion became corrupted and all political, social and economical conditions were also corrupted; at a time when bloody wars became widespread, dictatorship emerged and mankind lived in stark darkness. This situation led to the darkness of the hearts as a result of disbelief and ignorance. Morals became degenerated, honours and rights were violated and mischief became the order of the day in the land and on the sea. The situation was so terrible that if any wise man were to ponder over it, he would have realised that mankind – in that age – were dying and that they were heading for abyss of no return had Allaah not rescued them with a great reformer who was bearing the torch of Prophethood and the light of guidance in order to illuminate the way for mankind and guided them to the Straight Path.
At that time, Allaah permitted that the everlasting light of Prophethood should emanate from Makkah in which there is the Great House. The Makkan environment had been like other human environments in terms of polytheism, ignorance, injustice and autocracy except that it was distinguished from other place with many qualities some of which were:
1. It was a pure environment that had not been affected by the stains of Greek, Roman or India philosophy. Its natives used to enjoy deep-rooted eloquence, lively minds and exceptional dispositions.
2. It is situated in the heart of the world. It is in the middle place between Europe, Asia and Africa, an important factor that makes it easy for the everlasting message to spread quickly and reach these continents in a short period.
3. It is a secured place. Allaah protected it when Abraha (the Abyssinian King) wanted to invade it. The neighbouring Roman and Persian empires also were unable to conquer it. Even its commerce was secured in the north and south. That was a herald for the advent of this Noble Prophet. Allaah has reminded the inhabitants of this city of this great favour when He says,
“Have We not established for them a secured sanctuary (Makkah) to which are brought fruits of all kinds?”
4. It is a desert environment that has preserved many of her good and commendable traits like generosity, good neighbourliness, earnest concern for honour among other qualities that qualified her for being the best suitable place for the clan of Quraysh which was well known for eloquence, oratory and honourable traits and held the positions of honour and leadership. Allaah chose His Prophet Muhammad to make him the last of all Prophets and Messengers. He was born in Makkah in the 6th century A.D. approximately in the year 570. He grew up an orphan, for his father died while he was still in the womb. His mother and paternal grandfather later died while he was six years old. So, his uncle took care of him and he grew up an orphan. Signs of extraordinary brilliance manifested on him; and his habits, manners and traits were different from those of his people. He never lied in his speech and never hurt anyone. He became popular with truthfulness, chastity and sincerity so much so that many of his people would entrust him with their valuable properties and he would keep them as he would preserve his own life and wealth. This made them confer on him the title “Al-Ameen” (the trustworthy).
He was modest and shy and never showed himself naked in front of anyone since he came of age. He was innocent and pious and felt hurt when he saw his people worshipping idols, drinking alcohol and shedding innocent blood. He related with them only in those deeds of theirs which he loved and was pleased with and kept away from them when they indulged in their shameless acts and sins. He would help the orphans and the widows and feed the hungry.
When he was close to forty years of age, he became seriously constrained and inconvenienced by the corruption that was around him and started going for seclusion to worship his Lord and he would ask Him guidance to the Straight Path. While he was on this condition, one of the angels descended upon him with a revelation from his Lord and he commanded him to convey this religion to mankind; to call them to the worship of Allaah alone and to shun the worship of others besides him. Then Revelation of ordainments and rules continued day after day and year after year until Allaah perfected this religion for mankind and completed His favour on them with this perfection. After the Messenger of Allaah had fulfilled his duty, Allaah caused him to die. He lived for sixty-three years; forty before prophethood and twenty-three as a Prophet and Messenger.
Whoever ponders over the conditions of the Prophets and studies their history will know with certainty that there was no way in which the Prophethood of any Prophet was established except that the Prophethood of Muhammad was established in that way the more. If you reflect on how the Prophethood of Moosa and ‘Eesaa was transmitted, you will know that it was transmitted in succession. But the succession in which the Prophethood of Muhammad was transmitted was greater, stronger and more recent. Likewise, the succession in which their miracles are transmitted were similar but that with which the miracles of Muhammad were transmitted is greater, for his miracles are many and the greatest of that is the Glorious Qur’aan which is continued to be transmitted successively in voice and in letter.
Whoever makes a comparison between what Prophets Moosaa and ‘Eesaa brought and what was brought by Prophet Muhammad of sound belief, wise ordainments and useful knowledge, will know with certainty that all of them emanated from a single lamp: the lamp of Prophethood. Whoever compares between the conditions of the followers of the Prophets and followers of Muhammad will know with certainty that the followers of Muhammad were the best of all people and the most of the Prophets’ followers in impact on those who came after them. They have spread the Islaamic Monotheism, propagated justice and were merciful to the weak and destitute.
If you want additional evidences of Muhammad’s Prophethood, I will quote to you the proofs and signs that were found by ‘Alee bin Rabban at-Tabaree when he was a Christian. He later embraced Islaam because of those signs. They are:
1. The Messenger called to the worship of Allaah alone and shunning the worship of others beside Him. In this, he agreed with all other Prophets.
2. He showed clear signs which only Prophets of Allaah can show.
3. He predicted the future events and they came to pass as he had predicted.
4. He predicted the occurrence of many events of the world and its countries and these events came to pass as he had predicted.
5. That the Book brought by Muhammad – the Qur’aan – is a sign of Prophethood for it is the most eloquent Book, sent down unto an illiterate man who could neither read nor write, but yet challenged the orators to produce the like thereof or the like of a Soorah in it; and because of the fact that Allaah guarantees its preservation, preserved the correct belief with it, guaranteed it as the perfect divine ordainment and established with it the best community.
6. That he is the seal of all Prophets and that had he not been sent, prophecies of the past Prophets who gave glad tiding of his advent would have turned false.
7. That all Prophets had prophesied about him before his advent since a long time. They had described his mission, his country and submission of other nations and kings to him and his nation. They also mentioned the spread of his religion.
8. His victory over nations that waged war against him as a sign of his Prophethood; for it would be impossible for a man who falsely claims to be a Messenger of Allaah and yet be strengthened by Allaah with victory, authority, prevalence over enemies, spread of his message and abundance of his followers; for all this cannot happen except in the hand of a truthful Prophet.
9. His religious rites and acts of worship, his decency, truthfulness, commendable character, manners and ordinances. All this cannot be found together except in a Prophet.
After mentioning these proofs, this guided man then said, “These are illuminating traits and sufficient proofs. Whoever is endowed with them must be a Prophet; such a person has hit the target and prospered; and the belief in him is mandatory. Whoever rejects these proofs and denies them has incurred loss in his efforts and lost his worldly life and Hereafter.”
At the end of this section, I will narrate to you two testimonies: that of the former roman King who was a contemporary of Prophet Muhammad and that of our contemporary Christian Evangelist John Saint.
The First Testimony: That of Heraclius:
Al-Bukhaaree reported the story of Abu Sufyaan when the Roman King called him. Abu Sufyaan said that Heraclius sent to him in the company of some Qurayshee riders who went to Syria for commerce, at a time that the Messenger of Allaah was in a truce with Abu Sufyaan and Quraysh pagans. They came to Heraclius while they were at Ilya. Heraclius invited him to his court and with him were great men of Rome. He called them and his interpreter.
He then asked Abu Sufyaan and his company: “Which one of you is closest to this man who claims to be a Prophet?”
Abu Sufyaan said, “I am the closest to him in blood.”
Heraclius then told his retinue, “Bring him close to me and let his companions stand behind him.” He then told his interpreter, “Tell them: I will ask this (Abu Sufyaan) about the man who claims to be a Prophet, so, if he lies to me, you should refute that.”
Abu Sufyaan said, “By Allaah! If not because of the shame of having a lie being recorded against me, I would have lied about him. The first question he asked me about him was: How is his lineage amongst you?” Abu Sufyaan answered, “He is of noble lineage among us.”
He then asked, “Has anybody among you ever uttered this word before him?”
I said, “No.”
He said, “Had anyone among his forefathers been a king?”
I said, “No.”
He said, “Are his followers noble men or weak people?”
I said, “Weak people.”
He said, “Do they increase or decrease?”
I said, “They increase.”
He said, “Did any of them apostatised from his religion in annoyance after having embraced it?”
I said, “No”
He said, “Does he betray?”
I said, “No. But we are now in a truce with him and we do not know what he is going to do.”
Abu Sufyaan added, “This is the only statement I could say against him.”
Heraclius further asked, “Did you go to war with him?”
I said, “Yes!”
He said, “How was your war with him?”
I said, “It was an alternate victory. He won sometimes and we won sometimes.”
He said, “What does he command you to do?”
I said, “He said, ‘Worship God alone and do not associate anything in worship with him and shun what your fathers say.’ He enjoined on us prayer, truthfulness, probity and kindness to the kith and kin.”
Heraclius then told his interpreter, “Tell him:
I asked you of his lineage and you said that he has a noble lineage among you. That is the case with the Messengers. They were sent from the noble lineage among their people.
I asked you: Had anybody among you claimed what he claims and you said, No. And I say: If anyone had said before him what he says now, I would have said that, he was repeating what others have said before him.
I asked you: Had any of his ancestors been a king? And you said, No. If any of his forefathers had been a king, I would have said that he is asking for the Kingdom of his father.
I asked you: Have you ever suspected him of telling lies before he said what he said and you answered, No. I then know that h could not have shunned lying to people and tell lie against God.
I asked you whether those who follow him are noble men or weak people, and you answered that his followers are weak people. Yes, those are the followers of the Messengers.
I asked you if they increase or decrease in number and you said that they increase. That is how faith does until it becomes completed.
I asked you, if any of his followers apostate in annoyance after having embraced his religion and you said, No. Yes, that is how faith does after having penetrated the hearts.
I asked you if he betray and you said, No. That is how Messengers do. They do not betray.
And I asked you about what he commanded you to do and you said that, he enjoined that you worship Allaah alone and associate nothing with Him in worship, that he enjoined on you prayers, truthfulness, chastity; that he forbids you from worshipping idols. If all that you told me is true, he shall control where I am standing now. I know that such a Prophet will emerge but I did not think that he would be from amongst you. Had I known that I would meet him, I would have suffered hardship to meet him. And had I been with him, I would have washed his feet.”
He then called for the letter of the Messenger of Allaah which he sent with Dihya to the ruler of Busra. He presented the letter to Heraclius and he read it. There was in the letter;
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allaah, to Heraclius, the ruler of Rome. Peace be upon him who follows the guidance. I am inviting you with the invitation of Islaam. Accept Islaam, you will be safe and Allaah will give you your reward twice. But if you turn away, you will bear the sins of Yarisin.
“O people of the Scripture! Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah (alone) and that we associate no partner with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.”
The Second Testimony:
That of the contemporary Christian Evangelist John Cent who said, “After continuous reading about Islaam and its principles that serve individuals and society, and its justice in establishing a society based on foundations of equality and monotheism, I found myself embracing Islaam with all my sense an spirit and I pledged to Allaah, may He be glorified – that I would be a propagator of Islaam, and an evangelist to its guidance in all parts of the world.”
This man has arrived at this certainty after having studied Christianity and beecame well-versed in it. He found that it could not provide answers to many questions of human life. So he started doubting it. Later, he studied communism and Buddhism but yet could not find what he wanted there, he finally studied Islaam deeply, then believed in it and called unto it.
THE SEAL OF PROPHETHOOD
It is clear to you from what he has been previously discussed, the reality of Prophethood, its signs and proofs and the signs of Prophethood of Muhammad. Before we start discussing on the seal of Prophethood, you must know that, Allaah does not send a Messenger except for one of these following reasons:
1. That the message of the Prophet is specifically meant for a particular people in which the concerned Messenger is not obliged to convey his message to the neighbouring nations, and that Allaah sends another Prophet with a special message to another nation.
2. That the message of the previous Prophet has become extinct, in which case Allaah sends another Prophet who will reform for people their religion.
3. That the Law of the previous Prophet is valid only for its time and no longer suitable for subsequent periods, then Allaah sends another Messenger with another Law that will be suitable for the another particular time and place. The Wisdom of Allaah however, has necessitated that He sends Muhammad to all mankind with a Message that is suitable for all times and places and to protect it against altering and interpolating hands, so that it can remain His Living Message by which people will live and that will be pure and free from stains of interpolations and alterations. It was for this reason that Allaah made it the seal of all Messages.
Among things with which Allaah distinguished Muhammad is that He made him the seal of all Prophets after whom there would be no Prophet. This is because, Allaah completed with him all Messages, ended with him all Laws, perfected with him the structure and actualised in his Prophethood the Prophecy of Jesus Christ when he said, “”
The Reverend Ibrahim Khaleel – who has become a Muslim – regarded this text as an equivalent of the saying of the Messenger of Allaah, “Indeed, the example of me and that of the Prophets before me is like that of a man who has perfectly built a house and adorned it except the place of a brick in a corner which he left unfilled. People went round it and admired it and said: Why not fix up this brick? He said, ‘I am the brick and I am the seal of the Prophets.’ ”
It is for this reason that Allaah made the Book brought by Muhammad as a witness over all previous Books and an abolisher for them all. Just as He made the Law of Muhammad the abolisher of preceding Laws. Allaah guarantees the protection of his Message, hence, it was transmitted successfully. The Qur’aan was transmitted in succession. The practical implementation of the teachings of this religion and its acts of worship, sunnah and rules were also transmitted in succession.
Whoever reads the biography of the Prophet and his Sunnah will know that the companions had preserved for humanity all situations, sayings and deeds of Muhammad. They transmitted his acts of worship for his Lord, his strife in His cause, his remembrance of Him and his seeking for His forgiveness. They transmitted his generosity, courage, his relationship with his companions and those visiting him. They transmitted his joy, sorrow, journeys, sojourn, manners of his eating, drinking and clothing and how he kept awake and slept. When you know all this, you will know with certainty that this religion is guaranteed by Allaah’s protection and you will then know that he is the last of all Prophets and Messengers; for Allaah has told us that this Messenger is the last of all Prophets. He says,
“Muhammad is not a father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last of the Prophets.”
Muhammad also said about himself, “I am sent to all mankind and I was made the seal of all Prophets.”
Now let us define Islaam and explain its essence, sources, pillars and degrees.
THE MEANING OF THE WORD: ISLAAM
When you consult the dictionaries, you will find that the word Islaam means submission, obedience, surrender and compliance with the command and prohibition of the commander without objections. Allaah has named the true religion, ‘Islaam’ for it is an obedience to him, submission to His Commands without any resistance, purifying acts of worship for Him, believing in His words and having faith in Him. Islaam then became a proper name for the religion brought by Muhammad.
Definition of Islaam
Why was this religion named Islaam? Adherents of various religions all over the world have named their religions, either with the name of a man or a particular race like Christianity, which was named after Jesus Christ; and Buddhism named after its founder Buddha; and Zaradashtism named after its founder and flag banner, Zaradasht. Judaism also emerged among the tribe of Judah and so on. It is only Islaam that is not attributed to any particular man or nation. Its name indicates a special characteristic that the meaning of Islaam denotes. It is evident in this name that no man has any role in bringing this religion into existence and that it is not peculiar with any nation to the exclusion of others. Its only goal is to make all people of the earth have characteristics of Islaam. So, whoever is characterised with the qualities of Islaam among ancient people and contemporary people is a Muslim, just as he shall be called a Muslim, anyone who possesses its qualities among the coming generations.
The reality of Islaam
It is known that everything in this world subjects to a particular rule and established norm. The sun, the moon, the stars and the earth are all subjected to a general rule which they cannot march against or deviate from even for a hair’s breadth. Even man, when you ponder over him very well, it will be clear to you that he absolutely submits to the Laws of Allaah. He cannot breath or feel a need for water, food, nourishment, light and heat except according to the Divine Decree that regulates his life; and all parts of his body submit to this Decree. The functions that these parts perform cannot be carried out except according to what Allaah has prescribed for him.
This comprehensive Divine Ordainment which man surrenders to and from which none in this universe –right from the planet in the heaven to the smallest seed in the sand of the earth – can escape from obeying is the Divine Ordainment of the Magnificent, the Sovereign and the All-Powerful Lord. If all that is in the heavens and the earth and all that is in between both surrenders to this Divine Ordainment, that means the whole world submits to and obeys that All-Powerful Sovereign Who created it. In this aspect, it is then clear that Islaam is the religion of the whole universe. For Islaam means, submission and obedience to the command of the Commander and His Prohibitions without objection as it has been previously asserted. The sun, the moon and the earth all surrender to Him. Air, water, light, darkness and heat, all surrender to Him; the tree, the stone and the animals all surrender. Even the man who does not know his Lord and denies His existence and signs or worships others besides Him, or associates others with Him in worship surrenders by nature to Him.
If you have known all that, let us now have a look at man, you will find that two factors are struggling to win his attention:
One: His natural inclination; like submission to Allaah, loving to worship Him, seeking nearness to Him, loving what He loves of truth, good and honesty; hating what He hates of falsehood, evil, injustice and wrong; and other natural factors like: love for money, family and children and desire for food, drink and sex and necessary physical functions that follow that.
Two: Man’s free will and choice. Allaah has sent Messengers to him and revealed Books so that he might distinguish between truth and falsehood; guidance and error; good and evil. He gave him mental power and understanding so that he can make his choice with sure knowledge. If he so wills, he takes to the good path that leads him to truth and guidance; and if he so wills, he takes to the evil path that leads him to evil and perdition.
If you therefore, look at man in the perspective of the first factor, you will find that he is created to submit to Allaah, conditioned to adhere to that submission without making any deviation whatsoever, just like any other creature.
But if you look at him in the perspective of the second factor, you will find him as a free creature, who chooses what he wants. He may choose to become a Muslim or to become an infidel… “Whether he be grateful or ungrateful.”
Hence, you find people divided into two categories:
A man who knows his Creator, and believes in Him as his Lord and God whom he worships alone and follows his Law in his life voluntarily. He is also conditioned to submit to his Lord, from Who he cannot deviate and Whose ordainments he follows– such a man is the complete Muslim whose Islaam is perfect and whose knowledge is sound; for he knows Allaah, his Creator and Fashioner, Who sent Messengers to him and endowed him with the power of knowledge and learning. Such has had sound reason and correct opinion; for he has made use of his thought and then decided not to worship but Allaah Who blessed him with understanding and sound opinions in matters. His tongue speaks only the truth; for now, he only believes in One Lord Who is Allaah, the Exalted, Who gave him power to speak. It now becomes as if nothing remains in his life but the truth; for he follows and surrenders to the Law of Allaah in that which he has free will; and there exists between him and other creatures in the universe bond of familiarity and friendliness, for, he worships none but Allaah, the All-Wise, All-Knowledgeable, Whom all creatures worship, and unto Whose Commandments and Ordainments all surrender and submit. And Allaah has subjected all these creatures to you, O man!
REALITY OF DISBELIEF
On the contrary is another man, who was born in submission to Allaah and lived all his life in submission to Allaah but never felt this submission or had any idea of it. He knew not his Lord, nor believed in His Law or followed His Messengers. He did not use the knowledge and intellect that Allaah gave him to recognize his Creator Who carved for him his ears and eyes. He rather denied His existence, he disdained His worship and refused to submit to His Laws in matters of his life in which he is given the right of disposition and choice. Or he associated others with Him in worship and refused to believe in His signs that indicate His Oneness. Such a man is a Kaafir. For the meaning of 'Kufr' in the language, is 'to cover and conceal'. So this man is called a 'Kaafir' for he conceals his nature and covers it with ignorance and insolence; and the nature of the world and that of his own self are hidden from him. You therefore, see him using his intellectual and logical power only in that which contradicts his nature. He would not see anything but that which could corrupt his nature. It is now left to you to estimate the extent of deep error and clear transgression to which the disbeliever has degenerated.
This Islaam which you are required to practice is not a difficult matter, but very easy for whomsoever Allaah makes it easy for. Islaam is the religion which all this universe follow.
"And to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly"
Allaah says,
"Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islaam"
It is submission of one's whole self to Allaah as He, Great is His praise asserts,
"If they dispute with you (O Muhammad) say: I have submitted to Allaah in Islaam and have those who follow me."
The Messenger of Allaah also explained the meaning of Islaam when he said, "It is to submit your heart to Allaah, to direct your face to Allaah (in worship) and to give the obligatory Zakaah."
A man asked the Messenger of Allaah: 'What is Islaam?'
The Messenger of Allaah answered: 'It is to surrender your heart to Allaah; and that Muslims should be safe from the harm of your tongue and hand.'
The man said: 'Which Islam is best?'
He answered: 'The Faith (Eemaan)'
He asked: 'What is Faith?'
He answered: 'To believe in Allaah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and to believe in Resurrection after death.'
The Messenger of Allaah also said, "Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; to observe the prayers, to give the Zakaah, to fast in the month of Ramadaan and to perform pilgrimage to the House if you are able to."
He also said, "The Muslim is the one from the evil of whose hand and tongue all Muslims are safe."
This religion – the religion of Islaam – is the one besides which Allaah accepts no other religion, not from former generations or later generations. For all Prophets were Muslims. Allaah says about Prophet Noah,
"And recite to them the news of Noah. When he said to his people: 'O my people, if my stay (with you) and my reminding you of the signs of Allaah is hard on you, then I put my trust in Allaah.'" Till He says, "…and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims."
The Almighty also says about Abraham,
"When his Lord said to him; 'Submit (i.e., be a Muslim)! He said: I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of all the worlds.' "
He says about Moses,
"And Moses said, 'O my people! If you have believed in Allaah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims.' "
He has the following to say about Jesus Christ,
"And when I (Allaah) revealed to the disciples (of Jesus) to believe in Me and my Messenger, they said: 'We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.' "
This religion – Islaam – derives all its laws, beliefs and rules from the Divine Revelation: the Qur'aan and Sunnah. I will give you a brief information about them.
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