Islam Summary

Session #10: Empire of Faith

2010-05-09T03:09:00.000-07:00

Part 3: The Ottomans

Session #9: Islam: Empire of Faith

2010-05-09T03:06:00.000-07:00

Part 2: The Awakening

Session #8: Islam: Empire of Faith

2010-05-09T03:03:00.000-07:00

Part 1: Prophet Muhammad and rise of Islam

Session #7: Spread of Islam

2010-04-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

THE EXTRAORDINARY SPREAD OF ISLAM AND ITS MAIN DYNAMICS

Islam, in the tenth century, was the main religion, or at least, the religion of the majority of peoples in an area covering more than half of the civilized world stretching over three continents from the Pyrenees and Siberia in West and North Europe to the farthest end of Asia, up to China and New Guinea in the East; from Morocco in North Africa to the southern tip of Africa, covering two-thirds of the African continent. It is one of the most striking facts of human history that the spread of Islam over such a vast area took place within three centuries. Most striking of all, within half a century after the Hijra, Islam had already conquered the whole of North Africa from Egypt to Morocco, all the Middle Eastern lands from Yemen to Caucasia and from Egypt to the lands beyond Transoxiana. It was during the reign of the third Caliph Uthman that the Muslim envoys reached the Chinese Palace, where they were welcomed enthusiastically, an important event marking, according to the historians, the beginning of Islam's entry into this country. There are many reasons why peoples have been, from past to the present, so ready to embrace Islam, what is pointed out by Muhammad Asad, a Jewish convert to Islam, probably being the foremost:

Islam appears to me like a perfect work of architecture. All its parts are harmoniously conceived to complement and support each other, nothing lacking, with the result of an absolute balance and solid composure. Everything in the teaching and postulate of Islam is in its proper place. (Islam at the Crossroads, p.5)

Where does the prejudice that Islam spread by force of the sword lie?

Most of Western writers, especially under the influence of the Church, have never failed to accuse Islam of spreading by force of the sword. The causes of this prejudice lie mainly in the fact that the spread of Islam has often occurred at the expense of Christianity. While Islam has for centuries obtained numerous conversions from Christianity without much effort or organized missionary activities, Christianity has almost never been able to achieve conversions from Islam in spite of sophisticated means and well-organized missionary activities, and it has always been at a disadvantage in its competition with Islam for fourteen centuries. This has caused its missionaries and most of the orientalists to develop a complex within themselves by depicting Islam and introducing it as a regressive, vulgar religion of savage peoples. (John Cogley, Religion of Secular Age; Muhammad Asad, The Road to Mecca) The same attitude has unfortunately maintained toward the Holy Prophet of Islam. This is clear in the confessions of some unbiased writers of the West:

Muslims, according to the principles of their faith, are under an obligation to use force for the purpose of bringing other religions to ruin (probably he means Jihad which is not for the purpose he suggests-T.F.U.); yet, in spite of that, they have been tolerating other religions for some centuries past. The Christians have not been given orders to do anything but preach and instruct, yet, despite this, from time immemorial they have been exterminating by fire and sword all those who are not of their religion. We may feel certain that if Western Christians, instead of the Saracens and the Turks, had won the dominion over Asia, there would be today not a trace left of the Greek Church, and that they would never have tolerated Muhammadanism as the 'infidels' have tolerated Christianity there. We (Christians) enjoy the fine advantage of being far better versed than others in the art of killing, bombarding and exterminating the Human Race." (Bayle P., Dictionary, 'the article Mahomed', 1850)

To what is Islam indebted its unequaled spread?

Islam is indebted its unequaled spread to its religious content and values, which is confessed by all objective Western intellectuals:

Many have sought to answer the questions of why the triumph of Islam was so speedy and complete? Why have so many millions embraced the religion of Islam and scarcely a hundred ever recanted? Why do a thousand Christians become Muslims to one Muslim who adopts Christianity? Some have attempted to explain the first overwhelming success of Islam by the argument of the Sword. However, Islam itself was the main cause for its triumph. Islam not only was at once accepted (by many peoples and races) by Arabia, Syria, Persia, Egypt, Northern Africa and Spain, at its first outburst; but, with the exception of Spain, it has never lost its vantage ground; it has been spreading ever since it came into being. Admitting the mixed causes that contributed to the rapidity of the first swift spread of Islam, they do not account for the duration of Islam. There must be something in the religion itself to explain its persistence and spread, and to account for its present hold over so large of a proportion of the dwellers on the earth... Islam has stirred an enthusiasm that has never been surpassed. Islam has had its martyrs, its self-tormentors, its recluses, who have renounced all that life offered and have accepted death with a smile for the sake of the faith that was in them. (Stanley Lane-Poole, Study in a Mosque, pp.86-89)

This, and the urgency of the simple message carried, holds the key to the mystery of one of the greatest catalysms in the history of religion. When all military, political and economic factors have been exhausted, the religious impulse must still be recognized as the most vital and enduring (A. J. Arberry , Aspects of Islamic Civilization).

Brockelman, who is usually very unsympathetic and partial, also recognizes the religious values of Islam as the main factor for the spread of Islam: (History of the Islamic Peoples)

The more important factor for the spread of Islam is religious law of Islam (Sharia which is an inclusive, all-embracing, all-comprehensive way of thinking and living) which was designed to cover all manifestations of life. (Political Thought in Medieval Islam)

The exemplary life-style of Muslim individuals

Besides many other reasons which are responsible for the spread of Islam, it is the exemplary life-style and unceasing efforts of individual Muslims to transmit the message of Islam throughout the world which lie at the root of the conquest of the hearts by Islam. Islamic universalism is closely associated with the principle of Amr bi'l-ma'ruf (enjoining the good) for Islam is to be spread by Muslims by means of Amr bi'l-ma'ruf. This principle seeks to convey the message of Islam to all human beings in the world and to establish a model Islamic community on a world-wide basis. The Islamic community is introduced by the Quran as a model community: "Thus, We have made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses (models) for the peoples, and the Messenger has been a witness for you." (The Quran, 2:143) A Muslim or the Muslim community as a whole thus has a goal to achieve: This is the spread of Islam, conveying the truth to the remotest corners of the world, the eradication of oppression and tyranny and the establishment of justice all over the world. This requires the Muslim to live an examplary life, and thus the moral and ethical values of Islam have usually played an important part in the spread of Islam.

The tolerance of Islam

The tolerance of Islam is another factor in the spread of Islam. Toynbee praises this tolerance towards the Peoples of the Book after comparing it with the attitude of the Christians towards Muslims and Jews in their lands. (A Historian's Approach to Religion) T. Link attributes the spread of Islam to the credibility of its principles together with its tolerance, persuasion and other kinds of attractions. Makarios, Orthodox Patriorch of Antioch in the seventeenth century, compared the harsh treatment received by the Russians of the Orthodox Church at the hands of the Roman Catholic Poles with the tolerant attitude towards Orthodox christians shown by the Ottoman Government and prayed for the Sultans. (T. Link, A History of Religion)

How did Muslims behave towards the people of the conquered lands?

The Muslim's attitude towards the people of the conquered lands is quite clear in the instructions given by the rightly-guided Caliphs:

Always keep fear of God in your mind; remember that you cannot afford to do anything without His grace. Do not forget that Islam is a mission of peace and love. Keep the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) before you as a model of bravery and piety. Do not destroy fruit-trees nor fertile fields in your paths. Be just, and spare the feelings of the vanguished. Respect all religious persons who live in hermitages or convents and spare their edifices. Do not kill civilians. Do not outrage the chastity of women and the honour of the conquered. Do not harm old people and children. Do not accept any gifts from the civil population of any place. Do not billet your soldiers or officers in the houses of civilians. Do not forget to perform your daily prayers. Fear God. Remember that death will inevitably come to everyone of you some time or other, even if you are thousands of miles away from a battle field; therefore be always ready to face death. (Andrew Miller, Church History; Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Nahj al-Balagha)

A historical episode which Balazuri, a famous Muslim historian, tells about how pleased the native peoples were with their Muslim conquerors is of great significance:

When Heraclius massed his troops against the Muslims, and the Muslims heard that they were coming to meet them, they refunded the inhabitants of Hims the tribute they had taken from them, saying: "We are too busy to support and protect you. Take care of yourselves." But the people of Hims replied: "We like your rule and justice far better than the state of oppression and tyranny in which we were. The army of Heraclius we shall indeed, with your help, repulse from the city." The Jews rose and said: "We swear by the Torah, no governor of Heraclius shall enter the city of Hims unless we are first vanguished and exhausted." Saying this, they closed the gates of the city and guarded them. The inhabitants of other cities - Christians and Jews- that had been capitulated did the same. When by God's help the unbelievers were defeated and Muslims won, they opened the gates of their cities, went out with the singers and players of music, and paid the tribute. (Futuh al-Buldan)

Complete version: http://www.thewaytotruth.org/islamandhumanity/spreadofislam.html

Session #6: Jihad and Forcing People to Religion

2010-04-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

"And KILL them where ever you find them...", What Does Islam Say About "Forcing People in Religion?" by Sayyid Qutb

A basic and fundamental truth established by the sacred texts of Islam (Quran and Hadeeth) is that: - "No one can be compelled to accept Islam!"
It is the duty of the Muslims to establish proof of validity of Islam to the people in order for the truth to be distinct from falsehood. Once that is done, whoever wishes to accept Islam may do so and whoever wishes to continue upon their belief may do so. No one is to be threatened or harmed in any way should they chose not to accept Islam.
Among the many decisive pieces of evidence in Islam to prove that "There is no compulsion in Islam" are the following:
Allah says in His Quran: “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 256]

Allah also says in Quran: “If it had been your Lord’s will, all of the people on Earth would have believed. Would you then compel the people so to have them believe?” [Surah Yunus: 99]

And Allah says: “So if they dispute with you, say ‘I have submitted my whole self to Allah, and so have those who follow me.’ And say to the People of the Scripture and to the unlearned: ‘Do you also submit yourselves?’ If they do, then they are on right guidance. But if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message. And in Allah’s sight are all of His servants.” [Surah Al `Imran: 20]

Allah The Almighty has also said: “The Messenger’s duty is but to proclaim the Message.” [Surah Al-Maidah: 99]

It is important to note that these last two verses were revealed in Madinah. This is significant, since it shows that the ruling they gave was not just contingent on the Muslims being in Mecca in a state of weakness.
Some people might be wondering that if Islam indeed advocates such an approach, then what is all this we hear about jihad? How can we explain the warfare that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions waged against the pagans?

The answer to this is that jihad in Islamic Law can be waged for a number of reasons, but compelling people to accept Islam is simply not one of them.

The reason why jihad was first permitted in Islam was so the Muslims could defend themselves against persecution and expulsion from their homes.

Allah, Most High says: “To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged – and verily Allah is Most Powerful for their aid – (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right – (for no cause) except that they say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’. Did Allah not check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his cause, for truly Allah is full of strength and might.” [Surah al-Hajj: 39-40]

Many of the earliest scholars mention that these were the first verses of the Quran that was revealed regarding jihad. Thereafter the following verses were revealed:

“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And kill them wherever you catch them and drive them out from whence they drove you out, for terrorism is worse than killing. But do not engage in combat with them at the sacred mosque unless they engage you in combat there. But if they combat against you, kill them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And combat them on until there is no more terrorism or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. But if they cease, don't let there be hostility except to those who practice oppression.”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 190-193]

From this point on, the scope of jihad was broadened from being purely for defense against direct attack to being inclusive of resistance against those who suppress the faith and deny people the freedom to choose their religion for themselves. This came later, because it is legislated for the Muslims only when they are capable of doing so. In times of weakness, Muslims may only fight against direct attack.

As for the spread of Islam, this is supposed to take place peacefully by disseminating the Message with the written and spoken word. There is no place for the use of weapons to compel people to accept Islam. Weapons can only be drawn against those who persecute and oppress others and prevent them from following their own consciences in matters of belief. The Muslims cannot just stand by while people are being denied the right to believe in Islam and their voices are being crushed.
This is the meaning of Allah’s words: “And fight them on until there is no more terrorism or oppression and there prevails a way for justice and faith in Allah.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 193]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in his letter to the Roman governor Heracles: “I invite you to accept Islam. If you accept Islam, you will find safety. If you accept Islam, Allah will give you a double reward. However, if you turn away, upon you will be the sin of your subjects.” [Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]

Once people have heard the Message without obstruction or hindrance and the proof has been established upon them, then the duty of the Muslims is done. Those who wish to believe are free to do so and those who prefer to disbelieve are likewise free to do so.

Even when the Muslims are compelled to fight and then subdue the land, their duty thereafter is to establish Allah’s law in the land and uphold justice for all people, Muslim and non-Muslim. It is not their right to coerce their subjects to accept Islam against their will. Non-Muslims under Muslim rule must be allowed to remain on their own faith and must be allowed to practice the rights of their faith, though they will be expected to respect the laws of the land.

Had the purpose of jihad been to force the unbelievers to accept Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would never have commanded the Muslims to refrain from hostilities if the enemy relented. He would not have prohibited the killing of women and children. However, this is exactly what he did. Therefore, even in the heat of battle against a hostile enemy, the only people who may be attacked are those who are actually participating in the fighting.

Had the purpose of jihad been to force the unbelievers to accept Islam, the rightly guided Caliphs would not have prohibited the killing of priests and monks who refrained from fighting. However, this is exactly what they did. When the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, sent an army to Syria to fight the aggressive Roman legions, he went out to give them words of encouragement. He said: “You are going to find a group of people who have devoted themselves to the worship of Allah (i.e. monks), so leave them to what they are doing.”

Complete version: http://www.islamtomorrow.com/kill.asp

Session #5: Women in Islam

2010-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Women in Islam, Statements from Quran and Hadith

View more presentations from elicit.

Session #4: Equalities of Men and Women in Islam

2010-04-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

Beauties of Islam - Equalities of Men and Women in Islam

Beauties of Islam-Equity VS Equality

Vocabulary of Week #3

2010-03-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

Decency: iffet

Chastity: Namus, iffet

Modesty: Edeplilik

Silhouette: Siluet

Enjoin: Emretmek

God Almighty: Herseye gucu yeten Allah

Indecent: Edepsiz

Repercussion: Yan etki

Transgression: Haddi asma

Peninsula: Yarim ada

Hasidic Judaism: It is a branch of Orthodox Judaism which consists spirituality and joy of Jewish mysticism. There are approximately 30 larger Hasidic groups, and several hundred minor groups.

Mennonitism: system of beliefs and practices including belief in Scriptural authority; plain dress; adult baptism; foot washing; restriction of marriage to members of the group

Amish: An American follower of Mennonitism

Molestation: Taciz

Session #3: Why do Muslim Women Cover Themselves?

2010-03-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

Modest Dress in Abrahamic Traditions
by Eren TATARI

One of the questions I am most commonly posed in the United States is about the way I dress. Why do Muslim women cover themselves from head to toe? Usually I respond to this question with another question: Why does a Christian nun or an orthodox Jewish woman cover herself? Or I simply say, I have not seen a bareheaded picture of Mary in any church, I do it for the very same reason she covers.

There are a great many similarities between the three monotheistic traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The central goal of the religious journey in these Abrahamic traditions is to acknowledge the Creator and to love Him by obeying His wise and compassionate guidance. A common area where almost all the doctrines of the three traditions are overlapping is unquestionably “morals.” Decency, chastity, modesty, righteousness, and purity are virtues that believers are encouraged and required to struggle to achieve.

When people look at Muslim women who wear a headscarf, usually they only notice the headscarf as being different than Western-style clothing. Many believers who wear a headscarf prefer to use the term “modest dress” since it captures the essence of the practice better. Modest dress is prescribed to both men and women in the Qur’an. The general guidelines include covering certain parts of the body, wearing loose and non-transparent clothing to conceal the silhouette, and to dress in such a way as not to draw attention to one’s self. Modest clothing and covering the body is enjoined for men as well as for women; men are advised to cover at least between the knees and the navel, whereas for women the only parts that can be revealed are the face, hands, and feet. This difference is solely due to the physical nature and attractiveness of the female body, and should not be misinterpreted as gender inequality. Still, most men prefer to cover themselves from head to toe especially during prayer as a sign of respect in the presence of God Almighty.

Nevertheless, some people have a hard time grasping why the hair is so important. First, the hair is only one of the many parts that need to be covered. Second, if hair was not so attractive, women would not spend hours in front of the mirror or spend hundreds of dollars to make their hair pretty. However, the concept of covering in Islam is not restricted to only the headscarf, which would be undermining the meaning and effect of this practice. The underlying principle is to keep your beauty to yourself, your spouse, and those of the same sex, so that you will not be viewed as an “object.” The ultimate goal is to be modest before God and other human beings. Western feminists contend that one of the greatest problems of our age is the reduction of women to mere objects that are valued only for their physical beauty. I must add, though, that in Islam, physical beauty and marital relations are not viewed as a sin or something to be ashamed of. They are a gift of God and we are to enjoy them within the limits prescribed by God.

In the Qur’an, God has commanded believing men and believing women to act in certain ways to avoid indecent interaction with the opposite sex, which has great repercussions for individuals and society in this world and the Hereafter. Islam is a religion of prevention and protection, rather than a religion of punishment. All aspects of Islamic law aim to prevent sin in order to avoid punishment that would otherwise be necessary to ensure perfect justice. (It is also important to point out that in Islam, sin is regarded as a transgression against one’s self or a state of being away from God and acting contrary to our own nature) In other words, God knows His creatures and their weaknesses best and lays down guidelines to keep them from sinning because of His love and mercy for His creatures. Modest dress also has the same logic and nature. God has commanded it in the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad implemented it in his life and taught it to his followers for sound and compelling reasons.

The practice of wearing modest dress existed in various cultures and religions prior to the advent of Islam. Hence Islam did not invent the covering of one’s hair or modest dress in general. Veiling (I use the term here to refer to wearing a headscarf and not to covering the face as the term “veil” may also connote) was a common practice in the Byzantine Empire during the Hellenistic era and also among the Sassanids of Persia. The veil was a sign of respectability and high status and was used to distinguish noblewomen from slaves and unchaste women who were not allowed to cover their heads. Subsequently, the practice was established in the Judaic and Christian systems and the Arabic peninsula at large (even prior to the advent of Islam).

Judaic doctrines and traditions have emphasized the covering of hair and modest dress throughout history. Rabbinic law forbids the recitation of prayers in the presence of a bareheaded married woman, since it is considered nudity. Jewish women in Europe wore the headscarf until the end of the nineteenth century when the pressures of a secular society triumphed over religion. Today, many Jewish women cover their hair in synagogues, yet only certain sects such as Hasidic Jews continue the practice in everyday life by wearing a wig.

The place of veiling in Christianity is as prevalent as in Judaism. The most obvious sign is the modest dress nuns have been wearing for centuries. Veiling was part of the Christian tradition, not exclusively for nuns: “And Rebekah lifted up her eyes and when she saw Isaac… she took her veil and covered herself” (Genesis 24:65). The Catholic Church had a canon up until the 1950s requiring women to cover their hair inside a church. Certain Christian denominations such as the Amish and the Mennonites still retain a head covering for women.

Likewise, there is a strong connection between clothing, modesty, and morality in Islam. Thus, the concept of modesty extends beyond mere clothing and encompasses austere manners. This ideal code of conduct and modest dress are required from both men and women. There is strong emphasis on the protection of people’s dignity in the Qur’an. (For instance, assaulting someone with words or slander is a grave transgression.) One of the most compelling reasons for modest dress in the Qur’an is modesty and to protect women from molestation. It is not a sign of male superiority or of high status, as was the case in ancient societies.

And tell the believing women that they (also) should restrain their gaze (from looking at the men whom it is lawful for them to marry, and from others’ private parts), and guard their private parts, and that they should not display their charms except that which is revealed of itself; and let them draw their veils over their bosoms, and (tell them) not to display their charms to any save their husbands, or their fathers (and grandfathers and both paternal and maternal uncles), or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands (both their own and stepsons and grandsons), or their brothers (and foster- and step-brothers), or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or the Muslim women and the women of good conduct with whom they associate, or those their right hands possess, or the male attendants in their service free of sexual desire, or children that are as yet unaware of femininity. Nor should they stamp their feet (i.e. act in such a manner as) to draw attention to their charms (and arouse passion of men). And O believers, turn to God all together in repentance that you may attain true prosperity. (Nur 24:31)

Islam does not only seek to guide the individual out of the context of her surroundings. The realities of everyday life require human beings to interact with others unceasingly, hence social matters are also addressed in the Qur’an. The modesty of an individual’s dress and manners automatically affect society at large. Indeed, the problems of sexual harassment of women and sexual assault are widespread in our societies. Trying to catch and punish the perpetrators of these offences after the harm is done does not solve the problem. Individuals should reform themselves, learn good morals and values. Only in such a way can the entire society be reformed. When and if women practice ranges of nudity, the society at large is affected negatively. For instance, harmony among married couples and the piety of individuals may deteriorate. This does not mean that only women must watch the way they act and dress, but as the Qur’anic verse 24:30 states, men are obligated to lower their gaze and adopt modest dress and manners as well.

Tell the believing men that they should restrain their gaze (from looking at the women whom it is lawful for them to marry, and from others’ private parts), and guard their private parts and chastity. This is what is purer for them. God is fully aware of all that they do. (Nur 24:30)

Men are first warned to control themselves, and then the required dress for men and women complements the decency of society. Also, to reduce the debate only to the matter of clothing is indeed wrong and misrepresentative of Islam. God is concerned with our inner selves primarily. Thus, modest dress serves its purpose only when it is appropriately complemented by the right morals and manners, and a whole Islamic way of life.

***

For the original version of the article visit http://www.fountainmagazine.com/article.php?ARTICLEID=971

Session #2: Islam as a Religion of Universal Mercy

2010-03-15T14:30:00.001-07:00

Life is the foremost and most manifest blessing of God Almighty, and the true and everlasting life is that of the Hereafter. Since we can deserve it only by pleasing God, He sent Prophets and revealed Scriptures out of His Compassion for humanity. While mentioning His blessings upon humanity, He begins: 55.1. The All-Merciful; 55.2. He has taught the Qur'ān; 55.3. He has created human; 55.4. He has taught him speech.

All aspects of this life are a rehearsal for the afterlife, and every creature is engaged toward this end. Order is evident in every effort, and compassion resides in every achievement. Some "natural" events or social convulsions may seem disagreeable at first, but we should not regard them as being incompatible with compassion. They are like dark clouds or lightning and thunder that, although frightening, nevertheless bring us the good tidings of rain. Thus the whole universe praises the All-Compassionate.

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is like a spring of pure water in the heart of a desert, a source of light in an all-enveloping darkness. Those who appeal to this spring can take as much water as is needed to relieve their thirst, to become purified of their sins, and to become illuminated with the light of faith. Mercy was like a magical key in the Prophet's hands, for with it he opened hearts that were so hardened and rusty that no one thought they could be opened. But he did even more: he lit the light of belief in them.

The compassion of God's Messenger encompassed every creature. He desired that everyone be guided. In fact, this was his greatest concern: “Yet it may be that you (O Muhammad) will torment yourself to death with grief, following after them, if they do not believe in this Message. “(Al-Kahf 18:6)

But how did he deal with those who persisted in oppression and persecutions; those who did not allow him and his followers to worship the One God; those who took up arms against him to destroy him? He had to fight such people, yet his universal compassion encompassed every creature. This is why when he was wounded severely at the Battle of Uhud, he raised his hands and prayed: "O God, forgive my people, for they do not know."

The Makkans, his own people, inflicted so much suffering on him that he finally emigrated to Madina. Even after that, the next 5 years were far from peaceful. However, when he conquered Makka without bloodshed in the twenty-first year of his Prophethood, he asked the Makkan unbelievers: "How do you expect me to treat you?" They responded altogether: "You are a noble one, the son of a noble one." He then told them his decision: "You may leave, for no blame this day shall be on you. May God forgive you. He is the Most Compassionate." 825 years later Sultan Mehmed II said the same thing to the defeated Byzantines after conquering Constantinople. Such is the universal compassion of Islam.

The Messenger displayed the highest degree of compassion toward believers:
There has come to you (O people) a Messenger from among yourselves; extremely grievous to him is your suffering; full of concern for you is he, and for the believers, full of pity and compassion. (At-Tawbah 9:128)
He lowered unto believers his wing of tenderness through mercy ... (Al-Hijr 15:88)
... was the guardian of believers and nearer to them than their selves. (Al-Ahzab 33:6)

When one of his Companions died, he asked those at the funeral if the deceased had left any debts. On learning that he had, the Prophet mentioned the above verse and announced that the creditors should come to him for repayment.

His compassion even encompassed the hypocrites and unbelievers. He knew who the hypocrites were, but never identified them, for this would have deprived them of the rights of full citizenship that they had gained by their outward declaration of faith and practice. Since they lived among the Muslims, their denial may have been reduced or changed to doubt, thus diminishing their fear of death and the pain caused by the assertion of eternal non-existence after death.

God no longer destroys unbelievers collectively, although He had removed many such people in the past:
But God would not punish them so long as you were among them; and God is not to punish them (or other people) while they beg Him for forgiveness for their sins. (Al-Anfal 8:33)

This verse refers to unbelievers regardless of time and place. God will not destroy whole people as long as there are some who follow the Messenger. Moreover, He has left the door of repentance open until the Last Day. Anyone can accept Islam or ask God's forgiveness, regardless of how sinful they consider themselves to be.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"I was not sent to call down curses on people, but as a mercy."
"I am Muhammad, and Ahmad (the praised one), and Muqaffi (the Last Prophet); I am Hashir (the last Prophet in whose presence the people will gather); the Prophet of Repentance (the Prophet for whose sake the door of repentance will always remain open), and the Prophet of mercy."
"Pity those on the Earth so that those in the heavens will pity you."

For this reason, a Muslim's hostility toward unbelievers is a form of pity. When 'Umar saw an 80-year-old man, he sat down and cried. When asked why, he replied: "God assigned him so long a lifespan, but he has not been able to find the true path." 'Umar was a disciple of God's Messenger.

The Messenger of God was particularly compassionate toward children. Whenever he saw a child crying, he sat beside him or her and shared his or her feelings. He felt the pain of a mother for her child more than the mother herself. Once he said: “I stand in prayer and wish to prolong it. However, I hear a child cry and shorten the prayer to lessen the mother's anxiety."

He took children in his arms and hugged them. Once when he hugged and kissed his grandson Hasan, Aqrah ibn Habis told him: "I have 10 children, none of whom I have ever kissed." God's Messenger responded: "One without pity for others is not pitied." According to another version, he added: "What can I do for you if God has removed compassion from you?"

A member of the Banu Muqarrin clan once beat his female slave. She informed the Messenger of God, who then sent a message to the master. He said: "You have beaten her without any justifiable right. Free her." Setting a slave free was far better for the master than being punished in the Hereafter because of a wrong act.

The Messenger of God always protected and supported widows, orphans, the poor, and the disabled, even before his Prophethood. When he returned home in excitement from Mount Hira after the first Revelation, his wife Khadijah told him: “I hope you will be the Prophet of this community, for you always tell the truth, fulfill your trust, support your relatives, help the poor and weak, and feed guests.”

His compassion even encompassed animals. We hear from him: A prostitute was guided to truth by God and ultimately went to Paradise because she gave water to a poor dog dying of thirst inside a well. Another woman was sent to Hell because she made a cat die of hunger.

Once while returning from a military campaign, a few Companions removed some young birds from their nest to caress them. The mother bird came back and, not being able to find its babies, began to fly around, calling out for them. When told of this, God's Messenger became angry and ordered the birds to be put back in the nest. Ibn Abbas reported that God's Messenger, upon observing a man sharpening his knife directly before the sheep to be slaughtered, asked him: "Do you want to kill it more than once?"

He removed all differences of race and color. Once Abu Dharr got so angry with Bilal that he insulted him: "You son of a black woman!" Bilal came to the Messenger and reported the incident in tears. The Messenger reproached Abu Dharr: "Do you still have a sign of jahiliyah (ignorance)?" Full of repentance, Abu Dharr lay on the ground and said: "I will not raise my head (meaning that he would not get up) unless Bilal puts his foot on it." Bilal forgave him, and they were reconciled. Such was the bond of kinship and humanity that Islam created among a once-savage people.

His love and compassion for creatures differed from that of today's self-proclaimed humanists. He was sincere and controlled (moderate and balanced) in his love and compassion. He was a Prophet raised by God, the Creator and Sustainer of all beings, for the guidance and happiness of conscious beings—humanity and jinn—and the harmony of existence. As such, he lived not for himself but for others. He is a mercy for all the worlds, a manifestation of Compassion.

This article is slightly modified version of the article at http://www.dislam.org/content/view/442/1/

Verse of the Week #1

2010-03-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

"O humankind! Verily! We have created you from a male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Surely the noblest, most honorable of you in God's sight is the most God-fearing , one best in piety and righteousness for God. Surely God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. “ The Qur'an, 49:13.

Vocabulary of the Week #1

2010-03-15T14:15:00.001-07:00

God Almighty: Herseye gucu yeten Allah
Supreme: En ustun, en yuce
Supreme Being: En yuce Allah
Surrender: Teslim olmak
Submit: Boyun egmek
Piety: Takva
Righteousness: Dogruluk, durustluk

Video of the Week #1: Meaning of the word "Islam"

2010-03-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

Session #1: What is Islam

2010-03-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

What is Islam?

Islam is not simply "peace" as some people say; it has five words in it: 1. surrender, 2. submit, 3. obey, 4. sincerity, 5. peace. If you surrender to God, submit yourself to God's will only, obey His rules and live your life accordingly in sincerity and peace, that is Islam.

Muslim is one who submits to God and Islam is not much different from other great world religions as there is only one God, and that is the Almighty God to whom Christians and Jews believe.
Islam also accepts that revelation came through all prophets, beginning from Adam, to Abraham, Moses, Jesus and finally to Muhammad (pbuh). Muhammad (pbuh) is the final prophet but not the God. He is only one humble person, servant of the God that brought the words of God to all people.
One other essential belief in Islam, -it is another common denominator with other divine religions- is accountability of the actions, is that we are responsible for all our actions and on the day of judgment everybody will go before God, and see what he/she has done in his/her previous life, which is given to us only for test purposes. Then God is the only one who decides either we will receive eternal reward or the punishment.

So, what is truth about Islam? The basic principles, so-called pillars, of Islam give us a brief idea about it. They are good principles for life and show us the way of living a good and righteous life.

1. declaration of faith: openly declare one’s faith. Faith that there is only one God. This is the belief that exists in all divine religions. There really is one God, one Supreme Being that governs all.
People, in different parts of the world, in different times, no matter they were developed or under-developed societies, always had a need to believe in God and believed in God. The unbelievers were always a minority. This is nature of human beings that they need a Supreme Being who is free from all weaknesses and errors of human beings and has power over everything.
And the messenger who brought the message is the one to follow.

2. Prayers - five times a day: Prayers are way of communicating with God and remembrance of God. People might think that it is too much for one person to pray five times a day and especially at certain times of the day, as we are overwhelmingly busy in our daily lives nowadays.
Though, nobody can say remembrance of God is not good. More we remember God, the better people we will be.

3. Fasting: In the month of Ramadan it is not allowed to eat, drink or have sexual relationship during the daylight hours (from the sunrise to the sunset). We see the act of fasting existed in other religions too in the past, people were fasting in the past, so it is instituted in every great religion.
Beside its physical requirements, there exist some spiritual obligations too. And to fulfill a perfect act of fasting, they are essential. Although the bad actions of backbiting, lying (A liar cannot be a believer.) or cursing –not to mention big ones such as adultery, theft, etc- are totally prohibited in Islam, in month of Ramadan, they are obviously violations of requirements of fasting. One who looks like doing fasting physically but omitting these spiritual obligations isn’t fasting in fact.
Fasting teaches us self-restraint, control of one’s desires, both physical and spiritual.

4. Charity: Wealthy Muslims are required to give 2.5% of the surplus of their wealth to the poor once a year. It is important to note that money doesn’t go to any institution, mosque or church but directly to the needy members of the society.

5. Pilgrimage. Wealthy Muslims, once in their lifetime, are required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
It is celebration of diversity of human beings and celebration of God’s greatness. When you go there, you see thousands, even millions of people, from all around the world. You understand that there is one Great Power who can create all those people. And there is one Great Power who can gather them all in one place. All, with different colors, positions, backgrounds, in one place and all equal in front of One Great God. It is a clear indication to the universality of message of Islam.

Who is Muslim?

Anyone who does indeed submit to the will of Allah, God Almighty, as required by Islam is termed a "Muslim," which means one who has submitted to the will of Allah.

Muslims believe that Islam existed long before Muhammad (pbuh) and that the religion has evolved with time. The Qur'an describes many Biblical prophets and messengers as Muslim: Adam, Noah (Arabic: Nuh), Moses (Arabic: Musa) and Jesus (Arabic: Isa) and his apostles. The Qur'an states that these men were Muslims because they submitted to God, preached his message and upheld his values. Thus, in Surah 3:52 of the Qur'an, Jesus’ disciples tell Jesus: " We believe in God, and (we call you to) bear witness that we are Muslims ".

[3.52: (Having preached his message in this way for a long time,) Jesus perceived their willful persistence on unbelief (and open hostility), and called out: "Who will be my helpers (on this way) to God?" The disciples answered: "We are the helpers of God('s cause). We believe in God, and (we call you to) bear witness that we are Muslims (submitted to Him exclusively). ]

Most Muslims accept anyone as a Muslim who has publicly pronounced the Shahadah, which states, "There is none worthy of worship except God, and Muhammad is His Messenger." Currently, there are an estimated 1.4 billion Muslims, making it the second largest religion in the world.

Unlike some other religions which claim that God entered in a covenant with a certain group of people and that this group is genetically better than all other human beings, or closer to God, Islam on the other hand teaches that no color, race, tribe, or lineage is better than any other. Islam teaches that all humans are equal in the sight of Allah and that the only thing that can distinguish them in His sight is their piety and worship.

"O humankind! Verily! We have created you from a male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Surely the noblest, most honorable of you in God's sight is the the most God-fearing , one best in piety and righteousness for God. Surely God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. “ The Qur'an, 49:13.

Opening Bridges - Two Questions

2007-02-26T20:55:00.000-08:00

http://www.watchislam.com/videos/index.php?catid=13
OPENING BRIDGES 1

Q1: Life is full of tension. When would global family and universal brotherhood come true?
If we are able to understand each other on the most basic level, establish open lines of communication and come to mutual understanding, then we will become ready to solve our problems. We need to think in a bottop-up fashion; first listen and try to understand, then, look ways of meeting on a common ground which could be acceptted by all parties. But most of the times main problems are originated in ignorance, just not to know 'the other'. We are not all the same, it's true. Even people in the same family, brothers and sisters aren't same. But since they are our family, we accept and love them as they are. And despite our differences at the first glance, if we try, we enjoy many great similarities too.
As human beings we are from the same origin (Adam & Eve) and member of a great family.

We just need more gatherings, share our meals and beliefs, then we can come to mutual understanding and solve our problems.

Q2: One of th most confusing word in Islam is "jihad". What is the real meaning and purpose of juhad?

Jihad means struggle against evil in all levels and it starts at the most basic level in the heart. God created us with awareness of good and evil. We are responsible to struggle evil tendencies of our hearts at the first hand.
There are two hadith (words of Prophet Muhammed, pbuh) illustrating main purpose of jihad:
"Greater jihad is the jihad of the hearth" and
"Pilgrimage is the best jihad" as you bear many difficulties in the crowd during pilgrimage and you choose to be calm instead of shouting or arguing with people.
Despite evil tendencies inside you and difficulties introduced by people or events around you, struggling and striving for righteousness and goodness in your life is real jihad.

At the highest level, (this is mostly misused and misunderstood meaning), you might be required to stand up and defend your self-being, country. This is again for defense and for the sake of God, And if you are not living your life accordingly with the very basic principle of jihad, without this vital component, other actions will not be accepted.

Principles of Islam

2007-02-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

http://www.watchislam.com/videos/index.php?catid=13
OPENING BRIDGES 1

In recent days, we see many attacks against Islam. Some people attack and insult the prophet of Islam, book of Islam, everything which is divine to Islam. But these are not new actually, they occurred at the time of prophet himself, and continued to happen during the history. But, even when people attack prophet physically and insult him, his attitude was always positive, and he didn’t show any sense of anger, aggression and hostility. He only prayed for them to be guided to the right path. Then, we see those people, the very enemies, eventually became Muslims. So, this is an important road map for us, showing us how to behave in such difficult circumstances.

Additionally, for every occasion in our lives we have the opportunity to have a positive attitude about things that are happening around us. Even the circumstances might seem bad; many bad-words and bad propaganda, terror-islam talks might be going on, but we can still see it from the positive side: This is a free advertising for us. We didn’t do our job of promoting true message of Islam, so God is doing it for us. And He is giving us the chance to speak up and tell the truth about Islam.

So, what is truth about Islam? The basic principles, so-called pillars, of Islam give us a brief idea about it. They are good principles for life and show us the way of living a good and righteous life.

1. declaration of faith: openly declare one’s faith. Faith that there is only one God. This is the belief that exist in all divine religions. There really is one God, one Supreme Being that governs all.
People, in different parts of the world, in different times, no matter they were developed or under-developed societies, always had a need to believe in God and believed in God. The unbelievers were always a minority. This is nature of human beings that they need a Supreme Being who is free from all weaknesses and errors of human beings and has power over everything.

And the messenger who brought the message is the one to follow.

2. Prayers - five times a day: Prayers are way of communicating with God and remembrance of God. People might think that it is too much for one person to pray five times a day and especially at certain times of the day, as we are overwhelmingly busy in our daily lives nowadays.

Though, nobody can say remembrance of God is not good. More we remember God, the better people we will be.

3. Fasting: In the month of Ramadan, we are not allowed to eat, drink or have sexual relationship during the daylight hours (from the sunrise to the sunset). We see the act of fasting existed in other religions too in the past, people were fasting in the past, so it is instituted in every great religion.

Beside its physical requirements, there exist some spiritual obligations too. And to fulfill a perfect act of fasting, they are essential. Although the bad actions of backbiting, lying (A liar cannot be a believer.) or cursing –not to mention big ones such as adultery, theft, etc- are totally prohibited in Islam, in month of Ramadan, they are obviously violations of requirements of fasting. One who looks like doing fasting physically but omitting these spiritual obligations isn’t fasting in fact.
Fasting teaches us self-restraint, control of one’s desires, both physical and spiritual.

4. Charity: Wealthy Muslims are required to give 2.5% of the surplus of their wealth to the poor once a year. It is important no note that money doesn’t go to any institution, mosque or church but directly to the needy members of the society.

5. Pilgrimage. Wealthy Muslims, once in their lifetime, are required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

It is celebration of diversity of human beings and celebration of God’s greatness. When you go there, you see thousands even millions of people, from all around the world. You understand that there is one Great Power who can create all those people. And there is one Great Power who can gather them all in one place. All, with different colors, positions, backgrounds, in one place and all equal in front of One Great God.
It is a clear indication to the universality of message of Islam.

Muslims in America - The Misunderstood Millions

2007-02-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

Description: Muslims in America - The Misunderstood Millions

"When the Oklahoma City Federal Building was bombed in 1995, many media and law enforcement experts were quick to blame Muslims for the crime, falling back on a widely held perception in recent times that links Muslims with terror, and other common stereotypes that are often based on prejudice and ignorance. In this program, ABC News’ Nightline returns to Oklahoma City to look at the backlash against the Muslim community. It then moves to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home of the oldest mosque in the U.S., to learn what it is like to be a Muslim in America, struggling daily against the weight of negative stereotyping. Ted Koppel then speaks with John Esposito, Director of the Center for Muslim Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, who explains the similarities and differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. This film provides a revealing look at some of the issues American Muslims regularly face, while debunking many of the commonly held misconceptions about Islam and Muslims."

This video, which is prepared by ABC News after the bombing in Oklohoma City in 1995, addresses the issue of making prejudiced connections between terrorist groups and other Muslims. Although the video is little bit old itself, the matters are still quite new, as they are renewed after unfortunate event of 9/11 in 2001.

Terrorism is equated with Islam most of the times but that is not Islam/faith causing the problems, it is the people who have different social, economical, and educational backgrounds.
There are many Muslims all over the world; Indonesian, Chinese, Turkish, English, Arab (they are only a minority as opposed to the common perception) all having their cultures, their way of livings.

Muslim is one who submits to God and Islam is not much different from other great world religions as there is only one God, and that is the Almighty God to whom Christians and Jews believe.
Islam also accepts that revelation came through all prophets, beginning from Adam, to Abraham, Moses, Jesus and finally to Muhammed. Muhammed is the final prophet but not the God. He is only one humble person, servant of the God, that brought the words of God to all people.
One other essential belief in Islam, -it is another common denominator with other divine religions- is accountability of the actions, is that we are responsible for all our actions and on the day of judgment everybody will go before God, and see what he/she has done in his previous life, which is only given to us for test purposes. Then God is the only one who decides either we will receive eternal reward or the punishment.

Islam Denounces Terrorism

2006-12-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

http://islamdenouncesterrorism.com/film.htm

Various acts of terrorism have been carried out for centuries in different parts of the world by different groups –extremists- for a variety of purposes. In recent years, after September 11 attacks particularly, we were introduced with a new kind of terror, so-called ‘Islamic terror’. This is an erroneous term, however; as even if terrorists have Muslim identities, the terror they perpetrate cannot be labeled "Islamic terror", just as it could not be called "Jewish terror" if the perpetrators were Jews or "Christian terror" if they were Christians. That is because, murdering innocent people in the name of a divine religion is unacceptable.

Religion commands love, mercy and peace. Terror, on the other hand, is the opposite of religion; it is cruel, merciless and demands bloodshed and misery. This being the case, the origins of a terrorist act should be sought in disbelief rather than in religion.

Terror (i.e. murder of innocent people) in Islam is a great sin and Muslims are responsible for preventing these acts and bringing peace and justice to the world. We are responsible to behave kindly and justly to all people.

Here is what Quran says about the issue:
3:110 - “You are the best nation ever to be produced before mankind. You enjoin the right, forbid the wrong and believe in God.”
5:32 – “If someone kills another person –unless it is a retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth- it is as if he had murdered all mankind.”
3:140 – “God does not love wrongdoers”
13:25 – “As for those cause corruption in the earth, the curse will be upon them. They will have the Evil abode.”

Summary is partly taken from http://islamdenouncesterrorism.com/terrorism1.htm.

Does Islam = Terrorism?

2006-12-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.watchislam.com/videos/index.php?catid=16

When people ask you unpleasant or even aggressive questions about your religion, especially regarding terrorism and holy war, smile and answer their question with great dignity. Don't forget the golden rule: "If people disrespect you, you don't disrespect them!"
First say "Thank you for asking me about my religion!" and use this opportunity wisely to tell them what they don't know. People say "Islamophobia" because they have fear of Islam, but actually they have fear of what they don't know. So, give them chance to get the main idea and big picture of Islam.

Islam is not simply "peace" as some people say, it has five words in it: 1.surrender, 2.submit, 3.obey, 4.sincerety, 5.peace.
If you surrender to God, submit yourself to God's will only, obey His rules and live your life accordingly in sincerety and peace, that is what is called Islam.

Terror, Holy war and the verse "kill them until they become Muslims"

Quran Chapter 2, verses 189-193
189. They ask you concerning the new moon. Say: They are times appointed for (the benefit of) men, and (for) the pilgrimage; and it is not righteousness that you should enter the houses at their backs, but righteousness is this that one should guard (against evil); and go into the houses by their doors and be careful (of your duty) to Allah*, that you may be successful.
190. And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.
191. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than combat, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then fight with them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
192. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
193. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.

Please pay attention to verse 190, it starts with an "and". No sentence starts with an "and" unless it is connected to the preceding sentence. With this verse, God gives permission to Muslims of Medina, who were thrown out of their hometown Mecca, so that they can go to Mecca for pilgrimage and fight back if necessary. And after 13 years "they are allowed to fight back!" Yes, during the past 13 years they were not allowed to fight back except personal self-defense. Now they have the permission to go back to their homes and fight back with those who fight them, only with those who fight them!, and again within certain limitations:
- no harm to innocent people, such as women, children and elderly
anybody who is not engaged in the fight or the war!
-animals
-plants

slaughter, slay, kill or even fight which are widely used in English Quran translations are not in fact true reflections of original Arabic word "qatiloo" and it's more accurate meaning is "mortal combat".
Very important detail to add here is "no individual can start a combat himself". Only the head of states and governments, in other words people in charge of their nations, can do it. Also, please note that Prophet himself never began a war except defensive reasons.

persecution in its original Arabic context is "fitna", and fitna denotes circumstances that things are too bad so that you can't do anything. Aggression and oppression is everywhere, you cannot even spread the word. Its equivalent is today's very fashionable word "terrorism". "And fight with them until there is no persecution" ; "fight them until the terrorism is over!".

"Religion should be only for Allah", is yet another not-very-accurate translation. It's more accurate version could be "until the way can be established for religion of God".
Do not compel people to accept it but tell the truth, show that the door is open but let it be still their choice:
"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: hence, he who rejects the evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing." 2:256

* Allah is the One God, to whom Muslims as well as other People of Book, Christians and Jews, believe. He is the same God, the Almighty:
"... and say: We believe in that which had been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender." 29:46

* * *
This is the summary of video with title: IN SEARCH OF PEACE
http://www.watchislam.com/videos/index.php?catid=16
(video has two parts, we watched Yusuf Estes's speech which is first 32 minutes)

Examples - diamond vs coal

2006-11-30T17:49:00.000-08:00

The allotropes of carbon are the different molecular configurations that pure carbon can take.

Diamond is one of the best known allotropes of carbon, whose hardness and high scattering of light make it useful for industrial applications, and jewelry.
Amorphous carbon is the name used for carbon that does not have any crystalline structure. [1] and coal is known as amorphous carbon.

Carbon structures for different allotropes are shown above. First one in the first row is diamond, and first one in the third row is amorphous carbon.

While the marvelous diamonds above worth thousands of dollars, the value of same amount of coal is respectively nothing. The pictures are quite self-explanatory to the reason why.
See the related article, Why do we believe?

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotropes_of_carbon

The ultimate goal of our lives

2006-11-12T22:45:00.000-08:00

As human beings, belief in God and worshipping to God are our most important duties. Only belief in God can ensure that we will accomplish our given potentials and get a degree which is above all other creatures. Otherwise, disbelief will take us to a point even below the animals. The ultimate goal of our lives is to seek perfection through knowledge and exhibit our worship to God through prayer and supplication.

A certain proof for this truth is the difference between the way human beings and animals are created and the way they survive. Almost from the very moment of birth, an animal seems to have been trained and perfected its faculties somewhere else. Within a few hours or days (mostly, not months), it can lead its life according to its particular rules and conditions. A bird or a bee is inspired with the skill and ability to integrate into its environment within a matter of 20 days, while it would take a person 20 years or so. This means that an animal’s basic obligation and essential role does not include seeking for knowledge, seeking perfection through learning. They are already equipped with the knowledge that they will need to survive from the moment they born. Their sole purpose is to act within the limits of their given faculties, which is the mode of worship specified for them.

But the situation for humans is much more complicated. As we have some certain features that no other creature has, we seem to be more advanced than the others. We can think, understand the universe around us, we can feel, we can make choices. All these make us unique. Though, as it comes to life and challenges of life, we are much weaker than any other creature. We are born knowing nothing of life and our environment and so must learn everything. As we cannot do this even within 20 years, we must continue to learn until we die. We appear to have been sent here with so much weakness and inability that we might need two years just to learn how to walk. Only after 15 years we can distinguish good and evil. This is why most teenagers at the age of 15 still need advices from their parents. They are still open to make mistakes.

It seems that from the moment we born we are through a continuous learning process and this lasts until the last day of our lives. Thus the essential duty of our existence is to seek perfection through learning and to show our worship to God through prayer and supplication. We should seek answers for: “Through whose compassion is my life so wisely administered? Through whose generosity am I being so kindly trained? Through whose favors and charity am I being nourished?” and other questions. Then we should pray the Provider of Needs in humble awareness of our needs, none of which we can satisfy on our own. This understanding and confession of weakness and poverty will become two wings on which to fly to the highest rank: being a servant of God.

And so our purpose here is to seek perfection through knowledge and prayer. Everything is, by its nature, essentially dependent on knowledge. And the basis and source of all true knowledge is knowledge of God, of which belief is the very foundation.
"..Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge..." Quran(35,28)
After belief, prayer is our essential duty and the basis of worship, because, despite our infinite weakness, we are exposed to endless difficulties in our lives. And despite our infinite poverty, we suffer limitless need and demands.

Children express their need for something they cannot reach with words or tears. Both are a sort of request or prayer, in word or action, both expressing weakness. Eventually they get what they want. Similarly, we are quite like a beloved child; at the Most Compassionate and Merciful Being’s Court we either will cry or pray (due to our poverty and need) so that our need may be satisfied. In return, we should perform our duty of gratitude and thanksgiving. This is all what it takes to be a servant, be aware of your weakness and God’s greatness and only ask help from Him and be thankful for the things He gives. And don’t forget that everything you have is from God. Those people who claim to have so much intelligence and power over everything that they can meet their own needs, finally will understand that they are not that powerful and there exist things they cannot control.

See original text at http://www.dislam.org/content/view/180/5/1/4/

Why do we believe?

2006-09-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

Surely We created man of the best pattern; then We reduced him to the lowest of the low, save those who believe and do good deeds. (95:4-6)

Belief is a relation, which connects man to his Creator

We, human beings, can only reach the highest degree of our potential and become worthy of paradise by means of “faith”. The darkness of unbelief reduces us to the lowest level of our creation. Belief connects us to our Majestic Creator, and our value derives from using our belief to show the Divine art and manifest the Divine Names.
The only reason we are here on earth is to reflect His beauty, His power. As human brain is limited and cannot understand God’s essence, attributes comprehensively, we are responsible as humans to reflect his attributes as God’s representatives here, on earth. In fact, every creature, from the smallest living to the heavens, everything witness to his great power, though the only responsibility to represent Him, with the capacity of intellect and free will, is given to us. Unbelief breaks this relation, thereby concealing the Divine art and reducing our value to that of a mere physical entity with almost no value (a physical entity diminishes and perishes by time and is no valuable than an animal).

The value of the iron (or any other material) from which a work of art is made differs from the value of the art expressed in it. Sometimes they may have the same value, or the art’s worth may be far more than its material. An antique may fetch a million dollars, while its material is not even worth a few cents. If taken to the antiques market, it may be sold for its true value because of its art and the brilliant artist’s name. If taken to a blacksmith, it would be sold only for the value of its iron.

Similarly, each person is a unique, priceless work of God Almighty’s art. We are His Power’s most delicate and graceful miracles, beings created to manifest all His Names and inscriptions in the form of a miniature specimen of the universe. If we are illuminated with belief, these meaningful inscriptions become visible. Believers manifest these inscriptions through their connection with their Creator, for the Divine art contained in each person is revealed through such affirmations as: “I am the work of the Majestic Creator, the creature and object of His Mercy and Generosity.” As a result, and because we gain value in proportion to how well we reflect this art, we move from insignificance (in material terms) to beings ranked above all creatures. We communicate with God, are His guests on Earth, and are qualified for Paradise. (For instance, prayer is a form of communication with God, who speaks to us through Prophets and Scriptures).

But if unbelief is ingrained in us, all of the Divine Names’ manifestations are veiled by darkness and thus become non-expressive. Most meaningful instances of that sublime art and elevated inscriptions are concealed. Unbelievers attribute such art and inscriptions to trivial causes, nature and chance, thereby reducing them to plain glass instead of invaluable diamonds. Thus, unbelief is like reducing the value of a diamond to a coal. See the example, here.

Belief is both light and power

Belief is both light and power. Indeed, whoever attains true belief can challenge the whole universe and in proportion to the strength of his belief, be relieved of the pressures of events. He lives the life in this world comfortably until his last day, since he has been relieved of his burden by entrusting it to the Power of the Absolutely Powerful One. By contrast, if he does not rely upon God, the weight of the worldly life will force him down to the lowest of the low.
Belief, consists of the affirmation of Divine Unity, which requires submission to God, and submission requires reliance upon God, and that reliance yields happiness in both worlds. Such reliance upon God should not be misunderstood as ignoring “cause and effect” phenomenon. Rather, it means that one should think of causes as a veil covering Power’s hand. One observes them by seeking to comply with the Divine Will, which is a sort of worship in action. However, such desire and seeking is not enough to secure a particular effect or result. We must understand that, in accordance with right belief, the result is to be expected only from God, the All-Mighty as He is the only creator of the results.

To understand the true meaning of trust in God, consider this example: Once two people boarded a ship with heavy burdens. One put his burden on the deck immediately after boarding and sat onto it to keep it safe. The other one, even after being told to lay his burden down, refused to do so and said: “I won’t put it down, because it might get lost. Besides, I’m strong enough to carry it.” His friend told him that his behavior was obviously ridiculous and there were people looking at him and making fun of him. So, people who rely upon their egos and get all burden of life to their own shoulders resemble to this man. They are not aware of the fact that they lack the power and ability to manage the life on their owns.
Put your trust in God and be delivered from all burdens. Doing so will deliver you from being ridiculous, the pressures of this life and the torments of the Hereafter.

This text is slighlty modified version of original translation of 23rd Word, Risale-i Nur Collection, by Said Nursi Bediuzzaman. The original text can be found on the web at http://www.dislam.org/content/view/180/5/

God, In the Qur’an

2006-08-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

Chapter 112 – The Unity
1. Say: He is Allah, the One;
2. Allah, the Eternal, the Uncaused Cause of All Being;
2. He begets not, nor is He begotten;
3. And there is none like Him.

2. This rendering gives no more than an approximate meaning of the term as-samad, which occurs in the Qur'an only once, and is applied to God alone. It comprises the concepts of Primary Cause and eternal, independent Being, combined with the idea that everything existing or conceivable goes back to Him as its source and is therefore, dependent on Him for its beginning as well as for its continued existence.

4. The fact that God is one and unique in every respect, without beginning and without end, has its logical correlate in the statement that "there is nothing that could be compared with Him" - thus precluding any possibility of describing or defining Him. Consequently, the quality of His Being is beyond the range of human comprehension or imagination: which also explains why any attempt at "depicting" God by means of figurative representations or even abstract symbols must be qualified as an absolute denial of the truth.

This chapter in the Quran is originally called as Al-Ikhlas, which means “Purity of Faith”.
Translations and explanations are from the website http://kuran.gen.tr
- ENGLISH QURAN (A. YUSUF ALİ)
- ENGLISH QURAN & COMMENTARY (MUHAMMED ESED)

Beautiful Names of God

2006-06-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Virtuous (Cemil)
The Near (Garib)
The Responder to Prayer (Mucib)

Attributes of God, continued...

2006-06-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

8- In His hand all good

He is the only One who has all good and the only One who guides you to do good. He records any good and righteous deed that you do. So, do not think that when you die everything is destroyed and all your efforts are lost and pass away with you. Everything is preserved, all your deeds and services are recorded.

99:6 On that Day will men proceed in groups sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).
99:7 Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it!
99:8 And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.

He will keep you underground for a temporary time and then bring you to his presence. Thus, don’t worry that you leave such a beautiful world and enter into the grave. It is only for a temporary time. God is all-Merciful that will not let you dissolve and ruin. Instead, The Almighty God, in whose hand is all good calls you to reward your service. You can feel relieved as you completed your duty and service here and you are now free from any duties! You are on the way to ease and mercy.

The re-creation you see every spring is one perfect example to illustrate His power that He brings out living from the dead. He preserves seeds and grains as records of last spring’s activities and then unfolds them in the following spring in the most magnificent way. Thus, he preserves your actions and deeds and services, whatever you do, in the same way he preserves seeds and grains. As you certainly know that next spring he will create the spring from those seeds, he will give life back to you and reward your services as well.

30:19 It is He Who brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living, and Who gives life to the earth after it is dead: and thus shall you be brought out (from the dead).

9- He is powerful over everything

He is one and unique and has power over everything. As everything is easy for him, creating spring is as easy as creating a flower, and creating heavens is as easy as creating the spring. The innumerable creatures He sends continuously to this world bear witness to his limitless power. As He creates a small garden, He can also create heavens.
His power contains no defect. As He promised you through all his revealed books a life hereafter and promised you the paradise, He will fulfill his promise. Since all his acts are performed with truth and seriousness; since the perfection of all his works testify to his infinite perfection, which contains no flaw or defect, and since breaking a promise and lying are certainly signs of weakness, He will not break his covenant. And as He promised, He will open the door to the eternal life for you.
He already creates samples of heavens every year in perfect order (just look around you in the spring!) and we see it. This is enough to be assured that he can create heavens for us.

36:82 Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, "Be", and it is!

10- unto Him is the homecoming

All people are sent to this world, which is a world of trial, for specific purposes. After fulfilling these purposes they return to the presence of their Creator, who sent them in the first place.
By leaving this temporary world, we are actually going to the peaceful presence of the One who is All-Beautiful. While an hour of paradise is superior and preferable to a happy life of thousand years in this world, an hour’s vision of God’s countenance of utmost beauty is superior to thousand years in the paradise. All the beauty and love seen and felt in this world are only shadows of one manifestation of his beauty and love. Heavens are merely manifestations of his mercy; everlasting, all longing. So, we don’t need to worry about death. Death is not nothingness, darkness and dissolution. In fact, it is the world of permanence, eternal existence and the world of his light. Death opens the door for us to return to our true Owner. It bounds us for union and not separation.

21:35 Every human being is bound to taste death; and We test you [all] through the bad and the good [things of life] by way of trial: and unto Us you all must return.

Attributes of God, continued...

2006-06-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

4- To Him belongs all the praise

Only God deserves praise and glory as all the bounties around us come from Him. This fact implies that the bounties you enjoy now, never leave off as they all come from God’s inexhaustible treasury. They haven’t exhausted for millions of years, and will not so.
This remarks a great fact for us, because even we get everything we want and feel fully delighted, there is still something bothers. At least we are concerned about the idea of “what if one day I lose all these?”

Your current enjoyment and pleasures never comes to end, for every joy you have in your life is in fact a fruit of infinite mercy. The tree of mercy is everlasting and each exhausted fruit is replaced with a new one. Today you might be granted with one pleasure, tomorrow with another. It is better for you not to rely upon the fleeting nature of pleasure. The more important and enjoyable is to realize that these all come from the One who is All Generous and be able to feel the true pleasure within giving your thanks for all you receive.
Thus, offering your thanks and praise to God for what you currently enjoy makes your pleasure deepened and grown greatly since every joy and pleasure is, in essence, a favor from the Divine Mercy and therefore hundred times more enjoyable than the enjoyment itself. Think about this example: if a glorious king gives you an apple, your pleasure at such a royal favor will be hundred times more than just receiving a simple, ordinary apple from a humble person.

5- He alone gives life

Only he gives and sustains life and provides all its necessities, and that life’s sublime goals and important results pertains to Him.
This fact says us:

"Do not trouble yourself by taking the heavy responsibilities of life onto your own shoulders. Do not think of the transience of life and worry about it. And do not see only its worldly and unimportant fruits and regret that you are here, on earth. Rather, your life belongs to the Ever-Living and Self-Subsistent One, and it is He Who provides for all its expenses and requirements. Also, your life has many great purposes and results which all pertain to Him, too.

As for you, you are just a steersman on the ship, so do your job well and take the wage and pleasure that come with it. Think just how precious the life-ship is and how valuable its benefits; then think just how Generous and Merciful the Owner of the ship. So, rejoice and give thanks and know that when you perform your duty righteously, all the results the ship produces will in one respect be transferred to your account that will secure an immortal life for you.”

6- and makes to die

He discharges you from life’s duty, changes your residence from this transient world to an eternal one and releases you from the burden of service.
Here is good news for you! Death is not destruction, or nothingness; it is not eternal separation, or non-existence, or a chance event. Rather, it is being discharged by the Author Who is All-Wise and All-Compassionate; it is a change of residence. It is being transferred to your true home. It is the door of union to the Intermediate Realm, which is where you will meet your loved ones.

7- He is living and dies not

This fact proclaims to all lovers that The Eternal Beloved will heal your pains caused by your separation from your loved ones. Since He is living and everlasting, do not worry about all others. You loved them because of their beauty, and goodness and grace and perfection. But those are only dim, shadow-like manifestations of the Everlasting Beloved’s eternal beauty. So do not sorrow when they are gone for they are only mirrors. Mirrors change and when they change Eternal Beuty’s reflection is renewed and becomes more radiant. When you find Him, you find everything.

Words to remember – General Terms

2006-06-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Tawhid: Divine Unity, God’s Oneness
Sovereignty: Royal authority, kingdom

Words to remember – Names & Attributes of God

2006-06-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
The Beneficent, The Merciful
The Compassionate, The Merciful

Ar-Rahman - The All-Merciful
Ar-Rahim - The All-Compassionate
Al-Qadir - The All-Powerful
Al-Alim - The All-Wise
Al-Azim - The Almighty

Verses from Quran

2006-06-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

Most Beautiful Names
"The most beautiful names belong to Allah*: so call on him by them;" 7:180

Islam Denounces Terrorism
3:110 - “You are the best nation ever to be produced before mankind. You enjoin the right, forbid the wrong and believe in God.”
5:32 – “If someone kills another person –unless it is a retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth- it is as if he had murdered all mankind.”
3:140 – “God does not love wrongdoers”
13:25 – “As for those cause corruption in the earth, the curse will be upon them. They will have the Evil abode.”

The Opening - Prayer
In the name of God, Most-Merciful, Most-Gracious
"Praise be to Allah*, Sustainer of the worlds
Most-Merciful, Most-Gracious
Owner of the day of judgment
You alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help.
Guide us the straight path
The path of those whom you have favored, not the path of those who earn your anger, nor of those who go astray." 1: 1-7

The Unity, Chapter 112
1. Say: He is Allah*, the One;
2. Allah*, the Eternal, the Uncaused Cause of All Being;
2. He begets not, nor is He begotten;
3. And there is none like Him.

* Allah is the One God, to whom Muslims as well as other People of Book, Christians and Jews, believe. He is the same God, the Almighty.

Our God and your God is One
"And argue not with the people of the Scripture unless it be in a way that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which had been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender." 29:46

Our God and your God is One !

2006-06-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

"And argue not with the people of the Scripture unless it be in a way that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which had been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender." 29:46

What we believe about our God is summarized in the following facts. They reflect different aspects of "Divine Unity".

1- There is no god, but God

This fact provides us a great source of help, as we desperately need it. We, all human beings, have countless needs and despite this fact have many deficiencies involved within us.
What we need is limited by only what we can imagine
What we can accomplish and possess is limited by what we can do by our hands or to where our hands can reach.
There are many things that we have to deal with in our daily lives and each of these things requires our attention, energy and usually patience. We are connected to many things around us, and sometimes overwhelmed with confusion because of such abundance. This fact simplifies life for us, and turns our face from abundance to only one great source. Once you find Him, you are liberated from other obligations and fears.
There is only one God, One Creator, One Master. He is the only One who masters everything, who can give your needs, the One whom you can ask for help. So, you don’t exhaust yourself with other things. Don’t feel obliged to them or humiliate yourself before them for any reason.
By worshipping and believing in only one God, and seeking everything from him, knowing Him as the source of All-Power and all-Knowledge, you quit to worship to any other things.

2- He has no partner

Once you believe, wherever you are, whatever condition you are in, whatever you need, you have direct access to give you prayers, your requests to your Lord without any intervention. You don’t have to go through any intermediary steps.

He has no partner means that He is the One and has no partner in His royal authority, as well as in His acts and creating. In principle, a worldly king may have no partner in his authority but may have partners to help Him to execute the rules and govern his subjects. These partners act as intermediaries between him and his subjects. Allah has no such need and therefore no partner in his Lordship. One thing can interfere with another only if He permits it. In addition, his Divine Unity and Oneness rejects any intermediaries between Him and His creatures, thus everyone has direct access to Him regardless of time and place.

3- He owns the heavens and earth

Do not think that you own yourself for you cannot administer your own affairs. You cannot maintain your spirit and even body, meet all your needs and secure yourself against countless disasters. For instance, You cannot avoid exhaustion and aging, because you are subject to time and other erosive factors. Yet another example is the sleep.You have to sleep at least for a few hours a day. You cannot keep your functionalities running well if you skip the sleep for one-two days. Totally diminish and lose your functionality if you are further forced to stay awake for more than three-four days.
All the creatures, even they ignore the Creator have to follow and do follow the rules enforced by the Creator, it doesn’t matter whether they are aware of it, or not.

Since all these around you, including your own body, belong to the One who is All-Powerful and All-Compassionate; rely upon His power and compassion. Give up your sorrows and anxieties and find the peace inside you.
The universe, which you love, to which you are connected but which hurts you by its complications and confusion, which you cannot remedy, is the property of an All-Powerful and Merciful One. So hand over the property to its Owner.
You only focus on your own responsibilities and do not interfere with His acts. Do not get yourself into trouble by what you cannot achieve. Take it easy! as your Owner controls it completely and administers it as He wills. He is All-Wise, All-Compassionate and acts for a wise purpose.

This doesn’t mean you are free from your responsibilities in this world, instead, you are obliged to do your best whatever you are doing and whatever you are responsible for. You are given the great potential to be the representative of God in this world. First you surrender God, then try your best and do your best, to be a good representative, thus people by looking at you will see attributes of God, and acknowledge God in a better way. Fulfill your real purpose here in the world, first know yourself then your God.

These facts are derived from the word of the “Divine Unity”, which is so-called Tawhid, meaning God’s Oneness. The word is originally as follows:
“La ilahe illallahu vahdehu la serike leh, lehul mulku ve lehul hamdu yuhyi ve yumit ve huve hayyun layemut, biyedihil hayr ve huve ala kulli seyin kadir ve ileyhil masir.”

Each of the facts given above corresponds to one-or two phrases in this word.
Phrase 1. La ilahe illallahu: There is no god, but God.
Phrase 2. Vahdehu: He is the One.
Phrase 3. La serike leh: He has no partner
Phrase 4. Lehul mulku: He owns the earth and heavens.
Phrase 5. Ve lehul hamdu: to Him belongs all the praise.
Phrase 6.Yuhyi: He alone gives life
Phrase 7. Ve yumit: and makes to die
Phrase 8: ve huve hayyun layemut: He is living and dies not
Phrase 9. Biyedihil hayr: In His hand is all good
Phrase 10. Ve huve ala kulli seyin kadir: He is powerful over everything
Phrase 11. Ve ileyhil masir: and unto Him is the homecoming

Each phrase in this word affirms Divine Unity, and each message related with each word offers a cure, and each cure contains a spiritual pleasure.

This summary is derived from The Twentieth Letter, Letters, Risale-i Nur collection authored by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi. One can find complete text at:
http://www.risale-inur.com.tr/rnk/eng/letters/20letter.html