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The Benefits Of Performing Prayers (Part 2)

The Benefits of Performing Prayers (Part 1)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Allah does not look to a man who does not raise his back upright and prostrate.” (Reported by Ahmed)

“This is the prayer of a hypocrite who watches the sun until he finds it about to set, then he stands and performs it as quickly as a bird picking the seeds, and he hardly remembers Allah in it.” (Reported by Muslim)

Abdullah AI-Ash’ari related: One day the Prophet (peace be upon him) led the companions in the prayer. After finishing the prayer, someone came in to pray. He started to pray so fast that he could hardly remain

Death And Hereafter In Islam

“Every soul shall taste death. Qur’an 29:57

Death is Near
“Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!” Qur’an 4:78
Death is the reality from which none can escape. It draws nearer every day; every hour; every minute. According to the CIA’s The World Factbook, almost two people die each second. That’s a staggering 57.9 million people each year! Every single being will reach this inescapable fate, regardless of their age, health, background, social status, or piety. Where are the past kings, the billionaires, and the powerful? Where are the once beautiful, the famous, and the intellectual elite?

The Reality of Death
Death is not a disaster, but simply a passing from this world to the next. It should make us reflect and ponder about the purpose of life, and what will become of us after death.

Allah (God) has informed us in the Qur’an that He has created us with the purpose of worshipping Him alone and that He made this life a test to see who will fulfil that purpose: “And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me. Qur’an 51:56

God has also informed us of the purpose behind the creation of death and life: “Allah is He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.” Qur’an 67:2

One does not prepare for death by pre-paying funeral services or selecting a coffin in advance. It is about fulfilling one’s purpose in life – to worship Allah alone, to live according to His commandments, and perform good deeds. The concept of worship in Islam is all-encompassing and is not merely restricted to praying. In fact, any action that is pleasing to Allah is considered an act of worship, and a person will be rewarded for it.

Why Doesn’t Allah Punish All Evil In This world?

It is natural to feel strongly that people who do evil and injustice should be held accountable immediately. Every person who has suffered injustice, irrespective of financial or social status, almost certainly wants the perpetrator of injustice to be punished. Every normal person would like the robber or the rapist, for example, to be taught a lesson. Although we see numerous cases where Allah’s justice is served immediately in this life, we also know that many escape punishment and seem to go on enjoying their lives. In such cases, one may question why God (Allah) (SWT) allows this to happen. The answer to this question lies in understanding the purpose and reality of this worldly life.

Per Islamic belief, the final justice will be meted out by Allah (SWT), the Most Wise, on the Day of Judgment. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.” Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 281)

After a person dies, he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment along with the rest of mankind. It is possible that a person receives part of his punishment in this world. However, as promised by Allah, accounts will be finalized justly only in the Hereafter. So, God the Almighty (Allah) may not punish a robber or a rapist in this world, but He will surely hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing).” Quran (Surah Aal-e- Imran, Verse 185)

Besides, we also know that mankind is sinful by nature. No one is completely clean. If Allah had to punish everyone in this life, this world would be an empty place. He says in the Quran: And if Allah were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave on it (the earth) a single moving (living) creature, but He postpones them for an appointed term and when their term comes, neither can they delay nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).
Quran (Surah An-Nahl, Verse 61)

So, Allah, out of His Divine wisdom, may choose to punish certain evil acts in this world, and in some cases, He may give the perpetrators respite until the Day of Judgment when all accounts will be fully settled.

The Children Of The Mushrikeen

The Messenger of Allah (saw) was asked about the children of the Mushrikeen, and he said, “Allah who created them knows best what they would have done”. [on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas, Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Janaa’iz, Baab ma qilaa fi awlaad al-Mushrikeen, Fath al-Baari, 3/246]

Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) said, “Every child is born in a state of fitrah [the natural state of man] and his parents make him a Jew or a Christian, or a Magian, just as an animal produces a perfect baby animal: do you find it mutilated?” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Janaa’iz, Baab ma qilaa fi awlaad al-Mushrikeen, Fath al-Baari, 3/246]

As Ibn Hajar said, “al-Bukhaari may Allah have mercy on him, indicating that he was refraining from giving an opinion on the children of the mushrikeen.

Later in his Saheeh, in the tafseer of Surat ar-Rum, he indicates that he favored the suggestion that they are in Paradise. He also organized the hadith in this chapter in such a way that shows this was his favored opinion. He starts with a hadith that indicates that we cannot say one way or the other, then quotes a hadith that indicates that they are in Paradise, and follows that with a hadith that clearly states that this is the case:

“As for the children around him, they are the children of mankind.” In another version, “As for the two children around him, every child is born in a state of fitrah.” Some of the Muslims asked, “Even the children of the Mushrikeen?” He said, “Even the children of the mushrikeen”

Ibn Hajar said, “This is supported by the hadith of Anas reported by Abu Ya’la, in which the Prophet (saw) said, “I asked my Rabb for the laheen [those who play or those who are unaware] of the children of mankind, that they would not be punished, and that was granted to me.” [its isnaad is hasan] Laheen was explained as meaning children, because of the hadith of ibn ‘Abbaas narrated by al-Bazzar. Ahmad reported from al-Khansaa bint Mu’aawiyah ibn Suraym from her paternal aunt who said, “I said, “O Messenger of Allah, who is in Paradise?” He said, “Prophets are in Paradise, martyrs are in Paradise and newborn babies are in Paradise”. Its isnaad is hasan. [Fath al-Baari, 3/246]

They also took as evidence the hadith, “The children of the mushrikeen are servants of the people of Paradise” [Ibn Mandah in al-Ma’rifah, Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah, Abu Ya’la in al-Musnad and al-Albaani deemed it saheeh by the sum of its isnaad, Silsilat al-Hadith as-Saheehah, 3/452, no. 1468]

The idea that they are in Paradise is the opinion of some scholars, such as favored by Abul-Faraj Ibn al-Jawzee [Majmu’ Fataawa, 24/382, 4/303] an-Nawawi said of this opinion, “This is the correct position favored by those who study the words of Allah, “… And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger [to give warning]” [17:15]” [Fath al-Baari, 3/247]

al-Qurtubee also considered this the most likely t be corrected, reconciling the apparently conflicting reports by saying that the Prophet (saw) initially said they would be in Hell with their parents, then he refrained from passing any judgment and said “Allah knows best what they would have done”, then it was revealed to him that no one would be punished for the sins of another [17:15] so he stated that they would be in Paradise [at-Tadhkirah, p.515]. The trouble with this way of reconciliation, as Ibn Hajar said, is that this is not a matter that can be subjected to study and examination. It is a matter of al-Ghayb, which can only be known through revelation. And Allah knows best.

Some scholars, such as Hammaad ibn Zayd, Hammaad ibn Salamah, Ibn al-Mubaarak and Ishaaq, say that they are subject to the will of Allah. It was also transmitted by al-Bayhaqee in al-I’tiqaad from ash-Shaaf’iee. Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr said “This might be the opinion of Maalik, although there is no written evidence for that” [Majmu’ Fatawah, 4/281-404, 24/372] and Abul-Hasan al-Ash’ari attributed this opinion to Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, [Majmu’ Fatawah, 24/372].

This is also the favored view of Ibn Taymiyyah, who suggested that they will be tested on the day of Resurrection – “The correct view is what was said concerning them, Allah knows best what they would have done”. We cannot say of any particular individual that he will be in Paradise or Hell. Several hadiths state that on the Day of Resurrection, they will be tested in the arena of judgment: they will be given commands and prohibitions and those who obey will enter Paradise, whilst those who disobey will be sent to Hell.” He attributed this to Imaam Ahmad and Abul-Hasan al-Ash’ari, who attributed it to Ahlus-Sunnah [Majmu’ Fataawa, 24/372, 4/303, 4/281].

Ibn Hajar also stated that they would be tested in the Hereafter by being shown the Fire: whoever enters it will find it cool and safe, but whoever refuses to enter it will be punished. Ahadeeth to this effect was reported by al-Bazzar from Anas and Abu Sa’eed and by at-Tabaraani from Mu’aadh ibn Jabal. It has been proven through saheeh asaanid that the insane and those who lived between the time of Jesus (as) and Muhammad (saw) will also be tested in the Hereafter. al-Bayhaqee stated in al-I’tiqaad that this is the correct opinion. [Fath al-Baari 3/246].

The soundness of this opinion is indicated by the clear, unambiguous aayaat of the Qur’an, which tells the story of the righteous slave whom Musa (as) traveled to meet at the junction of the two seas. Explaining the reason why he killed the boy, he said, “And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief” [18:80].

Muslim reports from Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, concerning the boy was killed by al-Khidr, “He was decreed from the beginning to be a kaafir and if he had been left, he would have oppressed his parents with his rebellion and disbelief.” Commenting on this hadith, Ibn Taymiyyah said “It means that Allah decreed it in Umm al-Kitaab [the Register Book in Jannah] i.e. it was written that he would be a kaafir and if he had lived he would have been a kaafir indeed.”

al-Qurtubee said, in at-Tadhkirah [p.514]: “What makes this idea [that they will be tested in the Hereafter] weak is the fact that the Hereafter is not the place of testing; it is the place of recompense – the reward of punishment. al-Hulaymee said, “This hadith is not proven to be sound, and it contradicts the basic beliefs of the Muslims because the Hereafter is not the place of testing. Everyone will inevitably know about Allah, and there is no test when a thing is inevitable.”

This is incorrect and was refuted by Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, who said, “Responsibility only ceases when one enters the abode of recompense, which is either Paradise or Hell. In the arena of judgment, they will be tested just as they are tested in al-Barzakh. The individual will be asked, “Who is your Rabb? What is your deen? Who is your Prophet?” Allah (swt) says, “[Remember] the Day when the Shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be called to prostrate to Allah, but they [hypocrites] will not be able to do so” [68:42]…” [Majmu’ Fataawa, 24/ 372]

Testing will only cease when a person enters Paradise or Hell. al-Qurtubee’s suggestion that everyone will inevitably know Allah on that Day is correct, but the testing will take the form of orders and prohibitions, as is reported in a number of texts. Allah (swt) will test them by ordering them to enter the Fire: whoever obeys will be blessed, whilst whoever disobeys will be doomed.

Don’t Delay Your Prayers

There were only 15 minutes left before Salat-ul Isha.

He quickly made Wudhu and performed Salat-ul Maghrib.

While making Tasbih, he again remembered his grandmother and was embarrassed by how he had prayed.

His grandmother prayed with such tranquillity and peace.

He began making Dua and went down to make Sajdah and stayed like that for a while.

He had been at work all day and was tired, so tired.

He awoke abruptly to the sound of noise and shouting.

He was sweating profusely.

He looked around.

It was very crowded.

Every direction he looked in was filled with people.

Some stood frozen looking around, some were running left and right and some were on their knees with their heads in their hands just waiting.

Pure fear and apprehension filled him as he realized where he was.

His heart was about to burst.

It was the Day of Judgment.

When he was alive, he had heard many things about the questioning on the Day of Judgment, but that seemed so long ago…

Could this be something his mind made up?

No, the wait and the fear were so great that he could not have imagined this.

The interrogation was still going on.

He began moving frantically from people to people to ask if his name had been called.

No one could answer him.

All of a sudden, his name was called and the crowd split into two and made a passageway for him.

Two angels grabbed his arms and led him forward.

He walked with unknowing eyes through the crowd.

The angels brought him to the center and left him there.

His head was bent down, and his whole life was passing in front of his eyes like a movie.

He opened his eyes but saw only another world.

The people were all helping others.

He saw his father running from one lecture to the other, spending his wealth in the way of Islam.

His mother invited guests to their house and one table was being set while the other was being cleared.

He pleaded his case,

‘I too was always on this path.

I helped others.

I spread the word of Allah.

I performed my Salah.

I fasted in the month of Ramadan.

Whatever Allah ordered us to do, I did.

Whatever he ordered us not to do, I did not.’

He began to cry and think about how much he loved Allah.

He knew that whatever he had done in life would be less than what Allah deserved, and his only protector was Allah He was sweating like never before and was shaking all over.

His eyes were fixed on the scale, waiting for the final decision.

At last, the decision was made.

The two angels, with sheets of paper in their hands, turned to the crowd.

His legs felt like they were going to collapse.

He closed his eyes as they began

To read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam.

His name was read first.

He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn’t be,

‘How could I go to Jahannam?

I served others all my life,

I spread the word of Allah to others.

His eyes had become blurry, and he was shaking with sweat.

The two angels took him by the arms.

As his feet dragged, they went through the crowd and advanced toward the blazing flames of Jahannam.

He was yelling and wondered if there was any person who was going to help him.

He was yelling about all the good deeds he had done, how he had helped his father, his fasts, prayers, and the Noble Qur’an that he read, he was asking if none of them would help him.

The Jahannam angels continued to drag him.

They had gotten closer to the Hellfire.

He looked back and these were his last pleas.

Had not Rasulullah [SAW] said, ‘How clean would a person be who bathes in a river five times a day, so too does the Salah performed five times cleanse someone of their sins’?

He began yelling,

‘My prayers? My prayers? My prayers.?’

The two angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of Jahannam.

The flames of the fire were burning his face.

He looked back one last time, but his eyes were dry of hope, and he had nothing left in him.

One of the angels pushed him in.

He found himself in the air and falling towards the flames.

He had just fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.

He lifted his head and saw an old man with a long white beard.

He wiped some dust off himself and asked him,

‘Who are you?’

The old man replied,

‘I am your prayers’.

‘Why are you so late! I was almost in the Fire!

You rescued me at the last minute before I fell in’.

The old man smiled and shook his head,

‘You always performed me at the last minute, did you forget?’

At that instant, he blinked and lifted his head from Sajdah.

He was in a sweat.

He listened to the voices coming from outside.

He heard the Adhan for Salat-ul Isha.

He got up quickly and went to perform Wudhu.

Prohibition of Arrogance

Arrogance is one of the most dangerous inner diseases of the heart. Those inner diseases reside in the hearts, but their destructive effects are reflected in the behavior and conduct of the sick person, who can be prevented from entering paradise on the Day of Judgment. In the authentic hadith reported by Imams Muslim and At-Tirmithi the prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “One will not enter Paradise, if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart.”

This hadith is evidence that arrogance is one of the major sins because it prevents the arrogant from entering Paradise on the Day of Judgment. There is also evidence that arrogance is caused by heart disease and that the degree of arrogance varies. The heart can be filled with arrogance, or can have only up to a small atom’s weight of arrogance.

In scolding arrogance and demonstrating its danger, many verses and authentic ahadith have been revealed, and we will mention some of them.

First, what is arrogance? The prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) defined it for us in an authentic hadith reported by Imams Muslim and At-Tirmithi, “One will not enter Paradise, if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart.” a man then asked, “One may love his clothes to look good and his shoes to look good?!” The prophet replied, “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, arrogance is: rejecting the truth and looking down on people.”

The different degrees and types of arrogance: The most evil kind of arrogance is rejection of the truth and not following it. In this context, many verses were revealed to scold arrogance and the arrogant people. Examples are: On the Day of Judgment, it is said to the arrogant people in surah Ghafer, (Verse 76), which can be translated as,
“Enter the gates of Hell to abide therein, and (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!”

Hellfire is the abode of the arrogant people. This is emphasized in the hadith of the prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that is reported by Imam Muslim, “Paradise and Hell Fire have argued. Hellfire said: Inside me are the merciless and the arrogant people….and Allah has judged between them:… You (Hell Fire) are my torture, with you, I torture whom I will….”

Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) turns the arrogant people away from being guided by his signs. He (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) say sin surat Al-A’raaf, (Verse 146), which can be translated as, “I shall turn away from My Ayah (verses of the Qur’an) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, in a wrongful manner.”

The most severe arrogance is being arrogant against Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) and rejecting submission and worshiping Him. Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) says in surah Ghafer, (Verse 60), which can be translated as, “Verily! Those who disdain My worship (because of arrogance), they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!”

Arrogance is being arrogant against the messengers, rejecting their message and not following them just because they are human. This is the case of many non-believers about whom Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) says in the Qur’an in surah Al-Mu’minoon, (Verse 47), what can be translated as “They said: “Shall we believe in two men like ourselves.” And in surat, Ibrahim, (Verse 10), can be translated as, “They said to their messengers: “You are no more than human beings like us.” And the tribe of Quraish also said, when it rejected and looked down on the prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) because he was an orphan and poor, as Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) told us in surat Az-Zukhruf, (Verse 31), what can be translated as, “And they say: “Why is not this Qur’an sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Ta’if).”

Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) described to us the real situation of the disbelievers in surat An-Namal, (Verse 14), which can be translated as, “And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their own selves were convinced thereof (i.e. those Ayahs are from Allah).”

From the examples of arrogance against the prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) reported by Imam Muslim that a man who came and ate in the presence of the prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) with his left hand, so the prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to him, “Eat with your right hand.” The man said, “I cannot.” The prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) then supplicated to Allah against this man, “May Allah, make you unable to use your right hand.” “Nothing prevented him from doing so (eating with his right hand) except his arrogance, so he forever could not lift his right hand to his mouth.”

Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) told us the story of Iblees so that we may learn lessons from it, when he ordered him to prostrate to Adam, and he rejected because of his Arrogance and Envy towards Adam, claiming that he was better than him. Allah said in surat Al-A’raaf, Verse (12), what can be translated as, “… I am better than him (Adam), you created me from fire, and you created him from clay.”

Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) demonstrated to us that arrogance is an exclusive attribute of Himself. In a Qudsi hadith reported by Imam Muslim Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) says, “Dignity is my lower garment, and arrogance is my covering. If anyone competes with Me in either of these two, surely I torture him.” Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) says in surah Luqman, (Verse 18), what can be translated as, “And do not turn your face away from men with arrogance, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah does not like each arrogant boaster.”

Allah does not like the one who is conceited and arrogant. The prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) says what was reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim, “While a man was showing off in his garment, he looked proudly to himself, all of a sudden, Allah immediately crumbled the earth underneath him, and he is still dropping with struggle through it till the Day of Judgment.”

Allah (Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala) does not look with mercy, on the Day of Judgment, at the one who lengthened his clothes out of arrogance. The prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) says reported by Imams Bukhari, Muslim, and others, “Whosoever drags his clothes out of arrogance, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Judgment.” Abu Bakr said: “O Messenger of Allah: My garment slips (slightly off his waist) to the ground, but I lift it!?” The prophet replied, “You are not among those who do it out of arrogance.”

After we have heard all these verses and ahadith about the dangers of arrogance and how bad the consequences are, we should be cautioned and get away from it and its effects and its characteristics. So we teach ourselves to follow the truth when we know it and humble ourselves in front of others. Imam Muslim reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “…. And no one has humbled himself for the sake of Allah, but Allah has elevated him.”

The prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is the best example of humility in his life. Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that “The prophet used to pass by children and give Salaam to them (greet them).” Imam Bukhari reported that, “A female slave from Madinah used to take the prophet’s sleeve and take him wherever she wanted.” Imam Bukhari also reported, “That the Prophet used to be at the service of his family.”

On The Day Of Judgement Every One WIll Be Paid Full Of Recompense

[ALLAH’S Quran – 3:185] “Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said : [Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith#470] “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “the deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hell)fire).” they said, “Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah’s Apostle?” He said, “No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise).

The Last Prophet (PBUH)

You have already heard about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Adam (Alaih Assalaam) was the first prophet and Muhammad (PBUH) was the last prophet. Allah had given Muhammad (PBUH) a book, which is called the Quran. All the stories about the prophets which you have now read can be found in the Quran. In the Quran is also written what you should do and what you are not allowed to do.

Muhammad (PBUH) was the last prophet because Allah gave him the Quran and all that we must know about Allah can be found in the Quran. Everybody can look in the Quran to discover what he should do. Therefore, there is no need for another prophet after Muhammad (PBUH).

Muhammad (PBUH), like the other prophets, told the people: You should worship only Allah. Allah has created you, He has made plants and animals so that you can eat them. He made the earth, sky, water, air, and the day and the night for you. So be grateful to Him and do good.

Now you know the stories of many prophets. But remember that there are more prophets in addition to these, for Allah has sent His prophets to all peoples. You must also have noticed that all the prophets had been saying the same thing: Mankind should worship only Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)has taught us how we should worship Allah. You can also learn it: it is not difficult.

There are, however, other things that we should do. We must believe in Allah, we must pray, fast, share our money with the poor and needy, and go on a pilgrimage to Makkah once in our lifetime, if we can afford it.

Resurrection and the Day of Judgment
As you know, Allah always sent prophets to mankind. These prophets told man what is good and what is bad. The prophets have also told many other things. They said: When we die, we will be buried, but Allah is Almighty. He will wake us all from death. This will happen on the Day of Resurrection. On this day, all of us will be gathered to Allah. Those of us who have done good will remain with Allah forever. But those who have done evil, and have not repented, or asked Allah’s forgiveness, will not be allowed to remain with Allah. Such is the Day of Judgment. To strive to do good means to listen to the words of the prophets and thus obey Allah. In this way, one can always remain with Allah after death. But to turn to evil means not to listen to the word of the prophets and to disobey Allah. Therefore those who do evil may not remain with Allah after they are dead.

So you may ask, why doesn’t everybody want to do good? The reason is that some people think they don’t have to listen to the prophets. But they are wrong to think: The prophets have told people what they should do. We should do good as long as we live. Doing good brings more happiness in life than anything else. We shall have friends for as long as we live, and after we die.

However, the people who do evil will have evil people with them. They will have many enemies. They will have enemies all their life and when they die, too.

The prophets and the people who worship Allah are our friends. The people who do evil and who turn away from Allah are not our friends.

Our Beliefs
We believe in Allah, the one and only almighty God, Lord and Creator. Him we trust and Him alone we fear.
We believe in the angels created by Allah. We know them even though they are not visible to us. They are the obedient servants of Allah and they carry out all His orders.

We believe that the words that Allah revealed to the prophets were written down in books. The last book, which was given to Muhammad (PBUH) is the Qur’an. The Quran is the only book from Allah that is complete and preserved in its original form.

We believe that Allah has sent His prophets to all mankind with the message to worship only Allah and to do good.
We believe in the Day of Resurrection when Allah will wake us from our deaths. We will be rewarded for the good that we have done and those of us who did not believe in Allah and did evil will be punished.

We believe that Allah has taught us to understand what good and evil are so that we can decide for the good and against the evil.

Servants Of Allah: Fear Allah And keep Day Of Judgment In Mind

‘And those who say: ‘Our Lord, avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment.’

Despite being constantly engaged in the worship of Allah, these favored servants fear Allah and keep the day of judgment in mind. The fear of Allah severs the roots of all evil, while at the same time, it is the medium of all obedience. The manner in which to acquire the fear of Allah Most High is to consider His wrath and punishment.

Abu Zar al-Ghifari (RA) and Mu`adh bin Jabal (RA) relate that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner.” (Tirmizi)

If you have the audacity to indulge in sins, do so to the extent that you can endure Hellfire. (Luqmaan the Wise) Ghazali says: ‘Fear rips away desires and luxuries so that cherished sins become reprehensible, just as a honey lover is repelled by it when he learns that it has poison. This is how fear burns desires; disciplines the organs; subordinates the heart and gives it tranquillity. It also enables the heart to rid itself of pride, hatred, and envy; and it leaves it absorbed in it (fear). Hence, the heart becomes preoccupied with its own worries and looks toward its best interest in the long run. It is then engaged in only matters like meditation, self-analysis, and struggle. It cherishes its time and moments.’ (Ihya: 4/160)

Fear is the painful condition of the heart that arises as a result of thinking of something reprehensible and the fear of it materializing. The nature of fear consists of the possibility of punishment. This possibility extends to every person, for he may be overtaken by punishment. This is the extent of fear that has been commanded and imposed upon the servant. To this extent, fearing the possibility of punishment is a compulsory condition of faith. At the motivation of sin, this faculty has to be put into operation. The warnings and punishments of Allah Most High should be recalled and considered so as to save oneself from sin. This degree of fear is obligatory. Its non-existence induces and involves one in sin. It is the medium of exhorting toward virtue and steering one away from sin.

Allah Most High has combined the noble attributes of guidance, mercy, knowledge, and contentment for those who are imbued with His fear. The servant of Allah who on earth entertains fear of Allah Most High will be fearless in the Hereafter, and he who had no fear of Allah Most High on earth will be overtaken by fear and calamity. Fear is thus obligatory upon every believer.

The fear station is one of the most splendid stations on the road and the most beneficial to the heart. Allah also praised His people in His book, saying, “Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord . . . It is these who race for the good deeds and they are foremost in them.” (23:57-61)

Abu Hafs said, “Fear is the whip of Allah. He corrects with it those straying from His door.” He also said, “Fear is a light in the heart, with it one can see the good and evil. Everyone you fear you run away from except Allah. When you fear Him, you run away to Him.” The person with fear is a person fleeing from His Lord to His Lord.

Abu Sulaiman said, “When fear of Allah departs from any heart, it falls apart.”

Ibrahim bin Sufyan said, “When the fear of Allah settles in the heart, it burns the places of vain desires within it and it kicks out the love for this world.”

Hazrat Thun-Nun Misri said, “People are on the Straight Path as long as the fear of Allah is instilled in their hearts. When they lose the fear of Allah, they stray from the road.”

Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah says, “The commendable fear of Allah is what restrains you from the prohibitions of Allah.”

Al-Harawi said, “Fear is to slip away from comfort and security by recognizing the warning of Allah .” The beginning of fear of Allah is to fear the punishment. This is the kind of Khawf that produces sound faith. This can be attained by believing in the warnings of Allah and remembering the sin. Fear of Allah is preceded by feeling and knowledge.

The fear of Allah is associated with two things: first, the things feared; and second, anything that may lead to it. The fear of Allah can then be as great as the feeling of the person to the feared thing and what leads to it. When a person doesn’t think that something would lead to the object that should be feared, then would not fear that thing. The same is true if he does not know the measure of the fearful thing then, he would not have the correct fear.

Fear and hope complement one another. The similitude of the heart in its travel to Allah is like a bird. Love is its head, and fear and hope are the wings. When the head and both wings are sound, the bird is capable and skilled in flying. However, when the head is cut off, the bird will die. When the bird loses a wing, it then becomes a target for every hunter and predator. The scholars favored the wing of fear over the wing of hope, especially when the person is young and healthy. They favored the wing of hope over the wing of fear when the person is about to leave this world.

Abu Sulaiman said, “The heart should be dominated with the fear of Allah. When hope dominates, it ruins it.” It was also said, “The best state is to have the same amount of fear and hope but to have more love for Allah. Love of Allah is the boat, hope is the leader, fear is the driver, and Allah is the One Who helps those reach the goal by His Grace and Generosity.”

‘The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. Inner development is just as important as outer physical development.’

What Is Islam And Who Are The Muslims

What is Islam?

Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world’s population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.

Who are the Muslims?

Over one billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities, and cultures across the globe — from the southern Philippines to Nigeria — are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world’s largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslims, while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe.

What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgment and individual accountability for actions; in God’s complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God’s final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] through Gabriel.

How does someone become a Muslim?

Simply by saying, ‘There is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.’ By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God’s messengers, and the scriptures they brought.

What does ‘Islam’ mean?

The Arabic word ‘Islam’ simply means ‘submission’, and derives from a word meaning ‘peace’. In a religious context, it means complete submission to the will of God. ‘Mohammedanism’ is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad [peace be upon him] rather than God. ‘Allah’ is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.

Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons — Muhammad [peace be upon him] from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus [peace be upon him] from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement that today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka’aba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.