Living Islam (mission, prophet, marriage, faith, muslims)

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What do they say about Prophet Muhammad?

George Bernard Shaw said about him:

"He must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness." [The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936]

Michael H. Hart in his book on ratings of people who contributed towards the benefit and upliftment of mankind writes:

"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels." (The 100: A ranking of the most influential persons in history" New York, 1978, p. 33)

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0602-2919

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Be Just in All That You Say

One of the most important rules of thumb for being just in what we say is never to generalize.

When sweeping generalizations are made, they invariably gloss over a great number of differences and disagreements that exist among the people being spoken about.

The premium that Islam places on individual responsibility means that the individual is directly accountable for his or her own opinions, statements and actions. He is not held responsible – before men or before Allah – for the words and deeds of others who might share the same ethnicity or who hail from the same community ...

We must treat everyone with kindness and justice, because ths is what the general ethical teachings of Islam demand from us, and those teachings are established with decisive textual evidence. ...

http://islamtoday.com/showme_weekly_2006.cfm?cat_id=30&sub_cat_id=1066

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Prophet Muhammad`s (PBUH) Farewell Sermon

After praising, and thanking Allah he said:


"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY ...

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste. ...

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood...

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0107-322

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Being Considerate

One of the significant characteristics of the believers is their refusal to fall prey to their own greed.

Believers who overcome their vain desires will naturally be caring and considerate towards other believers. The Qur'an tells of that kind of self-sacrificing relationship between theMuhajirun, the migrants who left Makkah with Prophet Muhammad for Madinah, and the Ansar, the faithful people of Madinah who helped them:

{And those who, before them, had homes (in Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who migrate to them, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), and give them (migrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need. And those saved from the covetousness in their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity.** (Al-Hashr 59:9)

As is also mentioned in this verse, the believers should give other believers preference over themselves. That is true faith, submission, and brotherhood.

Giving other believers preference is not confined to offering them something in physical terms. Brotherhood is also imparted with thoughtfulness. Believers must consider their brethren's needs and problems more than their own ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1175008650407&pagename=Z one-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout

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What is The Qur'an?

Q: Please give me a brief and clear idea about what exactly is the Qur’an and if the translations are also Qur’an. Is Islam simply the Qur’an?

A: The Qur’an was revealed in the course of the 23 years of the prophetic career of Muhammad (pbuh), in accordance with the requirements of the particular contexts that called for divine guidance in certain issues.

For this reason, in order to arrive at the correct understanding of many of its verses, we need to know the circumstances in which these verses were revealed. That is why the foundation of the religion of Islam is not just the Qur’an; but it includes the sayings and the example of the messenger, as well.

This also means that the best interpreter of the Qur’an is the prophet, to whom the verses were actually revealed ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996015900&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam%2FAskAboutIslamE%2FAskAboutIslamE

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Prophets...What If They Were Angels?

Questions

- Why did God choose human beings as His messengers?
- Wouldn't it be more appropriate if God sent angels to guide people and to show them the straight path?
- Wouldn't people be more eager to believe an angel than merely another human like themselves?
- How fair would it be for human beings to have angels as their prophets?

Answers

A messenger is assigned to convey the law of God and to inform people about the divine message, so he must be one of them — speaking their language and knowing their habits — to be able to convey the message. People must have known him before his mission; his honesty, truthfulness, and noble manners should be unquestionable.

Not only would the prophet convey the divine law, but he would also teach people how to apply it. The law is theoretical and must be practically applied; people need to see their messenger offering prayers, performing Hajj, and applying the divine law he brought to them. Therefore, the humanity of the prophet is imperative. ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1184649613925&pagename=Z one-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout

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Good to be Selfish?

Q: Ever since we are young, we are always taught to act in an unselfish manner. It is better to help an old lady cross the street just because it is good to do so rather than helping her purely for some reward? ...

My point is that we should do good just for the sake of doing good rather than for a reward but in Islam and other religions doing good acts is simply for the purpose of gaining paradise, is this not selfish?

A: Every act we perform has an intention behind it, either good or bad. Our intention for any good deed should always be for the sake of Allah, to please Him because He created us and to Him we shall all return

We serve Allah not because He is in need of it, but because we need it. That is true mercy from the Lord of all the worlds. Allah is not in need of us to do good, and is not affected if we do evil. We are the ones who benefit or suffer from our actions.

However, if we do not seek reward from people that is one thing, but if we do not seek reward from Allah, what are we trying to accomplish in performing good deeds? ...

In the Hereafter there are only two final destinations for mankind, Paradise and Hellfire. When we see the Hellfire, and every one of us will have to see it, we will wish that we could do anything to get as far away from it as possible ...

We seek the pleasure of Allah because He has given us everything, including our own selves. He is the reason we exist and the reason for our existence is to worship Him. We worship Him by doing things that please Him, in the ways that please Him ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1201957788691&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam%2FAskAboutIslamE%2FAskAboutIslamE

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An Islamic renaissance

The Islamic Renaissance is a relatively new social phenomenon which is of immense importance to the future of the Muslim civilization, and which presumably has some serious implications for the whole world ...

The term is generally used in the sense of a general awakening that has been taking place among the Muslims since the middle of the nineteenth century under the influence of some fresh thinking and activism.

It is a process of moderernization of the Muslim world with an Islamic orientation to design the scheme of modernization by conforming to Islamic norms. Even though a heavy emphasis on intellectual, political, economic and technological development in common in both, the European Renaissance and the Islamic Renaissance, the two are significantly different in their orientations.

There are three undercurrents that together constitute the mainstream of the Islamic Revivalist movement: reformism, Intellectualism and activism. apparently the three undercurrents maintain their separate identity, but because of he commonality of goals, they reinforce and strengthen one another. ...

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=DW0405-2313