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

[Cordoba]

Criteria for a True Faith

Q: How do you know that Islam is the true faith?


A: For a faith to be true, it must be accessible to all people, regardless of what language they speak, what age they are, what period they live in, or what their level or type of education is. Neither the blood in their veins nor the color of their skin should ever influence their ability to enter the faith and feel fulfilled by it. The message and doctrines must be simple enough for everyone to understand and its rituals and practices easy to perform for the greatest majority of people.

Its message must touch the innermost soul of those who believe in it and offer the believer the opportunity to develop the strongest of bonds with the One God Who created all of us. This faith must not contradict itself nor be full of contradictory doctrines and practices. It must take people of all types and all backgrounds from the darkness of ignorance to the light of understanding and knowledge

Its divine book or scripture must speak directly to the heart of anyone who reads it. Its words must teach justice, peace, and prosperity for all who follow them.


It must teach its followers to be distinguished examples of conduct for all of humanity to strive to become like them. It must teach its followers to be well balanced, helpful and caring towards others regardless of their religious beliefs.

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE&cid=1148292924035

[Cordoba]

Taking Oneself to Account

It is necessary for an individual to pause at the end of each day that has passed, in order to check himself and run through his achievements: What has he done in the course of the day? Why has he done it? What has he omitted? Why has he omitted it?

How excellent it would be if this self-criticism were to take place before one retired to bed.

This period of self-criticism and appraisal should certainly be counted among man's moments of progress; it is a moment when man impartially sits as a judge over himself and reviews his yearnings and inclinations, his instincts and motivations.

It is a moment when the believer appoints, out of his conviction, a policeman to watch over himself, an investigator to probe him, and a judge to condemn or acquit him. In this way he progresses from the state of "the soul that incites to evil" to the state of "the self- reproaching soul" which reproaches its owner whenever he plunges into sin, or falls short of expectation.

http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=631

[Cordoba]

Are We “Born to Be Free”?

Free will is the most difficult of God's gifts to understand or appreciate

Freedom of the Human Spirit

Belief in the freedom of the human spirit is one of the key things God has revealed down the ages. In Islam, we are taught that it was something God granted to human beings which He did not grant to angels. We may not be able to choose what we are physically, but we have to choose what we will do as regards our soul-activity. We are requested by God to take control of our selves, and make particular choices and act in particular ways—but He never forces us. We do not even have to believe in Him, and we may choose to ignore Him or disobey Him. Millions of people do ...

Reconciling Destiny and Free will

So, what about the Muslim concept of qadar, the key doctrine of God’s complete and final control over the fulfillment of events, or destiny? How does one balance the idea of God knowing absolutely everything with the idea of free will? If God knows in advance everything that will happen, then surely a person’s life must be entirely predestined? Furthermore, if God does not intervene to stop particular things happening, then one can say that He alone is responsible for them. This is linked to the problem of evil. Who is responsible for evil, if God is ultimately responsible for everything? A thief or a terrorist might plead innocence, because he was surely predestined to steal, or to hijack and bomb, and therefore how can it be his fault? ...

The real truth lies in the realm of Al-Ghayb (matters which lie beyond human perception). All that we believers can do is to ask for guidance along our path of life. We may not be able to see the road way into the distance, but we can pray that God will show us the next step, one step at a time. If it were impossible for people to choose because their futures and destinies were already fixed, not only would God be unfair instead of just, but there would also seem to be very little point in us even trying to live good lives. Fatalism leads to despair and helplessness, defeatism, and hindering people from making any effort to improve either their own lot or the lot of those around them.

What Does God Want?

What does God want for us? He wants us to achieve happiness and success. He wants us to find true freedom. ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1154235124846&pagename=Z one-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout

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This is America: Interview with Dr. Sayyed Hossein Nasr

A very interestig interview with Dr. Sayyed Hossein Nasr of George Washington University, trying to better understand Islam :

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7163678675859613485&q=seyyed+hossein+nasr

A very informative talk ...

One of the elements of success of this interview is the attitude of the host, Denis Wholey, as he conducts this interview for the sake of learning and understanding

Highly recommeded if you have time to watch it over the weekend ...

[Cordoba]

Are Islam & Science Compatible?

This interview with Dr. Bruno Abd-al-Haqq Guiderdoni, director of the Observatory of Lyon (France), gives some answers and thoughts on this issue:

Are Science and Islam Compatible?

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Peace and Justice in Islam

Peace and justice, are joined in the slogans we hear from many activists, especially here in the United States, "No Justice, No Peace!"

This linkage is logical, as justice must be considered one of the indispensable prerequisites of any lasting peace.

This article intends to briefly look at the ideas of peace and justice in Islam and explore their deeper significance in the life of a Muslim

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0602-2924

[Cordoba]

Zakah Made Easy


Q: I've recently converted to Islam and I'd like to know about zakah:

When to give it, how much to give, and any conditions of the charity given.

A: Zakah is the third pillar of Islam. It is obligatory on each Muslim, male or female, provided its conditions are met. To be subject to Zakah, you must own (outside exempt items that will follow) an amount called nisab that equals approximately Euro 1000 (equivalent to 85 g. of gold).

Once you own this amount, you look a lunar year later (i.e. after the passage of 354 days), if then you have Euro 1000 or more you are required to pay zakah on all the amount you have at the rate of 2.5 percent. This is repeated every year on that same date. This date sets what we call the fiscal year for one's zakah. This means zakah is on savings and wealth

This means zakah is on savings and wealth


http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1213871212182&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar

[Cordoba]

The Path to Paradise: Creating the Balance

Islam does not subscribe to the type of asceticism where we purify our hearts and yet remain immersed in political, economic or social corruption. Purification must encompass our entire life, the privacy of our thoughts as well as their social manifestations in our daily life.

Everything must be in conformity with Allah's will.

This will of God also requires you to seek and maintain a delicate balance between the various obligations that demand your attention; between your obligations to Allah, your obligations towards others and your obligations towards yourself.

The Prophet advised us against extremism of any kind. It is reported that he said to Abdullah ibn Amr,

Have I heard right that you fast everyday and stand in prayer all night? Abdullah replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah" The Prophet said, "Do not do that. Fast, as well as eat and drink. Stand in prayer, as well as sleep. For your body has a right upon you, your eyes have a right upon you, your wife has a right upon you, and your guest has a right upon you." (Muslim)

Unless you approach purificationas an all-embracing process, you will find that your life is compartmentalized, certain parts impeding the development of others. This can only result in a life of disharmony and