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TENETS OF ISLAM:
The Holy Prophet said:
a) Islam is based on Five things :
1. To testify that no one should be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Rasool (Messenger).
2. To establish obligatory prayers, five times a day.
3. To pay zaka’t (to the needy).
4. To perform Hajj (pilgrimage) (to Mecca).
5. To fast in the month of Ramadan. (Bukhari:8,63)
(Bukhari & Muslim -Mishkat:2)
b) The prayers are the pillars of Islam, and Jihad is its zenith. (Tirmizi, Ibn Majah - Mishkat:26)
c) The Elements of Faith (in Islam) are:
“ To believe in Allah*, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last
Day and pre-ordainment (Taqdeer) with its good and evil aspects”.
(Muslim - Mishkat:1)
1. To believe that no one should be worshipped except Allah.
2. To believe in Muhammad (peace be upon him) as Allah’s Messenger.
3. To believe in life after death on the Day of judgement.
4. To believe in pre-ordainment (Taqdeer).
(Tirmizi, Ibn Majah - Mishkat:96)
* To believe in Allah means:
1. No one should be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger.
2. Offering prayers.
3. Paying zakat.
4. Fasting in the month of Ramadan……(Bukhari:53)
ISLAM – MISUNDERSTOOD IN THE WEST:
Islam is a misunderstood religion in the West. There is a general impression in the West that Islam is anti human that advocates fundamentalism as well as terrorism, and tramples the basic rights of the people, particularly those of women. These are serious and horrible allegations against Islam. The Holy Quran, in this connection, points out to the bitter fact that there are people amongst mankind, who argue about Allah (and Islam) without any knowledge, and follow the devil - the rebel and the troublemaker (22:3). They just argue about (the Commandments of) Allah (for the sake of criticism only) without any knowledge, guidance and the book of light (22:8). Can they put up any argument from the Holy Quran in support of their claim? The fact is that they fabricate their ideas about Islam by reading and listening from hither and thither without taking the trouble in studying the Holy Quran and the way of living of our Holy Prophet.
It is, therefore, quite appropriate at this stage to reject their fabricated idea of fundamentalism and terrorism about Islam, and state the rights of all categories of people, as below:
I) International Islamic Charter on Basic Human Rights:
“ Your Lord has enjoined:
1. Worship none but Allah alone.
2. Show extreme kindness to your parents…
3. Give due rights to your relatives, the needy…
4. Spend on your relatives and on the poor, but don’t waste money..
5. Don’t kill your children,…as their killing is a horrible sin…
6. Don’t come near to adultery, as it is extremely shameful & sinful…
7. Don’t kill any one (nor kill yourselves)…
8. Don’t go near the wealth of an orphan, but to improve his condition
9. Fulfill your commitments…
10. Measure and weigh with justice (in business)…
11. Don’t persue that of which you have no knowledge…
12. Don’t walk/drive on earth with pride.(Don’t violate others’ rights.)
[The Holy Quran, chapter17, verses 23-37]
[See also Al-Quran, chapter 6, Verses 151,152]
The Holy Quran also states:
“ …Whosoever killed a person or created trouble on earth, it is
as if he killed the entire humanity; and whosoever saved a life,
it is if he saved all human beings…” [Chapter 5, Verse 32]
It may be noted that our Holy Prophet
conquered his birth
town (Makka) without bloodshed and granted general amnesty to
all the people, who were his bitter enemies and who expelled him
and his Companions from their houses under great torture and
oppression. On seeing them frightened, he announced:
“ You are not to be blamed, to-day. You may go, and you are
free (to move with liberty without any fear).” (Ibn Hashsham)
Our Holy Prophet
“ Your blood, your wealth and your honor are as sacred to you
(for ever) as this day (of 10th Zil-Hajj), this city (of peace and
tranquility) (i.e. Mecca) and this month (of Zil-Hajj)
[Bukhari:1652]
Do you find any fundamentalism, terrorism or any
violation of human rights above?
