Chapter 3
21613: A Christian is asking whether it is possible for
him to enter Islam
Question:
Hello my name is XXX and i live in sweden. I am
not muslim, but i am wery interested about it. Is it
possible for someone like me to become a muslim? I feel that
the islam beliefs are just like my thoughts. I want to
know more about it.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We welcome you as our guest to this website, and
we greatly appreciate your interest in Islam, because this
is the means by which you may be guided, if Allaah
wills. Your saying that the religion of Islam is just like
your thoughts is a sign that your way of thinking is good
and sound, and that your nature is good because it is in
tune with the truth and ready to accept it. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah's Fitrah (i.e. Allaah's Islamic Monotheism)
with which He has created mankind"[al-Room
30:30]
With regard to your question about whether it is
possible to become a Muslim, the answer is yes indeed. Hasten
to do so and do not hesitate. We welcome you as a
questioner now and as a Muslim brother in the near future, if
Allaah wills.
We congratulate you for this good start and for
opening your heart to Islam, and for wanting to learn about it.
All that you have to do is embrace Islam by uttering
the Shahaadatayn (twin testimony of faith), then start
to practice Islam and follow its laws. You will find
answers to some important questions under the numbers
703, 378, 6703 and 12373.
We will be happy to answer any questions in the
future and to help you to understand this great religion.
Thank you once again. Peace be upon those who follow
true guidance.
Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable 
21010: Woman between the honouring of Islam and
the humiliation of Jaahiliyyah
Question:
The west accuses Islam of oppressing women. What
is the status of woman in Islam?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
In Islam, woman has a high status which no past
nation ever achieved and which no subsequent nation has
been able to attain, because the honour which Islam gives
to humanity includes men and women equally. They
are equal before the rulings of Allaah in this world and
they will be equal with regard to His reward and
punishment in the Hereafter. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meanings):
"And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam"
[al-Isra' 17:70]
"There is a share for men and a share for women
from what is left by parents and those nearest related"
[al-Nisa' 4:7]
"And they (women) have rights (over their husbands
as regards living expenses) similar (to those of
their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and
respect) to what is reasonable"
[al-Baqarah 2:228]
"The believers, men and women, are Awliya'
(helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another"
[al-Tawbah 9:71]
"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none
but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one
of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not
to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but
address them in terms of honour.
And lower unto them the wing of submission and
humility through mercy, and say: `My Lord! Bestow on them
Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young'"
[al-Isra' 17:23-24]
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):
"So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication
and answered them), "Never will I allow to be lost the
work of any of you, be he male or female"
[Aal `Imraan 3:195]
"Whoever works righteousness — whether male or
female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of
Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life
(in this world with respect, contentment and
lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward
in proportion to the best of what they used to do
(i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)" [al-Nahl 16:97]
"And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or
female, and is a (true) believer [in the Oneness of
Allaah (Muslim)], such will enter Paradise and not the
least injustice, even to the size of a Naqeera (speck on the
back of a date stone), will be done to
them" [al-Nisa' 4:124]
There is nothing in any other religion, nation or law
that can compare to the honour which woman gains in
Islam. The Roman civilization decreed that woman was a
slave who belonged to man, and had no rights at all. In Rome
a major synod met to discuss the case of woman,
and decided that she was a being who had no soul, and
that therefore she would not inherit life in the Hereafter,
and that she was evil.
In Athens women were regarded as chattels; they
were bought and sold, and were regarded as evil, the
handiwork of the devil.
The ancient laws of India state that disease, death,
Hell, snake venom and fire were all better than woman.
Her right to life came to an end when her husband's _
or master's _ life ended. When she saw his body
burning she would throw herself into the flames; if she did not
do so, she would be subject to curses.
With regard to woman in Judaism, the ruling on her
in the Old Testament is as follows:
"So I turned my mind to understand,
to investigate and to search out wisdom and the
scheme of things
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly.
I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare,
whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains…"
(Ecclesiastes 7:25-26 _ New International Version)
It is known that the Old Testament is venerated
and believed by both Jews and Christians.
This was the situation of woman in ancient times.
With regard to her situation in the Middle Ages and in
modern times, this will be explained by the following:
The Danish writer Wieth Kordsten explained the view
of the Catholic Church towards women. He said:
"During the Middle Ages very little care was given to
women, following the teaching of the Catholic church
which regarded woman as a second class creation." In France,
a council in 586 CE decided to research the case of
woman and whether she was to be counted as human or not.
After some discussion, they decided that woman was
human, but she was created to serve man.
The 217th clause of the French law states the
following: "A married woman _ even if her marriage is based on
the condition of separating what belongs to her and
what belongs to her husband _ is not permitted to give
anything as a gift or to transfer any of her property or use it
as collateral, or to take possession of anything whether
in return for payment or otherwise, without her
husband being a party to the contract or agreeing to it in writing."
In England, Henry VIII forbade the English woman
to read the Bible. Until 1850 CE women were not
counted as citizens, and until 1882 CE they did not have
any personal rights.
(Silsilat Maqaarinah al-Adyaan, by Dr. Ahmad
Shalaby, vol. 3, p. 210-213)
As for contemporary woman in Europe, America and
other industrial nations, she is a creature which is degraded
and abused for commercial purposes. She is a feature
of advertising campaigns, and things have reached a
stage where she takes off her clothes in order to
advertise products on posters, and she sells and displays her
body according to systems devised by men, so that she is
no more than an object of pleasure for them in every place.
Woman is cared for so long as she is able to give
and contribute physically or mentally. When she becomes
old and cannot give any more, society _ individuals
and institutions _ forsakes her and she lives alone in her
house or in a mental hospital.
Compare this _ and there is no comparison _ with
the teachings of the Noble Qur'aan, in which Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"The believers, men and women, are Awliya'
(helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another"
[al-Tawbah 9:71]
"And they (women) have rights (over their husbands
as regards living expenses) similar (to those of
their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and
respect) to what is reasonable"
[al-Baqarah 2:228]
"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none
but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one
of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not
to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but
address them in terms of honour.
And lower unto them the wing of submission and
humility through mercy, and say: `My Lord! Bestow on them
Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was
young'"[al-Isra' 17:23-24]
Since her Lord has honoured her in this way, it is clear
to all of mankind that He has created her to be a mother,
a wife, a daughter and a sister, so He prescribed laws
which apply exclusively to women and not men.
From al-Islam Usooluhu wa Mabaadi'uhu by Dr. Muhammad `Abd-Allaah ibn Saalih
al-Sahyeem (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
10267: When did Islam begin and who started the
Muslim tradition?
Question:
Who began the Muslim tradition, when did this faith
start, what are the rules and how do you begin?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
If what you mean by the "Muslim tradition" is the
Islamic religion itself, the answer will be given in the
second section below.
1- But if what you mean is what the Muslim
ummah (nation) has achieved down throughout the ages
of prosperity, then this was not achieved in one instant,
but it started when Islam started, especially after
the establishment of the Islamic state at the time of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), then it
started to flourish and develop as the Islamic conquests
spread and reached the level that they did. If this can be
attributed to anyone, it can only be attributed to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), after Allaah.
With regard to other people, everyone contributed as much
as he could until the structure (of the Muslim
civilization) was complete.
2- With regard to the beginning of the religion, it
seems that what is meant by religion is the religion of
Islam with its beliefs and laws. This started with the mission
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
With regard to the rules of Islam, they are many and it
is difficult to list them all here, but the most important
of them are:
The testimony that there is no god except Allaah and
that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah;
establishing regular prayer; paying the zakaah (obligatory charity,
a share of one's wealth to be given to the poor); fasting
in Ramadaan; and Hajj or pilgrimage to the Sacred
House of Allaah.
An individual enters this religion after bearing
witness that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad
is the Messenger of Allaah, then after that he is obliged
to adhere to the other pillars, prayer, fasting and Hajj.
There are many further details involved in these matters.
See also Question # 13569 shaykh Sa'd al-Humayd (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
10590: The tolerance of Islam
Question:
How can we prove to non-Muslims that Islam is a
tolerant and easy religion?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Islam is the religion of mercy and kindness, the
religion of tolerance and ease. Allaah has not burdened this
ummah with more than it can bear. Whatever good it does, it
will be rewarded for it, and whatever evil it does, it will
have to bear the burden of that sin, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He
gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he
is punished for that (evil) which he has earned"
[al-Baqarah 2:286]
Allaah has spared the Muslims any difficulty or
hardship in all that He has enjoined upon them. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"He has chosen you (to convey His Message of
Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His
religion of Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion
any hardship"
[al-Hajj 22:78]
Every sin that a Muslim commits because he makes
a mistake, or forgets, or is forced to do it, is forgiven
by Allaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error"
[al-Baqarah 2:286]
And Allaah says: your prayer is granted.
The Muslim will be brought to account for what he
does deliberately, not for what he does by mistake, as
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And there is no sin on you concerning that in which
you made a mistake, except in regard to what your
hearts deliberately intend"
[al-Ahzaab 33:5]
Allaah is Kind and Merciful. He sent Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with ease and
the tolerant monotheism:
"Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want
to make things difficult for you
[al-Baqarah 2:185 _ interpretation of the meaning]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Religion is very easy and whoever
overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in
that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be
near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you
will be rewarded." (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 39).
The Shaytaan is man's greatest enemy. He makes
him forget the remembrance of his Lord (dhikr) and
makes his sin attractive to him, as Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):
"Shaytaan (Satan) has overpowered them. So he has
made them forget the remembrance of Allaah. They are the
party of Shaytaan (Satan). Verily, it is the party of
Shaytaan (Satan) that will be the losers![al-Mujaadilah
58:19]
What one's own nafs (self) says has been forgiven
by Allaah, The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: "Allaah has forgiven my ummah
for thoughts that cross their minds, so long as they do
not speak of them or act upon them." (Narrated by
Muslim, 127)
Whoever commits a sin then Allaah conceals it, it is
not permissible for him to speak of it, because the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "All
of my ummah will be fine except those who commit
sin openly." (Narrated by Muslim, 2990).
If a person commits a sin then repents, Allaah will
accept his repentance:
"your Lord has written (prescribed) Mercy for
Himself, so that if any of you does evil in ignorance, and
thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds (by
obeying Allaah), then surely, He is OftForgiving, Most
Merciful" [al-An'aam 6:54 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
Allaah is Generous and Kind, He multiplies the
reward for good deeds and forgives bad deeds, as the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, narrating the words of his Lord: "Allaah has
decreed hasanaat (good deeds) and sayi'aat (bad deeds), then
He explained that. Whoever intends to do a good deed
then does not do it, Allaah will write it down as one
complete hasanah; if he intends to do it then he does it, then
Allaah will write it down as between ten and seven
hundred hasanaat, or more. Whoever intends to do a bad
deed, then he does not do it, Allaah will write it down as
one complete hasanah; if he intends to do it then he does
it, Allaah will write it down as one sayi'ah." (Agreed
upon; narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab
al-Raqaa'iq, 81)
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami, by Shaykh
Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri. (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
12283: A Christian woman is asking whether her
marriage to a Muslim is valid
Question:
I am a Christian woman, recently married to a
Muslim man. Due to our different beliefs, we were married in
a courthouse, as opposed to a Mosque. Does the
Muslim belief still see this as a "real" marriage? I have
researched this, and was surprised to read that the Islam belief
does not honor this as a real wedding? Please confirm...I
am very much in love with this man!
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly: if the marriage contract was done with:
1. the proposal of your guardian _ who may be your
father or whoever is acting in his place if he is not there, on
the condition that he is of the same religion as you _ by
his saying, for example, "I offer my daughter in marriage
to you."
2. Acceptance on the part of the husband by saying,
for example, "I accept."
3. The contract was done in the presence of two
Muslim witnesses
_ then the marriage is valid. (For more details on
the conditions of marriage, see question no. 2127 and
the section on conditions of marriage on this web site).
If any of these conditions is missing, then the marriage
is not valid, and you have to do it again. The place
where the marriage contract is done does not have any effect
on the validity of the marriage.
Secondly: this question caught our attention because
of your keen interest in finding out the rules of the
Islamic religion concerning this matter. Perhaps this will lead
you to enquire about greater realities, the most important
of which is, which is the true religion?
Permit us to ask you the following questions:
Do you want a happy life? Do you care about
finding contentment? Are you looking for the truth? Do you
want a good and righteous life for your children?
If you do, then please _ may Allaah guide you and us
to the truth _ consider the following:
That Allaah has created mankind for a great
purpose, which is to worship Allaah alone with no partner
or associate. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind
except that they should worship Me (Alone).
I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision
for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that
they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures).
Verily, Allaah is the AllProvider, Owner of Power, the
Most Strong"
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56-58]
Allaah sent the Messengers to call mankind to
this purpose. He said (interpretation of the meaning):
"And verily, We have sent among every
Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger
(proclaiming): "Worship Allaah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away
from) Taaghoot (all false deities, i.e. do not worship
Taaghoot besides Allaah)." Then of them were some whom
Allaah guided and of them were some upon whom the
straying was justified. So travel through the land and see
what was the end of those who denied (the truth)"
[al-Nahl 16:36]
Then Allaah sent the final Messenger, Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He was the last
of the Prophets and Messengers. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but
he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of
the Prophets. And Allaah is Ever AllAware of everything"
[al-Ahzaab 33:40]
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And those
who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and
merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling
down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allaah
and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their
Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of
prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the
Tawraat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel)
is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then
makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on
its stem, delighting the sowers, that He may enrage
the disbelievers with them. Allaah has promised those
among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow
Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad till
the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good
deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise)"
[al-Fath 48:29]
One of the reasons why He sent the Messengers was
so as to establish proof against mankind, lest they say,
"No Messenger came to us and no one told us that
Allaah commanded us to worship Him." Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We have sent the Revelation to you
(O Muhammad) as We sent the Revelation to Nooh
(Noah) and the Prophets after him; We (also) sent the
Revelation to Ibraaheem (Abraham), Ismaa`eel (Ishmael),
Ishaaq (Isaac), Ya`qoob (Jacob), and AlAsbaat [the offspring
of the twelve sons of Ya`qaab (Jacob)], `Eesa
(Jesus), Ayyoob (Job), Yoonus (Jonah), Haaroon (Aaron),
and Sulaymaan (Solomon); and to Daawood (David) We
gave the Zaboor (Psalms).
And Messengers We have mentioned to you before,
and Messengers We have not mentioned to you, — and
to Moosa (Moses) Allaah spoke directly.
Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of
warning in order that mankind should have no plea against
Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers. And Allaah is
Ever AllPowerful, AllWise [al-Nisaa'
4:163-165]
We call you, and everyone who does not follow
the religion of Islam, to hasten to obey the command of
Allaah by believing in Him alone, with no partner or
associate, and to believe in His Prophet Muhammad (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him), whom Allaah sent
to all of creation, men and jinn alike. Allaah has
commanded them to do this, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"O mankind! Verily, there has come to you the
Messenger (Muhammad) with the truth from your Lord. So
believe in him, it is better for you. But if you disbelieve,
then certainly to Allaah belongs all that is in the heavens
and the earth. And Allaah is Ever AllKnowing, AllWise.
O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed
the limits in your religion, nor say of Allaah aught but
the truth. The Messiah `Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam
(Mary), was (no more than) a Messenger of Allaah and His
Word, ("Be!" — and he was) which He bestowed on
Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rooh) created by Him; so believe
in Allaah and His Messengers. Say not: "Three
(trinity)!" Cease! (it is) better for you. For Allaah is (the only)
One Ilaah (God), glory is to Him (Far Exalted is He)
above having a son. To Him belongs all that is in the
heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allaah is AllSufficient
as a Disposer of affairs"
[al-Nisaa' 4:170-171]
Allaah has told us in His Noble Book (the Qur'aan)
that He does not accept any religion other than Islam.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):
"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it
will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will
be one of the losers"
[Aal `Imraan 3:85]
"Allaah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illa Huwa
(none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the
angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness);
(He always) maintains His creation in justice. Laa ilaaha
illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He),
the AllMighty, the All-Wise.
Truly, the religion with Allaah is Islam. Those who
were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not
differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had
come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayaat
(proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allaah,
then surely, Allaah is Swift in calling to account
[Aal `Imraan 3:18-19]
Do not forget that if you become Muslim, it will be
better for your children, so that they will not be confused
or suffer from mental anguish, and say, "Our father is
a Muslim and our mother is a Christian, so who should
we follow?"
Perhaps thinking through these matters more deeply
will lead to a good result, by Allaah's leave. Strive to read
a sound translation of the Qur'aan, which is considered
to be the miracle of the Prophet of Islam, then read
the biography of the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and how Allaah
granted success to him and his Companions, and how
Allaah supported him with miracles, such as making water
flow from between his fingers and the splitting the moon,
when the mushrikoon (polytheists) asked for a sign _ so
he commanded the moon to split, and it split in two _
and other events which are recorded in his
Seerah (biography). And he also spoke of unseen matters which could not
be known except by means of Revelation, such as when
he said that the empires of the Persians and
Romans (Byzantines) would be conquered before it happened,
and other matters which are indicative of his
Prophethood. We ask Allaah to guide us all.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
12376: Da'wah _ calling others to Islam
Question:
How should we call people to Islam?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah created man and caused him to dwell on this
earth, but He did not forsake him. Rather He gave him what
he needs of food, drink and clothing, and revealed to
him throughout the ages a path to follow and be guided
by. The interests and happiness of mankind at every time
and in every place depend upon following the path of
Allaah and rejecting all others:
"And verily, this (i.e. Allaah's Commandments
mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is My straight
path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they
will separate you away from His path. This He has
ordained for you that you may become AlMuttaqoon
(the pious)"[al-An'aam 6:153 _ interpretation of
the meaning]
Islam is the last of the heavenly religions and the
Qur'aan is the last of the heavenly Books. Muhammad (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the last of the
Prophets and Messengers. Allaah commanded him to convey
this religion to all of mankind:
"this Qur'aan has been revealed to me that I
may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may
reach"[al-An'aam 6:18]
Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with Islam to all
of mankind, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): `O mankind! Verily, I am sent
to you all as the Messenger of Allaah'"[al-A'raaf
7:158]
Da'wah or calling others to Islam is the best of
deeds, because it involves guiding people to the Straight
Path and to that which will bring them happiness in this
world and in the Hereafter:
"And who is better in speech than he who [says:
`My Lord is Allaah (believes in His Oneness),' and then
stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to
Allaah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds,
and says: `I am one of the Muslims.'"[Fussilat 41:33
_ interpretation of the meaning]
Calling others to Islam is an honourable mission. This
is the work of the Prophets and Messengers. The
Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
explained that his mission in life, and the mission of his
followers, is to call people to Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): `This is my way; I invite
unto Allaah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allaah —
Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and
whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allaah, i.e. to
the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism with
sure knowledge). And Glorified and Exalted be Allaah
(above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I
am not of the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters
and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah; those who
worship others along with Allaah or set up rivals or partners
to Allaah)'"[Yoosuf 12:108]
The Muslims in general and the scholars in particular
are commanded to call people to Islam, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting
to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma`roof (i.e.
Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do)
and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and
all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are
the successful"[Aal `Imraan 3:104]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "Convey from me even if it is (only) one
aayah." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3461)
Calling people to Allaah is an important task and
a glorious mission, because it means calling people
to worship Allaah alone. It means bringing them forth
from darkness to the light, planting goodness in the place
of evil and truth in the place of falsehood. Hence
whoever does this needs to have knowledge,
understanding, patience, forbearance, gentleness and kindness. He
needs to give of his wealth and of himself, and he needs
to understand people's circumstances and habits. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your
Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine
Revelation and the Qur'aan) and fair preaching, and argue with
them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best
who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best
Aware of those who are guided"
[al-Nahl 16:125]
Allaah blessed His Messenger with the words (interpretation of the meaning):
"And by the Mercy of Allaah, you dealt with them
gently. And had you been severe and harshhearted, they
would have broken away from about you; so pass over
(their faults), and ask (Allaah's) forgiveness for them;
and consult them in the affairs"
[Aal `Imraan 3:159]
The daa'iyah (caller) may be faced with debates in
his da'wah activities, especially with the People of the
Book. Allaah has commanded us, if it reaches the point of
debate, to debate in a manner that is better, which is with
kindness and gentleness, explaining the principles of Islam as
they came, pure and simple, in a kindly manner and with
no element of compulsion. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And argue not with the people of the Scripture
(Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better
(with good words and in good manner, inviting them to
Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of
them as do wrong; and say (to them): `We believe in that
which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our
Ilaah (God) and your Ilaah (God) is One (i.e. Allaah), and
to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)'"
[al-`Ankaboot 29:46]
Calling people to Allaah is a virtuous deed which
brings great reward. The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever calls others to
guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those who
follow him, without that detracting from their reward in any
way. And whoever calls others to misguidance will have
a burden of sin like the burden of those who follow
him, without that detracting from their burden in
any way."(Narrated by Muslim, 2674)
If building a physical structure needs effort and
patience until it is complete, then building souls and guiding
them to the truth also needs patience and sacrifice.
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) called people to Islam, patiently bearing the
persecution of the kuffaar, Jews and hypocrites. They made fun
of him and disbelieved in him; they insulted him and
threw stones at him; they said that he was a sorcerer or
a madman; they accused him of being a poet or a
soothsayer _ but he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) bore all that with patience until Allaah granted him
victory and caused His religion to prevail. So the daa'iyah
must follow his example:
"So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise
of Allaah is true; and let not those who have no certainty
of Faith discourage you from conveying Allaah's
Message (which you are obliged to convey)[al-Room 30:60
_ interpretation of the meaning]
The Muslims must follow the example and guidance
of their Messenger and call others to Islam, bearing
insults and harm with patience for the sake of Allaah, as
their Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) did:
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad)
you have a good example to follow for him who hopes
for (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day,
and remembers Allaah much"
[al-Ahzaab 33:21 _ interpretation of the
meaning]
The well-being and happiness of this ummah are only
to be found in following this religion. Hence
Allaah commanded us to convey the message to all of
mankind, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"This (Qur'aan) is a Message for mankind (and a
clear proof against them), in order that they may be
warned thereby, and that they may know that He is the only
One Ilaah (God — Allaah) — (none has the right to
be worshipped but Allaah) — and that men of
understanding may take heed [Ibraaheem 14:52]
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad
ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
10134: Ruling on those who are not reached by the call
of Islam
Question:
Will the people living in the remotest places on earth
like the rainforests or the south pole, go to hell or heaven,
the case being that they never encountered anyone or
prophet, who has told them about Allah and Islam ?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The best scholarly opinion concerning this type of
people is that they will be put to the test on the Day
of Resurrection. Whoever obeys will enter Paradise
and whoever disobeys will enter Hell, because Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And We never punish until We have sent a
Messenger (to give warning)" [al-Israa' 17:15]
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah
have mercy on him), 1/456 (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
12373: He is very close to Islam
Question:
Iam an hindu and i've been ferociouly inclined
towards islam.a website like yours is the gift of allah to
millions of young people like me.inshallah, i will very soon
enter the world of islam.please do pray for me to enter
islam. Let the good work of people like you continue by
the grace of allah.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We thank you for your commendation and
congratulate you on your decision. We pray that Allaah will cause
you to enter this religion sooner rather than later. We say:
O Allaah, hasten to guide this slave of Yours to the
Straight Path and decree that he be guided soon to the religion
of Islam, for You are the All-hearing Who answers prayers.
Remember that you have to act upon your decision,
for whomever Allaah decrees is to be guided, He will
make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). So
respond to your Lord and utter the words of the
Shahaadatayn (twin declaration of faith), and do the acts of
worship prescribed in Islam. Remember that there is nothing
to be gained by waiting any longer, because you do not
know when your appointed time (of death) will come.
Perhaps you know that delaying entering Islam will cause you
to lose a lot of reward which you would have gained if
you had done it sooner. The reward for every prayer, act
of charity, fast, remembrance of Allaah (dhikr),
upholding of family ties, reading Qur'aan etc., will be lost for
as long as you delay. So go ahead and do not hesitate;
be decisive and do not put if off. You should not think it
is too great a step to change your religion, or be
too concerned about the objections of family
members. Whoever knows the truth will make sacrifices for its
sake and will be patient in following it. We wish you
strength, guidance and patience in following the truth. Peace
be upon those who follow true guidance. .
Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
11934: His Muslim wife's relatives are kaafirs who
mistreat her
Question:
Me and my wife are in a delemma about our
relatives. We both are the only muslims in among our families.
I'm in very close family they are there when you
need help they're very supportive of me. My wife family
isn't close to her at all nor are they close to our kids.My
wife brothers talks to her as she are garbage, they cheat
her out of her money by telling her lies of deciet, they
drink, and commit adultery, and her sisters on the other
hand threaten her a lot by calling "DCFS," they call her
liers about everything, they disregard everything she say,
and they have gatherings and she's not invited, and they
all hate Islam and talks negative about it.Where do draw
the line and say enough is enough. I know Islam teaches
us to be kind to our family members but how do you
deal with family that don't respect you and criticize you
all the time. My wife get angry at me when I tell her
about them, even though she knows how they are. What
makes me very angry is that my wife brothers say things to
her and she makes excuses for them about why they treat
her this way that if I were to say similar she would blow
the roof off the house,and if I asked them why they talk
to her that way she would accuse me of making fitna.
How do I deal with matter or how should she deal with
matter. please advise
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Praise Allaah that your family is closely-knit and that
you do not suffer the things that your wife suffers from
her family. Appreciating this blessing fully will make you
give thanks to your Lord and feel compassion for your
wife because of the state of affairs with her family. This
will motivate you to console her and stand beside her to
ward off mistreatment from her, and boost her morale
when she is faced with these attacks. Our advice to your wife
is to bear her family's mistreatment with patience and
to strive to call the individuals in her family who are
less evil and more open to accepting the truth. Then if
her kaafir family are causing her trouble, she can mix
with them less, and make her visits to them brief and for
a purpose. No Muslim is obliged to mix with kaafir
relatives if he cannot bear their mistreatment, but he should
strive to bear their mistreatment with patience and call them
to Islam.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
12215: She is in a relationship with a Christian man
and she wants him to become Muslim so she can marry him
Question:
Do you have any way, how to make someone
concious about religion.i have problems that i can't figure out
my self.
I have woman to man relationship ( now almost take
three years ), this friend of mine is a christiant,we are
planning to get married but i want him to be a moslem .
Pushing is not my intend,i want him to become a
moslem sincerelly, i know hidayah is only from allah but we
human must try the best...i'm not going to marry him if he is
not a moslem...in the same time i want him to be my
husband ...help me
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
There are many ways of creating interest in Islam,
such as reading the seerah (biography) of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or reading
about the miracles of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him), or about his prevailing victories and
the defeat of his enemies. One may also look at the
beauties of Islam, or explain that the sharee'ah of Islam
includes everything that is good, and that sharee'ah does not
enjoin anything except that which is in accordance with
reason and common sense, and it does not forbid
anything without explaining what is wrong with it and
putting people off it. For this reason people, Arabs and
others, entered Islam voluntarily, without being forced. We
advise this woman to put an end to her relationship with
this Christian man which has lasted for so long and he is
still persisting in his kufr. If he chooses Islam of his own
free will, then he must be tested after that to be certain that
he is sincere. He must also be told that if he goes back
to Christianity after becoming Muslim, he is to be
killed. (Because the punishment for apostasy in Islam is
death. Whoever recognizes the true religion and enters it
then leaves it, does not deserve to live. Hence the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said, "Whoever changes his religion, kill him." This is what
is to be applied if he is living in a country which is ruled
by sharee'ah. The point is that this person should be
informed of the seriousness of the matter. And Allaah is the
source of strength.)
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
11936: It is not essential to have witnesses in order to
enter Islam
Question:
My question is one concerning, when a non muslim
wants to accept the Shahadah. Do witnesses need to be
present? I remember a hadith mentioning a man who killed 99
ppl and was sent to heaven b/c of his intentions of
coming towards islam?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not essential for the one who wants to utter the
twin testimony of faith (al-shahaadatayn) to have
witnesses present. He may simply utter the words with his
tongue, and that is sufficient for him to enter Islam.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
7453: He became Muslim and he has musical instruments
_ what should he do with them?
Question:
I reverted to Islam in September 99, Alhamdoulillah.
I was a guitar player. I would like to know if it is
possible for me to sell my guitars? And what about
equipment such as microphones, mixers, computers… that
actually can be used for other purposes than making music, can
I sell these? If I can not sell anything, what shall I do
with them?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn `Abd
al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen (may Allaah preserve him),
who answered as follows:
If they cannot be used for any permissible purpose _
and these things can only be used for haraam purposes in
most cases _ then he has to destroy them. Whoever fears
Allaah and does his duty towards Him, Allaah will show him
a way out and grant him provision from sources he
could never imagine.
For information on the rulings on music, please
see question 5011 And Allaah knows best.
Shaykh `Abd-Allaah ibn `Abd al-Rahmaan ibn
Jibreen (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
11232: Giving a lecture about Islam in a church
Question:
Someone has been invited to give a lecture about
Islam in a church. Should he accept?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who
answered as follows:
This matter needs further examination, because the
place is not appropriate, except in the unlikely event that it
might be said that the Muslims are so powerful that they
can proclaim their religion in the places of worship of
the Christians. If this is the case, then it is good. But I
am worried that it may be the opposite, i.e., that the
Muslims are compelled to speak of their religion in the
church. Hence I think that he should not do that, in order to
avoid falling into this category (of being weak). And
Allaah knows best.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
4036: She wants to embrace Islam but does not want
to leave her kaafir husband
Question:
In the Islamic centres and when calling
non-Muslim women to Islam, we are faced with the problem of
the wife's attachment to her kaafir husband who does not
want to become Muslim. It is difficult for the woman to
sacrifice her marriage, especially when the couple has children
and the husband treats her well and she feels a great deal
of love for him. We know that if a kaafir woman
becomes Muslim it is not permissible for her to remain in a
marriage with a kaafir man, because Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning): "… they are not lawful (wives) for
the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful
(husbands) for them…" [al-Mumtahinah 60:10]. How should we
deal with this problem? Is it permissible for us to focus on
the issue of the woman becoming Muslim and ignore the
rest of the matter?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih al-`Uthaymeen:
A woman says, I want to become Muslim, and my
husband is good and I do not want to leave him. What should I do?
He answered:
"She has to leave him, but is it possible for her to
call him to Islam? She could say, `I want to become
Muslim, but if I become Muslim, the marriage will become
null and void unless you become Muslim too.' Hopefully
if she says this to him, he will become Muslim too.'"
Question:
If she become Muslim, can she stay in the marital
home while she calls him to Islam, or should she leave?
Answer:
"If she is hopeful that he will become Muslim, she
can stay in the marital home until the end of her
`iddah (waiting period following the dissolution of a marriage)."
Question:
Can she uncover herself (go without hijab) during
the `iddah or not?
Answer:
"To be on the safe side, she should not uncover,
because there is no certainty that he will agree to become Muslim."
Question:
And she should not be alone with him?
Answer:
"And she should not be alone with him."
Question:
If telling her about this could turn her away from
Islam, is it permissible for us according to sharee'ah to
conceal the second part of the answer from her, so that we
could tell her, "Become Muslim first, then we will tell you
about the ruling on staying with your husband"?
Answer:
"No, if we say this, and then we tell her about the
ruling and she leaves Islam (becomes an apostate), this will
make the problem worse. For this reason the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told `Ali ibn
Abi Taalib, when he sent him to the people of Khaybar:
`Call them to Islam and tell them what they have to do in
the way of duties towards Allaah.'"
Question:
So now if she continues to live with him after she
becomes Muslim she is guilty of a major sin (kabeerah)?
Answer:
"Yes that is the case, but she should not persist in
zinaa (unlawful sexual relationship)."
Question:
Briefly, how should we answer her?
Answer:
"Tell her: Become Muslim, and know that if you
become Muslim and your husband does not, the marriage
will become null and void."
When we are talking to women who will be faced
with this issue, we should focus on the following points:
Giving priority to love for Allaah and His Messenger
over love for anyone else.
If she is sincere in calling him to Islam and in praying
for him, Allaah may guide him at her hands.
- Whoever gives up something for the sake of
Allaah, Allaah will compensate him or her with something better.
Allaah will never forsake His slave who gives
up something he or she loves for His sake.
When a woman like this becomes Muslim and leaves
her husband, one of the Muslim brothers should come
forward to marry her and take her children into his family, or
good-hearted Muslims should undertake the responsibility
of spending in charity on her and her children. We ask
Allaah to guide us and grant us strength and help us to do
the right thing. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
8593: If he announces his Islam they will not give him
a job; can he conceal his faith?
Question:
I embraced Islam about half a year ago. I'm very
happy with all the changes in my life, that occured after
having reverted, but I haven't been "registered" yet officially
as a muslim. As I want to be a teacher on day, there is a
big problem I face: Germany is not very tolerant
towards muslim teachers, thus, it is very unlikely for me to get
a job one day. I want to ask you now, if it is possible to
hide my muslim faith, until I have my job? Can I practice it
in private without telling it any governmental authorities?
Answer:
We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih al-`Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who
answered as follows:
He does not have to tell them about his being
Muslim, and there is nothing wrong with him concealing
his religion if he is afraid for himself.
And Allaah knows best.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (www.islam-qa.com)
Our Price: $19.95 Pages: 300 Downloadable
 |
|
PAGES: 402
(6 in x 9 in)
ISBN: 1861793537 |
| Click: HERE to Download the book and get two other FREE books | |  | and Get immediate access to the
full volume and the
FREE Bonuses |
|
